12 Day Namibia Highlights Self-Drive
Tour Overview
You could spend a lifetime exploring Namibia, a country of immense beauty, striking contrasts, and ancient landscapes. Our Namibia Highlights Self-Drive itinerary brings together the very best of this extraordinary destination, guiding you on a journey of discovery that includes the towering dunes of Sossusvlei in Namib-Naukluft Park, the windswept shores of the Skeleton Coast, the dramatic wilderness of Damaraland, and the wildlife-rich plains of Etosha National Park.
Stretching for more than 1,500 km along the Atlantic and reaching up to 200 km inland, the Namib Desert is the oldest desert on Earth. Its diverse scenery ranges from the iconic Great Sand Sea of Sossusvlei with its apricot-coloured dunes to the otherworldly Skeleton Coast, a place of shifting sand, fog-shrouded mornings, scattered shipwrecks, and stark, haunting beauty. This surreal stretch of coastline north of Swakopmund offers a glimpse into the dramatic natural forces that have shaped Namibia over millennia.
Further inland lies Damaraland, a rugged expanse of rocky outcrops, dry riverbeds, and vast open plains. This region is home to remarkable desert-adapted wildlife, including elephant, black rhino, and lion, alongside hardy plains game that have evolved to thrive in this challenging environment. The scenery is equally captivating—sculpted mountains, ancient valleys, and sweeping vistas that capture the essence of wild, untamed Africa.
Your journey concludes in Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations. Here, animals gather at waterholes throughout the day, creating a rich tapestry of game viewing as multiple species converge in one place. Lion, elephant, and several endemic antelope species are frequently seen, and with more than 46 species of raptors alone, birding opportunities are exceptional. Whether watching predators resting under acacia shade or herds of plains game moving across the shimmering pan, Etosha offers some of the most memorable wildlife encounters in Namibia.
Tour Highlights
- Dead Vlei, Dune 45, Big Daddy & Sesriem Canyon in Sossussvlei
- Cross the Tropic of Capricorn
- Kuiseb Canyon
- Wide range of optional coastal activities available in Swakopmund
- Explore the Skeleton Coast
- Cape Cross seal colony
- Twyfelfontein’s UNESCO World Heritage rock engravings, Organ Pipes & Burnt Mountain
- Safari in Etosha National Park
- Explore the markets and cafes of Windhoek
Day Overview
DAY 1: Windhoek
On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to the car rental office in Windhoek to complete formalities, followed by a briefing and collection of your travel documents. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore, and optional guided city tours can be arranged. This evening, enjoy dinner at one of Windhoek’s popular restaurants—Joe’s Beerhouse is a favourite with both locals and visitors.
DAYS 2–3: Sossusvlei
After breakfast, collect any last-minute supplies before driving south via the scenic Spreetshoogte or Remhoogte Pass to your lodge near Sossusvlei for a two-night stay. The next morning, rise early to spend the full day exploring the highlights of Sossusvlei, including Dead Vlei, Dune 45, Big Daddy, Elim Dune, and Sesriem Canyon. You may return to the lodge for lunch or enjoy a picnic in the dunes. Optional activities include hot-air ballooning and nature drives.
DAYS 4–5: Swakopmund
Depart after breakfast and travel north to Solitaire, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn and passing through the Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons toward the coast. You may route via Walvis Bay or detour through the Welwitschia Plains and Moon Landscape. With a full day in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, enjoy optional activities such as dolphin cruises, Sandwich Harbour excursions, dune quad biking, sandboarding, or sea kayaking. Evenings can be spent dining at one of the many seaside restaurants—the Jetty 1905 and The Tug come highly recommended.
DAYS 6–7: Twyfelfontein
Travel north along the Skeleton Coast, stopping at the Lichen Fields, a shipwreck near Wlotzkasbaken, and the impressive Cape Cross seal colony. Continue inland to Twyfelfontein, where you can explore Namibia’s “Open Air Museum,” including the famed rock engravings, Organ Pipes, Burnt Mountain, and the Damara Living Museum. You may also take a 4×4 excursion into the Huab River in search of desert-adapted elephants and other wildlife.
DAY 8: Etosha South
After breakfast, head east via the Petrified Forest to Outjo and continue to your lodge near Etosha’s Anderson Gate. If time allows, enter the park for an afternoon game drive. Stop at Okaukuejo to pay park fees and pick up drinks, snacks, and an Etosha map before exploring the park’s numerous waterholes, home to prolific wildlife including elephants, lions, giraffes, and abundant plains game.
DAYS 9–10: Etosha East
Spend these days exploring Etosha in depth. Travel across the park from west to east, stopping at various waterholes for excellent wildlife sightings. Enjoy a relaxed pace with opportunities for full-day or split morning/afternoon self-drive game drives, or book an optional guided open-vehicle safari through your lodge. Etosha’s vast plains and diverse wildlife promise exceptional game viewing.
DAY 11: Windhoek
Drive back to Windhoek, enjoying the changing scenery as you leave the bush behind. Return your rental vehicle on arrival before checking in to your accommodation. The afternoon is free to relax, shop for crafts, or enjoy a final dinner in the city—an ideal moment to reflect on your journey before your onward or next-day flight.
DAY 12: Departure
You will be transferred to the airport at the agreed time for your flight home or onward travel.
Key Facts
Starts: Windhoek, Namibia
Ends: Windhoek, Namibia
Meals: 11 Breakfasts, 8 Dinners
Travel Style: Mid-Range Comfort
Tour Type: Self-Drive
Transport: 4×4 Toyota Hilux or Similar
Validity: Year Round
Includes
Excludes
- International flights into and out of Windhoek
- Visa Fees
- Tips
- Travel Insurance (Essential)
- Items of a Personal Nature
- Drinks/Meals not stated
- Optional Activities
Dates
Available Year Round
