NAMIBIA SELF-DRIVE SAFARI

Arrive

Day 1 Arrive in Windhoek

On arrival at Windhoek International Airport, you will be met in the arrivals hall by our Red Savannah representative. Jump into your hire car (Nature Wheels Jeep Wrangler or similar) and drive to The Olive Grove Guest House. Full directions will be provided by your Red Savannah representative. The Olive Grove Guest House is a small upmarket establishment situated close to Windhoek city centre in a quiet, peaceful area. Each room has been decorated and painted with new colour schemes allowing a different feel, but with the same elegant and simplistic emphasis on decor. As the first step of your Namibian safari adventure, The Olive Grove offers all the necessary creature comforts to relax and prepare for the journey ahead.

Overnight: The Olive Grove Guest House

Day 2 - 3 Okonjima - Omboroko Mountains

Today you will set off after breakfast on your three hour drive to Okonjima -North of Windhoek in the Omboroko Mountains, home to the famous AfriCat Foundation which protects Namibian carnivores including lion, leopard, hyena and wild dog. Okonjima Main Camp was the original Hanssen family farmhouse that was converted into the first lodge on this farmland. With a relaxed, informal and friendly atmosphere, it is an ideal base for those wanting to visit the Africat Foundation and enjoy the amazing opportunities for big cat photography.

Overnight: Okonjima Plains Camp

Day 4 - 5 Mushara - Etosha East

Your drive today will take you to Etosha - a journey of some three and a half hours (340km). Known as the Place of Mirages, the Etosha pans trick the eye, with swirling dust devils and shimmering mirages. The dry season sees vast numbers of desert adapted mammals roam the plains but the star attraction, as throughout Namibia, is the beautiful scenery.Mushara Bush Camp is all about an authentic bush camp experience on the door step of the magical Etosha National Park with all meals served on the thatched verandah. Your days can be spent absorbing the peaceful bush surroundings or exploring Etosha National Park, while the early evenings will see you sitting round the campfire exchanging stories of the day's sightings.

Overnight: Mushara Bush Camp

Day 6 Mondjila - Etosha South

Set off through the park, game viewing as you go, and make your way to Mondjila Safari Camp, a private farm owned by third generation Namibian farmers. The journey will take approximately three to four hours. The camp has walk-in Meru-style tents with en-suite bathrooms set on a hillside with fabulous views from the restaurant and bar.

Overnight: Mondjila Safari Camp

Day 7 - 8 Twyfelfontein

Continue your Namibian road trip, driving to Camp Kipwe which will take approximately five to six hours (475 km). 'Kipwe', meaning 'blessed' in Swahili, is built creatively into the large granite boulders, facing out onto the grasslands and mopane trees along the Aba Huab riverbed. The 9 rooms have large outside decks and open bathrooms. The main area is raised and consists of 4 thatched domes, all with amazing views. An outside boma area is also available for fire-cooked meals. Activities at the camp include nature drives with the possibility of seeing the desert-adapted elephant in the dry season, excursions to the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein and guided walks in front of the camp with Kipwe's experienced guides. Weather permitting, you can also enjoy the thrill of a sunrise balloon ride.

Overnight: Camp Kipwe

Day 9 Swakopmund - Erongo

Continue your drive to Swakopmund, a journey of approximately four to five hours. (360km). Swakopmund Guest House is situated in the town centre, just a five-minute walk from the beach and main shopping area. There are 4 standard rooms, 7 luxury rooms and 1 family suite for guests wanting to indulge in a comfortable stay-over close to the ocean. The spacious rooms are fitted with crisp, white linen sheets. Wallpaper portraying a peaceful view of the ocean adds to the clean and neat atmosphere of the guesthouse.We highly recommend a living Desert Tour during your stay in Swakopmund: This is a unique 4x4 adventure which specializes in bringing the desert to life while sharing the awesome beauty of the Namib Desert. The coastal dune belt may seem barren and lifeless to many people, but in fact it is alive with a fascinating variety of little desert adapted animals, which are able to survive on the life-giving fog which consistently rolls in from the cold Atlantic Ocean.

Overnight: Swakopmund Guesthouse

Day 10 Namib Desert

Set out after breakfast and drive to Desert Homestead which lies in a wide valley sheltered by the Nubib, Tsaris and Naukluft mountains, with views reaching the distant dunes of the Namib Desert in the west. The 360 km drive will take approximately five to six hours. Desert Homestead offers 20 thatched, en-suite chalets, decorated in pale linens and dark wood "riempie" furniture. Each unit has its own verandah under a latte canopy with northern views extending to the Rotterkaum Mountains. The main areas are all open plan, encouraging guests to move around freely. Desert Homestead offers creative farm style cuisine with fresh vegetables from the desert gardens. The swimming pool in front of the main building is great for a refreshing dip. Other activities include excursions to the giant sand dunes at Sossusvlei, Naukluft, a sundowner drive on the Kulala Wilderness Reserve, guided walks, horse-riding and horse sleep-outs. Ballooning and quad-biking can also be arranged.

Overnight: Desert Homestead and Horse Trails

Day 11 - 13 Wolwedans, NamibRand

This morning you can relax by the pool or ride out across the endless plains. Later, you will drive the relatively short distance (105km) to Wolwedans, where owner Stephan Bruckner has created a fabulous collection of stylish camps located in the awe-inspiring NamibRand Nature Reserve. Wolwedans Dunes Lodge is perched on top of a dune plateau, overlooking panoramic vistas in all directions and capturing the beauty of the desert in a most memorable way. Awake in the morning to enjoy coffee/tea on your private verandah, with an unequalled view of the beauty around you before a delicious breakfast. Then experience the unique NamibRand Nature Reserve landscape during a morning and afternoon excursion by Land Rover through the dunes, endless grassy plains and along mystical mountain formations. You could encounter large and small desert animals, learn about their unique habits and explore the ancient hunting spots of the Bushmen.

Overnight: Wolwedans Dunes Lodge

Day 14 Depart

Today after a leisurely breakfast, set off on your return drive to Windhoek - which will take approximately five to six hours (430km) -and your return flight home.

Depart