Never Ending Horizons, Exceptional Wildlife and Cultural Richness

ITINERARY ‘ROUTE CENTRAL’

The perfect safari trip for those who do not only come for Namibia’s nature, but also want to experience traditional, authentic African cultures. Discover Namibia’s wide variety of landscapes, openness and clear skies, and be amazed by its beautiful national parks like Namib-Naukluft National Park and Etosha National Park.

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Self-Drive Tour

21 Days (customizable)

3.188 km

The red Kalahari dunes, covered by golden grass, are the perfect welcome to Namibia. Red seas of sand at Sossusvlei change into the rough waves of the Atlantic Ocean, where you can explore life in and around the water, while paddling a kayak or joining a catamaran cruise.

 

Damaraland and Kaokoland will offer the experience of Namibia’s intriguing cultural heritage: the ancient San-rock paintings and traditional Himba villages will give your visit to Namibia an extra dimension. Etosha National Park will bring you a real African safari, with plenty of wildlife to see. End your trip with a beautiful hike at the Waterberg Plateau.

Brief Itinerary

  • Day 1-3: Windhoek – Kalahari
  • Day 4-5: Namib-Naukluft Park – Sossusvlei
  • Day 6-7: Atlantic Coast
  • Day 8: Cape Cross - Damaraland - Twyfelfontein
  • Day 9-12: Kaokoland – Himba Culture - Cheetah Farm
  • Day 13-16: Etosha National Park
  • Day 17: San Culture
  • Day 18: Waterberg Plateau
  • Day 19-20: Windhoek - Departure
  • Day 21: Arrival Home

Highlights

Experience Namibia's diversity in landscapes and cultures

Follow wildlife tracks of elephants, oryx, kudus, wildebeests and giraffes

Collect food from the bush, together with skilled San hunter-gatherers

Drive through the dusted landscape of Damaraland

You will be the driver of your own safari at Etosha National Park

Joining a kayaking tour or catamaran cruise to meet seals, pelicans and maybe even dolphins

Visit to the Sossusvlei, the world’s oldest desert is an absolute ‘must’.

Detailed Itinerary

Route Central

Day 1-3

Windhoek – Kalahari

After arriving in Namibia, you will spend a night in Windhoek, to relax, acclimatize and prepare yourselves for the journey lying ahead of you.

Your adventure begins in the Kalahari Desert, home to the San-people. Despite its name, meaning “great thirst”, the region does attract wildlife. Keep your eyes open for springbok, zebra and wildebeest during a sunset safari. And relax on top of a dune with a cool drink in your hand, while this semi-desert reveals its most beautiful colors. End the day while gazing upon the starry sky.

Day 4-5

Namib-Naukluft Park – Sossusvlei

A visit to the Sossusvlei, the world’s oldest desert is an absolute ‘must’.

Prepare your camera to take many artistic photos. The landscape almost looks surreal! Sharp lines separating the intense red dunes, that surround an eye blinding white salt pan scattered with scorched black trees at Deadvlei.

 

Climbing one of world’s highest dunes will be very rewarding, especially during an early sunrise or late sunset. It shows the most spectacular change in colors and the contrasts are more sharpened by shades during these times of the day. A nature drive in the area or a hike in Sesriem Canyon are definitely worthwhile when you want to explore more of the surroundings.

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Explore Namibia offers organised self-drive holidays and private guided tours. You can go on an adventure in a fully equipped vehicle of your own choice. We will arrange your accommodations in advance, whether you wish to stay in lodges and guesthouses, on campsites or both.

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Prices

Camping:

Low Season from: € 1.239,-

High Season from: € 1.567,-

Accommodation:

Low Season from: € 2.686,-

High Season from: € 3.075,-

What is included?

Car rental

Accommodation (hotels, guesthouses, lodges or campsites)

Unlimited kilometres

Complete camping equipment (camping trip)

Car insurance with standard excess

Third party insurance

Most accommodations are booked with breakfast and camping is self-catering

Personal travel App for cell phone

24-hours emergency service

Tips and route information

Airport/hotel transfers

What is excluded?

International Flights

Fuel

Park fees, entrance fees to museums

Personal expenses

Additional activities and excursions, e.g. game drives, boat trips, etc.

Meals (unless indicated as included)

Travel and cancellation insurance

Other Itineraries

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9 Days Safari Tour

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14 Days Safari Tour

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22 Days Safari Tour

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25 Days Safari Tour

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28 Days Safari Tour

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14 Days Safari Tour

Day 6-7

Atlantic Coast

The Atlantic Coast has a lot to offer.

While enjoying a nice sea breeze, consider going on the water by joining a kayaking tour or catamaran cruise to meet seals, pelicans and maybe even dolphins! Adrenaline seekers can take a sand board or quad bike and go into the dunes.

 

The coastal town of Swakopmund is still showing some influence of colonial times represented in architecture and language. It is a small village with a small but pleasant boulevard with some nice restaurants and terraces and several lunch rooms with an international taste like Village Café.

Day 8

Cape Cross - Damaraland - Twyfelfontein

Before leaving the coast, visit the seal colony of Cape Cross.

Seals are all over lying along the coastline and are playing in the waves for as far as you can see! When heading north, the landscape changes when entering beautiful Damaraland, where an enormous mountain emerges: the Brandberg. It is the highest mountain of Namibia and best known for its ancient ”White Lady” rock painting.

 

The ancient landscape is scattered with giant boulders that hide the area’s main secret: the more than 2,500 rock engravings of Twyfelfontein. Once made by the San people, these engravings informed San tribesmen about nearby waterholes and predators. If you are lucky, you might bump into the largest inhabitants of the area, the mysterious desert elephants. These beautiful animals have remarkably adapted to the harsh conditions of the desert.

Day 9-12

Kaokoland – Himba Culture - Cheetah Farm

Kaokoland is known as Namibia’s last wilderness, and home to the traditional Himba tribe.

Time and modernity easily seem to pass by their traditions: Himba people live their authentic, nomadic lifestyle where life is organized around cattle. A guided visit to one of their villages will give you more insight in their way of life.

 

Opuwo is the capital of the north. It is a real African town where people of all tribes meet each other for trade and pleasure. Make a stroll through town and experience the vibrant African atmosphere. Note: with one or two more days to spend, it would be worthwhile to add a visit to the Epupa Falls to your itinerary. See also Route All Round.

 

Before heading towards Etosha National Park, you will stay the night at a Cheetah Farm, where you can have an unforgettable experience when seeing these beautiful cats from close by.

Day 13-16

Etosha National Park

Have your binoculars ready while exploring the 22,270 square kilometers of protected nature within the Etosha National Park.

You will be the driver of your own safari, which is unique in Africa. However, camps in and around the park do offer guided game drives. Look around for lions, cheetahs, and leopards and many more species. Settle around one of the park’s waterholes and be amazed by the number of animals that gathers here for their daily thirst relief. Elephants, giraffes, zebras and antelopes arrive in large numbers from all directions! This is a truly unforgettable experience! And what do you think about an exciting safari on foot in the Onguma Private Game Reserve located next to Etosha?

Day 17

San Culture

Visit a San-village.

Near Grootfontein, you will be able to visit a San-village, where you will get to know everything about the intriguing and ancient hunter-gatherer culture and lifestyle. When you have an extra day to spare, it would be surely worthwhile to stay the night.

Day 18

Waterberg Plateau

The Waterberg Plateau, rising up from the surface.

Leaving the animal world of Etosha National Park behind, your next stop is the Waterberg Plateau, rising up from the surface for about 400 meters high at some places. The Waterberg Plateau and 41,000 hectares of surrounding land was declared a Nature Reserve in 1972.

 

The areas nature is again different than you experienced earlier. The brick-red sandstone plateau is crowned with lush vegetation and supports a wide diversity of flora and fauna. This national park lends itself for some nice hikes. Not yet seen enough animals? Go on a game drive and look for buffalos or the white rhino.

Day 19-21

Windhoek - Departure - Arrival Home

Relax and rewind from an amazing adventure.

Once back in Windhoek you will have time to relax and rewind from an amazing adventure. You can do your last shopping for souvenirs. Tomorrow you will be picked up by the airport shuttle and you have to say your goodbyes, however it is most likely that you will return one day. What an unforgettable adventure!

Tailor-made Travel Advice

Every traveller has their own preferences. Do you need assistance in planning your self-drive trip to Namibia? Our experienced tour consultants are ready to assist you! Together we fully customize the tour to your personal preferences, wishes and budget. We can assist you in many different ways. Our team of friendly and service-oriented Tour Consultants is available in Europe and Africa to assist you in creating a personalized proposal for your tailor-made trip to Namibia and to answer all your questions you might have.

Experience the journey of a lifetime with a trip to Namibia

What is included?

Below is an overview of what is included in your booking with Explore Namibia.

Transport:

Airport/hotel transfers

Car rental

Detailed explanation of the car (4×4 only)

Complete camping equipment (camping trip)

Car insurance with standard excess

Third party insurance

Unlimited kilometres

24-hours emergency service

Information:

Information Meet and Greet upon arrival (Windhoek only)

Extensive information folder

Detailed route and road description

Personal travel App for cell phone

Roadmaps

Description of places of interest

Tips and information

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Accommodation:

Standard accommodation tours include all rooms at middle-class hotels, guesthouses or lodges (mostly B&B), unless otherwise requested.

Standard camping tours include most nights at campsites, combined with several nights at middle-class hotels, guesthouse or lodges (mostly B&B).

Almost all campsites and accommodations have a restaurant and offer facilities like a pool, bar, info desk, etc.

If the trips includes visits to National Parks, then the nights will be spent inside the parks as much as possible.

Meals & Drinks:

Most accommodations are booked with breakfast and camping is self-catering. It will be clearly indicated what meals are included in your tour proposal.

With most accommodations it is also possible to book dinner in advance. If you would like to include this in your proposal, please let us know.

What is excluded?

Below is an overview of what is excluded from your booking with Explore Namibia.

What is not included?

International Flights (book separately with Explore Namibia)

Fuel

Park fees, entrance fees to museums and personal expenses

Additional activities and excursions, e.g. game drives, boat trips, etc.

Meals (unless indicated as included)

Travel and cancellation insurance

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Optional Extras?

Below is an overview of the optional extras you can add to your booking with Explore Namibia.

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Optional Extras?

Flights

Reduced excess on vehicle insurance

Satellite phone, which can be used everywhere in Africa

GPS-navigation system

Compressor

Two-way radios

Also refer to our Extra Options Car Rental

Explore one of the most fascinating and diverse countries in the world

Other Favourite Routes to Inspire

The Route ‘Central’ is just one of our sample itineraries to Namibia. The itineraries we offer to Namibia are fully customizable to your needs. You can book these itineraries, or you can use them for inspiration to build your own, tailor-made adventure to Namibia. See below some of our other sample itineraries that we have put together. Explore Namibia will always make sure that you will experience the journey of your dreams!

Self-Drive Itineraries
Storm Visit
Short but sweet. Experience the dunes, coast and Etosha National Park.

Length: 9 Days (customizable)

Price from: €633,- EUR

Self-Drive Itineraries
Highlights
Discover all of Namibia’s best bits. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes and wildlife.

Length: 14 Days (customizable)

Price from: €879,- EUR

Self-Drive Itineraries
All In One
The ultimate adventure! Visit Namibia and see it all, from the deep South to the far North.

Length: 22 Days (customizable)

Price from: €1.281,- EUR

Self-Drive Itineraries
Combi Botswana
Seek diversity; from far stretching savannas, to lush green oases and abundant wildlife.

Length: 25 Days (customizable)

Price from: €1.539,-EUR

Self-Drive Itineraries
All Round
See the whole country, from the Fish River canyon in the South all the way to the Epupa Falls in the far North.

Length: 28 Days (customizable)

Price from: €1.597,- EUR

Self-Drive Itineraries
Cross Border
Now that you are in Namibia, include some of the spectacular highlights of the neighboring Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Length: 28 Days (customizable)

Price from: €1.597,- EUR

Create unforgettable memories on a self-drive tour!

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