Self Drive Safaris
18 Days
Although we do not advise visitors to organize their own tour off the beaten tracks, we hereby propose an adapted alternative for the most independent travellers...
Discover Namibia's Etosha National Park, Twyfelfontein, the coast and the highest dunes in the world driving your own rental vehicle in total freedom. However, during your journey, we will assist you with our 4X4 support to enable you to access the wildest and most remote parts of the country. You will have the secure advantage of having a guide, avoiding any logistical inconvenience, and will be free to discover the magnificent landscapes of Namibia, its inhabitants and the free roaming wildlife of the Northwest.
Arrival at Windhoek International Airport. Transfer to the rental agency. Meet and greet. You will be given all your necessary documents (road book, voucher, maps...) for your Namibian self drive tour. Your rented vehicle is a Toyota Hilux 4X4 or similar, fully equipped for camping. You will be staying overnight in a guesthouse on a B&B basis.
During these two days, you will search for wildlife in the Etosha National Park which 22 270 km2. You will camp overnight at Namutoni, Halali and/or Okaukuejo depending on the availability. Park entrance fees to be paid on arrival. You will discover aboard your vehicle the numerous waterholes where animals gather.
Optional: overnight in chalet, price on request.
Today you will transit through the western part of the park in search of more elusive wild animals like elands, Hartmann zebras and black rhinos. You will set up camp at Olifantsrus in the middle of the African bush.
Optional: overnight at Dolomite Camp, price on request.
Last game drive in Etosha before you exit the park at Galton Gate. A long drive towards Opuwo takes you to Opuwo Country Lodge, situated on top of a hill. This is where you will meet with your guide who is going to escort you for a week around the wildest places of Kaokoland (refer to paragraph: logistic). Briefing while at dinner at the lodge.
During these two days, we will go deep into Kaokoland – the territory of the Himbas, semi nomadic herders. The progression with our 4X4's is getting more challenging. This itinerary, from the beginning to the end, crosses a grandiose semi-arid landscape before we reach the Marienfluss on the way to Hartmanns Valley.
We reach Hartmann's Valley through a track crossing the mountains and discover an astonishing landscape, composed of red dunes and granite rocks. At the end of the valley, we will admire the Kunene River, which flows between the sands of the Namib Desert and the arid mountains on the Angolan side. Staying overnight in bivouac with a beautiful view over the Kunene River, the Skeleton Coast and the Serra Cafema mountains in Angola.
Optional stay in an exclusive lodge at Serra Cafema, price on request.
We leave Hartmann's Valley driving on a track along the Skeleton Coast National Park where we may observe oryx on top of Barchans dunes cooling off in the sea breeze. We will set up camp in the desert near the Khumib River. Still heading south, we will reach the Hoarusib riverbed then drive in a beautiful canyon where we may encounter our first desert elephants. The track takes us to Purros, a village surrounded by sands where Himba and Herero have settled. We will overnight at Purros community campsite.
We drive through an arid plateau before Hoanib, an ephemeral river where we will be searching for the famous desert adapted elephants. This is where we have the opportunity to see the holes made by elephants in search for water. Tonight we will be camping in the wilderness for the last time.
We are back on the roads near Sesfontein and the Omanda Desert & Wildlife Tours guide will return to Windhoek. On your own again you drive towards Palmwag lodge. Overnight in bungalows, dinner at the restaurant.
Check-in for 2 nights in a standard hotel at Swakopmund, breakfast included. Many optional activities can be booked: a visit to Cape Cross (hosting a colony of 100 000 seals), a scenic flight over the Namib Desert Dunes, marine day cruise in Walvis Bay Lagoon, fishing, quad biking and more ...
Staying in an exclusive accommodation overnight is optional (price on request).
Drive across the Namib Naukluft Park via Kuiseb Canyon and Solitaire. You will stay 2 nights at Sesriem campsite located in the park. The next day is dedicated to the highest dunes in the world. Staying in the park gives you the advantage of leaving very early in the morning to discover the mystical Dead Vlei and Sossusvlei at sunrise. Park fees to be paid at the entrance.
Staying in a lodge overnight is optional (price on request).
Driving back towards the capital of Namibia. Overnight in a guesthouse in Windhoek, bed and breakfast included. Staying in an exclusive accommodation overnight is optional (price on request).
Return of the rental vehicle in Windhoek, Namibia. Transfer to the airport according to flight departure.
Please take note that most of this itinerary occurs across wild areas that are sometimes difficult to access. Some dirt roads and general conditions of travel might be tiring. Therefore, we advise participants to be in good health. For security reasons, we are equipped with satellite communication.
Rented vehicle 4X4 Toyota Hi-Lux double cab or similar fully equipped for camping, air-conditioning, CD-radio player, unlimited kilometers, 80% insurance cover. Excess and additional insurances to be settled with Visa or Master card, conditions on request.
Roof tent/s with mattress, sleeping bags and pillows. Table and chairs. 12v fridge, barbecue grid, 1 water container, 1 gas cylinder and light. Crockery, cutlery & cooking pots.
Fully equipped 4X4 vehicle driven by a professional tour leader. Full board catering. Concessions fees and camping sites included. We supply communication radios and a satellite phone in case of an emergency.
This 18 days / 17 nights tour is composed of:
Meals at your own expenses day 1 to 5 then 12 to 18
Breakfast included day 1, 13, 14 & 17. Dinner included day 5 with your guide.
Your guide will serve you well-cooked fresh meals on a full board basis during back up logistic day 6 to 11.
Continental breakfast
Lunch supplied with salads, cold meat, cheese, bread and fruits ...
Excellent meals prepared and cooked on the fire for dinner.
We will supply drinkable water, tea and coffee while camping. Table and extra drinks (as well as mineral water) are at your own cost.
Price on request.
Please contact us for special requests at info@omandatours.com, Namibia