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| Windhoek , Sesriem , Sossusvlei , Swakopmund , Walvis bay , Twyfelfontein , Etosha , Rundu , Waterberg Plateau , Okahandja
This route encompasses the best that Namibia has to offer. It does highlights of both our Northern and Southern loops at a leisurely pace – so bring your camera along and enjoy the country that boasts having some of the biggest, widest, longest and oldest things in Africa and possibly the world!
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Arriving Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek one of our representatives will meet you
and show you to your car (optional) or alternatively go directly to the car hire desk at the airport where you
will complete the formalities of your car hire and begin your self-drive journey into Namibia – the land of contrasts.
A short city tour of Windhoek is well worth the time; here you will be able to see the Germanic influence for the days of the German occupation of Namibia. We suggest you exchange your money in town or at the airport so that you can secure the best exchange rate. Namibia strongly influenced by her former German colonial masters has given the capital a distinctive character. Windhoek has many restaurants to choose from that provide from
vegetarian dishes to more traditional Namibian fare such as fish and Game dishes Joes Beer House is highly recommended. Tonight you will enjoy this thriving City, going to one of the many pubs in the city centre.
Overnight Windhoek
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Travel
Tip: Click
here for Travel Tips in this region |
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distance: APP 300 KM
As you leave Windhoek on the B1 to the south, you pass one of Namibia’s newest landmarks, The Hero’s Acre. This impressive monument commissioned by Dr. Samuel Nujoma to commemorate all who fought and died in Namibia’s liberation struggle. It is open to the public. You will continue south through the Auas Mountains toward Rehoboth. A visit to the Rehoboth Museum will help explain the origin and heritage of the very proud Rehoboth Baster population. Leaving the B1 and asphalt roads behind for the C24, you travel towards Solitaire via Nauchas and Remhoogte pass. Spreetshoogte pass is an option, but extremely steep and better suited to 4x4 vehicles and experienced drivers. There is some beautiful scenery on both routes and the possibility to see game such as Oryx, Kudu, Steenbok, Klipspringer and Mountain Zebra. Solitaire is the proverbial “one horse town” and an ideal fuel and rest stop before continuing the last 80km to Sesriem. The name Sesriem according to
legend comes from the drivers needing six reins strapped to one another to lower a bucket into the gorge for water. Sesriem Canyon was cut by the Tschaub river millions of years ago. About 3 km long and 30 metres deep, the canyon is easily accessible by foot.
Overnight Sesriem
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distance: 150km
Sesriem is the starting point for trips to the Sossusvlei, a small clay-pan surrounded by some of the highest sand dunes in the world (up to 325m). An early morning entry into the Namib Naukluft Park is essential for those who want to appreciate the clear morning air and colours of the rising sun on the dunes Here the Tsauchab River is surrounded by the imposing dunes. The river supplies the pan with water for the wildlife that lives in the pan. The dunes in this desert are red - the older the dune the more orange the colour based on oxidization. It is highly likely that the Namib Desert might be the oldest in the world. A badly potholed tar road takes you as far as the 2x4 parking area 60km from the entrance. The last 5km is through thick sand and is only suited to 4x4 vehicles. There is a shuttle service to Sossusvlei is available. For the energetic, the early start is to be the first to summit Dune 45. Scaling a dune or a walk to either Hidden or Dead Vlei is necessary. There are basic ablution amenities, but no running water. It is important that each person bring at least one litre of drinking water. Enjoy optional activities such as Hot Air Balloon or aeroplane flights over the dunes as well as guided walking and horse trails.
Overnight Sesriem
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Travel
Tip: Click
here for Travel Tips in this region |
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distance: 200km
The drive to Swakopmund is an easy one with beautiful desert vistas along the way. A visit to the nearby Sesriem Canyon is also possible. Today you again pass through Solitaire on your way first to the Gaub Pass and then on to the spectacular Kuiseb Canyon. After you have passed through the canyon, there is a look out point a few kilometres from the main road that over looks the canyon, you can buy your permit at the Sesriem office. You can either travel directly towards Walvis Bay and the coast along the C14 or take the slightly longer but more scenic route via the Ganab Plains, where you can see large herds of ostrich, springbok and warthog. The ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis and the Moon Landscape are definitely worth a visit closer to Swakopmund. There are many exciting activities to enjoy in and around Swakopmund such as ballooning, pleasure flights, boat cruises, quad biking, sand boarding, skydiving and much more. Tonight enjoy the atmosphere of this coastal tourist town
Overnight Swakopmund
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Travel
Tip: Click
here for Travel Tips in this region |
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Swakopmund, Namibia’s second biggest town is Namibia’s most popular coastal town. After a morning packed with activities (you can do half or full day) you will enjoy a day soaking in the European influence and culture it has to offer. Home to the Atlantic Ocean, Swakopmund is misty in the mornings; the mist lifts as the day moves on. You can visit the small but interesting aquarium and The Crystal Gallery is also recommended. After a lunch in Swakopmund, you will go towards Walvis Bay. You approach the town through the endless expanses of the Namib Desert. Walvis Bay (once a whaling station) is located in the central Namib. There are some 55 000 residents at this coastal town. German architecture influences many of the buildings. In Walvis Bay, you can soak in the adventure activities including boat trips out in the bay to see the whales and dolphins. Also home to Dune 7 and welwitchia plants – Walvis Bay has much to offer.
Overnight Walvis Bay or Swakopmund
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Travel
Tip: Click
here for Travel Tips in this region |
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distance: 350km
After a morning of adventure you will begin travelling towards Twyflefontein. Henties Bay, the desolation of the Skeleton Coast where there is practically no rainfall and the animals and plants have adapted to this harsh environment. Of interest is the road surface, which is not tar, but a salt mixture. This type of surfacing works well in dry conditions, but become extremely slippery in the wet. Lunch is possible at Henties Bay (if you make a late start) or at Uis. Cape Cross Seal Colonyhome to 250,000 Cape fur seal colony is well worth a visit. Exchanging the salt road for gravel once again, you head toward Uis. Here a worked out tin mine with its white mine dump is the focus. There is a lot of interesting (and poisonous) flora found in this region, especially the Euphorbia. After Uis, you pass the Brandberg and the highest point in Namibia as well as the famous "White Lady". If you want to see the “White Lady”, then you need to set off early from Swakopmund. The next interesting point is the Ugab River. As you get to the bridge, there are Herero women in traditional dress selling unique hand made Herero dolls. From here to Twyfelfontein, there is also the possibility to see desert elephant. Their huge pad marks often seen on the road indicate their presence. Further, along the route, discover 6000-year-old Khoi-San (Bushmen) paintings and engravings in the Twyfelfontein area. There are two well-marked walks; the shorter is about one hour and the longer about 90 minutes. A small entry fee is charged and a local guide accompanies you to explain the engravings. Early morning or late afternoon is best, as the midday heat can be fierce. Remember your water! Close by you also find the interesting dolerite columns that exposed by erosion have taken on an odd shape and are now referred to as the Organ Pipes. When the wind blows, the Pipes play music. The Burnt Mountain with its strange colouring is also just a couple of hundred meters away.
Overnight Twyfelfontein
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Travel
Tip: Click
here for Travel Tips in this region |
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Twyfelfontein ("Doubtful Spring"), with one of the most extensive galleries of rock engravings in the world, done by cutting through the hard surface layer of sandstone. More than 2000 “pictures” counted here make Twyfelfontein a National Monument, most of the rock engravings depict animals and their tracks. Scientists have estimated their ages to vary between 1000 and 10000 years. Spend your morning rediscovering 6000-year-old Khoi-San (Bushmen) paintings and engravings in the Twyfelfontein area. There are 2 well-marked walks; the shorter is about one hour and the longer about 90 minutes. A small entry fee is charged and a local guide accompanies you to explain the engravings. Early morning or late afternoon is best, as the midday heat can be fierce. Remember your water! Close by you also find the interesting dolerite columns that exposed to erosion have created the Organ Pipes. The Burnt Mountain with its strange colouring is also just a couple of hundred meters away.
Overnight Twyfelfontein
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distance: 260km
We suggest you depart early, although not a very long days driving, the roads can be somewhat unpredictable, especially during the rainy season. Leaving Twyfelfontein behind you drive toward Khorixas, the capital of Damaraland. En- Route there is beautiful rock formations sculpted by nature over millions of years. The Petrified Forest, 30 minute before Khorixas, is where you see the petrified remains of massive trees uprooted elsewhere in Africa 200 million years ago and transported to their current resting place by ancient rivers. Although Khorixas is a convenient fuel and rest stop, it does not offer much else. 60 kilometres after Khorixas is the turn off to the Vingerklip- only 18 kilometres from the main road and is a beautiful limestone conglomerate standing 35 metres tall.
Overnight Outjo
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distance: 120km
An early start will see you at the “Andersson Gate” The main entrance to Etosha National Park are at Okaukuejo in the south, where the park administration resides. You are in Etosha National Park for two days of game viewing. Outjo – Okaukuejo (120km) after checking in, you can relax at the pool until the worst heat passes. Drive to one of the many waterholes and see what animals come in for a drink. All 3 camps in Etosha National Park have a restaurant, shop, swimming pool, public phones, service station and lit waterhole where you can sit and wait throughout the night for that special sighting. Okaukuejo also has a post office and curio shop.
Overnight Okaukuejo
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Travel
Tip: Click
here for Travel Tips in this region |
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Etosha National Park was declared a National Park in 1907 and covering an area of 22 270 square km, it is home to 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and, surprisingly, one species of fish. Etosha, meaning "Great White Place", dominated by a massive mineral pan is part of the Kalahari Basin, the floor of which formed around 1000 million years ago. The Etosha Pan covers around 25% of the National Park. The game viewing in Etosha National Park is spectacular, the best time being from May to September - the cooler months in Namibia. Visitors to Etosha National Park can expect to see many buck species, elephant, giraffe, rhino and lions. If you are lucky, you will also see leopard and cheetah. There is a network of roads linking the three campsites and to the various waterholes. It will take a full day game drive to your next overnight camp at Fort Namutoni on the eastern border of the park. It is worth exploring the western part of the park from here before continuing on to Halali. There are some strange Moringa trees and the Okondeka waterhole with its resident lion pride, offer a good chance of seeing lions.
Overnight Namutoni Rest camp
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Your last day in Etosha National Park sees you spending the night in Fort Namutoni Rest Camp. Namutoni on the eastern edge of the pan centres on a beautiful old fort in an area dotted with graceful Makalani palms. The Fort dates back to a German police post, built before the turn of the century, and later used as an army base and for English prisoners in the First World War. Before being restored to its present state in 1957 as a reminder of its military past, each sunrise and sunset are observed by a bugler calling from the top of the watch tower, in the fort's north-eastern corner - onto which you can climb for a better view of the surrounding country as the sun goes down.
Overnight Fort Namutoni Rest Camp
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distance: 330km
Drive towards Lake Otjikoto is a huge sinkhole with an interesting history. Lake Otjikoto is on your way to Tsumeb. Tsumeb is a mining town with a now abandoned copper mine that is being re-opened. Tsumeb-Namibia’s garden City due to its abundance of water and the subsequent lush trees and shrubs. The museum is worth visiting and offers a look at life from a previous era, and houses some beautifully restored German weapons. The Hoba meteorite near Grootfontein is the largest in the world and its estimated weight is between 50 and 60 tonnes. It only fell to earth about 80 000 years ago, but is estimated to be between 410 and 190 million years old. Leaving Grootfontein behind you travel along the B8 towards Rundu. After only 56 kilometres you reach “Roy’s Camp” where you will have the opportunity to see how the Khoi-San (Bushmen) lived 150 years ago in Namibia. These are not people who still live traditionally today, but rather Bushmen who have adapted to modern living, while still keeping their traditional ways alive. The way in which your host introduces you to this fascinating culture is such that you cannot but marvel at their ingenuity and skill while accepting that it is something of the past. Other attractions are bird and game viewing, walking trails, bar, restaurant and swimming pool. Farm drives available on request.
Overnight Rundu
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Travel
Tip: Click
here for Travel Tips in this region |
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distance: 580km
Today is a very long day on the road and you can either drive directly to the Waterberg Plateau or break it by adding another night to your trip and overnight in Grootfontein. After breakfast you need to a decision, there are 2 possible routes to take to the Waterberg Plateau Park. The B8 either back to the B1 and Otjiwarongo or gravel “D” roads. These are shorter and more scenic. The Waterberg Plateau east of Otjiwarongo is about 200m higher than the surrounding plains. The 20 km wide and 50 km long mountain massif consists of porous sandstone. Whilst the plateau is dry on top, there is a lot of surface water and strong permanent springs at the foot of the mountain making the vegetation lush, green and diverse. You can find wild fig trees, fire lilies and coral trees. The Waterberg Plateau has many walking trails as well as guided game drives on the plateau. This is worthwhile, since it offers the opportunity to see buffalo and sable antelope, game that you have not had the opportunity to see up till now. They have a hide at one of the waterholes that gives you a good opportunity to see the wildlife indigenous to this area.
Overnight Waterberg Plateau
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Travel
Tip: Click
here for Travel Tips in this region |
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distance: 260 km
As you continue south towards Windhoek, the last town you reach is Okahandja where you have the last opportunity to shop for native African crafts. The curios sold here are not all Namibian, but are also from neighbouring countries to the north. Irrespective of this, it is worth stopping at one of the two huge wood carvers markets. Ombo Ostrich Show Ranch might also be interesting. It is also a good place for a light lunch before continuing to Namibia’s Capital – Windhoek.
Spend tonight going to the world famous Joes Beer House for a spectacular meal.
Overnight Windhoek
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After a day at leisure, you will do your last minute shopping driving towards Hosea Kutako International Airport to drop you car off and continue with you onward travels. |
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16 nights accommodation as per itinerary
Meals as per basis at Lodge / B&B / Hotel
17 days car hire
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Flights
Optional Activities
Travel insurance
Entrance / Concession fees
Additional meals and beverages
Personal insurance
Additional nights
Visas if required
Guide / driver
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| * Prices are indications only and are subject to change. |
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