Secret Namibia · Self-drive safari · 7 days
On this Namibian safari tour, we take you on a journey through the harsh Namib Desert in luxury. During the seven days, you will experience the ultimate desert adventure. If untouched natural wonders and luxury is what you are after, then this is the perfect Namibian tour for you.
At a glance
On this Namibian safari tour, we take you on a journey through the harsh Namib Desert in luxury. During the seven days, you will experience the ultimate desert adventure. If untouched natural wonders and luxury is what you are after, then this is the perfect Namibian tour for you.
Self-drive is the way most of our guests see Namibia. The roads are quiet and well kept, the distances are honest, and we plan each day so that you arrive in daylight with time for a sundowner. Every lodge is booked and every transfer arranged; the driving is yours.
May to October is the classic season: dry, cool at night, and the best game viewing in Etosha as the waterholes draw everything in. Desert mornings can be close to freezing in June and July, so pack a warm layer for early starts. November to April is the green season, hot inland with short afternoon storms that clear quickly, newborn antelope and, in a good year, water on the pan. Swakopmund is cool and often foggy in the mornings whatever the month; the fog burns off by late morning.
What is decided: the shape of the trip: the areas, the order, the properties and the number of nights in each. It is the version we would build first for most travellers.
What we confirm together: your dates, who is travelling, room categories and any extensions before or after. Every safari is tailored from here, and nothing is held until you ask us to.
The route
The loop runs from Windhoek through Kalahari, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Damaraland and back to Windhoek. Most travelling days are four to five hours of driving with stops, and we plan each leg so that you arrive in daylight. Roads are gravel between the desert and the coast and in Damaraland, tar elsewhere, and none of it needs low range: the 4x4 is for comfort and clearance, and for the sand road into Sossusvlei. Roughly 1300 km in all.
Distances shown are approximate road distances. Fuel and park entry fees are paid as you go. We plan the daily legs so that you are never driving after dark.
Day by day
Located on the edge of the southern Kalahari in the mixed tree and shrub savannah, the lodge is crisscrossed by massive red dunes. We attach great importance to preserving nature and its living beings so that you can experience numerous species of animals and plants up close.
Climb the 300-metre red dunes at Sossusvlei and gaze upon oceans of sand. Hike through a canyon carved by water over the millennia. Float above the world’s oldest desert in a hot air balloon, and see it come alive on nature walks, drives, e-bikes, or low-impact quad bikes. Spot desert-adapted wildlife such as ostriches, springbok, gemsbok, brown hyaenas, black-backed jackals, bat-eared foxes, perhaps an aardwolf, or the endemic dune lark. At dusk, hear the call of barking geckos; at night, go with a guide on a scorpion safari. Stargaze in one of the darkest places on Earth, and sleep out under the stars, contemplating space.
Swakopmund is a potent reminder of the country’s German colonial past. The European architecture and influences all over town are a strange sight in the middle of Africa. This coastal town is all about the vibe - it boasts the best restaurants and coffee shops in Namibia. You will be spoilt for choice. German cuisine is available on every menu, and many waiters will be able to take your order in German. The Town centre is small and exciting. Factor in some time to visit the tourist shops.
Spitzkoppen Lodge is situated at the base of the Spitzkoppe Mountains, often referred to as the “Matterhorn of NamibiaThe lodge offers panoramic views across expansive plains, with the Spitzkoppe peak rising prominently from the surrounding landscape. This idyllic location serves as an excellent starting point for various exciting activities
Time to head home, with the tour file full of notes and the memories to match.
Overnight · Departure dayWhere you stay
Bagatelle Game Lodge, your base in Kalahari for one night, on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
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Little Kulala, your base in Sossusvlei for two nights, on a fully inclusive basis.
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Strand Hotel, your base in Swakopmund for two nights, on a bed and breakfast basis.
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Spitzkoppen Lodge is situated at the base of the Spitzkoppe Mountains, often referred to as the “Matterhorn of NamibiaThe lodge offers panoramic views across expansive plains, with the Spitzkoppe peak rising prominently from the surrounding landscape.
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The practical side
Included
Not included
Next steps
This page is a sample itinerary, not a quote, and nothing on it is booked or held. If it suits someone you know, send them the link; we are just as happy to start from scratch for them.
Seven days is the shape most of our guests choose for this route; a night or two more lets you linger where you like it best, and many guests swap a property for one they have heard about. Tell us roughly when you are thinking of travelling and who is coming, and we will turn this sample into a firm itinerary within a day or two.
