Leave the rat race behind on this 16 night self-drive safari, taking an offbeat route through the vast, varied and dramatic desert landscapes of Southern Namibia and Northern Cape. From Windhoek you travel through Southern Kalahari and cross the border into Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, then back into Namibia to the Fish River Canyon, before skirting the edge of the extensive Namib-Naukluft Park dune field to reach the famous apricot dunes of Sossusvlei.

Day 1

Starting from London Heathrow, your scheduled South African Airways flight will take you, via Johannesburg, to Windhoek where you land the following day.

Day 2 Windhoek, Namibia

Pick up your hire car from Windhoek Airport for the scenic drive into Windhoek. This afternoon you may like to stroll around the centre of Namibia's charming capital city, taking in the many shops, craft stalls and cafés, or relax in the peaceful setting of your lovely accommodation at…

Elegant Guesthouse (bed & breakfast)

Day 3 Southern Namibia, Namibia

We'd suggest you shop for self-catering supplies in Windhoek (for Kgalagadi), before setting off on a relatively easy drive south into the Southern Kalahari. The Kalahari Desert is vast, even by African standards, spanning over nine countries. This region of the Southern Kalahari is one of the most scenic, typified by deep red linear sand dunes interspersed with vegetated valleys of mixed tree and shrub savannah. The area can be explored on foot or you may like to join one of the optional guided activities offered by the lodge, such as a 4WD sundowner drive. Aptly translated as 'wilderness', you can unwind in the naturally peaceful setting of…

Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch (half board)

Days 4-5 Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa

Ensure you depart with plenty of time to cross into Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa's Northern Cape whilst the border is open. Kgalagadi also stretches across into Botswana, covering roughly 38,000km² of Kalahari Desert. The red sands here are veined by fossil river valleys and covered with sparse vegetation, exposing antelope and predators off to spectacular advantage and providing wonderful photographic opportunities. This environment is particularly well suited for cheetah and perhaps Africa's best park for spotting meerkats. Your accommodation for these two nights gives you a true sense of being part of the wilderness, with no fences and a nearby waterhole that attracts animals close to camp, allowing close-range wildlife viewing from the simple yet comfortable…

Kalahari Tented Camp (accommodation only)

There is no restaurant at Kalahari Tented Camp, only a well-equipped communal kitchen and bbq area so you'll need to come with your own food supplies, firewood and drinking water and self-cater for all your meals.

Days 6-7 Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa

Dawn is a magical time in the African bush as many animals are at their most active, especially the predators, so leave camp early for your best chances of good game sightings. Look out for black-maned lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena that are all common here. Kgalagadi's roads often follow its riverbeds, where a string of water-holes attract herds of blue wildebeest, red hartebeest and eland. Keep an eye out for entertaining meerkats which live in large family groups, inquisitive honey badgers and playful bat-eared foxes as you make your way to…

Twee Rivieren Rest Camp (accommodation only)

There is a small restaurant providing simple meals as well as self-catering facilities, so you can choose whether to you wish to self-cater here.

Day 8 Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Leave the park early as you have a long drive to Keetmanshoop today (roughly 6-7 hours). The scenery changes regularly as you drive west on good gravel roads and cross the border into Namibia. You pass Karakul sheep farms, striking quiver trees and drive through the red undulating dunes of the Kalahari. If you have time this afternoon or tomorrow morning, you may like to take a drive north-east of Keetmanshoop to see the Quiver Tree Forest – a bizarre forest of tree-aloes set amongst enormous boulders; and the unique, peculiar rock formations at the Giant's Playground. Stay one night at the…

Central Lodge (bed & breakfast)

Days 9-10 Fish River Canyon, Namibia

From Keetmanshoop, the route takes you south through an almost lunar landscape. Your destination is the mighty Fish River Canyon which is best viewed from lookout points along its rim. Up to 550m deep and 27km wide, this geological wonder was formed about 500 million years ago and is (arguably) the second largest canyon in the world. Whilst here you can explore on your own, or join any of the guided activities on offer. Wander along the canyon's edge, hike through the stunning desert terrain, or ride across it on horseback. Conveniently located just 20km from the canyon viewpoint, you stay two nights at the uniquely designed…

Canyon Lodge (half board)

Days 11-12 Luderitz, Namibia

Its a few hours' drive north-west, or slightly longer if you wish to detour south along the Orange River, to reach the small historic town of Aus. Your base for two nights is nestled amongst the spectacular Aus Mountains, overlooking sweeping vistas of Sperrgebiet National Park. Within the immediate area there are fantastic walking trails to explore, and a short drive takes you to Garub borehole where the Namib wild horses come in to drink. You may also like to spend the full day visiting Luderitz and exploring the deserted diamond mining town of Kolmanskop, before returning to stay at…

Eagle's Nest (half board)

Days 13-14 Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia

Depart after breakfast and drive north through breathtaking scenery as you skirt the edge of the Namib-Naukluft Park, one of the largest conservation areas in Africa. Arrive at Sesriem in the afternoon where you stay two nights to explore the contrasting landscapes of Sossusvlei's enormous apricot coloured dunes, fringed by gravel plains and towering mountains. For luxury and early access into the dunes, stay at the only lodge situated inside the park boundaries...

Sossus Dune Lodge (half board)

Days 15-16 Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia

It's a short journey into the Naukluft Mountains today, where the streams and waterfalls contrast strikingly with the surrounding desert landscapes. Enjoy two nights walking and bird spotting amongst the lush vegetation, then perch at the top of a mountain to watch the sun setting over the Namib Desert. Stay at the farm styled homestead of…

Zebra River Lodge (full board)

Day 17 Southern Namibia, Namibia

Bid your friendly hosts farewell and climb north-east through the Central Highlands to spend your final night near Windhoek, within the lovely scenery of the Southern Kalahari. You reach your lodge in the mid-afternoon, with time to relax and soak in the African bush and night skies at…

Eningu Clayhouse (half board)

Day 18

There's usually time for a leisurely breakfast before you drive back to Windhoek Airport, arriving in good time to drop off your rental car and check-in for your scheduled overnight flight back to the UK with South African Airways.

Day 19

Arrive back in London this morning, leaving plenty of time to catch an onward flight or travel back to your home in the UK. With a minimal time difference between Namibia and the UK, there's seldom any real jet lag – at the end of such an unforgettable holiday.

Cost of this trip
From	To	Cost
1-Jan-2012	30-Apr-2012	£2,786
1-May-2012	31-May-2012	£2,807
1-Jun-2012	14-Jun-2012	£2,975
15-Jun-2012	10-Oct-2012	£3,046
11-Oct-2012	31-Oct-2012	£3,166
1-Nov-2012	7-Dec-2012	£2,904
8-Dec-2012	13-Dec-2012	£3,024
Notes: Upgrades to larger hired vehicles are straight forward to arrange; speak to us for details. The prices shown are per person sharing; ask us for single person supplements. It's easy to extend this safari to include Northern Namibia if appeals; call us to discuss options.

This itinerary includes:

• Economy flights between London and Windhoek, including airport departure taxes.
• Meals and activities included in the accommodation basis noted in the itinerary.


• A Group C/B rental car for the duration of your trip, to be collected and returned to Windhoek Airport.


• The hire car is covered by the car hire company's Super Cover insurance. Please note that this is strictly valid for drivers who are aged over 25 years. This covers unlimited mileage, theft, personal accident insurance and almost all damages. (Alternative insurance arrangements are possible for fully inclusive cover, although this alters the price of the itinerary slightly.)
• A comprehensive pack of maps and information for the places that you'll be visiting.
• A complimentary copy of the Bradt Travel Guide to Namibia.

This itinerary excludes:

• Fuel for your rental car.
• The rental car is covered by the car hire company's Super Cover insurance. This cover excludes under-carriage, sand and water damage.
• National park and other entry fees.
• Tips and gratuities (which are optional).
• Any meals and activities not included in the accommodation basis specified.

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