Self Drive Holidays - Southern Namibian highlights Tour

Credit: Wolwedans Dune Lodge

:: Holiday Styles

Self Drive Holidays

Southern Namibian Highlights

2008:
14 Days self-drive luxury accommodated tour from Rand/N$24,870 pp sharing (1st November 2007 to 15th June 2008) to Rand/N$29,285 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, Kalahari desert, 2 nights Fish River Canyon, Namib Desert, 2 nights Wolwedans Lodge, NamibRand Nature Reserve, 2 nights Sesriem & Sossusvlei, 2 nights Swakopmund coastal resort, Cape Cross seal colony.

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, hotels or guest houses 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 dinner in the excellent hotel restaurant. Breakfast included.

Day 2: Bagatelle Lodge, edge of Kalahari

Drive southwards this morning to Bagatelle Lodge, located approximately 4 hours drive from Windhoek at the edge of the Kalahari Desert. Spend the night at this small and exclusive lodge and perhaps enjoy an optional nature drive this afternoon. Dinner & breakfast included.

Days 3 & 4 : Fish River Canyon

Credit: Richard Wilson & Naomi Cordiner - Klipspringer

After breakfast, continue on your drive south today to the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world and a spectacular sight surrounded by featureless gravel plains. The drive will take approximately 5 hours. If time allows, visit the viewpoints at Hobas and take a short walk along the Canyon edge to watch the spectacular sunset. Stay at Canon Lodge, and take advantage of their excellent restaurant and bar overlooking the vast plains of the Namib. Optional activities available fro the lodge include scenic flights, horse riding and nature drives. Breakfast & dinner included.

Days 5 & 6: Klein Aus, Namib Desert

You have a shorter drive of approximately 4 hours today to reach Klein Aus Vista, a beautiful private farm located on the edge of the Namib Desert with spectacular views from the boulder strewn hillsides across wide open plains. You will stay in either secluded rock cabins 7km from the main buildings tonight. There will be access to the restaurant and bar which is situated in the main farmhouse. There are self-guided walks that can be taken on the farm, or you can drive to the coastal town of Luderitz for the day. Luderitz is a historic mining town offering rugged coastal scenery and the chance to view large numbers of birds from the coast, including penguins on Halifax Island which is accessible via a short boat trip. The ghost town of Kolmanskop is also worth a visit; abandoned when the diamond reserves became depleted, this bizarre collection of German colonial buildings is now being reclaimed by the desert sands. Breakfast & dinner included.

Days 7 & 8: Wolwedans Dune Lodge, NamibRand Reserve

Your drive today will take you through some rugged and beautiful scenery, from open gravel plains to mountain ranges. Accompanied by experienced guides, visitors are introduced to the Namib Rand Nature Reserve's desert habitat with its diverse fauna and flora; on foot, by car, or from the air in a hot-air balloon (an optional extra). The traditional programme for two nights would entail an afternoon drive on the day of arrival, followed by a full day safari. The lodge also lends itself to relaxing for an afternoon, the choice is entirely yours. Accommodation is in one of eight chalets each with en-suite bathroom. Each chalet has its own private veranda offering wonderful views of the desert. Each chalet has an en-suite bathroom fitted with hot shower, 2 washbasins and flush toilet. All chalets are equipped with solar-powered lights. All meals & activities included.

Days 9 & 10: Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge

Credit: Richard Wilson & Naomi Cordiner

Set off this morning for the dunes of the Namib Desert, Sesriem and Sossusvlei. The drive should take approximately 4 hours and you will arrive at Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge this afternoon. This beautifully decorated and relaxing establishment has a bar, restaurant and pool. Each private chalet has a skylight for viewing the night skies, luxurious lounge and unrivalled view of the desert. Wake early the following morning and take an inclusive trip into Sossusvlei. Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge has a private entrance to the National Park from where you will make your way through the magnificent dune fields to Sossusvlei, an ancient saltpan which occasionally floods with water in years of exceptional rainfall. Explore the dunes around the saltpan of Sossusvlei, and maybe walk across the sand to Deadvlei, a bizarre collection of ancient camelthorn trees and a photographers dream. Return to the lodge for an afternoon siesta, maybe take a nature drive this afternoon, or relax around the pool. All meals & activities included.

Days 11& 12: Swakopmund

Continue your drive northwards, through mountain passes to Walvis Bay and on to Swakopmund, maybe stopping at the Walvis Bay Lagoon en route to view the amazing variety of birds that inhabit this area. Swakopmund is a picturesque resort with many good seafood restaurants and shops as well as an interesting museum and aquarium. You will stay for two nights at 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. Breakfast included. A highly recommended optional day trip to the marine sanctuary of Sandwich Harbour can also be included, just ask for details.

Day 13: Cape Cross Lodge

Drive the short distance up the desolate coast road today to Cape Cross, a National Parks site. This area is home to the largest fur seal colony in Southern Africa , numbers can reach 100,000 during breeding season and this area of coast is also home to black backed jackal and the rare brown hyena. Cape Cross lodge is situated on the beach overlooking the wild Atlantic and offers beautifully furnished rooms overlooking the ocean, a lovely dining area with excellent food and a roaring fireplace. Enjoy a last relaxing evening away from the bustle of civilisation. Dinner & breakfast included.

Day 14: Depart from Windhoek

Return to Windhoek today, a drive of approximately 3.5 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.