Your 4x4 journey through Namibia starts in Windhoek. After landing, the rental company collects you at the airport for the vehicle handover.

A full briefing and the formalities come first. The first night remains in Windhoek, giving you time to settle in and get familiar with the 4x4.

Windhoek is also the practical place to buy most of the supplies for the days ahead.

You stay at Arebbusch Travel Lodge.

Drive to Namib Naukluft National Park today. The distance is comfortable, leaving time for a hike depending on when you set off.

The 10-kilometre Olive Trail takes around 4 to 5 hours. If the afternoon runs short, you can walk it the following morning before continuing to Sesriem.

You stay at Naukluft Campsite.

The morning can still start with a shorter hike in Namib Naukluft National Park.

Then pack up camp and drive towards Sesriem, close to the dunes of Sossusvlei. You can reach Sesriem Campsite in the early afternoon.

You stay at Sesriem Campsite.

Keep the full day for Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. Leave early and reach the dunes around sunrise, when red and orange sand throws long shadows across the desert.

The return drive to the dunes is around 120 kilometres. Afterwards, continue roughly 110 kilometres from Sesriem towards the foot of Spreetshoogte Pass.

You stay at Camp Gecko.

After the nights around Sesriem, the road turns towards the Atlantic coast.

Drive through Kuiseb Canyon and across the wide gravel plains of the Namib Desert. Reach Swakopmund in the early afternoon.

You stay at Desert Breeze B&B. In the evening, you can eat at one of the restaurants in town.

After breakfast, there is time to buy supplies if needed.

Then continue to Spitzkoppe. The granite formations rise sharply above the open plain.

You stay at Spitzkoppe Restcamp among the rocks.

Start the day with sunrise from the rocks at Spitzkoppe if you choose, then pack up and drive deeper into Damaraland.

The route to the community-based Ugab Rhino Camp crosses the dry, open landscapes that define this part of Namibia. Desert elephants sometimes move through the area around camp.

You can also add Cape Cross for the seal colony. This adds roughly 80 kilometres.

You stay at Ugab Rhino Camp.

The 4x4 has more work to do today. The route towards Twyfelfontein follows tracks where four-wheel drive, low range and the supplied GPS can be useful.

The distance is short, but progress is slow. Allow the full day for this drive through Damaraland.

Ostrich, oryx and several antelope species may appear along the way. Black rhino also live in the area, although sightings are less predictable.

You stay at Mowani Campsite.

Today is a shorter driving day as you continue farther into the rugged north.

You may meet Himba and Herero communities along the way. From Khowarib Lodge Campsite, walk into Khowarib Schlucht or explore the canyon by 4x4.

You stay at Khowarib Lodge Campsite.

Today you reach Opuwo in Kaokoland. After several camping nights, you return to a lodge.

Opuwo is also a practical place to buy supplies and fill up with diesel for the days ahead.

You stay at Opuwo Country Lodge.

After breakfast, continue to Epupa Falls.

The Kunene River drops through a landscape of palms along the Angolan border. Water changes the scale and colour of the surroundings here.

There is time to see the falls and learn more about Himba life in the area.

You camp among the palms at Epupa Falls Restcamp.

A short drive east follows the Kunene River towards Omunjandi Campsite.

Several usually dry riverbeds cross the route. The road has improved, although a detour may still be necessary in the rainy season.

A sunset cruise is a fine way to spend the afternoon.

You stay at Omunjandi Campsite.

There are two possible routes from Kunene to Olifantsrus, via Ruacana or back through Opuwo.

Olifantsrus lies in western Etosha National Park. The site was once used as an elephant abattoir. Today there is a campsite, viewing tower and floodlit waterhole.

This is the first of three nights in Etosha, each at a different rest camp.

You stay at Olifantsrus Restcamp.

A long safari day across Etosha. Drive east in the morning and decide where to stop at the different waterholes.

Okaukuejo makes a good lunch stop before you continue to Halali.

In the evening, spend time at Halali’s floodlit waterhole. Hyena, lion and leopard are among the animals seen here.

You stay at Halali Restcamp.

The third day in Etosha becomes another extended game drive, this time towards Namutoni.

Leave early and add another loop around camp, or pack up and continue east straight away.

You stay at Namutoni Restcamp.

Leave Etosha behind and drive towards Waterberg Plateau.

On the way, stop at the Hoba Meteorite, the largest meteorite in the world.

Waterberg Plateau is ecologically varied and well suited to walking. Black rhino were reintroduced here in 1989.

You stay at Waterberg Plateau Campsite.

Stay another night at Waterberg Plateau Campsite.

The full day is free in Waterberg Plateau National Park. A guided hike with local rangers is one way to explore the plateau.

You stay again at Waterberg Plateau Campsite.

Leave Waterberg Plateau in the morning. A longer tarmac drive lies ahead, so an early start makes sense.

The final stop of the self drive is Okonjima Nature Reserve.

Explore independently in the 4x4 or book an organised game drive.

You stay at Omboroko Campsite.

The final day of your Namibia journey.

After returning the 4x4 at the Windhoek depot, a shuttle takes you to the airport.