Classic Namibia Self-Drive Holiday | Fly-Drive

Itinerary Highlights

Discover the hard work being conducted at the AfriCat cheetah project in Okonjima
Experience spectacular game viewing at Etosha National Park’s floodlit waterholes
Track the elusive rhino and elephant across Damaraland’s stark desert landscapes
Climb towering, bright orange dunes in Sossusvlei at sunrise for breathtaking views

What's Included

Flights
Accommodation Throughout
Car Hire

12 nights from £4,115 - £4,950 per person

Derek Schuurman

Travel Specialist

0203 993 8767

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Enquire

Discover a host of iconic highlights, from the AfriCat project at Okonjima to game viewing in the world-famous Etosha National Park, on this two-week self-drive holiday in Namibia.

You're on the move as soon as you collect your hire vehicle in Windhoek. Begin your journey at Okonjima, home to the AfriCat Foundation, where Namibia’s big cats are rescued and cared for. From there, head north to Etosha National Park for game viewing on both private reserves and open plains, with chances to spot everything from elephants to rare predators gathering at waterholes.

Next, venture into the stark beauty of Damaraland, where guided walks, rhino tracking and visits to Himba communities offer a deep connection to Namibia’s desert landscapes and culture. Highlights include the Petrified Forest, Twyfelfontein rock engravings and the striking Organ Pipes formations.

The trip continues to the coastal town of Swakopmund, a hub for adventure and wildlife. Kayak with playful dolphins and seals, explore on foot alongside a local guide or savour fresh oysters with a glass of wine. Finally, Sossusvlei’s towering dunes await. Base yourself at a lodge near the Namib Naukluft Park to explore Dead Vlei, climb the bright orange dunes or take a sunrise hot-air balloon flight.

You’ll stay in top-quality lodges, camps and guesthouses, each carefully selected for their comfort, location and responsible credentials. This circular self-drive itinerary is fully tailor-made, giving you the freedom to experience Namibia’s wildlife, landscapes and culture in a way that suits you. 564658

Please note, this is an example tour. To create your own tailor-made itinerary, speak with our Travel Specialists by calling us today.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Fly UK to Namibia

Depart from London Heathrow on your overnight flight to Johannesburg.

Day 2 | AfriCat Foundation, Okonjima

Okonjima Nature Reserve

On arrival, make your onward connection to Windhoek. Here, you'll be met and given a self-drive briefing before collecting your Nissan X Trail hire vehicle with air-conditioning, comprehensive insurance and unlimited mileage.

A three-hour drive north takes you to Okonjima, the home of the AfriCat Foundation - an organisation devoted to saving and caring for Namibia's big cats. The country contains just over 20% of the world’s cheetah population.

Stay for one night at Plains Camp, with breakfast and dinner included.

Staying at

Day 3 | Onguma Game Reserve, Etosha

Leave Okonjima, driving north for game viewing in Etosha National Park. The day ends at Onguma Bush Camp for a two-night stay on the park's eastern side, with breakfast and dinner included.

Onguma Game Reserve is a 34,000-hectare private game reserve situated on the eastern border of Etosha. Within minutes of the famous Etosha National Park, this private reserve is perfectly located to take in the abundance of wildlife in the area.

Staying at

Day 4 | Onguma Game Reserve, Etosha

Wake early to explore Etosha National Park at your own pace or join a guided drive into Onguma. Etosha’s vast salt pan draws abundant wildlife, from elephants and lions to herds of springbok and zebra, while Onguma offers a more intimate safari experience with expert guides. The reserve is home to four of the ‘Big Five’, with everything but buffalo roaming freely. Enjoy the golden light over the bush in the late afternoon before returning to your lodge.

Staying at

Day 5 | Etosha National Park

Drive south across Etosha to reach Okaukuejo, where you’ll spend two nights in a Premier Waterhole Chalet. This is one of the most iconic spots in the park, with your chalet overlooking a floodlit waterhole that draws wildlife day and night. From the comfort of your balcony, you might see elephants, rhinos or even big cats gathering to drink. During the day, head out on game drives across Etosha’s plains, home to herds of antelope, giraffe and predators.

Staying at

Day 6 | Etosha National Park

Spend another day exploring Etosha, where the drama of the wilderness unfolds around its scattered waterholes. These vital lifelines draw a mix of wildlife – one of the few places in Africa where so many species gather in one place. Choose to self-drive through the park’s network of tracks or relax at Okaukuejo’s famous waterhole and let the wildlife come to you. As night falls, the floodlights reveal everything from black rhinos to lions.

Staying at

Day 7 | Damaraland

Travel southwest for a two-night stay at Grootberg. Perched on the edge of the Grootberg Plateau, overlooking the Klip River Valley, Grootberg Lodge has spectacular views. Situated on a large private concession, the local Khoadi/Hoas community fully owns this welcoming lodge. Built from rock and thatch, the 12 chalets are tastefully furnished, all with small private decks that look out over the gorge. Well-positioned for self-drivers – roughly midway between Etosha and Swakopmund – there's much to do here.

Staying at

Day 8 | Damaraland

Damaraland is a land of stark desert beauty. Morning mists, created by the clash between the icy Atlantic Ocean air and the warm desert air of the Skeleton Coast, glide inland along the canyons, giving sustenance to the region's flora and fauna. Guided walks on the plateau, scenic drives, hikes to the Klip River Springs, elephant and black rhino tracking, and visits to a traditional Himba settlement are all offered. Experienced riders can explore on horseback.

Staying at

Day 9 | Swakopmund

En route, visit the Petrified Forest, the Organ Pipes and the famous Twyfelfontein rock engravings, all highly recommended.

Head south along the tail end of Skeleton Coast toward Swakopmund for a two-night stay at the cosy Cornerstone Guest House, which is within easy walking distance of restaurants and shops.

The perfect base for local activities such as the Turnstone Tour with Bruno Nebe - or try your hand at kayaking from Pelican Point with the wonderful Jeanne Meintjes, and the opportunity to drift past colonies of seals, or even watch the heavy side dolphins as they follow the kayaks!

Day 10 | Walvis Bay, Swakopmund

Why not head south to Walvis Bay and take an optional boat trip? You can watch dolphins riding the waves alongside you and seals hauling themselves up for a closer look. The waters are alive with great birdlife too, from pelicans gliding overhead to flamingos feeding in the shallows. As you drift along the coast, enjoy freshly shucked Namibian oysters paired with a glass of sparkling wine.

Day 11 | Sossusvlei

Drive inland to Sossusvlei to spend two nights at Sossusvlei Lodge. Sossusvlei Lodge is a good-value lodge situated right by the entrance to the Namib Naukluft Park and the dunes at Sossusvlei. This makes it a great base for early starts into the park as soon as the gate opens. Because of its location, a major effort was made to build something that blends with the landscape, and this was pretty much achieved with the skilful use of colour and building materials.

Staying at

Day 12 | Sossusvlei

Start early to experience Sossusvlei at its best. The bright orange dunes, some of the highest on earth, are especially striking in the morning light. Walk across the hauntingly beautiful Dead Vlei or climb a dune for sweeping desert views. For a different perspective, take to the skies on a sunrise hot-air balloon flight, drifting over the Namib Desert before enjoying a champagne breakfast.

Staying at

Day 13 | Windhoek

Due to the distance back to Windhoek, the last night will be at the Olive Grove Guest House, breakfast included. You'll have the evening to unwind, enjoy a local meal and have an unhurried journey to the airport for your onward flight the next day

Staying at

Day 14 | Departure

Drive to Windhoek Airport, return your hire car and check in for your flight to Johannesburg. Your flight will connect with a return overnight flight to London.

Derek Schuurman

Travel Specialist

0203 993 8767

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Enquire

Pricing Information & Dates

12 nights from £4,115 - £4,950 per person

Itinerary Dates

Pricing

1st Jan 2026 -
30th Jun 2026

£4,115

1st Jul 2026 -
22nd Dec 2026

£4,950

Derek Schuurman

Travel Specialist

0203 993 8767

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Enquire

Price Includes

Return International Flights as per the itinerary
All airport taxes and security charges
Accommodation and meals as specified
Transfers as specified
Activities and excursions as specified
All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified

International and regional flights, pre-paid air taxes and car hire (unlimited mileage and comprehensive insurance). Accommodation based on two people sharing and breakfast throughout.

Price Excludes

Travel Insurance
Any meals not specified in the itinerary
Tips and gratuities
Optional excursions

Visa fees, drinks, activities, entrance fees, fuel, additional driver fee, car hire admin fee payable directly, car hire security deposit taken from credit card, meals other than specified. Suggest a 2x4 vehicle upgrade, from £250 per person for the 13-day rental period.

Pricing Notes

Supplements apply during peak season and school holidays.

Why Choose Us?

Passionate travel experts

We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences

Personal & tailor-made

You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love

Responsible by nature

We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours