This 8-day Northern Namibia & Etosha Camping Safari combines incredible wildlife, culture, and adrenalin activities in the coastal town of Swakopmund.
The budget-friendly camping tour departs from Windhoek and travels out to Okonjima Nature Reserve for exciting wildlife encounters. Then we drive to Etosha National Park, where wildlife abounds and floodlit waterholes offer 24-hour game viewing.
Next, we visit the enigmatic Himba tribe with their red-ochre braids, tribal clothing, and traditional African culture. From there we head to the Skeleton Coast and visit the Cape Cross Seals. Lastly, we explore Swakopmund where you can enjoy optional adventure activities like quad biking, sandboarding, and skydiving.
Our 8-day Namibia Camping Safari starts at a backpackers in Windhoek where we meet for a pre-tour briefing. Anyone not staying at the selected backpackers will be collected in Windhoek at 7h15 this morning. After the meeting we leave Windhoek, making our way north to Okahandja. Here we visit the Okahandja Mbangura Woodcarvers Craft Market where woodcarvers from all over Namibia sell their hand-crafted goods. This is the perfect opportunity to practice your bargaining skills and support the local community.
Our next stop is our overnight destination, the world-renowned Okonjima Nature Reserve. Okonjima is an impressive 20,000ha nature reserve that is home to an incredible array of wildlife species. It is also home to the AfriCat Foundation, whose long-term mission is to conserve Namibia’s wildlife in its natural habitat. The Okonjima game reserve is renowned for its predators, including leopards, cheetahs and hyenas. In addition to seeing leopards and cheetahs up close, you can also view some of Africa's keystone species.
We aim to arrive at camp around midday, giving us ample time to set up camp and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon we get to view cheetahs and other animals being rehabilitated at AfriCat. The aim of this wildlife rehabilitation program is to re-introduce big cats and other animals back into the wild where they can thrive.
After our educational tour, we join an afternoon game drive on the game reserve before enjoying our first spectacular sunset in the Namibian bush. This evening we enjoy a dinner prepared by your safari guide on the open campfire.
This morning we depart from camp after breakfast 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 Park 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.
On day three 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.
Day four kicks off early, starting with breakfast as the sun rises over the wilderness. Then we embark on a short game drive back to the park gate. Then we drive west into the remote Kunene Region of northern Namibia.
Our first stop is a visit to the Otjikandero Himba Village. The Himba people are one of the last tribes in Namibia who still embrace their ancient culture and customs. We participate in a guided tour around the village where will have the chance to not only gain an in-depth insight into the Himba way of life but to get to know the Himba people to share a little of our own culture with them.
We continue west and stop briefly in the small town of Kamanjab before continuing on to the Hoada Community Campsite, situated between large granite boulders and Mopane trees, creating the illusion of a serene home in the wilderness. Here we set up camp before enjoying a leisurely afternoon and watching the sunset from the Hoada deck. Your guide cooks up a delicious dinner over the fire again tonight.
Today our adventure takes us through the infamous Skeleton Coast National Park all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Skeleton Coast is a very desolate 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. On exiting the national park we stop for Instagram-worthy photos of the iconic skull and crossbones gate.
We arrive at Cape Cross late afternoon where we set up camp for the night and have the opportunity for a sunset walk on the beach. Tonight we enjoy another meal prepared over the campfire.
Today you get the rare chance to sleep in and after a hearty cooked breakfast, we take a short walk to the Cape Cross Reserve.
The reserve is home to one of the world’s largest breeding colonies of Cape Fur seals and during the breeding season (November-December) up to 200 000 plus seals can be spotted basking on the beach– a unique sight and smell to behold. After our visit to the seal colony, we continue traveling along the Skeleton Coast. Along the way, we stop to view the Zeila Shipwreck, one of the latest victims of the infamous Skeleton Coast from as recent as 2007.
Early this afternoon we reach Swakopmund, Namibia's top seaside destination. The rest of the day is free for you to do some sightseeing and explore the quaint town on foot. Dinner tonight is at your 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.
Day seven of our Namibia adventure is free for you to explore Swakopmund and its surroundings. Embark on one of the many optional activities on offer in and around Swakopmund, including skydiving, scenic flights, quad biking, dolphin cruises, and more. Or stroll around town and visit the local attractions, curio shops, and cafes.
Lunch and dinner are at your own expense providing the perfect opportunity to sample local dishes. Located on the coast, seafood is a popular choice.
Our last morning on Namibia Safari is an early start to hop on the shuttle back to Windhoek. Shared with other travelers the shuttle arrives in Windhoek between 13h00 and 14h00. You will be dropped off at your accommodation of choice within Windhoek city limits.
Please Note: Flights must be booked from 17:00 onwards should you plan to fly out on the last day of this Namibia Safari. From Windhoek city to the International Airport is an hour transfer which can be arranged at an additional cost.
This tour does take children.
Child Rates are applicable to children Aged 5 to 11 who shares accommodation with 2 Adults only.
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