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FROM US$7,430-US$9,990

Chongololo Self-drive Safari

This self-drive safari focuses on the best walking experiences in Namibia. Get your boots ready for the apricot dunes of the Namib Desert and the ancient hills of Damaraland.

Chongololo Self-drive Safari: Summary

Chongololo Self-drive in a nutshell

From Windhoek, drive south to BüllsPort, a warm farm stay on a genuine ranch in the shadow of the Namib Naukluft mountains. Its trails, mountain bike tracks and horse rides on some of the very best mounts in the country are a great start to your adventure.

Next up is one of our favourite walking experiences in Namibia. Tok Tokkie Trails is a three-day hike through the stunning desert landscapes of the NamibRand, crossing rugged mountains and orange dunes while led by experienced guides who’ll show you unique wildlife with two nights spent camping out on bed rolls under the stars. A very special experience.

Return to a little luxury at Hoodia Desert Lodge which is ideally located to explore the Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and Sesriem Canyon – highlights of any Namibian trip. Continuing north, spend a night at Rostock Ritz whose welcoming hosts can introduce you to the local meerkats.

The bald granite peaks of Spitzkoppe Mountain in Damaraland await, along with some particularly scenic trails, cycling trips and tours to ancient San rock art from the lovely Spitzkoppen Lodge. This is also one of the premier rock-climbing destinations in Namibia. Then find Mowanai Mountain Camp hidden among huge peach boulders, where there’s more ancient heritage to discover at Twyfelfontein – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and herds of desert-adapted elephants.

450,000 hectares of true wilderness are the setting for your next trail. With expert guides from Etendeka, hike through the beautiful Palmwag Concession between comfortable camps set on raised platforms. This remote area is a stronghold for black rhino and giraffe, while big cats also wander the hills.

Turn east to the private Ongava Game Reserve, on the edge of Etosha National Park. In the reserve itself, you can head out on game drives and walks where you can find both black and white rhino, lion, leopard and more. You can also drive into the neighbouring national park to see an incredible diversity of species converge around its waterholes which are scattered around the edge of the vast salt pan.

Mundulea Reserve is the penultimate destination and something of a hidden gem. Passionate owners Bruno and Kate have rewilded the reserve with incredible success, reintroducing all manner of wildlife into its forests which you can encounter on a strictly on-foot only safari from its classic bush camp. End with a night in the Erongo Mountains at the beautiful Ai Aiba Lodge.

At a glance

Starts: Windhoek International Airport
1 night Olive Grove - Windhoek, Namibia Bed & Breakfast
2 nights BullsPort Lodge & Farm - Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia Half Board
2 nights Tok Tokkie Trails - NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia Full Board & Activities
2 nights Hoodia Desert Lodge - Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia Half Board
1 night Rostock Ritz - Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia Bed & Breakfast
2 nights Spitzkoppen Lodge - Damaraland, Namibia Half Board
2 nights Mowani Mountain Camp - Damaraland, Namibia Half Board
2 nights Etendeka Walking Trail - Damaraland, Namibia Full Board & Activities
3 nights Ongava Lodge - Etosha National Park, Namibia Full Board
3 nights Mundulea Reserve - Central Highlands, Namibia Full Board & Activities
1 night Ai Aiba Lodge - Central Highlands, Namibia Half Board
Ends: Windhoek International Airport

Olive Grove

Day 1

The Olive Grove is a stylish guesthouse in Windhoek's Klein Windhoek suburb. Taking its name from the neighbouring grove of olive trees, the guesthouse is located in a renovated old house. It was opened in early 2004, and has become a favourite place to stay in Namibia's capital city.

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BullsPort Lodge and Farm

Days 2-4

Within its own section of the majestic Naukluft Mountains, BullsPort Lodge & Farm offers both hiking and horseriding. Also spelled BüllsPort or BuellsPort, it is one of Namibia's oldest farms, lying some 250km south-west of Windhoek, or 50km south of Solitaire.

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Tok Tokkie Trails

Days 4-6

What an experience! Although not really a 'lodge' or a 'camp' – Tok Tokkie Trails run a two-night/three-day walking trail in the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Visitors stay on the Tok Tokkie trail in the reserve for three days, whilst they explore the unique desert landscape on a guided walking trail.

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Hoodia Desert Lodge

Days 6-8

Set at the foot of the Namib-Naukluft Mountains, Hoodia Desert Lodge overlooks the ephemeral Tsauchab River. It was opened in 2008 by owner-managers Thomas and Henreza Becker, an easy 22km drive to Sesriem, the gateway to Sossusvlei. The name comes from the flowering cactus, which dots the surrounding plains that seem to go on forever.

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Rostock Ritz

Day 8

Most frequently accessed by road on a self-drive itinerary, Rostock Ritz is around 240km from Windhoek or Swakopmund, and 120km from Sesriem. This quirkily designed lodge offers simple accommodation in an attractive setting with sweeping views of expansive gravel plains and the Rostock Mountains.

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Spitzkoppen Lodge

Days 9-11

Set in its own small reserve, Spitzkoppen Lodge sits beneath the craggy mountain that dominates this remote area. Widely known as Spitzkoppe Lodge, it opened in November 2016, offering access to a remote and less often visited part of Namibia, between Usakos and Swakopmund, that was previously accessible only to campers or on day trips.

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Mowani Mountain Camp

Days 11-13

Situated in the heart of southern Damaraland, between Namibia's Ugab and the Huab rivers, the smart Mowani Mountain Camp commands a stunning location. Perched high on a rocky outcrop, the camp is nestled amongst large granite boulders and has superb views across gravel plains to the mountains beyond.

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Etendeka Walking Trail

Days 13-15

Trekking on foot though the hills of the Grootberg Massive promises travellers a unique perspective on one of Namibia’s most remote and untouched wilderness areas. An expert guide will be on hand throughout the 3-4 day walking trail to point out the flora, fauna and geology of this harsh but surprisingly verdant and undeniably breathtaking landscape.

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Ongava Lodge

Days 15-18

Perched on the top of a small kopje, Ongava Lodge has stunning views of the plains below. Started in the early 1990s, this was the original "luxury game lodge" near Etosha, sitting on the private Ongava Game Reserve, which borders the southern side of Etosha National Park near the Andersson Gate, south of Okaukuejo.

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Mundulea Reserve

Days 18-21

The 120km² Mundulea Nature Reserve was established by Bruno and Kate Nebe in 2001. Since then, the four former cattle ranches that make up the reserve have been gradually restored and re-wilded, a process that is still ongoing. The reserve is now home to thriving and diverse populations of game, including several threatened and endemic species. Guests – limited to a maximum of eight – normally spend four days exploring the reserve on foot (game drives are not offered here) with expert guides, returning each evening to a comfortable bush camp.

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Ai Aiba Lodge

Day 21

Nestled at the foot of a granite kopje, Ai Aiba has enviable views of Namibia's Erongo Mountains. The surrounding area hides a high concentration of Bushman rock art, leading to the camp’s alternative name, The Rock Painting Lodge. Over 200 sites have been recorded here, some thought to be over 2,000 years old and many in excellent condition. The area’s rolling hills and rugged terrain are also well-known for hiking.

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Olive Grove

Olive Grove

Windhoek, Namibia

BullsPort Lodge and Farm

BullsPort Lodge & Farm

Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia

Tok Tokkie Trails

Tok Tokkie Trails

NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia

Hoodia Desert Lodge

Hoodia Desert Lodge

Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia

Rostock Ritz

Rostock Ritz

Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia

Spitzkoppen Lodge

Spitzkoppen Lodge

Damaraland, Namibia

Mowani Mountain Camp

Mowani Mountain Camp

Damaraland, Namibia

Etendeka Walking Trail

Etendeka Walking Trail

Damaraland, Namibia

Ongava Lodge

Ongava Lodge

Etosha National Park, Namibia

Mundulea Reserve

Mundulea Reserve

Central Highlands, Namibia

Ai Aiba Lodge

Ai Aiba Lodge

Central Highlands, Namibia

About image

Highlights

Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Chongololo Self-drive Safari.

  • Exploring epic landscapes on foot
  • Discovering Namibia's biodiversity, history and culture
  • Making ancestral connections through ancient San rock art
  • Stargazing from bed on a sleep out
  • Spotting wildlife on foot and from a 4WD at Ongava

Activities

Some activities which can be included in the Chongololo Self-drive Safari: talk to us about those which interest you.

  • 4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

  • Cultural excursion

  • Fly-camping

  • Guided walking safari

  • Helicopter

  • Horse-riding

  • Hot air ballooning

  • Night drive

  • Quad-biking

  • Self-guided walking

  • Sleeping under the stars

About image

Key species to see on the Chongololo Self-drive Safari

Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Chongololo Self-drive Safari. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.


Giraffe

100% chance

Oryx

100% chance

Wildebeest

100% chance

Zebra

100% chance

Elephant

99% chance

White Rhino

98% chance

Eland

96% chance

Lion

95% chance

Black Rhino

91% chance

Roan antelope

50% chance

Brown Hyena

36% chance

Meerkat

32% chance

Leopard

26% chance

Spotted Hyena

26% chance

Sable antelope

18% chance

Cheetah

15% chance

Pangolin

8% chance

Aardvark

0% chance

Side-trips whilst on this holiday

We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Chongololo Self-drive Safari. Talk to us: they’re usually best arranged when you book.


Ballooning in the Namib Desert

Ballooning in the Namib Desert

Half day, including breakfast

Ballooning over the world’s oldest desert is an experience you shouldn’t miss. Enjoy spectacular views as the sun rises over the dune-covered plains and rocky mountains of the Namib Desert. You may even spot the occasional oryx or black-backed jackal punctuating the landscape below.

More about Ballooning
95% (82 reviews)
Scenic flights in Namibia

Scenic flights in Namibia

Variable, depending on the flight

Namibia is famed for its stark beauty and boundless desert vistas and there is no better way to soak these in than from the air. A scenic flight gives you a unique perspective on this stunning and varied country, and may even provide a bird’s-eye view of areas that are out of reach to those restricted to terra firma.

More about Scenic flights
94% (7 reviews)
Windhoek City Tour

Windhoek City Tour

three hour Windhoek City Tour

The 3 hours includes Independence Museum and Katutura

More about
100% (1 reviews)

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