Trip Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 11-day safari exploring three of Namibia’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Begin your adventure in the iconic Namib Desert, home to Sossusvlei, where you’ll witness some of the tallest sand dunes in the world, offering stunning landscapes and breathtaking sunsets. Next, head to the coastal town of Swakopmund, where the stark beauty of the desert meets the Atlantic Ocean, providing opportunities for exciting activities like quad biking and sandboarding. Continue your journey along the picturesque Skeleton Coast, known for its dramatic landscapes and shipwrecks, before turning inland to the stunning Damaraland, renowned for its unique rock formations and desert-adapted wildlife. Finally, conclude your safari at Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s premier game viewing destinations, where you can spot an array of wildlife amidst the park’s expansive salt pans and waterholes.
Day 1 Sossusvlei, Namib Desert
- Day 2 Sossusvlei, Namib Desert
- Day 3 Swakopmund
- Day 4 Swakopmund
- Day 5 Twyfelfontein, Damaraland
- Day 6 Twyfelfontein, Damaraland
- Day 7 Etosha National Park
- Day 8 Etosha National Park
- Day 9 Etosha National Park
- Day 10 Etosha National Park
- Day 11 Windhoek
Day by day Activities
After breakfast, you’ll meet your safari guide before departing for Sossusvlei. The journey takes you through the Khomas Hochland and down the escarpment via one of the scenic mountain passes into the Namib Desert, lasting approximately four hours, depending on how many stops you make for photographs. Your dinner and accommodation will be at one of the top lodges in the area, ideally located for exploring the surrounding desert and its attractions.
The Namib Desert is the oldest in the world, home to some of the highest sand dunes, making it one of Namibia’s most breathtaking regions and a highlight of any safari. Sossusvlei refers to the pan where the seasonal Tsauchab River flows during periods of exceptional rainfall. Nearby, Dead Vlei features ancient Camel Thorn trees, creating a stunning photographic opportunity in the early morning light. Don't miss visiting Sesriem Canyon, a narrow gorge about 1 km long, which is well worth exploring.
After an early breakfast and coffee, we’ll set off for a morning excursion to Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. Along the way, we’ll make a stop at the iconic Dune 45, spending a couple of hours exploring both Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. Some of the dunes in the area rise several hundred meters high, and for those who dare to climb, the breathtaking views from the top are unforgettable.
After lunch and a well-deserved siesta, we’ll embark on a sundowner nature drive, soaking in the stunning scenery before returning to the lodge in time for dinner.
After a relaxing breakfast, we'll depart for Swakopmund, traveling through the scenic Namib Naukluft National Park. We'll spend the next two nights at a charming guesthouse and enjoy dinner at some of Swakopmund's top restaurants (dinner tonight is not included and will be at your own expense).
Swakopmund is a popular holiday destination for many Namibians and is the only place on your Namibian safari that offers a genuine town atmosphere. Nestled between the Namib Desert and the chilly Atlantic Ocean, Swakopmund is known for its laid-back vibe and has something for everyone. With excellent restaurants, bars, shopping opportunities, and intriguing architecture, there's plenty to explore. For the adventurous, activities include quad biking, sandboarding, skydiving, beach angling, and scenic flights over the coastline and Sossusvlei. Nearby Walvis Bay, Namibia's major harbor town, is renowned for its lagoon and abundant birdlife.
After breakfast, we’ll set off for a living desert adventure, where you'll discover the fascinating wildlife of the Namib Desert. During our exploration, we’ll search for geckos, scorpions, sidewinder snakes, lizards, and beetles, as well as the remarkable plant life that thrives in this harsh environment.
Upon returning to Swakopmund, we'll enjoy lunch together, followed by an afternoon to explore the town at your leisure. If you're feeling adventurous, consider capping off the day with an exhilarating quad biking and dune boarding experience. Other optional activities include scenic flights over the coastline and dunes, allowing you to appreciate the stunning landscapes from above.
After breakfast this morning, we’ll continue our safari northward along the Skeleton Coast. Our first stop will be to visit a historic shipwreck before we head inland toward Damaraland. As we drive, we’ll pass by the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain, towering at 2,573 meters. We’ll arrive at our lodge in time to enjoy a refreshing sundowner drink while taking in the stunning views of this breathtaking landscape.
After breakfast, we will embark on a half day tracking adventure to try and find the desert adapted elephants. We will return to the lodge for lunch and spend the afternoon visiting the Twyfelfontein rock engravings (Namibia’s only World Heritage Site), burnt mountain and organ pipes rock formation and the Petrified Forest.
Today, we continue our journey to Etosha National Park, where we will spend the next four nights. Covering an impressive 22,912 square kilometers, Etosha is one of Africa's largest and most renowned national parks, featuring the expansive Etosha Pan, a shallow depression that only holds water after good rainy seasons, measuring 5,000 square kilometers. The park is famous for its exceptional game viewing, with waterholes that attract vast numbers of wildlife during the dry season when other water sources have evaporated. In contrast, the rainy season transforms Etosha into a lush green oasis, bringing forth young animals in large numbers. Home to 114 mammal species, Etosha is the premier destination for spotting black rhinos. One of the park's highlights is the flood-lit waterholes at the three main camps, allowing for thrilling game viewing long after sunset.
After breakfast, we'll embark on morning and afternoon game drives, taking time to relax by the pool or at the camp's waterhole between outings. This region boasts a distinct landscape and vegetation compared to the southeastern and eastern parts of the park, with Hartmann’s mountain zebras roaming freely here.
The more undulating terrain creates a unique wildlife experience. As you explore, you'll notice how the white dust and clay of the Etosha Pan transforms into reddish-brown soil during this season, giving the impression that you've entered an entirely different park. This shift in color and environment enhances the beauty and diversity of your safari adventure.
From here, we will make our way across the park in a full morning game drive to Mushara Bush Camp on the eastern boundary where we will spend the next 2 nights. We love this part of the park with its excellent game viewing and you are surely going to enjoy this as well.
We’ll embark on morning and afternoon game drives while enjoying some relaxation at the pool or the camp's waterhole between outings.
In the vast arid landscape of Northern Namibia lies one of Southern Africa's most cherished wildlife sanctuaries: Etosha National Park. Renowned for its excellent game viewing, this accessible destination features scattered herds of zebra and springbok across the endless horizon. The numerous waterholes attract endangered black rhinoceros, lions, elephants, and large numbers of antelope.
Etosha, meaning "place of dry water," encompasses a vast flat calcrete depression, or pan, covering approximately 5,000 square kilometers. This parched, silver-white expanse creates a stunning backdrop against the semi-arid savannah grasslands and thorn scrub. The pan holds water only during exceptional rainfall, sometimes for just a few days each year, but this brief abundance stimulates the growth of blue-green algae, attracting thousands of flamingos.
After an early breakfast, we will head to Windhoek for your connecting flight. Enjoy the scenic drive as we make our way to the capital, where you can reflect on your incredible safari experiences before continuing your journey. Safe travels!
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- Park fees
- (For non-residents)
- All activities
- (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation
- (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation
- (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals
- (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Exclusions
- International flights
- (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips
- (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items
- (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Some meals
- (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Alcoholic Drinks