Classic Namibia Self-Drive 12 days

Met at airport and transferred in air-conditioned car to Villa Violet in the capital city of Windhoek for one night on bed and breakfast basis.  Your guide will go through your self-drive itinerary and answer any questions you may have.Remainder of day free to explore this interesting city, characterised by its German colonial architecture. Some excellent options for eating out this evening.

Your car will be delivered to the Villa Violet and refundable fuel and damage deposits taken.

After breakfast this morning, you will commence your adventure with a drive of about 318km to Sesriem and to the Desert Homestead Lodge for two nights with dinner and breakfast. The lodge is ideally located for exploring the ancient dunes or walking in the Namib Naukluft Mountains. Optional horseriding or guided nature drives can be arranged. The night skies in this area are spectacular.

Depart early on the morning of day 3 and drive int the Namib-Naukluft National Park and onwards for 70km to Sossusvlei, with its monumental star-shaped dunes, a mecca for photographers and artists. If there has been recent rain adding water to the pan her, there are flamingoes and other acquatic birds to be seen. Return later in the day to Sesriem and, time permitting, visit the Sesriem Canyon.

After breakfast this morning, set off on the 344km drive to Swakopmund, through mountain passes via Solitaire and on to Walvis bay where a stop is recommended at the lagoon, home to many birds, especially the grater flamingo. Continue to the charming Cornerstone Guesthouse for two nights on bed and breakfast basis.

On day 5 you will go to the waterfront at Walvis Bay to board a luxury catamaran for a half day guided cruise towards the Pelican Point Lighthouse. Depending on the time of year and conditions, you may see seals, dolphins, whales, orca, leatherback turtles and, of course, lots of birds. Remainder of the day free to explore this picturesque town and its surroundings.

This morning, drive through changing scenery towards the mountainous scenery of Damaraland, looking out for wildlife, especially the rare desert elephant which is sometimes spotted in this area. High up the Grootberg Pass is your overnight accommodation, the Grootberg Lodge where you will stay with dinner and breakfast included.

This true wilderness lodge offers spectacular views and sits in an area rich in flora and fauna, including black eagles, desert elephant, black rhino and even lions.

Leave early this morning for a scenic drive of some 343 km to Etosha to stay for two nights on a dinner and breakfast basis at Etosha Village, right next to the entrance to the National Park.

This is a beautiful and wild area for driving, making sure you allow enough time to be out of the park by closing time at sunset. Stop by one of the many waterholes and just watch the animals come to you. There are rest camps within the park for lunch, swimming or just relaxing in the shade.

Still within the Etosha Park, you drive today 132km to Namutoni and the Mushara Bush Camp for overnight stay with dinner and breakfast. There are lots of game and birds to be seen on the drive through the Park and the Mushara Camp is an ideal spot to stay, with a delightful night time campfire.

On day 10, drive 365 km to Otjiwarongo and to the Okonjima Plains Camp for your last two nights on dinner and breakfast basis. The Okonjima Game Reserve is famous for its cheetah and leopard safaris and here you will be able to track cheetah on foot as well as going leopard spotting. The AfriCat Foundation here is world famous as a reserve which rehabilitates cheetah, wild dogs, leopards and hyenas and seeing these amazing animals in the wild here is a highlight of the trip.

This morning, you will drive the 265km back to Windhoek, where you can check in your vehicle at the airport, before your onward or return flight.