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Best of Namibia Self-Drive

16-day tailor-made self-drive from £4,165 pp incl. flights

Summary

Short description

Explore the best of Namibia's landscapes and wildlife

Highlights

  • Spot lions, leopard and rhino in Etosha National Park
  • Drive scenic routes in a 4WD, passing towering sand dunes, magnificent salt pans and the rugged Skeleton Coast
  • Stay in rustic-chic lodges, enjoying included gourmet meals
  • Take in ancient rock art and colonial towns

In Brief

  • 1 Night Windhoek
  • 1 Night Kalahari Desert
  • 2 Nights Sossusvlei
  • 2 Nights Swakopmund
  • 2 Nights Twyfelfontein
  • 4 Nights Etosha National Park
  • 1 Night Okonjima

About

Recommended for:
Activity adventure | August holidays | Best of holidays | Bucket-list holidays | July holidays | Natural world | Off the beaten track | Safari | Self-drive | Wildlife

Despite their apparent hostility, Namibia's desert landscapes support a staggering array of wildlife. Lions and leopards stalk the salt pans of its northern national parks as colonies of seals and thousands-strong flocks of flamingos cool themselves on the dune-fringed coast. Take in the country's best bits on a self-drive 4WD adventure that spans the vast plains of the Namib Desert, summits the apricot dunes of Sossusvlei and calls into charming coastal towns and ancient tribal lands. You'll round things off in style with a two-centre safari in Etosha National Park and a visit to the AfriCat Foundation – a not-for-profit organisation rehabilitating Namibia's big cats. It's all knitted together by scenic drives, stays in chic lodges and delightful included meals.

Day by day itinerary

Day 1
Depart UK

Arrive at your departure airport where included airport lounge access ensures a relaxing start to your holiday. Then, feeling refreshed, you'll fly overnight to Windhoek.

Day 2
Windhoek

Arrive in the capital, Windhoek, collecting your car and heading to your boutique accommodation. While you might want to relax with your chic suite, be sure to also take in the city's enticing mix of old and new. Indeed, there are several buildings from the German colonial era which have survived and been restored, including the Old Fort, Parliament building and Lutheran church.

Stay: Olive Grove Guest House, Windhoek (Superior) or The Olive Exclusive, Windhoek (Deluxe)

Meals: B

Day 3
Kalahari Desert

Set out from Windhoek for the vast Kalahari Desert. The route will take you via Rehoboth, the centre of Namibia’s Baster community, a people descended from colonial Dutch and Namibian tribes. One arrived at your remote-lodge accommodation, you might want to enjoy a game drive, taking in everything from elephant and giraffe to lion and leopard among the golden grasses and small red dunes. In short, it's the ideal introduction to Namibia's wilds before you return to the first of your included meals.


Stay: Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch, Savannah Chalet (Superior) or Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch, Dune Chalet (Deluxe)

Meals: B D

Days 4-5
Sossuvlei / Namib Desert

It's time for a true trip highlight, with a visit to the giant sand dunes of Sossusvlei – some of the highest in the world. Their magnificent orange is set against the brilliant white of the mineral flats, punctuated by gnarled dead trees. The stunning rock formations of Sesriem Canyon are a further highlight, along with the NamibRand Nature Reserve – 445,000 acres of pristine desert wilderness, where jagged peaks and horizonless plains hide unique flora and fauna. It's all part of the Namib, the world's oldest desert. In contrast to the inhospitality of it all, you'll stay in desert luxury in a boutique lodge, enjoying gourmet dinners and private-reserve exclusivity. 

Stay: Le Mirage Desert Lodge & Spa (Superior) or Little Kulala (Deluxe)

Meals: B D L (Deluxe)

Days 6-7
Swakopmund

Drive north via the lunar-like landscape of the Kuiseb Canyon to Swakopmund, a quaint German-colonial town where the desert meets the ocean. It's a step back in time, with plenty of Art-Nouveau architecture to admire and some of the country's finest restaurants, including one superb seafood offering housed in a shored tug boat. Nearby, there's also flamingos and seals to discover, alongside sightseeing flights over the dunes. Or, you might simply want to relax on the beach, or with your plush seafront accommodation.

Stay: Artemis Hotel Swakopmund (Superior) or Strand Hotel, Swakopmund (Deluxe)

Meals: B

Days 8-9
Damaraland

Set off from Swakopmund and head north up the Atlantic coast, visiting the seal colony at Cape Cross and pausing at the haunting ship wrecks that dot the Skeleton Coast. In the afternoon, you'll drive up into the rugged Damaraland highlands before arriving in Twyfelfontein to enjoy included dinners at your luxury remote lodge. You'll then spend the next day exploring Twyfelfontein with its ancient rock engravings, said to be the richest collection in Africa. Be sure to also visit the Burnt Mountain, its vividly coloured rocks contrasting with the desolate landscape, and the Organ Pipes – a jagged geological wonder.

Stay: Camp Kipwe, Namibia (Superior) or Mowani Mountain Camp, Namibia (Deluxe)

Meals: B D

Days 10-11
Etosha National Park

You'll end in style, with a self-drive safari in Etosha – one of southern Africa's national-park greats. This sprawling salt pan is home to everything from giant herds of zebra to prowling lions and spindly giraffe. It's even one of the world's best places to spot rhino. To help you explore its giant scale in detail, we've included nights in both its west and east. Choose between staying inside the park with our Superior option, or upgrade to a luxurious private reserve on its outskirts. Both feature hearty meals and superb game-viewing.

Stay: Okaukeujo Camp (Superior) or Etosha Oberland Lodge

Meals: B D

Days 12-13
Etosha National Park

Set off east, stopping along the way to spot the likes of lurking leopards, herds of gemsbok and armoured rhino. The salt pan even attracts thousands of flamingos after heavy rains, while in the dry season the animals gather around the many waterholes to drink and bathe. Again, our Superior option offers the privileged chance to stay inside the park, while the Deluxe alternative mixes in extra, minimalist luxury. Both come with dinner included.

Stay: Onguma Bush Camp (Superior) or Mushara Outpost (Deluxe)

Meals: B D

Day 14
Okonjima

After a few days in the park, journey to the woodcarving centre of Okahandja where you can pick up a traditional souvenir. Then, you'll spend the night among the 55,000 acres of plains that form the Okonjima Nature Reserve. Home to the superb AfriCat Foundation, it offers a near-guaranteed chance of seeing Namibia's big cats, including leopards and cheetahs. Both our accommodation options will see you enjoy a sumptuous included dinner. And, while the Superior option honours its cattle-farming history in luxury, the Deluxe alternative is one of the country's finest properties.

Stay: Okonjima Plains Camp (Superior) Okonjima Bush Camp (Deluxe)

Meals: B D

Days 15-16
Depart for UK

Depart Okahandja and head to Windhoek Airport, where you'll drop off your car and board your overnight flight home.

Meals: B

Map

Pricing

Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.

Accommodation rating: Superior Deluxe

16-day tailor-made self-drive
from £4,165 pp incl. flights

Superior

Low Season

from £4,165 pp. incl. flights

High Season

from £4,940 pp. incl. flights

Includes: 

  • Complimentary UK airport lounge access
  • Return flights from London to Windhoek
  • 14 days car hire (4WD SUV or similar incl Super Cover)
  • 3 nights accommodation in 4* (Superior) hotels on a B&B basis
  • 2 nights accommodation in 4* (Superior) hotels on a full-board basis
  • 8 nights accommodation in 4* (Superior) hotels on a half-board basis

Terms & Conditions

Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.

Meet our experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0611

Meet the team

Adjust your itinerary with our recommended extensions

Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Fish River Canyon Extension

4-day Self-drive from £345 pp

A four-day extension to the Best of Namibia self-drive holiday, starting in the Kalahari Desert and ending in Sossuvlei

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0611 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

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Every step of the way

Every step of the way

Our services are with you from start to finish:

  • Dedicated personal consultants
  • Free airport lounges on qualifying bookings
  • Care and guidance pre, post and during holiday
  • Full financial security: ABTA & ATOL protected