2023 Namibia's South 14 Day Self-drive Tour (Gold)

Day 1

Arrival in Windhoek

We are fetched from the airport and transferred to our accommodation in Windhoek. Hotel Heinitzburg offers everything necessary for a relaxing stay. We can recover from the long flight here and refresh ourselves in the swimming pool. We are free to spend this day at leisure. If there is sufficient time, we could take a stroll through Namibia's capital. At sunset, it is worth having a refreshing drink on the hotel’s terrace – the view of the city from here is magical.

(approx. 40 km, driving time +- 40 min.)

Heinitzburg Hotel, Comfort Deluxe Room (BB)

Day 2

Journey to the Kalahari semi-desert

In the morning, we fetch our rental car and drive via Rehoboth and Kalkrand into the Kalahari. The Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge with its lovingly designed suites offers a soothing atmosphere from which we can enjoy the endless views of the Kalahari. We are already expected for lunch here. At sunset, we’ll take a nature tour in an open Jeep in the up-to-30m-high red dunes surrounded by typical Kalahari flora and fauna.

(approx. 210 km from Windhoek, driving time +- 2.5 hours)

Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge, Dune Chalet (FB + sundowner drive)

Day 3

Journey to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Our journey continues via Stampriet and Gochas towards Mata Mata, the border post to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Our lodge is situated only a few kilometres from the park, surrounded by a sea of red Kalahari sand. This area is home to animals such as oryx antelope, springbok, hartebeest, aardwolf, brown hyena, lynx, warthog, bat-eared fox and many more. A game drive is booked for us for the afternoon.

(approx. 350 km, driving time +- 5 hours)

Kalahari Game Lodge (HB + sundowner drive)

Day 4

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

We take a day trip to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. This park is considered one of the top safari destinations in Southern Africa and is known for being home to big cats such as lions, leopards, cheetahs as well as hyenas. We drive along the Auob riverbed, which is dry for most of the year. If we don't spot any big cats, we are sure to see giraffes, oryx and eland antelopes. In the afternoon, we return to the lodge.

Kalahari Game Lodge (HB)

Day 5

Jewel in the Kalahari

In the morning, we can take a drive into the park again or take part in an activity offered by the lodge (optional). Following a short drive, the DuneSong Breathers awaits us - a unique jewel of silence, vastness and untouched nature. Here, we can relax and unwind and enjoy the absolute tranquillity. For dinner, we will receive a barbeque pack and can then prepare our own game meat under the stars.

(approx. 120 km, driving time +- 2 hours)

DuneSong Breathers (HB)

Day 6

Journey to the Fish River Canyon

We drive through arid country populated by many succulents such as quiver trees The dead branches of these trees were used by the Bushmen as quivers for their arrows, hence the name. We can take a closer look at this striking aloe species on the way at the quiver tree forest. The nearby "Playground of the Giants", a landscape of ancient volcanic rock formations, is also worth a visit.

Afterward, we drive via Keetmanshoop to Fish River Lodge, the only lodge situated on the western edge of the Fish River Canyon. From here, we have a breathtaking view into the canyon. The Fish River Canyon is considered the second largest canyon in the world. It is 550 m deep, 160 km long and up to 27 km wide in some places. We enjoy a sundowner as the sun sets behind the Fish River Canyon and look forward to a delicious dinner.

(approx. 300 km, driving time +- 4 – 5 hours)

Fish River Lodge on the Western side of the canyon (HB)

Day 7

Fish River Canyon

Today, we take a scenically rewarding trip into the canyon. We will see various bird species such as the majestic African Fish Eagle. We can enjoy a refreshing dip in the swimming pool after our outing.

Fish River Lodge (HB + canyon drive)

Day 8

Onwards to Aus

The route to Aus is impressive in its barrenness and remoteness. Our rustic chalet is nestled between granite boulders and offers an indescribable view over the endless expanses at the edge of the Namib Desert. In the afternoon, we have the opportunity to visit the famous and fascinating "Wild Horses of Garub", whose origin and ability to survive their harsh environment has been puzzled over for decades. We are likely to experience an unforgettable sunset here in the evening.

(approx. 230 km, driving time +-3 - 4 hours)

Klein-Aus Vista, Eagles Nest Chalet (HB)

Day 9

NamibRand

Today, we continue to one of the most beautiful and impressive landscapes in Namibia - the NamibRand Nature Reserve. On the drive, we are accompanied by the scenic Tiras Mountains and vast landscapes to the right of the road. To the left, the glowing red-yellow dunes. Our elegant chalet offers amazing views of the dunes, the desert plain and the nearby mountains. (approx. 280 km, driving time +- 5 hours)

Wolwedans Dune Camp, (Fully Inclusive)

Day 10

Namib Desert

The Namib Rand Nature Reserve is a highlight for enthusiastic photographers and nature lovers. Game drives are offered in the morning and in the afternoon. We drive over the seemingly endless grasslands dotted with the legendary fairy circles, over small dunes and along the various mountain formations. We see animals such as oryx antelope, ostrich and springbok, who have adapted to survive this arid desert region. The landscapes here are beautiful and radiate a special peace that is good for the soul.

Wolwedans Dune Camp (Fully Inclusive)

Day 11

Sossusvlei

We take a short drive to Sesriem. Our accommodation for today, Dead Valley Lodge, is located inside the park. This gives us the opportunity to stay in the dunes for longer in the evening and also to drive to Sossusvlei earlier in the morning, than guests staying outside the park. The lodge offers a panoramic view of the Namib Desert with its sand dunes and rugged mountain ranges. We could drive out to Sossusvlei in the afternoon or visit Sesriem Canyon.

(approx. 100 km, driving time +- 2 hours)

Dead Valley Lodge (FB)

Day 12

Khomas Hochland

First thing in the morning, we take a drive to Sossusvlei, to some of the highest dunes in the world. We enjoy a short hike through the thick sand to Deadvlei – a striking clay pan of bizarrely-shaped dead trees. The contrasting colours of the red dunes, the deep blue sky, white pan floor and dark camelthorn trees make for fantastic photography. Afterwards, our journey continues north to the elegant Desert Grace Lodge. It offers breathtaking views into the endless expanse, which we can enjoy from our own plunge pool. There is a silence and a peace here, that can only be experienced in the desert. There are various hiking trails, and the round trip into the dunes at sunset offered by the lodge is highly recommended (optional).

(approx. 170 km, driving time +- 3 - 4 hours)

The Desert Grace (HB)

Day 13

Drive to Windhoek

Slowly our Namibian Safari is coming to an end. We enjoy our breakfast and drive back to Windhoek where we return our rental car. Afterwards, we are transferred to the Gocheganas Private Nature Reserve.

The private nature reserve covers an area of 6000 ha and is home to about 1600 wild animals. All bungalows offer a magnificent view of the farmland at the foot of the Auas Mountains. The nature reserve has a beautiful wellness centre, where massages, a sauna and much more is offered. We enjoy our last evening in Namibia with a delicious dinner.

(approx. 340 km, drive + transfer time +- 4 - 5 hours)

Gocheganas Lodge (HP + transfer)

Day 14

Departure

Today, our journey ends and it is time to say goodbye to this beautiful country. Transfer to the airport and journey back home.

(approx. 80 km, travel time +- 1 - 1.5 hours)