Trip Highlights
- Self – Drive through Namibia.
- Travel through the Namib Desert.
- Stay at Hoodia Desert Lodge.
- Climb the highest sand dunes in the world at Sossusvlei.
- Stay on Namibia’s Atlantic Coast at Swakopmund.
- Spend time with Cape Fur Seals while on a kayak on the Atlantic Ocean.
- Tackle the dunes of the Walvis Bay surrounds in a 4×4.
- Stay at picturesque Damaraland.
- Track desert adapted wildlife in ephemeral river systems.
- Stay on the southern Etosha National Park boundary on the Ongava Private reserve
- Self-drive across the Etosha National Park.
- Stay on the eastern Etosha National Park Boundary on the Onguma Private Reserve.
- Drive to the Okonjima Reserve and learn about Africa’s most famous big cats.
- Track Leopards in Namibia’s central heartland.
Trip in Summary
Day 1
After arriving at the Windhoek International airport a representative of Essence Lifestyle will transfer you to Essence Lifestyle where you spend your first night in Namibia. Kickback and relax to save some energy for the memorable 13 days that lie ahead of you. Your car hire will be available upon arrival and will be ready at Essence fully fueled for you. You will also be given a comprehensive briefing detailing all your arrangements as well as additional tips and tricks you might very useful.
Destination: Windhoek
Stay: Essence Lifestyle (or similar)
Type: Boutique Guesthouse
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 2
After breakfast this morning, you hop into your rental car and drive southward bound to Hoodia Desert Lodge in the Sossusvlei area. Absorb the vastness and take in the deafening silence of the oldest desert in the world.
Destination: Sossusvlei
Stay: Hoodia Desert Lodge (or similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Full Board (All meals + scheduled activities with a Hoodia Desert Lodge guide and vehicle on a shared basis) – PM Sundowner Drive
Day 3
The highlight today is a lovely excursion to Sossusvlei with a Hoodia Desert Lodge guide and vehicle on a shared basis. Save some stomach space for a delectable brunch in the dunes. You can look forward to a memorable sundowner drive this afternoon as well with a lodge guide and vehicle on a shared basis.
Destination: Sossusvlei
Stay: Hoodia Desert Lodge (or similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Full Board (All meals + scheduled activities with a Hoodia Desert Lodge guide and vehicle on a shared basis) – Morning Sossusvlei Excursion.
Day 4
After breakfast at Hoodia Desert Lodge you head to Namibia’s Western Coast for a two night stay at the coastal town of Swakopmund. Your stay tonight will be at the wonderful Strand Hotel, one of the coastal town’s premier accommodation establishments, you’ll arrive in the early to mid afternoon. After you check in, why not stroll on the beach or visit one of Swakopmunds many Cafes? Dinner tonight can be held at one of the Strand Hotel’s in house restaurants or at any fine dining establishments in town on your own account.
Destination: Swakopmund, Erongo Region
Stay: The Strand Hotel (or similar)
Type: Sea Side Hotel
Basis: Bed & Breakfast
Day 5
After breakfast this morning you head to Walvis Bay where you will take part on an exciting kayaking excursion on the Atlantic. You are joined by curious seals and if you’re lucky even some bottlenose dolphins. After your Kayaking activity you head into the dunes of the Walvis Bay surrounds in a 4×4 for an action-packed Sandwich Harbour experience.
Destination: Swakopmund, Erongo Region
Stay: The Strand Hotel (or similar)
Type: Sea Side Hotel
Basis: Bed & Breakfast, Morning Kayaking Excursion + Afternoon Sandwich Harbour Excursion
Day 6
After breakfast at the Stand Hotel today you head north bound along the coast and then inland passing the mighty Brandberg and towards the UNESCO world Heritage site at Twyfelfontein for your two night stay at Camp Kipwe. Marvel at the dramatic landscapes and take in the sights and sounds of one of the world’s most breathtaking locations.
Destination: Damaraland
Stay: Camp Kipwe (Or Similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast and shared activities with a lodge guide
Day 7
After an Early breakfast today you take part on an exciting journey into the Huab River valley and its tributaries in search of deserted adapted wildlife with a lodge guide and vehicle on a shared basis. You return to camp in time for lunch after which you have the afternoon at leisure taking in the sights and sounds of scenic Damaraland.
Destination: Damaraland
Stay: Camp Kipwe (Or Similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast and shared activities with a lodge guide (Elephant Tracking)
Day 8
Today you drive westward bound this time towards the southern boundary of Etosha National Park where you will be spending the night at Safarihoek Lodge on the Etosha Heights Private Reserve. Ensure your camera is fully charged as you drive towards to Etosha as the landscapes you’ll find yourself in are truly incredible.
Destination: Southern Etosha
Stay: Safarihoek Lodge (or similar)
Type: Safari Lodge
Basis: Fully Inclusive – All meals, Local drinks and shared activities with a Safarihoek guide and vehicle
Day 9
After breakfast this morning you head across the Etosha National Park on an extended game drive across one of the largest protected parks on the continent. The drive takes you from the Southern Boundary of the Etosha National Park to its Eastern boundary giving you a unique perspective in terms of the fauna and flora sightings due to the rainfall gradient differences between these two parts of the park.
Destination: Eastern Etosha
Stay: Onguma Tented Camp (or similar)
Type: Safari Lodge
Basis: Dinner, bed & breakfast + shared activities with Onguma ranger and vehicle
Day 10
Following a light breakfast this morning, you head back into the Etosha National Park with an Onguma guide and vehicle on a shared basis. Onguma guides are highly trained and thus gives you a rear seat experience knowing your guide is on a mission to give you the best possible chance at seeing some of Africa’s most impressive animals.
Destination: Eastern Etosha
Stay: Onguma Tented Camp (or similar)
Type: Safari Lodge
Basis: Dinner, bed & breakfast + shared activities with Onguma ranger and vehicle
Day 11
Today you will drive southwards from the Eastern side of Etosha to the private Okonjima Reserve. Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Center a program set up in the best interests of the big cat population in the area. This afternoon you’ll take part on your final sundowner drive in Namibia, a fitting end to your African adventure.
Destination: Central Namibia
Stay: Okonjima Plains Camp (or similar)
Type: Safari Lodge
Basis: Dinner, bed & breakfast + shared activities with Okonjima ranger and vehicle (PM Sundowner Drive)
Day 12
After breakfast this morning you take part on an exciting Leopard Tracking activity with an Okonjima Lodge guide and vehicle. Following your Leopard tracking activity at Okonjima, you depart southwards and head back to where your journey Started, the capital city Windhoek. If you are staying at Essence Lifestyle, we have a surprise in store for you!
Destination: Windhoek
Stay: Essence Lifestyle (or similar)
Type: Boutique Hotel
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 13
After breakfast this morning and depending on the time of your international flight, you are transferred to the Hosea Kutako International Airport in time for your international departure flight. We hope to see you again soon!
Breakfast
Included
- Transfers as specified
- 4×4 vehicle hire as specified
- Accommodation on the meal & activity basis specified
- Tourism levies, VAT, Park Entry fees, & community conservation contributions
- 24/7 on the ground support
- Afternoon Sundowner Drive at Okonjima Plains Camp, Onguma Tented Camp.
- Morning Kayaking Excursion + Afternoon Sandwich Harbour 4×4 Excursion in Swakopmund
- Morning Sossusvlei Excursion at Hoodia Desert Lodge
- All meals, activities and local drinks at Safarihoek Lodge
- Morning Etosha Game drive at Onguma Tented Camp
- Afternoon game drive whilst at Okonjima Plains Camp
- Morning Leopard tracking activity whilst at Okonjima Plains Camp
- Morning Elephant excursion whilst at Camp Kipwe
Excluded
- International flights
- Vehicle fuel
- Personal insurance
- Any drinks, meals, or activities not specified in the itinerary