4×4 camper trip from Cape Town to Windhoek

You will land at Cape Town airport and be brought to your accommodation for the next three nights. You stay in Maartens guesthouse, based on bed and breakfast.

In the coming days you can explore all the sights in and around Cape Town, the mother city of South Africa. There are so many things to experience so prepare well. For example, you can take a ride on the Hop on Hop off bus, visit Robben Island or an active cycling and walking tour to the Cape Peninsula. But of course a visit to Table Mountain and V&A Waterfront should not be missing!

Your adventure is about to begin! After breakfast you will be brought to the camper rental station and you will pick up your 4×4 camper with roof tent (s). Please note, this is not included in the price. For an overview of the vehicles and conditions click here. You will receive a detailed instruction when you pick it up, we advise you to take the time here.

There is a long drive on the program. North of Cape Town lies the rugged landscape of the Cederberg, a less well-known and therefore less touristy nature area and your final destination for the next two nights.

From Clanwilliam you can also visit the fishing village of Lamberts Bay, an important lobster processing center. Here is the Sandveld museum with information about the culture of this region. More than 150 different bird species live in thousands of numbers on the bird island off the coast. Keep your nose closed, because the birds stink enormously!

A real must is Muisbosskerm (between Lambert’s Bay and Elands Bay). Here, an authentic South African buffet is prepared for you outdoors on the beach: fresh fish from the sea (including lobster) and freshly baked bread. Only wood / fire is used for cooking. You can come here for lunch and dinner. Reservations (which we can do for you free of charge) are necessary.

Your first two camping nights will take place at the Cederberg Oasis. Here you will enjoy the calm, clean mountain air.

Important: Have your car tires checked in advance (in Garies or Kamieskroon) for the correct tire pressure for driving on sand, and take sufficient travel time (recommended route is from Garies via the Groen River gate). From the Skilpad Rest Camp (via Kamieskroon) there is a 4×4 route along the coast that you have to take 4-6 hours for. Ask for the ‘Caracal Ecotrail Booklet’ at the office for directions.

Is this ‘back to basic’ overnight stay too adventurous for you? Contact us and we will find an alternative campsite (price on request) in the area. In addition, it is possible to rent a chalet in the Skilpad Rest Camp at an additional cost. Ask about the possibilities.

In addition to access to Namibia, it is also the gateway to the Richtersveld, a nature reserve with cliffs and mountains, but also of desert. The Richtersveld National Park is the place to take the most controversial photos and encounter plants like the half-man (Pachypodium namaquensis). But also other very special succulents and the Giant Quivertree will surprise you. Something that looks like a pebble might just be a plant.

It is also an area where people work together with the local population, the Nama People. It is also home to many animal life such as the gray deer, the diver, the kudu, the klipspringer, zebras, but also the caracal and the leopard.

You will spend two nights at The Growcery Richtersveld Eco Camp.

The Fish River Canyon is the largest canyon in Africa and the second largest in the world! It is a total of 161 km long, a maximum of 27 km wide and in some places up to 549 meters deep! One of the nicest places to enjoy the breathtaking views is at Hell’s Bend near Hobas, where the river makes some sharp turns. The Fish River (Fish River in Afrikaans) is the longest river in Namibia with a length of 650 km. There are several hot springs at the bottom of the canyon, of which Ai Ais – which means ‘very hot’ – is the best known. The hot water of 60 ° C comes from the springs and is pumped to the thermal baths. Ai Ais is also the end point of the Vis River, which, incidentally, originates in the Naukluft Mountains near Seeheim.

You stay at two different campsites near the Fish River Canyon. The first night we reserved a camping place at the Ai Ais Resort south of the canyon. Here you will find a restaurant, swimming pool and spa facilities. You can also hike down, among other things, into the canyon (only under the supervision of an experienced guide). Ai Ais is open all year round, but please note that the summers are extremely hot! The second night you will stay at a campsite in the Hobas Camp. This camp is located 10 km from the viewpoint.

You leave the Fish River Canyon today and travel on to Aus located at the foot of the desert. A beautiful route to Aus is via the C13. Near Aus you can see the wild horses that live in the desert. Nobody knows exactly the origin of these horses. In Aus you can refuel and have something to eat at for example the Bahnhof hotel.

Today a long drive ahead of one of the highlights of Namibia: the Sossusvlei. Make sure you have a full tank, plenty of water and food when you drive via D 0707, a beautiful desolate route with beautiful views, towards Sesriem.

In the Namib Naukluft National Park, with an area of 50,000 km² (larger than Switzerland), you will find one of the most famous tourist attractions in Namibia: Sossusvlei. This is an area surrounded by red sand dunes with a soil of clay and salt. When the Tsauchab river is flooded, the soil is supplied with water, allowing acacia trees to grow. However, the area is usually dry.

Perhaps the most special is the so-called Deadvlei where dead acacia trees stand out beautifully against the white salt bottom and the red sand dunes. When the water course of the Tsauchab changed due to flooding, this place was no longer supplied with water and as a result the trees died. This place has already been used in various film recordings.

To reach Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and the so-called ‘Hiddenvlei’ (least visited of the three) you must use the entrance to the National Park at Sesriem. From this point it is about 60 km on an asphalt road to the ‘4×2 parking’ at Sossusvlei. From there you can continue with a 4×4 shuttle or you can drive your own 4×4 camper. If you drive yourself, keep in mind that the road is very sandy and that your tires are not too hard. Some experience with driving a 4×4 is recommended. The entrance gates will not open until sunrise and also take enough water with you because of the high temperatures on site.  You can possibly climb the red dunes on foot where you will be rewarded with a magnificent view.

You will spend the next two nights at the Sesriem Campsite, close to the park entrance. Every pitch has its own tree, a braai and a crane. There is also a gas station, a swimming pool with a small bar and a shop that only sells the essentials. Hiking through the Sesriem Canyon is a fun activity to undertake in the early morning or late afternoon. The name ‘Sesriem’ comes from the number of belts (of oryx skin) that used to be needed to extract water from the 30 meter deep ravine (so 6!).

Today you will drive through the Namib Naukluft National Park en route to your next destination, Swakopmund. Not before being stopped at the bakery in the desert village of Solitaire for their famous apple pie. You would not have expected that in the middle of the desert! In the Netherlands, Solitaire was also known by Ton van der Lee’s book in which he describes how he exchanges his busy life in the Netherlands for the tranquility of the Namib desert.

At Solitaire you drive over the Capricorn Tropic of Capricorn. Fortunately, a sign has been placed, because of course there is nothing to notice in the desert. But always nice for a photo stop!

Swakopmund is located on the west coast of Namibia and is a modern coastal town and tourist attraction. The city borders both the desert and the sea and the German colonial influences are still clearly reflected in the architecture. If you want to know more about the history of the area, you can visit the Swakopmund Museum.

The name Swakopmund refers to the mouth of the Swakop River that flows here into the Atlantic Ocean. Swakopmund is for Namibians and also for many South Africans a popular destination for the summer holidays (December-January) due to the climate. In the interior it is very hot everywhere, while it is pleasant in Swakopmund because of the Benguela stream, which supplies water from the South Pole.  Because of this cold current the water of the Atlantic Ocean off the coast remains cold and therefore not everyone will take a dip in the water during a beach day.

The pier is widely used by fishermen and in the evening it is a favorite place for couples to watch the sun go down in the ocean, preferably from the restaurant (Jetty 1905) that is located at the end of the pier.

Since Swakopmund is surrounded by the Namib desert, many local tour operators offer day trips to this surrounding area. For example, you can ride a camel, go quad biking or sand boarding on the huge sand dunes. There are also opportunities for sightseeing flights, parachuting, boat trips and horse riding.

The southern part of Damaraland is a fascinating area with rock formations, dry beds and blue skies. Various mountain tops dominate the landscape such as the Spitzkoppe in the south, and the Brandberg near Uis. Brandberg is the highest mountain in Namibia (2,574 m). Here you can view the Bushman petroglyphs.

Nowhere else in the world can you find as many petroglyphs as in Twyfelfontein, namely over 2,500 in this region! These rock drawings are approximately between 2,000 and 6,000 years old. Since 2007, Twyfelfontein is even on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Close to the rock drawings are a number of strange rock formations: the organ pipes.These originated 120 million years ago from volcanic rock. On the C39 road near Khorixas you will pass the Petrified Forest, the petrified forest. A guide can lead you past a number of large petrified tree trunks that were driven from Namibia to central Africa during the ice age. The trees are more than 250 million years old and some have a length of up to 30 meters.

In Damaraland you have the chance to see the desert elephant, which of course is an ordinary elephant, but one that has adapted to special living conditions in the dry desert. A popular excursion is tracking down the desert elephant.

The Mowani Mountain Camp, where you will stay for the coming night, is a great starting point for the many different excursions in the area. In addition, you can also enjoy hiking in the great outdoors. You will certainly not be bored in this extremely interesting area.

If you have had enough of sleeping in the camper then we can also book you in this location in one of the suites or superior rooms (extra charge on request). Mowani Mountain Camp is the ideal place to relax and enjoy all the luxury that this accommodation has to offer. It is also possible to book a Two night package (including all meals and various activities). Price on request.

Note: There is no electricity at the campsite. The facilities (swimming pool, bar, etc.) of the Mowani Mountain Camp are not accessible to campers. There are no shops in the vicinity, so make sure you have taken all the provisions in advance. At the Twyfelfontein Country Lodge (± 16 km from the campsite) there is a restaurant that you can use.

About 114 different species of animals live in the wildlife park, including different birds, reptiles and amphibians. In this park you have the chance to see elephants, white and black rhinos, lions, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, leopards, cheetahs, impalas, kudu, jackals and elk.

Etosha means ‘big white spot’ and this refers to the salt pan that occupies around 25% of the park. The salt pan is so large that it can even be seen from space. The Kunune River once flowed into this place, but thousands of years ago the flow of the river changed and the lake slowly dried up. Only in case of heavy rainfall, some water will once again be placed on the dusty bottom of the former lake covered with salt and clay. As soon as there is a layer of water, blue-green algae begin to grow, flocking to groups of flamingos that form large breeding colonies.

The paths in Etosha are easy to walk on with a normal car; there is a (gravel) road network that leads to the camps and the various water places. Despite the good condition of the roads, sharp stones sometimes cause a flat tire. Please note that the gates of the park open at sunrise and close at sunset.

Etosha can be visited throughout the year for safaris, but the months of May to September are the best and the temperatures are more pleasant (18-25 degrees during the day, towards the freezing point at night). The hottest and wettest months are January to March.

There are three rest camps in the Etosha National Park, namely Okaukuejo Restcamp, Halali and Namutoni. The camps all have a restaurant, shop, swimming pool and garage for simple car repairs and fuel. The best thing about the camps, however, are the water pools that are illuminated at night so that guests staying overnight in the camp can also see the animals that come to drink late at night. Rhinos and elephants are seen a lot at the water hole of the Okaukuejo camp, and Halali has the reputation that a leopard regularly comes to drink. Namutoni generally receives less nightly visitors because other water places are located nearby.

Your first night in the Etosha National Park will be at the Okaukuejo Rest Camp that is dominated by a castle-like water tower, from where you have a beautiful view over the vast surroundings. From Okaukuejo you can easily explore the southwestern part of the park, including the Sprokieswoud, or the peculiar Moringa ovafolia ‘upside down trees’.

You will spend the second night in the centrally located Halali Rest Camp. This is a modern rest camp, where you can park your camper under the Mopani trees.

You spend your last night in Etosha at the classic Namutoni Rest Camp. The buildings of Namutoni date back to the time of the German settlers, and the most famous example of this is the beautiful beau gest type fortress, originally built by the Germans as a police post.

The center of Windhoek is known as ‘small Windhoek’ and here you will find many old buildings from the German colonial era, but also modern office buildings. The oldest building in Windhoek, Alte Feste, is the home of the National Historical Museum.

You will stay tonight based on bed and breakfast at The Olive Grove Guesthouse. Not only because in the winter months Windhoek gets very cold at night (around freezing point!), But also so you don’t have to rush from Etosha National Park to Windhoek and have a comfortable night before flying back to Europe.

Dinner can be served at your guesthouse (not included and reservation required) and for ultimate relaxation it is also possible to reserve spa treatments. Of course you can also go to a restaurant in the area.
Enjoy your last evening in Namibia and let all the impressions of this trip calmly affect you under the starry sky of Windhoek … It is recommended to have a drink during sunset on the roof terrace of the Hilton Hotel, located in the middle of the Centre.

After having covered nearly 4000 kilometers, your holiday in South Africa and Namibia will come to an end on day 21.
Before 4 p.m. you return your camper to the camper depot in Windhoek. You will then be taken by the camper company to Windhoek airport where you will check in for your return flight. .

It is also possible to book this trip in its entirety as a car trip with overnight stays in comfortable accommodations, so without a camper but with a 4×4 car !. Price on request.