8 days Namibia self-drive safari: history & wildlife – Platinum

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

Having sunshine, sand, and safari on your mind? Then Namibia is the place to be! Sun-filled deep blue skies (check!), sand as far as the eye can see (check!) and safaris that leave you speechless (check!). During this 8-day self-drive safari through Namibia, we take you from the massive dunes in Sossusvlei to where the desert meets the ocean in Swakopmund. Add the ominous Deadvlei in the mix, sprinkle in some ancient history by visiting Twyfelfontein, and top it off with an impressive number of wild animals and a massive salt pan in Etosha National Park.

Lion pride resting in the shade in Namibia's Etosha National Park with one lion yawning

Sunset behind a pier in Swakopmund Namibia

Two hot air balloons during sunrise above the Namib desert

Twisted skeleton of an ancient camelthorn Deadvlei in Namibia

Giraffe standing in a field surrounded by bushes during sunset in Namibia's Etosha National Park

Two desert elephants walking in Damaraland, Namibia, between trees and in front of a mountain

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

Discover all of this in your own car, driving through such remote areas that sometimes no phone or Wi-Fi work anymore – talking about adventure! Luckily, maps on phones or GPS equipment also work offline, and we provide you with an old-school foldable paper map, GPS locations of your hotels, and clear directions. And with this platinum itinerary, you sleep in the fanciest hotels in glorious locations that make you wonder if you are even still on this planet.

Please note that upon arrival at your lodge near Etosha National Park, you pick two activities (per day) to add to your program. Think of a guided game drive, but it can also be a guided nature walk, a sundowner, or (drum roll) a night game drive in the nearby Ongava Game Reserve. All these excursions are included in the price, take half a day max, are guided, and might be joined by other guests (unless you book a private excursion).

: 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 – Platinum

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

2 persons

$5,621.31 USD*

4 persons

$5,165.88 USD*

6 persons

$5,286.72 USD*

Mid Season (the rest of the year)

2 persons

$3,431.58 USD*

4 persons

$3,087.88 USD*

6 persons

$3,170.43 USD*

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

2 persons

$6,208.59 USD*

4 persons

$5,718.42 USD*

6 persons

$5,848.48 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!

Request this trip now

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 + Scenic sunrise drive in Sossusvlei with the Dead Valley Lodge
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 + Guided game drive in Etosha National Park
Day 7: Etosha National Park + Guided 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

Platinum

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:

Platinum Dead Valley Lodge

Platinum

Day 2

Sossusvlei

Platinum

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.
: This half-day scenic drive starts early from Dead Valley Lodge and takes you through the Sossusvlei area as the sun rises. Your guide stops along the way for photographs and shares information about how wind and time shaped this part of the desert. The excursion continues towards Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, where camel thorn trees stand on the white clay pan, surrounded by dunes. Oryx and springbok may be seen along the route, with time to stop and take it all in before returning to the lodge. Please note that this guided drive may be shared with other guests.

Accommodations:

Platinum Dead Valley Lodge

Platinum

Day 3 - 4

Swakopmund

Platinum

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:

Platinum Strand Hotel Swakopmund

Platinum

Day 5

Damaraland

Platinum

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.

Accommodations:

Platinum Mowani Mountain Camp

Platinum

Day 6 - 7

Etosha National Park

Platinum

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:

: Join an experienced ranger for a half-day guided game drive and discover why Etosha is considered one of Africa's finest wildlife destinations. The game drive is included in the price and may be shared with other guests. Your guide knows the park inside out and will help you spot animals, interpret tracks and share fascinating insights about life in the bush. Morning and late-afternoon drives are particularly rewarding, when cooler temperatures encourage wildlife to become more active. This is the perfect time to look for elephants, giraffes, antelope and, if luck is on your side, predators beginning their daily patrol. And if you're staying inside the park, you can even opt for a guided night drive. Armed with spotlights, your ranger ventures into the darkness in search of Etosha's secretive nocturnal residents, from hyenas and jackals to porcupines, owls and bat-eared foxes.

Accommodations:

Platinum Ongava Lodge

Platinum

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