After landing at Windhoek International Airport, located 40km outside Windhoek, you will be met by a representative of Ultimate Safaris. You will be transferred to Galton House, where you will also be provided with everything you will need for your self-drive safari; from your accommodation vouchers to a map marked with your route and a full safari briefing (you vehicle will be delivered to you early tomorrow morning).

Dinner this evening is for your own account to give you the option to either dine at Galton’s excellent in-house restaurant, or out at one of the restaurants in town (the guesthouse can assist with a taxi service).

Please note: There is a foreign exchange desk at Windhoek International Airport if required on arrival. We recommend that you opt for South African Rand rather than Namibian Dollars as both are legal tender in Namibia, however Namibian Dollars are limited to use and exchanging only within Namibia.

After an early breakfast this morning your rental vehicle (Ford Ranger 4X4 Double Cab manual – or similar) will be delivered to you at the guesthouse. You will receive a full vehicle briefing – please ensure that you have your driver’s license, credit card, and passport on hand to complete the vehicle hire documents. After this you depart Windhoek in your rental vehicle and drive onwards to arrive at Hoodia Desert Lodge, where you will stay for two nights whilst you explore the remarkable sights of the Namib Desert. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure at Hoodia Desert Lodge to enjoy your scenic desert surroundings and relax by the pool. An optional extra you can select to join a guided sundowner drive with Hoodia on their property. (BD)

This morning you will need to rise early for a captivating guided Sossusvlei excursion as arranged with Hoodia Desert Lodge (at own expense). You may also opt to self-drive into the park in your rental vehicle (Park fees at extra cost). You would enter the park at sunrise and capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows accentuate the towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world and your guide will give you an insight on the formation of the Namib Desert and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environs.

Once you have explored Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and surrounding dune fields to your heart’s content you can enjoy a relaxed picnic brunch in the shade of a camel thorn tree. You then return to Hoodia Desert Lodge in the early afternoon, with the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. (BD)

Please note: If you choose to visit Sossusvlei in your rental vehicle instead, a Namib Naukluft National Park daily entrance fee of N$250 per adult and N$50 for your vehicle is applicable (subject to change). This has to be paid at the Sesriem reception upon arrival.

NOTE: Option to include a sunrise balloon flight or scenic light aircraft flight over the Namib Naukluft National Park before you depart for Swakopmund (at own expense).

The fascinating drive today takes you northwest through awesome and ever changing desert landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park, including the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons. You will meet the coast at the port town of Walvis Bay, where you have the option to visit the lagoon to see the interesting mix of pelicans, flamingos and other sea-birds, before continuing north to Swakopmund where you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location and cooler coastal air. (B)

This afternoon you have the option to explore the shops, waterfront and craft market as appeals, before heading out for dinner at one of the popular restaurants in town. Dinner this evening is for your own account as there are a number of excellent restaurants to choose from.

We recommend that you avoid a stay in Swakopmund over a weekend, as most shops close by Saturday afternoon and only a select few open on a Sunday. However, restaurants will be open and tours will be on offer in the morning over weekends.

Today is at your leisure to spend exploring Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and surrounding areas. You may like to climb the coastal dunes at Langstrand or Dune 7, explore Swakopmund’s shops, cafe’s, museums and waterfront, or partake in any of the adventure activities on offer such as quad-biking and sand-boarding, boat cruises, kayaking, and scenic flights (at own expense). (B)

You may wish to join a morning dolphin and seal catamaran cruise on the Walvis Bay harbour and lagoon this morning, where you will see seals, pelicans, and flamingos amongst other marine life, and hopefully you will also see Heaviside and Bottlenose dolphins. Oysters and South African bubbly are served on board, along with other beverages and snacks (at own expense).

Another option would be to explore the desert area by taking part in the fascinating and informative “Living Desert Tour”. This Desert Tour concentrates on exploring the local dune belt between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, taking special care not to damage the gravel plains and cause any unnecessary damage to the dune eco-system. Also highly recommended is a half or full day excursion into Sandwich Harbour, the most important wetlands and feeding area on the west coast of Southern Africa for many migratory birds (at own expense).

Today you continue your self-drive journey, passing Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg which peaks at 2,573 m above sea level, and take time to view game and absorb the vastness of the scenery along the way. Damaraland is typified by displays of colour, magnificent table topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation. The present day landscape has been formed by the erosion of wind, water and geological forces which have formed rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains and ancient river terraces. It is the variety and loneliness of the area as well as the scenic splendour which will reward and astound you, giving one an authentic understanding of the word ‘wilderness’. (BD)

After an early breakfast you have the option to go on an exciting 4X4 guided excursion as offered by Mowani Mountain Camp (at own expense). The excursion takes you along the ephemeral Aba Huab and Huab River valleys to explore this remarkable region and to search for game, including the elusive desert adapted elephants if they are in the area. (BD)

This afternoon you can head out to explore the area in your hired vehicle, visiting the rock art at Twyfelfontein and the interesting geological formations of Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes. You even have the opportunity to visit the fascinating Damara Living Museum (at own expense) to learn more about this ancient people.

Today you continue on your self-drive safari and drive to southern Etosha to Ongava Lodge. (BD)

Today is designed for you to have time to relax in lovely comfortable surroundings while still giving time to be spent game viewing in the National Park. This morning you have the option to go on a guided game drive inside the Etosha National Park, as arranged by the lodge (at own expense), before returning to camp for lunch. You also have the option to go on self-guided game drives inside Etosha whenever you want, except before sunrise and after sunset, in your rental vehicle. (BD)

Please note:
* Etosha National Park gates open at sunrise and close at sunset (including the camp gates). The camps have a small shop for basic supplies, a fuel station, and a post office.
* The speed limit whilst driving in Etosha is 60km per hour.
* Do not get out of your vehicle whilst in Etosha unless you are safely within a designated area.
* The daily entrance fee for Etosha National Park (payable at Dolomite, Okaukuejo, Halali or Namutoni reception by cash or credit card) is N$250 per person and N$50 for the vehicle (subject to change). You will fill in a registration form upon entry into Etosha, please keep this form as well as your park fees payment receipt to present at the gate upon departure.

This morning you may choose to head out on one last game drive before you depart the great expanses of the Etosha National Park, to make your way back to Windhoek via the towns of Outjo and Okahandja. Enroute back to Windhoek, you have the option to stop at the local woodcarver’s market in Okahandja for some last-minute souvenir shopping if you wish. You arrive in Windhoek in the late afternoon, to spend the last night of your safari at the Galton House. This evening you can enjoy dinner at the guesthouse or at any restaurant out in town (at own expense). (B)

This morning your rental vehicle will be collected at the Galton House, after which an Ultimate Safaris representative will collect you for your transfer to the Windhoek Airport, in time for the 2-hour check-in of your outgoing international flight back home. (B)