Experience dream landscapes in a rental car through Namibia - INTI Tours

You will probably have an evening flight from Europe and get off the plane early in Windhoek. Reception at the airport, vehicle handover with insurance logistics, handover of your vouchers, maps, route description and welcome package. Then, after a short coffee break and a logistics stop, you can drive south from Windhoek into the Kalahari. You will spend two nights in a tented chalet. On site you will have a first locally guided game drive into the linear dune landscape of the Kalahari. 
The next day, the morning walk is designed to open your eyes to the small animal and bird life of the Kalahari. The beautiful morning light between the camel thorn acacias on red dune sand remains a hit of photo moments. In the dune sand, look for ground squirrels, marvel at the gigantic settling weaver's nests and try to find the rare pygmy falcons. In the afternoon, you will go on a game drive into the dune valleys, where various antelopes and giraffes can be seen.

On the way to the deep south you visit a "basaltic warty field" where mystically beautiful tall quiver trees grow. In Namibia they call the place "Playground of the Giants" at the quiver tree forest. Then suddenly the earth cracks open in front of you - geologically at least - and Fishriver Canyon impresses with its enormous depth and rock formations. Deep red aloes, large cactus-like candelabra euphorbias and scattered quiver trees adorn the sandstone slope down into the depths. You take a few walks and drive around the different viewpoints, always looking for the best light. Two nights in a legendary old-timer lodge.

A scenically unique trail takes you along the Orange River through the most bizarre geology of Namibia's primary rock - the Namaqua Metamorphic. Today you will experience what vastness actually means surrounded by absolutely fantastic scenery in various pastel colours. From a distance you can already see the first horses and watch their hustle and bustle at the Garub waterhole. From the lodge there are beautiful hiking trails into the bubble-shaped granite landscapes, which are adorned with camel thorn acacias. Two nights' accommodation in chalets at a famous lodge on the Namib's escarpment.

The dune landscapes at Sossusvlei are called the highest dunes in the world. What is really worth seeing at Sossusvlei, however, is the colourful interplay of the clay pans overgrown with camel thorn acacias, the orange and red-violet shaded dunes and the mostly blue sky. The fossilised dune landscapes, which originate from an older formation with its small animal life, are also well worth seeing. Here you can find, for example, Namibia's only endemic species, the dune lark, some species of lizards and, of course, fantastic landscapes. You drive through thick sand to Sossusvlei, hike through the so-called "Dead Valley" and can climb the highest dune "Big Daddy". A walk in Sesriem Canyon may show you a horned puff adder in addition to amazing geology. Two nights in a tented chalet overlooking the petrified dune landscape at Dieprivier.

The shale formation of the Kuiseb and Gaub Canyon, the gravel plains of the Namib and several stops at various waterholes in the Namib Naukluft Park are "roadside programmes" on your drive to Swakopmund. On the way there is also the Welwitschia mirabilis to discover - a plant that is botanically ancient and described as a living fossil. After a photo stop in the "moonscape", you will finally reach Swakopmund, a romantic small town decorated with German-influenced architecture. If you want to make the most of your time and spend some time under palm trees, you can plan a longer stay here, as you could even stay in Swakopmund for a fortnight. without getting bored.

Choose from the following optional activities:

Catamaran cruise on the lagoon with wildlife viewing, where fresh oysters and sparkling wine are also included
Active tour by kayak on the lagoon. The seal colony at "Pelican Point" is over several thousand seals strong and worth a visit.
Sightseeing flights over the Skeleton Coast - shipwrecks, seal colonies, flocks of flamingos, the steep dune wall and the Atlantic coastline
Eco Dune Tour to the special "living highlights or Little Five" of the Namib
Active tour with fatbike - easy and sporty over the dune landscape of Swakopmund
 

You drive north along the Skeleton Coast and visit one of the largest seal colonies on the west coast at Cape Cross. There are crosses here that remind us of the Portuguese seafaring era. Continue along the coast and finally inland through a fairytale desert landscape. On the way, you can again see welwitschia and marvel at fabulously beautiful geology. Within the basaltic Etendeka formation of Damaraland lies the Palmwag spring nestled in palm trees. The water attracts desert elephants, giraffes, various antelopes such as springbok and oryx. Between the spurge plants you will see mountain zebras. The next day, a locally guided day tour will show you the endangered black black rhinos. Of course, you will also see lots of other game and desert elephants on the way, not to mention desert lions. Two nights in a tented chalet.

Thousands of years ago, the Bushmen lived between the sandstone rocks at Twyfelfontein and carved their history in stone. Very interesting are various engravings and even a few rock paintings. On the way you also visit the petrified forest at Blaauwkrans, make a photo stop at the burnt mountain as well as at the organ pipes. A geological highlight is also the Finger Cliff in the Ugab Valley and numerous termite mounds up to six metres high in loamy acacia savannah. An overnight stay at a magnificent lodge.

Etosha National Park is arguably one of the most wildlife-rich parks in Africa, although it is quite a dry park. The salt clay pan, which covers more than 4,000 square kilometres, generates artesian springs on the south bank, so-called "contact springs". Vast amounts of different game accumulate here, especially in somewhat drier and warmer seasons. The central area is somewhat more open and overgrown with acacias, the central area shows a rather dense mopane forest and in the east there is a dry forest. Each vegetation type shows different animal species. Of course you will see a lot of animals on the way, with luck you will succeed in the best observations of the pachyderms and big cats - here patience and early rising are often rewarded. You can easily drive around the park in your rental car and observe animals as you please. The lodges also offer game drives in open game viewing vehicles. This can give you the advantage of additional wildlife information and observation as the local guides are very knowledgeable. Two nights' accommodation in tented chalets near Andersson Gate.

Many Namibia guests come to Namibia precisely for the wildlife viewing. Therefore, you will spend two nights in the eastern part of Etosha National Park. In the east, the somewhat lush vegetation with numerous springs ensures a higher density of animals and the chance of seeing lions is very high here. However, the dwarf green antelopes, possibly a few cranes of paradise and often rhinos are also interesting. Two nights in a bush camp near the Lindequist Gate.

A long road takes you back to the central area of Namibia and finally to the capital Windhoek. You should reach the capital around noon. On the way, you can have a coffee at the Craftcentre, as Namibian artists display their handicrafts for sale there. Dinner is á la carte on the terrace - something to look forward to. An overnight stay with a beautiful view over Little Windhoek in a hotel.

In due course, transfer to the airport or to accommodation for a travel extension. Finally, full of wonderful, unforgettable memories, you will start your journey home.