13-Nights A Self-Drive Adventure in Namibia - Tailormade Journeys — CALL

1 Arrive Windhoek, Namibia

Palm-shaded parks and Lutheran churches: even at first glance, Windhoek has a decidedly German flavor to its architecture, befitting the origins of this once-colonial desert station. It is no coincidence the capital rises from the ochre sands in the center of the country; this is Namibia's political and cultural heart, where galleries showcase the nation's artistic talent and museums recount the long and winding Namibian story. Upon touch down, pick up the car you will use for your self-driven tour and take it to your hotel, where you relax before the odyssey ahead.

Encompassing towering dunes, vast plains and rugged mountains, the private, 830-square-mile Namib Rand National Reserve in southwest Namibia is a conservation pioneer. Situated south of Sossusvlei, it was established in 1992 to protect the unique biodiversity of the Namib Desert. Oryx, springbok, and Hartmann’s mountain zebra are among the species you might encounter, while — as Africa’s first International Dark Sky Reserve — it offers stargazing that is second to none. Drive here to meet an experienced Bushman who shows you how to read the desert like a book as you traverse its soaring sand dunes. For a more energetic outing, get your kicks on a desert e-bike excursion, joining an expert guide who leads you into the untamed dunes and expansive desert plains to behold the reserve’s dramatic scenery on two wheels.

Revel in a day free to do as you wish, relaxing in camp or setting out on activities on tap such as morning and afternoon scenic drives; sunrise and sundowner drives; Bushman walks; or morning or afternoon e-biking. This evening, beneath a vivid dark sky awash with stars, take in the sights and sounds of the incomparable desert night.

The great pan of Sossusvlei defines Namibia; its soaring amber dunes, cracked earth and petrified trees have become symbols of the country's wild, weathered landscapes and the merciless grip of the elements in the Namib Desert. Seen from the air, it is a golden expanse as endless as the starry night skies, but on foot its dunes take on mammoth, otherworldly dimensions. Despite low rainfall and lack of vegetation, the desert is filled with wildlife, including oryxes, springboks and ostriches. Buckle up for a scenic drive to Sossusvlei, where, this evening, you can stay in a chalet with an open-air “Star Gazer” room and drift off to sleep beneath the Milky Way and myriad twinkling constellations.

Rise early to discover Sossusvlei’s towering red sand dunes and dramatic scenery on an early-morning guided tour timed to coincide with sunrise. Watch the sun emerge over the desert from the top of the tallest dunes. See nearby Deadvlei, a vast salt pan where centuries-dead trees still reach into the deep blue sky. Then take your pick of the activities on offer at your lodge, whether you prefer morning and afternoon scenic drives, nature walks or quad biking. You may also opt for a hot air balloon ride or go horseback riding, for an additional cost.

A laidback beach town with a rich history and warm hospitality, Swakopmund lies within the fabled Skeleton Coast. Blessed by a cooler climate than the country’s interior, it offers a mellow blend of culture and leisure with its fascinating museums and lively coastal cafés. Settle into your oceanside hotel. If you have time, start exploring the desert outside town, perhaps via quad bike, or walk the town's palm-lined streets and immerse yourself in its distinctive architecture.

Your time is yours today, free for relaxation or adventure. If you wish, devote a full day to exploring Swakopmund and the surrounding desert and water, partaking of a variety of activities, all at an additional cost, such as touring Sandwich Harbor by boat, sand boarding, kayaking, quad biking or savoring a beach barbecue.

Rugged terrain and history meet in Damaraland. This scenic stretch of northwestern Namibia offers untamed natural beauty with its mountain ranges, petrified forests and dramatic rock formations. Home to the Damara people — recognized as being among the oldest inhabitants of Namibia — it has a rich cultural heritage that plays out across a proliferation of ancient cave paintings and petroglyphs, while animal lovers can seek out a diverse range of desert-adapted wildlife.

Gain the perspective of a local guide as you travel in an open-air vehicle on an early-morning excursion to Twyfelfontein to view its trove of sandstone engravings. Return to your lodge for breakfast, after which you can simply relax or take advantage of the inspiring activities on offer, such as guided nature drives, a visit to Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes, nature walks and special sundowner experiences. Seize your opportunity to explore this hauntingly beautiful location.

Once-unproductive farmland has been utterly transformed at the edge of Etosha National Park: after years of regenerating the land, Ongava Game Reserve has become a success story for the region's endangered wildlife. Both black and white rhinos are the focus of its efforts, though lions and elephants also roam its grassy horizons. Drive to your tented camp located near Etosha National Park — a huge saltpan measuring 75 miles across and 31 miles wide — one of Africa's premier wildlife sanctuaries and home to the endangered cheetah. Venture into the reserve for a game drive through woodland, waterhole and savanna, watching for elephants, lions, rhinos, springboks, jackals and more. If you prefer, set out on a guided bush walk, experiencing this natural habitat at ground level with an armed expert by your side. This evening, a night drive in the bushveld reveals the glow of watching eyes or perhaps a ghostly silhouette of a wild creature that slinks away among the shadows.

Drive through the Etosha National Park to Onguma Tented Camp for the chance to experience Etosha’s best-kept safari secret. Tucked into the eastern nooks of Namibia’s salt-encrusted treasure trove of wildlife, Onguma is a paradise for safari-goers. Expect the unexpected from this shimmering silver-white habitat of semi-arid savanna and scrub. Stop off at Onguma’s fabulous water-level Onkolo Hide, a perfect vantage point for observing wildlife at close quarters. Make the most of excellent photo opportunities from a range of perspectives, just yards away from the waterhole.

Your day is free to relax and take advantage of the amenities your camp offers or to head out to observe wildlife, rising early for a game drive, watching the action at the Onkolo Hide or savoring a refreshing drink as the desert twilight paints dramatic shadows on the surrounding landscape.

Covering almost 50,000 acres of savanna and bushveld in central Namibia, Okonjima Nature Reserve is an animal lover’s dream, known for sightings of leopards, brown hyenas and pangolins. After your scenic drive, settle into your luxury bush camp before heading out to visit AfriCat, a pioneering organization based in Okonjima Nature Reserve focused on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. Meet the dedicated naturalists of this, one of Namibia’s longest-running leopard and cheetah monitoring projects and go behind the scenes for insights into how they’re protecting Africa’s beloved big cats.