An unforgettable self-drive journey across Namibia, visiting Namibia's most iconic wildlife and geological highlights
As you drive through Namibia in your fully equipped 4X4 vehicle, you will set up camp in some of the most stunning desert and mountain locations in the world. Climb giant dunes, spot wildlife on safari drives, look at the stars from your rooftop tent, and stop to let ostrich cross the road. This is a really special experience to share with your children.
On this action-packed family adventure, you will drive through Namibia’s incredible landscapes in a 4WD, which is fully kitted-out with rooftop tents, and kitchen and dining equipment. You will stay at a range of designated campsites, each one offering a new adventure and scenic backdrop. With remarkably low visitor numbers, Namibia offers intimate wildlife encounters and virtually untouched desert landscapes.
Our fantastic team in Windhoek will ensure you’re completely comfortable with your vehicle before you begin your journey. They’ll show you how to erect your rooftop tent and will give you a local phone that puts you within easy reach of help and advice. Imagine your children’s delight when they climb into their rooftop tent and watch the twinkling stars at night. You will be sitting around campfires, listening to nocturnal animal sounds at night, and waking to inspect fresh animal prints in the mornings.
Your journey is divided into easy, manageable drives. Along the way, you will be horse riding through the rugged Naukluft Mountains, climbing the iconic Dune 45 in Sossusvlei, and kayaking among playful seals and flamingos at Walvis Bay. Feel the thrill of a jeep ride to the remote beauty of Sandwich Harbour and follow the Skeleton Coast northwards to track desert-adapted elephants in Erongo. Perhaps the most thrilling adventure of all will be your unforgettable safari drives in the Etosha National Park, and tracking leopard at Okonjima Game Reserve. This is an adventure for all ages, a holiday that will make you fall in love with Namibia.
When you arrive into the airport, simple walk through departures and you will be met by one of our friendly team. You'll head to the vehicle rental office, where they set you up with your vehicle for the week. It comes fully equipped with tents, bedding, cooking utensils, and tables and chairs. Once you are fully briefed, you'll drive to your guesthouse in Windhoek and we suggest stopped at a supermarket to get supplies along the way.
Today is the first day of your adventure! It's a 3.5 hour (143 miles) drive across the desert to BullsPort Lodge and Farm, on the edge of the Naukluft Mountains .Bring lunch supplies with you, so you can stop along the way for a picnic. Once you arrive at this remote farm, you'll find plenty of shaded areas under the trees where you can park your vehicle and set up your rooftop tents. You are right at the foot of some low mountains and its a wonderfully relaxed place and there are walking trails and a small pool. For dinner tonight, you can cook your own meal using the equipment provided in your vehicle and there's a lovely outdoor seating area for you to use. If you're feeling tired and would prefer not to cook, they make some delicious meals at the farm, so just put in your request when you arrive.
You and your family have a free day to enjoy the farm. We've included a half-day out horse riding in the mountains, or you can choose to enjoy a guided walk as an alternative. Bullsport is a working farm and is one of the oldest in Namibia. Their horses are well looked after and your friendly guide will take you through some lovely trails, where you can look out for springbok and other antelope that live in the hills. You'll return to the farm and can relax by the pool and enjoy the food that you have brought with you.
Another 3.5 hours of driving today (127 miles) takes you to Sesriem, passing through the aptly named settlement of Solitaire. This is a tiny little place, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, but it has a wonderful cafe, which is perfect for a lunch stop. Treat yourself to some freshly baked bread and apple pie from the bakery before continuing to your campsite at Sisriem. Sisriem campsite has a small pool to cool off in, and each vehicle is allocated a little lodge with bathroom facilities and a shady roof to set your tents up under. Perhaps the children should cook dinner for your second night, so you can enjoy a cool glass of wine and look at the views from your camping chair!
Today we've included a morning tour to enjoy the giant dunes of Sossusvlei and the salt pans and skeletal trees of Deadvlei. You will be collected at dawn, so you can enjoy having breakfast at sunrise, usually heading first to the salt pans and skeletal trees of Deadvlei. Once you've had a look around, you'll be driven to the base of Dune 45 the iconic towering dune of Sossusvlei. You'll walk to the top of the dune, from where you can look back to the dazzling white clay pans of Deadvlei. After a fun run down the sandy slopes of Dune 45, you're driven back to your campsite in time for lunch. The afternoon is then free to prepare your lunch and evening meal, and relax by the pool. You will need to pay a small entrance fees when you enter the park at Sossusvlei today.
Today you drive for 5 hours (214 miles) to your guesthouse in Swakopmund, on the Atlantic coast. You can break up your journey with a picnic lunch and can stop off at Walvis Bay before you get to Swakopmund,. Walvis Bay has a deep sea port with a beautiful wide lagoon, where you can see numerous birds, including the greater flamingo. There are some great restaurants in Swakupmund, so we would recommend having your meals in town and recommend 'The Tug' restaurant, which would could pre-book for you.
Today you have a free day to enjoy Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. We have included a half day kayaking to see the seals and flamingos, but there are lots of other activities to choose from, if you would prefer to do something else. Your half-day kayaking experience includes a beach Braai and you'll have a wonderful time watching the playful seals, who like to approach the boats of their own accord. This is an easy activity, suitable for any level of fitness.
Today we have included a jeep tour of Sandwich Harbour. You'll be collected from your guesthouse in Swakopmund and taken out on a morning adventure to explore the regions breath-taking dunes, with their wind-sculpted shapes and vibrant yellow colours, contrasting with the blue of the Atlantic waves. You see thousands of flamingos resting in the pink salt lakes, and you can observe sea birds, seals, and jackals. During your tour, you will walk on the dunes and will be told all about the history and geology of the area.
Today you will drive up the dramatic skeleton coast towards Etosha and Damaraland. Look out for ship wrecks and whale bones along the way and break up your journey with a picnic lunch. You final stop is a lovely campsite at within the Palmwag Nature Reserve. Palmwag Campsite has a pool and is one that we often recommend but there are lots of campsites around Damaraland and the Palmwag Nature Reserve, so you can choose whichever option matches your budget and preferences.
This morning you'll get up early and will be drive through the park to see desert adapted elephants. Your guide will help you spot the animals in the area, and identify various animal droppings and tracks. You'll return to camp in time to make yourself some lunch and you can relax out at the pool in camp for the rest of the day.
Your drive today is 4 hours (202 miles) and takes you to Etosha. On the way, we incloude a stop- off at the living museum in Damaraland. Here, you can learn about the traditions of the bushmen (San people), what they ate, how they build their huts, and how their clothes were made. You then continue on to your camp, which is within the Etosha National Park, a veritable open zoo and without a doubt the highlight of the trip. The reserve gates close in the evening so you'll have to wait for the morning to start your safari drive but the campsite is a lovely place to hang out.
Today you are free to visit the Etosha Park, with its southern Anderson gate just 17km away. The gates open at sunrise and close at sunset and you pay as you enter, for a 24 hour period. It’s an endless pan of silvery white sand where mirages blur the horizon and huge herds of animals punctuate the beautiful scenery. You can drive around the park yourself in an exciting self-drive safari. There are places to eat within the park, or you can make your own lunch if you have stocked up before you arrive. Etosha is famous for its elephants, lions, giraffe, zebras, and rhinos.
Your drive today is 3.5 hours (168 miles) heads west of the Waterberg plateau to the Omboroko mountains, taking you to Okonjima. This is a game reserve run by the Africat Foundation, which rehabilitates cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas and leopards. You’ll be able to see these beautiful predators in their natural environment but the highlight has to be the cheetah and leopard safaris. You’ll be camping here for the next two nights.
Today is free to take advantage of the 55,000 acre Okonjima Game Reserve. We have included a half-day to head out on a leopard and cheetah safari. Its a really exciting experience to witness these giant cats in such an open environment. The campsite within the reserve has a pool and large seating area, so it's a great place to relax and enjoy the tranquillity of Namibia's endless horizon.
3 hour drive to Windhoek International airport for your flight home. You'll be told where to drop your vehicle before entering departure to board your flight home. You're going to miss Namibia but you'll be returning home with wonderful memories and lots of stories to tell!
May through to September tends to be our favourite time to travel to Namibia, although all months offer an incredible experience.
Namibia’s central area is classified as an arid to semi-arid region; arid becoming semi-arid when rainfall exceeds evaporation. The climate is ‘sub-tropical’ desert, characterised by a wide range in temperature between day and night, and between summer and winter.
The Namibian ‘winter’ is from May to September and during these months the skies are clear and there is little rainfall. As the season progresses, daytime temperatures start to drop from an average of 25˚C in April and May to 15˚C during the day, and nights are cold. Between June and August there may be overnight frost in the desert and high areas so take some layers on evening and night game drives. The drier months of June through to October are the best months to see wildlife, particularly in Etosha National Park, as the wildlife use waterholes – which have good access and are easy to watch – more frequently.
The Namibian ‘summer’ is between October and April. Daytime temperatures are high, sometimes reaching over 40˚C in the desert. There is little humidity between October and the end of the year so high temperatures feel pleasant. From late December through to the end of March there tends to be localised afternoon rain showers which do bring humidity. Wildlife is less reliant on the waterholes at this time of year and so less easy to spot, especially as the vegetation also tends to be more green and leafy.
Price includes:
The price is based on a family of four sharing a twin and double rooms (when not camping) and includes flights from the UK.
The vehicle shown is an example showing how the on board tent works. All vehicles come fully equiped for camping in Namibia.
For a personalised itinerary and full list of what's included, please get in touch.
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