Quick Reference

Key Dates & Milestones

• Dec 23 (evening): Depart Brussels

• Dec 24 (afternoon): Arrive Windhoek, collect vehicle, drive to Sossusvlei

• Dec 24–26: Sossusvlei & Namib Desert (3 nights)

• Dec 26: Hot air balloon flight (BOOK IMMEDIATELY)

• Dec 27: Swakopmund & Skeleton Coast (1 night)

• Dec 28–31: Damaraland (3 nights)

• Dec 31: Drive to Ongava, New Year’s Eve (1 night)

• Jan 1–4: Etosha East (3 nights)

• Jan 4–6: Zannier Omaanda (2 nights)

• Jan 6 (afternoon): Departure flight to Brussels

• Jan 7 (morning): Arrive Brussels

Route Overview

Complete Journey Map

The interactive map shows all locations with markers and the complete route across Namibia. Click the link above to explore.

Driving Summary

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: December 23–24 – Travel & Arrival

Timeline

Notes & Preparation

• Change from original plan: Drive directly to Sossusvlei instead of staying at Airport Lodge

• Arrive at lodge after dark – ensure GPS is working

• Most of drive is gravel road – take it slow (60 km/h), arrive safely

• Confirm vehicle rental pickup time and insurance (Option 3 or 4 with tire/windscreen)

• Check vehicle has: GPS with Tracks4Africa, dual spare tires, compressor

• Pick up snacks/water at airport if needed

Day 2–3: December 25–26 – Sossusvlei & Namib Desert

Day 2 (Dec 25): Christmas Day – Sossusvlei Sunrise

Day 3 (Dec 26): Hot Air Balloon & Exploration

BOOKED: Namib Sky Balloon Safaris, Dec 26, 2025 at 05:00. Booking ID: 2201704. Cost: N$49,600 (€2,480 total / €496 per person). Payment required within 12 hours or booking becomes invalid. Conditional on securing accommodation with private gate access and flight confirmation.

Accommodation: Sossusvlei (3 nights)

Status: \(\checkmark\) Booked

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge

• Booking Reference: 947972

• Dates: Dec 24–27, 2025 (3 nights)

• Key Feature: Private entrance to Namib Naukluft National Park

• Closest lodge to Sossusvlei – first at Deadvlei at sunrise, 45 min before other tourists

• 23 chalets (3 chalets for 5 people)

• All-inclusive: All meals, selected beverages, scheduled safari activities, daily laundry

• Activities included: dune excursions, e-bikes, quad bikes, nature walks

• Cost: €1,762.60 per person (€8,813 total) – PAID

• Itinerary: https://itrvl.com/client/itineraries/691722933f2baa005c9f5709?token=Vdkl3mHfvAh1AaB62T5nssbrU8JESZajI2PyluzI7wbCHlobqrRpFEJewAFWv1BB

Day 5: December 27 – Swakopmund & Skeleton Coast

Day 5 (Dec 27): Drive to Swakopmund

Route: Sossusvlei → Swakopmund (350 km, 4–5 hours)

Sossusvlei \(\rightarrow\) (200 km, 2.5h, C14 gravel) \(\rightarrow\) Kuiseb Canyon [Photo stop!] \(\rightarrow\) (150 km, 2h, via Walvis Bay) \(\rightarrow\) Swakopmund

Timeline:

Accommodation: Swakopmund (1 night)

Breeze Lodge \(\checkmark\) Booked

• Dates: Dec 27–28, 2025 (1 night)

• Location: Swakopmund

Optional Activities in Swakopmund

• Sandwich Harbour 4x4 Excursion (half day) – dunes meeting the Atlantic, flamingo lagoons, picnic lunch. Contact: Sandwich Harbour 4x4 or Desert Dunes and Dust Tours

• Scenic flight over Skeleton Coast & Sandwich Harbour (1–1.5 hrs)

• Quad biking in dunes (1 hour)

• Kayaking with seals in Walvis Bay

• Township tour

Day 6–8: December 28–31 – Damaraland

Day 6 (Dec 28): Drive to Damaraland via Cape Cross

Route: Swakopmund → Damaraland (420 km, 5–6 hours)

Swakopmund \(\rightarrow\) (120 km, 1.5h, B2 tarred) \(\rightarrow\) Cape Cross [100,000 seals!] \(\rightarrow\) (180 km, 2.5h, C34/C35) \(\rightarrow\) Uis [FUEL - CRITICAL] \(\rightarrow\) (120 km, 1.5h, gravel) \(\rightarrow\) Damaraland

Timeline:

Day 7 (Dec 29): Elephant Tracking

Day 8 (Dec 30): Second Tracking & Exploration

Accommodation: Damaraland (3 nights)

TBD \(\bullet\) TBD

• Dates: Dec 28–31, 2025 (3 nights)

Day 9: December 31 – Drive to Ongava (New Year’s Eve)

Route: Damaraland → Ongava (Western Etosha) (250 km, 4 hours)

Timeline:

Day 10–13: January 1–4 – Etosha East

Day 10 (Jan 1): New Year’s Day – Transit to Eastern Etosha

Route: Ongava (West) → Etosha East – 200 km through park, 4–5 hours

Day 11 (Jan 2): Eastern Etosha Exploration

Day 12 (Jan 3): Eastern Etosha Continued

Day 13 (Jan 4): Final Etosha Day

Accommodation: Etosha (4 nights)

WESTERN ETOSHA (1 night): \(\checkmark\) Booked

Ongava Lodge

• Booking Reference: 18907

• Dates: Dec 31, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026 (1 night, New Year’s Eve)

• 30,000-hectare private reserve bordering southern Etosha

• 14 rock-and-thatch chalets overlooking floodlit waterhole

• Night drives in open 4x4s (impossible in park)

• Private access gate to Etosha

• All inclusive: meals, drinks, 2x daily drives, night drives

• Cost: N$88,200 total (approx. €4,650 / €930 per person for 1 night)

EASTERN ETOSHA (3 nights): \(\bullet\) TBD

• Dates: Jan 1–4, 2026 (3 nights)

• Property: TBD

• Eastern sector = better for January/green season

Day 14–15: January 4–6 – Zannier Omaanda

Day 14 (Jan 4): Drive to Zannier Omaanda

Route: Etosha → Zannier Omaanda (430 km, 5–5.5 hours)

Day 15 (Jan 5): Zannier Omaanda & Relaxation

Accommodation: Zannier Hotels Omaanda (2 nights)

Status: \(\checkmark\) Booked

• Dates: Jan 4–6, 2026 (2 nights)

• Luxury lodge on 9,000-hectare private wildlife reserve

• 30–45 min from Windhoek Airport

• 15 Owambo-style thatch and clay huts

• All-inclusive with game drives, meals, drinks

• Perfect finale to the safari

Vehicle Return Checklist

• Clean out all personal items

• Check for damage (document with photos if any)

• Fuel: Return with similar level as pickup (or pay refueling charge)

• Confirm final invoice & insurance excess (if applicable)

• Get receipt and clear all charges

Day 16: January 6 – Departure

Pre-Departure Checklist

• Confirm flight time 24 hours prior

• Print boarding passes if possible

• Pack valuables in carry-on

• Keep passport, tickets, insurance docs accessible

• Check luggage weight limits

• Leave time for airport security

Vehicle & Driving Guide

Vehicle Rental: Toyota Hilux Double Cab 4x4

Status: \(\bullet\) TBD

Available Quote (Asco Car Hire):

• Rental Company: Asco Car Hire, Windhoek

• Pick-up: Dec 23, 2025, 15:30 – Windhoek (Asco Car Hire Depot)

• Return: Jan 6, 2026, 14:30 – Windhoek (Asco Car Hire Depot)

• Duration: 14 days (13 days 23 hours rental)

• Cost: €1,442 total (€288 per person) base rental

• Insurance: Add Option 3 coverage (+€360 est., €72 pp) for tire/windscreen

Vehicle Specifications:

• Model: Toyota Hilux 2.4 Double Cab Automatic (2023-2025)

• Engine: 2.4L Diesel, Automatic Transmission

• 5 passengers, 5 doors, 4 large bags + 4 small bags

• Air Conditioning, Dual Battery System

• 4x4 with Rear Differential Lock

• 140L Fuel Tank, 40L Water Tank

• 2 Spare wheels, Unlimited mileage

• Power Steering, Airbags, ABS

• USB/AUX/Bluetooth, Central locking

• Offroad Tires, Electric windows

Included Equipment:

• GPS navigation (Tracks4Africa recommended)

• High-lift jack and wheel tools

• Compressor for tire pressure adjustment

• First aid kit, fire extinguisher, warning triangle

• Black box for safety monitoring (tracks speed, location)

Rental Companies

1. Asco Car Hire

   • Email: info@ascocarhire.com

   • Phone: +264 61 229 272

   • Largest fleet, excellent maintenance, GPS tracking

2. Advanced Car Hire

   • Email: info@advancedcarhire.com

   • Phone: +264 81 287 6932

   • Premium service, owner-managed, newer vehicles

Insurance: CRITICAL

Get Option 3 or 4 coverage including:

• Tire damage (common on gravel)

• Windscreen damage (stone chips inevitable)

• Reduced excess from N$40,000 (\(\sim\)€2,160) to manageable levels

• Cost: €360 total for 14 days (€72 per person)

• This is the best money you’ll spend

Gravel Road Driving Techniques

Speed Discipline

• GPS black box monitors speed

• Exceeding 80 km/h on gravel VOIDS ALL INSURANCE

• In accidents, data is analyzed – if speeding, you pay full vehicle replacement (\(\sim\)€40,000)

• Comfortable cruising: 60 km/h on good gravel, 40–50 km/h on rough sections

• Corrugated "washboard" surfaces become uncontrollable above 70 km/h

Corner Technique

• Gravel is slippery

• Slow to 40 km/h BEFORE curves

• Never brake mid-turn (causes fishtailing)

• Accelerate gently out of turn

• This single technique prevents 90% of gravel road accidents

Tire Pressure Management

• Check at fuel stations

• Tarred roads: 2.4 bar

• Gravel roads: 1.8–2.0 bar (better traction & comfort)

• Soft sand (last 7 km to Deadvlei): 1.5–1.8 bar

• Re-inflate when back on hard surfaces

Oncoming Vehicles

• Approaching dust clouds obscure visibility completely

• Slow to 40 km/h, move far right

• Prepare to stop if necessary

• Never overtake in dust (can’t see oncoming vehicles)

Wildlife Encounters

• Animals on roads constant at dawn/dusk

• Oryx, kudus, warthogs, baboons cross unpredictably

• Drive 60 km/h maximum near parks and reserves

• NEVER drive after dark – most accidents involve hitting animals at night

Fuel Strategy

• Fill up at EVERY opportunity, even if only down to 3/4 tank

• Stations in remote areas sometimes run dry or have power outages

• Hilux has 145L capacity giving \(\sim\)900 km range

• Maintain 1/2 tank minimum always

• Pay cash (most stations don’t accept cards)

December-Specific Risks

• Summer rains create flash flooding

• If water crossing road: STOP, assess depth, watch other vehicles, proceed slowly in low gear

• If uncertain, wait for water to recede (1 hour patience beats getting stranded)

• Salt roads near coast extremely slippery in morning fog/mist – reduce speed 50%

Packing List

Clothing (Neutral Colors: Khaki, Olive, Tan)

Temperature Range: 15–40°C daily swings require layering

• Convertible zip-off pants (3 pairs) – zip off to shorts by 10am

• Long-sleeve lightweight shirts (3) – sun protection, breathable

• Short-sleeve shirts (3)

• Fleece or hoodie – ESSENTIAL for 5:30am game drives

• Light rain jacket (packable, waterproof) – afternoon thunderstorms

• Wide-brim sun hat – non-negotiable in desert

• Warm hat/beanie for early morning drives

• Closed walking shoes (trail runners perfect; hiking boots overkill)

• Sandals for lodge use

• Swimsuit – essential for cooling off in 40°C heat

• Buff or light scarf – dust protection on gravel roads

Electronics

• Camera with telephoto zoom (200–400mm ideal for wildlife)

• Binoculars – ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL (5 pairs needed!)

• Power bank (10,000+ mAh)

• Headlamp with red light setting

• Travel adapter (Type D & M plugs – South African 3 large round pins)

• Car charger with dual USB ports

• Memory cards (extra for all photos)

Sun Protection (Buy in Belgium – Expensive in Namibia)

• Sunscreen SPF 50+ (200ml minimum per person, reapply constantly)

• Lip balm with SPF

• Sunglasses (polarized for glare) – 5 pairs

• After-sun lotion

Practical Items

• Reusable water bottles (1L per person minimum)

• Day backpack for game drives

• Ziplock bags – dust-proof electronics when driving gravel

• Small first aid kit (plasters, antiseptic, paracetamol, anti-diarrheal)

• Insect repellent (buy locally in Windhoek – DEET 50%)

• Wet wipes/hand sanitizer

• Tissues/toilet paper (emergency roadside situations)

Documents

• Passports (valid 6+ months beyond Jan 6, minimum 2 empty visa pages) – 5 passports

• Driver’s licenses (all who will drive)

• International Driving Permit (recommended but not legally required)

• Travel insurance policy with emergency numbers

• Accommodation confirmations (printed & digital)

• Vehicle rental voucher

• Credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) + ATM cards

• Emergency cash: €200–300 equivalent

What NOT to Pack

• Heavy jeans (too hot, too heavy)

• Formal wear (lodges are safari-casual)

• Dark colors (attract heat and tsetse flies)

• Bright white (shows every dust particle after first gravel road)

• Hard-shell luggage (won’t fit in some vehicles, difficult to store)

Safety & Practical Information

Wildlife Safety (Critical)

• Stay in vehicle always in national parks

• Stepping out = death sentence if lion/elephant nearby

• Windows closed when near predators or elephants

• Never approach elephants on foot (tracking done WITH professional guides)

• Baboons at rest stops steal food through open windows in seconds

• Don’t feed or approach any animals

• At lodge waterholes, observe from designated viewing areas only

Medical Preparation

• Namibia is malaria-free except far northern regions (not visiting)

• No required vaccinations

• Travel insurance with medical evacuation ESSENTIAL (5 people coverage)

• Private healthcare in Windhoek/Swakopmund good; rural areas have clinics only

• Carry comprehensive first aid kit

• Prescription medications: Bring 150% of what you need

Communications & Emergency

• Cell coverage good in towns, limited in parks and desert

• Buy MTC SIM card at Windhoek airport (N$50–100 with airtime)

• Emergency numbers: 10111 (police), +264 81 241 7555 (ER24)

• Lodges have satellite phones or radios for emergencies

• Inform lodges of your route when departing

• Tell family your itinerary before entering remote areas

Water Safety

• Tap water in cities: Safe to drink

• Lodges: Usually filtered/treated, ask staff

• Remote areas: Bottled water only

• Dehydration danger in desert: Drink 4–5L daily even if not thirsty

• Signs of dehydration: Headache, dizziness, dark urine – rest in shade, drink immediately

Weather Hazards

• Heat exhaustion/heat stroke in Sossusvlei: Stay shaded 11am–4pm

• Wear hat, drink constantly, recognize symptoms (confusion, nausea, rapid heartbeat)

• Thunderstorms: Spectacular but can include flash flooding

• If water crossing road, wait for level to drop

• Lightning common in January – seek vehicle or building immediately if caught outside

• Sun exposure: Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours; desert sun at altitude is brutal

Contact Directory

Emergency Services

Booked Accommodations

Activities

Vehicle Rental

Booking Status