8-day self-drive safari in Namibia: Sand, Salt, History & Wildlife

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8-day self-drive safari in Namibia: Sand, Salt, History & Wildlife – Silver

Craving sun, sand and safari? Then off to Namibia! Sunny days with blue skies, sand as far as the eye can see and safaris guaranteeing goosebumps are all yours in this West African gem. This 8-day self-drive safari through Namibia takes you from the enormous dunes in Sossusvlei to the meeting point of the ocean and the desert in Swakopmund. The ominous Deadvlei adds some mystery, Twyfelfontein takes you back to ancient times and Etosha National Park tops the entire trip off with an endless salt pan and African wildlife at its best.

Elephant, giraffes and springboks in Etosha

Colourful German colonial building in Swakopmund with palm trees in front

Sunrise at the beach in Swakopmund with a pier

A black rhino mother with two long horns and her young calf standing next to her

Gravel road in Damaraland with big mountains in the background and a tree at the side of the road

San rock art at Twyfelfontein depicting footsteps and a giraffe on red rock

Lone oryx standing at in front of a big red dune at sunset in Sossusvlei

Several dead trees in Deadvlei Sossusvlei with dunes in the background

Three lions walking on one line through the grass of the open plains of Etosha pan

Hop into your rental car and discover these highlights at your own pace. Sometimes the road takes you through such remote areas that phones or Wi-Fi are unavailable – now this is an adventure! Luckily, GPS equipment or maps on phones also work offline, and we provide you with a classic paper map, clear directions and GPS locations of your hotels.

Please note that game drives in Etosha National Park are self-drive in this itinerary, meaning you do them by yourself and with your own car. You pay for the 24-hour entry pass at the gate of the park (cash recommended) and follow the road signs to various waterholes, areas, and restaurants (or buy a park map at your lodge). You can order your lunch at your lodge and enjoy it at designated picnic areas or visit one of the parks’ restaurants.

: Yes, Namibia is a safe travel destination. In fact, it’s one of the safest countries in Africa with a stable economy and low rates of crime against tourists.

As in any other country, there are a few things to look out for. Don’t carry your valuables with you when you’re out and about, and keep your essentials close to you. If you travel to the Caprivi/Zambezi or northern Kavango regions, antimalaria medication is recommended.

The biggest risks are the roads and the distances. If you drive yourself, always carry extra water, tyres and fuel, drive slowly, watch out for wildlife, download offline maps and never drive at night.

Your travel consultant will give you more advice during your planning. But in general, if you stick to these few tips, you can enjoy a safe holiday in Namibia.
: In Namibia, Mother Nature shows off all her talents, creating landscapes that seem out of this world: from rock formations to endless salt pans and a thornbush savannah, from tropical floodplains to the bone-dry desert. On top of that, you encounter incredible wildlife that has perfectly adapted to the arid and semi-arid environments.

The coast awaits you with unparalleled beauty when the dunes of the Namib meet the ocean. Other highlights here are shipwrecks, seal colonies, and ghost towns along the Skeleton Coast.

Besides animals and nature, you meet cultures that go back thousands of years, like the San or the Damara. It’s important to note that the distances are long. Going from one highlight to the next can take hours, especially if you go to more remote areas.
: At Africa Safari Trips, we’re all about co-creating your perfect journey. When you plan your African adventures with us, you’re not just booking a trip; you’re embarking on a personalised experience. We start by understanding your wishes and preferences, and we won’t stop until every aspect of your journey aligns perfectly with your vision. Our team works closely with you to ensure that your entire trip is tailor-made to your satisfaction. And for added convenience, we offer a selection of our most popular African tours and safaris as a starting point for your consideration.
: Namibia’s north offers classic African wildlife with a desert twist. Damaraland and Kaokoland have desert-adapted rhinos, elephants, and lions, plus zebras, giraffes, and antelope. Etosha hosts nearly every major species, from black and white rhinos to lions, leopards, cheetahs, and more. The Caprivi Strip (Zambezi), bordering Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Angola, features hippos, crocodiles, wild dogs, and rare antelope like the red lechwe. The Skeleton Coast offers seals, hyenas, jackals, dolphins, and whales. The Namib Desert surprises with gemsboks, springboks, ostriches, and the ancient Welwitschia plant. Countless other species await wherever you explore.

8-day self-drive safari in Namibia: Sand, Salt, History & Wildlife – Silver

Low season (March, April, May and 1st of November - 19th of December)

2 persons

$2,567.63 USD*

4 persons

$2,205.10 USD*

6 persons

$2,325.94 USD*

Mid Season (the rest of the year)

2 persons

$2,363.19 USD*

4 persons

$2,115.55 USD*

6 persons

$2,198.10 USD*

High season (January, July, August, September and 20th to 31st of December)

2 persons

$2,763.47 USD*

4 persons

$2,373.28 USD*

6 persons

$2,503.34 USD*

* Indicative costs per person, excluding international airline tickets

Here’s how your price comes together.

Included

24/7 service
8 days
All accommodations
Reservation costs
Fully accredited under SGR
Rental car

Excluded

Tips
Visas
Travel insurance
International flights (can be booked for you on request)
Fuel

Make your dream trip come true with Africa Safari Trips

At Africa Safari Trips, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek + Drive from Windhoek to Sossusvlei
Day 2: Sossusvlei + Hot air balloon safari in Sossusvlei + Visit Dune 45 (pay on site)
Day 3: Swakopmund
Day 4: Swakopmund + Scenic Sandwich Harbour Dune Drive
Day 5: Damaraland + Twyfelfontein rock engravings (pay on site) + The Living Museum of the Damara (pay on site)
Day 6: Etosha National Park + Game drive in Etosha National Park
Day 7: Etosha National Park + Game drive in Etosha National Park
Day 8: Flight back home from Hosea Kutako International Airport

Day 1

Arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek

Silver

As you step off the plane at Hosea Kutako International Airport, the dry desert air hits you right away - a quick taste of the landscapes that await. After clearing immigration and collecting your luggage, you'll be met by a representative of our office. Whether you're spending your first night in Windhoek or heading straight to your next destination, today is all about settling into the country's rhythm. Namibia is made for self-drive travel: open roads, vast horizons and plenty of space to explore at your own pace. Over the coming days, you'll journey through some of Africa's most spectacular scenery, from towering dunes and rugged mountains to wildlife-rich national parks and dramatic coastlines.

Activities:

: You drive straight from Windhoek to Sossusvlei in the Namib-Naukluft National Park in a stunning 350-kilometre journey that takes 4 to 5 hours. The route covers a mix of paved roads and extensive gravel, leading you from the Khomas Highland near Windhoek down into the heart of the Namib Desert. You take the C26 out of Windhoek and continue west until you hit the C14 south towards Solitaire. From there, take the C19 (or D826) to Sesriem – a small settlement and main gate to Sossusvlei. Fill up your tank and grab snacks at Solitaire; it's the last major outpost before Sesriem and is famously known for its apple pie!

Accommodations:

Silver Ondili Desert Homestead Lodge

Silver

Day 2

Sossusvlei

Silver

A line of towering, rust-red dunes rising sharply from luminous white salt pans - this is Sossusvlei. It’s the most iconic and visited part of the 55 million-year-old Namib Desert, with Dune 45 and Big Daddy being the most photographed dunes in the world. Deadvlei adds a surreal twist, with 900-year-old tree skeletons frozen in time on a stark white pan. And yet, Sossusvlei is teeming with life, thanks to Atlantic mists and ingenious plants. This is desert theatre at its finest!

Activities:

: The desert wakes up long before breakfast! You leave before sunrise and head to the launch site in the dark, where the crew prepares the balloon with bursts of flame and streams of hot air. As the basket lifts off into the morning breeze, you drift above the dunes and mountain ranges of the Namib Desert for around an hour, watching the changing light sweep across the sands below. Imagine endless dunes, dry riverbeds, fairy circles and herds of oryx moving across the plains. After landing, the crew sets up breakfast in the open wilderness. Share stories with your pilot over coffee and pastries before taking a nature drive back to the meeting point. The full experience starts before sunrise and continues well into the morning.
: Dune 45 is one of the iconic sights of Sossusvlei and also one of the easiest dunes to visit. Rising 85 metres from the desert floor, its near-perfect shape and accessibility have earned it a reputation as the most photographed dune on the planet. The famous red colour comes from iron-rich minerals that have slowly oxidised in the sun. As the light changes throughout the day, the dunes transform as well, shifting through shades of gold, orange, rust and crimson red. Visitors are allowed to climb Dune 45, and the best time to do so is at sunrise, before the desert heat takes hold. And while the sandy ascent may leave you slightly out of breath, the pictures from the top deserve to be framed!

Accommodations:

Silver Ondili Desert Homestead Lodge

Silver

Day 3 - 4

Swakopmund

Silver

Swakopmund is the most touristic coastal town of Namibia, which sits perfectly between the Namib Desert and the Skeleton Coast. Here, palm trees and colourful German-inspired houses border the coast while massive dunes dominate the other side of town. Museums, libraries and the Mondesa township retrace the history of the town, while the dunes and the ocean guarantee adventure, with possibilities to go sandboarding, quadbiking, fishing, or hiking.

Activities:

: Few places in Namibia are as spectacular - or as difficult to reach - as Sandwich Harbour. Hidden within the Namib-Naukluft National Park, this extraordinary corner of the coast is where towering sand dunes plunge dramatically into the cold Atlantic Ocean. Your 4-hour guided 4x4 adventure begins in Walvis Bay and follows the coastline past flamingo-filled lagoons, remote beaches and the dry Kuiseb River delta, where springbok, oryx and jackal are often spotted. Your guide shares fascinating insights into the unique desert ecosystem, and fresh Namibian oysters, sparkling wine, beer and local snacks will be served with the Atlantic stretching out below. Whether you choose a morning, afternoon or golden-hour sundowner departure, this is a feast for all senses.

Accommodations:

Silver Swakopmund Sands Hotel

Silver

Day 5

Damaraland

Damaraland is one of Namibia’s most distinctive regions, stretching across a remote landscape of rocky desert shaped by ancient volcanic activity. Known for its desert-adapted wildlife, it offers sightings of elephants, rare black rhinos, giraffes, leopards, and even desert lions, all moving freely across open terrain. Places like Twyfelfontein reveal thousands of ancient rock engravings, while landmarks like Brandberg Mountain rise dramatically above the plains.

Activities:

: Step back thousands of years at Twyfelfontein, Namibia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's most important collections of ancient rock engravings. Hidden among the sandstone hills of Damaraland, this remarkable open-air gallery features more than 2,500 petroglyphs created by San hunter-gatherers and Khoikhoi herders between 2,000 and 10,000 years ago. Just pay the entry fee and join a 90-minute guided walk through a maze of red rock formations, while your guide reveals the stories behind the engravings. Look out for elegant giraffes, elephants, rhinos and ostriches, as well as the famous 'Lion Man' and the surprisingly detailed image of a seal, so far away from the ocean. Part history lesson, part outdoor adventure, Twyfelfontein offers a rare glimpse into Damaraland's distant past.
: The Living Museum of the Damara sits 10 kilometres north of the Twyfelfontein rock engravings along the D2612. Get your entry ticket on site and join a 3-hour tour, during which a local guide walks you through the daily routine and traditions the community has rebuilt from memories - think of activities such as metal and jewellery forging and leather tanning, but there's also room for traditional games, singing and dancing. You also see the Holy Fire lit and tended (made by spinning a stick against dry tinder until it catches, without using matches!). Your visit helps support the community and its work to preserve Damara culture.

Day 6 - 7

Etosha National Park

Silver

Etosha National Park is Namibia's premier wildlife destination, built around a vast salt pan in the country's north. Four of the Big Five roam its 22,270 square kilometres, including one of Africa's largest black rhino populations, and the park's iconic floodlit waterholes deliver some of Africa's most reliable game viewing. The park divides into four distinct sectors, and no two visits are quite the same. Whether you visit in the dry season for intense waterhole action or the wet season for a flamingo-filled pan, Etosha rewards year-round.

Activities:

: You set off on a self-drive safari through Etosha National Park, where the open roads, mopane woodland and grassy plains are your background for an exciting day of wildlife spotting. Take your time at the waterholes, stop whenever something catches your eye and linger as long as you like. You never know what might block the road next. If you prefer a picnic over a sit-down lunch, your lodge can prepare a lunch pack for you - just make sure to order it in advance. There’s no set schedule, and that's the beauty of a self-drive safari. Just allow enough time to reach the gate before closing and stick to the speed limits... windows down, binoculars ready and absolutely no need to rush!

Accommodations:

Silver Etosha Village Lodge

Silver

Day 8

Flight back home from Hosea Kutako International Airport

As you board your flight home from Hosea Kutako International Airport, take a moment to look back on your time in one of Africa’s most striking countries. From endless dunes and dramatic desert landscapes to unforgettable wildlife encounters, Namibia leaves plenty of memories to take home. We hope you’ve enjoyed every kilometre of the journey. Safe travels!

Make your dream trip come true with Africa Safari Trips

At Africa Safari Trips, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!

Request this trip now