Big landscapes, dramatic light and some of Namibia’s best wildlife photography – with the freedom to travel at your own pace.
This 11-day self-drive safari has been designed with photographers in mind, combining some of Namibia’s most rewarding landscapes and wildlife areas in one varied route. You’ll travel from Windhoek to the towering dunes of Sossusvlei, continue to the Atlantic coast and granite landscapes of central Namibia, then spend several days around Etosha before finishing in the central highlands.
The route is available in both standard and luxury versions, but the journey itself remains the same. That means the same photographic opportunities, the same freedom of the open road and the same chance to slow down when the light is good, wildlife appears or you simply find somewhere worth stopping
Day 1: Windhoek - breakfast
Days 2 & 3: Sossusvlei - full board
Days 4 & 5: Swakopmund - breakfast
Day 6: Spitzkoppe - half board
Days 7 & 8: Etosha South - breakfast
Day 9: Etosha East - fully inclusive / half board
Day 10: Central Namibia - fully inclusive / half board
Day 11: Windhoek (Departure)
Day 1: Windhoek
On arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport, you’ll be transferred into Windhoek to begin your trip.
The first day is deliberately easy, giving you time to settle in after your flight, get your bearings and prepare for the self-drive adventure ahead.
Luxury Accommodation:
The Weinberg
Standard Accommodation:
The Elegant Guesthouse
Days 2 & 3: Sossusvlei
Today you leave Windhoek behind and head south-west into the Namib Desert.
The drive takes you through increasingly dramatic scenery until you reach the Sossusvlei area, where you’ll spend two nights with plenty of time to photograph some of Namibia’s most iconic desert landscapes.
An early start is well worth it here. The low morning light creates strong shadows across the dunes, while Deadvlei’s white clay pan, dark camel thorn trees and orange dunes make for some of the most recognisable images in Namibia.
You’ll also have time to explore Sesriem Canyon and the surrounding desert, with constantly changing light giving you plenty of opportunities throughout the day.
Luxury / Standard Accommodation:
Dead Valley Lodge
Days 4 & 5: Swakopmund
From the desert, continue west towards the Atlantic coast and Swakopmund.
The journey itself offers plenty of photographic variety as the dry interior gradually gives way to the misty coastal landscape.
You’ll have two nights in Swakopmund, giving you time to explore the town and make the most of the many photographic excursions available nearby. These could include the dunes around Sandwich Harbour, the salt pans and flamingos near Walvis Bay, desert-adapted wildlife or simply the atmospheric coastline.
Swakopmund is also a good place to slow the pace a little, enjoy some excellent restaurants and back up the hundreds of photos you’ve probably already taken.
Luxury Accommodation:
Strand Hotel Swakopmund
Standard Accommodation:
Swakopmund Luxury Suites
Day 6: Spitzkoppe & Erongo
Leaving the coast behind, you’ll head inland towards the dramatic granite landscapes around Spitzkoppe and the Erongo Mountains.
This is another excellent photography day, with huge granite outcrops, open plains and big skies creating an entirely different feel from the desert and coast.
Depending on your chosen accommodation, you’ll explore either the Spitzkoppe area itself or the rock formations and ancient San rock art of the Erongo region. Both offer beautiful late-afternoon light and excellent landscape photography.
Luxury Accommodation:
Spitzkoppen Lodge
Standard Accommodation:
Ai-Aiba Rock Painting Lodge
Days 7 & 8: Etosha National Park – South
Today you continue north to Etosha National Park, one of southern Africa’s great wildlife destinations.
You’ll enter through the southern side of the park and spend the next two nights exploring the surrounding plains and waterholes at your own pace.
For photographers, Etosha is particularly rewarding because so much wildlife concentrates around the waterholes. Elephant, zebra, giraffe, antelope and predators can all appear, sometimes within minutes of one another.
The bright white surface of the Etosha Pan and the open landscape also create a very distinctive photographic style, particularly in the softer morning and late-afternoon light.
Luxury / Standard Accommodation:
Okaukuejo Resort
Day 9: Etosha National Park – East
Continue across Etosha today, making your way from the southern part of the park towards the eastern side.
There’s no need to rush. This is effectively a full day of game viewing, with plenty of opportunities to stop at waterholes and follow whatever wildlife you encounter along the way.
The route east can produce excellent sightings of elephant, lion, giraffe and large herds of plains game, while the changing vegetation gives you a slightly different backdrop for photography.
Luxury Accommodation:
Onguma The Fort
Standard Accommodation:
Onguma Bush Camp
Day 10: Central Namibia
After a final morning around Etosha, begin heading south towards central Namibia.
Today gives you one last opportunity for wildlife photography before the journey winds down, with both versions of the trip staying in private reserves known for their natural surroundings and wildlife.
Depending on where you stay, there may be opportunities for guided activities, wildlife viewing or simply a relaxed final afternoon surrounded by bushveld.
Luxury Accommodation:
Okonjima Luxury Bush Camp
Standard Accommodation:
Otjiwa Eagle’s Rest Lodge
Day 11: Windhoek & Departure
After breakfast, continue south towards Windhoek.
Depending on your flight time, there may be time for a final stop or lunch in the city before transferring to Hosea Kutako International Airport for your onward journey.
By now, your camera roll should be a fairly accurate summary of Namibia itself: enormous dunes, dramatic coastlines, granite mountains, wildlife-filled waterholes and a very large number of memorable sunsets.
On request
LUXURY
Jan – June 2027 – Low Season
2 guests - ZAR 95 280 pps (per person sharing)
4 guests - ZAR 85 855 pps
Single supplement - ZAR 29 295
July – Dec 2027 – High Season
2 guests - ZAR 110 350 pps
4 guests - ZAR 98 085 pps
Single supplement - ZAR 33 045
STANDARD
Jan – June 2027 – Low Season
2 guests - ZAR 48 130 pps (per person sharing)
4 guests - ZAR 40 925 pps
Single supplement - ZAR 12 205
July – Dec 2027 – High Season
2 guests - ZAR 61 540 pps
4 guests - ZAR 51 485 pps
Single supplement - ZAR 15 290
"A dream come true"
We had the most amazing family holiday, everything worked so perfectly, the arrangements and accommodation was spectacular!
"Unforgettable trip to Namibia – Thank you Namibia Tours & Safaris!"
We are a group of four from Romania and spent 3 unforgettable weeks in Namibia. We can't recommend them enough, and for any future travels in Namibia or other parts of Africa, we will definitely use their services again.
"We had a great experience"
From the time we put the key in the ignition till we boarded the plane in Windhoek nothing went wrong.
"Unforgettable bird photography trip in Namibia"
It was a fantastic experience, everything was very well organised, went smooth and according to expectations. It was our first self drive in Africa and it was a great, unforgettable time.
