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Namibia Self-Drive Tour “Nature, Tribes, Great South”
Self-drive tour of lodges: 22 days / 21 nights.
For two persons: starting from €4,600 per person
For four persons: starting from €4,100 per person
Moderate pace
Traveling through Namibia in your 4×4 is an unforgettable adventure. Begin by exploring Etosha National Park, where you can observe incredible wildlife, including lions, elephants, and rhinoceroses.
Next, journey to the lands of the Himba in Namibia, a semi-nomadic people with fascinating traditions.
Discover Damaraland, characterized by its rocky landscapes and ancient rock engravings. The mysterious and wild Skeleton Coast offers breathtaking vistas. The Namib Desert, with its towering dunes, will dazzle you with its austere beauty.
Continue south to admire the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world. Finally, traverse the Kalahari Desert, the territory of the San people, where you will learn their ancient survival techniques.
Each stage of this journey unveils a unique aspect of Namibia, making this expedition a rich and varied experience.
Itinerary for the Self-Drive Tour Nature, Tribes, Great South of Namibia
- Day 1 – Windhoek
- Day 2 – Okonjima game reserve
- Day 3 – Etosha / Namutoni
- Day 4 – Etosha / Okaukuejo
- Day 5 – Hobatere ” conservancy”
- Day 6 – Koakoland / Epupa falls
- Day 7 – Koakoland / Epupa falls
- Day 8 – Koakoland / Hoanib, Sesfontein
- Day 9 – Damaraland / Twyfelfontein
- Day 10 – Damaraland / Twyfelfontein
- Day 11 – Swakopmund
- Day 12 – Swakopmund
- Day 13 – Sesriem
- Day 14 – Sesriem
- Day 15 – Aus
- Day 16 – Lüderitz
- Day 17 – Lüderitz
- Day 18 – Fish River Canyon
- Day 19 – Fish River Canyon
- Day 20 – Kalahari / Mariental
- Day 21 – Windhoek
- Day 22 – Windhoek Aéroport
Day 1 : Windhoek
Upon your arrival in Windhoek, welcome to Namibia! Your self-drive safari begins in Windhoek, the nation’s capital. After collecting your vehicle, take time 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. Partake in an excursion to witness 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 / Namutoni
En route to your lodge, located at the northeastern border of Etosha National Park, which spans an impressive area of 20,000 square kilometers and features a vast salt desert known as a pan.
It is one of the most magnificent wildlife reserves in Africa, housing 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.
Overnight: Namutoni (breakfast dinner included)
Day 4 : Etosha / Okaukuejo
An epic day awaits you. From waterhole to waterhole, you will journey towards the Okaukuejo camp.
Stay vigilant, for you are on the land of rhinoceroses, lions, giraffes, elephants, springboks, and countless others. Take a pause 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 : Hobatere ” conservancy”
A crossing from east to west of the Etosha Park, for a final immersion in this magnificent reserve.
Just a few kilometers from the Galton Gate, you will enter the lands of the Hobatere conservancy, a community conservation area established and managed by the local inhabitants of this region.
These conservation areas exist to safeguard wildlife and its habitat. It is not uncommon to catch sight of elephants and lions quenching their thirst not far from 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 / Epupa falls
Departure for Epupa Falls at the border of Angola to enter the land of the Himba, one of the last nomadic peoples.
A stop in Opuwo to replenish supplies in anticipation of visiting Himba villages and engaging in encounters (shopping list and advice upon your reservation). The Epupa Falls are easily accessible on foot. A natural trail meanders along the Kunene River downstream from the falls, providing 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 / Epupa falls
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.
Indulge in a leisurely afternoon by the banks of the Kunene River.
The meanders sculpted by time and the river possess a rare beauty; you will come to appreciate this unique and desolate location.
Overnight: Epupa Falls (breakfast dinner included)
Day 8 : Koakoland / Hoanib, Sesfontein
You continue your journey southward for a day of exploration amidst the hills of Kaokoland.
Near the village of Sesfontein, the Hoanib River reveals breathtaking landscapes. You traverse the Himba territory, dotted with picturesque villages along the trails.
Overnight: Sesfontein (breakfast dinner included)
Day 9 : Damaraland / Twyfelfontein
Today, you set your sights on the ancient lands of Damaraland; a new region unfolds before you, the Damaraland.
Vast expanses and places that history has indelibly shaped for millennia. The region of desert elephants along the Huab River.
Twyfelfontein boasts one of the most significant concentrations of rock engravings in Africa.
Overnight: Twyfelfontein (breakfast dinner included)
Day 10 : Damaraland / Twyfelfontein
Optional : A morning safari to observe the desert elephants, uniquely adapted to the harsh conditions of Damaraland.
Visit the archaeological site of Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its rock paintings and engravings, open from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
You will pass by the Burnt Mountain, aptly named for its striking black hue, as well as the Organ Pipes, a small canyon adorned with basalt rocks resembling organ pipes.
Overnight: Damaraland / Twyfelfontein (breakfast dinner included).
Day 11 : Swakopmund
On the journey to the coast along the Skeleton Coast, a dramatic change in atmosphere and temperature is assured. There is an 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 for close encounters, bringing you within mere meters of them.
The detour will take approximately two hours, and the site is open from 10 AM to 5 PM.
You will then journey southward towards the coastal resort of Swakopmund.
Enjoy dinner in town at your leisure.
Overnight: Swakopmund (breakfast included)
Day 12 : 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.
Day13 : 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)
Day 14 : Sesriem
Depart at dawn to escape the midday heat. Embark on a 60-kilometer journey toward Deadvlei, surrounded by some of the most magnificent dunes in the world.
The red dunes of the Namib are often referred to as the “Perfect Dunes.” Explore the sites of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, where you can ascend Dune 45 and stroll through the expansive pan among 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.
Overnight: Sesriem (breakfast dinner included)
Optional activities : Hot air ballooning, scenic flights over the desert.
Day 15 : Aus
Aus is the region of wild horses and the historic Sperrgebiet (diamond mining area).
You will be able to observe the wild horses at the Garub Pan waterhole, where a hide has been constructed to avoid disturbing the animals.
Beautiful hikes await you in the Klein Aus Vista reserve, showcasing breathtaking landscapes.
Alternatively , the lodge offers guided excursions.
Day 16 : 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 17 : 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)
Day 18 : 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)
Day 19 : Fish River Canyon
A free day to explore the majestic landscapes of the Fish River Canyon from the lodge, perched on the cliff’s edge within the 45,000-hectare private Canyon Nature Park reserve.
You may indulge in the pool or embark on hikes within the nature reserve. Access to the bottom of the canyon is only permitted by participating in the lodge’s optional activities.
Overnight: Fish River Canyon (breakfast dinner included)
Day 20 : Mariental / Kalahari
On your journey aboard your 4×4, head north toward the Kalahari Desert. The Kalahari Desert is an expansive arid expanse, home to red dunes, unique wildlife, and the San people, custodians of ancient traditions and the secrets of the desert.
Overnight: Mariental (breakfast dinner included)
Optional : your lodge arranges sunset safaris to observe cheetahs and rhinoceroses, accompanied by an aperitif amidst the dunes at twilight. Additionally, enjoy a morning walk with representatives of the San people (Bushmen).
Day 21 : Windhoek
Return towards the capital, Windhoek. Dinner at your leisure in town.
Overnight: Windhoek (breakfast included)
Day 22 : Windhoek Airport
(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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