7 Day Explore Namibia Camping Safari

The Explore Namibia Camping Safari is an action packed 7-day budget camping safari through Namibia. The highlights on this affordable Namibia safari include:

• Game viewing in Etosha National Park
• The Cheetah Conservation Fund 
• Petrified Forest & Twyfelfontein Ancient Rock Art
• Ova-Himba Tribe Village cultural experience
• Namib Desert & Cape Cross Seal Colony
• Swakopmund adventure activities & sightseeing

The Explore Namibia Camping Safari starts and ends in Windhoek, spending 2 nights camping in Etosha National Park, a night in Swakopmund at a lodge and 2 nights in the Namib Desert.

DAY 01:  Windhoek to Otjiwarongwe – Namibia

We depart from Windhoek on day 1 of the Explore Namibia Camping Safari, heading north to the town of Otjiwarongwe and the Cheetah Conservation Fund near the Waterberg Plateau in northern Namibia.

We spend the afternoon learning more about these endangered predators and the work that this non-profit organization does to help protect them in the wild. This is a great opportunity to get a closer look at cheetahs and learn more about these powerful cats. After visiting the cheetahs we make our way to our first overnight campsite located on a farm near Otjiwarongwe.  

• Campsite: Farm near Otjiwarongwe 
• Meals: Lunch and Dinner

DAY 02: Otjiwarongwe to Etosha National Park – Namibia

After breakfast we continue north towards Namibia's famous Etosha National Park.

This expansive game reserve is inhabited by hundreds of species of wild animals and birds, including zebra, impala, wildebeest, kudu, giraffe, elephant, lion and even rhino.

Etosha National Park covers 22 270 sq km and is one of Africa's top game reserves. The game reserve is named after the salt pan, Etosha Pan, that dominates it, the name meaning 'place of dry water'. Etosha park is home to 340 bird species and over 100 mammal species, notably the endangered cheetah and black rhino, as well as black-faced impala, tsessebe, roan antelope and gemsbok.

We spend the next two nights camping at either Okaukuejo or Halali camp in Etosha, depending on animal movements. Both rest camps offer facilities such as a restaurant, a basic shop and a swimming pool and feature a floodlit waterhole for 24-hour game viewing. During the dry season elephant and black rhinoceros are seen daily at the waterholes and numerous other game species are also found here, including nocturnal animals, lion and leopard. 

• Campsite: Either Okaukuejo or Halali in Etosha National Park      
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner  

DAY 03: Etosha National Park – Namibia

We embark on an early morning and a late afternoon game drive, taking in the wide-open expanse of the Etosha Pan. The flat green surface of this dry lakebed stretches out under the hot African sun, offering spectacular stark scenery and glimpses of ostriches amongst the shimmering mirages. In the afternoon we have time to relax at our Etosha Park camp taking a swim in the pool or watching the wildlife at the watering hole.

• Campsite: Either Halai or Okaukuejo in Etosha National Park  
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner    
• Driving time approx: Game drives in Etosha    

DAY 4: Etosha National Park to Kamanjab – Namibia

On day 5 of the Explore Namibia Camping Safari we pack up camp and take a short game drive on our way out of Etosha park. Our journey takes us south through the towns of Outjo and Kamanjab en route to our next destination, the Oase-Himba Village Camp. Upon arrival we set up camp near the village of the last remaining traditional tribe in Namibia, the Ova‐Himba. A Himba Tribesman will guide us on our visit to the Ova‐Himba village, where we gain insight into the way of these proud, semi-nomadic people live. This encounter with the Ova-Himba provides a fascinating glimpse into their culture and history and offers excellent photographic opportunities.

• Campsite: Himba Village Camp near Kamanjab
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner  

DAY 5: Kamanjab to Aba Huab, Damaraland – Namibia

Next we travel into one of Namibia’s most scenic desert regions, Damaraland. We visit the Petrified Forest, an ancient geological site consisting of around 50 fossilized tree trunks about 260 million years old. The trees, some of the longest being over 30 meters in length, are thought to have washed to the current site in a flood. The oldest plants in the world, Welwitchia mirabilis, are also found in the area, some being as old as 2000 years. 

After stopping at the Petrified Forest we visit Twyfelfontein, an ancient site of San Bushman rock paintings and engravings carved into sandstone. The spectacular rock formations found in this area make this interesting site even more memorable.

• Campsite: Local Community campsite, Aba Huab      
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 06: Aba Huab to Swakopmund – Namibia

Today we travel through the Namib Desert, one of the oldest deserts in the world, enjoying the striking desert landscapes.

We continue to the Skeleton Coast of Namibia where we stop to visit the Cape Cross Seal Colony. Thousands of fur seals congregate on a rocky point at Cape Cross  near the fishing village of Henties Bay. This is one of the largest breeding Cape Fur Seal colonies in the world, consisting of up to 250 000 Cape Fur Seals, the biggest fur seal species in the world. We get up close to the seals gaining insight into their natural behaviour as they go about their daily tasks. From here we follow the coastal road southwards to Swakopmund, located between the Namib Desert and the Atlantic Ocean. The late afternoon is free for exploring this unique town.    

• Lodge: Swakop Lodge or similar
• Meals: Breakfast  

DAY 07: Swakopmund – Namibia

The morning is free for you to explore this popular summer destination at your leisure or to take part in the various optional activities available in and around Swakopmund.

The European influenced town of Swakopmund is known as the Adventure capitol of Namibia. Adventure activities available include sand boarding, desert flights, skydiving, quad biking, dolphin cruises and more. These activities are optional and the cost is not included in the safari price. You can spend the morning shopping or sightseeing in Swakopmund, which has a very good museum as well as an aquarium. We spend the morning in Swakopmund and make our way back to Windhoek in the afternoon. Our Explore Namibia Camping Safari ends on day 7 in Windhoek. 

• Meals: Breakfast  

Please Note:

• Private safaris based on custom schedules can be arranged for groups on request. For more information and prices please contact African Budget Safaris.
• A minimum of 3 people is required to guarantee departures on this camping tour.
• Maximum group size of 12 people per safari.
• Transport for 2 ‐ 3 clients will be in Toyota 4x4 Hilux or Mercedes Benz Sprinter. For 3 or more clients, transport will be either in Mercedes Benz Sprinter or Custom Build Safari Truck.

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