Duration
14-Day
Etosha National Park, Namibia
This 14 Day Self Drive Safari start in Windhoek, travel to Kalahari, Sossusvlei dunes, and coastal Swakopmund. Continue to Damaraland and Twyfelfontein, then explore Etosha National Park for wildlife. Visit Okonjima for cheetah conservation before returning to Windhoek. Mix of guesthouses, lodges, and camps on B&B and DBB basis, offering diverse landscapes and experiences.
Plan snapshot
Duration
14-Day
Route
Windhoek to Windhoek (Windhoek)
Via Kalahari Region, Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes), Swakopmund (City)
Country & park
Namibia / Etosha National Park
Style
Mid-range safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
1 years
Activities
game drives
Accommodation
Casa Piccolo Guesthouse - Mid-range guest house in Windhoek (City) – Breakfast Included
Meals
Breakfast Included; Breakfast & Dinner Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
NAD
Rates
NAD
Before booking
Quote flow
This mid-range tour uses lodges and tented camps.
Drive a vehicle yourself and travel without a tour guide. Rental vehicle is included.
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Solo travelers can book this private tour.
The minimum age for this tour is 1 year.
Day 1
Mid-range guest house in Windhoek (City) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 2
Mid-range lodge in Kalahari Region – Breakfast & Dinner Included
Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day 3-4
Mid-range self catering accommodation less than 1hr drive from Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)
Day 3: Breakfast & Dinner Included; Day 4: Breakfast Included
Day 5-6
Mid-range guest house in Swakopmund (City) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 7
Mid-range tented bush camp near Twyfelfontein (Rock Art) – Breakfast & Dinner Included
Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day 8
Budget tented camp outside Palmwag Concession (Damaraland) – Breakfast & Dinner Included
Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day 9
Mid-range chalet inside Etosha NP – Breakfast & Dinner Included
Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day 10-11
Luxury lodge bordering Etosha NP without fences – Breakfast & Dinner Included
Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day 12
Luxury lodge inside Okonjima NR – Breakfast & Dinner Included
Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day 13
Mid-range lodge near Windhoek (City) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 14
(No accommodation)
Meals at Own Expense
Tour step
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
On arrival, you will be met by the car rental company representative and transferred to their offices in Windhoek to complete all rental procedures. Once done, we'll arrange for you to meet with our meet and greet representative to hand over your travel documents and travel package including your map. You might want to spend some time exploring our small but attractive capital. Windhoek city centre is quite compact. Most attractions are within easy walking distance of each other. You might want to visit the historic parliament buildings at Tintenpalest (palace of ink) and wander through the Independence Museum to learn more of the history of Namibia. Right next door to this very modern structure is one of the oldest buildings in Windhoek, the Alte Feste (old fort). Mid-range guest house located in Windhoek (City) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included
Day 2
We recommend stocking up on some essentials before leaving town. Always carry water & snacks (fresh & dried fruit, nuts, biscuits and maybe try our biltong & droewors) on board your vehicle as distances can be long and facilities few and far between. The first day takes you southwards for 250 kilometers, out of the Windhoek hills and past the town of Rehoboth towards Mariental. Before reaching the town, a turnoff will take you east and into the red sands of the Kalahari. Mid-range lodge located in Kalahari Region Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 3
After a hearty breakfast you continue your journey southwest to the Namib Desert. You travel back to Mariental and on to Maltahohe, a small farming settlement on the edge of the escarpment. Heading down the escarpment mountains you need to be alert sections of the road are steep with some sharp beds. Drive slowly and carefully. You will reach your overnight accommodation on the edge of the Namib dune sea later this afternoon. Relax at the swimming pool and enjoy the late afternoon light on the mountains. Mid-range self catering accommodation located less than 1hr drive from Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes) Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 4
Wake up early and leave your lodge, heading for the Sesriem entrance gate to the Namib Naukluft Park. This gate only opens at sunrise, so there is no point arriving earlier. Driving the 60 kilometres from Sesriem through the dunes towards Sossusvlei while the sun rises is a real pleasure. The first major dune you will encounter goes by the imaginative name of Dune 45—many people choose to stop and climb this dune but we suggest you continue onwards towards Sossusvlei. Park at the 2x4 car park (unless you have a 4x4 vehicle this is as far as you can drive), Sossusvlei is a further 4km from here but you are already amongst fairly large dunes. The walk along the dry river bed into Sossusvlei is lovely but for the very unfit or terminally lazy, there are 4x4 shuttles from the car park to Sossusvlei. Deadvlei, so named because it is a large pan with sculptural dead trees, is close by and definitely worth a visit. Mid-range self catering accommodation located less than 1hr drive from Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included
Day 5
The fascinating drive today takes you northwest through the awesome and ever-changing desert landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park, including the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons. Stop in Solitaire to refuel. The bakery is pretty good too. There are a host of adventure activities to participate in while in Swakopmund. These range from sandboarding through quad biking to sky-diving. No activities are included in this package but they can be pre-arranged when you book this itinerary or left for you to arrange on arrival in Swakopmund. Being a German-inspired town, good food and beer are never hard to find. We are sure you will find something productive to do! Mid-range guest house located in Swakopmund (City) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included
Day 6
When you're there: there are plenty of shops and attractions in Swakopmund. Curios and good food on every corner. Enjoy the beach. There are loads of activities on offer, this is Namibia's activity centre. Visit the Walvis Bay Lagoon, where you can see flamingoes, pelicans and numerous waders. Mid-range guest house located in Swakopmund (City) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included
Day 7
Continuing on your safari today, the road takes you north and east into the wonderful and diverse region of Damaraland. You'll pass Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg which peaks at 2,573m above sea level. Take time to view the game and absorb the vastness of the scenery along the way. Damaraland is typified by displays of colour, magnificent table-topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation. Book an activity with the lodge to search for the elephants. They know the area well and when last the elephants were spotted and where. Mid-range tented bush camp located near Twyfelfontein (Rock Art) Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 8
Today, you'll have the choice of exploring the sites of Damaraland on your own vehicle to your next destination Palmwag Lodge. Your lodge for tonight, where the flat-topped Etendeka Mountains and the carpet of rich red rock greet the tributaries of the Uniab River. Budget tented camp located outside Palmwag Concession (Damaraland) Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 9
Bidding farewell to Damaraland you head east to the game filled plains of Etosha. En route you can visit the petrified forest, with its ancient stone logs lying alongside Welwitchia plants. Local guides will show you around the area and explain the origin of the trees. Undoubtedly one of the great parks of Africa, Etosha covers more than 22,300 square kilometres and is synonymous with big game and wide open spaces. The name Etosha means “great white place” referring to the massive (130km long and 50km wide) dry saline pan in the middle of the park, believed to have been formed over 100 million years ago. Etosha is home to a staggering amount of wildlife, both common and rare, including several threatened and endangered species. Mid-range chalet located inside Etosha NP Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 10
You have a full day for game viewing in Etosha today as you cross the park from south to east. As the crow flies it is a distance of 200 kilometres. But this journey will take most of the day as you will be game viewing en route. The park speed limit is 40 kilometres per hour but at times you will be driving even slower as you search for game. The park gates are open from sunrise to sunset. Plan your day to allow enough time to exit the park at least one hour before sunset that you can settle in at Onguma Bush Camp before it gets dark. Luxury lodge bordering Etosha NP without fences Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 11
Undoubtedly one of the great parks of Africa, Etosha covers more than 22,300 square kilometres and is synonymous with big game and wide open spaces. The name Etosha means “great white place” referring to the massive (130km long and 50km wide) dry saline pan in the middle of the park, believed to have been formed over 100 million years ago. Etosha is home to a staggering amount of wildlife, both common and rare, including several threatened and endangered species. The mammal list is at over 110 species, including four of Africa’s Big Five, cheetah, giraffe, spotted hyaena, zebra, greater kudu, springbok, gemsbok/oryx (Namibia’s national animal), warthog, honey badger and many more. Etosha also has a bird list of more than 350 species. The park is also home to smaller mammals like banded and yellow mongoose, scrub hare and springhare, as well as rare ones like pangolin, aardvark, aardwolf and Cape porcupine. Luxury lodge bordering Etosha NP without fences Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 12
Sadly, its time to bid farewell to Etosha and begin your journey back towards Windhoek. Heading south you travel via the mining town of Tsumeb and on to Otjiwarongo, the place of the fat cows, an appropriate name for this farming community. Just south of Otjiwarongo you turn off the main road and into the bush again Your destination is Okonjima and the AfriCat Foundation. Apart from the beautiful location, stunning accommodations and wonderful meals, the main reason for visiting Okonjima is to view cats. Activities here centre around viewing leopards and cheetahs, visiting a night hide and generally learning about what the AfriCat Foundation is doing to preserve these wonderful animals. Activities are not included in the package. Luxury lodge located inside Okonjima NR Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 13
Depart Okonjima drive via Okahandja to Windhoek. In Okahandja, you can stop over at the Kavango woodcarvers market, have a look around or buy some last souvenirs. One must just re-adjust to the faster paced city traffic as you get closer to Windhoek. Mid-range lodge located near Windhoek (City) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included
Day 14
After breakfast at the guesthouse, you will still have time to do some shopping before heading to the Hosea Kutako International Airport, where you'll check-in for the onward or homeward flight. Sadly, your time in Namibia has come to an end. But we know you will have many wonderful memories to keep you company on your journey home. And maybe we can welcome you back in the future. Thank you for travelling with Great Explorations Namibia. We wish you a safe journey home. Meals at own expense Drinks not included
Tour step
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
Rental vehicle
Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks
Offered by
Great Explorations Namibia will help you plan & book your self-drive accommodation in Namibia & Botswana, organize the rental car you require, and generally take all the hassle out of the planning process. Planning self-drive itineraries is the favorite part of our job, as it gives us an outlet for all the knowledge we have accumulated. Our services range from booking a single nights accommodation to complex itineraries for Namibian self-drives.
Office In
Namibia
Size
1-5 employees (Founded in 2021)
Tour Types
Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
Destinations
Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Traveler feedback
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5Family of 4 travelling around Namibia with a quick stop to Victoria falls and Botswana for 32 days. I didn’t know where to start!! I am glad Great Explorations Namibia was there and did all the planning + we were very last minute and they make it happen. Anja was so helpful and so patient with all my questions and respect our budget. She reply quickly to all my requests. Lili was also very helpful and Peter at the car rental. Anja met us on the 1st day and went through the itinerary with us. We had 2 roof top tents and we camped every night. Namibia is now our number 1 country (for it’s beautiful scenery, for the people, for the experience and amazing campsite/lodge). Highly recommended!!!
Tildesley/Dorval family · Australia
We found Great Explorations after receiving several answers that indicated that it was too late to plan the trip (2 months before). The team not only answered positively but inmediately understood our expectations, type of experience we wanted and respected our budget. Replies were quick and detailed and the first programme was complete and very well explained. We requested to make slight adjustments that were inmediatly done. The accommodation proposed throughout the trip was excellent and most of the lodges were simply exceptional. Upon arrival, the staff took to time to personally welcome us, review the programme day by day and gave valuable advice. We felt that we had a reliable support for anything we might need along a road trip of many kilometers often in remote areas, Overall a perfect partner for a unique experience. Special thanks to Anja who was extremely professional, available and helpful.
Sandrine · Spain
The precision and professionalism of Anja allowed the creation of a perfect trip. Thanks to her help and patient everything was organized in an amazing way, starting from the car rental to the choice of the lodges and the interlocking of activities that allowed us to not miss anything of what this incredible country has to offer. We highly recommend them!
Carolina Testa · Netherlands
my assistant Anja was fantastic, in everything. Very quick in contact, already during the planning she gave me advice but also followed my instructions on what I wanted. And she's nice as well as competent. But above all, during the trip he solved various problems for me (not regarding reservations, we didn't have any problems with this!) that I would not have been able to handle alone. This was very important. I will never thank her enough. I would recommend Great Exploration Namibia to everyone.
Teresa · Italy
Practical answers
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in Namibian dollars (NAD).
This tour accepts children who are 1 year and older. Children under 12 receive a discount and children under 4 are free.
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Casa Piccolo Guesthouse - Mid-range guest house in Windhoek (City) – Breakfast Included. Meals: Breakfast Included
This tour starts and ends in Windhoek
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Operator policy
This tour is offered by Great Explorations Namibia, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
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