Desert Dunes
Marvel at Sossusvlei’s 300 metre high dunes and the alien landscape of Dead Vlei.
This classic journey takes you through Namibia’s relentlessly dramatic scenery, exploring at your own pace and at the wheel of a 4×4. Drive across this relaxed country, combining landscapes, wildlife and activities on a route that takes in Etosha, Damaraland, Sossusvlei and the coast.
Self-driving through Namibia evokes a sense of exploration and discovery, free from the risks that usually accompanies such intrepid journeys. There is something both relaxing and exhilarating about driving across this Mad Max landscape. Yet, in spite of this sense of seclusion, Namibia is not short of activities. Fill your time searching for desert wildlife, hiking up dunes, kayaking beside seals, visiting rock art sites and riding horses through the desert.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Desert Rhinos
Track desert-adapted black rhinos, which only survive in Namibia’s wild northwest.
Etosha Safari
Drive through Etosha National Park, home to plains game and predators.
Rock Art
Visit the ancient petroglyphs of Twyfelfontein, created by the ancestors of the Namibian Bushmen.
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Day 1
Windhoek
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Day 2
Windhoek to Sossusvlei
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Day 3
Sossusvlei
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Day 4
Sossusvlei to Swakopmund
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Day 5
Swakopmund to Damaraland
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Day 6
Damaraland
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Day 7
Damarland to Palmwag Reserve
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Day 8
Palmwag Reserve
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Day 9
Palmwag Reserve to Etosha National Park
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Day 10
Etosha National Park
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Day 11
Etosha National Park to Okonjima Nature Reserve
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Day 12
Okonjima Nature Reserve to Windhoek
Day 1
Windhoek
On arrival into Hosea Kutako International Airport transfer around 40-minutes to Windhoek, Namibia’s capital and largest city, known for its blend of German colonial architecture and African charm. On arrival, pick up your rental vehicle and check in to your accommodation.
Day 2
Windhoek to Sossusvlei
After breakfast, depart Windhoek and begin your driving adventure towards the Namib desert, a journey of around 4.5 hours. On arrival check into your desert lodge accommodation.
Day 3
Sossusvlei
Today, embark on a guided excursion to Sossusvlei to explore the towering red sand dunes and the stark beauty of Deadvlei, a salt pan surrounded by the famous petrified trees.
Day 4
Sossusvlei to Swakopmund
Today drive for about 4 hours to Swakopmund, a charming coastal town on Namibia’s Atlantic coast and the perfect place to relax by the ocean or take part in activities like sandboarding or quad biking on the nearby dunes. Visit the marine sanctuary at Sandwich Harbour or take a boat cruise to see dolphins, fur seals and many species of marine birds.
Day 5
Swakopmund to Damaraland
After a leisurely morning, drive around 4.5 hours to Camp Kipwe in Damaraland, a region known for its dramatic landscapes of granite boulders, dry riverbeds, and unique wildlife, including desert-adapted elephants. Your stay here includes two activities each day, such as guided nature drives and excursions to the ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day 6
Damaraland
Enjoy some of the activities on offer.
Day 7
Damarland to Palmwag Reserve
Drive approximately 2.5 hours north to Desert Rhino Camp, located in the private Palmwag Concession. This remote camp offers an incredible opportunity to track the endangered black rhino on foot, guided by expert trackers. In addition to rhino tracking, enjoy scenic game drives, where you may encounter giraffes, lions, and oryx in the rugged desert landscape.
Day 8
Palmwag Reserve
Enjoy rhino tracking and game drives in the desert landscape.
Day 9
Palmwag Reserve to Etosha National Park
Continue your safari with a 3-hour drive to Ongava Tented Camp, located on a private game reserve bordering Etosha National Park. Ongava is known for its diverse wildlife, including rhinos, lions, and large herds of elephants.
Day 10
Etosha National Park
Enjoy game drives and guided walks in Ongava’s private reserve, as well as visits to Etosha’s iconic salt pans and waterholes.
Day 11
Etosha National Park to Okonjima Nature Reserve
Drive 3 hours south to Okonjima Plains Camp, home of the AfriCat Foundation, which is dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of Namibia’s large carnivores, particularly cheetahs and leopards. On arrival you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the conservation efforts and even join a tracking activity to see cheetahs or leopards in the wild.
Day 12
Okonjima Nature Reserve to Windhoek
After breakfast, embark on a 3-hour drive back to Windhoek to return your rental car and prepare for your onward travel.
More Details
Self-Driving in Namibia
Namibia is perfect for self-driving. With little traffic and good roads (even the gravel ones), it is a stress-free destination for driving. We include a modern 4×4 as standard, giving you that extra comfort and the freedom to tackle more challenging terrain if you want.
Navigation is simple, with long straight roads a feature of Namibia. But we always include detailed maps, an emergency mobile and two spare tyres – just in case. You will also have a briefing on arrival, with a few tips and tricks for driving here.
Sossusvlei
Head south to the Namib Desert and Sossusvlei – a place of awe-inspiring beauty and spectacular scenery. Burnt orange dunes contrast against the endless blue skies, rising 300 metres above the desert floor.
This desolate wilderness is made for exploring, with hiking trails going up the ridges of some of the biggest dunes. For an aerial perspective, take a hot air balloon flights. Or set out into the desert on a horse-riding trail.
Etosha National Park
Situated in northern Namibia, Etosha – meaning ‘Great White Place’ – is dominated by a massive shimmering mineral pan, which is flat, rugged and, for much of the year, dry and dusty. Here, all kinds of wildlife thrive, including big cats, giraffes, elephants and countless antelope species.
Take game drives through the nearby Ongava Reserve, as well as the national park. Wildlife can be spotted roaming this arid landscape, but it is the waterholes that attract the best sightings. Spend some time waiting beside one of these drinking spots, waiting to see if a thirsty leopard, rhino or hyena appears.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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Namibia supports over a third of Africa’s black rhino population, with Etosha National Park their main stronghold. Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism collaborates with organisations to tackle the threat of poaching, including training members of the local San community, who were evicted from their ancestral home for conservation, as rangers. Revenue from tourism in Etosha funds essential education and creates employment opportunities for the displaced San people.
Okonjima Nature Reserve, home to the AfriCat Foundation, protects large carnivores like leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas, which often cause human-wildlife conflict with farmers. Converted from a cattle ranch in the 1990s, the 200 km2 reserve funds vital carnivore research and educates farmers to manage conflict without harming carnivore populations. Staying at Okonjima Plains Camp helps support these efforts, promoting harmony between Namibia’s cattle farming communities and wildlife.
Camp Kipwe is proud to support the Desert Lion Conservation Project, which has been tracking and analysing data on lion movements and dispersal and observing behaviour since 1998. This invaluable data has helped reduce human-wildlife conflict with lion populations and continues to inform conservation management plans. Camp Kipwe also works to minimise carbon emissions with efficient lodge design, energy-saving light bulbs, solar geysers and by planting indigenous plants.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
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A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From £5,950 Per person
When to travel
Namibia in January
It is the peak of summer, with hot and humid conditions broken most afternoons by thundery downpours. Quiet season with lower visitor numbers and a good time to spot flamingos.
Namibia in February
The wettest month in many parts, especially in the north of the country. Wildlife is spread out so game viewing is not at its best, with plenty of vegetation. There is, however, the chance of spotting newborns.
Namibia in March
The wettest month in many parts, especially in the north of the country. Wildlife is spread out so game viewing is not at its best, with plenty of vegetation. There is, however, the chance of spotting newborns.
Namibia in April
The end of the wet season, with vegetation at its most lush, and cooler temperatures. A fantastic time to enjoy Namibia, with lower visitor numbers, flowers bursting through, and mainly dry weather.
Namibia in May
The beginning of winter. Almost every day is dry now, and water sources are drying up. Therefore wildlife is starting to congregate around water holes, but the landscapes are still colourful and nights aren’t chilly just yet. A great time to visit.
Namibia in June
Namibia’s winter runs from June until September. This is the most popular time to visit, as temperatures during the day are cool and the skies are clear. However, temperatures can drop close to freezing at night, particularly in the south.
Namibia in July
Namibia’s winter runs from June until September. This is the most popular time to visit, as temperatures during the day are cool and the skies are clear. However, temperatures can drop close to freezing at night, particularly in the south.
Namibia in August
Namibia’s winter runs from June until September. This is the most popular time to visit, as temperatures during the day are cool and the skies are clear. However, temperatures can drop close to freezing at night, particularly in the south.
Namibia in September
Namibia’s winter runs from June until September. This is the most popular time to visit, as temperatures during the day are cool and the skies are clear. However, temperatures can drop close to freezing at night, particularly in the south.
Namibia in October
From October to December, temperatures start to rise as summer arrives. In the heat of the day, it can be very hot, but mornings and evenings will still be cool. Showers start to become more frequent, but the weather is still mainly dry for most of the country.
Namibia in November
From October to December, temperatures start to rise as summer arrives. In the heat of the day, it can be very hot, but mornings and evenings will still be cool. Showers start to become more frequent, but the weather is still mainly dry for most of the country.
Namibia in December
From October to December, temperatures start to rise as summer arrives. In the heat of the day, it can be very hot, but mornings and evenings will still be cool. Showers start to become more frequent, but the weather is still mainly dry for most of the country.
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