Namibia self-drive safari in a 4x4

After picking up your Toyota Land Cruiser and a thorough vehicle introduction, your guided Namibia 4x4 safari begins. The first leg takes you along well-developed roads from Windhoek to Outjo. This gives you the chance to familiarize yourself with the four-wheel drive vehicle and driving in the group at a relaxed pace. In the afternoon, you will set up your rooftop tent for the first time. During a shared dinner at the lodge, you will get to know your travel group and the German-speaking tour guide better.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: not included
Driving distance: approx. 330 km

Along the Kunene, the route changes: The paved road becomes a varied nature track that leads through the mountainous landscape in the far north of Namibia. Behind Swartbooisdrift, you will encounter the first sandy river crossings. Here you will learn when to engage the four-wheel drive and adjust the tire pressure. The guide will be in contact with you via radio and will assist you during the first off-road sections. In the afternoon, you will reach the Epupa Falls and set up your camp among the palm trees right by the river.

Overnight: Camping
Catering: Breakfast and lunch
Driving distance: approx. 140 km

From the Epupa Falls, the 4x4 journey leads through the settlement area of the Ovahimba to Opuwo. In the last larger town before the remote stages, food, water, and fuel are replenished. The reserve tanks must also be filled, as the next reliable refueling option is about 1,140 kilometers away. Afterwards, you leave the paved roads and drive along sandy tracks towards Etanga. In a dry riverbed, the group sets up the first wilderness camp of the trip.

Overnight stay: Wilderness camp
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Travel distance: approx. 270 km

After leaving Van Zyl’s Pass, the route leads over fast sandy tracks through the vast Marienfluss plain. At a watering point, supplies are replenished before another steep ascent toward Hartmann Valley follows. Old tracks wind through a nearly uninhabited landscape up to an extraordinary campsite about 300 meters above the valley.

Overnight stay: Wilderness camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Travel distance: approx. 120 km

After breakfast in the solitude of the desert, you continue your journey through the western Kaokoland. The route leads past prominent inselbergs and through an area with old as well as more recent traces of human use. After crossing a field of wandering dunes, you reach the historic navigation marker "Green Drum." The next campsite is set up at the Munutum dry riverbed.

Overnight stay: Wilderness camp
Food provided: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Distance traveled: approx. 80 km

After several days away from towns, today's stage leads over an impressive plateau towards Puros. Then you will reach the Hoarusib, whose riverbed has water in places and attracts numerous wildlife. The campsite for today is located right by the river. After the wild camping nights, showers and sanitary facilities are available here.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Distance: approx. 130 km

The drive through the Hoanib riverbed offers particularly good opportunities to observe Namibia's desert elephants. Giraffes, oryx antelopes, springboks, baboons, and ostriches also live in this remote region. In the afternoon, you will reach Sesfontein. Depending on availability, fuel and fresh food can be replenished here. Overnight stay will be at a campsite with shower and toilet.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Driving distance: approx. 110 km

You continue your guided 4x4 safari westward through the riverbed of the Aba Huab. In “Desolation Valley,” you can expect moist sections, dense vegetation, and narrow off-road paths. The Brandberg appears on the horizon, at 2,573 meters the highest mountain in Namibia. At the natural waterhole Gai-As, you keep an eye out for animal tracks. With a bit of luck, you might even spot black rhinos in this region.

Overnight: Wilderness camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Driving distance: approx. 330 km

The route leads through the settlement area of the Damara along small trails to Uis. There, the vehicles are refueled and supplies for the last meals are replenished. Afterwards, you drive along a well-constructed gravel road to Spitzkoppe. The final camp is set up between the distinctive granite rocks. In the afternoon, you can explore rock engravings, natural rock arches, and viewpoints. After sunset, the low light pollution provides excellent conditions for night and star photography.

Overnight: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Driving distance: approx. 160 km