Self Drive Holidays - Northern Namibian Highlights

Credit:Leopard, Okonjima Lodge

:: Holiday Styles

Self Drive Holidays

Northern Namibian Highlights

2008:
14 Days self-drive luxury accommodated tour from Rand/N$28,825 pp sharing (1st November 2007 to 15th June 2008) to Rand/N$33,975 pp sharing (16 th June to 31st October 2008) (Single Supplement: on request).

Departures from Windhoek daily throughout the year - on request.

Routing: Windhoek to Windhoek.

Highlights: Windhoek, Okonjima Lodge & Africat Foundation, 4 nights Etosha National Park, Huab Lodge, Damaraland Camp, 2 nights Swakopmund coastal resort.

Details: Self-drive accommodated safari inclusive of zero excess 2x4 air-conditioned Toyota Avenza vehicle hire (or 4x4 air-conditioned Hilux for an extra cost), accommodation in luxury lodges or hotels on the meal & activity basis stated, route map & 24 hour support.

Day 1: Windhoek

Land in Windhoek, collect your hire vehicle and transfer to your accommodation at the Heinitzburg Hotel, an elegant and exclusive establishment situated high in the hillsides of Windhoek overlooking the city. Explore the shops and restaurants of the city if time allows. Stay in luxurious surroundings, maybe enjoy the excellent restaurant within the hotel. Breakfast included.

Day 2 & 3: Okonjima Bush Lodge and Africat Foundation

Depart Windhoek this morning and drive northwards to Okonjima Lodge, situated just south of Otjiwarongo and around 3.5 hours from Windhoek . This lodge is located on the same concession area as the Africat Foundation, a charitable organisation committed to the conservation of Namibia 's big cat populations. You will find out more about the work of Africat during the inclusive afternoon and morning drives where you will perhaps have the chance to see leopard, cheetah and lion. Okonjima Lodge offers luxurious and friendly accommodation in beautiful surroundings. All meals and activities included.

Days 4 & 5 : Mushara Lodge, Eastern Etosha

After departing from Okonjima, drive north today, to Mushara Lodge located just outside the eastern gate of Etosha National Park. The journey should take around 2 hours. This luxurious and intimate lodge accommodates a maximum of 24 guests in spacious bungalows. Relax around the swimming pool and enjoy excellent cuisine under the beautiful thatch dining area. Optional game drives may be taken with the experienced Mushara guides. Dinner & breakfast included.

Days 6 & 7: Ongava Lodge, Etosha National Park

Credit:Ongava Lodge, Wilderness Safaris

Depart this morning for your drive through Etosha National Park, Namibia 's premier wildlife reserve. Perhaps stop at Halali, the central rest camp inside Etosha, for lunch and a brief rest during the heat of the day before continuing and exiting the Park via the southern gate. Ongava Lodge is located in a private nature reserve bordering the Etosha National Park, and in addition to the inclusive early morning and late afternoon game drives through the Park itself, you will be able to enjoy viewing the many species present around the lodge waterhole. The lodge waterhole situated in front of the main deck provides the perfect place to relax and watch the movements of the many animals quenching their thirst. The accommodation is in luxurious brick & thatch chalets and a bar, dining area and swimming pool blend in to the surrounding environment. Dinner & breakfast included on day 6, all meals and activities included on day 7.

Days 8 & 9: Huab Lodge, near Kamanjab

Your drive today should take around 3 hours, away from Etosha and into the drier region of Damaraland. Huab Lodge is situated midway between Kamanjab and Khorixas on a large private concession. The owners of Huab Lodge, Jan & Suzi, have done an amazing amount of work to develop the lodge area as an environmentally friendly, and extremely beautiful, place to stay. Their knowledge is astounding, as is the attention to detail. Accommodation is in spacious bungalows and activities such as nature drives, bush walks, bird watching and relaxing in a natural, thermal mineral pool are all included.
As an optional extra service, aromatherapy massages are offered. The environment here is stunning, quite different from the northern riverine areas and Etosha Park . All meals and activities included.

Days 10 & 11: Damaraland Camp

Depart Huab this morning, your journey should take around 3 hours and you will arrive at Damaraland Camp by this afternoon. A representative of the camp will meet you at the main gate to transfer you by 4x4 vehicle to the lodge. The highlights of this beautiful area include the rock art site of Twyfelfontein, the Burnt Mountain and Petrified Forest collection of ancient, fossilised gymnosperm trees.

Damaraland luxury camp is set in its own 80,000 hectare reserve, regarded as the most successful eco-tourism project in Namibia . Situated on the dry Huab River , it is one of the best places to spot the rare Desert Elephant, with 80% of guests who stay two nights being lucky enough to enjoy a sighting. It is also home to the occasional lion and cheetah and a multitude of antelope and rare birds. The lodge has a wonderful bar and restaurant situated under canvas with an outside boma eating area and open fire area with stunning views along the valley and its boulder strewn plains. The camp also has a natural rock swimming pool, perfect for relaxing around between game drives and walks. All meals and activities included.

Days 12 & 13: Swakopmund

Credit: Hansa Hotel

You have an approximate 5 hour drive today via the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain, to the coast. If time allows, you may like to visit Cape Cross, one of the largest fur seal colony in Southern Africa where up to 100,000 individuals can be seen at any one time. Swakopmund is a picturesque resort with many good seafood restaurants and shops as well as an interesting museum and aquarium. You will stay in the Hansa Hotel. This beautiful old building is situated in the centre of Swakopmund, close to shops and restaurants as well as the main beaches. Breakfasts included. A highly recommended optional day trip to the marine sanctuary of Sandwich Harbour can also be included, just ask for details.

Day 14: Depart from Windhoek

Return to Windhoek today, a drive of approximately 4 hours, in time to connect with your onward flight.

Please note that departure should be after 14h00.

Please note - the itinerary above is a guideline only and whilst we try to adhere to it there may be circumstances when it may change - for example weather and/or road conditions, seasonal daylight hours etc. Overnight stops on occasion may be altered from those indicated above.