Example trip

Namibia highlights roadtrip: desolate deserts, stunning mountains, safari, and wild camping.

Highlights

Bike and boat safaris, water activities, safari, authentic encounters, road trips, hiking, and camping.

Location

Namibia

Budget

from € 2.500,- p.p. excl. flight tickets

Endless baobabs and breathtaking starry skies

Prepare for an intensive road trip through the epic landscapes of Namibia and discover the variety of these unique countries. Drive from the world’s oldest desert to the largest inland delta on Earth, and finish at one of the largest salt pans on the planet. Add to that an abundance of wildlife, baobab trees, and star-filled nights, and your camera will be working overtime! Wild camping in the "middle of nowhere" or deep in the bush makes this trip off-the-beaten-track, extremely adventurous, and unforgettable. There's also plenty of action, with fun activities like kayaking, hiking, and mountain biking, ensuring you get out of the car often.

16 days in Namibia

Day 1

Windhoek

Welcome to Namibia! The journey begins in the capital, Windhoek. To be honest, Windhoek isn’t particularly noteworthy, except for the Katutura City Tour, which we highly recommend. Katutura is the area where you’ll experience the real Africa. After that, the road trip can't start soon enough. You'll get a sturdy 4x4 vehicle, allowing you to travel without worry, though it does require some preparation. Check our self-drive page for more details, and perhaps take the Isabis 4x4 trail at the start of your trip to get familiar with the beast. You'll sleep comfortably in authentic lodges or in the car's rooftop tent—how cool!

Day 2 - 3

Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei, the world’s oldest desert, surrounded by the highest dunes on Earth, promises an unforgettable Namibian experience. The iconic Dune 45 and Deadvlei, with its 700-year-old black trees in a white clay pan, mesmerise visitors with a blend of mystery and beauty. An early start reveals the magic of the golden hour as you walk across the dunes, and in the evening, you're rewarded with a sky full of bright stars. Namibia's vast orange dune landscape invites capturing stunning moments, making every traveller fall in love with this surreal landscape.

Day 4

Namib-Naukluft

Meet the legend of the desert, a true tough character with a lifetime of experience in the desert, which he considers his backyard. He lives here with his wife in pure simplicity, and that’s exactly what you can expect during this experience. This rather unique man walks barefoot every day, feeling at one with nature. He has lived in the desert his entire life and has found his happiness here—he is a content man! During the tour, you'll stop at various locations for explanations about the area and learn more about the dunes, the desert, the animals, the fauna, the water, desert agriculture, the Bushmen, and much more!

Day 5 - 6

Swakopmund

Swakopmund, a charming mix of sea and desert, welcomes travellers with German flair and countless activities. Explore the local cuisine and architecture, while the beach and sea invite swimming and sunbathing. The Jetty Pier offers a picturesque view, and stocking up on supplies is essential for further adventures. This 'activity paradise' offers a range of activities, from quad biking to skydiving and scenic flights over the Skeleton Coast. Don’t forget to explore the kayak experience and desert tour, where you might even spot 'the little five.' Swakopmund promises a refreshing and unforgettable Namibian experience!

Day 7

Spitzkoppe

Spitzkoppe, which rises a staggering 1,728 metres above the ground, is a striking landmark in the Namibian landscape. The granite of the Spitzkoppe mountain range is over 700 million years old. Comprising several large, distinctive peaks that rise from various parts of the landscape, the main peak is known as Gross Spitzkoppe. The mountain’s characteristic shape has earned it the nickname the Matterhorn of Namibia. The area is a paradise for hikers and climbers, and the view from the top is an incredible reward for the effort required to climb the rock to reach it.

Day 8 - 9

Damaraland

In the rugged landscape of Brandberg and Twyfelfontein, with its impressive rock formations and towering mountains, both humans and animals have made a home amidst challenging conditions. The 'Desert Elephants and Rhinos' and the local people have thrived here for years, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. This area is remarkable not only for its bizarre landscape but also for the resilience of its inhabitants. Today, you have a full day to explore the desolate Damaraland, with activities ranging from rhino tracking to cultural tours, allowing every visitor to enjoy the fascinating mix of nature and human life.

Day 10 - 12

Etosha National Park

Welcome to Etosha National Park, a vast wildlife reserve that is home to an impressive variety of animals, including lions, cheetahs, elephants, and giraffes. The park is renowned for its abundance of waterholes, where animals gather to drink, offering breathtaking sightings. The expansive Etosha Salt Pan, a dried-up lake, provides a unique landscape where elephants cover themselves with the white clay as sunscreen—a phenomenon that can only be seen here. There are various activities to enjoy, such as sundowner drives and night safaris, where you explore the bush and search for predators hunting under the cover of night. Etosha is a must-see for any wildlife enthusiast!

Day 13 - 14

Waterberg National Park

Waterberg Plateau National Park offers a serene setting with beautiful red mountains that glow at sunset, perfect for a sundowner. Explore the designated hiking trails for an intimate experience in nature. With a guide as your companion, you'll learn about the surroundings and conquer the Waterberg, where the massive plateau provides breathtaking views over the Kalahari plains. At the top, enjoy a refreshing sundowner as the sun sets and the stars emerge. This moment of calm, amidst adventure, is a highlight of your Namibian journey, where ultimate relaxation blends with natural beauty.

Day 15

Okonjima Nature Reserve

Okonjima Nature Reserve is home to the AfriCat Foundation, where numerous predators, particularly cheetahs, are rehabilitated before being released back into the wild. Many of these animals became orphans at an early age or were removed from the wild, and thus lack the necessary skills to survive on their own. The advantage of a conservancy over a regular national park is that not only will you spot wildlife, but you'll also have the opportunity to learn a great deal about them. The guides at these parks are incredibly dedicated to these animals and can tell you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about wildlife! David Attenborough has nothing on them!

Day 16

Departure

Everything comes to an end, including this wonderful adventure. Fully rested, you pack your bags to get on the plane home. With a nice healthy colour on your cheeks, you board the plane. With your eyes closed and your seat reclined, you relive the cool adventures of the past few days. Full of inspiration and with an overdose of wonderful memories, you return home. Unspoilt nature, lush wildlife, inspiring people & vibrant cities. You now have plenty of stories to tell family and friends later by the fire. An adventure over, but a new set of experiences richer.

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What our travellers say about us

Great young and ambitious travel company with boots on the ground in Africa. We travelled with them through South Africa and Namibia. They made great experiences/activities possible that we would never have discovered on our own otherwise. For the next trip to Africa, I will definitely contact them again. 

Maike
Travel with friends
Namibia

We had a FANTASTIC TRAVEL thanks to Charlie’s Travels! We had the best driver/guide and everyone was very welcoming. Everyone was on time. We had a really good time there! We went with a group of 8. THANK YOU!!!

Barbara
Travel with friends
Namibia

We chose Charlie’s Travels because we had quick and good contact with them, we got a good plan right away that appealed to us, it is a Dutch organisation that is on the ground AND they have a good reputation.

Ro
Lovebirds
Namibia

We booked a self-drive tour through Charlie’s Travels that started in Windhoek, Namibia, and ended in Maun, Botswana. The great thing about Charlie’s Travels was that they listened to our needs and exceeded our expectations. For sure, our next self-drive tour in Africa will be through Charlie’s Travels again

Tim
Travel with friends
Namibia

Our self-drive trip through Namibia and Botswana was a great experience. We enjoyed the professional communication from Charlie’s Travels before, during and after our trip. They are clearly an experienced travel agent and know the market well. 

Steve
Family Travel
Namibia

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