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Classic Namibia Self-Drive

16 days from £3480pp

Lion in Etosha

This self-drive itinerary works so well to see the key highlights of Namibia with jaw-droppingly beautiful scenery, phenomenal wildlife, fascinating geological features, and an array of superb activities. Take it easy, go your own pace and enjoy the circular route around the country with plenty of time to explore as you go.

All of the itineraries that you see on our website are samples of what is possible, every holiday that we operate is completely tailor-made to your requirements, likes and dislikes. Just let us know your ideas when getting in touch and we will craft your plans around these, get your feedback, and keep working on it until everything is perfect.

Tour Highlights

  • Explore the iconic dunes of Sossusvlei, the intriguing Sesriem canyon and the stunning dead vlei.
  • Time in Swakopmund to relax and enjoy the seemingly endless possible activities including kayaking with seals, catamaran cruises and quad or electric bike trips into the surrounding dunes.
  • Fascinating culture, geological formations and incredible desert adapted wildlife of Damaraland.
  • Enjoy self-guided and guided safaris with some of the best wildlife concentrations in Africa in the incredible Etosha National Park including lion, rhino, elephant and giraffe.
  • Spend time at the superb Okonjima reserve, track leopard and brown hyena and learn about the Africat Foundation.  

Price includes:

  • International flights
  • Private transfer on arrival
  • Fully inclusive Ford Ranger 4WD with zero damage excess
  • Local representative meeting for itinerary run through
  • Road map of Namibia with highlighted directions
  • Cool box, first aid kit and local mobile phone
  • All accommodation as mentioned
  • Breakfast throughout
  • In country and 24-hour UK support
Make an enquiry
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Day 1 - Overnight flight from the UK.

Depart from the UK for your flight to Windhoek airport. There is a huge range of airlines and routes available, please let us know your preferences when getting in touch.

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Day 2 - Private transfer on arrival. Car hire delivery, meet with local agent. Overnight Windhoek.

On arrival in Windhoek, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. Stay overnight in Windhoek – this allows you to settle in and relax after your overnight flights, and for your itinerary briefing and vehicle to be delivered. We can suggest some great places to eat out tonight!

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Day 3 - Drive South to Sesriem (home to Sossusvlei).

Your Namibian journey begins with a drive South to Sossusvlei. Enjoy the first 120km on tarmac before the roads turn to gravel...

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...Cross mountain passes and enjoy the evolving scenery as you head further South. This afternoon, head out on afternoon activities from you lodge (these may include mountain drives, explorations of the Sesriem Canyon, or even sunset horse rides) or head out to explore under your own steam.

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Day 4 - Exploring Sossusvlei, the Deadvlei and the surrounding area.

An early rise is recommended today to best experience the changing dune colours within the National Park. Whether you decide to benefit from a guide’s expert commentary or tackle the dunes of Big Daddy and Dune 45 under your own steam, you are in for a truly memorable morning...

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...Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife adapted to this extreme environment as you go, for example, oryx, ostrich, zebra, impala, and springbok to name a few. For those wanting a view of the dunes from a unique perspective ask us about hot air ballooning (for an additional cost). In the afternoon, relax at your lodge or visit the Canyon, Elim dune or the famous fairy circles.

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Day 5 - Drive from Sossusvlei to Swakopmund.

This is undoubtedly, the longest drive on the itinerary, with highlights along the way including crossing the Tropic of Capricorn line...

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...Don’t forget a stop at Namibia’s smallest town for a slice of apple pie, made famous by Ewan McGregor in his book ‘A Long Way Down’ - the bakery has changed hands now, but the quality remains! Approaching Walvis Bay, choose the coastal road for phenomenal scenery as Namibia’s largest sand dunes meet the sea. Use the afternoon to stroll around the quaint town of Swakopmund, before dining in one of the town’s excellent restaurants.

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Day 6 - Explore Swakopmund and the surrounding area

Swakopmund these days has a thriving arts and cultural scene, with plenty of art galleries and streetside cafes, however, for most travellers the real appeal of a stay here (apart from a needed break between Sossusvlei and Damaraland) are the areas to explore just outside it...

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...Ask us about catamaran cruises, kayaking with the seal population at Pelican Point, living desert tours and visits to explore Sandwich Harbour. For those travelling with younger family members, there are plenty of activities to get the adrenaline pumping, primarily quad-biking, sandboarding and fat biking across the dunes.

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Day 7 - Day at leisure to enjoy activities in and around Swakopmund

There is a huge range of activities in and around Swakopmund, from Kayaking with seals to quad biking over sand dunes and even sky diving! If you would like any help arranging activities just let us know, we are more than happy to give some advice and take care of bookings for you.

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Day 8 - Drive from Swakopmund to Damaraland.

Damaraland itself can be split into two diverse regions, so we’d suggest a discussion as to which appeals most for you (or we can include both!). Head first up the coastal road, with a potential detour to Cape Cross, home of a huge fur seal population, before heading through Erongo enroute to Damaraland...

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...You can explore some of the sights on the way or make your way straight to your accommodation to settle in and enjoy the sunset over this beautiful part of Namibia.

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Day 9 - Day at leisure to enjoy and explore Damarland.

This is an incredible opportunity to view ancient rock art from tribal life thousands of years ago, whilst passing through communities still very much resident in the area today – some tribes have set up living museums to educate visitors into their way of life...

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...From a wildlife enthusiast’s perspective, Damaraland offers the chance to track desert adapted elephant as well as rhino, and birding here is superb. A two night stay is highly recommended to make the most of your time in the region.

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Day 10 - Drive from Damaraland to Etosha.

We’d suggest hitting the road right after breakfast, to enjoy the drive onwards to Etosha National Park and arrive in good time before heading into the National Park for your first safari experience this afternoon...

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...Depending on where you are staying, choose between a guided game drive in the park, or on the concession if you are staying on one, or driving yourselves into the park. Etosha is ideally suited for self-driving, with well-marked roads, a vast array of waterholes, and helpful maps!

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Days 11-12 - Game drives in Etosha National Park.

Time spent on safari – either split into morning and afternoon game drives, or whole game drives within the National Park (take a packed lunch for maximum flexibility)...

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...Etosha (meaning ‘Great White Place’) is seasonal, meaning the quantity of wildlife you’ll see is dependent on the recent rain received. As the dry season continues, sightings continue to build, peaking with incredible sighting opportunities throughout July – October as the wildlife flocks to the man made waterholes built throughout the park.

For those staying inside the park and on concessions, night game drives are available, though simply sitting at waterholes by the lodges can be equally rewarding! For a true Etosha experience we’d recommend splitting your time between lodges on differing sides of the park.

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Day 13 - Driving onwards to Okonjima, home of the Africat Foundation.

Time for a final quick game drive this morning, or simply drive South (the road returns to tarmac which is welcome) and into the Central Highlands. Enjoy a two night stay at the Africat Foundation, famous for it’s pioneering conservation work for big cats. Arrive in time for afternoon tracking activities.

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Day 14 - Day to enjoy morning and afternoon activities from Okonjima

A relaxed day today – either enjoying both morning and afternoon activities – these include tracking of either hyena or leopard with the researchers based at Africat, or perhaps visiting the day centre for a further insight into the important work being achieved...

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...At 16,500 hectares, the reserve is also home to plains game including giraffe, zebra, eland, kudu and springbok, and though the leopard’s are radio collared to aid with the research efforts, there are no absolute guarantees that there will be sightings.
If you’d like to finish your Namibia adventure somewhere other than the Africat Foundation, ask us for suggestions, including the Waterberg Plateau, Erongo Mountains, elsewhere in the Central Highlands, or even simply a night in Windhoek itself.

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Day 15 - Drive from Okonjima to Windhoek airport for your departing flight. Overnight flight back to the UK.

Depending on your flight time there may be time this morning for one last activity from Okonjima or you can have a leisurely morning before making your way to Windhoek airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.

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Day 16 - Arrive back into the UK

Arrive back into the UK and then start planning your next adventure!

Get in touch now.

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Example accommodation options for this itinerary

Sossusvlei

Desert Homestead

3.5 Star. Lovely little lodge about 20-minutes from the park gate.

Sossusvlei Lodge

4 Star. Larger lodge with excellent facilities and super location.

Hoodia Desert Lodge

Star. Stunning surroundings with very comfortable rooms.

Little Kulala

5 Star. Absolute luxury and superb staff with the best location.

Swakopmund

Swakopmund Guesthouse

3 Star. Lovely little guesthouse with a good location just minutes from the beach.

Cornerstone Guesthouse

4 Star. Small owner run guesthouse with excellent service and super staff.

Cornerstone Apartments

4 Star. Great self-catering options, very comfortable and convenient.

The Strand

4.5 Star. Large and luxurious option with extensive facilities and superb location.

Damaraland

Twyfelfontein Country Lodge

3.5 Star. Superb location on the lake shore and a fantastic all round lodge.

Camp Kipwe

3.5 Star. Large tented rooms with a lovely riverside location, super value.

Mowani Mountain Camp

4 Star. Large camp with comfortable rooms and great facilities.

Doro Nawas

4.5 Star. Luxurious tented camp in a remote area. Absolutely superb.

Erongo and the Central Highlands

Waterberg Wilderness Lodge

3 Star. Great location with lovely gardens, super value for money.

Ai Aiba Lodge

4 Star. Beautiful lodge, fantastic staff and great activities.

Spitzkoppen Lodge

4 Star. High standards throughout with a stunning location.

Okonjima Plains Camp

4 Star. Fantastic private reserve with excellent activities and wildlife.

Windhoek

Galton House

3 Star. Lovely little guesthouse with a nice central location, clean, comfortable and great value.

Elegant Guesthouse

4 Star. High standard of accommodation with lovely staff and great facilities.

Olive Exclusive

5 Star. The top accommodation choice for Windhoek. High standards throughout, superb.

Testimonials

Carole
Emma organised our flights and Safaris perfectly in the three Camps in Botswana, just as we wished. The welcome and friendliness of the staff in all of the Camps and the accommodation couldn't have been bettered. In Rra Dinare, Zulu our guide and Sarah our tracker, in Xakanaxa, Kitty our guide and driver and in Camp Okavango, Vee our guide; they all went out of their way to ensure that we had wonderful animal sightings and the best experience. We would absolutely highly recommend Speke Travel.
Sarah
What an amazing experience
We spent a lot of time trying to plan our ‘once in a lifetime’ family holiday to Tanzania and needed some expert advice. We found Tim at Speke Travel as part of a Google search and he really made our trip an unforgettable experience. The support and expert knowledge given by Tim transformed a great trip into the most unbelievable experience that we will treasure forever. There is always going to be an element of luck on what you see on safari, however, getting the right trip planned will always help. The quality of the route, the safari guide and the camps/hotels that Tim planned meant we were given the best possibilities to see what we wanted ….. and so much more, it was mind-blowing. Throughout the whole process, we were very specific about what we wanted to do and Tim could not have been more helpful, nothing was too much trouble and he worked with us until we had the perfect trip arranged. The booking could not have been simpler and it was never a problem to ask Tim questions and make changes. Tim’s knowledge and enthusiasm for Africa is exceptional and set him apart from the competition, giving us complete confidence. For anyone looking for an African adventure we would highly recommend Tim and Speke Travel.
Karen Rowe
Zimbabwe/Botswana Safari
I recently went on a safari with a group of friends that was tailor made by Tim to fit a budget and ensure that we had a true African safari experience. The entire trip was amazing …everything went to plan with no hitches. We had three different locations over a period of ten days and each one gave a different experience that will never be forgotten…his expertise and knowledge made the trip one of the most amazing holidays I’ve ever had.
Diana
The experience was amazing
The 10day experience was amazing! From Johannesburg to Honeyguide Mantobeni safaris, Cape Town highlights to wine tasting in Stellenboch-all transfers were seamless. Speke has a strong network with South Africa!
Carol
We couldn’t have done it without Speke Travel
Tim Parry was our advisor, and he was a true professional with the experience required to navigate an African Safari for two couples traveling together but had some different needs. He was patient, thorough, informative, knowledgeable, and sensitive to the type of travel and experience we were looking for. He made us feel comfortable asking very basic questions and provided a wealth of information on a variety of subjects. He was quick to respond to our queries, and you could tell that he took time to answer our questions. The travel documents were detailed and organized. While there are many travel arrangements we can all do ourselves these days, Africa is huge and the experiences are unlimited, and we would not have been able to plan and execute this trip without Tim.
Bonnie Fair
The Trip of a Lifetime from Tim Parry at Speke Travel
Tim Parry at Speke Travel designed the trip of a lifetime for us in Tanzania with Asilia Africa. He responded to our many, many emails within a day (we are in California, USA, he's in the UK) in spite of our very different time zones. His advice and recommendations were all excellent, and we followed all of them. We can't imagine working with anyone who could have been more helpful and sincere in their effort to give us the best trip at the best price. We are forever grateful to have found him and highly recommend him to anyone seeking a safari in Africa. He is nothing less than outstanding as a travel agent.
Jim Kavanagh
The trip to Tanzania for a family of 6…
The trip to Tanzania for a family of 6 wasn’t easy to organise but Tim from Speke managed to get a bit of everything into the trip. Great organisation and plenty of dialog to create the trip. Thoroughly recommend the Speke team.
Andrew
Three Trips with Speke Tim at Speke really understands the…
Tim at Speke really understands the type of trip that you want, has excellent knowledge of the region and finds the route and type of accommodation that meets both expectations, timescales and budget.
Jane Cotton
Excellent service from start to finish – true experts!
A friend recommended Speke Travel to us as they'd had a number of fantastic experiences. They did not disappoint! Tim Parry planned a 3 week adventure in Tanzania and Zanzibar for our family of 5. He has a wealth of knowledge about the country and was able to tailor our itinerary to suit our preferences and our budget. It was just amazing to have every single detail taken care of so that we didn’t have to think about anything other than enjoying the many incredible places we visited. We are very much planning future trips to other parts of Africa, and will definitely call upon Tim's excellent service in the future. I would recommend Speke Travel to anyone planning an adventure to any African country.
Ed
Zimbabwe and Botswana Trip
We used Tim at Speke travel to organise our honeymoon in Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls) and Botswana (Chobe and Okavanga Delta). Tim was pulled together some great options (varying price points) and was very helpful throughout. We had an amazing time and I would thoroughly recommend him.
Arabella Smith
Exceptional – will never use anyone else for Africa (and would use for the rest of the world if possible!)
Thank you for creating a honeymoon of dreams for us. Every step of the planning process was made so easy by Tim, and it really felt that we were creating something unique together. We loved every single second of our time away, especially Namibia, which now holds a special place in our hearts. Tim created an unforgettable experience for us and if we could, we would be giving 6 stars for this review! Seriously, if you’re thinking of travelling around Africa, look no further as Speke Travel/Tim will help you create an adventure of a lifetime.
Richard L, Georgia USA
Zimbabwe/Botswana
Having never been on a safari trip, I was apprehensive about the logistics and arrangements. Based on a friend’s advice we booked through Tim at Speke Travel. His advice and assistance with booking arrangements were absolutely essential to making our trip a tremendous success. The accommodations were excellent and the numerous safari outings that were included went beyond my expectations. Each of our three locations had daily activities arranged by Tim. Each one was more impressive than the last. The logistics to move us from one location to the other (across international borders) went perfectly. I have already recommended his services to friends and will continue to do so.
Andrew Bradley
South African wildlife and Wine Safari
I ditto everything my traveling companion Susan Durman mentioned. The fact that our missed flight was rearranged so quickly and with out fuss was fantastic and saved us a load of hassle. Couldn’t recommend Speke Travel enough.

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Email

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