Self-Drive Namibia & South Africa: Desert, Dunes & Canyons - 18 Days

(Camping)

Be enchanted and mesmerised by desert landscapes, Indigenous peoples and outstanding wildlife on this Namibia and South Africa camping self-drive. This is a trip for those looking to get ‘off the beaten track’ and to really immerse yourself in your surroundings. Start with the stunning red sand dunes of Sossusvlei before heading south to the mountains and plains of Klein Aus, and the world’s second largest canyon - the Fish River Canyon. Cross into South Africa to experience the power of the Orange River as it plunges 70 metres over the Augrabies Falls before being hosted by the #Khomani San, the original custodians of the Kalahari Desert, to learn of their culture and tradition. Your final stop is the magnificent Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park with its incredible endemic wildlife, fascinating raptors and, of course, stunning black-maned lion.

A word of advice - travel distances in Namibia, whilst not being huge, take longer than Google Maps suggest, as the majority of roads you travel on are gravel.

Namib-Naukluft National Park – Sossusvlei, Sesriem, Dead Vlei & Dune 45 – Fish River Canyon – Orange River & Augrabies Falls - #Khomani San & Kalahari Experiences - Kgalagadi wildlife and birdlife

4x4 hire – 4x4 dual cab with 1 rooftop tent including all camping equipment (Toyota Hilux or similar). Pick up and drop off Windhoek International (Hosea Kutako) Airport. For details of the vehicle types available please see - Self Drive Safaris.
4x4 hire vehicle cover - unlimited kilometres, collision damage waiver (NAD$30,000 excess), second driver, taxes and tourism levies, introduction to vehicle, travel pack and GPS unit.
Accommodation as indicated below.
Meals as indicated below.
Activities as indicated below.
Relevant Travel Africa Information sheets.

Airfares.
4x4 hire insurance upgrade (excess reduction or removal).
Fuel.
All cross border fees / taxes imposed by each individual country (i.e third party insurances, road taxes, carbon taxes etc) - all paid locally (full details to be advised with booking).
Entry fees to national parks and places of interest.
All activities unless indicated below.
All meals unless indicated below.
Gratuities.
Visa fees.
Personal insurance.

With Travel Africa you are safe in the knowledge that you are working with people who are experts in self-drive travel. We have driven the types of vehicles you are looking to hire and driven them in the places, and on the road conditions, that you will experience. We have enjoyed all kinds of self-drive trips in southern Africa for over 25 years – from quick flits along the Garden Route to 8 month adventure trips with fully equipped 4x4s and roof top tents throughout southern Africa.

We give you peace of mind by working closely with you to custom-make and book your itinerary – ensuring you have the most appropriate type of vehicle and accommodation for your trip. We also provide you with detailed trip dossiers, which include routes, directions, tips and hints on driving in southern Africa, ensuring you have all the information you need to enjoy every minute of your trip and feel comfortable and secure with your holiday plan!

Our in-depth knowledge of destinations, conditions, vehicles and equipment, based on extensive personal experience, gives you the peace of mind you need for your self-drive safari.

South Africa Namibia 19 days camping map

Interactive standard itinerary

Detailed itinerary

Travel distance: Approximately 45kms, main roads.

Collect your vehicle upon arrival and drive to your guesthouse. Depending on your arrival time you may choose to wander into the centre of Namibia’s capital city. It’s often described as having a continental atmosphere - mixing African lifestyle with European history, picturesque German architecture, European influenced restaurants and shopping centres combined with street vendors make it unique. Alternatively relax by the pool or join an optional township tour.

Stay at:
Terra Africa Guesthouse or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 300kms, main roads and good dirt roads

After stocking up with supplies head south-west into Namibia’s timeless landscapes and the Tsaris Mountains which form part of the amazing Namib-Naukluft Desert. Situated in a canyon in the heart of the mountains your lodge is a paradise for hikers, bird watchers or those who just like peace and quiet. Self-guided hikes are the go here and an afternoon walk to the top of the plateau is recommended.

Stay at:
Zebra River Lodge or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 80kms, good dirt roads

Drive to your new accommodation and spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool with its magnificent views of the faraway dunes, or enjoying a sundowner horse ride. The following day rise early to venture into the world heritage Sossusvlei dune fields (recommend leaving before sunrise to ensure you are in the dune sea for sunrise). Ensure you visit Sesriem Canyon and the nearby Dead Vlei, where the ancient and skeletal camel thorn trees stand on the white pan with the backdrop of orange sand dunes and blue sky - a photographer’s delight.

Stay at:
Sesriem Campsite or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 330kms, good dirt roads.

Onward to one of the best kept secrets of Namibia - Klein Aus, a truly beautiful spot, situated on the edge of the desert with endless views of open plains and mountains. You’ll be based here for 2 nights giving you time to enjoy self-guided hikes in the Aus Mountains, visit the Sperrgebiet concession (run by Klein Aus) or take a day trip to Luderitz, a small isolated town on the Atlantic coast and visit Kolmanskop Ghost Town, a tribute to the diamond mining of the past. You can also visit the wild horses of the Namib, one of only 2 or 3 truly recognised wild herds of horses in the world that survive in this amazing environment.

Stay at:
Desert Horse Campsite or similar

>Travel distance: Approximately 240kms, good main roads plus some dirt roads.

Proceed south to Canyon Roadhouse, situated on the privately owned Gondwana Canyon Park just 20kms from the main viewpoint of the amazing Fish River Canyon - the second largest canyon in the world. Walk along the rim of the canyon, enjoy its magnificent viewpoints and witness how water-starved quiver trees eke out an existence a few metres from lush ferns and mosses. Optional activities include afternoon scenic drive, walks and canyon drives.

Stay at:
Canyon Roadhouse or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 410kms, main roads and good dirt roads

Continue further south and cross the border into South Africa and head to the stunning Augrabies Falls National Park. Few sights are as awesome or sound as deafening as the mighty Orange River cascading 56 metres down over the Augrabies Falls. Called the ‘place of great noise’ by the Khoi people this powerful river has, over time, created an 18 kilometre long gorge overlooked by various lookouts, which provide spectacular ‘ moonscape’ views. Ensure that you visit the falls at night, especially during full moon.

Stay at:
Augrabies Falls National Park rest camp or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 300kms, good main roads

Head east to Upington, situated on the banks of the Orange River, to stock up on supplies before heading north. Spend two days along the ‘Red Dune’ route discovering the heart of the Kalahari region. Meet the #Khomani San, custodians of this special place. Three activities will be arranged for you as you spend time with a #Khomani San Bushman owned guiding enterprise which showcases the unique cultural and natural treasures of the Kalahari. Learn how to hunt with a bow & arrow, enjoy a demonstration of local craft making and join the #Khomani San in a celebration of their culture through song and dance. In the evening enjoy a traditional Kalahari dinner prepared over the fire by a community elder. On your second morning join a local guide for an early morning walk through the dunes and discover the myriad of animals, plants, reptiles and insects that make this arid region their home.

Stay at:
Erin Game Farm - community owned bush camp (2 nights) or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 300kms, good main roads

Spend the next 4 days exploring the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, a park for the twenty first century managed across the South African and Botswana borders. Characterised by its red sand dunes, large salt pans and two main riverbeds, Auob and Nossob, the park supports a large number of springbok, wildebeest and majestic gemsbok. Being an arid area the herbivores congregate around waterholes where predators such as black-maned lion, leopard and cheetah wait in ambush. Smaller predators such as African wildcat, caracal, bat-earred foxes and Cape foxes can be found along with a magnificent array of birds of prey. There are three rest camps to stay at - Twee Rivieren, in the south, Mata Mata on the border of Namibia and Nossob, along the Nossob river north of Twee Rivieren. Each camp offers a small shop, fuel and guided night drives however only Twee Rivieren has a restaurant. We recommend spending your time in at least two, if not all three of the camps, to get a feel for the diversity of this amazing park.

Stay at:
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park rest camp (Twee Rivieren, Mata Mata or Nossob) or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 320kms, good dirt roads.

Enjoy a last game drive before setting off on a relatively easy 3-4 hour drive north back into Namibia and onto the Kalahari basin. Set amongst the red dunes the lodge has a lovely lounge area and swimming pool where you can relax, or maybe enjoy a self-guided walk or join a nature drive through the reserve.

Stay at:
Kalahari Anib Lodge, Kalahari Basin or similar

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