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Man walking in Deadvlei highlight in Namibia
Private Self-Drive Trip

Namibia Highlights

13 Days from 31,200 NAD person sharing a double room

Reserve your spot

Namibia Highlights – 13 Day Self-Drive Tour

Discover Namibia’s vastness and solitude in your own time. This self-drive tour includes the highlights of Namibia. You will see wild animals in Etosha National Park, marvel at the enormous dunes of the Namib Desert and much more.

Accommodation type

Guesthouses, guest farms & tented camps

Accommodation style

Starting price per person

Travellers

Private trip

Travellers

Departure date

Any day of your choice

Departure dates

Highlights

Days 1-13 Namibia

Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Sesriem Canyon

Namib Desert
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Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Sesriem Canyon

Quad biking, sand boarding, skydiving, scenic flight, day trip to the seal colony at Cape Cross (all optional)

Swakopmund
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Quad biking, sand boarding, skydiving, scenic flight, day trip to the seal colony at Cape Cross (all optional)

Unique geology, rock art

Spitzkoppe

Unique geology, rock art

Hike to the ‘White Lady’ rock art

Brandberg

Hike to the ‘White Lady’ rock art

Petrified Forest, Twyfelfontein World Heritage Site, Organ Pipes, Burnt Mountain

Damaraland
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Petrified Forest, Twyfelfontein World Heritage Site, Organ Pipes, Burnt Mountain

Game drives, Etosha Pan

Etosha National Park
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Game drives, Etosha Pan

Who Should Go

This trip is designed for first time visitors of Namibia, who want to see and experience the best-known highlights in a short span of time, but not be in too much of a rush. Landscapes, culture, activities, and wildlife encounters take turns on this self-drive tour, making it a great choice for families or couples with different preferences and interests. Since you will be driving in your own rental car, you should be a fairly experienced and confident driver to enjoy driving along lone gravel roads.

Namibia Newbies

Namibia Newbies

Nature lovers

Nature Lovers

Bordering three countries

Independent Travellers

Confident Drivers

Confident Drivers

“Thank you once again, for encouraging us to do a self-drive tour, for the great organisation and for your patience while answering every last question, until everything was clear to us.”
Andrea & Joachim Wick

Accommodation

8 accommodations over 13 days/12 nights
The Elegant Guesthouse Windhoek
Day 1
Windhoek
The Elegant Guesthouse
1 night bed & breakfast
Day 1
View at Elegant Desert Camp
Day 2-3
Namib Desert
The Elegant Desert Camp
2 nights half-board
Day 2-3
Interior of a room at the Cornerstone Guest House in Swakopmund
Day 4-5
Swakopmund
Cornerstone Guest House
2 nights bed & breakfast
Day 4-5
Night sky at Malansrus Tented Camp
Day 8
Damaraland
Malansrus Tented Camp
1 night half-board
Day 8
Cottage at Waterberg Guestfarm
Day 12
Waterberg Plateau
Waterberg Guest Farm
1 night half-board
Day 12

Tour Itinerary

Self-Drive Lodge Tour

Namibia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world and this 13-day self-drive tour will show you the vastness and breathtaking landscapes of this dry land. Climb the dunes of the Namib Desert, see the extraordinary Erongo Mountains, marvel at ancient rock art in the Damaraland, explore the Etosha National Park on game drives and go hiking on the Waterberg Plateau.

Namibia Highlights tour map

Start Windhoek

Ends Windhoek

Windhoek Christ Church

Day 1 | Windhoek

Distance approx. 50 km; driving time approx. 1 hour

Windhoek

Distance approx. 50 km; driving time approx. 1 hour

After arriving at Windhoek International Airport, you collect your rental car and drive to your prearranged accommodation in town. The rest of the day is at leisure and you can either relax at the guesthouse or explore the city. See the National Gallery (featuring local artists), the National Museum (Namibia’s history) and the well-known Christ Church. Enjoy traditional cuisine at a local restaurant (own account). You will overnight at the Elegant Guesthouse.

Sunset in the Sossusvlei region

Day 2 | Windhoek – Namib Desert

Distance approx. 300 km; driving time approx. 4-5 hours

Windhoek – Namib Desert

Distance approx. 300 km; driving time approx. 4-5 hours

After breakfast you leave Windhoek and drive through the Khomas Highland in a south-westerly direction towards the Namib Desert. Passing through beautiful landscapes, you finally reach the Elegant Desert Camp, your home for the next two nights, close to Sesriem. Enjoy the picturesque desert landscapes; you can also book a guided nature drive to admire the magical light at sunset. End the day with a delicious dinner.

Breakfast Dinner
Dune in Sossusvlei Namibia

Day 3 | Sossusvlei

Distance approx. 200 km; driving time approx. 3 hours

Sossusvlei

Distance approx. 200 km; driving time approx. 3 hours

Try to start the day as early as possible to see the early morning sun creating beautiful shadows on the enormous dunes of Sossusvlei. Gates to the park open at sunrise. Climb one of the famous dunes such as Dune 45 or Big Daddy for some early morning exercise. It is a breathtaking experience seeing the sea of sand around you. Also visit Deadvlei, a very photogenic spot of ancient dead trees. Thereafter you drive to the Sesriem Canyon where you can also do short hikes (dry season only). After an adventurous day of exploring, you leave the park in the afternoon and return to the Elegant Desert Camp. You can also pre-book a guided day trip and explore the area together with a knowledgeable guide.

Breakfast Dinner
Cape fur seal at Cape Cross

Day 4 - 5 | Namib Desert – Swakopmund

Distance on day 4: approx. 370 km; driving time approx. 5-6 hours

Namib Desert – Swakopmund

Distance on day 4: approx. 370 km; driving time approx. 5-6 hours

Today’s journey on gravel roads takes you to the coastal town of Swakopmund where you can find beautiful pieces of colonial architecture. Swakopmund is also a base for adventure activities (all optional) in the area – join a dolphin cruise in Walvis Bay, go dune boarding, skydiving, fishing, take a scenic flight over the desert, go quad biking, take a day trip into the desert or to the seal colony at Cape Cross. You will spend two nights at Cornerstone Guesthouse. There is a variety of restaurants to choose from but be sure not to miss the fresh seafood.

Breakfast
Man posing for photo at Spitzkoppe

Day 6 - 7 | Swakopmund – Erongo Mountains

Distance on day 6: approx. 280 km; driving time approx. 4-5 hours

Swakopmund – Erongo Mountains

Distance on day 6: approx. 280 km; driving time approx. 4-5 hours

After a leisurely breakfast, you leave Swakopmund and travel inland. In the distance, you will see the Spitzkoppe, one of Namibia’s most recognisable landmarks. Go for a walk and explore the imposing granite rock formations or take an optional guided tour and view ancient San rock art. Today’s destination will be the Otjohotozu Farm in the Erongo Mountains. Lean back and enjoy the warm farm atmosphere. Alternatively, join a game drive in the morning or afternoon (optional). You will spend two nights at Otjohotozu Guest Farm.

Breakfast Dinner
Sunset in Damaraland

Day 8 | Erongo Mountains – Twyfelfontein

Distance approx. 260 km; driving time approx. 4 hours

Erongo Mountains – Twyfelfontein

Distance approx. 260 km; driving time approx. 4 hours

Today you will head west past the Brandberg Mountain (2,580 metres), the highest mountain in Namibia. Your home for the night is the rustic Malansrus Tented Camp, beautifully set on the banks of a sidearm of the dry Aba Huab River. Settle in and take a short break before you visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein (optional). The numerous rock engravings, which are estimated to be over 2,000 years old, will fascinate you. Nearby are also the Organ Pipes, the Burnt Mountain and the Damara Living Museum where you can get a glimpse of the traditional Damara culture and their ancient traditions. Back at camp, you are welcome to lean back and round off the day at the crackling campfire.

Breakfast Dinner
Giraffe neck blue sky Etosha National Park

Day 9 - 10 | Twyfelfontein – Etosha National Park

Distance on day 9: approx. 350 km; driving time approx. 4 hours (excl. game drives)

Twyfelfontein – Etosha National Park

Distance on day 9: approx. 350 km; driving time approx. 4 hours (excl. game drives)

After breakfast, you can visit the Petrified Forest near Khorixas, a collection of ancient, mineralised tree trunks which are estimated to be more than 200 million years old. Via the small town of Outjo, you then continue to the world-famous Etosha National Park. Etosha (‘huge white area’) is one of the largest game parks in Africa and with its range of animals and landscapes – acacia trees, vast open plains and a massive salt pan – also one of the most interesting. During these two days, you will spend most of your time game viewing around the waterholes where elephants, giraffes, different species of antelope and birds come to drink. With a bit of luck, you might even be able to spot lions and rhinos. Shortly before sunset, you leave the park and drive to Etosha Safari Lodge, just a few minutes from the park entrance. You will spend the next two nights in one of the lodge’s bungalows.

Breakfast Dinner
Two elephants in Etosha National Park

Day 11 | Etosha National Park

Driving time depends on choice of route

Etosha National Park

Driving time depends on choice of route

After breakfast you will continue east, driving along the edge of the flat salt pan that extends into the horizon. You will see herds of impalas, wildebeests, zebras and oryx on the plains. Amongst the acacia trees and shrubs look out for elephants, giraffes and lions resting in the afternoon heat. Stopping at waterholes along the way, you should see a variety of birds and animals coming and going to quench their thirst. By late afternoon you will reach Von Lindequist Gate where you exit the park. The beautiful Mushara Lodge is just a stone’s throw away and your home for the night.

Breakfast Dinner
Waterberg Namibia

Day 12 | Etosha Area – Waterberg Plateau

Distance approx. 360 km; driving time approx. 4-5 hours

Etosha Area – Waterberg Plateau

Distance approx. 360 km; driving time approx. 4-5 hours

Today’s journey will take you past a deep lake and a meteorite. Just outside Tsumeb you can turn off to visit the bright blue Lake Otjikoto. Next on today’s list is the 60-ton Hoba Meteorite; at roughly 3×3 metres, it is the largest meteorite in the world. Your last stop is the private Okosongomingo ranch at the foot of the Waterberg Plateau, where you will find the Waterberg Guest Farm. The Waterberg is a massive red plateau rising 200 metres above the surrounding plains. The variety of microclimates – mountain, valley and plains – accommodates a variety of vegetation ranging from massive fig trees to ferns and acacia trees. In the afternoon or next morning, you can explore the farm with or without a guide on several hiking trails. Especially the hike to the top of the so-called Small Waterberg is recommendable, as the views of the “big” Waterberg are just breath-taking. You will overnight in a bush bungalow at the Waterberg Guest Farm.

Breakfast Dinner
Craft market in Okahandja

Day 13 | Waterberg Plateau – Windhoek

Distance approx. 300 km; driving time approx. 3-4 hours

Waterberg Plateau – Windhoek

Distance approx. 300 km; driving time approx. 3-4 hours

Today you will continue south towards Windhoek. On your way, you may want to stop at the craft market in Okahandja. Here you can haggle and bargain for wood carvings, beaded jewellery, baskets and other crafts. In Windhoek, you will head to the airport to return your rental car or spend another night in the city (optional).

Breakfast

Included

  • 12 nights’ stay in lodges, rest camps, guest farms and guest houses
  • meals according to the itinerary

Excluded

  • flights (international and domestic)
  • rental car (please contact us for a quote)
  • fuel, possible toll and crossing border fees
  • meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • alcoholic and soft drinks
  • national park fees
  • optional activities
  • tips
  • personal expenses, visa fees, travel insurance

Upcoming Departures

If you prefer different dates or have any questions, please get in touch - we are happy to help!
Season per person sharing per person single room per person triple room Children < 12 (with extra bed)
01.12.2024-
31.03.2025
31,200 NAD 38,700 NAD on request on request
01.04.2025-
31.05.2025
32,200 NAD 40,000 NAD on request on request
01.06.2025-
30.06.2025
31,200 NAD 38,700 NAD on request on request
01.07.2025-
31.10.2025
34,200 NAD 43,100 NAD on request on request
01.11.2025-
30.11.2025
36,500 NAD 46,000 NAD on request on request

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