Namibia Adventure 15 Day Self Drive Tour
Set off on the ultimate road trip through Namibia — a land of vast deserts, dramatic wildlife, and unforgettable horizons. This 15-day self-drive itinerary combines adventure with comfort, featuring mid-range lodges handpicked for their location, value, and authentic experiences.
Starting from Windhoek, head north to Okonjima Nature Reserve, home to the AfriCat Foundation, where you can track leopards and learn about big cat conservation. Then journey onward to Etosha National Park, where waterholes and open plains promise thrilling wildlife encounters, including elephants, lions, and over 300 bird species.
Next, explore the rugged beauty of Damaraland, a region of ancient rock formations and desert-adapted wildlife like elephants and black rhinos. From there, unwind in the seaside town of Swakopmund, where cool Atlantic breezes and coastal charm offer the perfect break from the inland heat.
The adventure continues to the iconic Namib Desert — home to Sossusvlei’s towering red dunes and the haunting beauty of Deadvlei’s ancient camel-thorn trees. Then it’s on to Klein Aus Vista, where wild horses roam free against breathtaking desert backdrops.
Your final night takes you to the Kalahari Desert, a place of quiet beauty and vibrant life, where you can soak in the last golden hours of your safari before returning to Windhoek
Itinerary in Detail
DAY BY DAY
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Tour Experiences
Day 1 – WINDHOEK – OKONJIMA
Distance – 219km / Approximate journey time 2.5hrs
After landing at Windhoek International (Hosea Kutako) Airport, located 40km outside Windhoek, you will be met by a representative at the arrivals terminal. You will be transferred by road into Windhoek to the Galton House, which is the base from where you will collect your rental vehicle.
Galton House has facilities available to you to freshen up from the long flight and where you can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee or tea while your guest liaison will provide you with a full safari briefing and assist you with your vehicle handover.
You will be provided with everything that you will need for your self-drive safari; from a map marked with your route to self-drive directions.
Also ensure that you have your driver’s license, credit card, and passport on hand to complete the vehicle hire documents.
After the briefing you depart Windhoek onwards to your first overnight destination – Okonjima and the AfriCat foundation. Apart from the beautiful location, stunning accommodation and wonderful meals the main reason for visiting Okonjima is to view cats. Activities centre around viewing leopard & cheetah, visiting a night hide and generally learning about what the AfriCat foundation is doing to preserve these wonderful animals.
Please note activities have not been included in this package and can be arranged at time of booking.
Overnight Okonjima Plains Camp (View Room / Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)
Day 2 – OKONJIMA
Overnight Okonjima Plains Camp (View Room / Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)
Day 3 – OKONJIMA – ETOSHA
Distance – 236km / Approximate journey time 2.5-3hrs
This morning is spent on a last activity before returning for a hearty brunch, if that is included.
Afterwards you will be driving via the towns of Otjiwarongo and Outjo to reach the outskirts of the southern boundary of the Etosha National Park.
Time allowing, you can enter the Etosha National Park for some exciting game viewing, exiting the park again at sunset to return to your accommodation in time for dinner, or alternatively you can join a game drive on the accommodation private reserve in an open game viewer with a local lodge guide where applicable (shared activity), if that is included.
Overnight Etosha Oberland Lodge (Chalet / All meals and local drinks)
Day 4 – ETOSHA
You have the option to drive to Etosha National Park in your rental vehicle at your own time. Explore and stop over at the various waterholes in the hope of experiencing some exciting wildlife sightings on your self-guided day.
You can have lunch (for own account) at any of the rest camps inside the park. After your arrival at the lodge again, the rest of the day is spent at your leisure (very often this is welcomed since you have spent most of the day in the vehicle game driving in the park).
Please Note:
- Etosha National Park gates open at sunrise and close at sunset (including the camp gates). The camps have a small shop for basic supplies, a fuel station, and a post office.
- The speed limit whilst driving in Etosha is 60km per hour.
- Do not get out of your vehicle whilst in Etosha unless you are safely within a designated area.
- The daily entrance fee for Etosha National Park (payable at the reception at Okaukuejo, Halali or Namutoni by cash or credit card).
- You will fill in a registration form upon entry into Etosha, please keep this form as well as your park fees payment receipt to present at the gate upon departure.
Overnight Etosha Oberland Lodge (Chalet / All meals & local drinks)
Day 5 – ETOSHA
Today after breakfast your day will be spend on leisure and relaxation at the lodge or you can do any of the activities offered by the lodge at an additional cost.
Overnight Etosha Oberland Lodge (Chalet / All meals & local drinks)
Day 6 – ETOSHA – DAMARALAND
Distance – 344km / Approximate journey time 4.5hrs
Hopefully by now you will have seen everything the park has to offer and are ready to move on.
This morning after breakfast you will continue your safari to the heart of Namibia, Damaraland, traveling through farmlands and the small towns. Damaraland is typified by displays of colour, magnificent table topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation. The present-day landscape has been formed by the erosion of wind, water and geological forces which have formed rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains and ancient river terraces.
It is the variety and loneliness of the area as well as the scenic splendour which will reward and astound you, giving one an authentic understanding of the word ‘wilderness’.
Overnight Camp Kipwe (Bungalow x 1 (All meals, two activities & return Twyfelfontein transfer. )
Day 7 – DAMARALAND
Today you join on a scheduled morning activity, which departs after an early breakfast into the ephemeral Aba Huab River valley to explore this remarkable region and to search for game, especially the elusive desert adapted elephants if they are in the area with a lodge guide.
Damaraland is home to a variety of desert adapted wildlife and hidden desert treasures. Once you have explored the area to your hearts content, return to camp for lunch and a well-deserved siesta and enjoy a shared afternoon activity as offered by the lodge.
Overnight Camp Kipwe (Bungalow x 1 (All meals, two activities & return Twyfelfontein transfer. )
Day 8 – DAMARALAND – SWAKOPMUND
Distance – 325km / Approximate journey time 4-5hrs
After an early breakfast the drive today takes you south past Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg which peaks at 2,573m above sea level, and west to meet the coast at Henties Bay. You then continue south to the coastal town of Swakopmund where you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location and cooler coastal air for the night.
Should there be time this afternoon you can explore the town and wander along the waterfront on foot (just note that most shops and businesses close at lunchtime over weekends and public holidays), before heading off for dinner (on your own account) at a popular restaurant which specializes in locally harvested fresh seafood as well as other local and international dishes.
Overnight The Delight Hotel (Standard Twin Room / Bed & Breakfast)
Day 9 – SWAKOPMUND
Today is at your leisure to explore Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and surrounding areas. You may like to climb the coastal dunes at Langstrand or Dune 7, explore Swakopmund’s shops, cafe’s, museums and waterfront, or partake in any of the adventure activities on offer such as sand-boarding, boat cruises, kayaking, walking Foodie Tour, fatbike dune cycle tours and scenic flights (all at extra cost).
We recommend joining a morning dolphin and seal catamaran cruise or kayaking excursion on the Walvis Bay harbour and lagoon this morning, where you will see seals, pelicans, and flamingos amongst other marine life, and hopefully you will also see Heaviside and Bottlenose dolphins.
Another option would be to explore the desert area by taking part in the fascinating and informative “Living Desert Tour”. This Desert Tour concentrates on exploring the local dune belt between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, taking special care not to damage the gravel plains and cause any unnecessary damage to the dune eco-system.
Also highly recommended is a half or full day excursion into Sandwich Harbour, the most important wetlands and feeding area on the west coast of Southern Africa for many migratory birds.
Overnight The Delight Hotel (Standard Twin Room / Bed & Breakfast)
Day 10 – SWAKOPMUND – SOSSUSVLEI
Distance – 308km / Approximate journey time 4-5hrs
Today you leave the coast behind and head for the Sossusvlei region. The fascinating drive today takes you south-east through awesome and ever changing desert landscapes via the impressive Kuiseb and Gaub Canyons and through the dunes to the settlement of Solitaire.
Arrival should be in the late afternoon, with time to enjoy sundowners appreciating the unique desert surroundings.
Overnight The Desert Homestead (Chalet / Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)
OR
Overnight Camp Sossus (Twin Tent x 1, all meals, selected local drinks, shared camp activities & Sossusvlei fee. )
Day 11 – SOSSUSVLEI
This morning you will rise early for a magical shared excursion into the Namib Naukluft National Park, entering the Park gates at sunrise to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows accentuate their towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world.
Your local guide will give you an insight on the formation of the Namib Desert and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environs. Once you have explored the areas around Sossusvlei and Deadvlei to your hearts content you can enjoy a picnic in the shade of a camel thorn tree.
Return to your lodge in the early afternoon for a late lunch.
The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure (from experience, this is usually welcomed after an exhilarating morning in the dunes) or can be spent on another guided scheduled activity within the nature reserve as offered by the lodge at an additional cost.
Overnight The Desert Homestead (Chalet / Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)
OR
Overnight Camp Sossus (Twin Tent x 1, all meals, selected local drinks, shared camp activities & Sossusvlei fee. )
Day 12 – SOSSUSVLEI – KLEIN AUS VISTA
Distance – 400km / Approximate journey time 5-5.5hrs
(Optional Balloon Ride Excursion and at additional cost)
At sunrise, in the world’s oldest desert, witness a spectacular hot air balloon inflation, and set out on the flight of a lifetime.
From the best platform, in the most romantic way, soar with the winds for an hour, over the oceans of sand and mountains, endless vistas of shadows and lights. Your destination? The Sossusvlei dunes or the splendour of the desert.
At landing, you come back to earth with an “Out Of Africa” style Champagne breakfast set up in the middle of nowhere.
Your pilot will present you with a flight certificate before you take a leisurely nature drive back to the meeting point.
After breakfast the journey takes you further south through a section of the NamibRand Nature Reserve and the spectacular scenery of the Tiras Mountain Conservancy before arriving in the small town of Aus and its surrounds.
Overnight Eagle’s Nest Chalets (Chalet / Bed & Breakfast)
Day 13 – KLEIN AUS VISTA
It’s up early this morning after breakfast for a memorable and fascinating excursion through time to visit the historic ‘ghost’ diamond mining town of the Kolmanskop where the management of the whole “Forbidden” diamond area (Sperrgebiet) used to live.
This guided tour will give you an insight into the rich history of diamond mining in Namibia and the rise and fall of Kolmanskop where some of the machinery is still in use and which is no longer in production at all, as well as an idea of what everyday life in these settlements would have been like.
(Entrance fees payable direct at point of entry).
Overnight Eagle’s Nest Chalets (Chalet / Bed & Breakfast)
Day 14 – KLEIN AUS VISTA – KALAHARI
Distance – 400km / Approximate journey time 4-5hrs
After a leisurely breakfast you set off north making your way into the western Kalahari to reach the welcoming Kalahari Anib Lodge where you will spend 2 nights, en route you can visit the Quivertree Forest as well as the Giants Playground if these appeal, driving via the towns of Keetmanshoop and Mariental arriving in the mid-afternoon.
Overnight Kalahari Anib Lodge (Comfort Room / Bed & Breakfast)
Day 15 – KALAHARI – WINDHOEK
Distance – 284km / Approximate journey time 3-4hrs
After breakfast you depart from the Kalahari to Windhoek, driving north through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands. Upon your arrival in Windhoek, you will return your rental vehicle at Galton house before being transferred by road to Hosea Kutako International Airport to arrive in time for your ongoing international flight back home or to your overnight accommodation in Windhoek.
Tour Experiences
Day 1 – WINDHOEK – OKONJIMA
Distance – 219km / Approximate journey time 2.5hrs
After landing at Windhoek International (Hosea Kutako) Airport, located 40km outside Windhoek, you will be met by a representative at the arrivals terminal. You will be transferred by road into Windhoek to the Galton House, which is the base from where you will collect your rental vehicle.
Galton House has facilities available to you to freshen up from the long flight and where you can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee or tea while your guest liaison will provide you with a full safari briefing and assist you with your vehicle handover.
You will be provided with everything that you will need for your self-drive safari; from a map marked with your route to self-drive directions.
Also ensure that you have your driver’s license, credit card, and passport on hand to complete the vehicle hire documents.
After the briefing you depart Windhoek onwards to your first overnight destination – Okonjima and the AfriCat foundation. Apart from the beautiful location, stunning accommodation and wonderful meals the main reason for visiting Okonjima is to view cats. Activities centre around viewing leopard & cheetah, visiting a night hide and generally learning about what the AfriCat foundation is doing to preserve these wonderful animals.
Please note activities have not been included in this package and can be arranged at time of booking.
Overnight Okonjima Plains Camp (View Room / Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)
Day 2 – OKONJIMA
Overnight Okonjima Plains Camp (View Room / Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)
Day 3 – OKONJIMA – ETOSHA
Distance – 236km / Approximate journey time 2.5-3hrs
This morning is spent on a last activity before returning for a hearty brunch, if that is included.
Afterwards you will be driving via the towns of Otjiwarongo and Outjo to reach the outskirts of the southern boundary of the Etosha National Park.
Time allowing, you can enter the Etosha National Park for some exciting game viewing, exiting the park again at sunset to return to your accommodation in time for dinner, or alternatively you can join a game drive on the accommodation private reserve in an open game viewer with a local lodge guide where applicable (shared activity), if that is included.
Overnight Etosha Oberland Lodge (Chalet / All meals and local drinks)
Day 4 – ETOSHA
You have the option to drive to Etosha National Park in your rental vehicle at your own time. Explore and stop over at the various waterholes in the hope of experiencing some exciting wildlife sightings on your self-guided day.
You can have lunch (for own account) at any of the rest camps inside the park. After your arrival at the lodge again, the rest of the day is spent at your leisure (very often this is welcomed since you have spent most of the day in the vehicle game driving in the park).
Please Note:
- Etosha National Park gates open at sunrise and close at sunset (including the camp gates). The camps have a small shop for basic supplies, a fuel station, and a post office.
- The speed limit whilst driving in Etosha is 60km per hour.
- Do not get out of your vehicle whilst in Etosha unless you are safely within a designated area.
- The daily entrance fee for Etosha National Park (payable at the reception at Okaukuejo, Halali or Namutoni by cash or credit card).
- You will fill in a registration form upon entry into Etosha, please keep this form as well as your park fees payment receipt to present at the gate upon departure.
Overnight Etosha Oberland Lodge (Chalet / All meals & local drinks)
Day 5 – ETOSHA
Today after breakfast your day will be spend on leisure and relaxation at the lodge or you can do any of the activities offered by the lodge at an additional cost.
Overnight Etosha Oberland Lodge (Chalet / All meals & local drinks)
Day 6 – ETOSHA – DAMARALAND
Distance – 344km / Approximate journey time 4.5hrs
Hopefully by now you will have seen everything the park has to offer and are ready to move on.
This morning after breakfast you will continue your safari to the heart of Namibia, Damaraland, traveling through farmlands and the small towns. Damaraland is typified by displays of colour, magnificent table topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation. The present-day landscape has been formed by the erosion of wind, water and geological forces which have formed rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains and ancient river terraces.
It is the variety and loneliness of the area as well as the scenic splendour which will reward and astound you, giving one an authentic understanding of the word ‘wilderness’.
Overnight Camp Kipwe (Bungalow x 1 (All meals, two activities & return Twyfelfontein transfer. )
Day 7 – DAMARALAND
Today you join on a scheduled morning activity, which departs after an early breakfast into the ephemeral Aba Huab River valley to explore this remarkable region and to search for game, especially the elusive desert adapted elephants if they are in the area with a lodge guide.
Damaraland is home to a variety of desert adapted wildlife and hidden desert treasures. Once you have explored the area to your hearts content, return to camp for lunch and a well-deserved siesta and enjoy a shared afternoon activity as offered by the lodge.
Overnight Camp Kipwe (Bungalow x 1 (All meals, two activities & return Twyfelfontein transfer. )
Day 8 – DAMARALAND – SWAKOPMUND
Distance – 325km / Approximate journey time 4-5hrs
After an early breakfast the drive today takes you south past Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg which peaks at 2,573m above sea level, and west to meet the coast at Henties Bay. You then continue south to the coastal town of Swakopmund where you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location and cooler coastal air for the night.
Should there be time this afternoon you can explore the town and wander along the waterfront on foot (just note that most shops and businesses close at lunchtime over weekends and public holidays), before heading off for dinner (on your own account) at a popular restaurant which specializes in locally harvested fresh seafood as well as other local and international dishes.
Overnight The Delight Hotel (Standard Twin Room / Bed & Breakfast)
Day 9 – SWAKOPMUND
Today is at your leisure to explore Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and surrounding areas. You may like to climb the coastal dunes at Langstrand or Dune 7, explore Swakopmund’s shops, cafe’s, museums and waterfront, or partake in any of the adventure activities on offer such as sand-boarding, boat cruises, kayaking, walking Foodie Tour, fatbike dune cycle tours and scenic flights (all at extra cost).
We recommend joining a morning dolphin and seal catamaran cruise or kayaking excursion on the Walvis Bay harbour and lagoon this morning, where you will see seals, pelicans, and flamingos amongst other marine life, and hopefully you will also see Heaviside and Bottlenose dolphins.
Another option would be to explore the desert area by taking part in the fascinating and informative “Living Desert Tour”. This Desert Tour concentrates on exploring the local dune belt between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, taking special care not to damage the gravel plains and cause any unnecessary damage to the dune eco-system.
Also highly recommended is a half or full day excursion into Sandwich Harbour, the most important wetlands and feeding area on the west coast of Southern Africa for many migratory birds.
Overnight The Delight Hotel (Standard Twin Room / Bed & Breakfast)
Day 10 – SWAKOPMUND – SOSSUSVLEI
Distance – 308km / Approximate journey time 4-5hrs
Today you leave the coast behind and head for the Sossusvlei region. The fascinating drive today takes you south-east through awesome and ever changing desert landscapes via the impressive Kuiseb and Gaub Canyons and through the dunes to the settlement of Solitaire.
Arrival should be in the late afternoon, with time to enjoy sundowners appreciating the unique desert surroundings.
Overnight The Desert Homestead (Chalet / Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)
OR
Overnight Camp Sossus (Twin Tent x 1, all meals, selected local drinks, shared camp activities & Sossusvlei fee. )
Day 11 – SOSSUSVLEI
This morning you will rise early for a magical shared excursion into the Namib Naukluft National Park, entering the Park gates at sunrise to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows accentuate their towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world.
Your local guide will give you an insight on the formation of the Namib Desert and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environs. Once you have explored the areas around Sossusvlei and Deadvlei to your hearts content you can enjoy a picnic in the shade of a camel thorn tree.
Return to your lodge in the early afternoon for a late lunch.
The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure (from experience, this is usually welcomed after an exhilarating morning in the dunes) or can be spent on another guided scheduled activity within the nature reserve as offered by the lodge at an additional cost.
Overnight The Desert Homestead (Chalet / Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)
OR
Overnight Camp Sossus (Twin Tent x 1, all meals, selected local drinks, shared camp activities & Sossusvlei fee. )
Day 12 – SOSSUSVLEI – KLEIN AUS VISTA
Distance – 400km / Approximate journey time 5-5.5hrs
(Optional Balloon Ride Excursion and at additional cost)
At sunrise, in the world’s oldest desert, witness a spectacular hot air balloon inflation, and set out on the flight of a lifetime.
From the best platform, in the most romantic way, soar with the winds for an hour, over the oceans of sand and mountains, endless vistas of shadows and lights. Your destination? The Sossusvlei dunes or the splendour of the desert.
At landing, you come back to earth with an “Out Of Africa” style Champagne breakfast set up in the middle of nowhere.
Your pilot will present you with a flight certificate before you take a leisurely nature drive back to the meeting point.
After breakfast the journey takes you further south through a section of the NamibRand Nature Reserve and the spectacular scenery of the Tiras Mountain Conservancy before arriving in the small town of Aus and its surrounds.
Overnight Eagle’s Nest Chalets (Chalet / Bed & Breakfast)
Day 13 – KLEIN AUS VISTA
It’s up early this morning after breakfast for a memorable and fascinating excursion through time to visit the historic ‘ghost’ diamond mining town of the Kolmanskop where the management of the whole “Forbidden” diamond area (Sperrgebiet) used to live.
This guided tour will give you an insight into the rich history of diamond mining in Namibia and the rise and fall of Kolmanskop where some of the machinery is still in use and which is no longer in production at all, as well as an idea of what everyday life in these settlements would have been like.
(Entrance fees payable direct at point of entry).
Overnight Eagle’s Nest Chalets (Chalet / Bed & Breakfast)
Day 14 – KLEIN AUS VISTA – KALAHARI
Distance – 400km / Approximate journey time 4-5hrs
After a leisurely breakfast you set off north making your way into the western Kalahari to reach the welcoming Kalahari Anib Lodge where you will spend 2 nights, en route you can visit the Quivertree Forest as well as the Giants Playground if these appeal, driving via the towns of Keetmanshoop and Mariental arriving in the mid-afternoon.
Overnight Kalahari Anib Lodge (Comfort Room / Bed & Breakfast)
Day 15 – KALAHARI – WINDHOEK
Distance – 284km / Approximate journey time 3-4hrs
After breakfast you depart from the Kalahari to Windhoek, driving north through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands. Upon your arrival in Windhoek, you will return your rental vehicle at Galton house before being transferred by road to Hosea Kutako International Airport to arrive in time for your ongoing international flight back home or to your overnight accommodation in Windhoek.
Send An Enquiry
Short Contact Form (NEW)
What Our Clients Say About Us...
In our commitment to excellence, we not only strive to exceed our clients’ expectations but also value their feedback. We are proud to present our latest clients’ feedback from Gamewatchers Safaris Clients posted on Trip Advisor.
What Our Clients Say About Us...
In our commitment to excellence, we not only strive to exceed our clients’ expectations but also value their feedback. We are proud to present our latest clients’ feedback from Gamewatchers Safaris clients posted on Trip Advisor.
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