itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AND TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT TO CENTRAL WINDHOEK
On arrival at Windhoek Airport you will be welcomed and driven to Galton House guesthouse in Windhoek's quiet Eros suburb, within easy reach of the capital's many shops and restaurants. The transfer takes around 45 minutes, with stops along the way to stock up on supplies. Your fully air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle will be delivered directly to the guesthouse.
Accommodation: Galton House
DAY 2: WINDHOEK TO BAGATELLE
The self-drive tour commences today with a 3 ½ hour drive to the Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch situated on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. The wide open grasslands surrounding the property are home to an abundance of wildlife including meerkat, porcupine, bat-eared fox, oryx, ostrich, wildebeest and zebra. Guided nature drives, walks, and horse-riding excursions with local bushmen are on offer, informing guests about the ecology and ancient culture of this unique area. There's also the chance to visit the ranch's orphan cheetahs, adopted in collaboration with the Cheetah Conservation Fund. Back at base, relax in a hammock beside the pool, and enjoy a cool drink close to the waterhole with binoculars at the ready to observe visiting animals. After dark, enjoy a spot of star-gazing with the camp's resident astronomer.
Accommodation: Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
Drive time: approximately 3 ½ hours, excluding stops
DAY 3: BAGATELLE TO FISH RIVER LODGE, FISH RIVER CANYON
Today, there's a short 2 hour drive to Fish River Lodge. Set in a grove of ancient quiver trees on the lip of the majestic 550 metre-deep Fish River Canyon, the lodge has a contemporary, minimalist feel and superb views of the gaping wilderness below. Black eagles soar on the canyon's thermals, and rare mountain zebra, elusive klipspringer, oryx, and kudu roam the remote valleys. Although tricky to spot, otter, fish eagle, and other water-loving species inhabit the Fish River's permanent pools. Guests can enjoy long walks along the canyon's rim, or more relaxed sundowner trails. Depending on the time of year, guides may offer more challenging hikes into the canyon's depths, or a picnic lunch and a swim beside a permanent waterhole. For those who prefer to kick back and relax, breath-taking views can be enjoyed from the lodge's decking from dawn until dark when the super-clear night sky is lit up by the stars. For warmer nights, beds can be made up on a private outdoor sleeping platform on request.
Accommodation: Fish River Lodge
Drive time: approximately 2 hours, excluding stops
DAY 4: FULL DAY HIKE, FISH RIVER CANYON
Today there's an optional 8 to 10 hour guided hike which descends the sheer face of the upper canyon wall, traverses the rock-strewn wilderness, and passes through a stunning gorge. This is a superb up-close opportunity to explore this breath-taking natural phenomenon, rivalled in size perhaps only by the USA's Grand Canyon. Do bring sturdy hiking boots and a small backpack for this challenging excursion, and note that this particular hike is only offered between April and September when temperatures are not too high. Back at base, enjoy a swim in the pool with its fabulous views, an in-room massage, and a hearty home-cooked meal.
Accommodation: Fish River Lodge
Drive time: n/a
DAY 5: FISH RIVER LODGE TO THE DESERT HORSE INN, KLEIN AUS VISTA, AUS
Today begins with the 4 ½ hour drive to Desert Horse Inn, one of four properties at Klein Aus, a private farm occupying a stunning spot on a boulder-strewn hillside at the edge of the Namib Desert. The Inn is a sizeable 30-room property with a lovely pool and spectacular views across the sweeping desert plains, and is a superb departure point for a variety of activities. Walking trails and mountain bike excursions are offered, along with guided nature drives into the desert in search of the Namib's famed wild horses, and the abandoned diamond town of Kolmanskop. If time allows, guests can drive independently to Luderitz for a day's boat cruise, or take a trip out to Diaz Point with its fabulous birdlife.
Accommodation: Desert Horse Inn, Klein Aus Vista
Drive time: approximately 4 ½ hours, excluding stops
DAY 6: DAY AT LEISURE, DESERT HORSE INN, KLEIN AUS VISTA, AUS
Enjoy a full day's relaxation in and around the lodge, enjoying the scenery and perhaps taking part in one or two of the optional activities on offer.
Accommodation: Desert Horse Inn, Klein Aus Vista
Drive time: n/a
DAY 7: AUS TO DESERT HOMESTEAD LODGE, SESRIEM
Today's drive to Sesriem takes around 5 ½ hours, with the option of a slightly longer route along a minor gravel road, widely regarded as the most scenic in Namibia. The unpretentious Desert Homestead Lodge provides comfortable farmhouse-style accommodation just 30 kilometres from the entrance to the Namib Naukluft National Park at Sesriem, and boasts fabulous views over the plains to the dunes and mountains beyond. The lodge specialises in horse-back safaris, and also offers nature drives and guided hikes into the Namib Naukluft Mountains.
Accommodation: Desert Homestead Lodge
Drive time: approximately 5 ½ hours, excluding stops
DAY 8: MORNING VISIT TO SESRIEM & SOSSUSVLEI IN THE NAMIB NAUKLUFT NATIONAL PARK, AND AN EVENING HORSE RIDE
Make an early start and arrive at the Sesriem entrance to the vast and remote Namib-Naukluft National Park at dawn. This beautiful park comprises a mix of landscapes from expansive gravel plains, to orange sand dunes, inselburgs, and mountain plains. Travel 70 km through the park to reach the 'great dune sea' of Sossusvlei, gigantic dunes which cascade down to the Atlantic Ocean shore. Explore Dead Vlei, whose cracked white earth is dotted with a surreal series of 500-year old petrified trees. If time allows, the Sesriem Canyon is another enchanting destination and, at certain times of year, can be a great place for a refreshing swim. Note that the desert can be extremely hot in the middle of the day, so do remember plenty of water, a hat, high factor sunblock and sturdy, enclosed walking shoes. Return to the lodge for a rest and afternoon tea, followed by a guided 2 hour sundowner horse ride. Ride back to the lodge under the clear night skies in time for dinner.
Accommodation: Desert Homestead Lodge
Drive time: n/a
DAY 9: SESRIEM TO SWAKOPMUND
Onwards today to Swakopmund, a vibrant coastal resort town approximately 5 ½ hours drive from Sesriem via a series of gravel roads and steep mountain passes. Stay overnight at Cornerstone Guesthouse, a peaceful, family-run B&B located between the beach and the town centre. With German architecture harking back to its colonial days, this intriguing town boasts historic buildings, well-maintained gardens, palm tree avenues, coffee bars, and some great restaurants. Temperatures rarely drop below 15C and rainfall is practically zero, although note that the town is subjected to 9 months of morning fog each year. The town is a great base for adrenalin sports such as quad biking and sand boarding in the huge neighbouring dunes, along with kayaking and boat cruises in nearby Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay.
Accommodation: Cornerstone Guesthouse
Drive time: approximately 5 ½ hours, excluding stops
DAY 10: A MORNING'S CATAMARAN CRUISE FROM WALVIS BAY, AND AN AFTERNOON AT LEISURE IN SWAKOPMUND
Make the short drive to Walvis Bay by 8.30am and check in for a morning's cruise at the Catamaran Charters café. Depart from the Walvis Bay Yacht Club at around 9.00am and cruise out into the beautiful bay towards Pelican Point Lighthouse, from where large numbers of playful seals can be seen at the Cape Fur Seal Colony. See the local oyster platforms and learn about the industry, and enjoy the area's enormous bird diversity, including flamingos, pelicans and cormorants. Depending on the time of year, and of course on luck, you may also see dolphins, and occasionally the bizarre mola-mola (sunfish), leatherback turtle, Humpback, Southern Right or Orca whale. Return to the yacht club at around 12.30pm. The rest of the day is to spend at leisure in Walvis Bay or Swakopmund.
Accommodation: Cornerstone Guesthouse
Drive time: n/a
DAY 11: SWAKOPMUND TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT FOR DEPARTURE
Today's final drive takes you back to Windhoek airport. It's best to arrive at least 2 hours before flight departure in order to allow enough time to fill up at the airport’s petrol station, drop the hired vehicle back, and check in.
Accommodation: n/a
Drive time: approximately 3 ½ hours, excluding stops
