This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more

Skip to main content

Talk to an expert 1-800-242-2434 Lines open now

User menu
FROM US$2,760-US$4,410

Namaqua Chameleon Self-drive

A classic 12-night self-drive adventure around the highlights of eastern and northern Namibia taking in Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland, Etosha and a final stop at Okonjima. Comfortable lodges and great value.

Namaqua Chameleon Self-drive: Day-by-day

More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Namaqua Chameleon Self-drive. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.


Day 1

Starts: Windhoek International Airport

About image
Day 1

Pick-up car: Windhoek International Airport

12:00
Windhoek International AirportNamibia

To help get your adventure underway as swiftly and smoothly as possible we’ll arrange for your hire vehicle to be ready and waiting for you on arrival at Windhoek International Airport. The rest of the day is then yours to explore the city or recuperate from the flight.

Elegant Guesthouse
Day 1

Elegant Guesthouse

1 night
Bed & BreakfastWindhoek, Namibia

Elegant is a simple, homely guesthouse that provides the ideal starting or finishing point for an epic Namibian road-trip. A simple, chic Windhoek guesthouse that’s the ideal place to relax at the beginning or end of your trip. Elegant by name, elegant by nature. It’s the watchword of this simple, contemporary pension in quiet residential neighbourhood Klein Windhoek. The guesthouse is close enough to the city centre (five minutes’ drive ish) to revel in the low-key buzz of Namibia’s capital, but far enough away to offer a slice of suburban cool (literally, thanks to plenty of shady spots).

Elegant Guesthouse

Elegant is a simple, homely guesthouse that provides the ideal starting or finishing point for an epic Namibian road-trip. A simple, chic Windhoek guesthouse that’s the ideal place to relax at the beginning or end of your trip. Elegant by name, elegant by nature. It’s the watchword of this simple, contemporary pension in quiet residential neighbourhood Klein Windhoek. The guesthouse is close enough to the city centre (five minutes’ drive ish) to revel in the low-key buzz of Namibia’s capital, but far enough away to offer a slice of suburban cool (literally, thanks to plenty of shady spots).

Six low-slung white-and-brick rooms gathered around a courtyard are welcoming and comfortable, and the palm trees sticking out of the corrugated roof add a playful touch.

There’s an easy-breezy open-plan feel here, helped by the homely lounge (particularly inviting after a hot afternoon spent exploring Windhoek), pool surrounded by sun loungers, pot plants placed at jaunty angles around the property and groomed lawn complete with bistro furniture. The easy-going vibe makes it an ideal place to begin or end your Namibia trip.

"Great city hotel. Very clean, tidy and well located. Staff were friendly."

Mr NfromUnited Kingdom

Arrived 7 Nov 2023, 1 night

Although the breakfast here is excellent (think eggs and bacon on demand), make the pilgrimage to Joe’s Beerhouse down the road from the hotel for lunch or dinner. It’s a lively, beer bottle-decorated sprawl of tables and a local must-do. See our full report on Elegant Guesthouse

87%
132 reviews of Elegant Guesthouse by travellers since August 2007

Activities

Cultural excursion

Namib Outpost
Days 2-4

Namib Outpost

2 nights
Half BoardNamib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia

Formerly known as Desert Homestead Outpost, Namib Outpost is being re-built and is due to re-open in April 2023. Information on the newest incarnation of the property is scarce, but here is the information on the old lodge. The property is a 30km drive from the Sesriem gate, the entrance to the magnificent Namib-Naukluft Park. A very comfortable, if slightly remote base for exploring the Sossusvlei area, it has individual stilted houses with panoramic views over the vast gravel plains and mountains in the distance.

Namib Outpost

Formerly known as Desert Homestead Outpost, Namib Outpost is being re-built and is due to re-open in April 2023. Information on the newest incarnation of the property is scarce, but here is the information on the old lodge. The property is a 30km drive from the Sesriem gate, the entrance to the magnificent Namib-Naukluft Park. A very comfortable, if slightly remote base for exploring the Sossusvlei area, it has individual stilted houses with panoramic views over the vast gravel plains and mountains in the distance.

"We loved it here"

Alex fromAlgarve

Arrived 13 May 2023, 2 nights

Situated a little further from the dunes than other camps in the area, Desert Homestead Outpost is a great option for those looking for a feel of remoteness in what is becoming an increasingly busy area. We liked the welcoming and comfortable feel of the lodge, and the views from the striking, stilted houses are some of the best in the area. See our full report on Namib Outpost

97%
20 reviews of Namib Outpost by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Fly-camping

Helicopter

Horse-riding

Hot air ballooning

Quad-biking

Sleeping under the stars

Namib Guesthouse
Days 4-6

Namib Guesthouse

2 nights
Bed & BreakfastSwakopmund & Walvis Bay, Namibia

Located in a quiet, residential area of Swakopmund, Namib Guesthouse is a small, eco-friendly bed and breakfast. It is conveniently located, just 10-15 minutes walk from the seafront and a similar distance to the town centre.

Namib Guesthouse

Located in a quiet, residential area of Swakopmund, Namib Guesthouse is a small, eco-friendly bed and breakfast. It is conveniently located, just 10-15 minutes walk from the seafront and a similar distance to the town centre.

"Comfortable, clean and a bit more basic"

Mr & Mrs WfromWinchester

Arrived 15 Apr 2018, 2 nights

Namib Guesthouse is a pleasant, modern property in a peaceful yet convenient area of Swakopmund. The comfortable furnishings, efficient service, and incredibly helpful and friendly nature of the staff make this a superb base from which to explore Swakopmund. See our full report on Namib Guesthouse

70%
2 reviews of Namib Guesthouse by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Boat trip

Dune-boarding

Fishing

Kayaking

Mountain biking

Quad-biking

Camp Kipwe
Days 6-8

Camp Kipwe

2 nights
Half BoardDamaraland, Namibia

Friendly, and decidedly quirky, Camp Kipwe combines superb views across the plains with easy access to the attractions of Damaraland. With their rounded walls and curved roofs, the rooms or epondoks at Camp Kipwe are almost unique among Namibian lodges.

Camp Kipwe

Friendly, and decidedly quirky, Camp Kipwe combines superb views across the plains with easy access to the attractions of Damaraland. With their rounded walls and curved roofs, the rooms or epondoks at Camp Kipwe are almost unique among Namibian lodges.

Slotted into an outcrop of boulders that are typical of Damaraland, these igloo-like rooms are designed to mitigate the extremes of Namibia’s climate – albeit with a little help from air conditioning.

Rush mats line the floors, tree trunks create bedside tables, and rustic poles frame the verandas – which face west with seemingly endless views across the plains. In a camp that feels at one with the surroundings, it’s fitting that the rocks sometimes butt into the open-air bathrooms as if they belonged – here providing privacy for the toilet, there a backdrop for the shower.

A tantalising rock pool benefits from the boulders, which shelter it from the harsh midday sun, while towards evening, another kopje does service as a sundowner spot. Climb up here and watch – drink in hand – as the African sun dips below the horizon.

"Best location of entire trip."

J n SfromYorkshire

Arrived 8 Mar 2023, 2 nights

Such is the outdoor appeal of Kipwe, it can be hard to tear yourself in for dinner, but the food – including locally grown vegetables – is worth it. And you can always finish the day around the firepit, with the stars sparkling overhead. See our full report on Camp Kipwe

96%
114 reviews of Camp Kipwe by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Safarihoek Lodge
Days 8-10

Safarihoek Lodge

2 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesEtosha National Park, Namibia

Warm thatch combines with contemporary styling at Safarihoek to create a decidedly modern take on a safari lodge. Set on a hill overlooking a small waterhole and open expanses of mopane woodland within a huge private reserve, it’s both wonderfully remote and perfectly located for watching wildlife.

Safarihoek Lodge

Warm thatch combines with contemporary styling at Safarihoek to create a decidedly modern take on a safari lodge. Set on a hill overlooking a small waterhole and open expanses of mopane woodland within a huge private reserve, it’s both wonderfully remote and perfectly located for watching wildlife.

Square stone pillars flanked by a pole fence set the scene, leading in to a pleasantly unstructured area where concrete pathways that wind between the buildings introduce a sense of solidity.

Step inside the main area and that feeling is enhanced by smartly painted walls, sliding glass doors and a secure balcony set with bar stools around high tables. Then in the evening, a woodburner banishes the cold as you cosy up on leather armchairs with a coffee or perhaps a selection from the wine cellar.

Rooms, too, have none of the temporary feel often associated with safari lodges. Light and spacious, with views over the reserve from the bed or private balcony, they wouldn’t be out of place in a smart hotel.

"We had a great time here and saw masses of animals"

Mr AfromMallorca

Arrived 29 Dec 2022, 2 nights

But with its proximity to Etosha National Park, the reserve’s animals – including black rhino – are the major attraction. Seek them out on game drives, day and night, or watch from the split-level photographic hide as they come to you. See our full report on Safarihoek Lodge

95%
36 reviews of Safarihoek Lodge by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Guided walking safari

Night drive

Halali Camp
Days 10-12

Halali Camp

2 nights
Bed & BreakfastEtosha National Park, Namibia

Boasting a superb location, its own floodlit waterhole and relatively good value, Halali ticks a lot of boxes. It’s also the smallest of Etosha’s original government restcamps, and quieter too – a big plus when watching animals is the focus of every visitor.

Halali Camp

Boasting a superb location, its own floodlit waterhole and relatively good value, Halali ticks a lot of boxes. It’s also the smallest of Etosha’s original government restcamps, and quieter too – a big plus when watching animals is the focus of every visitor.

Unique among these restcamps is Halali’s dolomite kopje, which offers the opportunity for a short walk within the camp, something that’s all too rare in this iconic national park.

Dotted among the trees across the otherwise level site are chalets and rooms in various configurations. Functional but clean, all are geared to self-drivers and some come with cooking facilities. If that doesn’t fit into your holiday picture, there’s a restaurant on site too, and the large swimming pool is a strong attraction for families.

Of prime interest to most is Halali’s permanent waterhole, an inviting magnet for black rhino, elephant and plenty of plains game. With a natural setting on the edge of the camp, it’s a peaceful spot to while away an hour or two.

"Halali Camp is so much nicer than Okaukeujo."

JDfromHarrogate

Arrived 16 Nov 2023, 1 night

To explore the national park, you’ll need to take to a vehicle – your own or on one of the camp’s game drives. After dark, though, a game drive is your only option, a great opportunity to seek out Etosha’s nocturnal creatures in near isolation. See our full report on Halali Camp

79%
330 reviews of Halali Camp by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Night drive

Okonjima Plains Camp
Day 12

Okonjima Plains Camp

1 night
Half BoardOkonjima Nature Reserve, Namibia

Underpinning almost every stay at Okonjima is the chance to track – and photograph – wildlife, and especially leopard. Even for the most casual visitor, the plains, rocks and riverine thickets of the huge Okonjima private reserve make an enticing setting for a game drive or a walk through the bush; for the keen photographer, it's close to leopard heaven.

Okonjima Plains Camp

Underpinning almost every stay at Okonjima is the chance to track – and photograph – wildlife, and especially leopard. Even for the most casual visitor, the plains, rocks and riverine thickets of the huge Okonjima private reserve make an enticing setting for a game drive or a walk through the bush; for the keen photographer, it's close to leopard heaven.

To an extent, Plains Camp mirrors the size of the reserve in its sheer scale. Whether they're after a drink or a substantial meal, a curio or to book a game drive, guests gather in The Barn, a spacious yet contemporary take on a traditional farm building, complete with floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the plains. Murals depict the cattle-farming origins of the camp, while an old farm dam is the influence behind the swimming pool.

Echoing the sense of space are the bedrooms, where splashes of colour and African artwork offset the light décor, and views from the beds could be an incentive for a lie in.

"Four leopards, including a cub! Great staff. Would happily have stayed longer."

Ms RfromN. Yorkshire

Arrived 15 Jan 2024, 1 night

And in case you need a further incentive, a stay at Okonjima also contributes to the work of the AfriCat Foundation, which is committed to further wildlife conservation through education and research. See our full report on Okonjima Plains Camp

95%
395 reviews of Okonjima Plains Camp by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Mountain biking

Night drive

Self-guided walking

About image
Day 13

Drop-off car: Windhoek International Airport

11:00
Windhoek International AirportNamibia

After a couple of weeks together it's time to hand in the car keys back at the airport.

Day 13

Ends: Windhoek International Airport

Inspire me

Need inspiration?

Let our trip chooser narrow down the options for you

Inspire me

Experiences you can add to this trip.

Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst staying at lodges on this trip. These are usually best arranged in advance so talk to us.


Ballooning in the Namib Desert

Ballooning in the Namib Desert

Half day, including breakfast

Ballooning over the world’s oldest desert is an experience you shouldn’t miss. Enjoy spectacular views as the sun rises over the dune-covered plains and rocky mountains of the Namib Desert. You may even spot the occasional oryx or black-backed jackal punctuating the landscape below.

More about Ballooning
94% (70 reviews)
Kayaking with seals

Kayaking with seals

Morning incl. tea, coffee & sandwiches

Get up close and personal with a colony of Cape fur seals on a kayaking excursion from Walvis Bay. Enjoy a gentle morning’s paddle in Walvis Bay Lagoon as seals surround and interact with you and your kayak. If you’re lucky you may even catch a glimpse of some Heaviside’s or bottlenose dolphins.

More about Kayaking with seals
98% (176 reviews)
Coast and Sandwich Harbour

Coast and Sandwich Harbour

Full day

Experience this usually inaccessible part of the Skeleton Coast, where the dunes of the Namib plunge into the Atlantic Ocean. One of our top recommendations, this is an adventurous 4WD trip, guided by experts. You'll explore the Kuiseb Delta and (tides permitting) traverse dunes and the beach to reach Sandwich Harbour, a remote freshwater lagoon with abundant birdlife.

More about Coastal tour
94% (219 reviews)
Dolphin and seal cruise

Dolphin and seal cruise

Half-day inc brunch

A boat cruise around Walvis Bay lagoon is a must for lovers of wildlife and the great outdoors. Seek out the ‘marine big five’ – from Cape fur seals to bottlenose dolphins – and marvel at the range of bird species for whom this haven on the Skeleton Coast is home. Then round off the morning with an oyster brunch.

More about Dolphin & seal cruise
89% (14 reviews)
Desert tour

Desert tour

Variable, depending on the tour

Discover the unexpected on a trip into the desert surrounding the coastal towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. A must for wilderness lovers, this extraordinary landscape encompasses the Welwitschia Plains, sculpted dunes, the magic of the Kuiseb Delta – and much more. There are plenty of options, each with its own unique focus.

More about Desert tour
96% (11 reviews)
Scenic flights in Namibia

Scenic flights in Namibia

Variable, depending on the flight

Namibia is famed for its stark beauty and boundless desert vistas and there is no better way to soak these in than from the air. A scenic flight gives you a unique perspective on this stunning and varied country, and may even provide a bird’s-eye view of areas that are out of reach to those restricted to terra firma.

More about Scenic flights
94% (7 reviews)

Login to Expert Africa

Sign in with password

Sign in with email link


New to Expert Africa? Create an account

Forgotten your details?

It's free & quick to set up

  • Save your wish-list
  • Send us an enquiry
  • Pay online for your trip
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Give us feedback on your trip
  • Full site benefits of the site

Need some help? Talk to our team

Africa