Quiver Tree Self-drive Safari: Summary
Quiver Tree Self-drive in a nutshell
This is a trip for those after a real Namibian adventure. Driving yourselves on a loop around the country’s most spectacular sights and otherworldly desert landscapes, you’ll explore iconic highlights as well as some lesser known spots.
From the capital, head south for a first stop at a lodge surrounded by Kalahari dunes and dry savannah where you can spot wildlife like oryxes, giraffe, zebra and unusual desert specialists such as meerkats and bat eared foxes on drives and walks. Continue south to the vast Fish River Canyon which has carved a snaking path some 500 metres deep into the plateau. The area has some great hiking trails which you often have to yourself and the canyon, Africa’s largest, is particularly photogenic at sunset.
Turning north and west, follow a road flanked by rust-red sands towards the Atlantic coast and the scenic Desert Horse Inn, a great base for day trips to Kolmanskop, once booming diamond mining outpost that’s now an atmospheric ghost town, and colonial port town of Lüderitz from where you can take a boat trip to Halifax Island to see African penguins, flamingos, dolphins and whales.
Keeping the great Namib sand sea to you left, drive to Sesriem, the gateway to the iconic dunes that surround Sossusvlei and Deadvlei’s Daliesque trees, before continuing on to another quirky Germanic relic at Swakopmund, a town hosting an eclectic mix of adventure activities from skydiving to sea kayaking.
Your final stop before completing the loop back in Windhoek is beneath the bald granite peaks of Spitzkoppe Mountain in Damaraland. Relax in the pool, see rock art left here by the San bushmen who have sought refuge here for millennia, follow scenic trails or try your hand at rock climbing.
At a glance
| Starts: | Windhoek International Airport | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 night | Galton House - Windhoek, Namibia | Bed & Breakfast |
| 2 nights | Kalahari Red Dunes - Southern Namibia, Namibia | Half Board |
| 2 nights | Canyon Village - Fish River Canyon, Namibia | Half Board |
| 2 nights | Desert Horse Inn - Luderitz, Namibia | Half Board |
| 2 nights | Desert Quiver Camp - Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia | Room Only |
| 2 nights | The Delight - Swakopmund & Walvis Bay, Namibia | Bed & Breakfast |
| 2 nights | Spitzkoppen Lodge - Damaraland, Namibia | Half Board |
| 1 night | Galton House - Windhoek, Namibia | Bed & Breakfast |
| Ends: | Windhoek International Airport |
Galton House
Windhoek, Namibia
Kalahari Red Dunes
Southern Namibia, Namibia
Canyon Village
Fish River Canyon, Namibia
Desert Horse Inn
Luderitz, Namibia
Desert Quiver Camp
Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia
The Delight
Swakopmund & Walvis Bay, Namibia
Spitzkoppen Lodge
Damaraland, Namibia
Galton House
Windhoek, Namibia
Highlights
Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Quiver Tree Self-drive Safari.
- Watching the sunset over Fish River Canyon
- See a desert ghost town & penguins in the same day
- Spot desert wildlife on walks and drives
- Scrambling around Spitzkoppe's walking trails
- A proper desert adventure with incredible scenery
Activities
Some activities which can be included in the Quiver Tree Self-drive Safari: talk to us about those which interest you.
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Cultural excursion
Dune-boarding
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Horse-riding
Hot air ballooning
Kayaking
Mountain biking
Quad-biking
Self-guided walking
Key species to see on the Quiver Tree Self-drive Safari
Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Quiver Tree Self-drive Safari. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.
100% chance
100% chance
95% chance
83% chance
82% chance
56% chance
8% chance
8% chance
0% chance
0% chance
0% chance
0% chance
0% chance
0% chance
0% chance
Side-trips whilst on this trip
We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Quiver Tree Self-drive Safari. 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
Halifax Island boat trip
2 hours
Climb aboard the comfortable catamaran Zeepaard in search of the marine life of Namibia’s wild coastline – among them Cape fur seals, Heaviside dolphins, African penguins and perhaps even humpback whales.
More about Halifax Island trip
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
Sperrgebiet tour
Full day, including lunch
Discover the hidden gems of the Sperrgebiet National Park on this exceptional all-day trip. There may no longer be diamonds for the taking, but in their place you’ll find ghost towns, the rusting relics of the diamond industry, geological formations, and extraordinary desert flora, largely untouched for generations.
More about Sperrgebiet tour
Windhoek City Tour
three hour Windhoek City Tour
Windhoek city tours offer a mix of history, culture, and local flavour, showcasing Namibia’s colonial landmarks, vibrant markets, and cuisine.
More about Windhoek City TourPlan and book your trip with Expert Africa
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