Highlights
This flexible self-drive holiday through Namibia lets you take in the immense sand dunes of Sossusvlei, track elephants in Damaraland, and view game in Etosha National Park – for a rich overview of what Namibia has to offer.
Trip Summary
Destinations: Namibia
Activities: Game Drives, Dune Climbs, Kayaking, Boat Trip, Walks
Duration: 14 days
Best Time To Travel: June - Oct
Types of Accommodation: 3-5 star Lodges
Suitable For: Couples, Honeymooners, Families
Prices From: £2,500 Per Person in low season, excluding flights.
Contact us today and let us start planning your perfect safari holiday.
Itinerary
Below is an example of a typical Namibia self drive safari, however, please get in touch as we can arrange completely bespoke itineraries based on your requirements.
View the full sample itinerary here: Namibia Self Drive Safari
Days 1-2: Arrive in Namibia
On arrival in Namibia, you will be transferred to your accommodation for a 1-night stay. Our ground handlers will meet with you this afternoon to go over your itinerary, hand you a mobile phone pre-programmed with your accommodation contact numbers, a cool box, maps and driving directions. Your hire vehicle will also be delivered at this time and they will assist with signing your contract.
This evening have dinner in one of Windhoek’s restaurants – we provide recommendations with all bookings. (Note we quote on 4x4 vehicles in order to provide ground clearance on the gravel roads).
Days 3-5: Venture into the desert
This morning, you drive south into the Namib Desert, perhaps stopping to explore Sesreim Canyon, where centuries of erosion have incised a narrow gorge about 1km in length. The area provides great photography opportunities.
This area has a range of accommodations that we use, we tend to prefer accommodations situated close to the National Park gates for convenience on the early morning excursion into the dunes. The amazing sand dunes reach the height of a 70-story skyscraper and are constantly changing shape with the wind – you can climb up, and then have fun running down! The early morning light is a photographer’s dream. Take a hot air balloon trip, and spot desert adapted wildlife such as gemsbok, jackals, ostrich and oryx. The stars in the night sky in this area are incredible.
Days 5-7: Explore Swakopmund
You drive on this morning towards the coast and to Swakopmund: a fascinating and intriguing resort town complete with German half wooden architecture, palm lined avenues, coffee bars and great seafood restaurants. The town is full of activity options: seals can nibble at your oars on a kayaking trip, dolphins frolic alongside a catamaran cruise, feel the thrill of speeding down the dunes on a sandboard, quad bike through the sands, or take a scenic flight over the Skeleton Coast.
Days 7-8: Head into Damaraland
This morning, you head into Damaraland. This area is a desert wilderness and is sparsely populated by the Damara people who share their land with a range of wildlife including the Desert adapted Elephant, Rhinoceros, Giraffe, Springbok, Zebra, Oryx, and Ostrich.
Its unique geological formations include petrified forests, ancient petroglyph-engraved sandstone slabs and volcanic mounds. Close by, the World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein is one of the most extensive rock-art galleries on the continent, most likely made by the San Bushmen hunters who left their marks on the surrounding rocks some 6000 years ago. Spend an afternoon tracking desert adapted elephant, nature walks, and sundowner drives.
Days 8-11: Etosha National Park
Continue your journey northwards towards Etosha National Park and your next accommodation, where you will stay for 1 night including dinner and breakfast.
Make your way slowly across the Park. You are headed for one of the accommodation establishments just outside the gate for a 2 night stay on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
There is a range of accommodation we use according to budget level, location and reputation for providing good quality comfort and hospitality. Etosha National Park was made for self-drivers: pick up a map at the gate and head to a waterhole: in the dry season, there is a huge variety of wildlife hesitantly picking their time to drink – if you have binoculars, scan the surrounding bushes to spot waiting predators. This is safari at its most flexible. Guided drives are available from lodges outside the park.
Days 11-13: Africat Foundation
Drive south to the Africat Foundation for a 2-night stay on a fully inclusive basis. You can join in the afternoon activity, which normally starts at 16.00 and is usually tracking leopard in the immense reserve. After dinner you will also be offered the opportunity to visit a night hide where many nocturnal animals, including porcupine, honey badger and leopard are frequently sighted.
Then drive back towards Windhoek your final night is back in Windhoek, at a centrally located Guesthouse, where you can indulge in last minute shopping or city sightseeing.
What our customers say...
"We had a amazing holiday with outstanding lodges, stunning landscapes and wonderful animal experiences."
Mr and Mrs Laflin, Suffolk. September 2018.
"Our trip was absolutely fantastic! The holiday of a lifetime! We are so grateful to Native Escapes, and their ground handlers for a brilliant experience!"
The Aston family, Bucks. August 2018.
"The holiday was incredible, the places you recommended were stunning and Namibia was an amazing place to visit. "
The Chapman-Hatchett family, Surrey. August 2022
"Namibia is such a beautiful country and, with no exceptions, everyone we met there was friendly, warm and welcoming and good fun. We were blown away by the quality of all the guides and staff we met, which really made the trip so special. I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone. It is an amazing place and we can’t wait to return."
Mr and Mrs Burlingham, Hertfordshire, September 2022
Cost and pricing
Namibia self drive costs:
12 nights from £2,500 pp for 3-4* standard accommodation mix; £3,200 pp for 4* and some special accommodation options (Okonjima); £4,850 pp for 5* options;
All excluding flights, but including 4x4 vehicle rental and most accommodation on a DBB basis;
Contact us for more information
Namibia is increasingly popular due to more flight arrivals and limited bed spaces.
We struggle annually for space during peak season months (May-October) from February onwards. If you are considering a trip to Namibia, we'd encourage you to contact us sooner rather than later to get the best choice of accommodation.
