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Self-drive “safari in freedom”
Self-drive tour of guesthouses and campsites: 14 days / 13 nights.
For two persons: starting from €1,690 per person
For four persons: starting from €1,290 per person
Moderate pace
This safari will guide you through the natural wonders of this captivating country.
In Etosha, witness the majestic elephants and iconic predators in their untamed habitat.
Explore the Damaraland, where lunar landscapes and ancient rock engravings will captivate your imagination. The Skeleton Coast will reveal its arid and enigmatic vistas, while the crimson dunes of the Namib will present you with breathtaking panoramas.
Travel independently in a vehicle equipped with a rooftop tent for a complete immersion in nature.
Each night, marvel at the stars in breathtaking locations and unwind in charming guesthouses that provide comfort and hospitality after a day of adventure.
Itinerary for the Self-drive Safari in Freedom.
- Day 1 – Windhoek
- Day 2 – Otjiwarango
- Day 3 – Etosha / Namutoni
- Day 4 – Etosha / Halali
- Day 5 – Etosha / Okaukuejo
- Day 6 – Kamandjab
- Day 7 – Tsaurab Valley / Damaraland
- Day 8 – Spitzkoppe
- Day 9 – Swakopmund / Skeleton Coast
- Day 10 – Swakopmund / Skeleton Coast
- Day 11 – Sesriem / Namib Desert
- Day 12 – Sesriem / Namib Desert
- Day 13 – Mariental / Kalahari Desert
- Day 14 – Windhoek
Day 1 : Windhoek
Arrival in Windhoek: Welcome to Namibia!
Your self-drive safari commences in Windhoek, the capital of the nation.
After collecting your vehicle, take a moment to acclimatize yourself to driving on the left side of the road.
Explore the city and immerse yourself in the local culture while replenishing your refrigerator.
Night: Windhoek – Guesthouse
Day 2 : Otjiwarango
Following your first night in Namibia, embark on your journey to Otjiwarongo, situated in the northern part of the country.
Along the way, you may take a pause in Okahandja, home to a vibrant open-air market showcasing local crafts.
Optional : A guided safari (game drive) arranged by the lodge.
Included : breakfast.
Night : Otjiwarango – Campsite
Day 3 : Otjiwarango – Etosha (Namutoni)
On your way to your campsite, located at the northeastern border of Etosha National Park.
Spanning an impressive 20,000 square kilometers, it features a vast salt desert known as a pan.
This park is one of Africa’s most exquisite wildlife reserves, sheltering 114 species of mammals and 340 varieties of birds.
You will have the opportunity to observe, from your 4×4, the numerous animals that come to quench their thirst at the waterholes.
Night: Namutoni – Campsite
Day 4: Etosha (Namutoni) – Etosha (Halali)
An epic day awaits you.
From waterhole to waterhole, you will make your way towards the Halali camp. You will traverse the pan, a salt desert of immaculate whiteness.
Keep your eyes peeled; you are in the realm of leopards, lions, giraffes, elephants, springboks, and countless others.
Note: You will have the opportunity to witness, at sunset and throughout the night from a rocky promontory, the elephants, lions, and rhinoceroses that come to quench their thirst at the Halali waterhole.
There is the possibility of spending part of the night should affinities arise.
Night: Halali – Campsite
Day 5 : Etosha (Halali) – Etosha (Okaukuejo)
To maximize your chances of observing wildlife, it is essential to attune yourself to the rhythms of nature.
It is at the break of dawn and at sunset that the animals exhibit their highest activity. Set off in your 4×4 for a second day of safari, in pursuit of felines, elephants, springboks, impalas, giraffes, and rhinoceroses…
It is in this section of the park that the concentration of rhinoceroses is at its peak.
Traverse the trails, inhale the distinctive scents and fragrances, and feel the vibrant wilderness pulsating all around you.
Information: During sunset and throughout the night, you will have the opportunity to observe elephants, lions, and rhinoceroses as they come to drink at the renowned waterhole of Okaukuejo.
Nestled comfortably in your tent, you may be fortunate enough to hear the haunting calls of hyenas and the roars of lions.
Night: Okaukuejo – Campsite
Day 6 : Etosha (Okaukuejo) – Kamandjab
Crossing from east to west through the Etosha National Park for a final immersion in this magnificent reserve.
You will exit Etosha through the Galton Gate.
You will head towards Kamandjab, where the vegetation and landscape transform. A new adventure awaits.
Night : Kamandjab – Campsite
Information : Kamandjab serves as a crossroads with a hint of the Wild West. You may visit the Himba tribe in their village.
Day 7 : Kamandjab – Tsaurab Valley (Damaraland)
A new region unfolds before you: Damaraland, characterized by vast expanses and places marked by history for millennia.
Head towards Tsaurab Valley Eco Camping of EHRA (Elephant Human Relations Aid), located 50 kilometers north of the village of Uis, nestled between the Brandberg massif and Twyfelfontein.
It overlooks the valley of the Ugab River and provides a magnificent view, set amidst a stunning array of granite boulders.
This exclusive campsite accommodates a maximum of 8 to 10 individuals and is always reserved privately, ensuring that you will find yourself in complete solitude.
Night : Tsaurab Valley – Campsite
Information : A favored location for desert elephants. The nights are particularly starry, offering a unique experience.
Day 8 : Tsaurab Valley – Spitzkoppe
The Spitzkoppe is a granite formation that is over 120 million years old. A breathtaking landscape often referred to as the Namibian Matterhorn.
Photographs of the Spitzkoppe mountains were utilized as backdrops for the film “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
On the lands of the Damaras, the site, managed by the local community, provides rustic camping spots devoid of electricity and running water.
An unforgettable experience of camping beneath a starry sky, ensuring an intimate connection with the wilderness.
Night : Spitzkoppe – Campsite
Information : The Spitzkoppe campsite is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world. It is possible to visit the Bushmen paradise and observe numerous rock paintings.
Days 9-10: Spitzkoppe – Swakopmund (Skeleton Coast)
Setting off towards Swakopmund and the Skeleton Coast, a guaranteed shift in ambiance and temperature awaits.
Savor the charm of this delightful seaside resort and its refreshing climate. The opportunity to indulge in shopping while exploring Swakop on foot.
Discover the remarkable biodiversity of the Walvis Bay lagoon, often referred to as the “Malibu” of Africa.
Day 10: Matakwa Safaris is delighted to offer a kayaking excursion to observe one of the largest seal colonies in the world.
Information : kayaking, catamaran, quad biking, cycling, 4×4 excursions in the Sandwich Harbor dunes, scenic flights, sandboarding, etc. A complete list of activities and prices will be provided upon reservation.
Night: Swakopmund – Guesthouse (Included: breakfasts)
Day 11 : Swakopmund – Sesriem (Namib Desert)
Departing towards the Namib Desert, which stretches over 2,000 kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean.
You will traverse the Kuiseb Pass before entering the Namib-Naukluft National Park. You will cross the Tropic of Capricorn, where you can capture a photograph in front of the iconic sign.
We highly recommend a stop at Solitaire’s “Bagdad Café,” where you can savor the finest apple pies in the country.
Night: Sesriem – Campsite
Day 12 : Swakopmund – Sesriem (Namib Desert)
Departure at dawn to evade the midday heat. A 60-kilometer journey towards Deadvlei, surrounded by some of the most breathtaking dunes on the planet. The red dunes of the Namib are often referred to as “Perfect Dunes.”
Explore the sites of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, where you can ascend Dune 45 and stroll through the vast pan, surrounded by its ancient, petrified trees.
For the adventurous, conquer one of the world’s tallest dunes, rising to a height of 320 meters. Discover the enchanting Sesriem Canyon.
You will have the opportunity to indulge in a leisurely afternoon by the pool, sheltered from the sweltering desert heat.
Night: Sesriem – Campsite
Day 13: Sesriem – Mariental (Kalahari Desert)
Traveling in your 4×4, head east towards the Kalahari Desert. The Kalahari is a vast arid expanse sheltering red dunes, unique wildlife, and the San people, also known as Bushmen, guardians of ancient traditions and desert secrets.
Night: Bagatelle Kalahari Ranch – Campsite
Information: The lodge arranges safaris to observe cheetahs, rhinoceroses, and offers sunset cocktails amidst the dunes.
Embark on a horseback safari through the desert to observe the wildlife.
Experience a morning walk with representatives of the San people (Bushmen).
Day 14 : Mariental – Windhoek
Your road trip has come to a close.
The circle is complete as you head towards Windhoek.
Depending on your departure time, take advantage of the final moments to indulge in some shopping; the craft center boasts a commendable selection of local artisanal products. If shopping is not to your taste, you may simply relish a freshly made smoothie.
Return the vehicle to the rental agency and transfer to Windhoek’s international airport.
The entire Matakwa Safaris team wishes you a safe journey home.
Our other self-drive tours
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Embark on an unforgettable adventure with a self-drive tour in Namibia, commencing in the Kalahari Desert. Meet the San people, known as the Bushmen. Discover the vastness of the Namib Desert, the enigmatic Skeleton Coast, traverse the rugged Kaokoland, and conclude your journey at the magnificent Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Autotour “Aventure sauvage”
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Set off in your 4x4 to explore Namibia, beginning at the renowned Etosha National Park. Next, journey into the lands of the Himba people, uncover the wonders of Damaraland, and traverse the haunting Skeleton Coast. Continue through the Namib Desert and head south to witness the breathtaking Fish River Canyon. Finally, visit the Kalahari Desert, the ancestral territory of the San people.
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Discover Namibia at your own pace by blending the freedom of a self-drive tour with the comfort of charming lodges.
Take advantage of our expert advice and uncover unique, carefully curated destinations.