Namibia self drive desert safari
| country: | Namibia |
| departures: | Departures can be arranged at anytime throughout the year to suit you |
| price: | From £2550 (14 days) excluding flights. Price based on 2 people sharing a twin/double, includes car hire and all road and light aircraft transfers and all meals as stated on the itinerary |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Namibia is the least densely populated country in Africa. It offers dramatic wide landscapes across its rolling deserts and arid coastline. For those seeking solitude and an opportunity for spectacular photography the country is a paradise. But amongst the arid landscape the country teems with a surprising diversity of big game including the beautiful oryx, wild jackal and ostrich as well as elusive big cats. Namibia has also been hugely successful at re-introducing black and white rhino into the wild and you have an excellent opportunity to view these special animals on this tour.
This tour takes you to some of the quietest places in Africa. Luxurious lodges offering stunning sundowner views and safe bushwalks amongst the sand dunes and bizarre eroded rock landscapes of Damarland. Experience the cultural sights of Africa’s unique San rock art at Twyfelfontein as well as the opportunity to participate in cultural tours to the local communities of Himba people in the north.
The tour also visits the Atlantic coast of Namibia where the cold ocean currents cool the desert landscape. Here you will find a relic of colonial influence in the town of Swakopmund with its Germanic architecture and German speaking people. From here you can view the largest colony of Cape Fur Seal in Africa where literally tens of thousands of animals thrive in the cold waters. Either drive to see them at Cape Cross or take one of the many boat tours that depart daily. Complimentary wine and oysters are served once you return to port.
This tour takes you to some of the quietest places in Africa. Luxurious lodges offering stunning sundowner views and safe bushwalks amongst the sand dunes and bizarre eroded rock landscapes of Damarland. Experience the cultural sights of Africa’s unique San rock art at Twyfelfontein as well as the opportunity to participate in cultural tours to the local communities of Himba people in the north.
The tour also visits the Atlantic coast of Namibia where the cold ocean currents cool the desert landscape. Here you will find a relic of colonial influence in the town of Swakopmund with its Germanic architecture and German speaking people. From here you can view the largest colony of Cape Fur Seal in Africa where literally tens of thousands of animals thrive in the cold waters. Either drive to see them at Cape Cross or take one of the many boat tours that depart daily. Complimentary wine and oysters are served once you return to port.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive at Windhoek International Airport and pick up a rental vehicle (based on Nissan X-Trail). Drive to Okonjima Bush Camp. Overnight at Okonjima (FB) |
| Day 3-5: | Depart Okonjima and drive to Grootberg in Damaraland. From here you can visit Twyfelfontein for the San rock art or take a guided tour to view the regions desert elephants. At certain times it is possible to participate in a village tour with the local Himba people. Overnight Grootberg (HB) |
| Day 6-7: | Depart Damaraland and drive to Swakopmund on the coast (aprox 3.5 hrs). Swakopmund is a unique location in Namibia. The town was founded by the German colonists during the period when Namibia was a German protectorate and it retains its Germanic architecture today. Overnight - The Stiltz (B&B) |
| Day 8-9: | After breakfast drive to the Swakopmund airport (approx 10 mins.), where you will drop off rental vehicle and board the Dunehopper to Sossusvlei in the early afternoon for the dramatic flight over the Namib Desert (approx 75 mins.). You will be met at the airstrip for the short transfer to Desert Homestead – the ideal location for the drama of Sossusvlei. Overnight Desert Homestead (HB) |
| Day 10-11: | You will be collected after breakfast for the scenic road transfer to Wolwedans (approx 45 mins.) Wolwedans Dune lodge is located in a private reserve amongst the Namib Desert. There are daily game drives in to the dramatic landscape and walking safari is also an option. Overnight Wolwedans Dunes Lodge (FB) |
| Day 12-13: | Dunehopper to Eros airport in Windhoek early morning for a short flight. Transfer to Gocheganas by private taxi (approx 30 mins). Gocheganas is a private reserve about 20 km south of Windhoek. Game drives and walking safari is offered each day amongst the 40 different species of large animal on site including giraffe and zebra. The highlight however is undoubtedly the presence of White Rhino who you stand an excellent chance of seeing here. The lodge also has a wellness centre with spa treatments and indoor and outdoor pools. This makes it the ideal location from which to unwind at the end of your journey. Overnight Gocheganas (FB & all Activities) |
| Day 14: | Drive to International Airport and drop off rental vehicle in time for your international flight home. |
don't leave it too late!
Please note that due to the nature of tailor-made trips to Sub-Saharan Africa we need at least 14 days between time of booking and departure. This time is essential for you to sort out passport, visa and health requirements and for us to make all the necessary holiday arrangements.how this holiday makes a difference
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Wolwedans is a collection of unique desert lodges that demonstrate excellent responsible travel criteria. For many years the lodge has been famous for its chef training programme which has upskilled local namibians not only from Wolwedans but across the country. Today their lodges are all mostly locally managed with many local staff having benefitted from years of high quality training and benefits such as schooling for their families – all provided by proceeds of tourism.
A particular highlight of this tour is the visit to Twyfelfontein visitor centre which as well as providing local employment opportunities is also a unique building in its own right. It is composed from a collection of completely recycled materials from old tyres to metallic oil drums. The centre is designed to be capable of being removed from the environment completely and leaving no residue should it ever be required to be dismantled. The Lodge is a landmark in Namibia for the tourism industry as it is the first middle-market establishment in the country that is 100% owned by the community. The European Union funded the project through the Ministry of Environment and Tourism's Development Programme. At the same time, the private sector has been called in to supply the training and management skills until the community becomes self-sustainable. The purpose of the Lodge is not only to offer a professional service, great surroundings, extremely good food, well-trained guides and exceptionally good local management but, at the same time, to benefit the local community thanks to the revenues generated by the Lodge. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |