AT A GLANCEThis 8 Day self-drive safari takes you to Namibia’s biggest attractions. You start off in the capital, Windhoek and then straight to Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert. From here you will continue to the coast for a night in Swakopmund before driving up north to Damaraland via the Skeleton Coast. You then finish off the safari with a 3 night stay in Etosha National Park, Namibia’s most famous game viewing destination before returning to Windhoek.
DAY 1: Windhoek to Sossusvlei
Our representative will meet you at Windhoek International Airport and transfer you to Windhoek where you will receive your vehicle for the next 8 days and quickly finish off the paperwork. You will receive a briefing about the vehicle and a hamper with all your travel information, accommodation vouchers, map and a travel guide will be in the vehicle. You are now ready to depart for Sossusvlei. You will drive through the Khomas Hochland and down the escarpment via one of the scenic mountain passes into the Namib Desert. This journey will take about 4 hours depending on the number of stops for photographs. After lunch and settling in at the lodge you will depart for a late afternoon scenic nature drive or an excursion to Sesriem Canyon. Dinner and accommodation will be at one of the best lodges in the area perfectly situated to explore the surrounding desert and its attractions.
The Namib is the oldest desert and boasts the highest sand dunes in the world. This region is one of the most spectacular areas of Namibia and always one of the highlights of any safari. The name Sossusvlei refers to the vlei or pan into which the seasonal Tsauchab River flows in years of exceptional rainfall. The neighboring Dead Vlei with the ancient dead Camel Thorn trees is one of the most photographic sites in good early morning light. The Sesriem canyon is a narrow gorge about 1 km long and is well worth a visit. Several desert adapted wildlife like Oryx, Springbok, Black-backed Jackal, Ostrich, Sociable Weavers and plenty of reptiles and small mammals call this place home.
DAY 2: Sossusvlei to Swakopmund
You will have an early departure for a morning excursion to Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. There will be scenic stops at the scenic Dune 45 along the way and you will spend a couple of hours at both Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. Some of the dunes in the area are a few hundred meters high but the view from the top for those that dare is one you will never forget. Around noon you will depart for Swakopmund via the Namib Naukluft National Park. You will spend the night at a Guesthouse in Swakopmund.
Swakopmund is a very popular holiday destination for many Namibian’s and will probably be the only place that you will visit on the Namibian safari that has a real town feel to it. Wedged between the Namib Desert and the cold Atlantic Ocean, Swakopmund which is known for its very relaxed atmosphere has something for everybody. There are plenty of great restaurants and bars, good shopping and the fascinating architecture. For the adventurous there’s quad biking, sand-boarding, skydiving, beach angling and scenic flights over the coastline and Sossusvlei to name a few. The nearby Walvis Bay, Namibia’s major harbour town is well known for the lagoon and its prolific birdlife.
Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more German than Germany. Now a seaside resort, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, colonial-era buildings and the cool sea breeze make it very popular.
DAY 3: Swakopmund
After breakfast you will depart for a living desert adventure where you will encounter and learn more about the fascinating wildlife of the Namib Desert. We will look for gecko’s, scorpions, side-winder snakes, lizards and beetles as well as the incredible plant life that survives in this harsh environment.
Once you are back in Swakopmund you will enjoy lunch and then have the afternoon available to explore the town or perhaps finish the day with a quad-biking and dune-boarding adventure. Other optional activities that could be arranged include scenic flights over the coast and dunes.
DAY 4: Twyfelfontein
Today you continue your safari northwards along the Skeleton Coast. After visiting a shipwreck and the massive Cape Fur Seal colony at Cape Cross Seal Reserve you will turn inland towards Damaraland. You will drive past the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain with the highest peak at 2573 meters. Your Lodge for tonight are situated amongst the Granite rock formations and it’s the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding Damaraland.
Twyfelfontein is a site of ancient rock engravings in the Kunene Region of north-western Namibia.
DAY 5: Etosha National Park
After breakfast you will have the day to visit the Twyfelfontein rock engravings (Namibia’s only world heritage site), burnt mountain and organ pipes rock formation and the Petrified Forest en route to Etosha National Park where you will spend the next 3 nights.
Etosha is one of Africa’s biggest and best National Parks and one of the main tourist attractions in Namibia. It is 22 912 km 2 in size of which the Etosha Pan, a shallow depression that only holds water after good rainy seasons, is 5000 km 2 in size. Etosha is known for its spectacular game viewing and the waterholes attract huge numbers of game in the dry season when all the open water has dried up. During the rainy season the park is transformed into a green oasis and this is the time you find young of various animal species in huge numbers. 114 Species of mammal are found in the park and it is the best place in the world to see Black Rhino. Other game include Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Hyena, Giraffe, Honey-Badger, Black-faced Impala, Kudu, Eland, Damara Dik-Dik, Warthog and big herds Of Springbok, Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest and Oryx. More than 300 species of birds are found here and it is brilliant for finding raptors. One of the highlights of the park is the flood-lit waterholes at the 3 main camps where game viewing continues long after the sun has set. We will do morning and afternoon games drives and relax at the pool or camp waterhole between drives.
The Etosha National Park is Namibia’s premiere game viewing experience, situated in the northwest of Namibia and is an area well known for its wildlife. Vegetation ranges from dense bush to open plains attracting a diversity of wildlife. In the heart of the Park is The Etosha Pan – a shallow depression that covers an area of 5000sq kilometres. Dry and shimmering for most of the year, the pans fill up with water after good rains to a depth which is seldom deeper than 1m. In the dry season wildlife is attracted to perennial springs and waterholes that makes for excellent game viewing.
Within the park are three large public rest camps catering for the more budget orientated traveller. There are several smaller establishments on the outskirts of the park on private land offering a more intimate and comprehensive experience. All of these establishments offer excellent value for money.
DAY 6: Etosha National Park
Between morning and afternoon games drives you can relax at the pool or camp waterhole.
DAY 7: Etosha National Park
From here you will make your way across the park in a full morning game drive to your lodge on the eastern boundary where you will spend the next night.
DAY 8: Departure
After breakfast you will depart for Windhoek where you will catch your connecting flight or extend your safari to the Caprivi, Vic Falls, Botswana, Zambia or Zimbabwe.
Do you have a quick question about this Namibia Safari? Speak to a specialist at
info@naturetravelnamibia.com