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Wildlife in Etosha National Park on the 3 Day Etosha Camping Safari

12 Day Namibian Explorer

12 Day Namibian Explorer

From N$67650 per person
12 Days 11 Nights
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Damaraland and Kunene Region
Lodge safari
term-custom-icon Self Drive Safaris

Experience Namibia in style on this 12 Day Luxury Namibian Explorer self-drive safari. Staying at some of Namibia’s premier lodges, enjoy the adventure and freedom that a self-drive adventure brings.

What to Expect
Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, this tour spends 5 nights in Northern Namibia. With a combination of stays in private game reserves, national parks and community conservancies, each area offers a different type of wildlife experience, making this ideal for those that want to get a good taste of Namibia’s conservation efforts. Enjoy guided walks and game drives on the Ongava private reserve, one of Namibia’s leading reserves in terms of wildlife conservation. From here, enjoy a self-guided game drive from central to western Etosha National Park before heading south into Damaraland, home of desert-adapted wildlife such as elephant and giraffe.

After getting our wildlife fix, we can start our journey southwest towards Swakopmund, where we can enjoy the cooler temperatures that the coast brings. Also on offer is a range of optional activities from sky diving, quad biking or sandboarding for the adrenaline junkies to a boat cruise or food & drink tour.

Finally, spend 2 nights exploring Africa’s largest conservation area, the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Home to Namibia’s most iconic destinations, Sossusvlei, Deadvlei & Dune 45. Enjoy stunning photographic opportunities as you traverse some of the worlds highest dunes, wander around Deadvlei and enjoy some of the most incredible sunsets you will ever see.

Each travel day brings a variety of wildlife, cultures and breathtaking landscapes. A self-drive safari allows us the freedom to stop as and when we like.

For those wishing to add a little more to this luxury Namibian self-drive, why not check out some optional hiking routes, fully catered and exploring some of Namibia’s most pristine wilderness areas.

Minimum people1st Jul 2022 – 31st Oct 20221st Nov 2022 – 30th Jun 20231st Jul 2023 – 31st Oct 2023
2 people  from N$86,900 per personfrom N$74,200 per personfrom N$93,250 per person
4 people  from N$78,200 per personfrom N$67,650 per personfrom N$85,800 per person
1 Review
  • Departure/Return Location
    Windhoek / Windhoek
  • Departure Time
    8:00am
  • Return Time
    5:30 PM
  • Included
    Accommodation
    Activities as per itinerary
    Meals as per itinerary
    Transport
  • Not Included
    Drinks
    Guide
    International Flights
    Items of personal nature
    National park entry fees
    Optional Activities
    Personal travel insurance
    Water

From our gallery

Tour Plan

1
Day 1: The Weinberg, Windhoek, Namibia
On arrival at Windhoek International Airport, we will collect our hire vehicle and drive into Windhoek, where we will spend our first night in Namibia. Check into our hotel before exploring the city on foot or with an optional activity. Dinner tonight is at own expense in one of Windhoek’s many restaurants.

Accommodation: Twin share rooms with en-suite bathroom at The Weinberg
Optional Activities: Windhoek City & Township Tour
Distance travelled: ±45kms
2
Day 2: Ongava Lodge, Ongava Reserve, Outside Etosha National Park
After breakfast this morning, we depart Windhoek, heading north through Okahandja, Otjiwarongo and Outjo, arriving at the famed Ongava Reserve early afternoon. The Ongava Reserve is one of Namibia most pristine private game reserves and borders the famed Etosha National Park. This afternoon we join a game drive on the reserve itself, keeping an eye out for everything from elephant to rhino and predators including lion, leopard and more.

Accommodation: Twin share rooms with en-suite bathroom at Ongava Lodge
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Included Activities: Afternoon game drive on Ongava Reserve
Optional Activities: Night drive on Ongava Reserve
Distance travelled: ±415kms
3
Day 3: Ongava Lodge, Ongava Reserve, Outside Etosha National Park
This morning we have the option to self-drive into Etosha National Park, Namibia’s premier national park. The park itself stretches some 22,000 sq kms and is named after the enormous salt pan located within. The Etosha Pan covers around 4,800 sq kms and is so big that it can be seen from space. This afternoon enjoy the chance to relax on another afternoon game drive through the Ongava Reserve.

Accommodation: Twin share rooms with en-suite bathroom at Ongava Lodge
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Included Activities: Afternoon game drive on Ongava Reserve
Optional Activities: Morning game drive on Ongava Reserve, Morning walk on Ongava Reserve, Night drive on Ongava Reserve
Distance travelled: game drives only
4
Day 4: Dolomite Camp, Etosha National Park
After breakfast, we pack our things and make our way out of Ongava. Today we are heading into Etosha, game driving across the western part of the park. This area offers incredible game viewing opportunities, including species not seen in other areas of the park, including the Hartmann's Mountain zebra. Tonight is our last night in the Etosha region, and our camp inside the park means that our game viewing can continue into the night should we wish to sit up around the waterhole after dinner.

Accommodation: Twin share rooms with en-suite bathroom at Dolomite Camp
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Included Activities: Self-guided game drive across Etosha National Park
Optional Activities: Night drive in Etosha National Park
Distance travelled: ±200kms as game drive
5
Day 5: Mowani Mountain Camp, Damaraland, Namibia
Today we depart Etosha, heading into the communal lands of Damaraland with the option to stop at the Petrified Forest where we can enjoy a short guided tour before continuing to our home for the next 2 nights, Mowani Mountain Camp. On arrival, we can relax before enjoying a sundowner over Damaraland. Damaraland is home to some of Namibia’s most interesting landscapes, and the drives alone are breathtaking. Keep your eyes peeled in these areas for free-roaming wildlife, including elephant and giraffe.

Accommodation: Twin share rooms with en-suite bathroom at Mowani Mountain Camp
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Optional Activities: Visit to Petrified Forest
Distance travelled: ±350kms
6
Day 6: Mowani Mountain Camp, Damaraland, Namibia
We head out early this morning on a guided drive through the ephemeral river beds in search of the elusive desert elephant that roam Damaraland. Namibia is one of just 2 countries in the world (the other Mali) where elephants have specially adapted to harsh desert environments and now roam freely through the Damaraland and Kaokoland region. We return to the lodge around midday for lunch before heading out in the afternoon to visit Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the world's largest collection of San rock etchings in the world with some being estimated at more than 5000years old.

Accommodation: Twin share rooms with en-suite bathroom at Mowani Mountain Camp
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
Included Activities: Morning nature drive + afternoon excursion to Twyfelfontein
Optional Activities: Visit to the Damara Living Museum
Distance travelled: ±0kms
7
Day 7: The Strand Hotel, Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast
Today we travel along the C35, one of the most culturally diverse roads in the country. Here, we have the chance to stop and meet the 3 different tribal groups, the Herero, the Damara and the Himba, that have made this area their home. These entrepreneurial women have created small craft stalls along the road in the hope of enticing the passing tourists to buy some locally crafted souvenirs. This is a great opportunity to meet some of the local women and learn a little more about life in the rural parts of Namibia. 

From here, we cross the gravel plains and arrive on the Skeleton Coast, with our final stop before arriving in Swakopmund being the Zeila Shipwreck, the Skeleton Coasts most recent victim. We aim to arrive in Swakopmund late afternoon. Dinner tonight is at own expense in one of the many excellent restaurants.

Accommodation: Twin share rooms with en-suite bathroom at The Strand Hotel
Meals: Breakfast only
Optional Activities: Stop at the Zeila Shipwreck
Distance travelled: ±425km
8
Day 8: The Delight, Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast
A day of rest and relaxation, or explore the coastal region on one (or two) of the many optional activities available. Explore the desert on a Living Desert Tour, join a boat cruise to enjoy the fresh air as you seals, dolphins, and pelicans cruise alongside the boat. Alternatively, enjoy the Skeleton Coast from the air and take a scenic flight (south or north) to get another perspective of this dramatic landscape. Alternatively, meander through Swakopmund, explore the local galleries and enjoy a walk along the Atlantic Ocean.

Accommodation: Twin share rooms with en-suite bathroom at The Strand Hotel
Meals: Breakfast only
Distance travelled: ±0kms
9
Day 9: Kulala Desert Lodge, Namib Naukluft / Sossusvlei
Today our journey takes us south, first to Walvis Bay, where we recommend a visit to the RAMSAR listed wetland site, Walvis Bay Lagoon, a haven for birdlife and, in particular, the Greater and Lesser flamingo. From here, we head south into the Namib Desert, not only the world's oldest desert but part of Africa’s largest conservation area, the Namib Naukluft Park. We spend our next 2 nights on the exclusive Kulala Reserve, bordering the national park and home to some of the deserts most incredible landscapes.

Accommodation: Twin share rooms with en-suite bathroom at Kulala Desert Lodge
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Included Activities: Afternoon nature drive on the Kulala Reserve
Optional Activities: Stops at Solitaire, Tropic of Capricorn, Walvis Bay Lagoon
Distance travelled: ±380kms
10
Day 10: Kulala Desert Lodge, Namib Naukluft / Sossusvlei
A pre-dawn start this morning to explore Sossusvlei. We can explore and enjoy photography before the crowds arrive in Deadvlei. For the energetic, be the first of the day to summit Big Daddy, the highest dune in the area, or meander around Dead Vlei and enjoy the dunes during the coolest part of the day. 

Sossusvlei is easily one of Namibia’s most spectacular attractions, characterized by the large red dunes surrounding bleached clay plans. The dunes in this area are some of the highest in the world, measuring almost 400m and offering some of the most incredible photographic opportunities, particularly around sunrise. 

Accommodation: Twin share rooms with en-suite bathroom at Kulala Desert Lodge
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
Included Activities: Morning excursion to Sossusvlei & afternoon nature drive on the Kulala Reserve
Optional Activities:
Distance travelled: ±150kms
11
Day 11: Am Weinberg Boutique Hotel, Windhoek
Enjoy a relaxing morning before visiting the nearby Sesriem Canyon. From here, we depart the park and make our way back to Windhoek, around the Naukluft Mountains, and travelling via the small towns of Klein Aub, Rehoboth and arriving in Windhoek early afternoon.

Accommodation: Twin share rooms with en-suite bathroom at Am Weinberg Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Included Activities: Morning nature walk on the Kulala Reserve
Optional Activities: Hot Air Ballooning / scenic flight / Visit to Sesriem Canyon
Distance travelled: ±400kms
12
Day 12: Departure
Depending on our flight time, we can enjoy a leisurely breakfast and some last-minute shopping before heading out to Windhoek International Airport, where we can drop off our vehicle and check-in in time for our onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast
Distance travelled: ±45kms

Tour Review

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Comments

  • Alison Cheung
    October 10, 2022

    Lark Journeys put together an amazing trip for us with only 2 months’ notice, something which other travel operators I contacted said was impossible! Claire was extremely responsive and well-organised and all of her recommendations were absolutely spot-on. No hesitation at all in recommending Lark Journeys and we’d definitely use them again if we’re lucky enough to get out to Namibia again! September 2022

    Overall

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