NAMIBIA - DESERTS & NOMADS - 12 DAYS
Embark on a 12-Day Namibian Odyssey: A Journey Through Timeless Landscapes
Discover the Enchanting Namib Desert
Your adventure begins in the vibrant capital city of Windhoek, where you’ll meet your expert guide. From there, you’ll venture into the otherworldly Namib Desert. Witness the haunting beauty of Deadvlei, where ancient trees stand as silent sentinels against a backdrop of towering dunes. Feel the cool Atlantic breeze as you explore the dramatic coastline where the desert meets the sea.
Encounter Ancient Cultures and Wildlife
Delve into the heart of Namibia’s ancient landscapes. Discover the enigmatic rock art of Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and marvel at the resilience of desert-adapted wildlife, including the elusive black rhino. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the Himba people, witnessing their traditional way of life in the remote Kunene region.
Explore Etosha National Park, a Wildlife Paradise
The heart of your adventure lies in Etosha National Park, a wildlife haven teeming with diverse species. Embark on thrilling game drives, tracking elephants, lions, and rhinos as they gather at waterholes. Witness the breathtaking beauty of the Etosha Pan, a vast, shimmering expanse that transforms into a vibrant oasis after the rains.
Unwind in a Private Wildlife Reserve
Conclude your extraordinary journey in a private wildlife reserve, where you can immerse yourself in the tranquillity of nature. Witness wildlife in its purest form and savour the peace and serenity of the African bush.
Throughout the itinerary, you’ll enjoy comfortable accommodations tailored to your budget and preferences, engaging guided activities, and the flexibility to choose between self-drive or private guided options. Whether you prefer to follow or reverse the suggested route, this itinerary promises an unforgettable exploration of Namibia’s wonders, blending landscapes, wildlife, and cultural encounters for a truly immersive experience.
ITINERARY DAY-TO-DAY
Day 1
Arrival – Windhoek
Welcome to Namibia! A driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you from the airport building to the car rental depot, where you will complete the required paperwork and collect your rental car. Drive a short distance to your hotel, where you can drop your luggage and freshen up before joining a local guide for a walking tour of Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city.
Overnight at The Windhoek Gardens Boutique Hotel or similar.
Day 2
Windhoek – Sesriem
Breakfast. Travel from Windhoek to Sesriem via the Spreetshoogte Pass and Solitaire. There will be ample opportunities to capture beautiful photos along the way. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. After lunch, there is time to relax and enjoy the sundowner’s views of the desert landscape before you join a guide for a quad bike excursion to explore and admire the desert landscape. Return to the lodge for dinner. Travel time from Windhoek to Sesriem is approximately 4h30, not including stops.
Overnight at Le Mirage Lodge or similar.
Day 3
A Day Exploring the Sossusvlei Area
This morning is an early start to grab a snack before departing the lodge for Sossusvlei. The route through the dunes is a well-maintained tar road, except for the last few kilometres of sandy tracks. Sossusvlei will be on your right, and the parking and route to Deadvlei will be on your left. If you’re feeling energetic, climb up the crest of Big Daddy Dune. The panoramic views over the sand sea are spectacular. Return to the lodge for lunch and to rest while the day is hottest. Later this afternoon, you drive to the nearby Sesriem Canyon. As you walk down into the canyon carved into the riverbed by the water of the ephemeral Tsauchab River, you’ll marvel at the layers of sediment that clearly show the passage of time over millions of years. Return to your lodge for a beautiful sundowner. Dinner is included at the lodge.
Overnight at Le Mirage Lodge or similar.
Day 4
Sesriem – Swakopmund
Breakfast. Travel through the Namib landscapes from Sesriem to Swakopmund. Stop at Solitaire for their famous apple pie, coffee, or tea before continuing northwest towards the Atlantic Ocean. The route crosses the Tropic of Capricorn and continues through the Gaub and Kuiseb canyons that cut through the Namib gravel plains. There will be opportunities for photo stops at lookout points en route. Arrive in Swakopmund in the afternoon and stroll through this lovely, small town or relax before choosing a restaurant for dinner. Travel time from Sesriem to Swakopmund is approximately 4h30, not including stops.
Overnight at Fritz Manor or similar.
Day 5
A Day on the Namibian Coast
Breakfast. Drive the short distance, along the coast, to Walvisbay. Check in at the activity operator’s office on the Waterfront for a day full of adventures. The day starts with a cruise in the Walvisbay Harbour, where you’ll spot seals, dolphins, pelicans and flamingos. If you’re fortunate, you might spot whales and sunfish. You’ll return to the Waterfront, where you will meet your guide and embark on an epic 4×4 adventure through the dunes of the Namib Naukluft Park to Sandwich Harbour. The route to Sandwich Harbour depends on the tides. It may run along the beach, past the Lange Wand, before you head through the dune belt to a scenic lookout point from where you can see the whole Sandwich Harbour estuary. Your guide is very experienced, and although you’ll want to hold your breath at some of the steep dune descents, you are in skilful hands. A light lunch platter is served in the dunes with various “finger” foods, i.e., spring rolls, crostinis, calamari sticks, chicken wings, and snacks like droёwors, chips, cookies with sparkling wine, beer, coke, and water. In the late afternoon, make your way back to Swakopmund. After freshening up, decide on a restaurant for dinner. The cruise and dune trip is a full-day excursion. Travel time between Swakopmund and Walvisbay is approximately one hour.
Overnight at Fritz Manor or similar.
Day 6
Swakopmund – Twyfelfontein
Breakfast. Travel from Swakopmund to Twyfelfontein in Damaraland. You have the option to visit the Cape Cross seal colony en route. The small town of Aus, located in the shadow of the Brandberg, is an excellent stop for lunch. If you left Swakopmund early enough and want to see the White Lady rock painting, the site is located a short distance outside Aus. Take plenty of water and allow enough time as the walk to the painting takes about an hour. As you travel north, you’ll see small Damara and Himba settlements dot the side of the road. Arrive at your lodge near Twyfelfontein in the late afternoon and relax after the day’s activities. At the same time, you listen to the melodies of a choir of Barking Geckos calling for a mate across the sandy river valley. Dinner is included at the lodge. Travel time between Swakopmund and the Twyfelfontein is approximately five hours, not including stops.
Overnight at Twyfelfontein Country Lodge or similar.
Day 7
Twyfelfontein – Opuwo
Breakfast. Today is a longer drive that takes you north, through Damaraland and the southern edges of Kaokoland. Travel past Palmwag and stop at the historic Sesfontein Fort for a lovely lunch in their cool courtyard. The fort dates back to 1896 and was constructed as a police frontier outpost for the Schutztruppe. Continue north until you reach bustling Opuwo, a fascinating frontier town where tradition meets modernity. Opuwo is the only significant town in this part of the country, and you’ll see many Himba people from the surrounding areas stocking up on supplies here. Check in at Opuwo Country Lodge and relax by the pool after the day’s long drive. Dinner is included at the lodge.
Overnight at Opuwo Country Lodge or similar.
Day 8
Excursion to Epupa Falls and visit a traditional Himba Village
Breakfast. After breakfast, you leave Opuwo with a guide and drive north to the Kunene River. The three-hour drive includes stopping at a well-known Baobab tree and Himba Village for photographs and a cultural interaction like no other. Once you arrive at beautiful Epupa Falls, enjoy a delicious lunch pack with drinks on the riverbank. The Kunene River forms the border between Angola and Namibia. Enjoy the peaceful pastoral atmosphere of this remote corner and marvel at the prolific birdlife and lush plant growth that make the area so distinct from Namibia’s more well-known desert scenery. The return drive will take place just before sunset. Dinner is included at the lodge.
Overnight at Opuwo Country Lodge or similar.
Day 9
Opuwo – Etosha
Breakfast and check-out. Leave Opuwo and drive south to Etosha’s Galton Gate. As soon as you enter the park, your game viewing begins, which makes the easy drive to the lodge pass too quickly. If time allows, you can explore the western part of the park this afternoon before returning to the lodge for dinner. The floodlit waterhole at the lodge provides a convenient game-viewing experience.
Overnight at Dolomite Resort or similar.
Day 10
Exploring Etosha National Park
Today, you will explore Etosha National Park at your leisure. Spend the day visiting the waterholes and springs that dot the salt pan’s edge and enjoy this great park’s landscape and animals. The animals gather at these water sources during the dry season. Etosha is famous for mammal herds numbering into the hundreds. Take a lunch break during the hottest part of the day when the animals seek shade and become more challenging to spot. Return to the park for more game viewing in the afternoon. This evening, you will stay inside the park’s boundary at Okaukuejo Camp. The camp is famous for its excellent waterhole, always busy with animal activity. Rhinos are frequent visitors at night. Dinner is included at the camp.
Overnight at Okaukuejo Resort or similar.
Day 11
Etosha – Mount Etjo
Breakfast. Leave the white clay dust of Etosha behind and travel south to the Okonjati Private Reserve near Namibia’s Waterberg. Your route travels via the small towns of Tsumeb, Otavi and Ojtiwarongo before you arrive at Mount Etjo Safari Lodge. After an afternoon rest, join a local guide from Mount Etjo for an afternoon drive on the reserve, where you can enjoy the many animals that live here. The Mount Etjo waterhole is in front of the lodge and is a beautiful place to sit and watch the animal activity. Dinner is included at the lodge. The travel distance between Etosha and Mount Etjo is roughly 3h30, excluding stops.
Overnight at Mount Etjo Safari Lodge or similar.
Day 12
Etjo – Windhoek – Departure
Enjoy your last breakfast in the African bush before you start your journey south to Windhoek. You‘ll arrive in Windhoek in time for lunch. Pay a visit to the Namibia Craft Centre for a light lunch and souvenir shopping before returning your rental car and transferring to the airport to check in for your onward flight. Travel time between Mount Etjo and Windhoek is approximately three hours, excluding stops.
