Cape to Namibia Self-drive

Cape Town * Cederberg Mountains * Namaqualand * Fish River Canyon * Luderitz/Aus * Sossusvlei Dunes * Swakopmund * Damaraland * Etosha * Okonjima

This magnificent three-week Cape to Namibia self-drive journey takes you from Cape Town to Windhoek, tracing a spectacular route through South Africa’s western landscapes and into Namibia’s vast desert wilderness.

Cape to Namibia at a Glance (19 nights/20 days):

• 3 nights Welgelegen Guest Lodge, Cape Town, Bed & Breakfast
• 2 nights Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge, Cederberg Mountains, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
• 1 night Daisy Lodge, Springbok, Bed & Breakfast
• 1 night Canyon Lodge, Fish River Canyon (Namibia), Bed & Breakfast
• 2 nights Klein Aus Vista (for visiting Luderitz), Bed & Breakfast
• 2 nights Sossusvlei Lodge, near Sossusvlei in Namib Desert, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
• 2 nights Cornerstone Guesthouse, Swakopmund, Bed & Breakfast
• 1 night, Camp Kipwe near Twyfelfontein rock engravings, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
• 2 nights Grootberg Lodge, Damaraland, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
• 2 nights Etosha Safari Lodge, Bed & Breakfast
• 1 night Okonjima Plains Camp, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast

Cape to Namibia Self-drive itinerary detail

Begin in Cape Town, where you can enjoy the mix of Table Mountain rising above a city of ocean views, historic neighbourhoods and vibrant dining options. There is time to enjoy the city’s relaxed energy, explore the Cape Winelands, and take in the Cape Dutch architecture and vineyard scenery before heading north into the Cederberg Mountains and then Namaqualand.

From there, the road opens into Namibia, aptly known as the “place of great arid plains”. This is a land of striking contrasts, from the dramatic depths of the Fish River Canyon to the sculpted dunes of the Namib Desert.

Continue to the coastal town of Swakopmund, the ancient rock art landscapes of Damaraland, and the wildlife-rich plains of Etosha National Park before enjoying a visit to the remarkable Okonjima Game Reserve before your trip ends in Windhoek.

With a self-drive safari, you have the freedom to set your own rhythm. Stop for photographs, linger over viewpoints, and enjoy the sense of space that makes this route so rewarding.

Personalise this tour

As with nearly all our sample itineraries, our Cape to Namibia self-drive can be tailor-made to suit you, your interests and time-frame. Chat to Us about your needs.

Good to Know – Sizeable Cross Border Fees

This Cape to Namibia self-drive itinerary includes a one-way self-drive route from South Africa into Namibia, so cross-border and one-way drop-off fees apply. These are payable directly when collecting the rental car (to keep this cost to a minimum)and are NOT   included in the tour price.

But the combined total is over R14,000. This may seem substantial, but South African car rental rates are usually far lower than in Namibia, which partially helps to offset approx. 40% of the extra cost. We will always make these fees clear at quotation stage so there are no surprises.