You will see it all during this comprehensive 16-day Cape Town and Namibia self-drive tour. Start your adventure in the famous Cape winelands where you enjoy 2 nights wining and dining before you enjoy another night on the West Coast. Explore the Cederberg range then follow the road north over the border into Namibia for a mind-blowing journey of changing landscapes.
CAN BE EXTENDED
STARTS FROM Cape Town, South Africa
ENDS AT Windhoek, Namibia
Days 1 – 2
Your exciting journey starts in Cape Town when you pick up your choice of 4×4 car hire at Cape Town International Airport. Spend some days in the magnificent Mother City to soak up the culture and heritage and spectacular scenery. You will then set off on your fantastic self-drive tour of the Cape Winelands and Namibia. Whatever you choose to do, you will love the stunning 40-minute drive out to Franschhoek from Cape Town – enjoy the rolling fields of vineyards off-set by purple-ish mountains and beautiful restaurants.
Enjoy your 2 nights in luxury at the famous Le Quartier Francais boutique hotel a landmark in these parts thanks to its location on the main hub, with mountain vistas behind and elegant gardens and beautiful sparkling pool. Add luxurious comfort in the rooms and public spaces, exceptional cuisine and attentive service and you have all the ingredients of an outstanding home from home to soak up the food and wine delights on offer. The Winelands are renowned as the Food Capital of South Africa, and Franschhoek never disappoints. Seasonal menus are on offer at the casual-style Protégé restaurant or treat yourself to Epice (fine-dining restaurant) Most activities involve decadent great gastronomy paired with excellent wine tasting, South African style.
Day 3
Today is spent driving along the picturesque N7 through the dramatic Cederberg Mountains, past numerous wine farms and across the superb Oliphants and Orange River valleys. Heading towards the Nama Karoo region of the Northern Cape you will be entering a landscape usually spread with beautiful indigenous blossoms of the Namaqualand. These flowers seem to burst into life every spring, attracting tourists from far and wide. Enjoy a region that is both desert-like, awe-inspiring and tranquil
Enjoy a night at Naries Namakwa Retreat, about 30km towards the coast away from Springbok. In this home away from home accommodation you will find very friendly hosts and delicious food, not forgetting their comfy rooms and guest areas.
Day 4
As you approach the South Africa-Nambian border you will see a change in environment. No more tarred roads as you take the road to gorgeous Gondwana Nature Reserve, about 20km from the Fish River Canyon. Soak up the magnificent untouched landscape where real solitude helps you to unwind. Discover this private nature reserve and its delightful guest chalets that have been built into the rocky outcrops. Enjoy mind-blowing vistas from here to eternity. Time your arrival for sunset as you drive to the canyon which is known to be one of the world’s largest such natural features.
Day 5
Distances in Namibia are vast and today you drive some 300km to the awesome Gondwana Sperregebiet Rand Park on the southern edge of the intriguing Namib-Naukluft Park. Enjoy the expedition, half of which you make on tarred roads and the rest of which you make on quality gravel roads – through the huge open wonders of the breath-taking Namib Desert.
When you arrive at your luxury lodgings, you will feel the tranquillity and sense of space. Choose your suite in Klein Aus Vista in this private nature reserve and get ready for a drive to the waterhole to see the wild horses of Aus come to drink at sunset. Get out and walk, experiencing some of the 5 glorious hiking trails, taking between 2 to 5 hour each. You will love your simple, yet cozy accommodation and the delicious home cooking based on fresh organic ingredients from the sustainable farming operation inside the Gondwana Collection.
Days 6 – 7
The landscape keeps changing in Namibia and now, as you leave the Fish River Canyon and head back towards the regal red dunes of Sossusvlei, you will notice how the Nama Karoo biome is transformed into authentic desert landscapes of the Namib-Naukluft Park. This mind-blowing nature reserve is larger than Switzerland and most tourists go to see the Great red towering sand dunes at Sossusvlei.
Stay at the exclusive Little Kulala lodge in a private reserve near Sossusvlei. This popular modern and elegant desert lodge offers plush suites boasting private plunge pools, air conditioning and even a special rooftop deck where you can sleep out beneath the magnificent desert sky. Get up early to see how the gorgeous gentle sunrise light transforms the Sossusvlei dunes on a guided tour. You will want to get there early to make the most of the early hour of dawn solitude before other travellers join you.
Days 8 – 9
Leaving the desert landscape of Sossusvlei behind you, a 5-hour drive takes you to the famous Skeleton Coast. You will experience the spectacular Namib-Naukluft Park on your way to Damaraland and the German coastal town of Swakopmund. Dress warmly in this port town where it is often cold and misty – what a change after the heat of the dusty desert sight-seeing you have recently enjoyed!
Treat yourself to 5-star seafood or steak splurge at several top restaurants before retiring to rest. Awake next morning to explore the Walvis Bay lagoon by boat. Perhaps after hit the sand dunes on a quad bike to really have some fun! Stay at the Strand Hotel, enjoying sweeping views of the Ocean.
Days 10 – 11
Today you will depart the Skeleton Coast famous for its shipwrecks and drive for another 80km before heading inland back to the dry dusty interior. Experience stark changes in the landscape as you move from the gravel plains of the Namib to the rocky hills of the semi-arid Damaraland region.
Here you will disembark at the lovely environmentally friendly Damaraland Camp which is at one with its surroundings. Wilderness Safaris is proud of this accommodation in their successful community-owned concession. Settle into your canvas tented suite with its thatched roof, private deck and comfy en-suite bathrooms. Time to really relax in nature, contributing to sustainable tourism ethics.
Damaraland is much loved for its vast open spaces and unique vegetation, rocky landscape and amazing desert-adapted elephants and rhinos. Set off into the beautiful Aba Huab valley per chance to see these rare creatures and spot some awesome bird species never before seen.
Days 12 – 14
A shorter drive today will take you to the Ongava Private Game reserve on the southern boundary of Etosha National Park.
Ongava Tented Camp is one of Namibia’s most sought-after camps. Ongava Game Reserve is exclusive, and the game viewing is excellent including the chance to see both black and white rhinos and the full range of big animals including lion, leopard, hyena, giraffe, zebra and many antelope. Game drives into Etosha take you to the many natural waterholes and a good chance of seeing elephant and many major species at the same time as they drink.
Spend three nights at Ongava relaxing between game drives and walking safaris.
Day 15
From Etosha, you’ll return to the tarred road of the B1 to Windhoek. Spend a night in Namibia’s capital city at the Weinberg – a much loved hotel in the heart of this beautiful city.
Day 16
Drop off your hired wheels today and catch your onward flight.