Highlights of Namibia self-drive

Windhoek

Day 1: Welcome to Windhoek

Situated in Central Namibia, the cosmopolitan city of Windhoek serves as the capital of the country. Home to a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, the city is clean, safe and well-organised. Windhoek has a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language.

Windhoek has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, explore places like the old fort of Alte Feste, the 1896 Christuskirche Christ Church, and the more contemporary Supreme Court.

• Transfer from Windhoek International Airport to Windhoek

• Meet & greet with Desert Tracks representative*

• Vehicle handover to be done on this day*

*For late evening arrivals, the scheduled meet & greet and vehicle handover will be moved to the next morning

Sossusvlei

Day 2: Incredible red dunes

Located in the scenic Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red dunes to make this one of the most scenic natural wonders of Africa and a photographer's heaven. The iconic dunes of this awe-inspiring location rise to almost 400 metres, making them amongst the highest in the world. The landscape comes alive in morning and evening light, drawing photographers from around the globe.

Sossusvlei is home to a variety of desert wildlife including oryx, springbok, ostrich and a variety of reptiles. Climb 'Big Daddy', one of Sossusvlei’s tallest dunes; explore Deadvlei, a white, salt, claypan dotted with ancient trees, and for a truly luxury experience, book a hot air balloon flight with champagne breakfast in the dunes.

• sundowner drive is included

Sossusvlei

Day 3: Stunning excursion in Sossusvlei

A full day is set aside to enjoy the full day Sossusvlei excursion from the lodge; the trip also includes an exclusive picnic lunch in the dunes

• The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure

Swakopmund

Day 4: Scenic Skeleton Coast

Today begins with an early start, setting out for the Skeleton Coast, following one of two routes from Sossusvlei to Swakopmund: either via the Moonlandscape, or Walvis Bay.

Set along Namibia's spectacularly scenic coast, the seaside town of Swakopmund is known for its wide open avenues, colonial architecture, and its surrounding otherworldly desert terrain. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South-West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more German than Germany.

Now a seaside resort town, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has a quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, while the laid-back atmosphere and cool sea breeze make it a very popular Namibian destination. Plenty of adventurous activities await, from quad biking, horse riding, paragliding and fishing, to sightseeing and desert tours.

Swakopmund

Day 5: Activities day in beautiful Swakopmund

A full day is set aside to enjoy this beautiful coastal town and the many optional extra activities on offer here.

Damaraland

Day 6: Dramatic desert beauty in Damaraland

Today the tour heads on to the Twyfelfontein area in Damaraland. This vast desert landscape is known as one of the most beautiful regions in Namibia. Huge, untamed and ruggedly beautiful, Damaraland is an exceptionally scenic landscape featuring open plains, ancient valleys and spectacular rock formations. The major attractions are the sacred Spitzkoppe, the Brandberg, Twyfelfontein, Vingerklip and the otherworldly Petrified Forest.

While here, there are plently of chances to take in the dramatic vistas, catch a glimpse of the rare desert-adapted elephant, and enjoy spectacular stargazing in crystal-clear night skies from your safari camps. From the camp you can also enjoy guided drives, nature walks and visit the local communities. Don’t miss the opportunity to view Damaraland's world-famous ancient rock art.

• Optional extra activities are available with the lodge

Damaraland

Day 7: Discover more of Damaraland

Today, enjoy a visit to the Twyfelfontein sights including a visit to the Damara Living Museum. There is also the opportunity to self-drive in the Huab River in search of desert adapted elephants or join one of the optional extra lodge activities.

Etosha South

Day 8: Etosha National Park adventure

After a leisurely breakfast, travel from Windhoek to Etosha National Park. Located just south of the boundary of Etosha National Park in northwestern Namibia, Etosha South makes up the southern region of this wild paradise. The area is comprised of a collection of world class private game reserves. From the southern entrance at Andersson’s Gate, pass into an entrancing world of wildlife, including lion, giraffe, elephant, white and black rhino, and a multitude of other native plains animals. Set out on a self drive safari in the park or enjoy one of a variety of extra activities organised through the lodge. Particularly popular - with good reason - are the open 4x4 safari with an expert guide. Choose a half day or full day drive - the full day comes with the option of picnic lunch accompanied with wine.

Etosha East

Day 9: Etosha East sanctuary

Wake up for an early breakfast to allow time for an optional daybreak activity. Otherwise, today brings a journey across the park to the eastern side.

Located in Northwestern Namibia, Etosha East is a protected sanctuary in the eastern part of the world-renowned Etosha National Park, known for being of the most accessible, and rewarding, game reserves to visit in Southern Africa.

Etosha East boasts vast open plains scattered with semi-arid savannah grasslands, and is dotted with watering holes and secluded bush camps. An impressive 5000-square-kilometre Etosha salt pan situated in the far-eastern side of the park can even be seen from space.

This remote area teems with wildlife, lions, elephants, black rhinos and giraffes, as well as a variety of birdlife featuring flamingos, ostriches, eagles, hornbills, and owls. Enjoy a self-drive safari or optional lodge activities.

Etosha East

Day 10: Explore more of Etosha East

This park provides the most stunning setting for memorable safari experiences. To make the most of this opportunity, today is set aside to enjoy optional extra activities with the lodge or set out on a self-drive safari in the park.

Central Namibia

Day 11: Thrilling experiences at AfriCAT

Depart Etosha National Park to journey on to Central Namibia.  Midway between the spectacular Etosha National Park and the capital city of Windhoek, lies the well-known Okonjima Nature Reserve. The 22 000 hectare nature reserve is home to AfriCAT, a carnivore sanctuary. Their mission is to give captive cats a second chance to be released back into the wild and become completely independent hunters in a protected area, right in the middle of commercial cattle farmland.

Spend the evening at the AfriCat Foundation at Okonjima Plains Camp. From the lodge, join one of the optional activities including thrilling cat-tracking guided safaris, leopard-spotting, off-road night drives and the chance to learn about local San culture along the Bushmen trail.

Hosea Kutako International Airport

Day 12: Departure from Namibia

After breakfast, return to to Windhoek, drop off your rental vehicle and transfer to the airport.