Highlights: Etosha, Damaraland, Twyfelfontein, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Sesriem Canyon, Victoria Falls
Your safari begins in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital and heads north to Etosha National Park – Namibia’s most prolific wildlife sanctuary.
Etosha National Park is a must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Located in the north of Namibia, it is one of the largest national parks in Africa and home to an incredible array of wildlife, including elephants, lions, rhinos, zebras, and many more. The park’s highlight is the Etosha Pan, a vast salt pan that dominates the landscape and is a haven for flamingos and other birdlife. Visitors can enjoy game drives, guided walks, and night safaris to spot wildlife in their natural habitat. The park also has a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, from luxury lodges to campsites.
Welcome to Namibia! We will meet you in the airport arrivals hall and transfer you to Windhoek, where you will collect your rental car. Drive the short distance to Okapuka Ranch, where you spend your first night. Freshen up and relax. This afternoon you join a guide for a beautiful sundowner game drive on the property. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Enjoy this tour in an open 4 x 4 vehicle accompanied by an experienced guide. This outing allows you to forget the rest of the world and be carried away by nature’s beauty. Approx. 2.5 hours, including drinks and snacks.
After breakfast, you leave Okapuka and drive to the northeastern side of the Etosha National Park. Your route travels through Okahandja, Otjiwarongo, Otavi and Tsumeb. Arrive at Mushara Lodge in the afternoon. Check in, relax and enjoy the facilities. Dinner at Mushara Bush Camp.
Mushara Bush Camp is the ideal establishment for families visiting the Etosha National Park, as it is the first totally child friendly lodge in the area with complimentary child-minders, kiddies pool and kiddies corner. The main Bush Camp area is thatched with the true bush camp feel to it. Your days can be spent absorbing the peaceful bush surroundings or exploring Etosha National Park, while the early evenings see a camp fire lit where you can exchange stories of the day’s wildlife sightings. Dinner, lunch and breakfast are served on the thatched verandah with the bush being a mere step away. The 16 custom made en-suite tents are built from a combination of canvas, wood and local limestone. With their own 8 square metre private verandah and roof to floor windows, theses rooms are spacious and airy. Each large bathroom has an oversized window and shower looking into the surrounding bush. The brushed cement floors and limestone walls keep the rooms cool from the afternoon sun. Four of these tents are ideally suited for families with small children as they have a sleeper couch for two children.
A full day’s worth of game driving awaits. Leave early to enjoy the cool morning air and frequent sightings of animals. Visit some of the many waterholes that dot the side of the massive salt pan. The lookout point affords splendid views of the massive Etosha Pan. The pan covers about 25 percent of the park and is a shallow depression that is dry for most of the year but fed by moisture from perennial springs on the fringes. Halali camp, situated in the middle of the park, is a good stop for a light lunch. Visit the Halali waterhole and use the swimming pool and bar facilities before continuing to Okaukuejo.
Mushara Bush Camp is the ideal establishment for families visiting the Etosha National Park, as it is the first totally child friendly lodge in the area with complimentary child-minders, kiddies pool and kiddies corner. The main Bush Camp area is thatched with the true bush camp feel to it. Your days can be spent absorbing the peaceful bush surroundings or exploring Etosha National Park, while the early evenings see a camp fire lit where you can exchange stories of the day’s wildlife sightings. Dinner, lunch and breakfast are served on the thatched verandah with the bush being a mere step away. The 16 custom made en-suite tents are built from a combination of canvas, wood and local limestone. With their own 8 square metre private verandah and roof to floor windows, theses rooms are spacious and airy. Each large bathroom has an oversized window and shower looking into the surrounding bush. The brushed cement floors and limestone walls keep the rooms cool from the afternoon sun. Four of these tents are ideally suited for families with small children as they have a sleeper couch for two children.
A full day’s worth of game driving awaits. Leave early to enjoy the cool morning air and frequent sightings of animals. Visit some of the many waterholes that dot the side of the massive salt pan. The lookout point affords splendid views of the massive Etosha Pan. The pan covers about 25 percent of the park and is a shallow depression that is dry for most of the year but fed by moisture from perennial springs on the fringes. Halali camp, situated in the middle of the park, is a good stop for a light lunch. Visit the Halali waterhole and use the swimming pool and bar facilities before continuing to Okaukuejo.
Sip on a drink while watching the ruby sun dip into the mopane woodland. Perched on a hill with expansive views, this stylish lodge offers 65 chalets that provide a peaceful base from which to explore the animal bounty of Etosha National Park.
From Etosha your journey heads westwards to Damaraland and Twyfelfontein.
Twyfelfontein is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Kunene region of Namibia, known for its incredible collection of rock art and engravings that date back thousands of years. The surrounding area is equally fascinating, with stunning geological formations, canyons, and mountain ranges that offer excellent hiking and outdoor adventure opportunities. Visitors can also explore the nearby Petrified Forest, where ancient trees have turned to stone over millions of years. The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including desert-adapted elephants, giraffes, and antelopes, and visitors can also learn about the traditional culture of the local Damara people. Twyfelfontein and its surroundings offer a unique glimpse into the history and natural beauty of Namibia.
Leave the white clay of Etosha behind and head west into beautiful Damaraland. After driving through the small town of Khorixas, you can stop at the San Living Museum and Petrified Forest Heritage Site along your way to Twyfelfontein. Arrive in the Twyfelfontein area in the afternoon. Check in at your lodge and relax while enjoying the peace and beauty of your surroundings. Enjoy a spectacular Damaraland sundowner before sitting down for dinner. Overnight at Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp.
Nestled in rolling boulders of a granite outcrop, Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp is conveniently situated to visit the attractions of Twyfelfontein. Accommodation at the property consists of 12 furnished en-suite tents with two beds, an open bathroom with a solar-heated hot water shower, basin and toilet and a shaded terrace with chairs. The ‘Main tent’, houses the restaurant area, a bar and a pool deck. Guests can also enjoy a scenic nature drive in the ephemeral Huab River and surrounding valley. It is an excursion exposing visitors to unique geological formations and the possibility of sighting the elusive desert-adapted elephants and rhinos. We recommend a visit to the neighbouring Damara Living Museum. It offers a fascinating look into the people, heritage, pulse and soul of Damaraland.
An early rise to enjoy a light breakfast before joining your guide for a day driving through the dry riverbeds and floodplains of the area. You’ll search for the desert-adapted wildlife that thrives here. Enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to the camp. Enjoy another beautiful Damaraland sundowner before turning in for a good night’s rest under the sparkling stars of the Milky Way.
Nestled in rolling boulders of a granite outcrop, Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp is conveniently situated to visit the attractions of Twyfelfontein. Accommodation at the property consists of 12 furnished en-suite tents with two beds, an open bathroom with a solar-heated hot water shower, basin and toilet and a shaded terrace with chairs. The ‘Main tent’, houses the restaurant area, a bar and a pool deck. Guests can also enjoy a scenic nature drive in the ephemeral Huab River and surrounding valley. It is an excursion exposing visitors to unique geological formations and the possibility of sighting the elusive desert-adapted elephants and rhinos. We recommend a visit to the neighbouring Damara Living Museum. It offers a fascinating look into the people, heritage, pulse and soul of Damaraland. A scenic nature drive in the ephemeral Huab River and surrounding valley including a picnic lunch. It is an excursion exposing visitors to unique geological formations and the possibility of sighting the elusive desert-adapted elephants and rhinos. Two open game drive cars are permanently available with guides. That means 2 x 10 guests can do the activity. (The drive takes place in open game viewing vehicles. The participation of children is the responsibility of the parents. This activity is not recommended for children younger than 12 years)
From rugged Twyfelfontein the journey turns southwest to Namibia’s iconic coastal town of Swakopmund.
Swakopmund, a coastal town in Namibia, offers a unique blend of German colonial architecture and modern amenities. Visitors can enjoy water sports, desert adventures, and a vibrant arts and culture scene. The city is perfect for those seeking adventure, culture, and relaxation by the sea.
After enjoying breakfast, you’ll check out and start the day’s road trip adventure through the southern reaches of Damaraland to the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Your route passes the small town of Uis, where we recommend stopping at the Cactus + Coffee Cafe for lunch, coffee and cake. Then, continue past the Brandberg mountain to Hentiesbay and further south to Swakopmund. You can visit Cape Cross Lodge and view the large Cape Fur seal colony. This adds a bit of extra distance to the day’s driving, but it is possible to include this detour if you want to see the seals. Arrive in Swakopmund in the afternoon. Check in at The Strand Hotel and enjoy the beautiful views of the ocean. Take a leisurely stroll through this characterful town before choosing a restaurant for dinner. Overnight at Atlantic Garden Boutique Hotel.
Atlantic Garden Boutique Hotel is in the centre of Swakopmund within walking distance from the beach. The modern hotel has a fresh, feel-good atmosphere with a beautiful garden to relax in after an action-packed day.
Enjoy an early breakfast before you drive the short distance between Swakopmund and Walvisbay. Check in at the Mola Mola office on the Walvisbay Waterfront. Your day starts with a beautiful cruise in the harbour and ends with a thrilling 4×4 dune driving adventure to Sandwich Harbour.
From the vibrant coast the journey heads further south, into the heart of the Namib Sand Sea.
The Namib Sand Sea, located along the Atlantic coast, is the world’s only coastal desert that features towering dunes, while Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan surrounded by massive red sand dunes that are among the highest in the world. These awe-inspiring landscapes offer visitors a chance to experience the vastness and beauty of nature, making them a must-see destination for anyone traveling to Namibia.
Desert Hills Lodge opened its doors in June 2018. The lodge comprises 18 individual luxury huts inspired by the San people’s grass huts of old. Guests can relax around the bar, enjoy the pool and take their meals in the restaurant, overlooking the magnificent expanse of the Namib plains below. A mere 30km from the Naukluft Gate to the wonders of Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and the Sesriem Canyon, Desert Hills Lodge is perfectly positioned to discover the beauty of the Namib Desert.
The iconic red dunes of the Namib are found in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Clear blue skies contrast with the giant red dunes, making this one of Africa’s most scenic natural wonders and a photographer’s heaven. This awe-inspiring destination is possibly Namibia’s premier attraction, with its unique dunes rising to almost 400 metres – making them some of the highest in the world. Sossusvlei is a clay soil depression surrounded by dunes, sometimes over 300 meters high. Most of the time, the depression (also called a ‘vlei’) is bone dry, but during good rainy years, when the Tsauchab River carries enough water, it reaches the ‘vlei’ and creates a shallow lake. If you climb them along the ridge from the dunes, you have an almost unreal beautiful view over the dune sea. Dead Vlei is near Sossusvlei. This dry depression holds the ancient skeletons of Camelthorn trees over 600 years old. Here the trees decay very slowly due to the dry climate.
With its lush green gardens and lavish designer rooms, Windhoek Luxury Suites offers luxury and tranquility in the heart of the Namibian capital. Barely a stone’s throw away, our three sister restaurants will wow you with a range of mouthwatering dishes and some of the best fine dining in Windhoek.
The last leg of your journey takes you from Namibia’s vibrant capital to the iconic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Victoria Falls is one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders and a must-see destination for any traveler visiting Southern Africa. Located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, this massive waterfall spans over a kilometer wide and drops more than 100 meters into the Zambezi River gorge below. Visitors can take in breathtaking views of the falls from various viewpoints and embark on a range of activities, including boat rides, helicopter tours, and bungee jumping. The surrounding national parks also offer opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, and cultural experiences. A visit to Victoria Falls promises to be a truly unforgettable experience that will leave travelers in awe of the power and beauty of nature.
An early morning airport transfer to check in for your flight to Victoria Falls. In two hours, you land in Victoria Falls and transfer to your beautiful hotel located close to the Victoria Falls National Park entrance. You have enough time to explore and experience all this wonderful area has to offer. Your hotel can assist with bookings for various activities in and around Vic Falls town. Make sure to book dinner at the Boma Dinner & Drum Show on one of your evenings in Vic Falls. At the end of your stay you’ll be transferred back to the airport to check in for your onward flight.