Southern Highlights, a self-drive Safari
Southern Highlights, a self-drive Safari to the southern sights and secrets of Namibia
First-class accommodation inside private nature reserves, without the usual mark-up.
Lodges that return a large share of their earnings to the habitat around them.
Linear dunes, karst limestone reefs and wide salt pans — with Oryx, Springbok and the first raptors.
The highest dunes on earth and the Sesriem Canyon, both carved by the Tsauchab.
The Atlantic, species-rich tidal flats and colonial architecture — the town where many wish they had another day.
A granite island above the Namib plain, with well-preserved San rock paintings.
Engravings thousands of years old, burnt mountains, and Ana trees whose pods may draw the elephants in.
The salt pan, the waterholes and the Andoni plains — with a chance of leopard, cheetah and black rhino.
A guided game drive in the 36,000-hectare reserve, or on the trail of leopard at the AfriCat Foundation – good chances, never a guarantee.
The route pre-programmed, plus vouchers, maps and a full briefing at vehicle handover.
Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed – but we know the places and times that offer the best chances.
“Ondili” means “I am at home” in the language of the Ovambo. We called this journey Ondili Natura because you should feel at home in nature along the way — sixteen days at your own wheel, with the nights spent inside private nature reserves.
The collaboration with the Ondili Lodges grew out of a weekend spent together in their reserves, and what convinced us was the idealism behind it. Alongside them we picked two further lodges that protect vast areas and return a large share of their earnings to the surrounding habitat.
The route runs from the Kalahari over Sossusvlei and Swakopmund to the Spitzkoppe, on to Twyfelfontein and its desert elephants, into Etosha as far as the Andoni plains, and finishes in the Okonjati reserve or at the AfriCat Foundation.
You drive yourself, but you are not left to it: the handover comes with a full briefing, travel documents with vouchers, maps and a route description, and a GPS with the whole route already programmed in. On top of that, the local direct rate for a class of accommodation that is normally traded a good deal higher.
1 night stay within Windhoek at a charming small guesthouse with a very beautiful view
Overnight stay with breakfast
Dinner, we will gladly take you to the restaurant of your choice.
Your journey begins in Windhoek, where you have the opportunity to explore Namibia’s capital at your own pace. The city centre offers a fascinating blend of colonial history and modern African life. Historic buildings stand alongside contemporary architecture, while bustling streets, cafés and shops create a vibrant atmosphere. As a self drive traveller, you have the freedom to discover the many different sides of this welcoming city in your own time.
Stroll through the city centre, browse shops offering authentic Namibian handicrafts, or purchase traditional souvenirs such as a quality hat or a pair of handmade veldskoene. Small galleries, boutiques and local markets provide an excellent introduction to Namibia’s rich culture and craftsmanship.
After a rewarding day of sightseeing, Windhoek offers an excellent choice of restaurants and cafés with an international standard of cuisine. Whether you are looking for traditional Namibian dishes, superb game cuisine or international flavours, the city provides the perfect setting to enjoy your first evening in Namibia.
1 night in a carefully selected lodge nestled in the captivating linear dune landscape of the Kalahari.
Total distance: 242 km
Total driving time: 4 hours
Leaving Namibia’s central plateau behind, you travel south through the camel thorn savannah until the striking linear dunes, limestone ridges and vast salt pans of the Kalahari begin to dominate the landscape.
Perhaps the Kalahari’s greatest fascination lies in its remarkable colours. Deep orange red dunes contrast beautifully with the green and brown camel thorn woodlands, creating a landscape that is a paradise for nature lovers and photographers alike.
Along the way, the enormous communal nests of Sociable Weavers, built over generations in ancient camel thorn trees, are impossible to miss. Keep an eye out for Gemsbok, Springbok, Greater Kudu and Plains Zebra, all of which are frequently encountered. With a little luck, you may also spot Bat Eared Foxes, Meerkats and Ground Squirrels, adding even more memorable wildlife encounters to your journey.
The Namib Desert captivates with its immense open spaces and breathtaking landscapes, while supporting a remarkable diversity of desert adapted plants and wildlife. The world’s highest dunes are particularly spectacular in the golden morning light, when their ever changing shades of red create one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes.
Over thousands of years, the Tsauchab River was cut off from the Atlantic Ocean by advancing dunes, creating the remarkable Sossusvlei, a white clay pan surrounded by ancient camel thorn trees and distinctive !Nara plants. Climbing one of the dunes rewards you with magnificent panoramic views, while a visit to the impressive Sesriem Canyon, carved by the Tsauchab River over millions of years, provides another fascinating geological highlight.
There are those things you just have to experience! Weather permitting (as it can get very windy), the hot air balloon from Namib Sky takes off amidst the dunes and hills on the gravel plains of the Tsauchab. Enjoy a beautiful view of the dune and mountain landscapes and the interplay of various colourful scenery in the morning light.
If you wish to take a balloon ride, it would be advisable to extend your journey by an additional day!
Overnight stay and breakfast
The best-known activity around Swakopmund. Discover the Namib’s remarkable small creatures and how they’ve adapted to one of the most extreme landscapes on Earth.
Explore the dunes on specially designed fatbikes – the wide tires make riding through the sand surprisingly easy and offer a fresh perspective on the desert.
An unforgettable experience over the dunes to Sossusvlei or along the Skeleton Coast. We particularly recommend the two- to two-and-a-half-hour flight.
A guided walk with a true Swakopmund local – history, background stories, and little-known secrets of the town, straight from the source.
About 30 km south lies Walvis Bay, home to an 11,000-hectare lagoon and an important wetland. During the cruise, you’ll encounter flamingos, pelicans, seals, dolphins, and, with luck, whales or sunfish – topped off with fresh oysters and a glass of sparkling wine.
For a more immersive nature experience: paddle the lagoon and get within a few meters of curious seals, enjoying the tranquility of this unique coastal landscape from a whole new perspective.
Today’s journey reveals the Namib in ever changing forms. Endless gravel plains, shimmering horizons and rugged granite outcrops accompany your drive through one of the world’s oldest deserts. Dry riverbeds and deeply eroded valleys bear witness to a time when water still shaped this remarkable landscape. Despite its apparent emptiness, Gemsbok, Springbok, Zebra and occasionally even Giraffe are regularly encountered along the way.
A stop at the remarkable Welwitschia mirabilis, often more than 1,500 years old, is a highlight of the route. Shortly afterwards, the dramatic Moon Landscape overlooking the Swakop Valley reveals a maze of deeply sculpted ridges that seem almost otherworldly.
By afternoon you arrive in Swakopmund, where German colonial architecture meets the fresh Atlantic coastline and modern Namibian life. Stroll along the promenade, relax in one of the excellent cafés, browse local galleries and shops, or simply enjoy the unique atmosphere of Namibia’s most charming coastal town.
Visible from far across the Namib plains, Spitzkoppe rises dramatically above the surrounding gravel desert like a giant natural monument. Its towering granite domes create one of Namibia’s most iconic landscapes and offer countless photographic opportunities. Among the rocks you can discover ancient San rock paintings depicting hunting scenes and the wildlife that has shaped this remarkable region for thousands of years.
Later, the Erongo Mountains welcome you with their spectacular granite boulders, stacked high above the surrounding plains. Short walks reveal fascinating semi desert vegetation, remarkable birdlife and ever changing panoramic views. Few places in Namibia combine such extraordinary geology, history and natural beauty in one destination.
2 nights amidst impressive granite formations at a carefully selected lodge.
Twyfelfontein is one of Namibia’s most remarkable natural and cultural treasures. Alongside its 4,000 to 6,000 year old rock engravings, you will discover geological highlights such as Burnt Mountain, the striking Organ Pipes and the famous Petrified Forest, whose origins date back more than 200 million years.
The Huab River winds through this dramatic desert landscape, lined with towering Ana trees whose nutritious seed pods provide an important food source for the region’s desert adapted elephants.
One of the great highlights of your journey awaits as you venture into Damaraland in search of these remarkable animals. Even before the first elephants appear, the vast scenery and rugged beauty of this remote wilderness make the excursion unforgettable. With a little luck, you may encounter these extraordinary desert adapted giants, although sightings can never be guaranteed.
2 nights in the central area of the National Park at an enchantingly beautiful private lodge outside the park
Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s finest wildlife destinations. At its heart lies the vast 4,000 km² salt pan, surrounded by open acacia savannah, mopane woodland and dry forests. Each of these habitats supports its own remarkable variety of wildlife, making every game drive different from the last.
The park’s natural and artificial waterholes attract elephants, giraffes, antelope and an impressive diversity of birdlife. With a little luck, lions, leopards and even cheetahs may also be encountered. An early start, patience and plenty of time in the field are often rewarded with unforgettable wildlife sightings.
2 nights at a well-located lodge in the eastern part, directly adjacent to the park.
In Etosha National Park, you are free to explore the waterholes and game viewing routes at your own pace. With detailed maps, finding your way is straightforward and you can visit the park’s many waterholes whenever you wish. As self drive visitors are permitted to travel independently throughout the park, you decide how long to spend watching or photographing wildlife. This freedom is one of the greatest advantages of exploring Etosha in your own vehicle.
For many travellers, Etosha National Park is the highlight of a journey through Namibia. You will therefore spend two nights in the wildlife rich eastern section of the park, where denser bush, reliable water sources and the open plains around Fischer’s Pan and the Andoni Plains provide exceptional game viewing opportunities.
Lions and leopards are seen here more frequently than in many other parts of the park, while cheetahs regularly patrol the open grasslands. Elephants, giraffes, zebras, gemsbok and greater kudu are common sightings throughout the area. With a little patience, you may also encounter Damara Dik Diks, impressive raptors or even the endangered Black Rhinoceros. Every game drive is different, making each day in Etosha a memorable experience.
“Give more back to nature than you take”
This is the guiding philosophy — and the goal — of Jan Oelofse, a world-renowned conservationist who founded the Okonjati Game Reserve in 1975.
Today’s journey brings you to the striking red cliffs of Mount Etjo, rising dramatically above the surrounding acacia savannah. The Okonjati Wildlife Reserve was founded by Jan Oelofse in 1975 and has gradually expanded into a protected area covering some 36,000 hectares. Today it provides a safe habitat for around 10,000 animals and more than 600 bird species.
Along the way, Greater Kudu, Warthogs and a variety of other wildlife are frequently encountered, while towering termite mounds, some reaching five metres in height, are a distinctive feature of the landscape.
One of the highlights is a guided game drive in an open safari vehicle. Accompanied by experienced guides, you have the opportunity to search for elephants, rhinos, lions, giraffes and many other species that call this remarkable reserve home.
2 nights at one of the prime lodges of the Africat Foundation
Today you visit one of Namibia’s premier destinations for big cat encounters. Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation, combines outstanding wildlife experiences with internationally recognised conservation work. The chances of seeing a free ranging leopard here are among the highest in southern Africa, while Brown Hyenas are also encountered regularly. On request and with a little luck, a dedicated search for the elusive Pangolin can also be arranged.
Game drives are conducted in open safari vehicles with AfriCat’s highly experienced guides. Along the way, you will gain fascinating insights into the lives of Namibia’s predators and the foundation’s important conservation and research programmes. For wildlife photographers, Okonjima is considered one of the country’s finest locations, with guides who understand exactly how to create exceptional viewing and photographic opportunities.
Hope to see you again… soon
Your final driving day takes you back towards Windhoek at a relaxed pace. If time permits, you may still enjoy some last minute shopping for authentic Namibian handicrafts or have lunch at one of the capital’s many excellent restaurants.
Afterwards, you can return your vehicle at the rental depot. A private transfer from the depot to the airport is, of course, arranged for you, allowing you to begin your journey home comfortably and without stress.
Please contact us for your individual direct rate, as prices may vary depending on the travel season, booking date, and selected room category. We will be delighted to create the ideal combination of accommodations and services, tailored specifically to your preferences.
| Participants per vehicle | Natural | Classic / Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | 7.397,91 $ | 11.866,14 $ |
| 2 Persons | 5.491,98 $ | 9.960,21 $ |
| 3 Persons | 4.856,67 $ | 9.324,90 $ |
| 4 Persons | 4.539,60 $ | 9.006,66 $ |
| Single room supplement | 907,92 $ | 1.502,28 $ |
This trip is designed to cater to a broad range of interests, and you will have suitable weather for your observations at various locations throughout the year. If you are particularly interested in wildlife observation, this journey would be ideal from May to November. If you wish to savor the fantastic desert landscapes, February, March, and April would be very suitable.
Yes, this safari offers a very diverse mix of various attractions, a variety of landscapes, wonderful botany, a good insight into Namibia’s rich history, and the opportunity to see a wide range of animals.
Certainly, you tell us what particularly interests you, and we will adjust the itinerary accordingly.
This trip offers an exclusive experience in extremely comfortable accommodations, far removed from the usual, disruptive routine of tourism. The accommodations themselves are already a highlight, situated amid breathtaking landscapes that are privately protected and surrounded. Through a direct collaboration, we can offer you this trip at a direct price, making it a particularly attractive offer.
In a time when flight bookings are just a few clicks away, it may seem old-fashioned to involve a travel agent. But when it comes to navigating the ever-changing world of air travel—delays, reroutes, strikes, cancellations, and the charming surprise of “you no longer have a seat”—working with a real human still has very real advantages when unexpected challenges arise, such as:
Delays and last-minute flight changes
Strikes or changes made by the airline
Seat changes without prior notification
The need to rebook during your trip
Especially in those moments—just imagine being on safari while these changes occur—it is incredibly helpful to have a reliable contact person who handles everything quickly and professionally.
Even if booking flights through a travel agency may seem slightly more expensive, it is absolutely worth the investment. The service, support, and peace of mind it provides, particularly in problematic situations, are priceless.
We’ve had consistently excellent experiences with the following agencies – they are professional, fast, and reliable.
Please make sure to always mention that you are booking through Leaflove Safari / Albert Voigts.
This is the only way we can ensure that all flight times are accurately recorded and that we can coordinate with the agents to perfectly align the itinerary with your travel plans – e.g. for organizing transfers, airport greetings, or handling last-minute changes.
📱 +264 81 249 8760
✉️ ticketing@tokkiestravel.com
➡️ Anja has already assisted many of our guests – reliable, fast, and solution-oriented.
📱 +264 81 202 6002
✉️ sonja@moloafricatravel.com.na
➡️ Sonja is also highly experienced and particularly helpful when it comes to last-minute rebookings.
This Safari was last updated on 7. October 2026 @ 6:50
Southern Highlights, a self-drive Safari to the southern sights and secrets of Namibia
Namibian Wonders, a self-drive Safari
to prominent highlights of Namibia
16 days – Crafting a self-drive version of a classic yet high-quality Namibia tour involves a careful selection of key experiences and accommodations. Emphasizing sustainability and fantastic locations, this condensed itinerary is designed for an enriching and adventurous journey
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