Discover

The Great Namibian Road Trip

Overview
Accommodation
Itinerary
Fares

A journey overview

Windhoek
Fish River Canyon
Lüderitz
Tiras Mountains
Sossusvlei
Swakopmund
Onguma Game Reserve
Etosha National Park

18 Days Explorations

Departing:
6 Sep 2020

Aboard your very own hardy Toyota Fortuner 4x4, follow the open road to Namibia’s best kept secrets on a road trip like no other. It’s up to you whether you choose to take the wheel yourself, or be accompanied by an optional private driver. A convoy of vehicles carrying only 24 guests and three experienced marshals ensures there’s always guidance nearby without it compromising a journey that is entirely your own.

Balloon Ride Over Fish River Canyon

Soar over the world’s second largest canyon on a hot air balloon, gazing down at kudu, klipspringer, gemsbok and other species who thrive in this arid environment.

Pangolin Tracking

Follow a guide across Okonjima Nature Reserve to track pangolins. The intriguing mammals’ bodies are made up of hundreds of scales, impenetrable even to lion’s teeth.

Etosha Salt Pan

Skirt the outer perimeter of Etosha’s salt pan and be privy to the plethora of wildlife which gather here to drink.

Dinner Under the Namibian Sky

Feast under a starry sky while surrounded by the sand dunes of Sossusvlei.

Residences of the Highest Standard

Sossusvlei Lodge

Ridges of the Naukluft Mountains outline Sossusvlei Lodge. Guest areas are tied together by endless spaces, and our lodges celebrate the Namib Desert. During our time, we dine outside, under the light of the stars.

Fish River Lodge, Fish River Canyon

Perched on the edge of Africa’s largest canyon, enjoy unobstructed views out onto Fish River Canyon from your spacious chalet. Sit on your private deck and look out onto the canyon, where a sense of remoteness arises.

Doro Nawas Camp, Twyfelfontein

The 16 natural-walled units blend seamlessly with the rugged terrain of Damaraland. Sit out on your private veranda and gaze onto an ancient land. The option to sleep under the stars on plush bedding is also available.

Okonjima Plains Camp, Okonjima Nature Reserve

Hidden within the secluded wilderness of Okonjima Nature Reserve, stay in a cattle farm turned carnivore conservation reserve. Rooms look out onto grassy surrounds, where we may catch glimpse of a cheetah or leopard.

Itinerary

Tour Manager - David Taylor

Tour Doctor - Dr. Guy Greenhill

Days 1-3

Arrive Windhoek (Namibia), Mariental, Kalahari Desert

As Your Tour Manager, David Taylor Welcomes You On This Journey

Tour Doctor - Dr. Guy Greenhill

We are escorted to the Windhoek Country Club Resort. Our 4WD vehicles patiently await the adventure on our first morning. Pass sunburnt plains en route to Mariental and the Kalahari Desert. Cat lovers rejoice as we are led on foot by our guides to meet the resident orphaned cheetahs. You might like to join a horseback sand dune safari. Or, explore the sand dunes by quad bike.

Days 4-5

Fish River Canyon

Push your vehicle over 400 kilometres, passing scrubby grasslands and arid deserts to Africa’s largest canyon. In your 4WD, descend to Fish River Canyon’s ravine before we rendezvous with lunch at the rock pools. In an effort to delve deeper into the canyon, embark on a day hike following the trails carved by mountain zebra and antelope, cross rugged terrain on a mountain bike ride, or spot wildlife from above on a hot air balloon safari.

Days 6-7

Lüderitz

The colourful colonial town of Lüderitz is our next destination. Pause en route at the railway town of Aus and keep an eye out for wild desert horses. The briny tang of Lüderitz oysters and South African wines are enjoyed at the Crayfish Bar & Lounge. On a catamaran, we watch out for penguins, Cape fur seals and Heaviside’s dolphins. We dine at Barrels restaurant, where beer and Sauerkraut are married with freshly caught fish of the day.

Days 8-10

Tiras Mountains, Sossusvlei

Cross the Tiras Mountains en route to Sossusvlei. Pause at the ghost town of Kolmanskop, and the settlements of Rehoboth, Solitaire and Sesriem. Master the skills of the bow and arrow with a desert archery lesson, or walk along the Elim Dune Belt. There’s time to discover the white salt and clay pan of Sossusvlei as well as Sesriem Canyon. Perhaps choose to view sand dunes and Deadvlei on a scenic flight. Spend your nights at Sossusvlei Lodge.

Days 11-13

Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein, Damaraland

Pass through Namib-Naukluft National Park on the way to Swakopmund, stopping en route at Welwitschia Plains. In Swakopmund, join a cruise on Walvis Bay. The active may take a quad bike ride through the desert dunes. Savour fresh local seafood and South African wines at The Tug Restaurant. Guide your 4WD along Cape Cross into Damaraland to visit Twyfelfontein, the site of ancient rock engravings, as well as the Organ Pipes and Burnt Mountain.

Days 14-16

Etosha National Park

We search for wildlife from the early hours of the morning to late afternoon. In Etosha National Park, you might like to spot wildlife at eye level, camouflaged within your camp’s hide, and capture the perfect photograph. Moving on to Ongava Game Reserve, find the best spot for sundowners, head out on foot on a guided bushwalk, or spend time in the Okolo Hide to glimpse wildlife. We retire for the night at Ongava Lodge.

Days 17-18

Okonjima Nature Reserve

We set off in 4WDs across Etosha National Park, looking out for lagoons teeming with flamingoes. It is within the reserve’s 22,000 hectares that we visit The AfriCat Foundation. Since the early 1990s, AfriCat has been committed to the survival of large carnivores in their natural habitat. Head out in search of leopards, whether by 4WDs, or by heading out on foot. We overnight in the secluded wilderness of Okonjima Plains Camp.

Day 18

Depart Windhoek

On the final leg of our epic road trip, explore Okahandja Woodcarvers Market. Hop back into your 4WD for the last stretch on to Windhoek. Swap journey stories at a Farewell Dinner before a final night is spent in Windhoek Country Club Resort.