Thunderclouds at sunset, Damaraland, Namibia

Family Self-Drive Adventure

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

12 Days

Prices Start from

£2,875pp(ex. flights)

This family-friendly, self-drive suggestion, combines the best of Namibia’s dramatic landscapes with two fantastic wildlife reserves. Track big cats with experts, watch rhinos quench their thirst, admire millennia-old rock carvings, cruise beside bottlenose dolphins and walk across vast dune-dominated landscapes.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Yawning cheetah, Okonjima Nature Reserve, Namibia 1

Endangered Wildlife

Track big cats in Okonjima and watch rhinos drink beside the waterholes of Etosha.

Big Sand Dune, Sossusvlei, Namibia 2

Desert Scenery

Marvel at Sossusvlei’s towering dunes and Etosha’s enormous salt pan, glimmering in the evening sun.

Seal Kayaking, Swakopmund, Namibia 3

Coastal Adventures

Get close to sea lions by kayak, spot dolphins on a boat trip and explore coastal dunes in a 4×4.

Quad biking on dunes, Namibia 4

Desert Activities

Get out and explore the wilderness, with quad biking, horse riding and hiking available.

Why we like it

If you are looking for a safe, adventurous and exhilarating adventure with your children, we would wholeheartedly recommend Namibia. The infrastructure is good and the hotels and lodges are of a great standard. This all makes for the perfect self-drive option, giving you and the family time to be independent and go with what works best for all.

The adventure itself allows for a four-wheeled exploration of some of the country’s most engaging sites including salt pans, sand dunes and harsh coastal seascapes. Staying at family-friendly camps and hotels, it offers comfort, seclusion and an array of activities for all ages.

Explore our suggested itinerary

Namibia on your wishlist? Talk to our experts about tailoring this trip for you.

  • Day 1

    Windhoek

  • Day 2

    Windhoek - Okonjima Nature Reserve

  • Day 3

    Okonjima Nature Reserve - Etosha National Park

  • Days 4-5

    Etosha National Park

  • Day 6

    Etosha National Park - Damaraland

  • Day 7

    Damaraland

  • Day 8

    Damaraland - Swakopmund

  • Day 9

    Swakopmund

  • Day 10

    Swakopmund - Sossusvlei

  • Day 11

    Sossusvlei

  • Day 12

    Sossusvlei - Windhoek

Day 1

Windhoek

Day 2

Windhoek - Okonjima Nature Reserve

Day 3

Okonjima Nature Reserve - Etosha National Park

Yawning cheetah, Okonjima Nature Reserve, Namibia

Endangered Wildlife

Track big cats in Okonjima and watch rhinos drink beside the waterholes of Etosha.

Days 4-5

Etosha National Park

Day 6

Etosha National Park - Damaraland

Day 7

Damaraland

Quiver Tree, Namibia

Desert Activities

Get out and explore the wilderness, with quad biking, horse riding and hiking available.

Day 8

Damaraland - Swakopmund

Day 9

Swakopmund

Seal Kayaking, Swakopmund, Namibia

Coastal Adventures

Get close to sea lions by kayak, spot dolphins on a boat trip and explore coastal dunes in a 4×4.

Day 10

Swakopmund - Sossusvlei

Day 11

Sossusvlei

Big Sand Dune, Sossusvlei, Namibia

Desert Scenery

Marvel at Sossusvlei’s towering dunes and Etosha’s enormous salt pan, glimmering in the evening sun.

Day 12

Sossusvlei - Windhoek

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Female leopard resting and yawning in Okonjima Nature Reserve, Namibia
Okonjima Nature Reserve, Namibia

Big Cats of Okonjima

Begin to the north of Windhoek, at the carnivore-rich Okonjima Nature Reserve. Home to the AfriCat Foundation, this beautiful area of wilderness is used to rehabilitate orphaned big cats. Track the radio-collared leopards that roam the reserve; follow on foot or in a 4×4, led by expert guides.

After dark, quietly make your way to the specially designed hide. Spend some time waiting to spot some the reserve’s nocturnal species, with regular visitors including porcupines, honey badgers and caracals.

Giraffe walking in the bush on the desert pan at sunset, Etosha National Park, Namibia
Etosha National Park, Namibia

Safari through Etosha

Head further north to the Ongava Reserve, on the southern edge of the vast Etosha National Park. Spend time driving through this dry landscape, dotted with waterholes that attract a wide array of thirsty game.

Dominated by the dusty Etosha salt pan, the park spreads east and west, through mopane woodland and windswept grasslands. Explore this wonderful expanse – home to lions, leopards, giraffes, elephants, antelopes, ostriches and endangered black rhinos.

Damaraland, Namibia
Damaraland, Namibia

Damaraland

From the dry pans of Etosha, head to the colourful, rock-strewn landscape of Damaraland. Here, stay at the secluded Camp Kipwe – built amidst weathered red-basalt boulders. Positioned in an area roamed by rare desert-adapted elephants, this intimate bush lodge is close to the ancient petroglyphs of Twyfelfontein.

The history of this landscape may be lost on younger children, but the granite kopjes, vast boulders and dry riverbeds make a spectacular playground nonetheless.

Swakop Seals
Namibia

Coastal Activities

Continue southwest, as the rust-coloured rocks fade into the yellow sands of the Skeleton Coast. Stay in Germanic Swakopmund, the largest settlement on Namibia’s notoriously exposed Atlantic coastline. Explore the Welwitschia-strewn sands that surround the town.

Quad bike the dunes, take a camel ride, sky dive or board a catamaran to discover the marine riches of nearby Walvis Bay – fur seals, dolphins, pelicans and flamingos. Although the sea is normally too cold for swimming, the cooler climate is refreshing after time spent in the desert.

Dunes, Sossusvlei, Namibia
Sossusvlei, Namibia

Towering Dunes

Finish this journey amongst the iconic dunes of the Namib Desert. These vast waves of colourful sand decorate a truly inhospitable landscape. Visit the picturesque Sossusvlei and the skeletal trees of the parched Dead Vlei.

Activities abound in this beautiful sandy wasteland. Dawn balloon rides over the wind-sculpted dunes offer vistas of incomparable beauty, whilst quad biking, horse riding and hiking can also be arranged.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Olive Grove Guesthouse £££££

  • Namibia
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Olive Grove is a small boutique guest house located in a leafy residential area of Namibia’s capital city Windhoek. An elegant, conveniently located hotel, Olive Grove is surrounded by tranquil gardens. Offering 11 rooms and suites, each tastefully furnished with a lovely veranda for al fresco dining. Other facilities include an inside lounge and fireplace, an honesty bar, downstairs dining area, intimate upper dining area, open-air lounge, plunge pool and a garden. There is also a wellness room with a resident therapist.

View Property

Okonjima Plains Camp £££££

  • Namibia
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Okonjima Plains Camp is nestled amongst the Ombokoro Mountains – a Herero name meaning, ‘place of the baboons’. The camp is family-run and is also the home of the AfriCat Foundation, a charitable organisation that rescues and relocates cheetahs, leopards and other predators. The main camp’s accommodation consists of Standard Rooms and View Rooms, each either overlooking the waterhole or the plains. The lovely main areas include a lapa, swimming pool and entertainment area.

View Property

Camp Kipwe £££££

  • Namibia
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Camp Kipwe lies in the heart of Damaraland, ideally located a short drive from the local attractions in the area. The camp is nestled amongst an outcrop of giant granite boulders, a stone’s throw away from the dry Aba Huab riverbed where desert-adapted elephants often traverse.

View Property

A note on price

This price is based on a family of four, with two children under the age of 12, staying in a family room throughout.

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 purchase through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From £2,875 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.

Holiday Inspiration

Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

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