Cape Town & Namibia Self Drive Holiday - 13 Nights

Day 1:

Upon arrival at the Hosea Kutako International Airport which is about 40km outside Windhoek, take delivery of your rental car, and drive into Namibia's capital city. Here you overnight either at the Hotel Heinitzburg overlooking the city or at the Gocheganas Nature Reserve and Spa about 29km south of Windhoek. Either way you should take the time to explore the centre of this city, with many architectural reminders of its German colonial past, on foot.

1 x Overnight at Hotel Heinitzburg (BB) or Gocheganas (DBB)

Day 2 & 3:

After breakfast you will get your first real impression of the rugged scenery of this vast, sparsely inhabited country as you travel down the escarpment to the edge of the Namib Desert via Rehoboth. Your destination is a unique 'moorish' castle rising up out of the desert sands about 21km from the gate into the Namib Naukluft Park. Namibia has its own magic allure, and it is said that those who have been there once will always want to return. One of the outstanding features of your accommodation is its wellness centre.

The following day an early start is essential as the giant dunes in the Namib Naukluft Park, which are among the tallest in the world, are best photographed in the early morning light. You could book a guided tour to Sossusvlei, a dried out swamp, in the park which is about 65km from the entrance gate, or you could book a balloon flight over the desert. You could also drive to Sossusvlei yourself, but the last 5km to Sossusvlei can only be negotiated by a 4x4 vehicle (a shuttle service is available). Another interesting feature in the park is the Sesriem Canyon which was carved into the flat countryside by the Tsauchab River which once flowed into the Sossusvlei aeons ago.

2 x Overnights at Le Mirage Desert Lodge (DBB)

Day 4 & 5:

After breakfast you travel through the desert to Namibia's port city of Walvis Bay and on along the coast to the nearby Swakopmund, also known for its German colonial architecture and for its roads paved with salt. The coast is often shrouded in mist in the mornings due to the warm desert air meeting the cold air coming off the Atlantic Ocean. Your accommodation is on the northern outskirts of Swakopmund.

The following day you should take the opportunity to explore Swakopmund on foot. There are also many optional activities that you could book, such as a morning boat trip in search of marine birds and seals at Walvis Bay, or a flight over the desert in a small aeroplane, or dune boarding or quad biking in the desert. The very brave could also test the ice cold water of the Atlantic Ocean.

2 x Overnights at Sea Side Hotel & Spa (BB)

Day 6:

Before leaving the coast today you could still make a detour to the Cape Cross seal colony about 125km north of Swakopmund. You then head inland again through the desert to Uis in the Damaraland region. On to your way to your overnight stop, you will pass Nambia's highest mountain, the Brandberg. Your lodge is uniquely situated on a rocky ridge with lovely views down onto the vast expanse below, interrupted only by scattered boulders and clusters of granite outcrops.

1 x Overnight at Mowani Mountain Camp (DBB)

Day 7 & 8:

Before heading for the Etosha National Park, you should visit the ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, and if it interests you, also the petrified remnants of pre-historic forests in the area. Another interesting detour between Khorixas and Outjo would be to the Vingerklip monolith not too far off the main road. Your lodge is in a private game reserve that borders onto the National Park and is very close to the park's Anderson Gate in the south.

The following day you have a whole day to participate in the game viewing activities offered by your lodge. You could also decide to drive into the National Park in your rental vehicle in between these activities or simply relax at the lodge which is situated on a hill overlooking a waterhole.

2 x Overnights at Ongava Lodge

Day 9 :

After a final game viewing activity and breakfast at Ongava you begin heading south again towards Windhoek. Your destination is another private game reserve about 50km south of Otjiwarongo, where a major focus is the conservation of the fastest land animal, the cheetah, which is an endangered species.

1 x Overnight at Okonjima Bush Camp (FB and game viewing activities)

Day 10-13:

Drive the two hour journey back to Windhoek and the airport east of the city. Here you will catch a flight to Cape Town. On arrival in Cape Town you will collect a further hire car and drive yourselves to your hotel on the V&A Waterfront.

Spend your next four days exploring Cape Town and the surrounding area. Attractions in the city include Table Mountain, Robben Island, Bokaap or the V&AWaterfront. Take a day to explore the stunning coastline stopping the see the penguins at boulders beach, the historic Naval Town of Simonstown and the dramatic Chapmans Peak drive ending at the Cape Point where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans are meant to meet. You can perhaps partake in one of the very popular township tours. Alternatively why not take in a round of golf at Steeneberg or Erinvale, do some shopping at the V&A Waterfront, visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, explore the leafy Constantia suburbs or lounge on the nearby beaches of Clifton or Camps Bay.

4 x Overnights at The Portswood Hotel (BB)

Day 14 :

Drive back to Cape Town Airport where you will drop off your hire car and connect with your international flight.

speak to a specialist about a Namibia and South Africa Holiday

Cost:

Prices range from £2,475 to £2,625 per person sharing
Prices are dependent on season and exclude all flights

Includes:

• Accommodation
• Activities and meals as set out in the detailed trip
• Car hire in a Group B Car for the full duration of the trip

Excludes:

• International Flights into Windhoek and out of Cape Town
• Domestic Flight from Windhoek to Cape Town
• All meals and services not mentioned
• Entrance fees
• Optional activities
• Drinks
• Tips
• Items of a personal nature

speak to a specialist about a Namibia and South Africa Holiday