Meerkat Self Drive - Namibia

This 14 day self-drive trip takes you around Namibia's main highlights.

Day 1 & 2: Windhoek - Okonjima:  About a three hour drive north of Windhoek on the B1 road. Your destination is Okonjima and the AfriCat foundation. Your activities here are included in this package and centre around viewing leopard & cheetah, visiting a night hide and generally learning about what the AfriCat foundation is doing to preserve these wonderful animals. Accommodation: Okonjima Bush Camp

 

Day 3: Okonjima - Etosha: Leaving Okonjima return to the main B1 road and continue your journey northwards via Otjiwarongo, Otavi & Tsumeb and then enter Etosha Park via the von Lindequist Gate. From here it is an 80km drive to Halali where you will be spending the night, this drive could easily take you several hours as game is plentiful in Etosha and the chances are you will be constantly stopping to view animals. Whatever happens remember you need to be inside the Halali gates before sunset. Accommodation: Namutoni

 

Day 4 & 5: Etosha Park: The roads in Etosha are unsealed gravel roads but are in reasonable condition. As the day gets hotter head for shade, and lunch, at one of the parks three camps, Okaukuejo, Namutoni or Halali. With two full days in the park you should have sightings of most of the parks inhabitants (although be warned the cats are notoriously hard to find - and of course what you see is determined by luck and more importantly your ability to spot wildlife).

  Accommodation: Okaukuejo 

 

Day 6: Etosha - Damaraland: Those interested in geological matters may be inclined to take the short detour from the main road to visit the Vingerklip (Rock Finger). From Khorixas continue westwards until you reach the Petrified Forest - from here head to Twyfelfontein, this world heritage site has an extremely high density of bushmen rock engravings. After hiring a local guide you will be shown some of the more striking of these petroglyphs. Accommodation: Twyfelfontein Lodge 

 

Day 7: Damaraland - Swakopmund:  A short drive followed by a slightly longer walk will bring you to the 'White Lady' rock painting.On arrival in check into your accommodation before heading out for a drink, dinner and a night on the town. Accommodation: Hotel Eberwein

 

 Day 8: Swakopmund: Activities  range from sandboarding through quad biking to sky-diving. No activities are included in this package but they can be pre-arranged when you book this itinerary or left for you to arrange on arrival is Swakopmund Accommodation: Hotel Eberwein

 

Day 9: Swakopmund - Sossusvlei: Leave Swakopmund towards the harbour town of Walvis Bay, the lagoon here attracts a lot of marine & birdlife and is well worth a visit to view the pink flamingoes. You may decide to take a catamaran cruise on the lagoon (not included in package price). Accommodation:  Desert Homestead

 

Day 10: Sossusvlei: Wake up early and leave your lodge.Park at the the 2x4 car park (unless you have a 4x4 vehicle this is as far as you can drive), Sossusvlei is a further 4km from here but you are already amongst fairly large dunes. Deadvlei, so named because it is a large pan with sculptural dead trees, is close by and definitely worth a visit. On your way back to the lodge stop at the Sesriem Canyon - follow the signs from the Sesriem Campsite.  Accommodation: Desert Homestead

 

Day 11 & 12: Sossusvlei - klein Aus Vista:  Leaving the Sossusvlei area today you drive south along the edge of the Namib Naukluft Park with Luderitz as your ultimate destination. Eventually you will reach a tarred road again at the small village of Aus.  You will spend two nights at a lodge near Aus from where you can do a day trip to Luderitz or just spend the time exploring this beautiful area. Accommodation: Eagles Nest - Klein Aus Vista

 

Day 13: Klein Aus Vista - Bagatelle: Leaving Aus you begin your drive eastwards. At the town of Seeheim head south towards the Fish River Canyon. The viewpoint at Hobas offers a spectacular view over the canyon, but to be honest once you have seen the canyon there is not a lot more to do in the area so you continue your journey northwards back towards Windhoek. Tonight's stop is in the Kalahari Desert, characterised by small red dunes this is a stunning area.  Accommodation: Bagatelle Kalahari Lodge

 

Day 14: Windhoek:  It is a fairly quick drive from here to Windhoek, so you can spend the morning exploring the area before heading back to the capital of Namibia. Those flying out can drop their car at the airport and we can arrange accommodation in Windhoek for any one staying behind