Authentic Namibia Self Drive with Adventure World

After landing at Windhoek International (Hosea Kutako) Airport, located 40km outside Windhoek, you will be met by a representative at the arrival’s terminal. You will be transferred by road to Windhoek, where you will collect your rental vehicle from Galton House, your base of operations.

Galton House has facilities available to you to freshen up from the long flight, and where you can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee or tea. At the same time, your guest liaison will provide you with a full safari briefing and assist you with your vehicle handover.

You will be provided with everything that you will need for your self-drive safari, from a map marked with your route to self-drive directions. Also, ensure that you have your driver's license, credit card, and passport on hand to complete the vehicle hire documents.

After the briefing, you depart Windhoek and head onwards to Okonjima. You can stock up on a few supplies in the capital city before continuing north to Okahandja and further towards Otjiwarongo to reach Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation. Here you can enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and their superb accommodation.

Nestled among the Omboroko Mountains, in a Malaria-free area, lies Okonjima – a Herero name meaning "Place of the baboons."  The Okonjima Nature Reserve sprawls over 200 square kilometres of undulating plains, mountainous outcrops, and riverine thickets, and it is here that leopard (Panthera pardus), the most adaptable of all the wild cats, thrives.

These intelligent, solitary predators occur in high density in the expanse of Okonjima Nature Reserve's multi-faceted topography. The Reserve's predator research programme and Africat Foundation have spanned three decades. Its findings have provided valuable insights into leopard behavioural patterns, as well as offering an optimistic prognosis for the species' sustainable future in today's Africa.

After checking into Okonjima’s Plains Camp, you can join one of the Reserve's activities, which departs approximately 1600 (own account).

Upon returning to the Lodge, you'll have time to refresh in your room before enjoying dinner in the dining room.

Accommodation: Okonjima Plains Camp

Meals: Dinner

After breakfast, you will travel to the eastern side of Etosha National Park. Along the way, you can visit the Hoba Meteorite, located near Grootfontein. This meteorite remains where it landed, with the central mass estimated at over 60 tonnes. It is the largest known intact meteorite in the world, about twice the mass of the most significant fragments of the Cape York and Campo del Cielo meteorites. Composed mainly of ferronickel, it is also the heaviest naturally occurring piece of iron found on Earth's surface. The name "Hoba" comes from the Khoekhoegowab word meaning "gift." 

Upon arrival at camp, time allowing, explore Etosha National Park at your leisure or relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Lodge. Onguma Reserve offers a Sundowner Drive, showcasing over thirty different animal species. 

Onguma Private Reserve comprises 34,000 hectares of private wilderness on the eastern border of Etosha National Park. The nature reserve boasts over thirty different animal species, consisting of plains game, including kudu, giraffe, eland, oryx, hartebeest, zebra, impala and many more, that roam freely, as well as predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard, being familiar residents of the area. The latest addition to the already abundant wildlife at Onguma Nature Reserve is a family of black rhinos.

During the Namibian summer months, Onguma becomes a bird-watcher's paradise with thousands of species migrating to the wetlands created by the seasonal rains and ephemeral river systems.

Etosha National Park is a national park in the northwest of Namibia. Proclaimed a park in 1907, it is home to four of the Big Five and offers excellent game sightings throughout the year.
Onguma Bush Camp is perfect for guests looking for a traditional safari lodge. The camp is in the Onguma Nature Reserve, situated on the eastern side of Etosha National Park. The lounge and dining areas overlook a stunning watering hole, offering great opportunities to observe nature at play around the clock. Guests don't even have to leave the camp to see game animals.

Accommodation: Onguma Bush Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

On your second day at camp, you can choose to explore Etosha National Park with the Lodge's guided tours (own account) or venture into the park at your own pace.  Explore and stop over at the various waterholes in the hope of experiencing some exciting wildlife sightings on your self-guided day.

The Etosha Pan is the park's defining feature, a vast salt pan nearly enclosed by the park, stretching approximately 130km long and up to 50km wide in places. During Etosha's dry spells, the pan becomes a harsh, cracked expanse under the scorching African sun. Interestingly, game viewing is often best in this season, as animals gather closely around the remaining water sources.

You can have lunch (own account) at any of the rest camps inside the park. After you arrive at the Lodge again, the rest of the day is spent at your leisure (very often this is welcomed since you have spent most of the day in the vehicle, game driving in the park).

PLEASE NOTE:
• Etosha National Park gates open at sunrise and close at sunset (including the camp gates). The camps have a small shop for basic supplies, a fuel station, and a post office.
• The speed limit whilst driving in Etosha is 60km per hour.
• Do not get out of your vehicle whilst in Etosha unless you are safely within a designated area.
• The daily entrance fee for Etosha National Park (payable at the reception at Okaukuejo, Halali or Namutoni by cash or credit card).
• You will fill in a registration form upon entry into Etosha. Please keep this form, as well as your park fees payment receipt, to present at the gate upon departure.

Accommodation: Onguma Bush Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, you will travel to the southern side of Etosha National Park. From open plains to arid savanna and some of the best game viewing around, this park has a lot going for it. Etosha Pan is the most recognisable feature of Namibia's premier national park. It is so enormous that you can see it from space. This 120 km (75 mi) long dry lakebed is the heart of the park and, in fact, is eponymous with the park itself, whose name translates to "Great White Place" after the characteristic colouring of this massive salt pan.

Explore the various waterholes along the drive where wildlife frequently gathers. You can have lunch (own account) at any of the rest camps inside the park before exiting and making your way to your Lodge for an afternoon at leisure, or partake in additional activities, including bush walks and nature excursions led by local guides (own account).

The Etosha Oberland Lodge is in a 5,500-hectare game reserve that shares a 10km border with the Etosha National Park. The Lodge is open to the savannah, and wildlife can be spotted all around the hotel.

Accommodation: Etosha Oberland Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you will continue your safari to the heart of Namibia, Damaraland, travelling through farmlands and the small towns. Displays of colour typify Damaraland, with magnificent table-top mountains, rock formations, and bizarre-looking vegetation. The present-day landscape has been formed by the erosion of wind, water and geological forces which have formed rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains and ancient river terraces.

It is the variety and loneliness of the area as well as the scenic splendour which will reward and astound you, giving one an authentic understanding of the word 'wilderness'.

The dramatic barren landscape of the iconic Damaraland is home to some of the most fascinating flora and fauna in Namibia, and the best place to spot desert-adapted elephant, rhino, lion, and zebra. The arid region's attractions include a petrified forest of fossilised 280-million-year-old trees, some of the best-preserved etchings and rock art dating back 6,000 years at Twyfelfontein, and the highest mountain in the country, the Brandberg, which is covered in thousands of ancient rock paintings.

The Late Stone Age art is thought to have been produced to pass on information about hunting expeditions. Still, the area has predominantly been used by pastoralists, such as the Damara and Herero, as well as more recently by the Himba, semi-nomadic herders whose female members distinctly cover their hair and skin with ochre coloured paste.

Huddled in the rocks, with sweeping views across the Aba Huab valley, Camp Kipwe is full of surprises, starting when guests first arrive. It appears as if rocks have tumbled down the hill to reveal this gem of a camp. The setting is one of intimacy and space: an inviting lounge area where birds fly in to enjoy the water seeping from the rocks, a refreshing swimming pool nestled in the rocks, and a scattering of bungalows complete this eco-friendly camp.

Accommodation: Camp Kipwe
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After an early breakfast, you will be treated to an exciting 4x4 excursion to explore this remarkable region and to search for game, especially the elusive desert-adapted elephants, if they are in the area. Damaraland is home to a variety of desert-adapted wildlife and hidden desert treasures.

The afternoon you can enjoy a scenic bush walk, or scenic afternoon nature drive, or an afternoon at leisure for some well-deserved leisure time.

If time allows this afternoon, you can visit the nearby attractions and geological sites of Twyfelfontein rock engravings (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). 

Return to camp with time to freshen up before dinner.

Accommodation: Camp Kipwe
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After an early breakfast, the drive today takes you south past Namibia's highest mountain, the Brandberg, which peaks at 2,573m above sea level, and west to meet the coast at Henties Bay. You then continue south to the coastal town of Swakopmund, where you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location and cooler coastal air for the night.

Should there be time this afternoon, you can explore the town and wander along the waterfront on foot (just note that most shops and businesses close at lunchtime over weekends and public holidays), before heading off for dinner (on your own account) at a popular restaurant which specialises in locally harvested fresh seafood as well as other local and international dishes.

Swakopmund also boasts a variety of excellent restaurants. The seafood is fantastic, but you'll also find German cuisine, sushi, and other specialities typical of the region. If available, securing a table at The Tug is highly recommended. This eclectic restaurant offers arguably the best view in Namibia, overlooking the historic jetty where you can watch the fog roll in at dusk.

At The Sea Boutique Guesthouse, you'll find a captivating beachfront escape with stunning views of the ocean. Guests are treated to an experience that combines luxury with the charm of coastal living. The inviting infinity pool, lounge area, and viewing deck provide perfect spots for unwinding while soaking in the scenic surroundings. The guesthouse's convenient location allows easy access to local attractions, making it an ideal base for both adventure and leisure.

Accommodation: At the Sea Boutique Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast

Don't be surprised to wake up in the morning to the desert fog covering the town, but soon, this should burn off to showcase the city in all its beauty. 

Today is at your leisure to explore Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and the surrounding areas. You may like to climb the coastal dunes at Langstrand or Dune 7, explore Swakopmund's shops, cafes, museums and waterfront, or partake in any of the adventure activities on offer, such as sandboarding, boat cruises, kayaking, walking Foodie Tour, fat bike dune cycle tours and scenic flights (all at extra cost).

We recommend joining a morning dolphin and seal catamaran cruise or kayaking excursion on the Walvis Bay harbour and lagoon this morning, where you will see seals, pelicans, and flamingos amongst other marine life. Hopefully, you will also see Heaviside and Bottlenose dolphins.

Another option would be to explore the desert area by taking part in the fascinating and informative "Living Desert Tour". This Desert Tour concentrates on exploring the local dune belt between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, taking special care not to damage the gravel plains and cause any unnecessary damage to the dune ecosystem.

Also highly recommended is a half or full day excursion into Sandwich Harbour, the most critical wetland and feeding area on the west coast of Southern Africa for many migratory birds.

Note: activities to be pre-booked in advance at an additional cost.

Accommodation: At the Sea Boutique Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast

Today, you leave the coast behind and head for the Sossusvlei region. The fascinating drive today takes you south-east through astonishing and ever-changing desert landscapes via the impressive Kuiseb and Gaub Canyons and through the dunes to the settlement of Solitaire. 

Arrival is expected in the late afternoon, with time to enjoy sundowners (at your own cost) and appreciate the unique desert surroundings.

Sossusvlei is a photographer's dream. In fact, it is so unique and beautiful that it is hard to take a bad picture. It is one of the most sought-after and unique destinations in the country. The stark yet ethereal beauty of Namibia is on full display here with the skeletal remains of old camel thorns strewn amongst salt pans, surrounded by some of the most spectacular dunes in the world. This endless expanse of wilderness is home to desert-adapted species such as the Gemsbok (Oryx).

Your accommodation at Sossuvlei Lodge is situated at the entrance gate to the Namib Naukluft Park, offering direct access to the towering red dunes, the famous pan of Sossusvlei, the scorched black trees of Dead Vlei, and the remarkable depths of the Sesriem Canyon. Facilities include a pool, bar, sundowner deck, beer garden, and an al fresco terrace to sit and enjoy exquisite food, award-winning wines, and magnificent views of the floodlit waterhole.

The Sossusvlei Lodge Adventure Centre offers a range of bookable activities, including guided excursions to Deadvlei, Sossusvlei, and Sesriem Canyon, as well as Elim Dune nature walks, sundowner drives, hot air ballooning, and scenic flights (at an additional cost).

Accommodation: Sossusvlei Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today requires an early rise to make the most of the day. The gates open at sunrise, and as you make your way towards the heart of Sossusvlei, notice how the dunes change colour, ranging from black to ochre to apricot. Sossusvlei is known for the highest dunes in the world, and you will also climb some of these with names such as Dune 45 or Big Daddy. The walk into the Dead Vlei is approximately 1.1 km, but it is well worth the effort, as the memory of this will remain. En route back to the gate, you may call at the Sesriem Canyon, a 30-meter-deep gorge eroded into the desert floor by the forces of the mighty Tsauchab River. Return to the Lodge for a relaxing afternoon and respite from the heat. 

Enter the park via the Sesriem gate and proceed to the offices of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, where you pay the entrance fee.

Continue directly with the 60km from the gate to the 2x4 parking.  Park your vehicle at the 2x4 parking and continue the last 5km with the open 4x4 shuttle. It can be paid directly with the Shuttle guides in cash or at the MET Office. 

Your first stop is at the Deadvlei.  Deadvlei is a clay pan characterised by dark, dead camel thorn trees contrasted against the white pan floor. The pan was formed when the Tsauchab River flooded, and the abundance of water allowed camel thorn trees to grow. However, the climate changed, and the dunes encroached on the pan, blocking the river from reaching the area.  The trees are estimated to be approximately 900 years old; however, they have not decomposed due to the dry climate.

Deadvlei is a paradise for photographers, as the contrast between the pitch-black trees and bleached-white pans and the rusty-red dunes and deep blue sky makes for incredible images.  Deadvlei is at least a 1km walk from the parking lot, so be sure to take drinking water with you.

After your visit to Deadvlei, proceed to Sossusvlei via shuttle (own cost). Sossusvlei translates to "dead-end marsh", as it is the place where the dunes come together, preventing the Tsauchab River from flowing any further, some 60km east of the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the dry conditions in the Namib Desert, the river seldom flows this far, and the pan remains bone-dry most of the year. During an exceptional rainy season, the Tsauchab fills the pan, drawing visitors from all over the world. 

Tip: Visit Deadvlei and Sossusvlei in the early morning to avoid the heat of the day, preferably before 08:00 am, and leave the vlei before it gets too hot.   In the early mornings, the dunes of Sossusvlei showcase the excellent colours of red and orange.

Return to the 2x4 parking with the shuttle and return to the Sesriem gate.  En route, stop at Dune 45, which is a star dune in the Sossusvlei area of the Namib Desert in Namibia. Its name comes from the fact that it is at the 45th kilometre of the road that connects the Sesriem gate and Sossusvlei.

Your last stop on this incredible journey is the Sesriem Canyon. The canyon's birth dates back between two and four million years, when continental upheaval resulted in the creation of most of the westward-flowing rivers in the Namib Desert region. Today, the Tsauchab River only flows after good rains fall in the nearby Naukluft Mountains. Still, the canyon is a testament to the river's long past prime, some 15-18 million years ago, when the river's once-sweeping movement created the gorge. The canyon is up to 30 metres deep at points. It is approximately 1 km long, with a width that ranges between 1 and 3 metres, flattening out as it approaches the iconic Sossusvlei. The name Sesriem is derived from the Dutch/Afrikaans words for "six (zes) belts (riem)" and was given to the settlement by explorers returning from the Dorsland Treks. "Six belts" is a reference to the six belts, usually made of oryx hide, that a thirsty settler would have to tie together to reach down into the deep hollows in the canyon floor to extract the crystal clear, cool underground water, which collects under the canyon's floor.

Return to the Lodge, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. 

Accommodation: Sossuvlei Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After an early breakfast, you return to Windhoek, driving northeast up the Great Escarpment and through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands (approximately 5-6 hours). The journey will take you via Okahandja, home of the Herero people in Namibia. Here, you can pause briefly at the wood carvers' market to view some of the artefacts that are sold here and come across Namibia, even as far as the Caprivi. 

You should arrive at Galton House in Windhoek in the afternoon. Upon your arrival, you will drop off your rental vehicle and get transferred to the Windhoek's Hosea Kutako International Airport by a
Guest liaison in time for your late afternoon or early evening international flight.

There is the option to overnight in Windhoek (at an additional cost) if your onward flight requires it.

Meals: Breakfast