Faits saillants de la Namibie
avec le sud de la Namibie

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.

​

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.

Le voyage d'aujourd'hui vous conduira dans les régions du sud de la Namibie via le tropique du Capricorne, Rehoboth et Kalkrand jusqu'au centre du désert du Kalahari, bien connu pour ses dunes rouges.

Le désert du Kalahari (en afrikaans « Dorsland », qui signifie « terre de la soif » ou « terre assoiffée ») est une grande savane sablonneuse semi-aride d'Afrique australe qui s'étend sur 1,2 million de kilomètres carrés et couvre une grande partie du Botswana et des parties de la Namibie et de l'Afrique du Sud. En tant que semi-désert, avec de vastes étendues d'excellents pâturages après de bonnes pluies, le Kalahari abrite plus d'animaux et de plantes qu'un véritable désert, comme le désert du Namib à l'ouest. Les précipitations sont faibles et la température estivale est très élevée. Le bassin du Kalahari environnant couvre plus de 2 500 000 kilomètres carrés et s'étend plus loin au Botswana, en Namibie et en Afrique du Sud et empiète sur certaines parties de l'Angola, de la Zambie et du Zimbabwe. Le seul fleuve permanent, l'Okavango, se jette dans un delta au nord-ouest, formant des marais riches en faune. D'anciens lits de rivières asséchés, appelés omuramba, traversent les parties centre-nord du Kalahari et fournissent des bassins d'eau stagnante pendant la saison des pluies. Autrefois refuges pour les animaux sauvages, des éléphants aux girafes, et pour les prédateurs tels que les lions et les guépards, les lits des rivières sont aujourd'hui principalement des zones de pâturage, même si on y trouve encore des léopards et des guépards. Parmi les déserts de l'hémisphère sud, le désert du Kalahari ressemble le plus à certains déserts australiens par sa latitude et son mode de formation.

Nuit dans les environs du Kalahari

Aujourd'hui, continuez vers le sud jusqu'à Keetmanshoop, où vous pourrez visiter le site fossilifère de Mesosaurus et la forêt de Quiver Tree avant de vous diriger vers le Fish River Canyon.

​

La forêt de carquois, située à 14 km au nord-est de Keetmanshoop, sur la ferme Gariganus, abrite environ 250 arbres Aloe dichotoma. Ces arbres, nommés par Simon van der Stel en 1685, doivent leur nom au peuple San, qui utilisait leurs branches pour fabriquer des carquois. Avec leurs racines en forme de feuille, les arbres à carquois semblent pousser à l'envers et sont considérés comme sacrés dans certaines traditions locales.

​

Les fossiles de Mesosaurus fournissent une preuve convaincante de la dérive des continents, car des fossiles identiques ont été découverts dans les formations de Whitehill en Afrique australe et dans les formations d'Irats en Amérique du Sud. Ces fossiles relient les deux continents par leur histoire géologique commune.

​

Nuit près du Fish River Canyon.

​

Le lendemain, partez à la découverte du Fish River Canyon et de ses environs. Avec ses 160 km de long, il s'agit du deuxième plus grand canyon du monde après le Grand Canyon. Le Fish River, le plus long fleuve intérieur de Namibie, s'enfonce profondément dans un plateau sec et pierreux, avec une végétation robuste et résistante à la sécheresse. Le fleuve coule par intermittence, créant de longues mares pendant la saison sèche.

​

Les personnes en bonne condition physique peuvent entreprendre une randonnée difficile de 85 km depuis le point de vue du randonneur pendant les mois d'hiver (mai à septembre) avec un permis du NWR à Windhoek. Les randonnées d'une journée ne sont pas autorisées.

À l'extrémité inférieure du canyon se trouve la station thermale d'Ai-Ais, qui fait partie du parc transfrontalier Ai-Ais Richtersveld partagé par la Namibie et l'Afrique du Sud. Ai-Ais, qui signifie « lieu d'eau brûlante », abrite des sources thermales naturelles, un endroit idéal pour se détendre et se débarrasser de la poussière du désert.

Nuit près du Fish River Canyon.

Aujourd'hui, voyagez jusqu'à la frontière de la Namibie et de l'Afrique du Sud le long de la rivière Orange.

Le fleuve Orange (ou Gariep) coule comme une artère vitale dans le sud de la Namibie, contrastant ses rives luxuriantes et fertiles avec le désert aride du Namib et les montagnes escarpées de l'Afrique du Sud. Le fleuve, le plus long d'Afrique du Sud, prend sa source dans les montagnes du Drakensberg au Lesotho et coule vers l'ouest jusqu'à l'océan Atlantique. Il forme des frontières internationales entre l'Afrique du Sud et la Namibie, et entre l'Afrique du Sud et le Lesotho. Nommé par Robert Jacob Gordon d'après la maison royale néerlandaise, il est également connu sous le nom de Gariep (Khoi), Groote ou Senqu (Lesotho). Il joue un rôle économique vital, fournissant de l'irrigation et de l'énergie hydroélectrique.

Explorez la rivière en kayak, en rafting ou en canoë, avec des options d'excursions d'une journée ou d'aventures de plusieurs jours en dormant sur les rives de la rivière. Cette oasis verdoyante et luxuriante au milieu du désert offre un paysage surréaliste de roseaux, de palmiers et de vignobles. Profitez de l'atmosphère détendue, de l'observation des oiseaux et de la sensation unique d'être entre deux pays.

Nuit au bord de la rivière Orange.

Le lendemain, rendez-vous à Aus et continuez jusqu'à Lüderitz. En chemin, observez les chevaux sauvages du désert du Namib, un troupeau de 150 à 200 animaux adaptés à cet environnement difficile. Ces chevaux sauvages peuvent rester cinq jours sans boire ni boire à Garub Pan, où un affût d'observation permet aux touristes de les observer sans être dérangés.

Aus, situé dans les montagnes d'Aus, abrite un petit village doté d'équipements tels qu'un hôtel et des magasins. Autrefois site d'un camp de prisonniers de guerre de la Première Guerre mondiale, la région revêt une importance historique, une plaque marquant l'emplacement du camp. Il a même neigé ici en 1963.

Nuit dans la ville côtière 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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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. 

​

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

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.