Ostrich self-drive
This wonderful
16-night in country itinerary takes in the dramatic landscapes of
Southern Namibia; start off by driving across the Kalahari to the
Fish River Canyon, then spend a number of days in the
Namib-Naukluft National Park amongst the famous apricot dunes.
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Starting from London Heathrow, your scheduled South African Airways overnight flight will take you, via Johannesburg to Windhoek, where you land during the morning. |
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Pick up your hire car from the airport and drive to Windhoek. Stroll around the centre of Namibia's charming capital whilst enjoying the many shops and cafés that this spacious European style town has to offer. Stay at the stylish |
| The Elegant Bed & Breakfast (bed & breakfast) |
After a good nights sleep, begin the drive south through Mariental, and into the Southern Kalahari – with its deep red dunes covered in trees, bushes and grasses until you arrive at… |
| Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch (half board) |
Make an early start for your drive across the Kgalaghadi Transfronteir Park. The Kgalagadi covers roughly 38,000km² between Namibia and Botswana of Kalahari dunes veined by a few fossil river valleys. This environment is particularly well suited for cheetah – and perhaps Africa's best park for meerkats. Drive for about 2 hours through the park before spending 2 nights at… |
| Kalahari Tented Camp (accommodation only) |
| This unfenced camp feels very wild, and one of its highlights is a waterhole that's perfect for close-range photo opportunities of visiting animals. |
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. Black-maned lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena are all common here, so look out for them as you drive back through the park for 2 nights at... |
| Twee Rivieren Rest Camp (accommodation only) |
| Often the Kgalagadi's roads follow its riverbeds, where a string of water-holes attract herds of blue wildebeest, red hartebeest and eland. Be sure to also look out for playful meerkats, which live in large family groups, inquisitive honey badgers and sleek bat-eared foxes. |
Leave the park early as you have a long drive to Keetmanshoop (roughly 6-7 hours). The scenery changes as you drive west on good gravel roads across the Namibian border. You pass Karakul sheep farms, quiver trees and drive through the red, undulating dunes of the Kalahari. Stay 1 night at… |
| Central Lodge (bed & breakfast) |
| If you have time, drive out to see the sunset from the unique, weird rock formations of the Giant's Playground, or the Quiver Tree Forest – a bizarre forest of tree-aloes set amongst enormous boulders. |
From Keetmanshoop, drive south-west over an almost lunar landscape. In about 2 hours you are beside the amazing Fish River Canyon. Up to 550m deep and 27km wide, this was formed about 500 million years ago and is (arguably) the second largest canyon in the world. Stay for 2 nights a short drive from the edge at… |
| Canyon Lodge (half board) |
| Whilst here you can explore on your own, or with a professional guide. Wander along the canyon's edge, hike through the desert, ride across it on horseback or even take a scenic flight over the canyon. |
Its a few hours' drive west, down the only road, to Aus. Stay 2 nights exploring the fantastic walking trails, or drive to explore the deserted mining town of Kolmanskop from…… |
| Eagle's Nest (half board) |
Leave after breakfast and drive to Namib-Naukluft Park, one of the largest conservation areas in Africa. Spend 2 nights here exploring, to discover the contrasting landscapes of enormous dunes, gravel planes and towering mountains. For luxury and great convenience stay just outside the park at the… |
| Kulala Desert Lodge (half board) |
Make a short journey into the Naukluft Mountains, where the streams and waterfalls contrast starkly with the surrounding deserts. Spend 2 nights walking and bird spotting amongst the lush vegetation, then perch at the top of a mountain to watch the sun go down. Stay at the comfortable… |
| Zebra River Lodge (full board) |
Sadly your last day in Namibia! After breakfast drive to the southern Kalahari where you spend your last night at a comfortable lodge on the outskirts of Windhoek, passing through yet more of Namibia's stunning scenery. You reach your lodge in the mid afternoon |
| Eningu Clayhouse (half board) |
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Arriving at the airport in good time to drop off your rental car, you then connect to your scheduled overnight flight back to the UK with South African Airways. |
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Arrive back in London early in the morning leaving you plenty of time to catch any onward flights, or travel back to your home in the UK. It is a minimal time difference between Namibia and the UK, so there's rarely any real jet lag– at the end of such a magical holiday. |
| From |
To |
Cost |
| 1-Jan-2010 |
16-Mar-2010 |
£2,812 |
| 17-Mar-2010 |
31-Mar-2010 |
£2,682 |
| 1-Apr-2010 |
14-Jun-2010 |
£2,701 |
| 15-Jun-2010 |
17-Sep-2010 |
£2,811 |
| 18-Sep-2010 |
15-Nov-2010 |
£2,889 |
| 16-Nov-2010 |
15-Dec-2010 |
£2,905 |
Notes:
• Upgrades to larger vehicles are easy to arrange; ask us for details.
• The prices shown are per person sharing; call us for single person supplements. |
This itinerary includes:• Economy flights to and from London, plus UK and Namibian airport departure taxes.
• All your meals plus activities as specified.
• A
Group B hired car for the duration of your trip, to be picked up and dropped off at Windhoek Airport. This includes unlimited mileage.
• Our unique
full 100% LDW insurance. Please note that this is only valid for drivers who are aged over 25 and under 75 years and who are resident in the EEC. (Alternative insurance arrangements are possible for others, although this alters the price of the itinerary slightly.)
• A comprehensive pack of maps and information covering the places that you'll be visiting.
• See the individual lodges for precise inclusions & exclusions
• A complementary copy of the
Bradt Travel Guide to Namibia.
This itinerary excludes:• Petrol for your hired car.
• Park fees to enter any national parks (unless on an organised prepaid trip arranged by a lodge).
• Tips and gratuities (which are optional).
• Any meals or activities not specified.
• See the individual lodges for precise inclusions & exclusions.
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