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Price Guide
12 Nights - £2,295pp

Flight Inclusive Price from UK

Tour Info
  • International Flights
  • Domestic flights
  • All taxes
  • 12 nights accommodation
  • Breakfast
  • All transfers
  • Activities

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Northern Namibia Self Drive

Self-drive Namibia

Self-drive Namibia

Spectacular landscapes

Spectacular landscapes

Typical driving scenery

Typical driving scenery

Elephants in Etosha

Elephants in Etosha

On the road

On the road

 

This fascinating and hugely enjoyable two-week itinerary offers some of the finest landscape scenery and specialist safari experiences anywhere in Sub Saharan Africa.

This self-drive Namibia holiday takes you through the spectacular northern region of Namibia with it's parks, wildlife, ancient rock art and stunning landscape.

This trip is perfect for adventurous couples and families looking to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of a self-drive Namibia holiday.

Accommodation and the itinerary as always, can be tailored to suit particular budgets and interests.

At a Glance

  • 1 night Windhoek
  • 2 nights Okonjima
  • 3 nights Etosha
  • 2 nights North Damaraland
  • 2 nights South Damaraland
  • 2 nights Erongo Mountains
  • 4x4 vehicle rental
  • Airport transfers

Day 1: Fly UK to Windhoek

Overnight flight from UK to Windhoek, via Johannesburg or Cape Town.

Day 2: Windhoek

You will be met at the airport and transferred to your chosen hotel in Windhoek.

Today you will have a pre-safari briefing by our partner in Namibia who will provide maps and vouchers and go over all elements of your 4x4 rental answering any questions you may have.

Overnight Windhoek. Breakfast included.

Day 3: Windhoek – Okonjima Farm

Okonjima is home to the Africat Foundation, which works with farmers and the public to conserve the big cat species in Namibia.

Cheetah and Leopard are being rehabilitated back into the wild and local farmers and locals are being educated to help secure the future of these magnificent animals.

The driving time today is around 3 hours. The afternoon activity begins at 3 pm in summer and 4 pm in winter, so we advise arriving before 2 pm.

Overnight Okonjima. Full Board with activities included.

Day 4: Okonjima

Participate in morning and afternoon shared in-house lodge activities.

Overnight Okonjima. Full Board with activities included.

Day 5: Onguma, East Etosha National Park

Drive towards Tsumeb, passing by the Waterberg Plateau Park heading towards the eastern sector of Etosha National Park.

Etosha will act as a base from which to enjoy daily exploratory self-drive trips or professionally Lodge lead (payable locally) 4x4 game drives into and out of the Etosha National Park.

Today's driving should take about 4 - 4.5 hours.

Depending on the choice of accommodation, there is the option to partake in the lodges own guided game drives in private concessions, or enjoy exploratory self-drives into Etosha National Park.

Overnight Etosha. Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 6: Onguma, East Etosha National Park

We recommend joining the lodge's morning game drive into the Etosha National Park and then in the afternoon and after dinner, join them on game drives within the concession where you’re staying.

Overnight Etosha. Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 7: Ongava Private Game Reserve, Central Etosha

Today self-drive into the Etosha National Park (park fees payable locally), entering at the Eastern Gate and spending the day slowly driving through the park, exiting the park at the Anderson Gate (Central Etosha) in the mid afternoon.

A picnic by one of the water holes in Etosha makes for a perfect lunch stop.

Ongava Private Game Reserve shares the border with Etosha National Park and offers game drives into the National Park as well on its own private concession (highly recommended).

Today's driving is a full day self-drive game safari.

Overnight Ongava Private Game Reserve. All meals included.

 

Day 8: Etendeka Mountain Camp, North Damaraland

Today drive west and then south down towards the Palmwag region where you will now find yourselves in truly remarkable desert landscape completely in the wilds.

In this dry and barren region, you may be surprised by the amount of rich desert wildlife including the highly adapated Desert Elephant and the endangered and rare Black Rhino.

Today's driving time should be around 5 hours.

Overnight Damarland. Breakfast & Dinner included.

Day 9: Etendeka Mountain Camp, North Damaraland

Today we recommend joining the lodge's personally run game drives or guided walks so that you can get the benefit of their knowledge and expertise in their immediate area.

Overnight Damarland. Breakfast & Dinner included.

Day 10: Twyfelfontein, South Damaraland

Today enjoy a scenic drive southwards towards the southern Damaraland region which is located near to the dry Huab River, which is a great place to see the Desert Elephant.

Also in the area you will find multiple species of antelope including the stunning Oryx.

In addition to the wonderful wildlife and landscape in the area, be sure to visit some of the spectacular ancient San rock art sites in this area.

Today's driving time should be around 2 hours.

Overnight Damarland. Breakfast & Dinner included.

Day 11: Twyfelfontein (South Damaraland)

Today we recommend joining the lodge's personally run game drives or guided walks so that you can get the benefit of their knowledge and expertise in their immediate area.

Overnight Damarland. Breakfast & Dinner included.

Day 12: Erongo Wilderness Lodge, Erongo Mountains

Continue your Namibia self-drive adventure, via the undulating farmland area just south of Omaruru and the beautiful Erongo Mountains, a large free standing granite outcrop, famed for its scenic walks as well as some wonderful ancient rock art.

This makes for a lovely restful and calming break away from the vehicle with time to relax and go exploring this stunning region on foot.

Todays driving should be around 3 hours.

Overnight Erongo Wilderness Lodge. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 13: Erongo Wilderness Lodge, Erongo Montains

Spend the day enjoying a scenic day trek exploring the mountains or relaxing by the granite rock pool.

Overnight Erongo Wilderness Lodge. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 14: Fly back to the UK

After breakfast drive back to Windhoek International Airport and fly back to the UK.

Today's driving time should be around 2.5 hours.

Day 15: Arrive UK

Arrive back in the UK.

Damaraland

A dramatic mountainous region between Swakopmund and Etosha, Damaraland is famous for its desert elephants and the ancient rock art of Twyfelfontein.

Exploring Damaraland is most easily done by car, and both Mowani Mountain Lodge and the stylish new Doro Nawas makes excellent bases from which to discover the Damaraland region.

Fossilized tree-trunks, flat-topped mountains, bushman art and wildlife such as desert elephant and black rhino all await discovery on a tour of Namibia’s Damaraland.

Windhoek

Windhoek enjoys a dramatic location in central Namibia surrounded by mountain ranges and is an inviting blend of African and European cultures. Although it may be tempting to rush through Windhoek on the way to Namibia’s many other attractions, Windhoek does have several reasons to extend your stay.

The German colonial buildings give Windhoek a European feel, whilst Tukondjeni market offers all the sights, sounds and smells of Africa.

There are several great boutique hotels in and around Windhoek, making a stay in Windhoek that much more pleasant.

Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s finest game reserves, offering fabulous game drives and abundant wildlife.

Etosha has lions in large numbers, leopard, cheetah, black and white rhino, elephant and many more species, and Etosha’s waterholes are perfect wildlife viewing spots.

There are several private camps by Etosha National Park in private reserves such as Onguma and Ongava, offering ideal bases for luxury game drives or self drives within Etosha National Park.

Central Highlands

The Central Highlands broadly covers the region south of Etosha and north of Windhoek. This mountainous region has several privately owned guest farms offering game viewing.

Okonjima is a very popular destination and home to the Africat Foundation, a charity dedicated to the rehabilitation of Namibia's big cats. This is a great way to experience some of Namibia's large cats.

To the east of the region, the Waterberg Plateau offers superb trekking and scenery.

Self-Drive Namibia Holidays

Self-drive holidays to Namibia are a very popular, easy and affordable way to discover the natural beauty of Namibia.

Booking your self-drive Namibia holiday with us allows you the freedom to enjoy the open road and immerse yourself in this vast and remarkable country.

Depart at your leisure, stop when photo opportunities arise and meet the local people on a one to one basis.

Booking your Namibia self-dirve holiday with us means that you have the back-up and support of the most innovative and attentive 24/7 fly-drive & self-drive operator in the country.

With safety and comfort a priority on a self-drive in Namibia, we will always recommend a 4x4 vehicle. This gives you more ground clearance and is a tougher build of vehicle more suitable and practical for the terrain in Namibia.

Planning

The lodges you will stay in and the route you take will all be part of a carefully prepared and planned itinerary.

Drawing on our expertise, combined with your personal interests, preferences and budget, we can together plan the perfect Namibia self-drive itinerary to suit your interests and budget.

Support

Namibia, more than any other African nation, lends itself to self-drive holidays.

Namibia's roads, even the gravel ones, are well maintained and easy to navigate.

Our expert ground operator’s staff, based in Windhoek spend quality time with each of our guests, talking over the route, providing marked road maps, further information, advice and necessary vouchers.

We insist that clients take delivery of the hire vehicle in the presence of their staff, to double check everything and ensure the vehicles' perfect condition.

Also included are two spare tyres as standard and rentals incorporate the most inclusive insurance cover available.

Safety

To ensure peace of mind, our partner in Namibia will advise all lodges of our client's routing and estimated arrival time.

Should you be running late, the lodges immediately inform us.

Our specialist ground handler are also the only company to supply all our clients with a mobile phone pre-programmed with the direct number of each lodge plus our 24-emergency contact details.

Safety is at the fore of all our planning, but should something untowards happen, you'll find that your inclusive, first call EVAC medical evacuation and treatment policy will be there to help you.

Child Seats and Baby booster seat regulations do not meet the same strict criteria as they do here in the UK.

Sizes vary enormously according to demand and it may be that you are given a child seat that may be too small or too big for your child. If in doubt and you plan a lot of travelling, it may be worth considering bringing your own seats where you know your children may feel most comfortable and secure.

Top Tips for Self-Driving:

SPEED:

On any road surface other than tar, never exceed 80km/hour. Normal range is 60km – 80km/h

BREAKING ON DIRT ROADS:

Never break hard, especially going into a corner

SALT ROADS:

North of Swakop tend to dissolve in mist and get slippery

DUST:

It is advisable to always drive with your headlights on

DUSK/NIGHT:

Never drive on unlit gravel roads after dark

SAND ROADS:

Stop the car, engage 4x4, drive. Disengage after crossing.

ROAD SIGNS:

Observe road traffic signs, particularly those that indicate gentle or sharp curve ahead.

ANIMALS:

Always look out for animals, especially warthog on the side of the road

LIGHTS:

Always drive with your lights on.

TROPICAL DOWNPOURS:

Pull well off the road, keep lights on and wait.

RIVERS:

Ephemeral rivers spring up quickly, wait until the flow subsides.

TYRE PRESSURE:

Toyota 4x4 hi-lux double cab: Tar roads 2.2 bar, gravel roads 1.8 bar.

PUNCTURES:

Always use the safety triangle provided and find a flat place to change a tyre.

LEFT HAND SIDE:

We drive on the left hand side of the road.

SEAT BELTS:

The driver, as well as all passengers in the vehicle need to wear their seat belts.

DRIVE TIMES:

Ensure that daily average drive time don't exceed 5 hours.

FUEL:

Please carry enough cash to pay for your fuel as credit card payments are not accepted.

POLICE ROAD BLOCK:

Always stop. If fined for any offence, insist on a receipt.

Extra drivers, Tom-Toms/Sat Navs, Child Seats / Baby booster seats are not included in the car rental agreement and will need to be paid for.

Windhoek Hotel Suggestions:

  • Olive Exclusive
  • Villa Vista
  • Villa Violet

Okonjima

  • Okonjima Main Lodge or Okinjima Bush Camp

East Etosha

  • Onguma Game Reserve (5 different lodge options)

Central Etosha

  • Ongava Main Lodge
  • Ongava Tented Camp
  • Andersons Camp

North Damaraland

  • Desert Rhino Camp
  • Grootberg Lodge
  • Etendeka Mountain Camp

South Damaraland

  • Damaraland Camp
  • Doro Nawas
  • Mowana Lodge
  • Kipwe Camp

Erongo Mountains

  • Erongo Wilderness Lodge

12 nights Northern Namibia Self-Drive

  • Price from £2,295 pp

This is a guide price only, based on travel in low season.

Prices will vary according to choice of hotel and seasonal airfare and hotel surcharges. Please ask us for any current special offers.

Contact Us:

All of our Namibia Holidays are completely tailor made and we can put together any kind of itinerary to suit your interests and budget.

Call us now to speak to a Namibia holiday expert about your Namibia holiday or honeymoon to Namibia.

Call us now on 0333 7000 747

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We're open from 9 until 9 daily and our 0333 number is a local rate number included in most call packages.