15 Day Namibia Self Drive Tour
An ever increasing number of travellers are shying away from organised guided holidays and prefer to explore a destination at their own pace depending on their interests. Namibia is one of the few African countries suited to this style of travel. There is a good network of well signed roads. Distances are substantial by European standards but traffic density is low.
Day 1
Upon arrival pick up your hire car and drive into Windhoek for your first nights stay. Spend your day taking in the quaint Bavarian architecture and enjoying the array of shops and cafés in this charming African city.
Accommodation: Overnight Olive Grove Guest House
Days 2-3
After breakfast, it's a scenic 5-hours drive to the NamibRand Nature Reserve. This is one of Africa's largest private sanctuaries, which encompasses a great variety of stunning landscapes. Explore the huge dunes and vegetated inter-dune valleys with your expert guide for a great introduction to the desert.
Accommodation: Overnight at Wolwedans Dune Lodge
Days 4-5
It's barely an hours' drive through the desert to the Namib-Naukluft Park, but the environments here are strikingly different from those in the NamibRand. Head out at dawn to see the morning light on the world's largest dunes, then look up at night into the clear starry skies.
Accommodation: Overnight at Kulala Desert Lodge
Days 6-7
Your next 2-night stop is in the relaxing coastal town of Swakopmund. Here you'll find activities into both the desert and the sea: exciting dune-boarding, excellent fishing and some very gentle kayaking – to name but a few.
Accommodation: Overnight at Hansa House Hotel
Days 8-9
Drive for about 4 hours on the spectacular road to Damaraland, where imposing bare granite domes spring up from the gravel plains. From there, explore the fascinating rock paintings, engravings and other sights in this intriguing area.
Accommodation: Overnight at Mowani Mountain Camp
Days 9-10
After about 3 hours' drive, stop for 2 nights at a private game reserve beside Etosha National Park. Here all your activities are guided by local experts. Explore with walks and game drives during the day, then return to the reserve for a night-drive before finally heading back to your lodge.
Accommodation: Overnight at Ongava Lodge
Days 11-12
For the next few nights, stay beside Eastern Etosha to explore a new side of this enormous park. Spend the day game viewing, stopping at a few of the waterholes to see what animals have congregated there to drink.
Accommodation: Overnight at Onguma Tented Camp
Days 13-14
For your final night in Namibia, stay at a family-run farm that is home to the Africat conservation project. Walk or drive around the enormous property for a chance to see some of the big cats at close range and to learn a bit about the region's original people.
Accommodation: Overnight at Okanjima Bush Camp
Day 15
It’s a little over a 3-hour drive back to Windhoek Airport. Arrive at the airport in good time to drop your rental car and connect to your international flight.
Note: This is simply a suggestion of how you can spend your time. Mahlatini will tailor make the itinerary specific to interests and budget. The region offers a wide variety of places to stay ranging from formal hotels to informal holiday flats, game lodges and reserves, guesthouses etc. There is usually something to suit everyone’s budget! Should you wish to have the car hire delivered or if you would prefer transfers this can easily be arranged.