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Classic North Tour

15 Days / 14 Nights

The Classic North, 15-day Self-Drive tour, integrates a rich diversity of both landscapes and game-viewing. The tour kick starts from Windhoek, through the Kalahari Desert to the Sossusvlei “sea of sand”, to the coastal town of Swakopmund, the rocky landscapes of Damaraland, the arid savannah and scrub of Etosha National Park, the Waterberg Region and then finally back to Windhoek. This tour focuses more on the northern part of the country.

Overview

Destination Nights
Windhoek 1
Kalahari 2
Sossusvlei 2
Swakopmund 2
Twyfelfontein 2
Etosha National Park - South 1
Etosha National Park - East 2
Waterberg 1
Windhoek 1

Map

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Namibia, Windhoek

Classic North Tour - Windhoek
  • Est. driving time: +- 45 Minutes
  • Est. total km: 50 km

Windhoek

Situated in Central Namibia, the cosmopolitan city of Windhoek functions as the capital of the country. It is home to an international airport and a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and accommodation options. The city is clean, safe and well-organised, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, many of which are worth a look, including the Alte Feste an old fort, the 1896 Christuskirche Christ Church, and the more contemporary Supreme Court.

Day Itinerary

Welcome to Namibia. Upon arrival at Windhoek International Airport, you will find your driver from Melbic Car Rentals there to pick you up and transfer you to the rental office in the Windhoek city. There you will pick up your vehicle as well as all the necessary travel documents that you will need on your tour.

Day 2+3: Kalahari Namibia

Classic North Tour - Kalahari Namibia
  • Est. driving time: +- 3 Hours
  • Est. total km: 270 km

Kalahari Namibia

Spreading across Botswana, South Africa and Namibia, the Kalahari meaning 'the great thirst' is an exceptionally beautiful living desert. The landscape is characterised by a large semi-arid sandy savannah draped over a gently rolling inland sea of sand covering most of Botswana and large parts of Namibia and South Africa. It is also the last bastion of the indigenous San people with the modern world having enveloped all the other areas they once roamed. The Namibian portion is made up of red sands covered in thin, wispy, mostly golden grass and dotted with acacia trees and wide-ranging wildlife including gemsbok, impala, jackals and cheetah.

Day Itinerary 

For your first morning in Namibia, enjoy a relaxed morning in Windhoek. Today you will travel to one of Namibia's most popular destinations, the Kalahari Desert. Enjoy a magnificent sundowner in this region as you enjoy a sip of some of Africa’s great wines.

Day 4+5: Sossusvlei

Classic North Tour -Sossusvlei
  • Est. driving time: +- 5 Hours
  • Est. total km: 330 km

Sossusvlei

Located in the scenic Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red dunes to make this one of the most scenic natural wonders of Africa and a photographer's heaven. This awe-inspiring destination is possibly Namibia's premier attraction, with its unique dunes rising to almost 400 metres-some of the highest in the world. These iconic dunes come alive in morning and evening light and draw photography enthusiasts from around the globe. Sossusvlei is home to a variety desert wildlife including Oryx, springbok, ostrich and a variety of reptiles. Visitors can climb 'Big Daddy', one of Sossusvlei’s tallest dunes; explore Deadvlei, a white, salt, claypan dotted with ancient trees.

Day Itinerary 

From the Kalahari, you will drive to the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world. Enjoy the drive towards the sea of some of the highest dunes in the world. Your destination is situated close to the Sossusvlei, take part in a self-drive to the Sossusvlei early in the morning and enjoy sunrise and breakfast in the dunes.

Day 6+7: Swakopmund

Classic North Tour - Swakopmund
  • Est. driving time: +- 5 Hours
  • Est. total km: 370 km

Swakopmund

Set along Namibia's spectacularly scenic coast, the seaside town of Swakopmund is known for its wide-open avenues, colonial architecture, and is surrounded by otherworldly desert terrain. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more German like Germany. Now a seaside resort town, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism region and has am abundance to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, adventure options, laidback atmosphere and cool sea breeze make it very popular Namibian destination for both tourists and locals. Visitors can look forward to a number of exciting activities including: quad biking, horse riding, paragliding, fishing, sightseeing, ocean cruising and fascinating desert tours.

Day Itinerary 

You will make your way to the coastal city of Swakopmund. Along the way keep a lookout for the ever changing landscape as you drive from the inland to the coast.

Day 8+9: Twyfelfontein

Classic North Tour - Twyfelfontein
  • Est. driving time: +- 4 Hours
  • Est. total km: 290 km

Twyfelfontein

Set in the Kunene Region of north-western Namibia, Twyfelfontein is a spectacularly scenic area, featuring one of the largest and most important concentrations of rock art in Africa. The name ‘Twyfelfontein’ translates to ‘Fountain of Doubt’, which refers to the perennial spring situated in the impressive Huab valley flanked by the slopes of a sandstone table mountain. It was this spring that attracted Stone Age hunters over six thousand years ago, and it was during this time that the extensive group of rock engravings and paintings were produced. Visitors can look forward to exploring over thirty different sites of these sacred records of ritual practices relating to traditional hunter-gatherer communities.

Day Itinerary 

After check-out, depart the coast and drive inland towards Damaraland. This area is known for well-known attractions such as: Twyfelfontein Rock Paintings, the Organ Pipes, Burnt Mountain, the Petrified Forest and Brandberg Mountain. Also make sure to visit the Damara living museum and be in awe of the traditions and customs of this fascinating local tribe.

Day 10: Etosha National Park – South

Classic North Tour - Etosha South
  • Est. driving time: +- 3.5-4 Hours
  • Est. total km: 310 km

Etosha South

Etosha South makes up the southern region of the Etosha National Park paradise. The national park can be accessed via the southern entrance at Andersson’s Gate. Visitors can visit a variety of waterholes and catch a glimpse of a wide range of wildlife such as: lion, giraffe, elephant, white and black rhino, and a gathering of plains game. Popular activities include: guided / self-drive game drives, tracking rhinos on foot, guided nature walks, or watch the sunset over this magnificent landscape.

Day Itinerary 

From Damaraland, you will head to the greatest wildlife sanctuary in Namibia, Etosha National Park. You can enjoy guided game drives or alternatively, you are welcome to do your own self-drive around the park at your own pace and viewing pleasure. Best times to view animals are early mornings and later afternoons when the heat is not too intense for you and the animals.

Day 11+12: Etosha National Park – East

Classic North Tour - Etosha National Park
  • Est. driving time: +- 3.5-6 Hours (depending on stops enroute)
  • Est. total km: 200 km

Etosha East

Located in North-western Namibia, Etosha East is a protected sanctuary in the eastern part of the world-renowned Etosha National Park, known as one of the most accessible game reserves in Southern Africa. Etosha East boasts vast open plains scattered with semi-arid savannah grasslands dotted with watering holes and secluded bush camps. An impressive 5000-square-kilometre Etosha salt pan makes up a large area of the eastern side of the park and can even be seen from space. This remote area teems with abundant wildlife such as lions, elephants, black rhinos and giraffes, as well as a variety of birdlife featuring flamingos, ostriches, eagles, hornbills, and owls.

Day Itinerary 

Enjoy some breakfast, after which you will drive from the central part of the park towards the eastern side of the national park. The eastern side has a reputation of having the best views of wildlife. Please note: the park has a speed limit of 60km/hour.

Day 13: Waterberg National Park

Classic North Tour - Okonjima Nature Reserver
  • Est. driving time: +- 4 Hours
  • Est. total km: 380 km

Waterberg Region

The Waterberg Region incorporates the Waterberg Plateau National Park and the farming districts from Outjo and Otjiwarongo in the west to Grootfontein and Tsumeb in the west. There are about 25 species of mammals including black & white rhino, Cape buffalo, giraffe, kudu, impala, warthog, tsessebe, sable and roan antelope and blue wildebeest present in this region. Sightings of the elusive leopard prowling along the cliffs, cheetah, caracal, black-backed and side-striped jackals have been seen on the plateau or in the savannah below.

Day Itinerary 

After your last morning in Etosha National Park, you will then drive towards your next destination in central Namibia.

Day 14: Windhoek

Classic North Tour - Windhoek
  • Est. driving time: +- 3 Hours
  • Est. total km: 250 km

Windhoek

Situated in Central Namibia, the cosmopolitan city of Windhoek serves as the capital of the country. It is home to an international airport and a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and accommodation options. The city is clean, safe and well-organised, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, many of which are worth a look, including the Alte Feste an old fort, the 1896 Christuskirche Christ Church, and the more contemporary Supreme Court.

Day Itinerary 

You can have a relaxed morning after which you will make your way back to the capital city, Windhoek, where you will spend your last night in Namibia.

Day 15: Departure

Day Itinerary 

Enjoy your last morning sunrise in Namibia. Today, you will drop the rental vehicle back to the Melbic Car Rental office. After the vehicle inspection, an agent will drive you back to the Windhoek International Airport where you will check in for your departure flight.

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Personal Information
Info Regarding Tour

Vehicles

Melbic 4x4 Car Rentals Namibia Toyota Hilux 2.4 Double Cab with No Tent
From N$ 1560.00 per day
Transmission: Manual / Automatic
Consumption: 7.2L/100km
Pax: 5
Model: Manual: 2022-2023 | Automatic: 2020 -2023
Capacity: 145L
Aircon: Yes
Melbic 4x4 Car Rentals Namibia Toyota Hilux DC 2.8 No Tent
From N$ 1900.00 per day
Transmission: Automatic
Consumption: 7.8L/100km
Pax: 5
Model: Automatic: 2022 - 2023
Capacity: 145L
Aircon: Yes
Melbic 4x4 Car Rentals Namibia Volkswagen VW 4motion LWB Crew Bus
From N$ 2580.00 per day
Transmission: Automatic
Consumption: 8.3L/100km
Pax: 8
Model: Automatic: 2022
Capacity: 80L
Aircon: Yes
Melbic 4x4 Car Rentals Namibia Toyota Fortuner Side View
From N$ 1880.00 per day
Transmission: Automatic
Consumption: 7.9L/100km
Pax: 7
Model: Automatic: 2023
Capacity: 80L
Aircon: Yes
Melbic 4x4 Car Rentals Namibia Toyota Hilux Single Cab without rooftent
From N$ 1490.00 per day
Transmission: Automatic
Consumption: 7.4L/100km
Pax: 2
Model: Automatic: 2023
Capacity: 145L
Aircon: Yes
Melbic 4x4 Car Rentals Namibia Toyota Hilux 2.4 Double Cab with One Open Tent
Camping for 1-2
Transmission: Manual / Automatic
Consumption: 7.2L/100km
Pax: 5
Model: Manual: 2022-2023 | Automatic: 2020 -2023
Capacity: 145L
Aircon: Yes
Melbic 4x4 Car Rentals Namibia Toyota Hilux 2.4 Double Cab with Two Open Tents
Camping for 3-5
Transmission: Manual / Automatic
Consumption: 7.2L/100km
Pax: 5
Model: Manual: 2022-2023 | Automatic: 2020 -2023
Capacity: 145L
Aircon: Yes
Melbic 4x4 Car Rentals Namibia Toyota Hilux DC 2.8 With Tent - Open
Camping for 1-2
Transmission: Automatic
Consumption: 7.8L/100km
Pax: 5
Model: Automatic: 2022 - 2023
Capacity: 145L
Aircon: Yes
Melbic 4x4 Car Rentals Namibia Toyota Hilux DC 2.8 With 2 Tents - Open
Camping for 3-5
Transmission: Automatic
Consumption: 7.8L/100km
Pax: 5
Model: Automatic: 2022 - 2023
Capacity: 145L
Aircon: Yes
Melbic 4x4 Car Rentals Namibia Toyota Hilux Single Cab with open rooftent
Camping for 1-2
Transmission: Automatic
Consumption: 7.4L/100km
Pax: 2
Model: Automatic: 2023
Capacity: 145L
Aircon: Yes

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