From ZAR 26,500ppper person
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7 Days
Private tour
Max 7
Daily Departures
Windhoek to Windhoek
Accommodated
2 Nights Hotel | 4 Nights Lodge
10 Meals
6 Breakfasts | 0 Lunches | 4 Dinners
This 7 day Namibia self drive safari runs from Windhoek through Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Etosha National Park, with your vehicle, accommodation and main activities arranged before you leave home. It’s designed for 2 to 4 travellers who want the freedom of a road trip without piecing the bookings together themselves — you set the pace behind the wheel. Two nights at each stop means less driving days and time to actually settle in and explore the area, rather than packing up every morning.
You don’t need a 4×4 for this route. Transport is a Toyota Corolla Cross or similar, and a 4×4 shuttle to Deadvlei is included, so the one famously sandy stretch is handled for you. Your desert base is Desert Quiver Camp, only 5 km from the Sossusvlei entrance gate. From here you’ll climb Dune 45, stand among Deadvlei’s blackened 900-year-old trees, and follow Sesriem Canyon on foot, a narrow gorge carved by the Tsauchab River.
On day 3 a guided desert excursion with Sossus on Foot lets you see the Namib at walking pace before you drive to the coast. Swakopmund earns its two nights: founded in 1892 as the harbour for German South-West Africa, it mixes colonial architecture with a laid-back seaside feel and a cool Atlantic breeze. Day 4 is yours — quad biking, horse riding, paragliding, fishing or a desert tour, or simply coffee and the beachfront.
The final leg swaps sand for wildlife. Etosha Safari Lodge sits 10 km south of Andersson Gate, and you’ll take your own car into Etosha National Park for a late afternoon drive on arrival day. Day 6 is a full day game drive in a 9-seater 4×4 with a guide who knows where to find the animals. Lion, elephant, giraffe and both black and white rhino are all possible here, and early mornings and late afternoons give the best viewing.
Everything you need to plan your trip.
Collect your vehicle in Windhoek and point it south-west — the Sesriem area is your base for the next two nights.
Desert Quiver Camp sits just 5 km from the Sossusvlei entrance gate, its self-catering units tucked among granite outcrops with views across the grasslands to Elim Dune.
Each unit has a shaded braai patio and kitchenette, and there’s a pool and bar for the hot hours. Dinner is included tonight — guests eat at the nearby Sossusvlei Lodge restaurant.
Meals
Dinner
Today is the highlight of your trip in Namibia. Start at Dune 45 — named for its position 45 km beyond Sesriem and, at 80 metres with a gentle gradient, a much friendlier climb than Big Daddy. It’s often called the most photographed dune in the world, and from the crest you’ll see why.
An included 4×4 shuttle then takes you into Deadvlei, the ancient clay pan where a river changed course 900 years ago and left its camel-thorn trees standing — too dry to decompose, blackened and preserved against the white pan and red-pink dunes.
Finish at Sesriem Canyon, a narrow gorge cut by the Tsauchab River, best explored on foot: stony walls rise sharply on either side while birds roost in the crags and lizards dart along the ledges. Early settlers drew water here with six leather thongs tied together — ses riem — which gave the canyon its name.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
Hike up Dune 45
4x4 shuttle to Sossusvlei / Deadvlei
Sesriem Canyon
Before leaving the desert, join a guided desert excursion with Sossus on Foot — the Namib at walking pace, and a different experience of the landscape than any view from a vehicle.
Then drive west to the coast. Swakopmund, founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South-West Africa, greets you with wide avenues, colonial architecture and a cool sea breeze — it’s often described as more German than Germany.
Your home for two nights is Artemis Hotel Swakopmund, on the quieter side of town between the centre and the beach, with 21 individually decorated rooms and a 4th-floor roof terrace looking over the town and the Atlantic.
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
Guided desert excursion with Sossus on Foot
A full free day on the coast — and Swakopmund knows how to fill one. Adventure options include quad biking over the dunes, horse riding, paragliding, fishing and guided desert tours; or keep it slow with the town’s cafés, architecture and beachfront.
Breakfast is a generous buffet at the hotel, and the roof terrace is the spot to end the day with the sun dropping into the Atlantic.
Meals
Breakfast
Add-on Activities
Quad biking
Horse riding
Fishing
Sandboarding
Leave the coast behind and head north-east to Etosha South, the collection of reserves and lodges just below Etosha National Park’s southern boundary at Andersson’s Gate. Your base is Etosha Safari Lodge, perched on a hill 10 km south of the gate on the C38, with 65 chalets and long views over the mopane woodland.
Check in, then take your own vehicle into the park for a late afternoon drive — the day’s best light, and your first chance at lion, elephant, giraffe and rhino. Back at the lodge, watch the sun sink into the woodland with a drink before dinner.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
Afternoon game drive in Etosha
Today you hand the driving over. A full day game drive takes you into Etosha National Park in a 9-seater 4×4 game vehicle with a guide who knows the waterholes and the animals that visit them — the elevated seat alone changes what you spot. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best game viewing times, and a full day covers both.
Park entrance fees, refreshments, snacks and passenger liability insurance are included. Afterwards, cool off in the lodge pools and have dinner on the veranda under the stars.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
Etosha full day open vehicle game drive
A last Namibian breakfast overlooking the woodland, then the drive back to Windhoek to drop off your vehicle, where the tour ends — a final stretch of open road to close out a week that has covered dunes, coast and big game.
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
None
Desert Quiver
Desert Quiver
Artemis Hotel
Etosha Safari Lodge
Etosha Safari Lodge
DESERT QUIVER CAMP, SESRIEM — 2 NIGHTS
Your base for Sossusvlei, just 5km from the park entrance gate, which counts for a lot on a morning when you want to be at Dune 45 for first light.
The camp has 24 self-catering units built to sit quietly in the landscape, among granite outcrops with views across the grasslands to Elim Dune. Wildlife wanders through.
Your unit has a spacious bedroom with twin beds, a fold-out sleeper couch, proper space for suitcases, hanging space, shelves and an electronic safe. The en-suite bathroom has a shower, toilet and basin with vanity space. You have your own private parking and a shaded patio with a braai, a fitted kitchenette with a wash-up area, an under-counter fridge, a two-plate hob and a bench to sit on.
Utensil boxes are available from reception, and you can order fresh supplies daily if you’d like to cook. Your two included dinners are served at the Sossusvlei Lodge restaurant nearby, so cooking is an option rather than an obligation.
There’s a bar with a big screen, a swimming pool looking out over the grasslands, and two communal bomas. Wi-Fi is available in the reception area rather than in the units. The Sossus Oasis Service Station next door has a well-stocked shop, an internet café and fuel — worth knowing before you head north.
Families: each twin bedroom’s sleeper couch takes two children under 12. Please tell us at the time of booking so the room is prepared correctly.
ARTEMIS HOTEL, SWAKOPMUND — 2 NIGHTS
Swakopmund is where the desert meets the cold Atlantic, and Artemis sits on the quieter side of the old town, between the central business district and the beach. Close enough to walk in, far enough to be peaceful.
It’s a small hotel — 21 rooms, carefully put together, across three categories. You’re booked into comfort rooms. Every room has a private bathroom with a separate shower and bath, stocked with good amenities.
Breakfast is a proper buffet in the restaurant. The fourth-floor roof terrace looks out over the town and the Atlantic and is the right place to end a day. High-speed Wi-Fi is complimentary throughout the property, which makes this your best chance to catch up on messages before Etosha.
ETOSHA SAFARI LODGE, ETOSHA SOUTH — 2 NIGHTS
Part of the Gondwana Collection, and 10km south of Andersson Gate on the C38 — close enough for an easy start to your game drives.
The lodge sits on a hill with long views over mopane woodland toward the park in the distance. There are 65 chalets spread across the hillside, so it has a bit of scale to it, but the setting does the work — sundowners here, watching the light go over the trees, is one of the quieter pleasures of the trip.
Your standard twin room has twin beds, an en-suite bathroom with a shower, and a small private veranda facing those views. Air-conditioning and complimentary tea and coffee in the room. There’s a pool and a dining veranda on site.
On occasion a property may be unavailable, in which case we’ll book accommodation of a similar standard and let you know.
Our pricing works on a sliding scale. The more travellers in your group, the lower the per person rate.
For those requiring a single room there will be an additional fee of ZAR 3,650.
Select your expected travel season to see pricing details:
Please note that the price for this tour is in ZAR. If you convert the prices to another currency, keep in mind that exchange rates can fluctuate and will affect the final cost.
DEPARTURE POINT: Hosea Kutako International Airport, Windhoek.
You’ll collect your vehicle on arrival and drive south to Sesriem the same day.
Exact collection point will be confirmed at booking stage.
END POINT: Hosea Kutako International Airport, Windhoek. Vehicle dropped off on Day 7 after the drive up from Etosha.
Detour Africa is here to arrange a seamless experience, including pre and post-tour accommodation, as well as convenient airport transfers. Please ask your consultant for assistance.
If you have an emergency (for eg. your flight has been delayed, you are running late for your tour departure or you missed your incoming flight), you can call the emergency number listed on your confirmation document or you can get in touch with us via:
WhatsApp message: +27 60 018 6293
Call us: +27 21 424 1115
PASSPORT
Ensure your passport has sufficient pages for all required visas, with a minimum of 2 clear pages for each country you’ll be visiting. Note that South Africa requires 2 clear pages upon entry, especially crucial if you plan to fly home from South Africa after touring multiple African countries.
Additionally, ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months after your departure date from Africa. It’s wise to keep a copy at home or with friends. Consider taking a photo of your passport and its contents, and emailing it to yourself for added security.
Using more than one passport (to avoid visa payments) is not advisable. For example, when entering Namibia, the immigration official must see the exit stamp for South Africa in the same passport for entry clearance.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
It is your responsibility to secure any necessary visas for your upcoming trip. Visa requirements differ based on your nationality and destination so please contact the various embassies or visa service agencies to check visa requirements. We also advise that you recheck visa requirements at least four weeks before departing for your tour as regulations can change.
Detour Africa will not be held responsible for clients being denied entry should they not be in possession of the relevant visas.
Ensure a smooth journey by having a valid onward or return flight or proof of alternative transportation to depart from the country where your tour ends. Alternatively, show proof of sufficient funds, such as a credit card, enabling you to purchase an air ticket for your departure.
Here is a useful link to check your visa requirements. Travel Visa Checker
These are subject to updates and may vary based on your nationality so please double check this info directly with the embassies for each country.
Important Notice:
New Visa Requirements for Namibia (Effective April 1, 2025)
From April 1, 2025, Namibia will require visas for travelers from over 31 countries that do not offer visa-free entry to Namibian citizens. This includes nationals from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Visas will be issued on arrival, with fees set at N$1,600 (approximately €80) for travelers from non-African Union (AU) countries and N$1,200 for AU member states.
Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only. Visa regulations are subject to change, and we recommend confirming details directly with the Namibian embassy or consulate in your country.
VACCINATIONS
To ensure a healthy and worry-free adventure, we recommend considering the following vaccinations for your journey through Africa: Hepatitis A (Havrax), Cholera, Tetanus Booster Shot, and Rabies.
It is crucial to note that this is only a general recommendation. For the most accurate and up-to-date vaccination requirements, we strongly advise consulting with your doctor or a travel clinic. They can provide personalized guidance based on your health history, ensuring you receive the most relevant and current information to stay protected during your travels. Your well-being is our priority, and we want you to embark on your African adventure fully prepared and in good health.
DO YOU NEED A YELLOW FEVER CERTIFICATE FOR NAMIBIA?
For most travellers, no. There is no yellow fever risk in Namibia, and no vaccination is required if you’re flying in directly from the UK, Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand.
Namibia only requires a valid yellow fever certificate from travellers aged 9 months and older in two situations:
IS THERE MALARIA ON THIS NAMIBIA ROUTE?
Only in one part of it.
The Namib Desert and the coast are regarded as almost risk-free, so your nights at Sesriem and Swakopmund carry no real concern. Northern Namibia is different — Etosha carries a medium risk, and it’s seasonal, peaking in the rainy months from November to April. In the dry winter months, risk in the area is considered negligible.
That means four of your six nights are in low-risk territory, and the two at Etosha depend largely on when you travel.
We recommend that you speak to your doctor or travel clinic with your actual travel dates in hand.
Whether or not you take antimalarials, the simple precautions matter at Etosha: a DEET-based repellent, long sleeves and trousers at dusk and after dark, and windows closed or nets down at night.
If you are prescribed antimalarial tablets, take them exactly as directed — including the doses before you arrive and after you get home. They’re preventive, and they only work if you finish the course.
This guidance is general and can’t replace a consultation with your doctor or travel clinic. Last updated: 4 Sept 2026
Medical insurance is a mandatory requirement. Your guide will request your policy number before the tour begins so please keep your insurance details handy when starting your tour. Ensure that your travel and medical insurance covers both cancellation and emergency evacuation in case of serious illness or injury, especially considering our tours often venture far from well-equipped hospital facilities. It’s important to note that credit card insurance might not offer sufficient coverage, so we strongly recommend obtaining a separate travel insurance policy for comprehensive protection.
Many of our customers opt for World Nomads Travel Insurance and highly recommend their services. While we’re not directly affiliated with World Nomads, we do encourage you to explore their offerings to secure a reliable insurance solution for your journey.
Please be advised that Africa experiences varying weather patterns, and conditions on your tour may differ. It’s important to check and monitor the specific weather for your destination, as temperature shifts can be significant.
Early morning and late evening game drives may be chilly during certain times of the year. Most excursions take place in open 4×4 safari vehicles for extended periods, potentially the entire day. Considering this, it’s recommended to have clothing that provides protection against wind chill and keeps you warm.
Opt for clothing that is easy to wash and dry, and preferably doesn’t require ironing. Avoid synthetics, which can be uncomfortable in hot weather.
Here are some suggested items to pack for all weather conditions:
Additional suggested items for your packing list:
MEALS
Please refer to your tour itinerary for details on what meals are included on your tour.
Lunches aren’t included, which suits a self-drive week rather nicely — you eat where and when you feel like it. Solitaire, Walvis Bay and Swakopmund all reward the stop.
Please let your consultant know about any dietary requirements when you book rather than on arrival — the lodges need notice.
DRINKING WATER
Tap water in Namibian towns and lodges is generally safe, but the mineral content differs from what you’re used to and can unsettle a stomach for a day. Bottled water is widely available.
The more important point is quantity. It’s a dry country and you’ll be out in it — two litres a day is the baseline, and the dune days ask for more. Keep a full bottle in the car at all times.
Easier than most people expect, with a few things worth knowing.
WHICH SIDE OF THE ROAD?
You drive on the left, the same as South Africa and the UK.
GRAVEL ROADS
Most of your week is on gravel, and it’s good gravel — but it rewards patience.
Stay at 80 km/h or below, whatever the sign says. Nearly every hire car incident in Namibia comes down to speed on a loose surface.
Brake and steer gently. Slow right down and move left for oncoming traffic. A stone through the windscreen is the most common thing that goes wrong out here. On corrugated sections, a steady moderate speed is far more comfortable than trying to outrun it.
DRIVING AFTER DARK
Please don’t. Kudu, warthog and livestock come onto the roads at dusk, and much of the route runs alongside unfenced farmland. Plan each leg to arrive before sunset and it simply never becomes an issue.
Money can significantly impact your tour experience, so it’s essential to budget wisely. Africa isn’t known for being inexpensive, so prudent spending is key.
CASH
Carry more than you’d expect to.
Namibian Dollars and South African Rand both work — the two currencies are pegged 1:1 and Rand is accepted throughout Namibia. Namibian Dollars aren’t accepted back in South Africa, so spend them before you fly home.
CREDIT CARD
Cards are fine at lodges, restaurants and shops in Windhoek and Swakopmund. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; Diners and Amex less so. ATMs are easy to find in the main towns. Let your bank know you’re travelling so your card doesn’t get blocked.
TIPPING
Tipping is customary but never obligatory. Around 10% in restaurants for good service. Petrol attendants pump your fuel, check your oil and clean your windscreen — N$10 to N$20 is a normal thank you. For your Etosha guides, something in the region of US$5 to US$10 per person per day is a kind gesture if they’ve made your day.
Certain African countries require travelers entering or leaving the country with a minor (under the age of 18) to present an unabridged birth certificate that includes details of both parents. In some cases, if a child is traveling with only one parent or without both parents, additional documentation such as a parental consent affidavit may be required. This affidavit typically needs to be notarized. Travel regulations, including those related to documentation for minors, can change. Governments periodically review and update their travel policies, so it’s crucial to check with the relevant embassies, consulates, or official government websites for the most current information.
Artemis Hotel in Swakopmund has high-speed Wi-Fi. At Sesriem and Etosha, connectivity is limited or paid.
Between towns there are long stretches with no signal at all. Download your maps offline before you leave Windhoek rather than relying on live navigation, and pick up a local SIM at the airport if you’d like to stay reachable.
