Best of Namibia Camping Safari

Travel from South Africa's Cape Town into the Cederberg Mountain region visiting the !Kwa ttu San people along the way.

Drive through South Africa's scenic Namaqualand area and experience the Gariep/Orange River by canoe. The Best of Namibia Camping Safari then crosses into Namibia where you walk along the rim of the impressive Fish River Canyon.

Travel further inland to the vast Namib Desert where we hike into the Sesriem Canyon and up Dune 45 in the famous Sossusvlei Dune area. Experience the ancient desert on a guided walk before crossing the Tropic of Capricorn and stopping in Walvis Bay. Explore Swakopmund and enjoy some of the adventure activities available here, then visit the dramatic landscapes of Spitzkoppe. Head north to Kamanjab and meet the Himba people.

Embark on game drives in Etosha National Park and camp inside this unique wilderness area, stopping at a craft market on the way to our final stop, Windhoek, Namibia's capital. 

Experience the Best of Namibia on this amazing scenic, wildlife and cultural exploration!

Day 1: Cape Town to Cederberg Mountain Region – South Africa

This Best of Namibia Camping Safari departs from the beautiful South African city of Cape Town, stopping to at Table View to photograph or simply admire the panoramic views of the city and Table Mountan from afar.

We make our way north to the Cederberg Mountain region in the Western Cape visiting the !Kwa ttu people along the way. The !Kwa ttu are San descendants of the first indigenous people inhabiting southern Africa and a visit to this cultural centre provides insight into the customs, past and traditional knowledge and survival skills of this interesting people. 

We enjoy cultural tour with a San guide and visit the museum at the centre, located just outside of Yzterfontein. Then we have lunch at the !Kwa ttu Centre’s restaurant before continuing our journey to our overnight campsite north of Clanwilliam, one of the oldest towns in South Africa. Clanwilliam is located between the rugged Cederberg Mountains, famous for dramatic rock formations, and the Olifants River. The Cederberg is named after the endangered Clanwilliam Cedar tree, endemic to this part of South Africa.

Upon arrival at the camp your guides will give you a full tour briefing. The camp is located in a lovely natural setting at the Bulshoek dam and facilities include drinkable water, hot showers, shared ablutions and a bar. 

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities: San guided tour

Day 2: Namaqualand and Orange/Gariep River – Namibia

We travel through the Namaqualand region, famous for its abundance of colourful indigenous wildflowers in spring and continue on to the Gariep/Orange River. We stop in the remote town of Springbok for last minute supplies before heading to our campsite set on the banks of the Orange River, which forms the border between South Africa and Namibia.

The night is spent getting to know one another over a hearty meal under the starry African sky. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Orange/Gariep River to Fish River Canyon – Namibia

In the morning we have the opportunity to experience South Africa's longest river, the Gariep/Orange River by canoe, or spend some time relaxing at the riverside camp. After lunch we cross into Namibia travelling north to the mighty Fish River Canyon, the 2nd largest canyon in the world. In the afternoon we take a scenic hike along the rim of the canyon in order to gain some perspective on just how large this natural phenomena is, enjoying fantastic photographic opportunities as the sun sets. 

We camp near the main viewpoint overlooking the Fish River Canyon, at a campsite with drinkable water, a kiosk, a bar and a small swimming pool.

Included Activities: Scenic walk along the rim of Fish River Canyon.
Optional Activities: Half Day Orange River Canoe Adventure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Fish River Canyon to Namib-Naukluft National Park – Namibia

This morning we drive through the Kalahari area of Namibia making our way to the Namib-Naukluft National Park where we set up camp, before enjoying a short hike into the Sesriem Canyon.

Tonight we camp in a scenic spot near the Sesriem Canyon experiencing the vast star-studded sky and silence of the Namib Desert, occasionally interrupted by the call of a Jackal or the rather unique barking gecko! Facilities at our desert camp include drinkable water, a bar, a swimming pool, hot showers, shared ablutions and a shop. 

The Namib-Naukluft National Park, one of Namibia’s geographic gems, is said to be amongst Africa's largest game parks. The national park incorporates part of the Namib desert, considered the world's oldest desert. The Sesriem Canyon stretches about a kilometer in length and reaches up to 30 meters deep. The floor of Sesriem Canyon is dotted with shallow pools with the canyon being formed by the Tsauchab River flowing through sedimentary rock deposited about 20 million years ago. 

Included Activities: Hike into Sesriem Canyon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Sossusvlei  Dunes in Namib-Naukluft National Park – Namibia

Today we rise early to hike up Dune 45 in time for a spectacular desert sunrise over the Sossusvlei dunes. The hike up this well-known dune is relatively easy and well worth the panoramic views and excellent photographic opportunities from the top. The Sossusvlei desert area is famous for the towering red-orange sand dunes of its remarkable landscapes. 

Later we are joined by an expert local guide for a nature walk in the Namib, exploring this unique desert ecosystem. The local guides share their detailed knowledge of the ancient Namib desert area with us as we walk. After our nature walk we head to our overnight camp in the remote town of Solitaire. Facilities include drinkable water, hot showers in shared ablutions, a shop and a bar.

Included Activities: Sunrise hike up Dune 45, 3-hour desert walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Swakopmund – Namibia

Crossing the Tropic of Capricorn we make our way through the desert to the Atlantic coast of Namibia. Our first stop is Walvis Bay where we may see some flamingos, depending on the season. Then it’s on to Swakopmund, the adventure capital of Namibia, where you will be briefed on the many optional activities available for the next day. 

In the evening you can enjoy some excellent seafood at a local restaurant as well as the vibrant local nightlife. Our Swakopmund accommodation is in dorm rooms with shared ablutions at a comfortable guest lodge, featuring a dining area and bar. 

Included activities: Visit Walvis Bay to view the flamingoes.
Optional Activities: Dinner out in Swakopmund
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: Swakopmund – Namibia

Today is left free for you to explore the quaint town of Swakopmund, where German colonial influences can still be seen, or try one of the many adventure activities available at this popular coastal town. Take a quad bike over the dunes, try sand boarding, sky diving or take a cruise to see dolphins along the coast of Swakopmund. We spend another night at the friendly guesthouse in Swakopmund.

Optional Activities: quad biking, sky diving, sand boarding, scenic flights and dinner out.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe  –  Namibia

Leaving coastal Swakopmund we drive northeast heading inland to Spitzkoppe, also known as the ‘Matterhorn of Namibia’. Spitzkoppe is a stark area of dramatic exposed granite peaks, with the highest outcrop rising to over 1780m above sea level.

We set up camp in the wilderness, at the foot of Spitzkoppe Mountain in a rugged area known for its spectacular sunsets. In the afternoon there is an included guided walk to view some of the many Bushman (San) rock paintings found in the area. The more adventurous among us may want to try some mountain climbing behind camp for some stunning views of the dramatic landscape.

Included Activities: Guided walk through Spitzkoppe 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Kamanjab & Himba Tribe – Namibia

There is some time to explore the Spitzkoppe area before we continue inland, driving north towards Kamanjab village in the Kunene Region of Namibia. In the afternoon we meet the semi-nomadic Himba people from this area on a guided village tour.

The local Himba are a pastoral people that have a distinct culture, visible in their unique style of dress and striking appearance, particularly their interesting hairstyles and elaborate jewelry. The Himba people still speak a dialect of the old Herero language and traditionally breed cattle or goats. Encountering a totally different way of life can be a moving experience for many people.

We overnight at a bush camp with basic facilities, relaxing under the stars at night.

Included activity: Guided visit to the Himba tribe.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 - 11: Etosha National Park – Namibia

After our cultural experience with the traditional Himba people we make our way to Etosha National Park for some superb game viewing.

We will visit water-holes in search of the wild animals that come to drink at these sites, as well as exploring as much as we can of the Etosha. The 22 000 km² Etosha Park is dominated by the salt pan after which the park is named. The word Etosha means ‘Great White Place of Dry Water’ in the local Ovambo language. Etosha's sparse vegetation improves chances of sighting wildlife as the animals are less hidden in the bush.

Etosha Park is home to a variety of animal, plant and bird life and is known as a top safari destination for sighting endangered black rhinos and the elusive cheetah. Etosha hosts some rare and endangered species, including unusual desert species. We will have plenty to see on our game drives in this vast park inhabited by 144 mammal species such as elephant, giraffe, blue wildebeest, eland, damara dik-dik, lion, cheetah, leopard, wildcat, hyena, and jackal. As well as being home to 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and even a species of fish.

We will camp inside the Etosha game park, at Okaukuejo or Halali camp, both of which boast floodlit night waterholes where wild animals congregate to drink. Each overnight camp features a variety of facilities including a bar, swimming pool and shop. 

Included Activities: Games drives in the safari truck.
Optional Activities: Night and dawn game drives in a safari vehicle with Game Ranger.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Windhoek – Namibia

After an early morning game drive in Etosha Park we make our way to Namibia's capital city via an arts and crafts market where you can purchase some authentic African creations. Windhoek is situated at almost the exact centre of the country and is also the cultural, social and economic centre of Namibia.

Upon arrival in Windhoek we take a short driving tour of the city in our safari truck. This affordable Best of Namibia Camping Safari ends on arrival in Windhoek, but it is nice to join the group for a final meal out at one of Windhoek's excellent restaurants or German-style pubs. 

Included Activities: Craft market en-route; short city tour.
Optional Activities: Dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch