Lo más destacado de Namibia
con el sur de Namibia

On arrival you will be met by a representative of Odyssey Car & 4x4 Hire. Your tour will start by driving 42km to Windhoek the capital and largest city of the Republic of Namibia. You will receive a comprehensive 1-2 hours briefing of the vehicle, camping equipment & the route you will be driving. Following this you can buy provisions in Windhoek for the next 15 days self-drive adventure. Your first night spend will be overnighting in Windhoek in a Guesthouse.

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If your flight are schedule to arrive after 15H00 no vehicle handover will take place only on day 2 but you would be transferred to your first nights’ accommodation.

If flights are schedule to arrive before 10H00 am we can change first night in Windhoek to first night outside Windhoek to make day 2’s driving a bit less.

Notable landmarks to visit in Windhoek are:  Parliament Gardens, Christ Church (Lutheran church opened in 1910, built in the gothic revival style with Art Nouveau elements.), Tintenpalast (Ink Palace -within Parliament Gardens, the seat of both chambers of the Parliament of Namibia. Built between 1912 and 1913 and situated just north of Robert Mugabe Avenue), Alte Feste (built in 1890 and houses the National Museum), Reiterdenkmal (Equestrian Monument - a statue celebrating the victory of the German Empire over the Herero and Nama in the Herero and Namaqua War of 1904–1907), Supreme Court of Namibia Built between 1994 and 1996 it is Windhoek's only building erected post-independence in an African style of architecture.

Dinner at Stellenbosch Wine Bar Restaurant or at Joes Beerhouse would be a wonderful start to an African experience meal.

El viaje de hoy lo llevará a las partes del sur de Namibia a través del Trópico de Capricornio, Rehoboth y Kalkrand hasta el centro del desierto de Kalahari, conocido por sus dunas rojas.

El desierto de Kalahari (en afrikáans, "Dorsland", que significa "tierra sedienta" o "tierra sedienta") es una gran sabana arenosa semiárida situada en el sur de África que se extiende por 1,2 millones de kilómetros cuadrados y cubre gran parte de Botsuana y partes de Namibia y Sudáfrica. Como semidesierto, con enormes extensiones de excelente pasto tras las buenas lluvias, el Kalahari sustenta más animales y plantas que un verdadero desierto, como el desierto de Namib, al oeste. Hay escasas cantidades de lluvia y la temperatura en verano es muy alta. La cuenca circundante del Kalahari cubre más de 2.500.000 kilómetros cuadrados y se extiende más allá de Botsuana, Namibia y Sudáfrica, e invade partes de Angola, Zambia y Zimbabue. El único río permanente, el Okavango, desemboca en un delta en el noroeste, formando pantanos ricos en vida salvaje. Antiguos lechos de ríos secos, llamados omuramba, atraviesan los tramos centro-norte del Kalahari y proporcionan charcas de agua estancada durante la temporada de lluvias. Los cauces de los ríos, que antes eran refugio de animales salvajes, desde elefantes hasta jirafas, y depredadores como leones y guepardos, ahora son en su mayoría lugares de pastoreo, aunque todavía se pueden encontrar leopardos y guepardos. Entre los desiertos del hemisferio sur, el Kalahari es el que más se parece a algunos desiertos australianos en cuanto a su latitud y su modo de formación.

Noche en los alrededores del Kalahari.

Hoy, continúe hacia el sur hasta Keetmanshoop, donde podrá visitar el sitio de fósiles de Mesosaurus y el bosque de árboles carcaj antes de dirigirse al cañón del río Fish.

El bosque de árboles de carcaj, situado a 14 km al noreste de Keetmanshoop en la granja Gariganus, alberga alrededor de 250 árboles de Aloe dichotoma. Estos árboles, a los que Simon van der Stel dio nombre en 1685, deben su nombre al pueblo san, que utilizaba sus ramas para fabricar carcajs. Con sus raíces parecidas a hojas, los árboles de carcaj parecen crecer al revés y se consideran sagrados en algunas tradiciones locales.

Los fósiles de Mesosaurus proporcionan evidencia convincente de la deriva continental, ya que se han encontrado fósiles idénticos en las formaciones Whitehill del sur de África y en las formaciones Irats de Sudamérica. Estos fósiles vinculan a los dos continentes a través de su historia geológica compartida.

Pasaremos la noche cerca del cañón del río Fish.

Al día siguiente, explora el cañón del río Fish y sus alrededores. Con 160 km de longitud, es el segundo cañón más grande del mundo después del Gran Cañón. El río Fish, el río interior más largo de Namibia, se adentra profundamente en una meseta seca y pedregosa, con una vegetación resistente a la sequía. El río fluye de forma intermitente, creando largas pozas durante la estación seca.

Para quienes estén en buenas condiciones físicas, se puede realizar una desafiante caminata de 85 km desde el mirador de excursionistas durante los meses de invierno (de mayo a septiembre) con un permiso de la Reserva Nacional de Vida Silvestre de Windhoek. No se permiten caminatas de un día.

En el extremo inferior del cañón se encuentra el complejo de aguas termales de Ai-Ais, parte del Parque Transfronterizo Ai-Ais Richtersveld compartido por Namibia y Sudáfrica. Ai-Ais, que significa "lugar de agua ardiente", cuenta con aguas termales naturales, un lugar ideal para relajarse y quitarse el polvo del desierto.

Pasaremos la noche cerca del cañón del río Fish.

Hoy viajaremos a la frontera de Namibia y Sudáfrica a lo largo del río Orange.

El río Orange (río Gariep) fluye como una línea vital a través del sur de Namibia, contrastando sus exuberantes y fértiles orillas con el árido desierto de Namib y las escarpadas montañas de Sudáfrica. El río, el más largo de Sudáfrica, nace en las montañas Drakensberg de Lesoto y fluye hacia el oeste hasta el océano Atlántico. Forma fronteras internacionales entre Sudáfrica y Namibia, y entre Sudáfrica y Lesoto. Bautizado por Robert Jacob Gordon en honor a la Casa Real Holandesa, también se lo conoce como río Gariep (Khoi), Groote o Senqu (Lesotho). Desempeña un papel económico vital, ya que proporciona irrigación y energía hidroeléctrica.

Explora el río en kayak, rafting o canoa, con opciones de excursiones de un día o aventuras de varios días durmiendo en las orillas del río. Este exuberante oasis verde en medio del desierto ofrece un paisaje surrealista de juncos, palmeras y viñedos. Disfruta del ambiente relajado, los avistamientos de aves y la sensación única de estar entre dos países.

Pasaremos la noche a orillas del río Orange.

Al día siguiente, viaje a Aus y continúe hasta Lüderitz. En el camino, observe los caballos salvajes del desierto de Namib, una manada de 150 a 200 ejemplares adaptados a este duro entorno. Estos caballos salvajes pueden pasar cinco días sin agua ni bebida en Garub Pan, donde un puesto de observación permite a los turistas observarlos sin ser molestados.

Aus, situada en las montañas de Aus, tiene un pequeño pueblo con servicios como un hotel y tiendas. La zona, que en su día fue un campo de prisioneros de guerra durante la Primera Guerra Mundial, tiene importancia histórica, ya que hay una placa que marca el lugar donde se encontraba el campo. Incluso se registró nieve aquí en 1963.

Pasaremos la noche en la ciudad costera de Lüderitz.

Spend the day exploring Lüderitz and its surroundings. Visit the ancient diamond ghost town of Kolmanskop or travel along the coastline to Diaz Point and nearby bays. In town, explore the museum, Goerke House, or Felsenkirche. Consider booking a guided tour to the Rock Arch or Elisabeth Bay in the restricted diamond area. Alternatively, enjoy a boat cruise to Penguin Island.

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Lüderitz is a charming, quirky town in one of the best natural harbors on Africa’s least hospitable coast. Founded in 1883 by Heinrich Vogelsang on behalf of Adolf Lüderitz, the town began as a trading post and fishing hub. After diamonds were discovered in 1909 at Kolmanskop, Lüderitz thrived briefly before reverting to its quieter roots. Its charm lies in its largely unchanged early-20th-century character.

Overnight again in Lüderitz.

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The next day, return to Aus and follow the desert roads through rural Namibia. En route, visit Duwisib Castle, a pseudo-medieval fortress built in 1908 by Baron Hans Heinrich von Wolf and his wife, Jayta Humphreys. Designed by Wilhelm Sander, the castle features 22 rooms, constructed using materials imported from Germany and crafted by masons from Europe. After von Wolf’s death during WWI, his wife never returned, leaving the castle behind. The property is now managed by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. Descendants of the couple’s thoroughbred horses are thought to roam the Namib Desert as the famous Namib Desert Horses.

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Continue to Namib-Naukluft Park, one of Africa’s largest protected areas at nearly 50,000 km². This vast and extraordinary park encompasses diverse ecosystems in a desert that defines Namibia’s identity.

Overnight near Sesriem.

Start your day early to witness the incredible sights of Sossusvlei, home to the world’s highest sand dunes, the Dead Vlei, and Sesriem Canyon.

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The best time to visit Sossusvlei is at sunrise or sunset, when the colors and shadows shift dramatically, creating a photographer’s dream. Located in the southern Namib Desert within Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan surrounded by towering dunes, the highest reaching 350 meters, nicknamed "Big Daddy." The name "Sossusvlei" combines Nama and Afrikaans, meaning "dead-end marsh," reflecting its nature as an endorheic basin for the ephemeral Tsauchab River.

The Dead Vlei is a striking clay pan with 600–700-year-old camel thorn tree skeletons, scorched black by the intense sun. These trees remain intact due to the arid conditions. The surrounding dunes encroached on the area after climate change caused drought, blocking the river. The remaining vegetation, like salsola and nara, survives off rare rain and morning mist.

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Sesriem Canyon, just two meters wide in some areas, is a natural gorge carved by the Tsauchab River. The name "Sesriem," Afrikaans for "six belts," comes from the early settlers who tied together six oryx-hide belts to draw water from the canyon. The canyon is about one kilometer long and up to 30 meters deep, with sections that hold water year-round, sustaining local wildlife.

Overnight again in the Sesriem surroundings.

Today, your journey takes you back to Namibia’s coast. Drive via Solitaire, where a stop for the world-famous apple strudel is a must.

Solitaire, located near Namib-Naukluft National Park, is a small settlement offering the only gas station, bakery, cafe, and general store between Sossusvlei and Walvis Bay. Featured in Dutch author Ton van der Lee’s book Solitaire, it holds a unique charm as a remote yet vital hub. Overnight in Swakopmund.

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The next day is for leisure, with plenty of activities to choose from (please book in advance). Swakopmund, meaning "Mouth of the Swakop River," is a top holiday destination located 350 km from Windhoek. Founded in 1892 as a harbor for German South-West Africa, its colonial architecture and German-speaking community reflect its heritage. The jetty, once used for offloading boats, is now a landmark restaurant.

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Swakopmund boasts attractions such as the National Marine Aquarium, Crystal Gallery, Martin Luther steam locomotive, and historic sites like the old train station, Woermann House, and the lighthouse. Activities include fishing, dolphin cruises, quad biking, skydiving, ballooning, camel riding, and excellent shopping opportunities.

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Recommended restaurants include Jetty 1905, Swakopmund Brauhaus, The Tug, Kucki’s Pub, and Tiger Reef.

Overnight in one of Swakopmund’s charming guesthouses.

Today, drive partly along Namibia’s coastline before heading inland to the rugged terrain of Damaraland. Stop at Cape Cross, home to the world’s largest breeding colony of Cape Fur Seals. During November and December, up to 210,000 seals gather here to mate, creating a cacophony of sounds and smells. Despite its intensity, this stop offers an unparalleled glimpse into nature along the Skeleton Coast.

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Cape Cross also holds historical significance. In 1484, Portuguese explorer Diogo Cão erected a stone cross (padrão) to claim the region for Portugal. While the original was removed in 1893, replicas now stand in its place, preserving the site’s legacy.

Continue past Brandberg Mountain, Namibia’s highest peak, where you can take a brief stop to explore its striking landscape. Damaraland’s rugged beauty, with its open plains, granite koppies, and sandy deserts, supports unique desert-adapted wildlife like elephants, black rhinos, and springbok. These animals have evolved to thrive in this arid, challenging environment.

Overnight near Brandberg.

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The next day, visit Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring ancient rock engravings created by Stone Age hunter-gatherers over 6,000 years ago. The Khoikhoi people, who settled the area 2,000–2,500 years ago, added their own distinctive art to the valley, once called ǀUi-Ais ("jumping waterhole"). Explore the nearby Organ Pipes, a unique geological formation.

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On your way to Etosha National Park, stop at the Petrified Forest near Khorixas, where ancient tree trunks fossilized through silicification over millions of years. The site also features welwitschia plants and is accessible via guided tours.

Continue via Khorixas and Outjo to your accommodation near Anderson Gate.

Overnight near Etosha Park.

You have two (2) full day, which you can use to explore the abundant wildlife in the Etosha Park, Namibia has to offer. All this in the comfort of your own vehicle. 

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The park is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds and reptiles, including several threatened and endangered species such as the black rhinoceros.

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ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK is the gateway to Northern Namibia and Ovamboland. It is Namibia’s prime wildlife location and home to a large variety of mammals and birds. Etosha means the ‘great white area ‘this refers to large dried pan in the middle of the Etosha Park. What makes this park unique is the floodlit waterholes at all the main camps. Visit Etosha National Park in Namibia this season and share in Namibia’s wildlife. Etosha Park is any photographers dream. Plan your visit to Namibia and experience the great white area of Etosha. The park was proclaimed a game reserve on March 22, 1907 in Ordinance 88 by the Governor of German South West Africa, Dr. Friedrich von Lindequist.

Overnight in Etosha Park

Today, drive through Tsumeb and Grootfontein to the Waterberg Plateau Park. On the way, stop to visit the Hoba meteorite, the largest known intact meteorite on Earth.

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The Hoba meteorite, discovered by chance in 1920 when farmer Jacobus Hermanus Brits struck it while ploughing, left no crater. It was later identified as a meteorite, and in 1955, it was declared a national monument. In 1987, the meteorite and surrounding land were donated to the state for educational purposes, and a tourist center was established. Thanks to these efforts, vandalism has ceased, and thousands of visitors now view this remarkable object each year.

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Continue to the Waterberg Plateau Park, a haven of ecological and geological diversity. Home to over 200 bird species and rare small antelopes, the park's oldest rock formations date back 850 million years, with dinosaur tracks from 200 million years ago still visible.

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Spend the afternoon hiking, wildlife watching, or simply enjoying the serene scenery and rich history of the plateau.

Overnight at the Waterberg Plateau Park.

Start your day with a morning hike at the Waterberg Plateau if you missed it the previous day. Today’s journey is short, taking you to Erindi Private Game Reserve, located southeast of Omaruru.

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Erindi, meaning “place of water,” is a protected reserve spanning 70,719 hectares. Originally intended for cattle farming by its owners, Chris and Gert Joubert, the land was transformed into a private game reserve focused on rehabilitating and restoring endemic wildlife. Erindi is now a sustainable haven for diverse species to thrive.

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Take part in Erindi’s activities or simply relax by the pool and soak in the natural surroundings.

Overnight near the Erindi Private Game Reserve.

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The next day, drive back to Windhoek for your final night in Namibia. Drop off your rental vehicle upon arrival, then transfer to your accommodation. Take this opportunity to shop for gifts and souvenirs at Windhoek’s Craft Centers.

If your flight is on the same day, you will be transferred directly to the airport.

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For a memorable farewell, enjoy a local Namibian game meat dinner at Joe’s Beerhouse, a popular spot to experience the last taste of Namibia.

Overnight at a guesthouse in Windhoek.