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Desert and Safari Namibia Self Drive

Inspirational self drive holiday to Namibia

This self-drive is a 'northern circuit' itinerary with a particular focus on Namibia's wildlife. In your own 4x4, the drives will be long, but the scenery will be otherworldly and the animal encounters truly exceptional.

Highlights of the trip include Swakopmund, Damaraland and Etosha. Swakopmund offers gorgeous beaches, palm-lined streets, cafes, museums, and seaside promenades. The area is famous for its adrenalin-fuelled activities such as sandboarding, hot air ballooning, quad biking, parachuting, deep sea fishing and many more. Damaraland is one of Namibia's most scenic areas. Here, you can get your first taste of the wildlife to come, with desert-adapted elephant, giraffe, ostrich and critically endangered black rhino all present.

Etosha National Park’s large waterholes attract abundant wildlife giving you almost guaranteed game sightings of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, giraffe, white rhino, black rhino, lion and many antelope species. This itinerary splits your time in Etosha between 2 contrasting areas in terms of landscape, allowing you to maximise your experience of this incredible park.

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Day by Day summary

  • Starts - Catch your overnight flight from JFK to Windhoek International
  • 1 night - Galton House, Windhoek & Surrounds
  • 2 nights - Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
  • 3 nights - Doro Nawas Camp, Damaraland
  • 2 nights - Etosha Safari Lodge, Etosha & Suroounds
  • 2 nights - Onguma Tented Camp, Etosha & Surrounds
  • 1 night - Waterberg Plateau Lodge, Central Highlands
  • Ends - Transfer to Windhoek International for your international flight home

At a glance

  • Country Icon Namibia
  • Nights Icon 11 Nights
  • City Icon City
  • Safari Icon Safari
  • Scenic Icon Scenic

Tailormade itineraries

Every Mahlatini trip is custom created to your exact travel wishes – no readymade tours or set departures. Get in touch with our experts to start creating your bespoke itinerary.

Guide Price

Low Season from {: 5900|toCurrency :} per person
High Season from {: 6600|toCurrency :} per person

Includes flights from JFK
Itinerary Details

Day-by-day

Catch your overnight flight from JFK to Windhoek International

Galton house pool and sun lounger area 1280 Combined Shape Created with Sketch.

Day 1

Arrive at Windhoek Airport where you will collect your hire car and drive to your guesthouse in the city.

  • 1 night

Galton House
Bed & Breakfast | Luxury Room
Namibia

Galton house ultimate galton room 1280
Hansa hotel indoor terrace and dining area 1280 Combined Shape Created with Sketch.

Day 2 - 4

Today you will take the +-4-hour drive to the city of Swakopmund.

  • 2 nights

Hansa Hotel
Bed & Breakfast | Standard Room
Namibia

Hansa hotel guest bedroom suite 1280
Doro nawas camp swimming pool 1280 Combined Shape Created with Sketch.

Day 4 - 7

Today you will head further north for +-4.5-hours to your camp in the Damaraland region.

  • 3 nights

Doro Nawas Camp
All Inclusive | Suite
Namibia

Doro nawas camp camp bedroom with a verandah 1280
Etosha safari lodge outside deck at dusk 1280 Combined Shape Created with Sketch.

Day 7 - 9

The drive today will be +-4-hours north-east to the border of the Etosha National Park.

  • 2 nights

Etosha Safari Lodge
Bed & Breakfast | Standard Room
Namibia

Etosha safari lodge guest suite 1280
Onguma tented camp giraffe at the watering hole 1280 Combined Shape Created with Sketch.

Day 9 - 11

Today you will journey through the Etosha National Park towards the eastern border of the park to your camp in the private Onguma Reserve.

  • 2 nights

Onguma Tented Camp
All Inclusive | Safari Tent
Namibia

Onguma tented camp tented bedroom 1280
L waterberg plateau lodge views Combined Shape Created with Sketch.

Day 11

Head south today to the Waterberg region which should take around 4-hours.

  • 1 night

Waterberg Plateau Lodge
Half Board | Chalet
Namibia

A waterberg plateau lodge chalet

Day 12

Journey today back to Windhoek Airport, +-4-hours and catch your international flight home.

Make it yours

Tailormake this itinerary to your exact wishes

We've got you covered

Our trips are unashamedly high-end but always deliver excellent value for money. Our guide price covers the majority of trip costs upfront, on a per person basis, including international flights and all transfers.

Included icon

Includes

  • International flights as detailed
  • Meals and accommodation as detailed
  • Drinks (excluding premium brands) at Doro Nawas and Onguma Tented
  • Twice daily scheduled safari activities
  • National Park Fees
  • Group U Hire Car (Toyota Fortuner or similar) + GPS
  • Carbon-offsetting with One Tree Planted
  • Conservation donation to Save the Rhino
  • Community projects contribution with Uthando
Not included icon

Excludes

  • Entry visas and fees
  • Gratuities
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Any sightseeing activities mentioned
  • Petrol
  • Additional Driver’s Fee
  • Beverages with the exception of Doro Nawas and Onguma Tented Camp
  • Additional activities or options on offer
Indulge your passions

ACTIVITIES

This sample trip offers countless adventures and activities to ensure lifetime memories are made. From unforgettable thrills to indulgent relaxation, choose those that appeal most and we will curate your perfect itinerary.

  • Big 5 Safari Icon Big 5 Safari
  • Birdwatching Icon Birdwatching
  • Guided Walking Safari Icon Guided Walking Safari
  • Night Drive Icon Night Drive
  • Cultural Experience Icon Cultural Experience
  • Desert Tours Icon Desert Tours
  • City Sights Icon City Sights
  • Star Gazing Star Bed Icon Star Gazing/Star Bed
Enriching encounters

ICONIC WILDLIFE

Whether you want to tick off the Big Five or encounter specific safari species and sea creatures on your safari and coastal stay, our expert guides reveal the typical wildlife sightings to expect on this sample trip.

  • Zebra
    Zebra
  • White Rhino
    White Rhino
  • Spotted Hyena
    Spotted Hyena
  • Southern Giraffe
    Southern Giraffe
  • Ostrich
    Ostrich
  • Oryx
    Beisa Oryx
  • Lion
    Lion
  • Leopard
    Leopard
  • Kori Bustard
    Kori Bustard
  • Elephant
    Elephant
  • Cheetah
    Cheetah
  • Cape Fur Seal
    Cape Fur Seal
  • Buffalo
    Buffalo
  • Brown Hyena
    Brown Hyena
  • Black Rhino
    Black Rhino
  • Roan Antelope
    Roan Antelope
Sample Itineraries

TRIPS TO INSPIRE

From majestic wildlife to out of this world natural wonders, cultural melting pots and enchanting beaches, every bespoke Mahlatini journey is thrilling. Unsure where to visit? Whether it’s a bucket-list adventure, a milestone celebration or simply a much-needed escape, experience the joy with this inspiring selection of favourites.

  • Bespoke itineraries
  • Flights and transfers included
  • Best rates guaranteed

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