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Autotour en Namibie “Lions, déserts, canyons”

Lodge Self-Drive Tour: 16 Days / 15 Nights
2 persons: starting from €3,100 per person
4 persons: starting from €2,700 per person
Active pace
Explore Namibia on an unforgettable self-drive safari.
Encounter the iconic felines at Okonjima, and then immerse yourself in the wilderness of Etosha at Okaukuejo.
Dive into adventure in Swakopmund and uncover the majestic dunes of the Namib. At Sossusvlei, ascend Dune 45 for a breathtaking sunrise.
Discover Lüderitz and its historical sites, then behold the grandeur of the Fish River Canyon.
Conclude your journey in the Kalahari, where the semi-arid landscape provides an authentic African experience.

A captivating journey through diverse landscapes and extraordinary wildlife.

Itinerary for the Lions, Deserts, Canyons Tour

  • Day 1 – Windhoek
  • Day 2 – Okonjima
  • Day 3 – Etosha / Okaukuejo
  • Day 4 – Etosha / Okaukuejo
  • Day 5 – Damaraland / Twyfelfontein
  • Day 6 – Damaraland / Twyfelfontein
  • Day 7 – Swakopmund
  • Day 8 – Swakopmund
  • Day 9 – Sesriem
  • Day 10 – Sesriem
  • Day 11 – Lüderitz
  • Day 12 – Lüderitz
  • Day 13 – Fish river canyon
  • Day 14 –Kalahari / Mariental
  • Day 15 – Windhoek
  • Day 16 – Windhoek Aéroport
Self-Drive Tour: Lions, Deserts, Canyons

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 : Okonjima game reserve

Head towards Otjiwarongo.
Your first stop is the Okonjima Reserve, renowned for its cheetah and leopard conservation program.
Embark on an excursion to observe these majestic felines in their natural habitat.

Night : Okonjima (breakfast and dinner included).

Optional : a lodge-organized safari to observe leopards, rhinoceroses, and brown hyenas.

Day 3 : Etosha / Okaukuejo

On the way to Etosha National Park and the Okaukuejo camp.
Spanning an impressive 20,000 square kilometers, it features a vast salt desert known as a pan. This sanctuary is regarded as one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in Africa.
This park is one of Africa’s most exquisite wildlife reserves, sheltering 114 species of mammals and 340 varieties of birds. For the next two days, you will have the privilege of observing the diverse wildlife!
Let photography enthusiasts prepare their equipment and exercise patience to capture extraordinary encounters with wildlife.
Let photography enthusiasts prepare their equipment and exercise patience to capture extraordinary encounters with wildlife.

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 4 : Etosha / Okaukuejo

Safari in Etosha: Delve deeper into Etosha National Park by visiting the waterholes to observe the animals that come to quench their thirst.

Savor the breathtaking landscapes and be sure to capture some unforgettable photographs.

Overnight: Okaukuejo (breakfast dinner included)

Self-Drive Tour: Lions, Deserts, Canyons
Self-Drive Tour: Lions, Deserts, Canyons

Day 5 : Damaraland / Twyfelfontein

You will exit Etosha National Park to enter the ancient lands of Damaraland, a new region awaits you. Vast expanses and places that history has etched for millennia.
As you depart from Etosha National Park, you will venture into the timeless realms of Damaraland, where a new and captivating region beckons. Here, vast expanses and sites are imbued with the indelible marks of history spanning millennia.

Overnight: Twyfelfontein (breakfast dinner included)

Optional : Along the route, a visit to the petrified forest.

Day 6 : Damaraland / Twyfelfontein

Optional : Morning safari to observe desert-adapted elephants in the challenging Damaraland conditions.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Twyfelfontein (featuring paintings and rock engravings), open from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.
Pass by the Burnt Mountain, named for its blackened color, and the Organ Pipes, a small canyon of basaltic rocks resembling organ pipes.

Overnight: Damaraland / Twyfelfontein (breakfast dinner included)

Day 7 : Swakopmund

On your journey towards the coast along the Skeleton Coast, a shift in atmosphere and temperature is assured. There is an opportunity to visit the Cape Cross site to observe one of Africa’s largest colonies of fur seals. Thousands of them gather, and platforms and walkways allow for close encounters just a few meters away. The 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.

Dinner at your leisure in town.

Overnight: Swakopmund (breakfast included)

Self-Drive Tour: Lions, Deserts, Canyons

Day 8 : 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.

Dinner at your leisure in 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.

Self-Drive Tour: Lions, Deserts, Canyons

Day 9 : 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. Along the way, 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)

Day 10 : Sesriem

Explore the majestic dunes of the Namib and Sossusvlei.
Set off early in the morning to the Namib Desert and the dunes of Sossusvlei. Ascend the renowned Dune 45 to witness the breathtaking sunrise.
Subsequently, delve into the lunar landscapes of Deadvlei, characterized by its striking red sand dunes and iconic dead trees. Discover the breathtaking Sesriem Canyon.

Overnight: Sesriem (breakfast dinner included)

Day 11 : Lüderitz

The journey from Sossusvlei to Lüderitz takes you from a majestic desert to a historic coastal town.
Cross vast, awe-inspiring expanses before immersing yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of Lüderitz, with its German colonial architecture and breathtaking coastal vistas.

Overnight: Lüderitz (breakfast dinner included)

Day 12 : Lüderitz

Visit Lüderitz, a charming and picturesque harbor town.
Explore the splendid German colonial buildings, wander through the ghost town of Kolmanskop, and savor fresh seafood at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Lüderitz (breakfast dinner included)

Self-Drive Tour: Lions, Deserts, Canyons
Self-Drive Tour: Lions, Deserts, Canyons

Day 13 : Fish river canyon

Your next destination is the magnificent Fish River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in Africa.
Delight in the panoramic vistas from the observation points and embark on a hiking adventure for a more immersive experience.

Overnight: Fish River Canyon (breakfast dinner included)

Self-Drive Tour: Lions, Deserts, Canyons

Day 14 : Kalahari / Mariental

Conclude your safari by driving toward the enchanting Kalahari National Park.
Explore the unique flora and fauna of this semi-arid region. Savor an unforgettable final African sunset.

Overnight: Mariental (breakfast dinner included)

Day 15 : Windhoek

Return to Windhoek.
Embark on the journey back to Windhoek to conclude your self-drive safari.
Cherish your final moments in Namibia, sharing your experiences and memories before returning your rental car.

Dinner at your leisure in town.

Overnight: Windhoek (breakfast included)

Day 16 : Windhoek Aéroport

(breakfast included)

Regrettably, the holiday has come to an end. Depending on your departure time, seize the opportunity to indulge in some last-minute shopping; the craft center boasts a splendid array of artisanal and local products. If shopping does not pique your interest, you may simply relish a freshly made smoothie. Return your vehicle and enjoy a transfer to Windhoek International Airport.

The entire Matakwa Safaris team wishes you a safe journey home.

Self-Drive Tour: Lions, Deserts, Canyons

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