9 Day Namibia Camping & Lodge Safari

Tour Overview

• Day 1: Windhoek to Etosha Park (Halali Camp)
• Day 2: Etosha National Park (Okaukeujo Camp)
• Day 3: Swakopmund via the skeleton coast and Damaraland
• Day 4: Sesriem (Oshana Campsite)
• Day 5: Sesriem (Oshana Campsite)
• Day 6: Klein Aus Vista
• Day 7: Klein Aus, Kolmanskop and Diaz Point
• Day 8: Quiver Tree Forest and Fish River Canyon
• Day 9: Quiver Tree Forest and Windhoek

Day 1: Windhoek to Etosha National Park – Namibia

This morning we depart from Windhoek after a pre-departure meeting and stop briefly at Otjiwarongo, a small town north of Okonjima. In Otjiwarongo we gather some fresh supplies, before continuing to Etosha National Park, one of Southern Africa’s premier wildlife reserves.

As soon as we enter Etosha the game viewing begins. We start our search for antelope, such as springbok and impala and with any luck some megaherbivores such as elephant, rhino or giraffe, on our short game drive to Okaukuejo. Arriving at Okaukuejo, we set up camp and enjoy a delicious lunch before heading out on an afternoon game drive. Etosha is unlike any other park, and our game drives take us from waterhole to waterhole in search of predators as well as plains game, birds and if we are lucky, even reptiles.

We return to camp just before sunset, and whilst dinner is cooking, we have the chance to visit the excellent floodlit waterhole where rhino, elephant, giraffe, lion and hyena are frequent visitors. Tonight we tuck into another tasty dinner cooked on the open campfire by our guide. Accommodation is in comfortable twin-share rooms with en-suite bathrooms.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Distance travelled: about 500km

Day 2: Etosha National Park – Namibia

On day two we get a pre-dawn start. After a quick coffee and rusk, we set off on our full day game drive at sunrise to catch a glimpse of predators returning after a night of hunting.

We drive through the national park, pausing at waterholes to watch for wildlife and birds. Later we stop at a picnic site to have breakfast in the bush. Then we continue our game drive east in search of the many wild animals living in Etosha. When we reach Halali Camp you can take a dip in the pool, visit the waterhole and enjoy lunch.

After lunch, we visit the Etosha Pan where the national park gets its name. Here we can get out of the safari vehicle and experience this 4500 sq km ‘saline desert’. The salt pan is so large it can be seen from space. After exploring Etosha Pan on foot we return to Okaukuejo Camp, looking out for big game en-route. Our game viewing adventure comes to an end by sunset then we settle in for our final night of camping in Etosha Park. Tonight you can head to the floodlit waterhole at camp to watch for nocturnal visitors, including rhino, elephant, giraffe and other animals. Spend another night in fixed accommodation.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Distance travelled: about 200km

Day 3: Etosha Park to Swakopmund – Namibia

After an early breakfast, we depart the magical Etosha and head into the Damaraland where we can interact and support the Himba and Damara woman that display their crafts for us. In the shadow of the Brandberg, we enjoy a roadside lunch.

The adventure takes us through the infamous Skeleton Coast National Park all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. The coastline itself is a very hostile but fascinating area. It is known for the Welwitschia mirabilis, the Northern Namibia sand sea, the derelict oil rig near Toscanini, the Huab lagoon and the diminishing remains of the Winston Shipwreck. We continue travelling along the coast stopping to view the Zeila Shipwreck, one of the latest victims of the Skeleton Coast from as recent as 2007.

We arrive in Swakopmund mid-afternoon. The rest of the day is free for you to do some sightseeing and explore the quaint town on foot. Alternatively, you can embark on one of the many optional activities on offer in and around Swakopmund, including skydiving, scenic flights, quad biking, dolphin cruises and more. Dinner tonight is at own expense in one of Swakopmund’s excellent restaurants and our guide will be happy to make recommendations or bookings depending on what we feel like. Tonight you sleep in comfortable accommodation with an en-suite bathroom.

• Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
• Distance travelled: about 500km

Day 4: Swakopmund to Sesriem, Namib Desert – Namibia

Today we leave Swakopmund at 11h30 so we have the time to enjoy an optional activity. For the adrenaline junkies, this could be flying down a sand dune headfirst at 60km/h on a sandboard, exploring the dune field on a quad biking tour or discover the “old city” of Swakopmund on a fat bike (e-bike option available).

Whatever we choose, 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 and arriving at our camp late afternoon. We set up our tents, and enjoy the sunset over the Namib Desert while listening to the barking geckos. There is a pool and bar at camp. Your guide makes you dinner and we get an early night.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Distance travelled: about 350km

Day 5: Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei & Sesriem Canyon, Namib Desert

We leave camp before dawn on day five, heading into the desert to catch the sunrise over the orange-red dunes.

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 the descent, we replenish our energy and enjoy breakfast before continuing to the Sossusvlei area. Next, we explore Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei on foot, taking in the surreal desert landscapes. This is a place of stark contrasts with the dead thorn trees, white ground, tall orange dunes and deep blue skies. Walk across the cracked clay earth, bleached by the sun and try to capture the scene in photos.

We have the opportunity to climb the dune at Sossusvlei before we return to Sesriem for lunch and a swim or siesta during the heat of the day. Mid-afternoon we visit the Sesriem Canyon before your guide drops you at Elim’s Dune for a short and educational sunset walk back to camp through the desert. End the day with a tasty dinner made by your guide.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Distance travelled: about 150km

Day 6: Klein Aus Vista Campsite, Namib Desert

We pack up camp and enjoy breakfast before heading south through 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 early afternoon and set up camp. For the active, there is a short optional unguided hiking trail. Permits and a map are available at reception. We enjoy a beautiful sunset and dinner cooked over an open fire.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Distance travelled: about 380km

Day 7: Klein Aus, Kolmanskop & Luderitz, Namib Desert

After an early breakfast, we make our way from Klein Aus to the ghost town, of 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.

After our tour of Kolmanskop, we continue our adventure to the small town of Luderitz, situated on the rocky shores of the Atlantic Ocean and well known for its unique and colourful colonial-style buildings. We stop at Diaz Point, the famous site of the Original Diaz Cross and enjoy a picnic lunch. On our way back to Aus, we scan the landscape for the famous wild horses of Namibia. It is a mystery how these horses ended up roaming the Namib Desert but miraculously they continue to survive in this inhospitable environment. With a bit of luck, we will get a glimpse of these wild horses which roam freely between Luderitz and Klein Aus. Arriving at camp in the late afternoon there is time to relax and take in the sunset over the Aus Mountains with a sundowner.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Distance travelled: about 260km

Day 8: Fish River Canyon & Quiver Tree Forest – Namibia

We enjoy another early start this morning as we pack up camp and head east to the Fish River Canyon. Reaching the massive gorge we stop at the Hell`s Bend viewpoint to soak up the geological marvel. The Fish River Canyon is an impressive natural sight, being one of the world's biggest canyons. The Fish River Canyon Canyon is about 161 km in length and some 27 km wide, reaching depths of 550m in places. The canyon started forming along fault lines about 350 million years ago due to tectonic movement followed by water erosion.

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. On the final night of our Namibia Safari, we camp out under the stars near the quiver trees. This is an ideal location for stargazing and photographing the night skies. You can also get a permit to photograph the quiver trees at night (at extra cost).

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Distance travelled: about 480km

Day 9: Quiver Tree Forest to Windhoek – Namibia

After a tasty cooked breakfast, we start the day with a chance to really explore the Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playground, a geological phenomenon of dolerite rocks that appear to have been stacked by giants. From here we begin our journey back to Windhoek passing Brukkaros Mountain, an extinct volcano which is 650m above the surrounding area. We pass through the small towns of Mariental and Rehoboth before arriving at the backpackers in Windhoek late afternoon. There is a shuttle option for those staying elsewhere within the city limits.

• Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
• Distance travelled: about 500km

Please note:

• We do not recommend booking flights departing on the final day of the safari.
• Maximum group size on this tour is 12 travellers.
• The tour is assisted comfortable camping with participation limited to only helping with the tents.
• Accommodation is in dome tents and 5cm thick mattresses are provided, as well as camping chairs.