Namibia Family Safari Adventure - Self Drive 13 Days

After arriving independently to Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek, you will be greeted by your itinerary representative who will give you your welcome pack and assist you in collecting your included car rental. After a full briefing and making sure you are comfortable with the journey ahead, it will be time to set off through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands and down the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert below.

Your journey will take you to the Sossusvlei region where you will arrive at Camp Sossus in the Namib Tsaris Conservancy, just 30 minutes from the Sossusvlei gate, for your two nights stay. From here you will be able to enjoy all of the remarkable and unforgettable sights of the Namib Desert with your local guide.

After settling into your beautiful tented room, this afternoon you can either simply relax at the camp after your travels or join your guide for a walk or drive through the Namib Tsaris Conservancy. The conservation area is home to large concentrations of wildlife including Oryx, Springbok, Zebra, Kudu, Hartebeest, Giraffe and Aardwolf, as well as predators such as Leopard, Cheetah and Spotted Hyena.

The following day you may wish to join an unforgettable included early morning excursion to the Namib Naukluft National Park and the iconic towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei. As the sun rises over these towering shapes and curves you will definitely want to have your camera ready! After a thorough exploration of Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and the surrounding dune fields you can enjoy a picnic brunch in the shade of a camel thorn tree before the tour makes its way back to camp via the equally impressive Sesriem Canyon.

The rest of the afternoon will be at your leisure. You may want to partake in some of the camp’s other activities including mountain biking and walking trails. For even more adventure, ask about the availability of hot air balloon or helicopter flights over these iconic landscapes. Please note, hot air balloon or helicopter flights are additional activities not included in your package.

2 nights’ accommodation at Camp Sossus in a tented room on a fully inclusive basis. All meals, local drinks and shared camp activities are included.

Leaving Camp Sossus behind this morning you will set off for a memorable drive through the Namib Naukluft National Park, passing the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons before reaching the coast and the port town of Walvis Bay. You may enjoy a stop here to stretch your legs and visit the area’s scenic lagoon which is home to countless seabirds including a vibrant mix of flamingos and pelicans. Continuing on to the coastal town of Swakopmund you will reach The Stiltz Villa, your accommodation for the next 2 nights.

After checking in and making yourself comfortable in your beautiful stilted wooden bungalow, the rest of the day will be at your leisure. We recommend spending some time strolling around this German-style coastal resort to see its charming cafes, boutiques, galleries and waterfront. There are some fantastic restaurants in the area which are definitely worth a try. Alternatively you could simply relax in your private bungalow soaking up the views of the Atlantic Ocean and the nearby sand dunes.

The following day is free to explore more of Swakopmund, Walvis bay and the surrounding areas. You could join a morning dolphin and seal catamaran cruise or kayaking excursion on the Walvis Bay harbour, explore the nearby desert on an organised tour, or take an excursion into Sandwich Harbour, the most important wetlands and feeding area on the west coast of Southern Africa for many migratory birds…the choice is yours!

2 nights’ accommodation at The Stiltz Villa on a bed & breakfast basis. No activities included.

Moving inland again, this morning you will set off for Damaraland passing the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain, along the way. Your drive will be enlivened by sightings of local wildlife and dramatic scenery of vast landscapes, rock formations and table topped mountains…true Namibian wilderness!

An insight into Namibia’s fascinating geology and geography will continue this afternoon, as after you check in to the gorgeous Camp Onduli you can join a scheduled visit to the nearby attractions and geological sites of the pre-historic Twyfelfontein rock engravings (recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Alternatively, you can use this afternoon to relax at your camp and take the Twyfelfontein on another day.

3 nights’ accommodation at Camp Onduli on a fully inclusive basis. All meals, local drinks and scheduled shared camp activities such as Twyfelfontein visit, game drives in search of sightings of desert adapted elephants and rhino tracking are included.

Over the next two days you can enjoy a variety of included activities designed to allow you to witness up-close some of Namibia’s most iconic animals, whilst learning about the conservation efforts in place to ensure their survival. An exciting early morning guided 4x4 excursion along the ephemeral Aba Huab and Huab River valleys will allow you to explore this remarkable region and to search for game, including the elusive desert adapted elephants that are often found here. The area is home to a number of desert adapted species and there will be high hopes for some memorable encounters.

Scenic nature drives and walks, guided excursions within the local conservancy area and enjoyable al-fresco picnics and lunches will fill your days, but the highlight is likely to be an unforgettable rhino tracking adventure. This is one of the only places in the world that is still home to wild populations of the endangered Black rhino, and this immersive activity will allow you and your family to not only search for sightings of these majestic creatures but to also learn all about how we can all help to fight against their extinction.

It’s now time for one of the wildlife highlights of your whole itinerary as you make your way to the famous Etosha National Park for some more unforgettable animal encounters. Today’s drive is a long one, and you will travel past the well-known towns of Outjo and Tsumeb before arriving at the delightful Mushara Lodge. Take some time to relax this evening and soak up the hospitality before tomorrow’s adventures.

On your first full day in Etosha you will be offered a morning and an afternoon game drive, both of which are included in your itinerary. There is so much to see here that we recommend taking advantage of both! The list of species that can be seen in Etosha is almost endless, with 114 mammal and over 340 bird species recorded here. During your time here you are likely to encounter elephant, lion, giraffe, blue wildebeest, eland, kudu, gemsbok (oryx), zebra, rhino, cheetah, leopard, hyena, honey badger and warthog, as well as the endemic black faced impala…to name just a few!

On day 10 of your itinerary there will be no included activities, but you may wish to drive into the park yourself for your own self-drive game viewing adventure. Advice on routes and safety will be offered by the camp. Alternatively, you can join some of the lodge’s optional excursions, but these will be at an additional cost.

3 nights’ accommodation at Mushara Lodge with breakfasts and dinners included. One AM game drive and one PM game drive is included.

As you leave the wonders of Etosha behind there’s time for one more adventure as you drive to Okonjima, the home of the famous AfriCat Foundation, for 2 more nights of family fun. On the way you may wish to stop at Lake Otjikoto, a scenic spot to stretch your legs, before reaching the Okonjima Bush Suite in time to check in before lunch.

At Okonjima your days will be filled with various included activities, with a wide range available to suit guests of all ages. Activities available as part of your package include leopard tracking, game drives to learn more about endangered species in the area and track the big cats, visits to The AfriCat Foundation Carnivore Care And Information Centre and “off the beaten track” guided walks and drives.

The Africat Foundation is dedicated to creating conservation awareness, preserving habitat, promoting environmental educational research and supporting animal welfare, with their main focus being Africa's big cats, especially injured or captured leopard and cheetah. AfriCat runs the largest cheetah and leopard rescue and release programme in the world and a visit here is a truly memorable and worthwhile experience.

2 nights’ accommodation at the exclusive Okonjima Bush Suite on a fully inclusive basis. All meals, most local drinks and privately guided camp activities are included. Please note, due to the nature of the Foundation’s activities, for safety reasons children under the age of 12 will not be able to participate in TRACKING ON FOOT. Those aged between 12 and 16 may participate as long as a special indemnity is signed by the parents or guardians.

On the morning of day 13 you will make your way back to the Hosea Kutako Windhoek International Airport to return your hire car and make your way homewards or onwards, filled with memories for the whole family to treasure for a lifetime.