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10 DAY BEST OF NAMIBIA SELF DRIVE

An exciting 10 day self drive itinerary that provides you with the highlights of this spectacular country. There is a superb range of experiences on offer, from spotting wildlife in the Etosha National Park, to the seaside resort of Swakopmund and the impressive dunes of Sossuslvei in the oldest desert on the planet, the Namib. Namibia has a good road infrastructure and British drivers will appreciate that driving is on the left. Choose from a group B car such as a Toyota Corolla or similar, or upgrade to a 4WD Nissan Double Cab or similar. Accommodation is of a high standard, mainly 4-star level boutique-style properties.

Includes

• 9 nights hotel accommodation
• Avis Group B or Group N (4WD) car hire for 10 days
• Meet and greet at Windhoek Airport
• Breakfast daily and 6 dinners

Day 1 Windhoek to Omaruru
175 miles 3.30 hours
You’ll be met on arrival at Windhoek Airport by an African Eagle representative who will provide you with maps and advice. Collect your vehicle from the Avis desk. Head north crossing Okanhandja, the small town on the banks of a branch of the Swakop river. Visit the artisan market which specialises in wooden sculptures, made from wood originating from Northern Namibia. Afternoon nature 4WD drive in the Epako reserve (included). This 11,000 hectare reserve boasts an interesting variety of animal and birdlife.
Dinner and overnight: Epako Lodge.


Day 2 Omaruru to Etosha via The Waterberg Plateau
380 miles 7 hours
Visit the Waterberg Plateau, rising above the neighbouring plains and proclaimed a National Park. This surprising natural park offers interesting walks through bush paths. Perhaps take a drive to one of the marvels of nature; Otjitoto Lake.
Dinner and overnight: Mokuti Lodge.


 
Dolphin Cruise - Walvis Bay from £35


Day 3 Etosha National Park – day at leisure
Full day in Etosha National Park. Containing a richness and variety of animals Etosha is one of the most prized parks in Africa. 340 bird species and 114 mammals including some rarities like the Damara dik-dik and the Egyptian vulture.
Dinner and overnight: Eagle Tented Camp.


Day 4 Etosha to Twyfelfontein via the Petrified Forest
237 miles 4.5 hours
Discover the Vingerklip on the road between Khorixas and Outjo. This rock finger is presently 35m tall after having being subjected to centuries of erosion. Visit the Petrified Forest, composed of gigantic tree trunks, transported by floods and covered in mud. In time they turned to stone, with some as long as 30 metres.
Dinner and overnight: Doro Nawas Lodge.


Day 5 Twyfelfontein to Swakopmund and Cape Cross
287 miles 6 hours
Visit Twyfelfontein which houses the largest number of rock paintings in Namibia. Visit Cape Cross, site of the first European to set foot in Namibia. Cape Cross is also a sanctuary for 80-150,000 seals. Continue on to Swakopmund.
Overnight: 2 nights at the Swakopmund Hotel.


Day 6 Swakopmund – day at leisure
Full day in and around Namibia’s foremost seaside resort. See the 1910 lighthouse, the old post office, the jetty and the sandy beach. Take a drive out to the nearby Moon Landscape for spectacular desert vistas. Travelmood recommends pre-booking a Dolphin Cruise at nearby Walvis Bay. Experience the thrill of dolphins leaping out of the water alongside the boat, seals fed by hand, oysters and cold sparkling wine on the calm waters of the Walvis Bay lagoon.


Day 7 Swakopmund to Sossusvlei Dunes
216 miles 4.5 hours
Travel through the spectacular Kuiseb Canyon which marks the frontier between the vast rocky plains of the north and the sea of sand which meets up with the Orange river. Continue on to the desert landscapes of the Sossusvlei area.
Dinner and overnight: 2 nights at the Sossuslvei Lodge.


Day 8 Sossuslvei Dunes – day at leisure
Discover Dead Vlei (Dried-up Lake), a spectacle to marvel at where only a few dead trees remain, surrounded by dunes. Visit Sossusvlei which boasts the highest dunes in the world (higher than 300 metres) in the oldest desert on the planet. A 4WD shuttle can transfer you over the last 5kms to Sossusvlei for a nominal fee. Discover the Sesriem Canyon; formed by the Tsauchab river which has eroded a gorge 50 metres deep. Travelmood recommends pre-booking a spectacular Hot Air Balloon flight. Departing at dawn you’ll soar over the dunes of Sossusvlei – a wonderful experience.


 
Hot Air Balloon Flight from £263


Day 9 Sossusvlei to Windhoek
206 miles 4.5 hours
Return to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia at an altitude of 1654 metres. The Germans arrived in 1890 and the city grew around an old fort and Ink Palace which looks out over the city. The dispersed outskirts have succeeded in giving Windhoek a tranquil atmosphere.
Overnight: The Olive Grove Guest House.


Day 10 Departure from Windhoek Airport
After breakfast drive the short distance to Windhoek Airport. Return your vehicle to complete your self drive itinerary.


Throughout this itinerary we feature some exciting day tour options. If these appeal to you we recommend that you pre-book with your Travelmood consultant as soon as possible.

Price in £ per person
01 Nov 07 - 31 Oct 08	Single	Twin
Best of Namibia Self Drive	1290	821
4WD Supplement	631	305