12 Day Magical Namibia Tour

This 12 day self drive tour endeavours to show you the very best parts of Namibia, whilst staying in luxurious accommodation.

Departing from your hotel or airport in Windhoek, you travel West to the Namib Desert for 2 nights at an exclusive desert hideaway. Continue North, to the Atlantic coastal town of Swakopmund. Desert meets ocean here, which means plenty to do and see. Onwards to Damaraland, home to the elusive Desert Elephants and Black Rhino, and an UNESCO World Heritage Site at Twyfelfontein. Your adventure continues as you head to the western side of Etosha National Park staying on the Ongava Reserve, where the exclusivity and privacy offered ensures that your game-drives are both memorable and exciting. You then journey south to your final location, Okonjima Nature Reserve, a wildlife conservation and rehabilitation centre run by a non-profit organization called the AfriCat Foundation, where you have an excellent opportunity to observe leopard and cheetah.

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

The Namib Desert a world heritage site and one of the oldest and largest deserts on earth.
Sossusvlei offers some of the highest sand dunes in the world, up to 400 metres and is a spectacle behold and provides wonderful photographic opportunities.
Swakopmund this interesting coastal town is the perfect base to explore both coastal & desert areas as well as embark on many of the adrenalin activities that are on offer in this region.
Damaraland this breath-taking region is home to Desert Elephants and Black Rhino. A visit to this area can include guided walks, photographic opportunities, wildlife sightings, rock art and a petrified forest.
UNESCO World Heritage Site at Twyfelfontein where some of the most ancient and unique rock engravings in the world are located, with the dates thought to be from 1000-10,000 years old.
Etosha National Park is one of the largest National Parks in Africa, Etosha offers an incredible wildlife experience as well as a large array of birdlife.
Ongava Private Reserve a 30,000-hectare private reserve which borders Etosha National Park, where you can experience exclusive game drives, walking safaris and night drives.
Okonjima Nature Reserve is a 200 square kilometres of African wilderness is home to the AfriCat Foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to long-term conservation of Namibia’s large carnivores and other endangered species. The Reserve’s activities include Game drives and guided bush walks, which offer visitors an intimate, up-close perspective of Namibia’s wildlife and, especially, its most protected species.

DAY ONE – WINDHOEK – SOSSUSVLEI
Distance – 302km / Approximate journey time 4-5hrs
Plan to leave Windhoek at a reasonable hour today. This will leave you sufficient time to reach your overnight accommodation in good time and enjoy the scenery on the way. Most of your journey will be on unsealed gravel roads. There are a number of routes to take, we recommended via the Spreetshoogte Pass. The views from the top of the escarpment over the desert plains below are stunning. A timely arrival allows for an afternoon guided nature drive or walk once you have settled in.

Overnight Desert Whisper (Standard Room / Fully Inclusive)

DAY TWO – SOSSUSVLEI
First thing this morning is tea and coffee before the sun rises. Afterwards you will head out towards the dunes at Sossusvlei in one of the lodges guided vehicles. Making use of the lodges own private entrance you enter the park at sunrise. On the way to Sossusvlei you can enjoy the colourful effect the sun has on the landscape. Once there you have plenty of time to explore, climb a dune and generally photograph to your hearts content. Time for one more snap before your guide calls you over to a large, shady camelthorn tree for a desert brunch.
Afterwards you can head back to the lodge with a short walk along Sesriem Canyon before you return if desired. The rest of the day if yours to relax and maybe join a nature drive or one of the lodge’s other activities. After dinner an early night is recommended as there is another early start in the morning.

Overnight Desert Whisper (Standard Room / Fully Inclusive)

DAY THREE – SOSSUSVLEI – SWAKOPMUND
Distance – 300km / Approximate journey time 4-4.5hrs
Today you head north in your own vehicle through the gravel plains of the Namib towards the harbour town of Walvis Bay. The birdlife at the lagoon is amazing, thousands of birds especially pink flamingoes and other water birds congregate here. Continue north for 30km along a picturesque road sandwiched between large dunes and the Atlantic ocean to Swakopmund.

Overnight The Swakopmund Strand Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)

DAY FOUR – SWAKOPMUND
Today is a day at your leisure to explore Namibia’s premier seaside town. There are a host of activities to participate in while in Swakopmund, these range from sandboarding through quad biking to sky-diving or marine/boat excursions, Historical Tours or general sight seeing – there is something for everyone! Activities are not included in this itinerary but can be pre-arranged when you book this itinerary or left for you to arrange on arrival in Swakopmund.

Overnight The Swakopmund Strand Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)

DAY FIVE – SWAKOPMUND – DAMARALAND
Distance – 326km / Approximate journey time 4-5hrs
Today the journey begins with a drive up the Skeleton Coast, through the town of Henties Bay to the Cape Cross Seal Colony. After spending some time seal watching you will begin your journey inland past Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg.
Damaraland is a scenic semi-desert area and you will be staying in the suite at Mowani Mountain Camp which is nestled amongst architectural granite boulders.

Overnight Mowani Mountain Camp (Luxury Room / Full Board + Activities)

DAY SIX – DAMARALAND
Today you have the choice of exploring the sites & activities of Damaraland in your own vehicle, or if you prefer joining the guided excursions offered by the lodge (included in package price). This is sure to be an exciting day in a very interesting area.

Overnight Mowani Mountain Camp (Luxury Room / Full Board + Activities)

DAY SEVEN/EIGHT/NINE - DAMARALAND – ONGAVA RESERVE
Distance – 330km / Approximate journey time 3.5-4hrs
The Ongava Reserve lies on the southern border of Etosha near the Andersson Gate, and it is here you will spend the next three nights at Ongava Lodge. This afternoon you can join a guided game drive or just relax and enjoy your surroundings.

The next two days can be spent on guided game drives and walks around Etosha & the Ongava Reserve. Having an experienced guide really enhances game viewing and with any luck you should really rack up the sightings. Etosha is Namibia’s premier game viewing destination, large herds of plains game concentrate around the waterholes in the dry season and makes for exciting game viewing. Species that can be seen year round include elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, springbok, oryx, kudu and the diminutive Damara dik-dik. Birdlife is also good with ostrich and raptors in abundance. Local specials include the short-toed rockthrush, Haulaubs francolin, rockrunner, Ruppells parrot, white-tailed shrike and chestnut weaver.

Ongava Game reserve is one of the few private game reserves in Southern Africa where you have a chance of seeing both black and white Rhino. The reserve also has a good population of lion, eland, mountain zebra, black faced impala and a number of other antelope species.

Overnight Ongava Lodge (Standard Room / Fully Inclusive)

DAY TEN/ELEVEN – ONGAVA RESERVE – OKONJIMA NATURE RESERVE
Distance – 240km / Approximate journey time 2.45-3.5hrs
Leaving Ongava Reserve, the drive to Okonjima takes around 3 hours. Apart from the beautiful location, stunning accommodation and wonderful meals the main reason for visiting Okonjima is to view cats. Your activities here are included in this package and centre around viewing leopard & cheetah, visiting a night hide and generally learning about what the AfriCat foundation is doing to preserve these wonderful animals.
You will be accommodated in the private Bush Suite and can enjoy a range of activities including cheetah feeding, leopard tracking and visits to night hides. If you do not feel like participating in an activity you can relax in the lounge or around your large private swimming pool at the suite.

Overnight Okonjima Bush Suite (Bush Suite / Fully Inclusive)

DAY TWELVE
Distance – 265km / Approximate journey time 3-3.5hrs
The drive back to Windhoek takes around 3 hours. You may wish to stop at the wood carving markets at Okahandja as this is one of the best places to stock up on wooden curios.
If you are flying out tonight you can drop your vehicle at the airport or additionally we can arrange accommodation in Windhoek.

Price includes:

Meals and accommodation as specified.
A welcome pack including maps and vouchers for the places that you’ll be visiting.
See the individual lodges for further information.
A 24 hour emergency assistance phone number
1x Toyota 4×4 Double Cab / similar rental vehicle, unlimited miles

Price excludes:

International Flights
Personal insurance
Visa Fees
Tips & Gratuities
Any drinks/meal/snack shown as not included
Porterages
National Park Entrance fees
Fuel
All expenses of a personal nature
Any additional excursions and activities not shown as included
Vehicle Additional charges e.g. One Way Drop off Fee

Rental Vehicle:

Although it is possible to book this self drive tour as shown above, it is entirely customisable. We can add or delete days, change the accommodation used and generally design the tour to suit your individual requirements.

Travelling by road is a great opportunity to appreciate the outstanding landscape & scenery that Namibia has to offer, however it is always important to take things slowly when required and it is not advisable to travel after dark. If you do not like the idea of driving yourself, we can arrange for a Guide to drive you or arrange transport by air. Contact one of our team to discuss your travel requirements.

Concerned about the security of your booking and your own safety while on safari? We fully appreciate your concerns when it comes to booking a safari in Africa and you can rest assured that your financial security when booking and your own personal safety when on safari is our highest priority. Gamewatchers Safaris is a member of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators bonding scheme, backed by a leading insurance company, to ensure your payments are fully protected if a bonded KATO member ceases trading.