Dirt road through vast savanna landscape leads towards rocky mountain range.

13-Day Namibia Explorer – Self-Drive Tour

Explore Namibia at your own pace on this self-drive tour. Encounter wildlife in Etosha National Park, be awed by the towering dunes of the Namib Desert, and experience the country’s stunning highlights and vast, serene landscapes.

Price

from 1,900 USD pp sharing

Starting price per person

Highlights of the Tour

Day 1 - 13

Dead trees in the desert landscape under a clear blue sky

Namib Desert

Visit Sossusvlei, Deadvlei & Sesriem Canyon

Aerial view of three planes flying over sand dunes and ocean water

Swakopmund

Coastal town, optional activities

Stone archway in a desert landscape with mountains under blue sky

Spitzkoppe

Iconic Spitzkoppe Rocks & Ancient San Art

Rocky valley landscape with boulders under a clear blue sky, natural setting.

Brandberg

Walk to the Iconic “White Lady” Painting

Unique rock formation in desert landscape under clear blue sky background.

Damaraland

Twyfelfontein World Heritage, Petrified Forest, Organ Pipes & Burnt Mountain

Herd of zebras and antelopes drinking water in the savanna

Etosha National Park

Etosha Game Drives: Where Wildlife Meets Vast Salt Flats

Who Should Go

This self-drive tour is perfect for first-time visitors to Namibia who want to experience the country’s top highlights without feeling rushed. From stunning landscapes and wildlife encounters to cultural experiences and activities, it suits families or couples with varied interests. Confident driving on remote gravel roads is recommended.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrival in Windhoek

Distance approx. 50 km; driving time approx. 1 hour

Upon arrival at Windhoek International Airport, you will pick up your rental vehicle and make your way to your pre-booked accommodation in the city. The remainder of the day is free for you to unwind at the guesthouse or discover Windhoek at your own pace. You may choose to visit the National Gallery showcasing Namibian artists, explore the National Museum to learn about the country’s history, or stop by the iconic Christ Church. In the evening, enjoy traditional Namibian dishes at a local restaurant at your own expense. Overnight stay will be at the Elegant Guesthouse.

Day 2 | Windhoek – Namib Desert

Distance approx. 300 km; driving time approx. 4-5 hours

After breakfast, you depart Windhoek and travel southwest through the scenic Khomas Highlands toward the vast Namib Desert. Along the way, you will enjoy changing and dramatic landscapes before arriving at Elegant Desert Camp, your base for the next two nights near Sesriem. Take time to soak in the stunning desert surroundings, or opt for a guided nature drive to experience the enchanting colors of the desert at sunset. The day concludes with a delightful dinner at the camp.

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 3 | Sossusvlei

Distance approx. 200 km; driving time approx. 3 hours

Begin the day as early as possible to experience the sunrise as it casts dramatic shadows across the towering dunes of Sossusvlei. The park gates open at sunrise, allowing you to enter early and make the most of the cool morning hours. Take on the challenge of climbing one of the iconic dunes, such as Dune 45 or Big Daddy, and enjoy the unforgettable panoramic views over the endless sea of sand.

Continue on to Deadvlei, a striking and highly photogenic clay pan dotted with centuries-old dead camelthorn trees. Later, visit the Sesriem Canyon, where short walks are possible during the dry season. After a full day of adventure and exploration, exit the park in the afternoon and return to Elegant Desert Camp to relax. Alternatively, you may choose to pre-book a guided full-day excursion to discover the area with the insights of an experienced local guide.

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 4 - 5 | Namib Desert – Swakopmund

Distance on day 4: approx. 370 km; driving time approx. 5-6 hours

Today you travel along gravel roads toward the coastal town of Swakopmund, known for its charming colonial-era architecture. Swakopmund also serves as a hub for a wide range of optional adventure activities in the region. You may choose to join a dolphin and seal cruise in Walvis Bay, try dune boarding, skydiving, fishing, or quad biking, take a scenic flight over the desert, explore the Namib Desert on a day trip, or visit the seal colony at Cape Cross. You will stay for two nights at Cornerstone Guesthouse. The town offers a great selection of restaurants, with fresh seafood being a highlight not to be missed.

Breakfast

Day 6 - 7 | Swakopmund – Erongo Mountains

Distance on day 6: approx. 280 km; driving time approx. 4-5 hours

After a relaxed breakfast, you depart Swakopmund and head inland. Along the way, the distinctive silhouette of the Spitzkoppe—one of Namibia’s most iconic landmarks—comes into view. Take time to explore the impressive granite rock formations on foot, or opt for a guided excursion to discover ancient San rock art. Your destination for today is Otjohotozu Guest Farm, set in the scenic Erongo Mountains. Settle in and enjoy the welcoming farm atmosphere, or choose to join an optional morning or afternoon game drive. You will spend the next two nights at Otjohotozu Guest Farm.

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 8 | Erongo Mountains – Twyfelfontein

Distance approx. 260 km; driving time approx. 4 hours

Today’s journey takes you westward, passing the impressive Brandberg Mountain (2,580 metres), Namibia’s highest peak. Your overnight stop is the rustic Malansrus Tented Camp, idyllically located along a tributary of the dry Aba Huab River. After settling in and enjoying a short rest, you may choose to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein (optional). The area’s remarkable rock engravings, believed to be more than 2,000 years old, are truly captivating. Close by are other geological and cultural highlights such as the Organ Pipes, Burnt Mountain, and the Damara Living Museum, offering insight into the traditional lifestyle and age-old customs of the Damara people. Return to camp in the evening to relax and end the day around a glowing campfire.

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 9 - 10 | Twyfelfontein – Etosha National Park

Distance approx. 350 km; driving time approx. 4 hours (excl. game drives)

After breakfast, you may visit the Petrified Forest near Khorixas, where ancient mineralised tree trunks—estimated to be over 200 million years old—lie scattered across the landscape. From here, travel via the small town of Outjo before continuing to the renowned Etosha National Park. Meaning “great white place,” Etosha is one of Africa’s largest and most celebrated wildlife reserves. Its diverse scenery includes vast open plains, acacia woodland, and the striking Etosha salt pan.

Over the next two days, you will focus on game viewing, particularly around the park’s waterholes, which attract elephants, giraffes, various antelope species, and an abundance of birdlife. With some luck, you may also encounter lions and rhinos. Shortly before sunset, you exit the park and drive to Etosha Safari Lodge, located just minutes from the park entrance. You will spend the next two nights in a comfortable bungalow at the lodge.

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 11 | Etosha National Park

Duration depends on selected route

After breakfast, you continue eastward, driving along the edge of the vast salt pan that stretches endlessly toward the horizon. Large herds of impala, wildebeest, zebra, and oryx roam the open plains, while elephants, giraffes, and lions may be spotted resting among the acacia trees and shrubs during the heat of the day. You will stop at several waterholes along the route, where a variety of wildlife and bird species gather to drink. In the late afternoon, you arrive at Von Lindequist Gate and exit the park. Just a short distance away is the elegant Mushara Lodge, where you will spend the night.

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 12 | Etosha Area – Waterberg Plateau

Distance approx. 360 km; driving time approx. 4-5 hours

Today’s route takes you past a striking lake and an extraordinary meteorite. Just outside Tsumeb, you can detour to visit the vibrant blue waters of Lake Otjikoto. Next, stop at the Hoba Meteorite, weighing around 60 tons and measuring roughly 3×3 meters, making it the largest meteorite in the world. Your journey then continues to the private Okosongomingo Ranch at the base of the Waterberg Plateau, where you will stay at Waterberg Guest Farm.

The Waterberg is an impressive red plateau rising 200 meters above the surrounding plains, featuring diverse microclimates—mountain, valley, and plains—that support a wide variety of vegetation, from towering fig trees to ferns and acacias. You can explore the farm on foot, either independently or with a guide, on several hiking trails. The hike to the top of the Small Waterberg is particularly recommended, offering breathtaking views of the larger plateau. Overnight accommodation is in a bush bungalow at Waterberg Guest Farm.

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 13 | Waterberg Plateau – Windhoek

Distance approx. 300 km; driving time approx. 3-4 hours

Today you will drive southward back toward Windhoek. Along the way, consider stopping at the craft market in Okahandja, where you can browse and bargain for handcrafted items such as wood carvings, beaded jewelry, baskets, and other local crafts. Upon reaching Windhoek, you will either return your rental car at the airport or, if you prefer, spend an additional night in the city (optional).

Breakfast