13 Days / 12 Nights - Popular Namibia Self Drive Tour

TOUR INFORMATION: TOUR CODE:                       SD014 Type of Tour:                      Accommodated Self Drive Tour (Fly & Drive) Departure Date:                 Any date of your choice & Last minute bookings Departure Location:         Windhoek – Airport or City Tour Ends:                          Windhoek – Airport or City ROUTING HIGHLIGHTS: Windhoek – Namib Desert - Namib Naukluft Park – Sossusvlei  - Sesriem - Swakopmund  & Skeleton Coast – Twyfelfontein - Damaraland – Etosha National Park –  Windhoek Car Rental: The type of vehicle rented will depend on your group size and amount of luggage and personal preference. NOTES: Our suggested itineraries are ideally suited to the first time or seasoned visitors alike; we assist and guide you all the way.  This tour can also be done as a Private Guided Safari or Fly-In Safari. As Custom Design Travel Specialists we can tailor-make any itinerary to suit your individual needs, interests, style and travel budget.

click route-map to enlarge

Tour Summary:

Itinerary:

Day 1
Windhoek
On arrival at the Windhoek Airport you will be met by a company representative who will present you with your accommodation vouchers and assist you with the collection of your rental vehicle. Continue towards the capital city, Windhoek.

Windhoek is often described as a city with a “continental” atmosphere due to its architecture (historical buildings dating back to the German colonial rule), cuisine, culture, dress and educational institutions. Windhoek portrays the colour, sounds and tempo of a modern African city with its displays of African drums and woodcarvings on the pavements, which contrast with the elegant shops offering sophisticated Swakara garments and Namibian gemstones. Sidewalk cafes, which offer Namibian style breakfasts (Frühschoppen) can be enjoyed with a glass of sparkling wine or locally brewed draught beer. In addition to steak houses and coffee bars serving snacks, the city has a wide range of a la carte restaurants offering German, French, Taiwanese, Portuguese, Italian, African and Chinese cuisine.

Accommodation: River Crossing
Tonight you will stay at River Crossing Lodge which is situated just east of Namibia's capital city Windhoek, nestled amongst the foothills of the Auas Mountains. This location makes it an ideal first or final destination on any visit to Namibia, especially if your onward journey departs from the main international airport. Also, as it is a mere 5 minutes drive from the city centre, it is not too far from the main shopping, medical and banking facilities.

Day 2 & 3
Windhoek - Namib Naukluft Park
Today you depart from River Crossing and travel south to Sossusvlei and Sesriem. Driving on the C24 you will stay for the next two nights exploring the Sossusvlei and Sesriem area. Staying in a lodge near Sossusvlei,

Accommodation: Desert Homestead
The Desert Homestead is situated approximately 32kms southeast of Sesriem, the gateway to the dunes at Sossusvlei. The wide grassy valley is sheltered by the Nubib, Tsaris and Naukluft mountains, with a magnificent view of the distant dunes of the Namib Desert in the west. Desert Homestead pride themselves on their creative farm style cuisine, with fresh vegetables from their very own desert gardens. Their dishes are prepared with the 'finest touch.' and their staff are well trained and friendly. The lodge also offers a sundowner drive in the evenings, which includes a leisurely nature drive, slowly winding up a mountain. There are also guided Sossusvlei and Naukluft excursions, not to mention tours to the Neuras Wine Estate.

Day 4 & 5
Namib Naukluft Park - Sossusvlei - Swakopmund
After breakfast you will head to the coastal region of Namibia. Palm-lined streets, seaside promenades, fine accommodation, a pleasant summer climate and decent beaches. Welcome to Swakopmund - Namibia's premier holiday resort! During the summer holidays and long weekends, thousands of Namibians flock to the coast, and this human migration happens for a number of reasons; Swakopmund has a real holiday feel to it and everyone wants to be there; during the December holidays, the cool Namibian coast offers relief from the intense heat of the interior; and more importantly as far as the tourist is concerned in these modern times, Swakop has changed, and has become the countries leading adrenaline destination, with a wide range of activities to suit all ages and (most) egos.

Accommodation: Cornerstone Guest House
Located within easy reach of the town centre of Namibia's premier seaside resort is the delightful Cornerstone Guesthouse. This small, private and peaceful bed and breakfast establishment is set in the old part of Swakopmund, near the aquarium and the old brewery. It combines 'all the modern amenities of a luxury hotel, with the charm and intimacy of a family-run business'. Within a few minutes from Cornerstone is a pleasant walk to the beach, as well as a decent range of cafés, restaurants and lively pubs. Swakopmund's tourist attractions include a variety of interesting shops, markets, with modern banking and medical facilities for your enjoyment.

Day 6
Cape Cross / Skeleton Coast
From Swakopmund today you travel along the Skeleton Coast to Cape Cross where you will stay for the night.
The coastline of Southern Africa is the only place in the world where you can find Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus, or the Cape fur seal, as they are more commonly known. They fight, mate, reproduce and fish in the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, home to the largest breeding colony of these seals on the planet, with at times up to 210,000 seals present during November and December. But it hasn't always been a cacophony of bleats and barks filling the air. Cape Cross is situated 53km north of the Atlantic coastal fishing town of Henties Bay. The replica of the original cross, erected by Cão at Cape Cross in 1484, as also the site of the original cross, were declared national monuments on 1st November 1968. The 2nd replica of the padrão does not form part of the proclaimed monument.

Accommodation: Cape Cross Lodge
The curious mix of Cape Dutch and West Coast fishing village architecture with colossal windows happily embrace the natural light and affords endless contemplated vistas. Around this tranquil oasis lodge lies infinite ocean and desert, littered with the eerie remains of man’s past endeavours. Nearby, rocky outcrops provide a perfect playground for a large seal colony. Activities obviously centre on the presence of the seals, and visitors can self-drive or even walk to the colony.  Cape Cross Lodge at the Skeleton Coast offers 20 luxury double rooms, classically appointed with attention to detail, yet animate with a rustic charm that is bewitching Views through the large windows are breathtaking, no matter the time of day or night.
The en-suite bathrooms are a statement of elegant simplicity, while the private balconies glow with the warmth of wooden deckchairs and tables, affording unrestricted sea views and an aura of complete respite.
Four of the bedrooms have been linked with a door to create a family suite when needed.

Day 7 & 8
Damaraland
Leaving the coast behind, today you travel inwards toward the Damaraland area. Spending the next two nights at Grootberg Lodge.

Accommodation: Grootberg Lodge
Grootberg Lodge is situated on the C40 road, 90kms from Kamanjab and 23kms from Palmwag. Perched on the rim of the Grootberg Plateau, the Grootberg Lodge stands sentinel over the Klip River Valley. 12 000 hectares have been set aside by the Khoadi / Hoas community for conservation and tourism, and it is through this pristine wilderness that you meander either on foot or by vehicle to encounter the inhabitants of this remote biosphere.
Desert elephant, black rhino and lion are some of the more impressive mammals to be found. But you will also find a myriad of smaller mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and plants.
Guests can take advantage of rhino and elephant tracking trips in the valley. Morning and afternoon scenic drives on the plateau at Grootberg Lodge offer an alternative pursuit.

Day 9 & 10
Etosha National Park
Heading to Etosha National Park today which is one of Southern Africa's finest and most important Game Reserves. Etosha Game park was declared a National Park in 1907 and covering an area of 22 270 square km, it is home to 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and, surprisingly, one species of fish. The Etosha Park is one of the first places on any itinerary designed for a holiday in Namibia.

Accommodation: Toshari Lodge
Etosha Gateway Lodge (Toshari) is situated only 25kms from Namibia's Etosha National Park's western gate (Anderson’s gate.) It is a reasonably priced accommodation-alternative for visitors to the game park.
The lodge also offers half or full day game drives into Etosha National Park, with a guide in an open game drive vehicle (10 people). These outings include your entrance fee into the park as well as a wonderful lunch.
There are also 3 walking trails available locally, starting and ending at Etosha Gateway Lodge.

Day 11
Etosha National Park
Travelling from the Western Side of Etosha to the Eastern Side of Etosha today and driving through the Etosha Park. Tonight you will stay at Mushara Bush Camp.
Accommodation: Mushara Bush Camp
Mushara Bush Camp is the third addition to the outstanding Mushara Collection and is only 1km away from, and on the same reserve as, The Mushara Lodge. The Villa and The Mushara Outpost complete the group. The Bush Camp offers a more down-to-earth tented camp experience, and is a suitable and an affordable base for travellers, including families, who wish to explore Etosha National Park.

Day 12
Windhoek
After breakfast departure to Windhoek via the small town of Okahandja. This is one of Namibia’s oldest established settlements and is the administrative centre of the Herero-speaking people. Numerous of the former Herero leaders are buried here and an annual procession through the town to the Herero graves commemorate those who died during the wars against the Nama’s and Germans. Optional excursions on route include a visit to the open - air wood carving centre and the Herero Graves
Tonight will be spent at River Crossing again as the first night.
Accommodation: River Crossing

Day 13
Today is the end of your tour and you will head back to the airport for your International flight out of Namibia.
END OF TOUR

Please note – the itinerary above is a guideline only and whilst we try to adhere to it there may be circumstances when it may change; for example weather and/or road conditions, seasonal daylight hours etc. Overnight stops on occasion may be altered from those indicated.

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Our tours are merely suggested itineraries and therefore can be tailor-made to suit your specific needs. Our Self Drive Tour routings are also suitable as a Guided Safari or Fly-In Safari. Routes can be amended according to your preference Accommodation can be changed to suit your style and budget Accommodation meal basis can be booked according to your requirements Extra nights can be added depending on your arrival and departure flight times and the pace that you want to travel