Classic Namibia self-drive safari

The drive to Sesriem takes you through the red dunes at the feet of the Naukluft Mountains. On arrival, you can climb to the top of a dune to watch the shifting light pass over the desert at sunset.

Explore the Namib Desert's largest dunes. You might take a guided walk to see some of the area's wildlife, watch the sunrise from a hot-air balloon, go quad biking, or stargaze up into the dark sky. You can also visit nearby Deadvlei, where barren acacia trees rise from the orange sand and white salt pan.

Drive to Swakopmund today, a picturesque seaside town where you can enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring the town’s aquarium, museum, shops, and galleries. Or, you can join a guided tour to nearby dunes to see small creatures, like shovel-nosed lizards and cartwheeling spiders, which thrive in the heat.

You might spend the morning on a kayak trip to Pelican Point to see playful Cape fur seal colonies in the sheltered lagoon. In the afternoon, go sandboarding or quad biking in the nearby dunes or relax on the beach.

Your drive north to Damaraland takes you past mountains, open plains, and dry river beds where you might see desert-adapted elephants. If you're taking the coastal route, you could stop at the Cape Cross seal colony and visit a shipwreck at Durissa Bay. On arrival, settle into your hotel and admire the striking red-rock landscape.

You have the day to explore Damaraland independently. You might go hiking, join a guided nature drive to see desert-adapted elephants or visit the 6,000-year-old San rock art in nearby Twyfelfontein.

Your drive east to Etosha National Park passes through canyons of reddish rock. In the park, you might see elephants, giraffes, lions, springbok, and wildebeest on your way to your camp for the night.

Despite being one of Africa's largest national parks, Etosha is easy to navigate on your safari drives. You can linger at different waterholes, where giraffes, zebras, and oryx gather to quench their thirst. Your camp’s staff can recommend the best places for sightings.

From Etosha, head south to Okonjima Nature Reserve in the Central Highlands. Okonjima is the home of the AfriCat Foundation, which is dedicated to protecting large African carnivores, including cheetahs and leopards.

Join Okonjima’s experienced guides on morning and afternoon safari and on foot to track the reserve’s leopard and cheetah, hopefully enjoying good sightings of the big cats while learning about the foundation’s work.

Drive back to Windhoek for a final evening exploring the city's capital.

You’ll be taken back to the international airport, which is a 45-minute drive away.