Namibia's Highlights

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 14 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.

Today’s journey takes you to southern Namibia via the Tropic of Capricorn, the Namib Naukluft Park, and the Khomas Highlands, offering breathtaking views from the Spreetshoogte Pass.

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Spreetshoogte Pass, Namibia's steepest mountain pass, connects the Namib Desert to the Khomas Highlands, traversing the Great Escarpment. With gradients between 1:4.5 and 1:6, it descends nearly 1,000 meters over just 4 kilometers. The pass, constructed during World War II by farmer Nicolaas Spreeth, features a resting place at the top with spectacular views of the Namib Desert.

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You’ll then arrive in Solitaire, a small, unique town named by Elsie Sophia van Coller. The name reflects two meanings: a single diamond and solitude, symbolizing its precious but remote character. Located at the junction of main roads C14 and C19, Solitaire is a key stop for travelers. It offers a petrol station, restrooms, a restaurant, a bakery famous for its apfelstrudel, a tire repair workshop, and a motel.

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In the afternoon, you can relax at your lodge’s swimming pool or participate in one of the lodge’s activities.

Overnight near the Naukluft Park.

Today will be a leisure day to enjoy the fantastic sight of the Sossusvlei Dunes, The dead vlei and Sesriem Canyon.

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The Sesriem Canyon derives its name from the fact that early Afrikaner trekkers had to use six ('ses') leather thongs ('riem') so that their buckets could reach the water far below. Because it is so deep and sheltered, it often holds water well into the dry season.

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The sand dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert are thought to be the highest dunes in the world. The best time to view Sossusvlei is close to sunrise and sunset, when colours and shades change constantly, offering a photographer’s dream. The midday heat is intense and best spent in the shade. 'Vlei' is the Afrikaans word for a shallow depression or pan, surrounded by spectacular red dunes, sometimes fills with water. The pan only has water on rare occasions, during exceptional rainy seasons, when the Tsauchab River flows into this pan. The Sossusvlei is mostly a dry vlei except in good rainy season. The sand-dunes at Sossusvlei are some 60km from the Sesriem gate (the entrance to the park) and the drive takes about an hour. The area also hosts various vleis', such as the Naravlei, so called because of the countless cucumber-like melons (a vital source of nourishment for many desert creatures, including man) growing around the edge of the pan. Dead Vlei boasts dead camelthorn trees, some being over 800 years old. Out of view from the 2x4 car park, tucked behind a dune, is Hiddenvlei.

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Again, Overnight in the Namib Naukluft Park surroundings.

Enjoy breakfast with a view before departing through the rugged Namib Desert to the coastal town of Swakopmund.

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The Namib Desert, the world’s oldest at 43 million years, spans just under 50,000 km². It includes the Namib Naukluft Park, parts of the southern diamond area, and the Skeleton Coast, now part of Dorob Park. Dry riverbeds, like the Swakop and Kuiseb Canyons, flow only during exceptional rainy seasons.

Overnight in one of Swakopmund's charming guesthouses.

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The next day is for leisure and optional activities (please book in advance). Swakopmund, meaning "Mouth of the Swakop River," is a popular holiday destination 350 km from Windhoek. Founded in 1892 as the main harbor for German South-West Africa, its colonial architecture and German-speaking population reflect its history. Iconic landmarks include the old train station-turned-hotel, Woermann House, the lighthouse, and the jetty, now a restaurant.

Swakopmund offers a variety of attractions, such as the National Marine Aquarium, Crystal Gallery, and Martin Luther steam locomotive. Activities include fishing, dolphin cruises, quad biking, camel riding, and skydiving, as well as excellent shopping opportunities.

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

Overnight again in Swakopmund.

From Swakopmund, travel north via Cape Cross and its seal colony to Damaraland, arriving near Brandberg.

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Cape Cross, a headland on the Skeleton Coast, is historically significant. In 1484, Portuguese explorer Diogo Cão, under orders from King João II, placed a stone cross (padrão) here to claim the land for Portugal. The original cross was removed in 1893 and replaced by replicas, with two now standing at the site.

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Damaraland is one of Namibia’s most scenic and untamed regions, offering a rugged adventure. The area features prehistoric riverbeds, open plains, granite koppies, and deep gorges. The western geography transitions into sandy deserts, sustaining populations of desert-adapted elephants, black rhinos, giraffes, ostriches, and springbok. These animals have evolved to survive harsh desert conditions, with elephants traveling up to 70 km daily in search of food and water, unusually leaving trees intact in their quest.

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Together with Kaokoland, Damaraland forms the Kaokoveld.

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The Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain, is a spiritual site for the San people. Its main attraction, the White Lady rock painting, is found in the Tsisab Ravine, which contains over 1,000 rock shelters and 45,000 paintings.

Overnight near the Brandberg.

Explore Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its ancient rock engravings, the Organ Pipes, and the chance to spot desert elephants. (Please book activities in advance.)

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Twyfelfontein has been inhabited for around 6,000 years, starting with Stone Age hunter-gatherers of the Wilton culture who created most of the engravings and paintings. Later, 2,000–2,500 years ago, the Khoikhoi, related to the San people, settled in the valley, then called ǀUi-ǁAis ("jumping waterhole"), adding their distinctive rock art to the site.

Overnight in the Twyfelfontein surroundings.

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On your way to Etosha National Park, consider stopping at the Petrified Forest near Khorixas. This site, declared a National Monument in 1950, contains large tree trunks that fossilized through silicification over millions of years after being swept downstream and buried in alluvial sands. The process preserved the structure of the wood while transforming it into stone. Guided tours provide access to the site, which also features numerous welwitschia plants.

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Continue your journey via Khorixas and Outjo to your lodge near Anderson Gate, south of Etosha National Park.

Overnight near Etosha Park.

You have a full day, which you can use to explore the abundant wildlife in the Etosha Park, Namibia has to offer.

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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.

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Overnight in Etosha Park

Today you will drive through Otjiwarongo to Waterberg to your next destination.

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The Herero people were the original settlers of this area, and they called the place Otjiwarongo, meaning "beautiful place".The main interest for tourists is Otjiwarongo's proximity to the Waterberg Plateau Park. Otjiwarongo is home to the Cheetah Conservation Fund, an internationally recognized organization dedicated to ensuring the long-term survival of the cheetah through research, conservation and education. On the edge of town is the Crocodile Ranch, one of the few captive breeding programs for the Nile Crocodile that has been registered with CITES.

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The Waterberg Plateau Park is ecologically diverse and rich and has over 200 different species of bird with some rare species of small antelope on the lower hills of the mountain. Geologically, the oldest rock stratum is over 850 million years old and dinosaurs tracks were left there some 200 million years ago.

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Afternoon leisure, hiking, game watching, breathing in history or just enjoying the peaceful scenery of the Waterberg.

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Overnight at the Waterberg Plateau Park.

Begin your day with a morning hike at the Waterberg Plateau if you missed it earlier.

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Drive back to Windhoek for your final night in Namibia. Return your rental vehicle upon arrival and transfer to your accommodation. If flying out the same day, you will be transferred to the airport.
Before departing, take the opportunity for last-minute shopping at Windhoek’s Craft Centers for gifts and souvenirs. End your Namibian adventure with a farewell dinner at Joe’s Beerhouse, a perfect spot to savor your last taste of Namibia.

 

Overnight in a Windhoek guesthouse.