Namibia
Travel Routes

Namibia is a huge country. If focusing on the major highlights of this unique destination, however, one can travel and explore Namibia in a relatively short space of time. One must accept having to spend many hours in the car, because the distances between the attractions are considerable. But driving in Namibia is an enjoyable experience in itself: There is hardly any traffic on the roads and the landscapes are stunning everywhere, deserts, bushland or savannah backed by rugged mountain massifs. The still and infinitely wide land, the clear, intense colours and the deep blue of the sky have a relaxing and revitalising effect on the visitor, usually coming from high density places in different shades of grey.

We'd like to suggest two travel routes through Namibia, the Southern Route and the Northern Route. Both routes start and end in Namibia's capital of Windhoek, and for both of these classical routes one should have about 2 weeks time. The trips can be extended. If you would like to experience the whole of Namibia, you must add both routes. It would take you at least four weeks (plus excursions) for the big roundtrip.

Touring the South of Namibia
Highlight of this scenic roundtrip through the arid south of Namibia (orange route on the map) are the spectacular ancient desert landscapes, especially in the area of the Fish River Canyon and the dunes of the Namib in the Sossusvlei region. One has to drive for about 3000 kilometres. The time required is 10 days to two weeks.

Day 1: Windhoek
Sightseeing (Independence Avenue, Christus Church, Ink Palace, Old Fort, State House, Supreme Court); Heroes' Acre Monument. Spend the night in town.

Day 2: Drive to Keetmanshoop (appr. 570 km)
Have a rest at Hardap Dam / Mariental; Sunset at Quivertree Forest (Farm Gariganus) near Keetmanshoop. Spend the night in town or on the guestfarm.

Day 3: Trip to the Fish River Canyon (appr. 300 km)
Via Seeheim (C12) to the Canyon. Thermal Spa Ai-Ais (closed from November to March). Overnight at the Canyon or in Ai-Ais. Second overnight recommended.

Day 4: Drive to Luederitz (appr. 450 km)
Via Seehheim, then on the B4 through the Namib Desert. The wild horses of Aus / Garub. Sidetrip to Bethanien Mission possible. Spend the night in Luederitz.

Tag 5: Luederitz and Kolmanskop
In the morning guided tour of Kolmanskop (diamond ghost town); then sightseeing in Luederitz (Felsenkirche Church, museum, Luederitz waterfront and harbour, Shark Island, Agate Beach, lagoon and Sturmvogel Bay). Second night in Luederitz.

Day 6: Trip to Maltahoehe (appr. 380 km)
Via Aus on the C13 to Helmeringhausen (restaurant). Excursion into the Tiras Mountains possible. Visit of Duwisib Castle. Spend the night in Maltahoehe or on one of the guest farms in the vicinity.

Day 7: Trip to Sossusvlei (appr. 210 km)
Via Tsaris Pass to Sesriem and further into the dune Namib to the Sossusvlei (the last 4kms walking or in a 4x4). Spend the night in Sesriem or a lodge in the Solitaire region. Excursion into the Namib Naukluft Park with overnight stay possible. Those who love the desert and the solitude, should plan for another overnight stay in this region.

Day 8: Trip to Swakopmund (appr. 300 km)
From Solitaire on the C14 through the Kuiseb Canyon. Walvis Bay Lagoon. Spectacular coastal road to Swakopmund. Overnight stay in Swakopmund (or Walvis Bay).

Day 9: Swakopmund
Sightseeing (historical buildings, museum, aquarium, lighthouse, casino, shopping, beach). Swakop valley and Moon Landscape. Welwitschia Drive. Second overnight stay in Swakopmund. Sidetrip to Henties Bay and the seal colony Cape Cross possible, requiring a third overnight stay.