Namibia Self-Drive Safaris

For the independent and intrepid traveller, a self-drive safari is a particularly unique way to explore Namibia, surely one of the best countries in the world for a self-drive adventure. Our self-drive safari itineraries are carefully handpicked to ensure you get the most out of your time in Namibia, but without having to compromise on comfort and peace of mind.

As you might expect, on a self-drive holiday, you drive yourself in your 2×4 or 4×4 rental car from one destination to the next. Along the way, we have included exciting activities into your itinerary: a visit to a seal colony, walking up and running down the sand dunes of Sossusvlei, or looking for the desert adapted elephants of the Damaraland. Depending on location and activity, you can join guided experiences as well. Your accommodation may offer a guided sunset drive, a nature walk or a game drive together with a professional guide in Etosha National Park. This way, you get the best of both worlds.

What to see and where to stay on our self-drive safaris

Namibia is a special country for self-drivers, with staggeringly beautiful and largely unadulterated landscapes and plenty of opportunities to get far from the beaten track. But it’s also generally more accessible than many other African countries, with good amenities, roads and infrastructure, which means you don’t have to be a hardened pro to have a memorable self-drive adventure.

Generally speaking, you can experience the same activities and visit the same landmarks as you would on a guided safari. On our Namibia Highlights safari, you’ll explore iconic destinations including Etosha National Park, Swakopmund and Sossusvlei at your own pace. Our North of Namibia safari will have you traversing some of the most wild and ruggedly spectacular reaches of the country, while our longer options also take you across the border into beautiful Botswana.

We will arrange a reliable and durable vehicle (either 2×4 or 4×4, depending on your itinerary and preference) with all the equipment you might need for your safari. We work with only the most trusted and reputed local car rental agencies. We arrange all your accommodation for you based on our extensive experience of Namibia, leaving you to focus your attention on the joys of the open road. You will overnight in a range of idyllic and well-located lodges and camps, giving you easy access to the country’s many highlights.

Cross-border self-drive tours: Namibia, Botswana, South Africa & Victoria Falls

Namibia is home to many highlights of Southern African travel. But so are its neighbours Botswana and South Africa. On crossing-border self-drive trips, you can experience it all: the Namib Desert as well as the Okavango Delta, Etosha as well as Chobe National Park and even Cape Town in South Africa or the Victoria Falls in Zambia or Zimbabwe. That doesn’t mean crossing-border self-drive holidays have to be stressful – when planning your itinerary, we make sure to include a few days that are more relaxing and see you spending more than one night in one place. It’s not just about ticking off the sites but enjoying the big and small moments along the way. You can cross the country borders in your rental car; eventually returning to the place you started your journey or drop your car in another bigger town or city. No matter the itinerary, on self-drive tours in Southern Africa you should be prepared to spend many hours and kilometres in the car – after all, the journey is the destination.

Who should go on a self-drive safari in Namibia

Travellers who are looking for a tailor-made experience, flexibility and privacy should choose either a private guided safari, or a self-drive safari. Other than on our guided group safaris, you will travel with your friends and family only and can adapt your itinerary to your personal preferences. On a self-drive tour, you are behind the wheel, decide when and where to stop and enjoy ultimate privacy. A road trip in Namibia will always include at least some days with long driving distances and you should be a confident and somewhat experienced driver. Knowing how to change a tire without assistance is crucial on long and lonely gravel roads when other people let alone car repair shops are far and few between. We not only book your rental car but also your accommodations. This means your trip does follow a set structure. However, you still have the option to stop along the way or spend a day at leisure. Many accommodations and national parks offer guided activities open to book for self-drive travellers. When joining a guided activity, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. If you’re looking for an adventurous road trip that offers maximum flexibility but follows a pre-booked itinerary for peace of mind, our Namibia self-drive tours are for you.