This 9 day tour is the perfect overview of Namibia’s highlights. Enjoy incredible wildlife sightings in Etosha National Park before immersing ourselves into the rich culture of the Himba tribe and spending time on Namibia’s Skeleton Coast with a 1 nights stay in Swakopmund, Namibia’s adventure capital. Here we can enjoy any number of adrenaline-inducing optional activities before starting our journey south. From Swakopmunnd, we cross the Tropic of Capricorn, and then spend 2 nights in the Namib Desert, exploring Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and climbing Dune 45. We then continue to Namibia's deep south with visits to the ghost town of Kolmansop and Luderitz as well as the impressive Fish River Canyon and Quiver Tree Forest. This tour is a combination of camping and lodging, and the ultimate Namibian adventure for those looking for a combination of an affordable and comfortable safari!
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Visit to Quiver Tree Forest
✔ Tap Water
✔ Transport in custom built safari vehicle with pop up roof
✔ Pick-up and drop-off within Windhoek city limits
✔ Guided tour of Kolmanskop Ghost Town
✔ 1 full day & 1 afternoon game drive in Etosha National Park
✔ Lunch
✔ Dinner
✔ Breakfast
✔ Camping equipment excluding sleeping bag
✔ 1 day exploring Sossusvlei region including Sesriem Canyon
✔ Airport transfers
✔ 3 nights accommodation & 5 nights camping - twin share basis
✔ Visit to Fish River Canyon Viewpoint
✔ Professional English speaking driver & guide
✔ 1hr Himba Village experience
✖ Sleeping bag
✖ Drinks, including mineral water, soft drinks, alcohol
✖ Snacks
✖ Gratuities
✖ Optional activities
✖ Personal Travel Insurance
Departure & Return
Return: End right where it started.
Itinerary
Etosha National Park
1
We meet all together for brief pre-departure talk at Chameleon Backpackers before departing Windhoek.
Duration: 45 minutes
2
Otjiwarongo
After 3hours on the road, we take a short break in Otjiwarongo where we can collect some last minute supplies, drinks and snacks.
Duration: 30 minutes
3
Etosha National Park
Arriving at Andresson Gate around 2pm, spend the rest of the afternoon game driving through to our accommodation at Halali.
Accommodation at Halali is in twin share rooms, and we highly recommend spending time at the floodlit waterhole before and after dinner.
Duration: 12 hours
Etosha National Park
1
Etosha Pan
After breakfast we pack our bags and head off on a morning game drives out into the park searching for predators. By mid morning our game drive takes us through to the Etosha Pan where we can see where the park gets it's name.
Duration: 5 hours
2
After a picnic lunch in the park, we continue on our final game drive, heading back towards Okaukuejo, and exit the park just before sunset, driving through to our lodge for the evening, Etosha Village.
Duration: 14 hours
Himba visit & Swakopmund
1
Damaraland
Today is a long day in the vehicle travelling through rural Namibia. Our journey takes us through Damaraland where we have the chance to meet the Damara people where we can support them at their small pop up shop, as well as get to know them in their local environment.
Duration: 60 minutes
2
Uis
Just before we reach Uis, we stop at a small Himba settlement. Here we can enjoy a short tour through their village and get to know a little more about what makes the Himba people so unique.
On arrival in Uis we make a short stop to resupply cold drinks and have a quick bathroom break before continuing our journey across the desert.
Duration: 30 minutes
3
Zeila Shipwreck
We then make our way across the plains of the Namib Desert, through the the coast where we make a stop at the Zeila Shipwreck.
Duration: 30 minutes
4
We arrive in Swakopmund late afternoon where we will check into our accommodation at Hotel A La Mer, located just across the road from the beach as well as some of Swakopmund's top restaurants.
Dinner tonight is at own expense.
Duration: 16 hours
Namib Desert
1
Swakopmund
Today we leave Swakopmund at 11h30 so we have the option to enjoy a rare sleep in and a leisurely breakfast or the chance to join one of the many optional activities. For the adrenaline junkies this could be flying down a sand dune head first at 60km/h on a sandboard or exploring the dune field on a quad biking tour.
Duration: 4 hours
2
Solitaire
We depart Swakopmund no later than 11h30 and drive through the Namib Desert via the Kuiseb Pass, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, stopping briefly in Solitaire where we can stop for a snack and leg stretch.
Duration: 30 minutes
3
Sesriem
We arrive at our camp late afternoon where we can set up our tents, and enjoy the sunset over the Namib Desert. Pool and bar available, and dinner is prepared by our guide. An early night is recommended.
Duration: 14 hours
Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert
1
Dune 45
A pre-dawn departure from camp this morning means we can enjoy the dunes at first light. We drive down an ancient river bed, surrounded by towering dunes and our first stop is at the famous Dune 45 where we have the chance to climb to the top to enjoy the sunrise. On descent we replenish our energy and enjoy breakfast.
Duration: 2 hours
2
Sossusvlei
We continue on into Sossusvlei area. We explore this unique are on foot.
Duration: 60 minutes
3
Deadvlei
We then head into Dead Vlei with its large expanse of bleached cracked clay and skeletal camel thorn trees, contrasting with a backdrop of huge dunes with their ever changing colours.
Duration: 2 hours
4
Sesriem
We return to Sesriem around lunch time for lunch and a swim or siesta during the heat of the day.
Duration: 2 hours
5
Sesriem Canyon
Later that afternoon we visit the Sesriem Canyon, a must see when in the area.
Duration: 60 minutes
Klein Aus Vista, Namib Desert
1
Sesriem
We enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning and pack up camp, aiming to depart no later than 09h00.
Duration: 60 minutes
2
Today we head south through Namibia’s Namib Rand Nature Reserve, home to some of the most spectacular desert landscapes in Southern Namibia. Our destination today is the small outpost of Klein Aus, nestled in the Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park. We arrive at camp late afternoon and we can set up our tents and then have the afternoon at leisure to enjoy one of the many short hiking trails. We enjoy a beautiful sunset and dinner prepared by our guide over an open-fire.
Duration: 12 hours
Kolmanskop & Luderitz
1
Kolmanskop Ghost Town
After an early breakfast we make our way from Klein Aus to the ghost town, also known as Kolmanskop, situated 15km outside of Luderitz. During a diamond boom in 1910 Kolmanskop quickly became one of the richest towns in Africa boasting the southern hemisphere’s first X-ray machine, a bowling alley and luxury housing. As the diamond boom came to an end and the town’s inhabitants abandoned the area, Kolmanskop became a ghost town.
Duration: 3 hours
2
Luderitz
After our tour of the ghost town, we continue our adventure to the small town of Luderitz, situated on the rocky shores of the Atlantic Ocean and is well known for its unique and colourful colonial-style buildings.
Duration: 60 minutes
3
Diaz Point
We stop at Diaz Point, the famous site of the Original Diaz Cross.
Duration: 30 minutes
4
Wild Horses of Aus
On return to Aus, we keep our eyes peeled for the wild horses of the Namib Desert that roam between Luderitz & Klein Aus. While the details of how these horses came to live in the desert are still a mystery, the mere fact that they have survived in the harshest of conditions is impressive, and any sighting of them is one to celebrate.
Duration: 30 minutes
5
We arrive back at camp late mid-afternoon and can relax for the afternoon before enjoying another incredible sunset over the Aus Mountains. Dinner tonight is prepared by our guide.
Duration: 12 hours
Fish River Canyon & Quiver Tree Forest
1
Fish-River-Canyon Lookout
We enjoy an another early start this morning as we pack up camp and head east. Our first official stop is at the well-known Hell`s Bend viewpoint of the Fish River Canyon. Here we have the opportunity to overlook the second largest canyon in the world. The Fish River Canyon was formed millions of years ago by water erosion and the collapse of the valley due to movements in the earth’s crust.
Duration: 60 minutes
2
After lunch we continue our adventure heading to our last destination; The Quiver Tree Forest. It is located just north-east of Keetmanshoop and here approximately 250 quiver trees can be found. The forest grew spontaneously and the oldest trees are estimated to be around 200-300 years old. The quiver tree (kokerboom in Afrikaans) is also Namibia’s national tree, and the forest was declared a national monument in 1995. The last night on our adventure is spent camping under the stars with meals prepared by our guide. This is an excellent location for photographing the stars should you be an avid photographer (permits not included for night photography).
Duration: 12 hours
Windhoek
1
After lie in and a leisurely breakfast we start the day with a visit the Giants Playground, a geological phenomenon of dolerite rocks that appear to have been stacked by giants.
Duration: 60 minutes
2
Windhoek
From here, we begin our journey back to Windhoek travelling the small towns of Mariental and Rehoboth before arriving in Windhoek late afternoon where we will be dropped off at our accommodation. No flights recommended on this day.
Duration: 30 minutes
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Additional info
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
