Inclusions
- Return International Flights
- Daily breakfast throughout the tour
- 7 dinners as per itinerary, including a traditional Namibian braai (barbecue) experience
- 1 night accommodation at 3 star in Windhoek
- 2 nights accommodation at 3 star in Sossusvlei
- 2 nights accommodation at 3 star in Swakopmund
- 1 night accommodation at 3 star in Twyfelfontein/Damaraland
- 2 nights accommodation at 3 star in Etosha National Park
- 1 night accommodation at 3 star in Okahandja
- All sightseeing and excursions as detailed in the day-by-day itinerary
- Entrance fees to national parks and monuments as per program
- Open-vehicle game drives in Etosha National Park
- Services of professional English-speaking guides and local representatives throughout the tour
- All ground transportation in air-conditioned vehicles
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
You'll Love
- Watching the sunrise over Sossusvlei’s iconic red dunes
- Exploring the eerie beauty of Dead Vlei and Sesriem Canyon
- The colonial charm and seaside serenity of Swakopmund
- Discovering the ancient rock art of Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Spotting Africa’s “Big Five” and more during open-vehicle safaris in Etosha
- Visiting the AfriCat Foundation and learning about wildlife conservation efforts
Overview
An enthralling blend of extraordinary landscapes, heritage sites, colonial towns and a conservation ethos, Namibia counter-balances its sparsely spread population with an abundance of wildlife; not only in the National Parks but also in the unfenced miles between them, where local conservancies form pockets of sanctuary on public and private land. This tour is a journey through all the country’s aspects, from eye-opening cultural sites to jaw-dropping scenery. It starts in the strollable streets of Windhoek, the cosmopolitan capital, before a stark change of scene and tempo in Sossusvlei. This is the Namib Desert, its other-worldly topography teaming bleached-white saltpans with rust-red sand dunes, and a dome of bright blue sky. From here the tour traverses lunar landscapes along the Gaub Pass, twisting around the rock formations of Kuiseb Canyon, enroute to Swakopmund, where German colonial houses meet Atlantic surfing beaches on the Skeleton Coast. Mountains hem Damaraland, the site of the world’s oldest rock-art, and still home to the animal species depicted in the carvings; and the waterholes of Etosha Reserve bring birds and beasts in abundance, to deliver a feast of up-close wildlife-watching.
When/Date
Itinerary
Arrive at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek, the charming Namibian capital where colonial churches and modern towers coexist amid palm-lined streets. Enjoy a brief city drive to admire landmarks such as the beautiful Lutheran Christus Church and the Tintenpalast Parliament Building. Later, transfer to the Hotel for an overnight stay. This evening, savour a tapas-style braai (barbecue) as you relax and get to know your fellow travellers.
After breakfast, set off on a scenic five-hour drive south through wide-open savannahs and dramatic desert landscapes to reach the Sossusvlei region in the Namib Desert. This vast area is famous for its salt and clay pans encircled by towering red dunes that glow brilliantly in the sunlight. Arrive at Hammerstein Lodge for a two-night stay and spend the afternoon at leisure, soaking in the tranquillity of the desert surroundings.
Rise early for a spectacular excursion into Namib-Naukluft National Park, one of Africa’s most iconic desert landscapes. Climb the world-famous Dune 45, known for its perfectly sculpted shape and shifting colours at sunrise. Continue to Dead Vlei, a hauntingly beautiful white clay pan dotted with blackened acacia trees, and then visit Sesriem Canyon, a deep natural gorge carved by centuries of water erosion. Return to your lodge for an evening of relaxation under the starlit desert sky.
Today, travel north through the stunning Kuiseb Canyon and across the vast Namib gravel plains to reach Swakopmund, a charming seaside town with a unique blend of African and German colonial influences. The five-hour journey brings you to the cool Atlantic coast, where palm-lined streets, seaside promenades, and colonial architecture await. Check in at the Swakopmund Hotel for two nights, and spend the afternoon at leisure exploring this picturesque coastal gem.
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Swakopmund. You may choose to explore the town’s historic centre, relax at a café, or walk along The Mole seawall. Alternatively, join an optional Walvis Bay marine cruise, spotting dolphins, seals, and pelicans along the coast, or take an unforgettable scenic flight over the Skeleton Coast and Namib Desert, where shipwrecks and dune fields stretch endlessly below (weather permitting).
Depart Swakopmund for the rugged beauty of Damaraland. Travel through striking desert landscapes to reach Twyfelfontein Valley, Namibia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to Africa’s largest collection of ancient rock engravings. Visit the Living Museum of the Damara, a cultural project dedicated to preserving traditional lifestyles, and continue to the Petrified Forest, where giant fossilized tree trunks from millions of years ago lie preserved in stone. Overnight at the Damara Mopane Lodge.
After breakfast, journey to Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s premier wildlife reserves. The three-hour drive leads to a vast wilderness centred around a shimmering salt pan. This afternoon, embark on your first open-vehicle game drive in search of elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and herds of graceful antelope at the park’s famous waterholes. Overnight at the Etosha Toshari Lodge for two nights.
Enjoy a full day of thrilling wildlife encounters in Etosha. Known as the “Cheetah Capital of the World,” this park offers the chance to see both black and white rhinos, towering elephants, and elusive big cats. As you traverse its plains and woodlands, pause at natural waterholes to watch animals gather in their natural environment. Return to the lodge in the evening to share stories of the day’s unforgettable sightings.
Today, travel south to Okonjima, home to the renowned AfriCat Foundation, a wildlife sanctuary dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of Namibia’s rare and endangered species. Learn about its vital work protecting leopards, hyenas, and pangolins. Continue (around three hours) to Okahandja, known for its lively woodcarvers’ market, where local artisans craft beautiful wooden souvenirs. Spend the night at the Okahandja Country Hotel.
After breakfast, travel back to Windhoek for your return flight home. Your Namibian journey concludes with incredible memories of soaring desert dunes, ancient rock art, pristine wilderness, and close-up encounters with Africa’s majestic wildlife.
