The Ultimate Namibia Self-drive Experience

Summary

From price: NOK78,000

See the full digital itinerary with videos and a ton of photos here

Explore this magical county with your own wheels, enjoying some of the best sights and accommodation Namibia has to offer.

Starting and ending in Windhoek, the country’s capital, you’ll travel north to the legendary Etosha National Park for some wildlife spotting. Next you’ll drive in the direction of the Skeleton Coast, then turn south to Swakopmund.

Finally, it’s time for the incredible dunes of the Namib desert and the chance to climb “Big Daddy”…

Map

Rooms: 4Type: HotelLocation: Namibia

Rooms: 2Type: LodgeSpoken Languages: AfrikaansSpecial Interests: Adventure, Birding, Hiking, Nature, WildlifeLocation: Namibia

The Private Bush Suite is situated in the open Acacia thornveld within the secluded wilderness area of the Okonjima valley with a backdrop of the sandstone Omboroko Mountains. It is approximately 3.5km from the Plains Camp and 500m from the Bush Camp. Located on the edge of a natural waterhole, its two separate, luxury, en-suite bedrooms under a double-volume thatched roof can accommodate a family or group of four.

Rooms: 13Rating: Type: Safari LodgeSpoken Languages: Afrikaans, English, GermanSpecial Interests: Adventure, Birding, Gourmet, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, WineLocation: Namibia

Onguma The Fort is unlike any other, the only one of its kind in Namibia.

It is built in exactly the right spot to give guests probably one of the best sunset views in the whole of Namibia – overlooking the beautiful scarceness of the Etosha Pans, decorated only with its wild animals and hundreds of Camel Thorn trees.

Rooms: 3Rating: Type: Safari LodgeSpoken Languages: Afrikaans, EnglishSpecial Interests: Birding, Flora, Hiking, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Wildlife, WineLocation: Namibia

Designed for privacy, luxury and an intimacy with the land, Little Ongava is arguably Namibia’s most luxurious accommodation with pristine views across the Ongava plains.

Little Ongava is perched on the crest of a hill commanding magnificent vistas of the plains stretching for miles to the horizon, offering an extraordinary experience as the focal point of an Etosha journey.

This intimate camp has only three spacious suites each with its own plunge pool, en-suite bathroom, “sala”, and outdoor shower. The lounge and dining areas have wonderful views of a productive waterhole below the camp, the open deck allowing for relaxed, stylish dining under the African sky. Guests at Little Ongava share a dedicated guide and vehicle, ensuring the best possible nature experience at one of Africa’s great wildlife destinations. Day and night wildlife-viewing drives, visiting hides overlooking waterholes, walks and white rhino approaching with experienced guides can all be enjoyed exclusively on this reserve. Game drives and day trips into nearby Etosha National Park are also offered.

Rooms: 6Type: LodgeLocation: Namibia

Rooms: 125Rating: Type: HotelSpoken Languages: Afrikaans, English, GermanSpecial Interests: Adventure, Beach Coastal, Birding, Cycling, Fishing, Flora, Golf, Gourmet, Hiking, History Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Shopping, Sports, Watersports, WildlifeLocation: Namibia

With its extensive, unique and creatively entertaining Restaurants, Bars, Deli, Lobby-Lounge, Sea Facing Terraces, Beach Kiosk and state of the art Conference & Banqueting Center, all set on the Mole, a historic and iconic site surrounded by Ocean on three sides, the Strand Hotel Swakopmund is a social epicenter and destination in itself for all visitors to and residents of Swakopmund.

Its architectural inspiration finds its roots deep in Namibian-German history and reflects this in a tasteful contemporary manner. The interiors are residential in nature, and the brief to all designers involved was to create a non-hotel, hotel. One as charming and welcoming as the town it is located in. Simply very warm and comfortable, and as they say in German: “gemütlich” providing a genuine “sense-of-place” atmosphere adding to any Namibian visit.

Arriving at the Strand is a dramatic experience as one passes through its 13m high and 9m wide Ocean View Atrium which travels right through the Hotel offering sea views at either end. Off this Atrium Lobby is Reception, consisting of three individual desks and an inviting open fireplace which rounds off the residential feel and warm welcome.

Rooms: 11Type: Safari LodgeSpecial Interests: Flora, Hiking, Nature, Star GazingLocation: Namibia

Little Kulala is the closest luxury desert retreat to the famous, seen-from-space Sossusvlei dunes. Guests enjoy exclusive private concession access, and the camp’s location makes early morning dune visits (to see Sossusvlei at its best) very easy.

Eleven climate-controlled thatched ‘kulalas’ each have a private plunge pool, rooftop ‘star bed’ and luxury fittings including indoor and outdoor showers. In terms of colour and form, Little Kulala blends seamlessly into the desert landscape. Activities make the most of the solitude and stark beauty of the Namib Desert, with nature drives and guided walks revealing the majesty and mystery of the sand sea.

INSIDER'S TIP: Experience the desert from new heights… A hot air balloon ride provides awe-inspiring views of the dramatic scenery below.

Rooms: 4Type: HotelLocation: Namibia

Full Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1

Destination: WindhoekAccommodation: Hotel HeinitzburgType: Hotel

Day 2

Destination: Okonjima Nature ReserveAccommodation: Okonjima Bush SuiteType: Lodge

Day 3

Destination: Onguma Game ReserveAccommodation: Onguma The FortType: Safari Lodge

Day 4

Optional: morning and afternoon game drives into Etosha National Park with the Lodge. Onguma sunset drive on own Reserve.

Destination: Onguma Game ReserveAccommodation: Onguma The FortType: Safari Lodge

Day 5

Destination: Ongava Private Game ReserveAccommodation: Little OngavaType: Safari Lodge

Day 6

Optional: Petrified Forest on route to Lodge. Damara Living Museum, Organ pipes, burnt mountain and Twyfelfontein rock engraving site

Destination: TwyfelfonteinAccommodation: Mowani Mountain CampType: Lodge

Day 7

Destination: SwakopmundAccommodation: Strand Hotel SwakopmundType: Hotel

Day 8

Destination: SwakopmundAccommodation: Strand Hotel SwakopmundType: Hotel

Day 9

Destination: SossusvleiAccommodation: Little KulalaType: Safari Lodge

Day 10

Guided drive to Sossusvlei, nature drives (day and night) on the Reserve, guided walks and quad biking activities are included in your stay.

Destination: SossusvleiAccommodation: Little KulalaType: Safari Lodge

Day 11

Drop off vehicle on arrival in Windhoek, rental agency will transfer guests to their accommodation.

Destination: WindhoekAccommodation: Hotel HeinitzburgType: Hotel

Included / Not Included

Included

Included:

Accommodation as stated

Meals as stated

Vehicle

Includes for vehicles on SEC cover
Unlimited kilometres

2 Drivers

Collision damage waiver

Theft loss waiver

VAT

Where applicable camping equipment

Super Excess Cover (SEC) includes glass and tyre damages. If an accident occurs and it is not caused by the renter, the excess will be Zero.

Excluded

Excluded:

Meals other than specified

Additional activities

Entrance fees to National parks

Fuel

Alcoholic beverages

Soft drinks & bottled water

Personal travel insurance and items of a personal nature

International flights

Airport taxes

Excludes for vehicle

Blocked deposit of N$2000.00.
Rates exclude: Fuel, tyre, lights, windscreen and damages. Delivery and collection fee. Additional driver (3rd+) fees (20.00 N$ per day per person). Over border permit fees of 500.00 N$ per country. Excess options. Handling Fee of 450.00 N$ for damages. Traffic tickets. 50.00 N$ contract fee (stamp duty) Contract Fee. Water and under carriage damage. Tow in charges where damage was caused by negligent driving. Roof or Body damages not caused by accident/collision.

General: Rentals are subject to the standard rental conditions as described on the current brochure and rental agreement. Driver minimum age is 23 and maximum age is 70 years. Only accept driving licenses in English or international driving licenses. The Renter must have a valid credit card for the excess deposit. (Visa or Master Card only). Early returns are not refundable. Rental charges are calculated from the time the vehicle reserved. Late collections are not credited. Night driving outside of towns is not allowed.

Should an accident however occur, where no other vehicle or animal is involved, the excess will be payable by the renter. Every damage caused by the renter is payable up to the excess amount. Car accessories and camping equipment are not insured. If vehicle is damaged due to negligence, the full damage value is payable. Replacement vehicle: In case of an accident the renter has to sign a new contract, new excess, has to pay the rent for the remaining days and the tow in costs. The security of the excess chosen is required by credit card on collection of the vehicle. Insurance conditions and excesses may be changed without prior notice.