Discover Namibia Road Trip

Day 1: Windhoek

Arrival in Windhoek and collection of rental vehicle.

Capital city, arrival and departure point, centre of the Namibian economy and a colourful mix of cultures - all this and much more is Windhoek. With approximately 480.000 inhabitants Windhoek is by far the biggest city in Namibia, but still a relaxed atmosphere can be noted, which is so typical for Africa. Even though the city is relatively small in comparison to other capital cities, it offers a large variety of shopping centres, restaurants, hotels and Bed & Breakfast. Due to the central location in the country, it is also the ideal starting and end point for tours through Namibia.

Overnight at Hotel Thule incl. breakfast.

Day 2: Kalahari

Drive from Windhoek to the Kalahari.

The Kalahari expands over a vast area between Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. The landscape features endless plains, which are only separated by long sand dunes. Camelthorn acacia trees and the dry yellow grass plains are typical for this landscape, which is also home to numerous antelopes. Especially Oryx, Springbok and Wildebeest can be found here in large numbers. The deep red sunsets also add to special atmosphere that the Kalahari offers it's visitors. 

Overnight at Intu Afrika Suricate Tented Camp incl. dinner and breakfast.

Days 3 & 4: Fish River Canyon

Drive from the Kalahari to the Fish River Canyon.

The second largest canyon in the world is equally impressive as the Grand Canyon even though it's dimensions are not as vast. The Fish River Canyon is approximately 160 km long and it's depth varies between 450 and 550m. Part of the canyon was created by tectonal plate movement, while the remainder of the gorge was carved into the dry landscape by the Fish River. According to legend, a dragon fled from hunters into the desert and left a track on the ground, which nowadays is the canyon. Spectacular views can be enjoyed from look-out points on the eastern side of the canyon. There are also walking trails along the edge and inside the canyon. 

Overnight at Canyon Lodge incl. dinner and breakfast.

Day 5: Aus

Drive from the Fish River Canyon to Aus.

The small village of Aus is situated in one of the most fascinating lanscapes of Namibia. The impressive Tiras Mountains are just north of Aus, which are borded to the south and the west by the deep red sand dunes of the Namib. Due to the dry conditions this regions is one of the most sparsely populated areas of the country, creating the possibility to enjoy the nearly untouched nature. Aus is also ideally located for day trips to Lüderitz and Kolmaskop. With a bit of luck one can even see the rare desert horses along the way. 

Overnight at Klein Aus Vista Eagles Nest incl. dinner and breakfast.

Days 6 & 7: Lüderitz

Drive from Aus to Lüderitz.

Lüderitz, a small fishing town, with which the colonial era of previous German South West Africa began, is located in the far south-west of Namibia, bordered by the barren plains of the Namib and the cold Atlantic. In the early 1900s the first diamonds were found in the nearby desert sands, which resluted in the establishment of the mining town Kolmanskop, located only a few kilometers east of Lüderitz. Today, Kolmanskop is deserted and the old mining town is being reclaimed by the desert sands - a sight well worth a visit. 

Overnight at Lüderitz Nest Hotel incl. breakfast.

Days 8 & 9: At Kronenhof

Drive from Lüderitz to the At Kronenhof Lodge.

Kronenhof Lodge is situated on a private reserve in the far south of Namibia; just 30 kilometers south of the famous Duwisib Castle. Halfway between Aus and Sossusvlei via the C27 road and 110 kilometers west of Helmeringhausen. The lodge is situated in an area fringed by mountains and red sands typical of the NamibRand region of south west Namibia. Rock-strewn plains formed by ancient volcanic activity form part of the landscape as far as the eye can see. Panoramic views paint a portrait of a harsh and unforgiving landscape, and yet it is this wild beauty of nature that captivates every visitor here. 

Overnight at At Kronenhof Lodge incl. dinner and breakfast.

Days 10 & 11: Namib Desert / Sossusvlei

Drive from the At Kronenhof Lodge to the Namib Desert.

With a height of up to 375m the dunes of Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei are ranked among the highest in the world. The Tsauchab river, which only flows during good rainy seasons, ends in the desert sands between the Atlantic Ocean and the central highland in the interior of Namibia. At Sossusvlei, the flow of the Tsauchab River has created so-called "vleis", clay pans, between the dunes. The vast emptiness of the Namib, the spectacular views and variations of colours between grass, mountains, dunes, vleis and sky make this one of the most scenic places in the whole of Southern Africa, which is always worth a visit. 

Overnight at Sossusvlei Lodge incl. dinner and breakfast.

Days 12 & 13: Swakopmund

Drive from the Namib Desert to Swakopmund.

Swakopmund is nestled between the cold waves of the Atlantic Ocean and the dry sand dunes of the Namib. The city has a small town atmosphere, which is reminiscent to coastal villages in Germany during the early 1900s. The small city centre boasts many historic buildings, which house small cafés and boutiques. Swakopmund is the ideal halfway-stop for any tour through Namibia and offers both relaxation and for those who wish, a good variety of activities in the nearby dunes and along the coast line.

Overnight at The Delight Hotel incl. breakfast.

Days 14 & 15: Twyfelfontein

Drive from Swakopmund to Twyfelfontein.

"Doubtful Fountain", this is the name that the farmer once called this piece of land, surrounded by a sandstone rocks, which has already been used in prehistoric times by the San and Damara People to carve and paint their culture on the rocks. Today you can explore this cultural heritage by means of a short trail, which allows you to see the many rock engravings, which have been preserved perfectly due to the dry climatic conditions of this region. Closeby you can also visit the Petrified Forrest, where you can see the remains of petrified tree trunks, which were washed to this area many millenia ago.

Overnight at Mowani Mountain Camp incl. dinner and breakfast.

Day 16: Etosha South

Drive from Twyfelfontein to the southern entrance of the Etosha National Park.

The Andersson Gate is the gateway to the southern part of the Etosha National Park. After only a few kilometers into the park one can visit the Ombika waterpoint, where mostly zebra and springbok can be seen. But also the nearby waterpoints Olifantsbad, Gemsbokvlakte and Newbrowni can be easily visited in a daytrip. Next to various antelope species there are good chances of spotting elephants and even lions on the open plains and at the waterpoints during an excursion through the park. The Andersson Gate is open from sunrise till sunset. 

Overnight at Etosha Safari Lodge - incl. dinner and breakfast.

Days 17 & 18: Etosha East

Drive through the Etosha National Park to the eastern side of the park.

The eastern part of the Etosha National Park is reached through the Von Lindequist Gate. The mostly open plains surrounding Fishers Pan and the Andoni Plain offer ideal game viewing possibilities through-out most parts of the year. At the natural fountains Klein Namutoni and Chudop one can regularly see a large variety of different animals at the same time. Fort Namutoni, which used to be a police station, is also worth a visit. Here you can enjoy a relaxed lunch break in the small restaurant or at the pool in the Namutoni restcamp.

Overnight at Mushara Bush Camp incl. dinner and breakfast.

Days 19 & 20: Waterberg

Drive from Etosha National Park to Waterberg Plateau Park.

The Waterberg Plateau is a flat-topped mountain formed from sand stone. Due to is special geological formation, the Waterberg boasts a tremendous variety of fauna and flora. In 1972 this area was proclaimed as a national park, mainly to protect endangered animal species such as the Black Rhino. Today visitors can join on guided excursions onto the plateau or enjoy the scenic beauty of the park while walking along it's many trails. Due to it's central location, the Waterberg is also an ideal stop-over point between Windhoek and the Etosha National Park or other destinations in the north of Namibia. 

Overnight at Waterberg Plateau Lodge incl. dinner and breakfast.

Day 21: GocheGanas

Drive from Waterberg Plateau Park to GocheGanas.

The private game reserve of GocheGanas is located only a mere 30 km south of Windhoek. In the foothills of the Auas Mountains and the typical bushland of central Namibia offer ideal game viewing opportunities during a guided game drive. With a bit of luck you might even spot a rhino. The impressive wellness centre of the lodge invites guests to relax at the pool, the sauna or during a massage treatment. 

Overnight at GocheGanas Lodge incl. dinner and breakfast.

Day 22: End of Tour

Drive back to Windhoek and return the rental car.

End of the tour.

This tour includes a 4x4 rental vehicle (Toyota Double Cab or similar) from/to Windhoek including the maximum possible insurance cover. The insurance covers damages to tyres as well as the windscreen.

The vehicle is optimally suited for the expected road conditions of this tour, which range from rough gravel roads, small sandy tracks up to paved national roads in excellent condition.