Your Namibia journey starts in Windhoek. After landing, the rental company collects you at the airport and takes you to the depot for the 4x4 handover.

After the vehicle briefing, there is time to settle in and buy supplies for the road ahead. Smaller supermarkets appear later in the journey, but Windhoek is the practical place to stock the basics.

You stay at Arebbusch Travel Lodge.

If the shopping is already done, leave early for Sesriem and the Namib Desert.

The route runs via Solitaire, known from Ton van der Lee’s book. You can reach Sesriem Campsite in the early afternoon.

At first light, drive towards Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. The red and orange dunes throw long shadows as the sun rises over the desert.

The return drive to the dunes is around 120 kilometres. From Sesriem, another roughly 110 kilometres takes you towards the foot of Spreetshoogte Pass.

You stay at Camp Gecko.

After the days around Sesriem, the route turns towards the Atlantic Ocean.

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. In the evening, you can eat at one of the restaurants in town.

After breakfast, there is still time to look around Swakopmund or buy supplies.

Then continue to Spitzkoppe, where sharp rock formations rise above the plain.

You stay at Spitzkoppe Restcamp.

Today the road takes you deeper into Damaraland, towards the community-based Ugab Rhino Camp.

Wide views define the route. Desert elephants sometimes move through the area around camp.

You can also visit the seal colony at Cape Cross on the way. This adds around 80 kilometres to the route.

Today the 4x4 has a bigger role. The route towards Twyfelfontein follows rougher tracks where 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 route. Black rhino also live in the area, although sightings are far less predictable.

You stay at Mowani Camp.

From Twyfelfontein, continue to Etosha National Park.

You spend three nights inside the park, each at a different rest camp. Elephant, rhino and lion are among the animals you may encounter around the routes and waterholes.

Okaukuejo’s floodlit waterhole is within walking distance of camp. You stay at Okaukuejo Restcamp.

Start the second Etosha day with an early game drive around Okaukuejo if you choose.

You can return to camp for brunch before packing up, or set off directly towards Halali.

Halali also has a floodlit waterhole. Hyena, lion and leopard are among the animals seen here.

You stay at Halali Restcamp.

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

Make another loop around Halali first or pack up and continue east straight away.

You stay at Namutoni Restcamp.

Leave Etosha and drive towards Waterberg Plateau.

You can stop at the Hoba Meteorite on the way. The route then continues to the plateau, an ecologically diverse area with several walking options.

Black rhino were reintroduced here in 1989. A guided hike with local rangers is a fine way to see it.

You stay at Waterberg Plateau Campsite.

Stay another night at Waterberg Plateau Campsite.

The full day is free for Waterberg Plateau National Park. Walk in the area or keep the day slow at camp.

Today is a relatively short driving day.

From Waterberg, continue in the direction of Windhoek, with Okonjima Nature Reserve as the final stop of the journey.

Drive around independently in the 4x4 or join an organised game drive.

You stay at Omboroko Campsite.

On the final day, drive back to Windhoek and return the 4x4 at the depot.

A shuttle then takes you to the airport.

The return drive to Windhoek takes around three hours. If your flight leaves early in the afternoon, we recommend staying an extra night in Windhoek.