Namaqua Chameleon Self-drive: Summary
N. Chameleon Self-drive in a nutshell
This self-drive safari is a great introduction to Namibia, a classic loop discovering the most spectacular landscapes and wildlife in the east and north that also neatly fits into a two-week holiday with flights. Staying at a great selection of camps and lodges, its excellent value without any compromise on comfort or character.
After your flight touches down, pick up your rental car and the short drive into Namibia’s diminutive capital, Windhoek, for a relaxed first evening. In the morning, head southwest, getting your first taste of the country’s arid landscapes and gravel roads, en route to the remote Desert Homestead Outpost. There are some great hikes and guided horse trails from here while the region’s highlight, the famous dunes of Sossusvlei, are just a short drive away.
Turn north and head for the coastal town of Swakopmund, a quirky colonial relic between the desert and Atlantic that is a great base for adventure activities like sandboarding, sea kayaking and sky diving. Then head back inland, crossing Damaraland’s rugged hills to find Camp Kipwe hidden among orange boulders. A beautiful spot, see Twyfelfontein’s prehistoric rock engravings and search for desert-adapted elephant herds.
More wildlife awaits at Safarihoek Lodge. Set in a huge and exclusive reserve, explore on day and night game drives, on foot and dine out in the bush among oryx, kudu, zebra and giraffe. It’s also a particularly good spot for black rhino. Next drive into the neighbouring Etosha National Park for a stay at a rather simple camp that that more than makes up for it with its location right in the middle of the park next to a floodlit waterhole. Exploring the edge of the Ethosha’s lunar pan at your own pace, you’ll be greeted by huge congregations of species great and small as they gather around precious water sources.
Finally turning south, spend a night in the Okonjima Nature Reserve. Home to the AfriCat Foundation, learn about their conservation work as you track leopards, brown hyena, cheetah and more.
At a glance
| Starts: | Windhoek International Airport | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 night | Elegant Guesthouse - Windhoek, Namibia | Bed & Breakfast |
| 2 nights | Namib Outpost - Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia | Half Board |
| 2 nights | Namib Guesthouse - Swakopmund & Walvis Bay, Namibia | Bed & Breakfast |
| 2 nights | Camp Kipwe - Damaraland, Namibia | Half Board |
| 2 nights | Safarihoek Lodge - Etosha National Park, Namibia | Full Board & Activities |
| 2 nights | Halali Camp - Etosha National Park, Namibia | Bed & Breakfast |
| 1 night | Okonjima Plains Camp - Okonjima Nature Reserve, Namibia | Half Board |
| Ends: | Windhoek International Airport |
Elegant Guesthouse
Windhoek, Namibia
Namib Outpost
Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia
Namib Guesthouse
Swakopmund & Walvis Bay, Namibia
Camp Kipwe
Damaraland, Namibia
Safarihoek Lodge
Etosha National Park, Namibia
Halali Camp
Etosha National Park, Namibia
Okonjima Plains Camp
Okonjima Nature Reserve, Namibia
Highlights
Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Namaqua Chameleon Self-drive.
- Self-driving through iconic landscapes
- Climbing Sossusvlei's spectacular red dunes
- Going in search of desert-adapted elephants
- Kayaking among seals at Walvis Bay
- Tracking leopards at Okonjima
Activities
Some activities which can be included in the Namaqua Chameleon Self-drive: talk to us about those which interest you.
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Cultural excursion
Dune-boarding
Fishing
Fly-camping
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Horse-riding
Hot air ballooning
Kayaking
Mountain biking
Night drive
Quad-biking
Self-guided walking
Sleeping under the stars
Key species to see on the Namaqua Chameleon Self-drive
Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Namaqua Chameleon Self-drive. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
98% chance
96% chance
94% chance
91% chance
77% chance
76% chance
67% chance
66% chance
63% chance
19% chance
13% chance
6% chance
0% chance
Side-trips whilst on this holiday
We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Namaqua Chameleon Self-drive. Talk to us: they’re usually best arranged when you book.
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
Kayaking with seals
Morning incl. tea, coffee & sandwiches
Get up close and personal with a colony of Cape fur seals on a kayaking excursion from Walvis Bay. Enjoy a gentle morning’s paddle in Walvis Bay Lagoon as seals surround and interact with you and your kayak. If you’re lucky you may even catch a glimpse of some Heaviside’s or bottlenose dolphins.
More about Kayaking with seals
Coast and Sandwich Harbour
Full day
Experience this usually inaccessible part of the Skeleton Coast, where the dunes of the Namib plunge into the Atlantic Ocean. One of our top recommendations, this is an adventurous 4WD trip, guided by experts. You'll explore the Kuiseb Delta and (tides permitting) traverse dunes and the beach to reach Sandwich Harbour, a remote freshwater lagoon with abundant birdlife.
More about Coastal tour
Dolphin and seal cruise
Half-day inc brunch
A boat cruise around Walvis Bay lagoon is a must for lovers of wildlife and the great outdoors. Seek out the ‘marine big five’ – from Cape fur seals to bottlenose dolphins – and marvel at the range of bird species for whom this haven on the Skeleton Coast is home. Then round off the morning with an oyster brunch.
More about Dolphin & seal cruise
Desert tour
Variable, depending on the tour
Discover the unexpected on a trip into the desert surrounding the coastal towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. A must for wilderness lovers, this extraordinary landscape encompasses the Welwitschia Plains, sculpted dunes, the magic of the Kuiseb Delta – and much more. There are plenty of options, each with its own unique focus.
More about Desert tour
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
Windhoek City Tour
three hour Windhoek City Tour
The 3 hours includes Independence Museum and Katutura
More aboutLet us help you customise your trip
All of our holidays on this site are just ideas; none are fixed. All of our trips are tailor-made, so we'll always adapt them to suit you. Talk to an Expert and let us help you to work out your perfect trip.
Talk to an Expert
Call us now! We’ll match you with the Specialist in our team who is best suited to help you. Then together we can start planning your trip.
Set up your itinerary
Based on our experience and your ideas, your specialist will create a detailed, costed itinerary. We’ll refine it together, until we have a trip that you’re perfectly happy with.
Prepare for your trip
The same Specialist will make the seamless arrangements for your trip, send you detailed travel documents, and be available to answer any questions before you depart.
Travel with peace of mind
After you set off, you’ll be cared for by our partners in Africa, most of whom have worked with Expert Africa for decades. And if you ever need us urgently, we’re available 24/7.
When you return
We love to learn about your trip, and so will always be grateful if you’ve the time to give feedback to your Specialist when you return.
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