Loading
Phone1800 960 693AustraliaMonday to Friday 8am - 9pm (AEDT)
Travel Agent Login

10-Day Namibia Self Drive

  • view trip mapView Trip Map
  • downloadDownload
  • shareShare

Overview

Stretching along the west coast of Southern Africa is the hauntingly beautiful country of Namibia, home to wide-open spaces, deserts, exciting wildlife, big skies and friendly people.

On this 10-day self-drive Namibia safari tour, you will drive through beautiful and dramatic landscapes at your own leisure allowing you to explore some of Namibia’s most popular highlights. Experience the sunrise over the desert dunes and see African wildlife roam the plains of Etosha. You'll also have the option to visit the Bushman rock art at Twyfelfontein and watch thousands of Cape Fur Seals at Cape Cross.

This is an unforgettable Namibia road trip at your own pace allowing plenty of time to stop and absorb the wonders of the Namibian desert.
Outdoors & Nature
Adventure
Food & Drink
Culture & Arts
Sightseeing

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Namibia!

Hide details accordion
Welcome to Namibia!

When you arrive in Windhoek, you'll make your way to the car rental kiosk at the airport to collect your car ready to start of your trip. You'll head north out of Windhoek on well-paved roads through the garden town of Okahandja, passing through Otjiwarongo. You'll stay overnight in a beautiful resort, not far from the Waterberg Plateau, a colourful red sandstone mountain.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Waterberg Camp Namibia Wildlife Resorts3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Windhoek Airport Transfers, Tours & Rentals to OtjiwarongoOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Otjozondjupa Region

Day 2

Waterberg to Etosha East

Hide details accordion
Waterberg to Etosha East

Today is another 330-kilometre drive from the Waterberg Plateau towards the eastern side of Etosha National Park. This drive could easily take you the whole day as there are many game viewing opportunities along the way. Etosha National Park is Namibia's most famous, known for its abundance of animals You will no doubt be constantly stopping to view flora and fauna.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Mushara Bush Camp3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Etosha Game Drive

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Otjiwarongo to TsumebRequest to Book

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Otjozondjupa Region

    Oshikoto Region

Day 3

Game Drive in the East of Etosha National Park

Hide details accordion
Game Drive in the East of Etosha National Park

It is worth waking early and heading out on your self-drive game drive as soon as the gates open at sunrise. Animals are most active in the cool of the day, to maximise your chances of good viewings, so should you be! As the day gets hotter, head for shade, and enjoy lunch at one of the park's three camps, Okaukuejo, Namutoni or Halali. When things start to cool down again towards the latter end of the afternoon, head out for another drive.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Mushara Bush Camp3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Game Drive in Etosha National ParkOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Oshikoto Region

Day 4

Let's Go Spotting Game in Etosha National Park!

Hide details accordion
Let's Go Spotting Game in Etosha National Park!

Today, you'll be up early again after a delicious breakfast at the bush camp. Rising early when the day is still cool gives you the best chances of spotting game. You'll explore the watering holes and the matrix of gravel roads throughout the Etosha National Park to try see even more game than you did yesterday. On a self-drive exploration, you can travel deeper into the park. Retire to one of the camps for lunch and head out again when the air is cooler in the late afternoon.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Mushara Bush Camp3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Etosha Game DriveOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Oshikoto Region

Day 5

Self-Drive from Etosha to Damaraland

Hide details accordion
Self-Drive from Etosha to Damaraland

From today, the geographical features you encounter will become more striking as you head into the Namib Desert. Leaving early will allow you plenty of time for interesting stops which will add to the already 5-hour long journey to Damaraland. The San rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, the Petrified Forest and the 'White Lady' at Brandberg cannot be missed, you might also get a rare sighting of the desert-adapted elephant on the way.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Damara Mopane Lodge3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    TwyfelfonteinOptional Activity

    Petrified ForestOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Tsumeb to KhorixasRequest to Book

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Oshikoto Region

    Madisa Camp

Day 6

Self-Drive from Damaraland to Swakopmund

Hide details accordion
Self-Drive from Damaraland to Swakopmund

Today, you have a 400-kilometre drive without stops so it is a good idea to leave early. Heading towards Uis, you may want to stop at Brandberg Mountain, the highest point in Namibia. From Brandberg mountain, you begin driving towards the coast to Henties Bay. Heading along the Skeleton Coast, you'll reach the seal colony at Cape Cross. Swakopmund is a German-style town where you'll be able to enjoy brewed lager, bratwurst and lots of activities.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Zum Kaiser4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Cape Cross Seal ReserveOptional Activity

    Free Time in SwakopmundOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Khorixas to SwakopmundRequest to Book

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Madisa Camp

    Cape cross

    Swakopmund

Day 7

Swakopmund Adventures!

Hide details accordion
Swakopmund Adventures!

There are a host of activities waiting for you in Swakopmund, the adventure capital of Namibia. These range from hot air balloon rides at sunrise and sandboarding over dunes to quad biking and even skydiving. Activities can be pre-arranged for you or you can arrange them when you reach Swakopmund. As a German-inspired town, good food and beer are never hard to find when hunger strikes!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Zum Kaiser4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hot Air Balloon Ride in SwakopmundOptional Activity

    Sandboarding in SwakopmundOptional Activity

    Swakopmund BrauhausOptional Activity

    Free Time in SwakopmundOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Swakopmund

Day 8

Swakopmund to Sossusvlei

Hide details accordion
Swakopmund to Sossusvlei

Today, you'll leave Swakopmund behind and head towards the harbour town of Walvis Bay, the lagoon here attracts a lot of marine and bird life and is well worth a visit to view the pink flamingoes or take a boat ride out to spot the 'marine big 5'. Afterwards, you have a drive of around 350 kilometres which will take around 4-5 hours, crossing the gravel plains of the Namib Desert and through the Kuiseb and Gaub passes. You should arrive at your lodge by late afternoon, in time for dinner.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Sossusvlei Lodge4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Walvis Bay Boating TripOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Swakopmund to SossusvleiRequest to Book

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Swakopmund

    Walvis Bay

    Sesriem

Day 9

Explore Sossusvlei & Deadvlei

Hide details accordion
Explore Sossusvlei & Deadvlei

Today, you'll wake up early and leave your lodge, heading for the Sesriem entrance gate to the Namib Naukluft Park. Deadvlei, named because it is a large pan with sculptural dead trees, is close by and definitely worth a visit. You may want to take the shuttle back as the sand will be getting very hot by midday. On your way back to the lodge, you can stop at the Sesriem Canyon to explore this wonder.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Sossusvlei Lodge4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Explore Sossusvlei and Dead VleiOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Sesriem

    Hardap Region

Day 10

Farewell Namibia!

Hide details accordion
Farewell Namibia!

Today marks the last day of your spectacular Namibia road trip adventure. After breakfast, pack up and head back to Windhoek. the journey is likely to take just over five hours but if you have spare time, don't be afraid to stop at various points and soak up the last of the Namibian desert and try to spot some more wildlife before you go. If you are not flying out of Namibia today, suitable accommodation can be arranged in Windhoek for tonight.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Sossusvlei to Windhoek Airport Transfers, Tours & RentalsRequest to Book

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Sesriem

Included in Price

  • 9 nights accommodation
  • 1 activity
  • 9 breakfasts and 5 dinners
  • Ground transportation

Not Included in Price

  • Airport transfer
  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Licensed English speaking guides
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
pdf icon

Want to Read This Later?

Download this trip itinerary as a PDF and start planning your next trip offline!

Why Choose Designer Journeys

access

Access Exclusive Experiences

Open your eyes to a world of exclusive experiences that will make your next trip extraordinary. Designer Journeys’ local travel designers are connected to unique experiences that are out of reach for most people – so you’ll return with some amazing stories to tell.

local expertise

Extraordinary Local Expertise

Using highly experienced local travel designers means you have access to your very own local expert. You'll find experiences you never knew existed, avoid some of the common pitfalls and, most of all, feel like you have an insider guiding you every step of the way.

support

Supported Every Step of the Way

Our in-destination local travel designers are the first line of support when you are travelling. They are in your time zone and have the local expertise and knowledge to solve any issue that may arise – making you feel more confident about your trip.

custom travel designed

Travel Designed For You

Designer Journeys style of travel is all about how you want to travel – its private travel designed exactly to your needs. Our local travel designers customise every trip to suit you, whether completely bespoke or based on one or more of our 2,000+ gallery of itineraries.

Image - Designer Journeys
Image - Designer Journeys
DESIGN YOUR EXTRAORDINARY

Why Travel with Designer Journeys

Smile icon
Your Trip. Your Version of Extraordinary.

At Designer Journeys, we know that we all travel differently. That's why you decide where you travel, how you travel and your travel experiences when you design your trip with us.

Message icon
Connect and Design With an Expert.

Our trusted Local Designers use their destination insight, local knowledge and travel planning expertise to build your extraordinary trip. Our dedicated Travel Concierge team will be there every step of the way to ensure your perfect trip becomes reality.

Trust icon
Book with Confidence. We are Trusted.

Secure payment platforms, multiple accreditations, rigorous Local Designer selection process, and decades of travel expertise means you are in safe hands with Designer Journeys.

As seen on
Partners