7 Day Namibia Self-Drive Itinerary
Seven days is the shortest trip that still shows you the three things people come to Namibia for: the dunes at Sossusvlei, the Atlantic at Swakopmund and the waterholes of Etosha. It works, but only if you accept two long driving days and skip Damaraland and the south entirely.
- Nights
- 6
- Total distance
- 2,130 km
- Longest drive
- 560 km
- Overnight areas
- 4
What the 4x4 costs for 7 days
Green season (Nov–Mar)
N$15,180
N$2,530 per day · Toyota Hilux Double Cab 2.4 + camping, 2 pax
Peak season (15 Jul–31 Aug)
N$24,600
N$4,100 per day · Toyota Hilux Double Cab 2.4 + camping, 2 pax
Vehicle only, unlimited kilometres, read straight from our published rate tables. Accommodation, park fees, fuel and activities are quoted separately.
The route
- 1
Windhoek · 1 night
Guesthouse near the city or airport
- 2
Sesriem / Sossusvlei · 2 nights
Sesriem Campsite or Sossus Dune Lodge
- 3
Swakopmund · 1 night
Swakopmund town hotel
- 4
Etosha South · 2 nights
Okaukuejo Resort or a lodge at Andersson Gate
About half the route is gravel C-road; the Etosha and return legs are tar.
This route suits
- ▪Visitors adding Namibia to a longer southern Africa trip
- ▪Travellers with one week of leave and a fixed return flight
- ▪Couples happy to drive 5–7 hours on two of the seven days
It does not suit
- ▪Families with young children — the driving days are too long
- ▪Anyone who wants Damaraland, Fish River Canyon or the Caprivi as well
Day by day
- Day 1
Arrive Windhoek
Collect the 4x4, run through the handover properly, shop for supplies and sleep in Windhoek. We never recommend driving on the day you land.
Overnight: Windhoek
- Day 2
Windhoek to Sesriem
350 km · 5–6 hrsSouth through Rehoboth, then west over the Spreetshoogte or Remhoogte pass. Your first proper gravel. Fuel at Solitaire if you go the northern way.
Overnight: Sesriem
- Day 3
Deadvlei and Sossusvlei
130 km · 1.5 hrs in-parkThrough the gate at opening, 60 km to the 2x4 car park, then the last 5 km of soft sand in low range. Walk to Deadvlei before the heat. Sesriem Canyon or the pool in the afternoon.
Overnight: Sesriem
- Day 4
Sesriem to Swakopmund
350 km · 5 hrsSolitaire for apple pie and fuel, then the Gaub and Kuiseb passes and the long gravel run across the Namib to the coast. The temperature drops 15 degrees in the last hour.
Overnight: Swakopmund
- Day 5
Swakopmund to Etosha South
560 km · 6–7 hrsThe longest day of the trip, and almost all of it tar via Karibib, Omaruru and Outjo. Leave early so you reach the Andersson Gate with daylight for a first game drive.
Overnight: Etosha South
- Day 6
Etosha game drives
180 km · Full day in-parkWork the southern waterholes at first light, drive out to the pan edge mid-morning, then sit at Okaukuejo waterhole from late afternoon. This is the day people remember.
Overnight: Etosha South
- Day 7
Etosha to Windhoek and departure
480 km · 5–6 hrsTar all the way via Otjiwarongo and Okahandja. Allow three hours of buffer before your flight, and refuel before you return the vehicle.
The vehicle we put people in
Recommended
Toyota Hilux Double Cab 2.4 + camping, 2 pax
A camping-equipped Hilux Double Cab 2.4 keeps the cost down and gets you inside the Sesriem gate, where the campsite is the only way to be at Deadvlei at sunrise.
Alternative
Toyota Fortuner 2.4 4x4
If you are staying in lodges for all six nights, the Fortuner 2.4 is the more comfortable choice and carries luggage inside the vehicle.