22-day Natural Namibia self-drive tour

After breakfast, depart Windhoek and drive south towards the Marienthal area.

Arrival and the rest of the day at your leisure to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, take excursions and take photos.

All three accommodations have a swimming pool and a variety of excursions are offered, such as game drives, sunset drives, a cheetah encounter, mountain biking, and various hiking trails (see the website of your accommodation for more information on these).

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Kalahari Anib Lodge, a standard double room on a bed and breakfast basis
B: Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch in a Savannah room on a bed and breakfast and dinner basis
C Bagatelle Game Ranch Boutique Farmhouse in a luxury room on a bed, breakfast, and dinner basis

For more information, see: www.gondwana-collection.com – www.bagatelle-lodge.com – www.bagatelle-lodge.com/farmhouse

A full day to enjoy the surroundings and go on excursions.

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Kalahari Anib Lodge, a standard double room on a bed and breakfast basis
B: Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch in a Savannah room on a bed and breakfast and dinner basis
C Bagatelle Game Ranch Boutique Farmhouse in a luxury room on a bed, breakfast, and dinner basis

Depart after breakfast and via Keetmanshoop, where a stop can be made to visit the Quiver Tree Forest, drive to the Fish River Canyon.

Besides lounging by the pool, there are, of course, other activities. Hiking, horse riding, and a flight over the Fish River Canyon are among the possibilities.

The Fish River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world, is a breathtaking spectacle of nature. Deep at the bottom of the canyon runs a famous hiking trail (no longer accessible), the Fish River Canyon Trail.

This five-day hike is said to be the toughest in Southern Africa (especially due to the heat), and that's saying something.

A walk on the canyon floor can be made from Ai-Ais but is not recommended during the months of December through to February.

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Cañon Roadhouse in a double room on a bed and breakfast basis
B: Cañon Lodge in a double room on a bed and breakfast basis
C Fish River Lodge in a double luxury room on a bed and breakfast and dinner basis

For more information, see: www.gondwana-collection.com – www.gondwana-collection.com – Fish River Lodge Namibia

Day at leisure to explore the Fish River Canyon and its surroundings.

All three accommodations offer excursions, and various places can also be visited privately, such as the Ai-Ais hot springs and the Hobas viewpoint.

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Cañon Village in a double room on a bed and breakfast basis
B: Cañon Lodge in a double room on a bed and breakfast basis
C Fish River Lodge in a double luxury room on a bed and breakfast and dinner basis

Depart from the Fish River Canyon and drive in a north-westerly direction through small villages like Seeheim and Aus en route to today's overnight stop.,

Klein Aus Vista Desert Horse Inn, situated in the Aus mountains and bordering the Namib Naukluft Park and the Sperrgebiet where the Namib Desert Horses roam freely.

Arrive in the afternoon and spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the stunning surroundings.

It is also possible to visit Lüderitz or the “Ghosttown” Kolmanskop. Of course, keep an eye out while on the road for the Namib Desert Horse.

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Small at Vista Desert Horse Inn in a double room on a bed and breakfast basis
B: Eagles Nest Chalets, double room, bed and breakfast*
C Eagles Nest Chalets, double room, bed and breakfast*
(* Eagles Nest is a 3-star accommodation, but it's situated in a unique environment where there are no 4 or 5-star alternatives.

For more information, see: www.klein-aus-vista.com – www.klein-aus-vista.com/accommodation/eagles-nest-chalets

A full day to explore the surroundings and perhaps take a trip to Kolmanskop (an old mining town, now an uninhabited ghost town/open-air museum), visit Luderitz and of course, search for the wild horses.

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Small at Vista Desert Horse Inn in a double room on a bed and breakfast basis
B: Eagles Nest Chalets, double room, bed and breakfast*
C Eagles Nest Chalets, double room, bed and breakfast*
(* Eagles Nest is a 3-star accommodation, but it's situated in a unique environment where there are no 4 or 5-star alternatives.

Further information:
Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park; (510 km², 3 km west of Aus)
Garub / Wild Horses; (20 km from Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park)
Ghost Town Kolmanskop; (45 minutes from Gondwana Sperrgebiet Game Park)
Aus; (3 km from Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park)
Lüderitz; (1 hour from Aus)

Departing from Aus on time and driving to Sesriem and the famous Sossusvlei.

En route, a stop can be made in Helmeringhausen, a charming little village in the middle of nowhere with a (small) museum and a shop and restaurant.

Arrive in the afternoon; if there is still sufficient time, a visit can be made to Sesriem (sunset). (Here you can also buy your ticket for the following morning straight away so that you can drive straight through in the morning.).

This is because it can get quite busy in the morning as everyone wants to be in the park at sunrise.

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Desert Camp in a double room on a bed and breakfast basis
B: Desert Homestead Lodge, double room, on a bed and breakfast and dinner basis
C Sossusvlei Lodge in a superior double room on a bed and breakfast and dinner basis

For more information, see: www.desertcamp.com – www.deserthomesteadlodge.com – www.sossusvleilodge.com

Sossusvlei, together with Etosha National Park, forms the two main tourist attractions of Namibia.

De Sossusvlei is a dry lakebed (which only floods during exceptional rainfall) situated amidst the famous and much-photographed deep-red, steep sand dunes of the Namib Desert.

The vlei is located in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, a vast and extensive area full of similar dunes. The reason Sossusvlei has become so famous is simply because this vlei is so accessible, by local standards at least, as the vlei is located 60km inside the park, with the last 5km only accessible to walkers or 4×4 vehicles.

Access is via the Park Authority office at Sesriem, named so because the nomadic Afrikaner farmers who arrived in this area needed six knotted leather straps/reins (from the ox wagon) to be able to pull buckets of water from the well.

The spectacular dune landscape is very photogenic and, in connection with the beautiful curved shadows on the red dunes, the best time to photograph is early in the morning and/or at sunset.

However, the gates to the office do not open until sunrise; you will first need to purchase a “permit”, and then it is still an hour’s drive to the car park (without stopping), followed by a 5km walk or a 4x4 ride.

You will therefore miss the sunrise itself, but absolutely do not despair, the shadows are certainly still beautiful until around 11:00 AM and again from approx. 3:00 PM onwards (depending on the period in which you are travelling).

En route, there are several well-known stopping places including Sesriem Canyon (accessible directly to the left of the small office), Elim, and Dune 45.

Approximate daily entry fees for Sossusvlei: N$150 per person plus N$ 50 for the car. At the end of the tarmac road there is a car park for standard vehicles; please do not attempt to drive any further without a 4×4, as you are guaranteed to get stuck after just a few minutes.

It's a 5km walk to the vlei, and there are also “shuttle services” in 4x4 vehicles (round trip). You can, of course, also stay at the first parking area, as the dunes are impressive there too.

You may walk anywhere in the area but only ride on marked paths.

Because Sossusvlei can be relatively busy, especially in high season and later in the day, other vleis, such as Hidden Vlei (from the first car park) and Dead Vlei (near the end of the 4x4 track on the left), are becoming increasingly popular.

The last one is perhaps even more beautiful than Sossusvlei. At the end of the 4x4 sand track, there is a spacious area for parking (with acacias). From here, you can walk into Sossusvlei (straight ahead) or Nara Vlei (to the right of Sossusvlei).

The real sport, of course, is to walk up the crest of one of the steep dunes, for a fine view over the vast desert and rows of dunes that remain invisible to those who stay below.

There are toilets at both car parks (without water or paper!). Furthermore, there are no facilities in the park, so fill up with fuel, water and food beforehand if necessary, and also bring a hat and sun cream.

At the Sesriem campsite, there is a camp shop, but it only has a very basic supply (water, cans, no fresh items; sometimes there is bread at the kiosk). Near the entrance, there is a petrol station.

Here, besides refuelling, you can also get sandwiches for lunch and there are computers with internet available.

Full day in the Namib-Naukluft National Park with a visit to Dune 45 (known for photos of people walking up a steep dune rim) and of course, a visit to Deadvlei.

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Desert Camp in a double room on a bed and breakfast basis
B: Desert Homestead Lodge, double room, on a bed and breakfast and dinner basis
C Sossusvlei Lodge in a superior double room on a bed and breakfast and dinner basis

Depart from Sesriem and drive via the picturesque Solitaire (what's in a name) and the Kuiseb Canyon to the coastal town of Swakopmund. The Kuiseb Canyon is a magnificent area with beautiful geological vistas.

This area is home to a number of animal species adapted to this harsh landscape, such as the springbok, oryx, ostrich and mountain zebra. The Kuiseb Canyon is a magnificent area with beautiful geological vistas.

Rest of the afternoon at your leisure to explore Swakopmund.

Swakopmund is a provincial-feeling little town with strong German influences, and it's a foraging place for travellers where all sorts of things can be arranged, such as car and camera repairs, doctor's visits, etc.

During the summer holidays, “Windhoekers” come to stay to escape the scorching hot capital. The ocean is mainly suitable for sea anglers as the water (influenced by the South Pole) is too cold for swimming.

In the surrounding area, many active sports can be enjoyed, such as dune surfing, quad biking, horse riding, kayaking with seal excursions, and much more.

The entire area is unique in the world due to the contrast between the dry, empty, and extremely hot desert, right up to the water's edge, in beautiful red and yellow hues, and the ice-cold, azure blue ocean.

It is often misty in this area, the only chance of survival for plants like the Welwitschia Mirabilis, Namibia's best-known plant which can be seen east of Swakopmund.

The plant has only two leaves, which can grow several metres long and lie curled up in the sand. The Welwitschia can live for up to 1000 years! They grow extremely slowly and multiply with difficulty.

Botanists have been studying for decades their still not fully understood ability to survive in almost total drought. It is thought they can live for years on sea mist alone.

To view the Welwitschia, you need a permit from the Swakopmund Tourist Office. The route itself is along the D1991 (from the C28).

Please note: Welwitschia can also be seen in the Petrified Forest, where there is incidentally slightly more water than in this area, namely the northern part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park.

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Sea Breeze guesthouse, double room, bed and breakfast
B: Cornerhouse guesthouse, double room, bed and breakfast
C Desert Breeze in a twin bungalow on a bed and breakfast basis

For more information, see: www.seabreeze.com.na – www.cornerstoneguesthouse.com – www.desertbreezeswakopmund.com

Full day in and around Swakopmund.

A visit can be made to the centre of Swakopmund, the seal colony at Cape Cross, and various organised excursions can be taken, such as a 4x4 excursion to Sandwich Harbour, a living desert excursion, or a boat trip in search of dolphins and whales.

(www.sandwich-harbour.comBoth recommended to book in advance).

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Sea Breeze guesthouse, double room, bed and breakfast
B: Cornerhouse guesthouse, double room, bed and breakfast
C Desert Breeze in a twin bungalow on a bed and breakfast basis

Depart from Swakopmund and drive via Cape Cross (seal colony), Uis and the Brandberg to Khorixas.

The afternoon is for relaxing at the accommodation. In the morning, you could potentially visit the Cape Cross Seal Colony.

Approximately 46km north of Henties Bay and 114km north of Swakopmund along the C34 is an easily accessible colony of thousands of South African fur seals, the *Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus*.

This fine name should not disguise the fact that the colony is surrounded by a terrible stench of fish and droppings, but it is impressive nonetheless, and after half an hour one gets somewhat used to it.

Depending on the time of year, the colony is estimated to have many tens of thousands of animals that can be seen excellently on the beach and, in particular, in the impressive waves.

You can get within less than 2 metres (a low wall keeps the lumbering animals at bay). There is plenty to see. Wandering youngsters, nursing mothers, fighting fathers protecting their harems (the males often spend months at sea to replenish their depleted fat reserves).

Beware of any jackals and very occasionally hyenas that roam the colony looking for dead babies and fish. Along the edges of the colony, where the “single males” usually hang out, the walls are no longer effective and it's best not to get too close.

Also, don't forget to use the toilet at the entrance office as the toilet on the beach is occupied by seals. The colony is part of a protected area and there is a small entrance fee.

You can also view a copy of the cross here, which was erected in 1485 by the Portuguese Diego Cão, the first European to go so far south on African shores.

The park is officially open from 08:00 to 17:00.

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Damara Mopane Lodge in a twin room with en-suite bathroom on a bed and breakfast basis
B: Vingerklip Lodge in a double room with en-suite bathroom on a bed, breakfast and dinner basis
C Camp Kipwe in a double bungalow on a bed, breakfast and dinner basis

For more information, see: www.gondwana-collection.com – www.vingerklip.com.na – www.kipwe.com

Day at leisure to explore the surroundings and visit local sights.

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Damara Mopane Lodge in a twin room with en-suite bathroom on a bed and breakfast basis
B: Vingerklip Lodge in a double room with en-suite bathroom on a bed, breakfast and dinner basis
C Camp Kipwe in a double bungalow on a bed, breakfast and dinner basis

Twyfelfontein rock engravings – at the end of the D3214.

This rocky area is home to one of the largest concentrations of San (Bushman) rock art/engravings in Africa. Here you can see examples of animals, animal tracks, people and geometric motifs drawn (actually scratched) into the rocks.

The panels even depict penguins and seals that were once recorded by the San after distant hunts. Unfortunately, the area can no longer be visited individually, this is to prevent damage and to create much-needed employment.

Upon arrival, you will be provided with a local guide who will lead you on a half-hour or one-hour walk, showcasing a series of clear examples. 

The Organ Pipes – along the D3254, another example of Namibia's wondrous and explosive geological history.

Columnar basalt up to 5m high, dolerite, approx. 120 million years old.

Burnt Mountain – also along the D3254, beautiful orange-brown mountain, best visited towards the end of the day when the light is less harsh.

The Petrified Forest (Petrified Forest) – along the C39, approx. 42km west of Khorixas. In this area, you can see petrified tree trunks that arrived here approximately 250 million years ago, probably during great floods from Angola (these types of wood are not found in this part of Africa).

Fossilisation occurred because the trees were covered by new layers of earth/rock for thousands of years. Subsequently, these layers eroded, exposing the fossilised pieces.

You can also see the Welwitschia Mirabilis here, Namibia's most famous plant. The plant has only two leaves, which can grow several metres long and lie curled up in the sand.

The Welwitschia can live for up to 1,000 years! They grow exceptionally slowly and reproduce with difficulty.

Botanists have been studying for decades their still not fully understood ability to survive in almost total drought (the oldest specimens are also found east of Swakopmund, in the middle of the Namib desert).

They think they can live for years on sea mist alone.

Here too, you can only go up the hill with a local guide.

Depart from Twyfelfontein and drive towards the Etosha National Park area.

Rest of the day at your leisure to go on game drives in Etosha National Park with your own car or to do a guided activity that is

offered via the accommodation (see the website of the respective accommodation for more information on this,

these activities are best booked during the reservation of the trip.

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Etosha Toshari Lodge in a double room with en-suite bathroom on a bed and breakfast basis
B: Eagle Tented Camp in a twin standard safari tent on a bed and breakfast and dinner basis
C Epacha Game Lodge in a twin luxury chalet on a bed, breakfast and dinner basis
(incl. conservation fee for Eagle Tented Camp and Epacha Game Lodge)

For more information, see: www.quiverandconamibia.com/lodges/toshari-lodge/ – www.eagle-tented-lodge.com – www.epachalodge.com

Excluding entrance fees for Etosha, which are currently N$ 150 per person per day and N$ 50 per car per day.

The ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK is one of Africa's best and best-known game parks.

The park covers an area of approximately 23,000 km² (so more than 75km by 300km). The park derives its name from the Etosha Pan itself, a vast, flat, dry lake with a white salt crust over which the brightly shining sun creates enormous mirages.

The pan covers about a quarter of the park and in some places you can drive over it.

After summer downpours, the pan sometimes fills partially with water. What makes Etosha so special are the numerous springs and waterholes along the edge of the Pan, especially on the south side, and the savannah landscape that attracts many grazing herds.

The grazing animals are always followed by hunting animals, and the open plains are an ideal hunting ground, especially for cheetahs and to a lesser extent for lions. In this area, wildlife was teeming at the end of the 19th century. Herds of tens of thousands of springbok were observed.

As everywhere in Africa, the animals were shot in large numbers by European hunters until Dr. F. von Lindequist, Governor of “German South West Africa”, declared Etosha and Kaokaland as a reserve in 1907.

Etosha remains appealing due to the openness of its landscape and the large groups of grazing herds, which often visit the waterholes with many species at once.

It is not unusual to see springbok, kudu, zebra, giraffe and elephants drinking at the same waterhole. There are also many ostriches, jackals and over 340 bird species.

Large cats are also present (especially lions and cheetahs), but in this enormous area, the “cat density” is quite low (for example, compared to Kruger Park in South Africa), and many visitors to Etosha do not see cats.

Nevertheless, it remains a unique and very photogenic park.

Days at leisure, including a game drive in Etosha National Park with your own car or organised by the lodge (optional and charged, please see website for more information on activities and game drives).

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Etosha Toshari Lodge in a double room with en-suite bathroom on a bed and breakfast basis
B: Eagle Tented Camp in a twin standard safari tent on a bed and breakfast and dinner basis
C Epacha Game Lodge in a twin luxury chalet on a bed, breakfast and dinner basis

Depart from the accommodation and drive through Etosha National Park to the eastern side of the park.

On your way, enjoy a game drive through Etosha National Park in your own car. Leave Etosha National Park via the von Lindequist gate and drive to your accommodation.

The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Onguma Etosha Bush Camp in a twin rondavel on a bed and breakfast and dinner basis
B: Onguma Forest Camp in a standard double Tree House on a bed and breakfast and dinner basis
C Onguma Tented Camp in a double luxury safari tent on a bed and breakfast and dinner basis
The stay at Onguma Tented Camp includes 2 activities per day.

(incl. conservation fee for all accommodation in Onguma Game Reserve)

For more information, see: www.waterbergnamibia.com – www.indongolodge.com – www.okonjima.com

Full day of game drives in Etosha National Park or organised by the Onguma Game Reserve.

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Onguma Etosha Bush Camp in a twin rondavel on a bed and breakfast and dinner basis
B: Onguma Forest Camp in a twin Bush Suite on a bed and breakfast and dinner basis
C Onguma Tented Camp in a luxury twin safari tent on a bed and breakfast and dinner and drinks basis
The stay at Onguma Tented Camp includes 2 activities per day.

After breakfast, depart from Etosha National Park and drive south towards the Waterberg Plateau.

The afternoon is free to visit the nearby Cheeta Conservation Trust, to take a sundowner drive through Waterberg Park,

A nature walk, a visit to “Little Serengeti”, an area that strongly resembles the Serengeti in Tanzania in terms of nature.

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Waterberg guest farm in a double room on a bed and breakfast basis
B: Frans Indongo Lodge, twin room, on a bed and breakfast basis
C Okonjima Plains Camp, a twin view room on a bed & breakfast and dinner basis

Full day for excursions in the surrounding area.

Overnight stay in accommodation of your choice:

A: Waterberg guest farm in a double room on a bed and breakfast basis
B: Frans Indongo Lodge, twin room, on a bed and breakfast basis
C Okonjima Plains Camp, a twin view room on a bed & breakfast and dinner basis

After breakfast, depart from Waterberg Plateau and drive to Windhoek Airport via Okahandja (there's an opportunity to visit a nice souvenir market here).

Return the rental car at Windhoek Airport at the Avis office.

End of arrangement.