Route overview
Where this itinerary goes
Windhoek → Naukluft Mountains → Sesriem / Sossusvlei → Swakopmund → Spitzkoppe → Twyfelfontein / Damaraland → Sesfontein / Ongongo → Opuwo → Epupa Falls → Etosha West / Olifantsrus → Etosha South / Okaukuejo → Onguma / Etosha East → Otjiwarongo → Waterberg Plateau → Windhoek
Trip highlights
- •Naukluft Mountains and Barkhan Dune Retreat — first desert lodge stop after Windhoek
- •Sesriem and Sossusvlei — gateway to the Namib Desert dunes, Deadvlei and Sesriem Canyon
- •Swakopmund — three-night coastal pause arranged by the guests themselves
- •Spitzkoppe — granite peaks, sunset views and clear desert night skies
- •Twyfelfontein and Damaraland — ancient rock engravings, rugged valleys and desert scenery
- •Sesfontein and Ongongo Waterfall — remote north-west camping with natural pools
- •Opuwo and Epupa Falls — Kaokoland, Kunene River scenery and Himba cultural context
- •Etosha National Park west to east — Olifantsrus, Okaukuejo and Onguma wildlife stages
- •Otjiwarongo and Waterberg Plateau — comfortable lodge stops before the Windhoek return
Day by day
Itinerary structure
Arrival, vehicle handover and Naukluft Mountains
Accommodation: Barkhan Dune Retreat
Arrive at Hosea Kutako International Airport, transfer to Namvic Car Hire for vehicle handover and route briefing, then start the self-drive journey towards Naukluft and Barkhan Dune Retreat.
Sesriem and Sossusvlei
Accommodation: Sesriem Campsite
Continue to Sesriem, gateway to Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert. Guests can settle into camp and visit Sesriem Canyon if timing allows, with time for the dunes and Deadvlei during this stage.
Swakopmund coastal break
Accommodation: Own arrangement
Drive from Sesriem towards the Atlantic coast and Swakopmund. This itinerary leaves Swakopmund accommodation for the guests to arrange themselves, making it a flexible restock and activity break.
Spitzkoppe
Accommodation: Spitzkoppe Rest Camp
Travel inland to the granite peaks of Spitzkoppe for short walks, rock formations, sunset views and excellent stargazing.
Twyfelfontein and Damaraland
Accommodation: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge
Continue into Damaraland, known for rocky landscapes, open valleys, desert-adapted wildlife and the UNESCO-listed Twyfelfontein rock engravings.
Sesfontein and Ongongo Waterfall
Accommodation: Ongongo Waterfall Campsite
Move further north into a more remote and adventurous section, overnighting at Ongongo Waterfall Campsite with its canyon setting and natural pools.
Opuwo and Kaokoland gateway
Accommodation: Opuwo Country Lodge
Travel to Opuwo, the main Kunene Region town and a practical place to refuel, restock and prepare for the drive to Epupa Falls.
Epupa Falls and Kunene River
Accommodation: Epupa Camp
Spend two nights near Epupa Falls on the Kunene River, with baobab trees, waterfalls, Himba cultural context and a remote northern Namibia atmosphere.
Etosha West / Olifantsrus
Accommodation: Olifantsrus Campsite
Leave the far north and enter Etosha on the quieter western side, overnighting at Olifantsrus for a remote first Etosha stage.
Etosha South / Okaukuejo
Accommodation: Okaukuejo Camp
Travel through Etosha towards Okaukuejo, using the drive as a full game-viewing day and spending time around the famous floodlit waterhole.
Etosha East and Onguma
Accommodation: Onguma Leadwood Campsite
Continue across Etosha towards the eastern side, exiting near Von Lindequist Gate and overnighting at Onguma Leadwood Campsite.
Otjiwarongo comfort stop
Accommodation: Frans Indongo Lodge
Head south after the Etosha section for a comfortable lodge night near Otjiwarongo.
Waterberg Plateau
Accommodation: Waterberg Wilderness Lodge
Spend two nights in the Waterberg area, known for red sandstone cliffs, scenery, walking trails and optional guided activities such as hikes or nature drives.
Return to Windhoek
Accommodation: River Crossing Lodge
Return the rental vehicle at Namvic Car Hire and transfer to River Crossing Lodge for the final overnight near Windhoek.
Departure
After breakfast, transfer from River Crossing Lodge to Hosea Kutako International Airport for departure.
Included / arranged
- •Accommodation and campsites as per the confirmed itinerary
- •Meals as indicated in the final itinerary basis
- •Toyota Hilux Double Cab 4x4 where confirmed in the final rental agreement
- •Fully equipped Gold Package camping setup
- •Zero excess insurance option where confirmed in the final rental agreement
- •Two tyre damages included under the quoted package terms, subject to rental agreement wording
- •GPS, satphone, fridge, rooftop tent and standard camping equipment where confirmed
- •Airport transfers as per the itinerary
- •Namvic route planning, vehicle handover and local support
Not included unless quoted
- •International flights
- •Accommodation in Swakopmund, because this stage is listed as own arrangement
- •Fuel for the vehicle
- •Park entrance fees unless specifically included in the final quote
- •Optional activities and excursions
- •Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- •Drinks and personal expenses
- •Personal travel insurance
- •Damages caused by negligence, reckless driving, speeding or driving where not permitted
- •Additional tyre damages after the two included tyres and any rim damages
Accommodation examples
- •Barkhan Dune Retreat, Naukluft Mountains (Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)
- •Sesriem Campsite, Sesriem / Sossusvlei (self-catering)
- •Swakopmund own arrangement, three nights
- •Spitzkoppe Rest Camp, Spitzkoppe (Dinner, Bed & Breakfast in the example itinerary)
- •Twyfelfontein Country Lodge, Damaraland (Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)
- •Ongongo Waterfall Campsite, Sesfontein area (self-catering)
- •Opuwo Country Lodge, Opuwo (Bed & Breakfast)
- •Epupa Camp, Epupa Falls (self-catering)
- •Olifantsrus Campsite, Etosha West (self-catering)
- •Okaukuejo Camp, Etosha South (self-catering)
- •Onguma Leadwood Campsite, Etosha East / Onguma (self-catering)
- •Frans Indongo Lodge, Otjiwarongo area (Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)
- •Waterberg Wilderness Lodge, Waterberg Plateau (Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)
- •River Crossing Lodge, Windhoek (Bed & Breakfast)
Important planning notes
- !This itinerary includes remote north-west sections; driving times, road conditions, fuel planning and safety advice must be checked for the final travel dates.
- !Swakopmund accommodation is excluded from this example because it is listed as the clients’ own arrangement.
- !Park entrance fees, fuel, optional activities and meals not listed are not automatically included unless stated in the final quote.
- !Insurance, zero excess, tyre and rim wording must follow the final rental agreement; avoid assuming cover beyond the confirmed terms.
- !Cheaper Silver or Bronze vehicle package options can be quoted on request with fewer add-ons and different cover levels.
Ready to customise this tour?
Tell us your dates, group size, comfort level and whether you want lodge, camping or a mixed itinerary. Namvic will confirm availability and prepare a proper quote for your exact travel dates.