This exciting self-drive adventure is ideal for families who enjoy the outdoors and want to encounter the best of African wildlife. Perfect for families and friends to travel together and experience an unforgettable adventure.
- Watch sunrise in the Namib Desert
- 'Seal' kayaking or dolphin cruising along the Atlantic coast!
- Wildlife safaris in Etosha National Park!
- Explore Twyfelfontein and 'The Giant's Playground'!
- Fully-equipped 2x4 off-road camping vehicle
Self-driving using a double-cab 2x4 off-road vehicle, you explore the country in comfort and safety. Travelling with 'pop-up' roof top tents and carrying all cooking and camping equipment, you'll travel as a self-contained family unit with a sense of independence and complete freedom to break your journeys and stop off at sites en route whenever you like, but secure in the knowledge that you're fully supported from the UK and have access to in-country back-up.
Each day of the itinerary will offer a new adventure and unforgettable shared family experience, as you travel around the key regions of the country and witness the very best Namibia offers.
In the south of the country you can watch the sunrise over the Namib Desert from one of the world's highest sand dunes before heading to the Skeleton Coast in search of dolphins and Cape fur seals. In the central bushlands, you will explore Damaraland – one of the most spectacular regions of the country - and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein. In the north of the country you visit Etosha National Park where you can expect to encounter all the typical plains game including zebra, giraffe, elephant and rhino - in addition to the key predators of lion and possibly (if you're very lucky) cheetah and leopard.
This trip is also available as a 16 or 21-day itinerary, and with a glamping option. Speak to our friendly team to enquire.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1: Depart UK
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Day 2: Arrive Windhoek
You will be met by our local supplier and taken to your first night's accommodation. Depending on your flight schedule, it may be possible to collect your self-drive vehicle today.
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Day 3: Self-drive to Kalahari
Your first journey is designed to be an easy drive on a single tarred road - the only main road, in fact - that leads to the south of the country.
The route will head out of the city and across the Khomas Hochland - a high rolling plateau - that offers a true sense of the size and emptiness of Namibia.
Arriving in mid-afternoon, you will be able to set up your tents, create camp, familiarise yourself with all the equipment of your vehicle and prepare your evening camp meal on the braai.
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Day 4: Self-drive to the Namib Desert
Your journey to the Namib Desert takes you south-west towards the Naukluft Mountains where you encounter outstanding views across the flat lands, as you finally descend to sea level and head towards the Namib Desert.
There are many viewpoints that you can stop at for a picnic lunch, or you can stop at the tiny town of Solitaire where there is a fuel station, an excellent bakery and restaurant and a selection of classic car relics!
From Solitaire, it's a relatively short journey to Sesriem - the gateway to the Namib Desert - where you will set up for your camp.
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Day 5: Dune 45 & Dead Vlei
A pre-dawn start is essential this morning in order to catch the soft light of sunrise on the desert. This is the time to experience the colours of the desert at their very best!
To witness one of the most dramatic and memorable sights in Namibia, we recommend that you first stop at Dune 45, one of the largest sand dunes in the country and watch the sun rise over the desert - an incredible sight.
After picnic breakfast at Dune 45 you continue your journey on to Sossusvlei and the site of Dead Vlei.
Once there, you explore the central areas of the desert by foot - for the most spectacular views over the desert, you may wish to climb 'Big Daddy' the largest dune in the area which provides a bird's-eye view into Dead Vlei itself.
Your next stop, the Sesreim Canyon, is best visited during the late afternoon when the temperatures are cooler, allowing you to enjoy the short walk through the canyon before sunset begins.
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Day 6: Self-drive to the Atlantic Coast
Leaving the dune fields behind, your route returns to the mountainous desert area, passes through Solitaire once more (stopping at the bakery - of course!) and then across the Tropic of Capricorn (pausing for an important family photo!).
From here your journey continues northwards with many scenic viewpoints to stop at en-route - especially at the Gaub and the Kuiseb pass, where you carefully drive down to the dry riverbed at the bottom of the canyons before climbing up the other side and then marvel at how the spectacular desert landscape unfolds before you.
If time allows, you can head to the edge of the Walvis Bay Lagoon where you can view an abundance of coastal bird species including pelican. However, the main attraction is the enormous colony of greater and lesser flamingos which reside in the lagoon during Namibia's winter months.
From Walvis Bay, it is just a very quick journey to Swakopmund.
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Day 7: Optional activities / leisure day
Today you can choose from a variety of optional morning activities such as 'seal' kayaking – where you can expect to experience close up interaction with playful Cape fur seals or a dolphin cruise around Pelican Point, where you may hopefully see any of the three different types of dolphins; Heaviside’s, dusky and Atlantic bottlenose.
Having enjoyed a morning activity, the afternoon can be spent relaxing and exploring the town. There's an excellent small museum which is well worth a visit, as is the town's aquarium. Alternatively, you may just wish to relax and unwind at your accommodation, do some shopping or head to one of the excellent restaurants.
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Day 8: Self-drive to Damaraland
Leaving Swakopmund after breakfast, you take the northern coastal road and drive beside the beaches of the Skeleton Coast - pausing to view the remnants of wrecked boats - to the seal colony at Cape Cross, where thousands of Cape fur seals can be viewed (and smelled!).
Travelling towards the small old mining town of Uis you will pass many gemstone stalls - and Uis itself is one of the best places to buy semi-precious stones, for which Namibia is famous. From Uis you will pass the Brandberg Massif which (at 2,573 metres) is the highest point of the country and an ancient spiritual site for the native Bushman.
You then enter an incredible landscape affectionately known as The Giant's Playground, where the landscape is as dramatic as it is beautiful.
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Day 9: Visit Twyfelfontein
Twyfelfontein is one of the most culturally important sites in the entire country. This rocky site situated in the Kunene Region of north-western Namibia contains some 2,500 rock engravings on over 200 slabs of rock - one of the largest and most important concentrations of rock art in Africa.
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Day 10: Self-drive to Etosha National Park
You'll want to start your journey after breakfast, as there's bound to be plenty of excitement about reaching Etosha National Park.
Heading due east, you drive out of Damaraland to reach the central bushlands of the country - again keeping your eye out for birdlife and animals en-route.
The town of Outjo is the perfect stopping point for refuelling your vehicle and re-stocking your supplies before making the short journey to reach the southern gate of Etosha National Park.
As soon as you have completed your entry formalities at the gate, you enter the park itself so keep an eye out for wildlife - your safari starts here!
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Days 11-12 : Etosha National Park
You have two full days of self-drive safaris, to explore the various routes that Etosha offers its visitors.
The self-drive routes are simple to follow and use well-made gravel-graded roads that lead into the bush and beside the salt pans where you can hope to see a huge variety of animals.
The waterholes are most active during the morning, when countless animals emerge from the relative safety of the bush to quench their thirst. If you wish to try and observe predators, a sunrise start is required - when the gates of your campsite open - the coolest part of the day.
Returning to camp for lunch and a rest is definitely recommended, before heading out into the park again in the mid-to-late afternoon. But don't feel that you always have to be out in the park to view the wildlife – your camping site also has a very popular waterhole which attracts many animals.
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Day 13: Morning safari in Etosha & return to Windhoek
The journey back to Windhoek is simple and we suggest rising early and spending a couple of hours enjoying one last safari in Etosha, before making your way to exit the park.
Leaving Etosha, a tarred road takes you all the way back to the capital.
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Day 14: Return to UK
Today is your last day in Namibia, and you will need to arrive at the airport approximately three hours before your flight departure time.
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Day 15: Arrive UK
Please note: We also provide a glamping option if you would prefer, contact us to find out more.
Duration and Guide Prices
- Age Guide: 10+
- Itinerary Type: Tailor-made Holiday
When To Go
View dates and prices-
Easter
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Summer
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Oct
Our Tailor-made Holidays
Our tailor-made trip ideas can be adapted to suit your requirements. Contact our experts for a personalised itinerary.
Next Steps
Dates & Prices
Our trip ideas are flexible and can be offered during the date ranges below, on a date of your choice. To book, make a no obligation booking request with your preferred departure date or enquire to find out more.
| Daily Departures | Prices Per Person From
(Exc. Flights) |
Prices Per Person From
(Inc. Flights) |
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| Year | From | To | Duration | Adult price, excluding flights, from | Child price, excluding flights, from | Duration | Adult price, including flights, from | Child price, including flights, from | Options |
| 2026 | 1 Jun | 1 Aug | 13 days | £1,895 | £895 | 15 days | £3,295 | £2,195 | Book or Enquire |
| 2026 | 1 Oct | 31 Oct | 13 days | £1,895 | £895 | 15 days | £3,295 | £2,295 | Book or Enquire |
For alternative dates, please contact us. We may be in the process of finalising further departures and are often able to tailor a holiday for you according to your own requirements.
Kindly note that we prepare our prices several months ahead of travel dates, and our flight-inclusive prices are provided as a general indication, based upon flight costs at the time of publication. Your quotation may vary, based upon the prices of flights (and the availability) at the time of your enquiry.
