16-Day Classic Namibia Self-drive Safari - Standard - NETT

Day 1: Windhoek

  • You will be met by the car rental company representative on arrival and transferred to their offices in Windhoek to complete all rental procedures
  • You will then meet with our representative to hand over your travel documents
  • The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing at your own leisure
  • For dinner tonight, you can head into town for a bite to eat at one of Windhoek’s well known restaurants

Days 2 - 3: Sossusvlei

Windhoek – Sossusvlei              350km - approximately 5 to 6 hours

  • After breakfast, you can still pop into town for anything you might need and then depart heading south from Windhoek to your lodge for the next 2 nights
  • The route will take you either via the beautiful Spreetshoogte or Remhoogte Pass, both showcasing the natural beauty of Namibia
  • Wake up early for breakfast (Day 3) and then head to the entrance to Sossusvlei, the Sesriem Gate
  • Spend the whole day in the beautiful Sossusvlei area, exploring the highlights: Sossusvlei,  Dead Vlei, Dune 45, Big Daddy, Elim Dune and the Sesriem Canyon
  • Return to the lodge for lunch or arrange a lunch pack to enjoy in the dunes and return late afternoon for a well-earned rest
  • Optional extra activities: Guided Sossusvlei excursion, Hot air balloon safari, Nature drives

Days 4 - 5: Swakopmund, Walvis Bay

Sossusvlei – Swakopmund         350km - approximately 5 to 6 hours

  • Depart after breakfast and head north to Solitaire, then west crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, through the Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons via the Namib Gravel Plains to the coast
  • Either via Walvis Bay to Swakopmund, or (recommended) detour via Ganab to the Welwitschia Plains and Moon Landscape
  • The Namibian coastline is generally known as The Skeleton Coast due to the barren areas, ship wrecks and, in days gone by, whale skeletons left on the beach
  • 1 full day is set aside for this lovely area where Swakopmund and Walvis Bay offer a wide range of activities such as: Dolphin cruise, Sandwich Harbour excursion (a real Skeleton Coast experience), Dune quad biking, Sand boarding, Sea kayaking, Lots more…
  • Lunches and dinners can be enjoyed at a café or restaurant overlooking the sea

Day 6: Damaraland

Swakopmund – Damaraland       445km - approximately 7 to 8 hours

  • Head north along the Skeleton Coast, via Henties Bay to visit the Cape Cross seal colony. Along the way, stop at the Lichen Fields as well as the ship wreck between the colourful small town of Wlotskasbaken and Henties Bay
  • Backtrack to Henties Bay and head inland through wide open plains to Uis, then north to the Twyfelfontein area
  • Visit to Namibia's Open Air Museum, the Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings as well as the interesting Organ Pipes rock formations and Burnt Mountain
  • Visit the Damara Living Museum for a hint of culture

Days 7 - 8: Damaraland

Twyfelfontein - Palmwag            110km - approximately 1½ to 2 hours

  • Spend the morning at leisure enjoying the incredible area, either visiting the Twyfelfontein highlights or on a nature drive
  • Head north through open plains and mountain ranges to the veterinary control fence close to Palmwag Lodge
  • 1 full day is set aside to join a guided hike, a day or morning of exploration, a sleep-out or a sundowner drive in the 582 000-hectare Palmwag Concession, a vast conservation area with an abundance of wildlife. ( Optional extra) 

Day 9: Kaokoveld

Palmwag – Opuwo                     235km - approximately 3 to 4 hours

  •  Head north crossing the Hoanib River, up and over Joubert Pass to Opuwo, the centre of Kaokoland
  • Opuwo is a small typical African town, where a range of different people live, from the traditional Himba tribes to Herero, Damara and Owambo cultures
  • Along the way stop at various villages to interact and photograph the local people
  • Depending on arrival time, enjoy a Himba village visit this afternoon. It is recommended to arrange a local guide to go with you (lodge reception can assist with this)

Day 10: Etosha West

Opuwo  - Etosha (west)             200km - approximately 3 to 4 hours

  • A morning visit to 1 or 2 authentic Himba villages would be recommended as that is when there is the most "activity"
  • Head east and then south towards the west side of Etosha
  • Arrival here will be in the early afternoon and if you wish, join an afternoon or evening game drive (optional extra)

Days 11 - 12: Etosha South

Etosha (west) - Etosha (south)   a full days game drive through the park

  • After breakfast, enter the park for a full morning game drive to Okaukuejo and exit Etosha at the southern gate, Anderson gate
  • On entry, pay your entrance fee and I suggest you pop in at the local shop to purchase some drinks and snacks and most importantly, a map of Etosha which will show you all the waterholes along the way
  • Return into Etosha for an afternoon drive or arrange with the lodge for a guided game drive (optional extra)
  • 2 nights gives a full day for this lovely area and you can do a full day's drive, or alternate with morning and afternoon drives into Etosha
  • Etosha is one of Africa's great game parks. With 114 species of mammal and 340 species of birds you are sure to see a great variety of wildlife on your safari

Days 13 - 14: Etosha East

Etosha (south) – Etosha (east)   a full days game drive through the park

  • From one side to the other side of the park is a full day game drive as you head slowly east stopping at numerous waterholes along the way
  • Take a slow drive in the morning and then enjoy a packed lunch (optional extra) overlooking one of the waterholes before continuing on through the park to the eastern side
  • 1 full day is set aside for game viewing, either all day or alternate with morning and afternoon drives. These are self-drive game drives but you can arrange at the lodge to go with their open safari vehicle and guide (optional extra) 

Day 15: Waterberg Region

Etosha (east) – Otjiwa         330km - approximately 4 to 5 hours

  • Head south via Otavi and Otjiwarongo to Otjiwa, which is the oldest private game farm in Namibia, and offers about 25 different game species, this includes the White Rhino, Sable and Roan. 
  • Enjoy many of the optional activities like sundowner drive, game walks, rhino tracking and night drives. 

Day 16: End of Itinerary

Otjiwa– Windhoek                225km - approximately 3 to 4 hours

  • Early morning rise for a quick snack before joining an optional morning activity
  • Back to the lodge for a hearty Namibian breakfast before departure
  • Head back to Windhoek, where you will drop off your vehicle and head to the the airport in time for your departure flight (Keep in mind that you need to be at the airport 2 hours prior and the airport is still a 45 minute to 1 hour drive from town)
back to top