Highlights of Namibia - Roof-Top Camping

Self-drive mobile-camping exploration of Namibia enjoying the highlights of Sossusvlei Dunes, coastal resort town of Swakopmund, unique geological formations and rock art in Damaraland, followed by excellent wildlife experiences in Etosha and Okonjima.

Tailor-made Adventure 10 - 14 days

'From Price' is the average price per person for ground arrangements for two people sharing.

Flights are typically an additional £900 per person economy class from London

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Highlights

  • Roof-top camping adventure
  • Apricot dunes of Sossusvlei
  • Big game experiences in Etosha
  • Search for desert adapted Elephant

A brilliant way to experience the vast spaces of Namibia, camping under the stars, preparing your own meals on an open fire, whilst enjoying the many diverse activities this arid country has to offer. Your vehicle will have all sleeping and living equipment on board, cooking utensils, water tank, gas bottle and 24/7 road side assistance. This trip has a sprinkling of accommodation for comfort at the beginning, end and in the middle.

The first highlight is the Namib-Naukluft National Park in the south, famed for its towering sand dunes, river valleys & pans, gravel plains and inselbergs & mountain outcrops. This is one of the oldest deserts in the world covering over 50 000 square kilometres.

The small coastal town Swakopmund is the most urban part of the journey with a good selection of restaurants offering all from Bavarian fare to excellent seafood, shops, museum, library and Living Desert Snake Park. You can take two routes here, take up all the adventure activities from sandboarding to sky diving or enjoy some of the marine wildlife from the Sandwich Harbour tour or fascinating desert insight such as ancient Welwitschia Plant Drive.

Damaraland, to the north of Swakopmund and east of the Skeleton coast has a number of unusual geological formations, from the Spitzkoppe in the south, the large rock art gallery of Brandberg including the White Lady painting which is 40cm tall, volcanic remains of the Messum and Doros craters, the balancing Vingerklip pinnacle rock formation, the Twyfelfontein rock art which unusually has both painting and engraving examples, petrified forest on sandstone bed, Burnt Mountain and the unique angular dolorite columns of the Organ Pipes formations. From a wildlife perspective the home to the elusive desert adapted elephant and rhino.

For such an arid environment, you would not expect to find such a wildlife refuge such as the Etosha National Park which is only 110 kilometres wide and 60 kilometres from north to south. However the Etosha Pan is the remnant of an inland lake which attracts good numbers of elephant, giraffe, eland, blue wildebeest, kudu, gemsbok, springbok, impala, steenbok and zebra, and predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah.

Okonjima is the home not only to the highly informative AfriCat Carnivore Care Centre which looks after vulnerable carnivores in captivity, but also to the ‘Okonjima Experience’ where visitors actively participate in a leopard sustainability programme by working with their professional guides to collect and collate data about this fascinating, elusive species. There is a very good chance of spotting wild dog and hyena from game drives, and rare species such as rhino and pangolin also roam the area.

A 4x4 Nissan vehicle with roof top tent and camping equipment is included. On arrival you will be given a full self-drive briefing with maps and instructions. Namibia road conditions are excellent with long straight, generally empty roads. This is a sample itinerary and can be extended into the southern regions or perhaps doing a full loop around to include parts of Botswana or take in the Victoria Falls.

Practicalities

Getting there

Excellent connections via South Africa with regular flights from Johannesburg and some options from Cape Town. Air Namibia do operate via Frankfurt. Flight from London to Windhoek via Johannesburg start from £780 -£1280 per person

Extensions to Botswana and the Victoria Falls are possible with regular connections.

Flight prices on this route are always cheaper booked in advance, particularly when flying during UK school holidays. If you are booking anything less than a month prior to departure expect to pay through Virgin and BA tend to offer flight sales around September and October, which are worth looking out for.

Please let us know your preferred departure airport and we would be pleased to quote for a flight inclusive ATOL protected package.

Price includes

Inclusive of car hire for the duration with unlimited mileage and comprehensive insurance, all living, kitchen & sleeping equipment, full water tank and gas bottle(s), nationwide 24/7 road side assistance & phone help-line, accommodation / camping with meals and activities as mentioned.

Exclusive of all drinks, additional meals and activities, park fees, gratuities, visa fees, comprehensive travel insurance, medical precautions and items of a personal nature.

Family Travel Cost:


For family travel in July/August, from £2995 per family of 2 adults travelling with 2 children under the age of 12 years. Flights in high season start from £980 per person.

When is best?

The months from June to September are winter in Southern Africa but temperatures during the day reach very comfortable early 20 degrees Celsius, just pretty chilly at night but you can keep comfortable with various layers. This is the time of the least / no rainfall making the vegetation less dense and the game easy to spot. You could use a standard sedan vehicle for this journey but a 2x4 makes the trip more comfortable.

Autumn, April-May tends to be a lovely time with all the young being born and the vegetation still green. Spring, late September into early November can have variable weather depending on the previous rainfall but offers excellent game viewing

The summer months November to March tend to be the highest rainfall which is generally when a 4x4 vehicle is suggested; it tends to be hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms.

Is it for me?

Namibia is a vast country with many fascinating and varied experience. It is a very arid environment for the most part. Journey times do tend to be longer but is very rewarding and uncrowded. As this has a mix of camping and accommodation, it has some comfort in between. Camping facilities are generally good and well maintained.

For the latest travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth office check www.gov.uk/travelaware

Speak to a specialist

Our customers agree - a conversation with an expert makes for a better trip. Call us now or request a call back out of hours.

Call 0203 291 2907 9am and 6pm GMT Monday to Friday

Or weekday evenings or Saturdays

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What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 538 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • We had an extraordinary time. It was magical and we couldn't hav asked or hoped for more. Thank you both so much for all of your time and assistance.

    MissingEmma M reviewing Best of Botswana for Families on 18 November 2024

  • We had an amazing experience - absolutely loved it.
    Mohamed and Said were great and very patient especially with me going downhill - was quite nervous about the scree slopes and paths.

    Will be a trip we remember forever

    MissingMaritta B reviewing Atlas Valleys & Villages Trek - Value on 11 November 2024

  • Trip was great and all the arrangements were excellent so thank you for all the help!

    Drivers and transfers were all good - on time and very good service on each trip.

    Accommodation was lovely - Douar Samra was amazing (weather could have been better but lovely regardless). Riad in Marrakesh was also great!

    All in all a great trip and we loved the variety of the mountains, Marrakesh and the coast.

    Thanks you once again!

    MissingHardeep S reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains on 15 April 2024

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Alternative Itineraries

Our itineraries are carefully designed by our experienced travel designers based on years of experience and customer feedback. For a custom itinerary tailored to you, please enquire giving as much detail as possible on your brief.

Northern Namibia Highlights - Self Drive

Condensed 7-day self drive adventure focusing on Northern Namibia (Etosha NP, Damaraland, & Central Highlands) with superb wildlife viewing and good value, characterful accommodation.

Tailor-made Classic 8 days

From £984 per person

Highlights of Namibia & Skeleton Coast - Luxury Fly-in

11-day luxury flying safari featuring the highlights of Namibia and the incredible remote Skeleton Coast.

Tailor-made Luxury 12 days

From £5,564 per person

Highlights of Namibia - Privately Guided

12 Day Highlights of Namibia with a private driver-guide. Features, Sossusvlei, Twyfelfontein, Swakopmund, Etosha NP, Onguma and Okonjima private reserves.

Tailor-made Classic 2 weeks

From £4,151 per person

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