An excellent introduction to Namibia, this seven day self-drive safari focuses on the wildlife and cultural highlights of Northern Namibia with superb and good value bush camps and lodges throughout.
Comprising relatively short driving distances this safari includes the game-rich plains of Etosha National Park, Damaraland's lava-sculpted landscape, and the Central Highlands' spectacular Erongo wilderness.
This itinerary ties in well with visits to Zambia's Victoria Falls, South Africa's Cape Town, or Botswana's Okavango Delta, or combines perfectly with our Southern Namibia itinerary for a longer more in-depth foray in Namibia.
Tailor-made Classic 8 days
'From Price' is the average price per person for ground arrangements for two people sharing.
Flights are typically an additional $997 per person economy class from London
'From Price' is the average price per person for ground arrangements for a family of four (two adults + two children under 12).
Flights are typically an additional $997 per person economy class from London
Our holidays are rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
…We were really happy with the service we got from Tourdust which can be best described as friendly, efficient and expert.....
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DAY 1: ARRIVAL AND TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT TO CENTRAL WINDHOEK
On arrival at Windhoek Airport you will be welcomed and driven to the Elegant Guesthouse, located in a quiet suburb of Windhoek just a short drive from the capital's many shops and restaurants. The transfer takes around 45 minutes, with stops along the way to stock up on supplies. Your fully air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle will be delivered directly to the guesthouse.
Accommodation: Elegant Guesthouse
DAY 2: WINDHOEK TO OKONJIMA
The self-drive tour commences today with a 3-hour journey to the beautiful Okonjima Nature Reserve. Nestled amidst the Omboroko Mountains, the reserve is home to the highly informative AfriCat Carnivore Care Centre and the ‘Okonjima Experience’ where visitors actively participate in a leopard sustainability programme by collecting and collating data with their professional guide. Enjoy an overnight stay at Okonjima Plains Camp, a tastefully upgraded ex-cattle farm which offers nature trails and game drives in this game-rich area. Boasting two pools and an open-plan bar and lounge, the camp is a lovely place to relax, with fabulous views of the open grass plains.
Accommodation: Okonjima Plains Camp
Driving time: approximately 3 hours, excluding stops
DAY 3: OKONJIMA TO MUSHARA BUSH CAMP, NAMUTONI
Today's 5 hour drive leads to Mushara Bush Camp, a high quality safari base with a 'down-to-earth' feel in a delightful bush location, just 10 kilometres from Etosha National Park's eastern gate. The camp offers optional shared morning or afternoon game drives, and is a great place to unwind at the end of an eventful day. Each of the 16 tents have been thoughtfully designed to provide shelter from the heat, and boast large private verandas. Meals are served in the communal thatched dining area, and guests will enjoy sharing the day's wildlife sightings around the evening campfire.
Accommodation: Mushara Bush Camp
Driving time: approximately 5 hours, excluding stops
DAY 4: NAMUTONI TO OKAUKUEJO REST CAMP, SOUTHERN ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Today's journey from Namutoni to Etosha National Park's southern reaches can be driven in just 2 ½ hours, but it's best to take your time and make a full day's game drive of it. The park’s tarmac roads are easy to navigate, and the arid, chalk-white landscape is home to a rich variety of wildlife including the rare black rhino, elephant, giraffe, blue wildebeest, zebra, impala, an abundance of big cats, and an impressive array of birdlife. Note that the park opens its gates at sunrise and closes at sunset, and the speed limit is 60 km/hour, so do keep this in mind when planning journey times. Stay overnight at the Okaukuejo Rest Camp, a former military outpost offering pristine and comfortable accommodation complete with bar, restaurant and swimming pool. This sizeable camp's main draw is its waterhole which is floodlit at night, and attracts an amazing diversity of animals, including lion, elephant, and the endangered black rhino.
Accommodation: Okaukuejo Rest Camp
Drive time: full day's game drive across Etosha National Park
DAY 5: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK TO TWYFELFONTEIN, DAMARALAND
Today's 4 ½ hour drive leads to Camp Kipwe in southern Damaraland. This quirky camp comprises 10 igloo-shaped chalets huddled amongst the rocks, with sweeping views across the Aba Huab Valley. Guided morning nature drives in search of Namibia's unique desert-adapted elephant are possible, along with afternoon excursions to Twyfelfontein, a world heritage site boasting impressive boulders inscribed with Africa's greatest concentrations of ancient rock art. Visits to Burnt Mountain, and a magical set of volcanic rock formations known as the 'Organ Pipes' which appear to shimmer in bright sunshine, are also included. If time allows, it's possible to visit the Damara Living Museum, a nearby community venture introducing visitors to local people and traditions, plus there are a number of guided nature walks in and around camp. Back at base enjoy a swim, a rest, and a hearty dinner at the end of an adventurous day.
Accommodation: Camp Kipwe
Drive time: approximately 4 ½ hours excluding stops
DAY 6: TWYFELFONTEIN TO ERONGO WILDERNESS LODGE, OMARURU
Today, take the 4 ½ hour drive to the relaxed and delightful Erongo Wilderness Lodge. On arrival, park at the bottom of the hillside, and a security guard will call the lodge and request a 4x4 transfer for the short distance over the boulders to the lodge. Occupying a spectacular setting in the foothills of the Erongo Mountains on the edge of the enormous Erongo Crater, this small 10-room lodge blends into the magnificent boulder-strewn landscape, with rooms linked by walkways meandering between the rocks. The camp has a laid-back pace, and there's a swimming pool with stunning views, along with a decking area for dining under the stars overlooking the floodlit waterhole. Morning and afternoon guided walks are available daily, and the camp also offers self-guided walking trails and guided nature drives into the 200,000 hectare conservation area. The birdlife is a key attraction, and the evening sundowner walks leading to a fabulous viewpoint are a real highlight.
Accommodation: Erongo Wilderness Lodge
Drive time: approximately 4 ½ hours excluding stops
DAY 7: ERONGO WILDERNESS LODGE, OMARURU
Enjoy a final day at leisure in and around the lodge, taking part in optional activities as preferred.
Accommodation: Erongo Wilderness Lodge
Drive time: n/a
DAY 8: RETURN TO WINDHOEK FOR DEPARTURE
Today's final drive takes you back to Windhoek airport. It's best to arrive at least 2 hours before flight departure in order to allow enough time to fill up at the airport’s petrol station, drop the hired vehicle back, and check in.
Accommodation: n/a
Drive time: approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours excluding stops
Guide price is based on recommended accommodations. Alternative accommodations and upgrades are available. Please get in touch for alternatives and upgrade options.
Namibia has excellent regular connections via Johannesburg (and less frequently via Cape Town). Air Namibia also operates via Frankfurt. Flights from London to Windhoek via Johannesburg start from £780 -£1280 per person
Extensions to Botswana and the Victoria Falls are possible with regular connections.
Flight prices on this route are always cheaper booked in advance, particularly when flying during school holiday periods.
Please let us know your preferred departure airport and we would be pleased to quote for a flight inclusive ATOL protected package.
Guide price includes accommodation (on a mix of BB and HB), park fees, Ford Ranger Double Cab 4x4 or similar, MediVac insurance, cell phone, cool box and first aid kit
The months from June to September are winter in Southern Africa but temperatures during the day reach very comfortable early 20 degrees Celsius, just pretty chilly at night but you can keep comfortable with various layers. This is the time of the least / no rainfall making the vegetation less dense and the game easy to spot. You could use a standard sedan vehicle for this journey but a 2x4 makes the trip more comfortable.
Autumn, April-May tends to be a lovely time with all the young being born and the vegetation still green. Spring, late September into early November can have variable weather depending on the previous rainfall but offers excellent game viewing
The summer months November to March tend to be the highest rainfall which is generally when a 4x4 vehicle is suggested; it tends to be hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms.
Namibia is a vast country with many fascinating and varied experience. It is a very arid environment for the most part. Journey times do tend to be longer but it is very rewarding and uncrowded.
This makes for an excellent couple and family adventure. There will be some restriction on children under the age of 7 years for guided safari / nature activities.
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
Our customers agree - a conversation with an expert makes for a better trip. Call us now or request a call back out of hours.
Call 855 686 7694 9am and 6pm GMT Monday to Friday
Or request call back weekday evenings or Saturdays
The Namibia trip was fantastic!
Self-driving was brilliant, and the chronology of the itinerary was perfect (against the flow/direction most other travelers took).
As for specifics:
OKONJIMA
This place was the best!
Best service, best staff, best food, best experiences, best facilities.
We saw a cheetah kill, leopards, and white rhino (which we were not expecting).
If you’ve never been you should go...If I ever go back to Namibia I will revisit.EMANYA
The only (slight) disappointment.
Maybe because it was right after Okonjima, but the service was lacking, the facilities were a bit run down, it was the only place with mosquitoes in the room with no net and no spray. Food was marginal. Not sure if there are better options in the area, though.OKAUKEUJO
Etosha Park was amazing. There was so much wildlife with so little crowds.
The Okaukeujo Camp had the best watering hole with animals coming in at all times of the night. A great experience exclusive to the camp.DORO NAWAS
Beautiful place. Very private. Food and service excellent.
A nice stopping point on the drive.SPITZKOPPE
An amazing place...How they laid out and built it.
Enjoyed exploring the grounds and the local area/sights.
The staff was on par with Okonjima.
2 days were perfect.Ivin provided us with good advice/information/recommendations along the route, along with a cell phone and cooler for the trip. The car was perfect.
They represent Tourdust well!Again, another great trip you put together...Thank you!
Earl W reviewing Northern Namibia Highlights - Self Drive on 17 October 2018
Trip was great and all the arrangements were excellent so thank you for all the help!
Drivers and transfers were all good - on time and very good service on each trip.
Accommodation was lovely - Douar Samra was amazing (weather could have been better but lovely regardless). Riad in Marrakesh was also great!
All in all a great trip and we loved the variety of the mountains, Marrakesh and the coast.
Thanks you once again!
Hardeep S reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains on 15 April 2024
I was also just about to email you to thank you and the team for arranging yet again, another wonderful experience.
Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.
El Karama is a beautiful conservancy and the lodge a true labour of love. Great hospitality in a relaxed environment. Delicious, fresh food. We enjoyed the drives, even if we didn't see much wildlife as the heavens opened on us for the last two outings. However, since it was very much geared towards families, I am not sure if I would stay again without kids. That said, I think it was perfect for a 3d/2n stay post mountain, and a much better choice than flying to the masai mara given the limited time we had.
Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.
So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last
Juhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024
Our itineraries are carefully designed by our experienced travel designers based on years of experience and customer feedback. For a custom itinerary tailored to you, please enquire giving as much detail as possible on your brief.