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Namibia Self-Drive Tour “Landscapes, Wildlife Flora, Tribes”
Lodge Self-Drive Tour: 15 Days / 14 Nights
2 persons: starting from €3,300 per person
4 persons: starting from €2,600 per person
Active pace
Itinerary for the Namibia Self-Drive Tour: Landscapes, Wildlife Flora, Tribes
- Day 1 – Windhoek
- Day 2 – Otjiwarango
- Day 3 – Etosha / Namutoni
- Day 4 – Etosha / Okaukuejo
- Day 5 – Etosha / Galton Gate
- Day 6 – Koakoland / Chutes d’Epupa
- Day 7 – Koakoland / Chutes d’Epupa
- Day 8 – Koakoland / Hoanib, Sesfontein
- Day 9 – Damaraland / Twyfelfontein
- Day 10 – Swakopmund
- Day 11 – Swakopmund
- Day 12 – Sesriem
- Day 13 – Sesriem
- Day 14 – Windhoek
- Day 15 – Windhoek Aéroport
Day 1 : Windhoek
Upon your arrival in Windhoek, welcome to Namibia! Your self-drive safari commences in Windhoek, the capital of the country. After collecting your vehicle, take a moment to acclimate to driving on the left side of the road. Explore the city and immerse yourself in the local culture.
Overnight : Windhoek
Day 2 : Otjiwarango
After your first night in Namibia, depart for Otjiwarango in the northern part of the country. On the way, you can stop in Okahandja, home to a large open-air market featuring local crafts.
Overnight: Otjiwarango (breakfast dinner included)
Optional : Guided safari organized by the lodge. For the more active, hiking trails ranging from 1 to 4 hours are available free of charge. 45 minutes from the lodge, the Cheetah Conservation Fund opens its doors from 9 AM to 5 PM. Cheetahs are fed from Monday to Friday around 2 PM and at noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Finally, a 4×4 excursion allows you to observe cheetahs in semi-captivity.
Day 3 : Etosha / Namutoni
Continue to your lodge located on the northeastern border of Etosha National Park. Covering 20,000 km², this park features a large salt pan and is one of Africa’s finest wildlife reserves, home to 114 species of mammals and 340 varieties of birds. You can observe the numerous animals coming to drink at waterholes from your 4×4.
Overnight: Namutoni (breakfast dinner included)
Day 4 : Etosha / Okaukuejo
An epic day awaits you. From one waterhole to another, you will progress towards the Okaukuejo camp. Stay vigilant, for you are on the land of rhinoceroses, lions, giraffes, elephants, springboks, and countless others. Make a stop at the Halali camp to indulge in a refreshing nap by the pool during the sweltering hours, before continuing your journey to Okaukuejo.
Overnight: Okaukuejo (breakfast dinner included)
Note: You will be able to observe elephants, lions, and rhinoceroses coming to drink at the famous waterhole in Okaukuejo at sunset and during the night. The accommodation and service at the Okaukuejo camp are of variable quality; if these amenities are important to you, we can book a higher-quality lodge located outside the park.
Day 5 : Etosha / Galton Gate
Crossing from East to West through Etosha Park for one last immersion in this magnificent reserve. Just a few kilometers from the Galton Gate, you will enter the lands of Hobatere Conservancy, a community-managed conservation area created by the local inhabitants. These conservation zones exist to protect wildlife and their habitat. It is not uncommon to see elephants and lions drinking near the restaurant terrace.
Overnight: Hobatere Conservancy (breakfast dinner included)
Note: Enjoy the pool in the late afternoon. Guided 4×4 safari offered by the lodge.
Day 6 : Koakoland / Chutes d’Epupa
Departure for Epupa Falls on the Angolan border to visit the homeland of the Himba, one of the last nomadic tribes. Stop at Opuwo to gather supplies in preparation for visiting Himba villages and encounters (shopping list and advice provided upon reservation). The Epupa Falls are easily accessible on foot. A natural path meanders alongside the Kunene River downstream of the falls, presenting a unique opportunity to explore this captivating region. You will be accommodated by the banks of the Kunene River.
Overnight: Epupa Falls (breakfast dinner included)
Day 7 : Koakoland / Chutes d’Epupa
Opportunity to visit an authentic Himba village, exploring off the beaten path. We will recommend a local guide to facilitate your engagement with the Himba community. Delight in a relaxing afternoon by the banks of the Kunene River. The meandering paths sculpted by time and the river are of exquisite beauty, allowing you to cherish this unique and desolate location.
Overnight: Epupa Falls (breakfast dinner included)
Day 8 : Koakoland / Hoanib, Sesfontein
Continue your journey south for a day of exploration in the hills of Kaokoland. Near the village of Sesfontein, the Hoanib River reveals spectacular landscapes. You will traverse Himba territory, dotted with picturesque villages along the paths.
Overnight: Sesfontein (breakfast dinner included)
Day 9 : Damaraland / Twyfelfontein
A new region unfolds before you: Damaraland, characterized by vast expanses and places marked by history for millennia.
Overnight: Twyfelfontein (breakfast dinner included)
Optional activities : Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed archaeological site of Twyfelfontein. It boasts one of the most significant concentrations of rock engravings in Africa, open from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. You will pass by the Burnt Mountain, aptly named for its blackened color, and the Organ Pipes, a small canyon of basaltic rocks resembling organ pipes.
Note: Depending on the season, there is a possibility to add an extra night to observe the desert elephants.
Day 10 : Swakopmund
As you journey towards the coast along the Skeleton Coast, a change in atmosphere and temperature is assured. You will have the opportunity to visit the Cape Cross site to observe one of the largest colonies of fur seals in Africa. They number in the thousands, and platforms and walkways allow you to approach within mere meters of them. This detour takes approximately two hours and is open from 10 AM to 5 PM. You will then descend southward towards the seaside resort of Swakopmund. Enjoy a leisurely dinner in town.
Overnight: Swakopmund (breakfast included)
Day 11 : Swakopmund
Savor the charm of this delightful seaside resort and its refreshing climate. There is an opportunity to indulge in shopping while exploring Swakopmund on foot. Enjoy a leisurely dinner in the town.
Overnight: Swakopmund (breakfast included)
Optional activities : Kayaking, catamaran sailing, quad biking, cycling, 4×4 excursions in the Sandwich Harbor dunes, aerial tours, sandboarding, etc. A complete list of activities and prices will be provided upon booking.
Day 12 : Sesriem
Departure 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.
Overnight: Sesriem (breakfast dinner included)
Day13 : Sesriem
Departing at dawn to avoid the midday heat, you will embark on a 60-kilometer journey towards Deadvlei, surrounded by some of the most exquisite dunes in the world. The red dunes of the Namib are often referred to as the “Perfect Dunes.” You will visit the sites of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, where you can ascend Dune 45 and stroll through the expansive pan among its petrified trees. For the more intrepid, there lies the challenge of climbing one of the tallest dunes in the world, towering at 320 meters. You will also explore the Sesriem Canyon, located not far from the park entrance. You will have the opportunity to indulge in a leisurely afternoon by the pool, sheltered from the sweltering desert heat.
Overnight: Sesriem (breakfast dinner included)
Optional activities : Hot air ballooning, scenic flights over the desert.
Day 14 : Windhoek
Return towards the capital, Windhoek. Dinner at your leisure in town.
Overnight: Windhoek (breakfast included)
Day 15 : Windhoek Aéroport
(Breakfast included) Unfortunately, the holiday has come to a close. Depending on your departure time, take advantage of the final moments to indulge in some shopping; the craft center offers a delightful array of artisanal and local products. If shopping does not appeal to you, you may simply savor a freshly made smoothie. Return your vehicle. Transfer to the airport.
The entire Matakwa Safaris team wishes you a safe journey home.
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