Enjoy Namibia's best wildlife safari experiences on a self-drive journey across Namibia, staying in characterful lodges
An epic self-drive adventure across the Namibia. Head to Okonjima Reserve to track leopard, journey north to Etosha National Park for classic safari drives, and see desert-adapted elephants and black rhino in Damaraland. Follow the wild skeleton coast to Walvis Bay's lagoons, with its seal and flamingos colonies, then stand on top of dune 45 at Sossusvlei. Your wonderful lodges are part of the journey, with wild animals wandering in the grounds and incredible desert sunsets.
Embark on an unforgettable two-week Namibia Wildlife Self-Drive Adventure!
Jump into your 4WD and set off on a journey through one of Africa’s most spectacular and wildlife-rich landscapes. This is your chance to experience Namibia’s raw beauty and incredible animals up close, while staying in charming guesthouses, desert lodges, and comfortable tented camps.
Your adventure begins in Windhoek, Namibia’s vibrant capital with its unique blend of German heritage and café culture. From there, the road is yours! Your first wildlife experience is leopard tracking at Okonjima, followed by incredible safari drives in Etosha National Park, a vast salt pan that feels like an open-air zoo, where lions, giraffes, rhinos, and herds of antelope roam freely.
Heading on to Damaraland, you will see desert adapted elephants and black rhino. You then drive down the wild and dramatic skeleton coast, arriving at Swapokmund, a hub for activities and water-based wildlife, such as the seals and flamingos in Walvis Bay. Your adventure concludes with some time in Sisriem, from where you can climb dune 45 in Sossusvlei and see the icon blackened trees in the clay pan of Deadvlei.
This self-drive safari is the perfect introduction to Namibia, a land of epic scenery, thrilling wildlife encounters, and endless horizons.
You’ll be met at the airport and driven to the vehicle rental office, where you collect your 4WD. The friendly team will ensure that you are fully briefed before you set off. The vehicles have twin fuel tanks and charging points, and you'll be provided with a local phone to use if you need to call them for assistance (all of the vehicles are fitted with a tracker). It's a 3 hour drive to Okonjima and we recommend that you stock up on food for your lunches in Windhoek, so you can stop off for a picnic lunch along the way. Dinner included.
Okonjima is a game reserve run by the Africat Foundation, who rehabilitates leopards, wild dogs, hyenas and pangolin. After a delicious breakfast at the lodge, you'll head deep into Okonjima Reserve in a safari vehicle. Under the guidance of an expert guide, you will look for leopard. There are over 35 leopards within the reserve and many of them are fitted with radio-trackers. This allows researchers to understand their movements and habits, and almost means that there is a good chance you will see several, though it's never a guarantee. The lodge itself is as much a part of the adventure, with comfortable rooms and animals at the watering hole when you eat breakfast and dinner (lunch not included).
Today you have a 4.5 hour drive to get to the Eastern Gate of Etosha National Park. As well as admiring the scenery along the way, you can break up the journey in one of the towns for lunch, or choosing a suitable road-side spot for a picnic under the shade of a tree. You will be staying at Mushara Outpost, a beautiful lodge with tented chalets on stilts, fitted out with modern amenities and comfortable beds. You'll see warthog and springbok strolling around the grounds and can hear the sounds of the birds that surround you. Enjoy a sundowner by the pool after your drive.
You get up early and will be met by your guide for a safari drive through Etosha National Park. It’s an endless pan of silvery white sand, where mirages blur the horizon and animals punctuate the beautiful scenery. You can spot three big cats here: lions, cheetah, and leopard. And keep an eye out for elephants, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, oryx, springbok, black rhino and more. You'll be back at the lodge for around lunchtime and can enjoy a free afternoon relaxing in the grounds.
This morning you enjoy a self-drive safari through Etosha as you journey from the eastern gate to Andersson's gate. This gives you a second chance at spotting the animals that inhabit the park and you can linger as long as you like. After another enjoyable safari experience, you will exit through Andersson's gate and drive to Etosha Safari Lodge.
It's a 3.5 hour drive this morning to get to Palmwag Lodge, in Damaraland. You'll be driving on gravel roads through red plains and the blue and red hues of Etendeka's flat-topped mountain range. The lodge is in a beautiful setting, a mixture of boulder-strewn red plains and shallow green valleys where elephants roam free. You stay in thatched bungalows that connect you directly with the landscape.
Today we have included a half-day safari. Animals move freely on this 50,000 hectare concession, with no fences or wildlife management, so it’s a more authentic experience. You can sight mountain zebra, oryx, springbok, giraffe, black rhino and the desert adapted elephant.
We've included a second day at Palmwag because it's always good to stop and relax between your drives, and there are a lot of great excursions on offer. Today you could simply relax at the lodge, head out on a rhino tracking excursion, or go on a guided walk.
Today is your biggest driving day but the scenery is fantastic and you can break up the journey with a variety of stops. You Can drive the inland route from Palmwag to Swapokmund in 5.5 hours, or via the skeleton coast in 6-7 hours. These times sound daunting on paper but the drive is such an adventure. The skeleton coast is stark and eerie, with the skeletal remains of shipwrecks and whale bones protruding from the sand, and the water. The red sands of the Namib desert contrast with the blue waves of the Atlantic and you can keep an eye out for wildlife as you drive. There a lots of lovely restaurants in town so we haven't included dinner here.
It's just a 30 minute drive from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay, a deep sea port with a beautiful wide lagoon. In the lagoons, there are you’ll see numerous sea birds, pelicans, hundreds flamingo, a colony of friendly seals, and dolphins. It's literally teaming with wildlife and it's a lovely place to spend the day. We've included a half day kayaking amongst the playful seals with a beach braai at the end, but there are a range of other activities to choose from.
We've left the day free today because there are so many things to explore around Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. For those seeking a bit of a thrill, there's quad-biking, sand-boarding and horse riding. For something a little more sedate, you could take a jeep tour across the dunes to sandwich bay, or simply enjoy relaxing in Swakopmund, with its with its sandy beach, museums, aquarium and snake park.
A four hour drive takes you from Swakopmund to Namib Desert Lodge. It's in an incredibly scenic spot, nestled amongst trees on flat red sands of the desert floor. Mountains can be see on the horizon and you can enjoy comfortable rooms and a pool to cool off in.
This morning you will be collected early to head out to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei for sunrise. Breakfast will be provided at Deadvlei so you can enjoy the sunrise before walking into the valley, where the white clay pan floor contrasts brilliantly with the blackened trunks of leafless trees, and the reds of the towering dunes. You then drive to Sossusvlei and you can hike to the top of dune 45. Its hard work getting to the top but the views are incredible and it's a fun run back down. You'll be back at your lodge in time for lunch and will have plenty of time to relax by the pool before dinner.
It's a 4.5 hour drive to get to Windhoek, so your afternoon is free to explore the German colonial charm of the city. There are lots of nice spaces to enjoy here, from the botanical gardens to the architecture and the Namibia Craft Centre, which is a great place to get some souvenirs before your journey home.
It's a forty minute drive to get back to the airport and you will need to factor in a little additional time for dropping your vehicle off before entering departures.
The best time to go to Namibia is during their winter, from May to September. During these months the skies are clear, temperatures will be in the low to mid-twenties, and there is very little rainfall. If you like warm temperatures, September is the hottest month of this period. Game viewing is at its optimum because animals will be gathering round the watering holes. Similarly, looking for the wild cats is easier when the foliage is less dense, and temperatures are perfect for those guided desert walks.
Price includes:
The price is based on two people sharing a twin or a double room and includes flights from the UK.
Included meals and activities are described in the itinerary.
For a personalised itinerary and full list of what's included, please get in touch.
A two-week self-drive adventure through Namibia's wilderness, with three guided treks, magical desert camps, and wildlife highlights
From: £6,795 per person
An unforgettable self-drive journey across Namibia, visiting Namibia's most iconic wildlife and geological highlights
From: £3,725 per person
Experience Namibia's highlights in comfort, with wildlife encounters, elegant desert camps, gourmet dining, and sundowners.
From: £12,495 per person
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