GUIDED TOURS :: SELF-DRIVE TOURS :: FLY-IN SAFARIS :: CAMPING SAFARIS :: DESERT EXPRESS
Proposed Self-drive tour: 20 days / 19 nights
Day 1:
After arriving at the Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek, a representative of the car-rental company will meet you and take you into town. At the office of the car-rental company, your reserved vehicle, as well as all the vouchers necessary for your tour through Namibia will be handed over to you.
After checking into your hotel, you can explore the city either on foot or by car. See the many colonial buildings dating back to the German occupation, e.g. the Ink Palace, the "Alte Feste" (an old fort), and many more. Coffee and cake can be enjoyed at the Heinitzburg Castle/Hotel, one of Windhoek's three castles. The Heinitzburg Castle, which has been converted into a hotel, combines old world charm with modern comfort.
Villa Violet (or similar)
Bed / breakfast
Day 2:
Drive southwards via the Auas Mountain to Rehoboth, the Baster settlement. Just before you enter the town turn off left onto the C 25. After approx. 110 km you reach Uhlenhorst. Drive further south on the C 15.After approx. 25 km on the right hand side you reach the entrance to the Bitterwasser Lodge.
In the afternoon you can go on a game-drive, where various antelope, smaller mammals and birds can be seen (approx 225 km).
Bitterwasser Lodge (or similar)
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 3:
Today travel further in a southerly direction to Keetmanshoop. Approx. 22 km north of Keetmanshoop you may pay a visit to the Garas Quivertree Park,where you find a rare cluster of the unique aloe dichotoma and remarkable rock formations. Continue your journey to the Cañon Roadhouse, which is situated near the Fish River Canyon.
Cañon Roadhouse (or similar)
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 4:
The Fish River Canyon is one of the natural wonders of Africa. A road running along the eastern edge of the canyon leads to a series of viewing sites with splendid views of this grand natural phenomena. Afterwards proceed via Seeheim to the farms Simplon and Sandverhaar. You drive on the B 4 towards Lüderitz, approx. 13 km east of Goageb you turn left onto the D 462 and after 1.5 km you will reach the entrance gate to the Alte Kalköfen Lodge, the name was derived from two old ovens situated on the farms. The older oven was built in the 1850's and the newer one in 1910 with the purpose to produce lime that was used for construction and agricultural purposes. The following activities and excursions are offered : nature drive including the old oven (2 - 3hrs), sun downer drives, guided walking trails (1 - 2hrs) or unguided walking trails. There is also a very interesting Lithoparium, where you can find a lot of different types of Lithops (living stones).
Alte Kalköfen Lodge
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 5:
Continue your journey via Aus to Lüderitz. This harbour town, set between the Namib Desert dunes and the wild Atlantic seaboard, was founded by the Bremen merchant, Adolf Lüderitz in 1883. This was the first German settlement in the then "Südwestafrika". Explore this town with its historic buildings dating to the German era. The surrounding landscape, with its bizarre coastlines, off-shore islands and the Bogenfels (rock arch) is exceptionally fascinating (approx. 410 km).
There are boat trips to Halifax Island, where penguins can be observed. Another sightseeing option is Kolmanskop, the old ghost-town, which was founded in the time of the Diamond rush and is only a few kilometers away from Lüderitz. This deserted town is slowly being immersed in the encroaching desert sand. Permits to visit Kolmanskop must be obtained at the office of Lüderitz Safaris & Tours in Bismarckstreet beforehand.
A visit to the "Felsenkirche" and "Diaz Point" should not be missed.
Zur Waterkant Guesthouse (or similar)
Bed/breakfast
Day 6:
Continue your journey via Aus and the scenic Neisip Plain till 4 km before Helmeringhausen. Drive 50 km on the C 27 along the awesome loneliness of the "Rooirand" to the Sinclair Guestfarm. This is an ideal stop on your journey to Sesriem. You can go for a walk or drive to enjoy the quite atmosphere and vast scenery of the farm. (approx. 280 km)
Sinclair Guestfarm (or similar)
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 7:
The stunning scenery in the area provides ample photo opportunities, while hobby geologists will find much of interest in the nearby copper mine. An interesting farm drive is offered.
Sinclair Guestfarm (or similar)
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 8:
Leave very early and explore Sossusvlei, a huge clay pan, which is surrounded by the highest dunes in the world. The last 5 km into the vlei, will necessitate the use of a 4 x 4 vehicle. Should you not drive a 4 x 4 vehicle, you may make use of the Sossusvlei Shuttle, which departs from the 4 x 2 parking area. Thereafter visit the Sesriem Canyon, where the Tsauchab River has incised a deep gorge into the plains. Pools of water on its gravelly bed in an otherwise arid region, attracts many birds and animals. Continue north for another 83 km to the Solitaire Guestfarm (approx. 400 km).
Solitaire Guest Farm (or similar)
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 9:
Spend this day at leisure. You can enjoy the day at the swimming pool or you can do a nature walk. In the afternoon you can take part on a Sundowner drive. (You can also do the Sossusvlei excursion on this day).
Solitaire Guest Farm (or similar)
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 10:
Today your destination is the coastal town of Swakopmund. Drive through the Namib Naukluft Park via the Gaub Pass and the stunning Kuiseb canyon. Pass the waterholes Ganab and Hotsas, visit the Welwitschia plains and the so-called "Moon valley" before you reach Swakopmund, Namibia's seaside resort on the west coast, which resembles a small Bavarian village nestling between the desert and the sea. The source of Swakopmund's atmosphere is the graceful old buildings dating back to the turn of the century. The local jail, for example, resembles a country mansion. The railway station, a magnificently ornate building, was converted into a hotel. Eleven of these charming old buildings are national monuments. (approx. 350 km).
Other sightseeing options: Visit the museum, the Aquarium, the crystal
gallery or visit the Karakul weaving "Karakulia".
Orange House (or similar)
Bed/breakfast
Day 11:
Day at leisure. Listed below are possible activities to be undertaken:
Optional:
Dolphin Cruise: which starts from the Walvis Bay Yacht Club, takes you through the harbour and lagoon area. If in luck, dolphins may be observed swimming alongside the boat. Seals and a myriad of sea birds can also be observed. On board the boat you will be treated to South African champagne or soft drinks, fresh oysters and snacks. This activity should be booked in advance.
Optional:
Sailing excursion aboard a catamaran. Departure at 08h30 from the Walvis Bay Yacht Club. We set sail for Pelican Point, where a large seal colony and playful dolphins will entertain you. The trip is rounded off with fresh oysters, snacks and sparkling wine. The cruise last between 2 ½ - 3 hours. This activity should be booked in advance.
Optional:
Different scenic flights are available.
Orange House (or similar)
Bed/breakfast
Day 12:
Today you drive on the B 2 ( tarred road into the interior) via Usakos to Karibib, where you turnoff to Omaruru. From here drive on the C 33 in a northerly direction for 40 km and then turn to your left. After approx. 20 km on this road you reach the farm (approx. 290 km). In the late afternoon you can take part in a "sundowner drive".
Immenhof Guest Farm (or similar)
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 13:
Day spent at leisure. You can enjoy a game drive on the farm, horse riding or also quad biking. See the rock paintings, rock engravings and famous singing rocks. There are walking trails or just relax at the swimming pool.
Immenhof Guest Farm (or similar)
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 14:
Today you drive via Omaruru, Kalkfeld and Outjo to the Etosha Safari Camp, situated at the border of the Etosha National Park. Should you arrive early, you can enjoy your first game drive in the park. The Etosha National Park was proclaimed as a game reserve by German Governor von Lindequist in 1907. The heart of the park is the Etosha Pan, meaning "place of dry water", an extensive, flat depression of about 6 000 km². There are 114 mammal species in the park, which covers an area of 22 270 km². This includes elephant, giraffe, blue wildebeest and black rhino. Among the predators are lions, cheetah, leopard and several species of wild cats. (approx. 300 km).
Etosha Safari Camp (or similar)
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 15:
Full day game viewing in the park.. Shortly before sundown you leave the park through the Von Lindequist Gate and drive to Mushara Bush Camp, bordering the eastern side of Etosha.
Mushara Bush Camp (or similar)
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 16:
Enjoy another day of game viewing in the park or just relax or visit the fort in Namutoni.
Mushara Bush Camp (or similar)
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 17 + 18:
On your way to Tsumeb, visit Lake Otjikoto, which is situated 24 km northwest of Tsumeb. This lake used to be an underground, partially water filled cave, which collapsed. It contains several species of fish including two rare, mouth-breeding species. In Tsumeb a visit to the "Mine museum" is recommended.
Continue your journey in a southerly direction to Otjiwarongo region .Approx. 95 km south of Otavi you turn left into the D 2433 and after another 17 km you reach your destination. (approx. 285 km)
Optional:
Next morning from 07h00 to 09h00 game drive on the 17.000 ha farm which is the home of a large number of rare animal species, as there are Black Wildebeest, White Blesbok, Black Springbok, Nyala, Red Lechwe, Roan and Sable Antelopes, White and Black Rhino.
Frans Indongo Lodge (or similar)
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 19:
Today you return to Windhoek. In Otjiwarongo you have got the choice to visit a crocodile farm. Stop at Okahandja, the former tribal center of the Herero people. On the outskirts of the town there is a large open-air arts and crafts market. You may also visit the Hereo graves, the old cemetery with graves of members of the German "Schutztruppe" or the ostrich and crocodile farm "Ombo" (approx. 300 km)
Villa Violet (or similar)
Bed/breakfast
Day 20:
Return your rental car. Transfer to the Hosea Kutako International Airport.
End of the tour.
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Tour Contact |
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Tour Sort |
Contact Name |
Contact E-Mail |
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Selfdrive Tour (FIT) |
Monika Koetting |
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| Phone | Fax | Street | P.O.Box | City | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +264 (61) 221193 | +264 (61) 225387 | swasaf@swasafaris.com.na | Independence Avn 43 | 20373 | Windhoek | NAMIBIA |