This affordable Namibia Safari combines Etosha National Park, the Namib Desert, and Swakopmund. Experience the diverse highlights of Namibia on a budget, in just 6 days on this popular Namibia Camping Safari.
Start with two nights of camping in the ancient Namib Desert, exploring Sossusvlei and the red-orange dune fields. Next, an overnight stay at a comfortable lodge in the vibrant seaside town of Swakopmund. Then, head to Namibia's top wildlife safari destination, Etosha National Park, for world-class game viewing.
This budget Namibia Camping Safari departs from Windhoek every Wednesday and returns on Monday afternoons.
This affordable Namibia Safari departs from Windhoek early every Wednesday morning. Your driver collects you from your pre-tour accommodation in Windhoek at 07h00 this morning.
After a short introductory tour briefing in Windhoek, we drive southwest into the Namib Desert. Our first destination is Sesriem, located near Sossusvlei in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Our drive takes us up and over Namibia's Central Plateau through rugged mountain scenery. Along the way, we pause for supplies in the little town of Rehoboth and pass through the small settlement of BullsPort. From there we drive down into the Namib Desert getting our first glimpses of this ancient desert landscape.
At about lunchtime, we arrive at our Sesriem campsite. We set up camp under a big, old camelthorn tree surrounded by the harsh desert environment. After setting up camp we tuck into a late picnic lunch, admiring the tall apricot-colored dunes in the distance.
Then, in the late afternoon, you have the option of visiting Elim Dune. A short drive brings us to Elim Dune where we marvel at the mesmerizing desert scenery in the glowing light of sunset. After our first breathtaking desert sunset at Elim Dune, you can embark on the relatively short walk back to camp or hop onboard the safari vehicle.
Back at our Sesriem camp, we relax around the campfire and enjoy a hearty dinner prepared by the crew. At the end of our first exciting day on safari in Namibia, retire to your cozy tent and fall asleep under starry desert skies.
On day two of our Namibia Camping Safari, we get a very early start. We wake up before dawn and head to the towering dunes of the world's oldest desert. Setting off in the dark, we drive to Dune 45. An iconic Namibian landmark this famous sand dune is called Dune 45 because it lies 45 km from Sesriem.
We climb Dune 45 as the day begins to break, witnessing the changing colors of the desert landscape in the early morning light. Sunrise and sunset are the best times for photographing the Namib Desert because the red-orange colors glow in the golden light which contrasts strongly with the deep shadows cast by the low sun.
From the top of Dune 45, we catch the sunrise over the undulating dune fields below. Stop to soak up the radiant warm hues of the silent sand dunes and capture the serene scene on camera. After marveling at the views from the peak of Dune 45 we have a tasty breakfast back at the vehicle. Then our Namibia Safari adventure takes us to Sossusvlei in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. We drive a few kilometers to the 2x4 parking lot where we transfer to a 4x4 vehicle remaining 5 km journey to the vlei.
The 4x4 shuttle takes us through the sandy Tsauchab Riverbed to Sossusvlei. This dry riverbed was formed by the Tsauchab River which once flowed through the desert into the Atlantic Ocean during floods. The seasonal river still floods on the rare occasion (once a decade or so) but no longer reaches the Atlantic. The ancient dune fields that began forming about 5 million years ago now block the flow of the river, even when the Naukluft Mountains receive heavy rain and the river floods. On these rare occasions, Sossusvlei turns into a shallow lake for up to a few months.
The shuttle takes us to the surreal Sossusvlei area where we take a walk on the dry pans. We also visit the nearby Deadvlei clay pan and walk on the cracked white earth. Take a wander through the gnarled dead trees some of which have been here for over 1000 years. You're sure to get stunning photos of the stark desert pans surrounded by vivid orange dunes under wide blue skies.
After exploring Namibia's most famous desert landscape on foot we head to one of the highest sand dunes in the world. You have the option of climbing this towering dune, called Big Daddy. At over 300 m tall, the views are breathtaking and well worth the effort. Leaving the Sossusvlei area behind we drive back to Sesriem and our camp for lunch and a rest. Freshen up and take a dip in the swimming pool before our afternoon desert adventure. Later, we drive to the nearby Sesriem Canyon to explore this deep gorge on foot. The Sesriem Canyon was carved out of the landscape through erosion by the Tsauchab River, starting some two million years ago. We walk down to the cool floor of the rocky canyon to see the incredible rock formations up close.
Then, we drive back to our Namib Desert camp in Sesriem where we have dinner around the campfire and settle down for a peaceful night under the stars.
Day three of our budget Namibia Safari starts with an early breakfast at our desert camp. Then we pack up and venture west into the stark Namib Desert. First, we cross open gravel plains where the horizon seems endless. We drive through barren terrain scattered with massive inselbergs. When we reach the little hamlet of Solitaire we stop to stretch our legs and explore. Try the famous apple pie and take some photos of the classic old cars dotting the homestead.
Next, we drive on to the Tropic of Capricorn, stopping to take photos of the crossing at 23.5 degrees south of the Equator. Landmark crossing complete we continue into the Kuiseb Mountains where two mountain passes await. First, we traverse the Gaub River canyon and then the larger Kuiseb Canyon. The Kuiseb Pass takes us over rugged mountain peaks and down into the deep canyons carved by the Kuiseb River and its tributaries through impressive terrain. From Kuiseb Canyon we travel down to the Atlantic coastline, meeting the ocean at Walvis Bay. Here we visit the Walvis Bay lagoon and stop for lunch at this birding hotspot.
After lunch, we drive on to Swakopmund, the top seaside holiday destination in Namibia. Arriving in coastal Swakopmund we check into our comfortable lodge accommodation and take a break from camping tonight.
Swakopmund boasts an array of excellent restaurants and exciting activities to enjoy during our short stay. The lively small town of Swakopmund is easy to explore on foot and has several interesting attractions and sites. Adventure activities include quad-biking in the dunes near Swakopmund, skydiving, and scenic flights over the Namib Desert, to name a few. This afternoon and tonight you are free to embark on optional activities, sample the local nightlife and eat out (own account). Your guide is happy to offer recommendations and help you make bookings.
Today our Namibia Safari kicks off with breakfast at our lodge in Swakopmund. Then at about 09h00, we proceed north via Outjo town to Etosha National Park.
We arrive at Etosha's main gate, Anderson Gate, and take a short game drive to Okaukuejo Camp. The wildlife adventure begins as soon as we enter the national park. Various large animals are often spotted en route to the campsite, including elephants, lions, and antelopes. When we arrive at the Okaukuejo campsite everyone pitches in and helps set up camp for the night. Then, once our tents are set up, we embark on a short, late afternoon game drive (time allowing).
Dusk is an ideal time of day for game viewing, so keep your eyes open for wildlife. In this part of Etosha Park elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and Africa's big cats are regularly sighted. Other animals found here include zebras, all kinds of antelopes, and a rich array of birds. Our exciting late afternoon game drive ends back at Okaukuejo camp, just before sunset.
The game viewing doesn't end there, however. After the sun goes down you can still watch wildlife at Okaukuejo's floodlit waterhole. The waterhole is a short walk from our campsite so you can pop in after dinner or before we head out in the morning. The waterhole at Okaukuejo is famous for its excellent black rhino sightings. It's a rare and special treat to get a close look at these critically endangered rhinos in the wild. Black rhinos aren't the only animals that visit the waterhole which attracts plenty of animals, from big cats to elephants.
Day five of our Namibia Camping Safari is set aside for exploring the national park on game drives. The day begins with an early morning coffee and snack at our camp before sunrise.
At sunrise the park gates open and we venture out into Etosha Park, Namibia's most famous game reserve. The cooler early morning hours are an exciting time for game viewing with big cats returning from the hunt and other animals beginning to stir in the bush.
Our game drive takes us to as many waterholes as possible. Along the way, we stop to view the animals that gather at these scarce water sources in the otherwise dry landscape of Etosha Park in Namibia. We also pause for breakfast at a picnic spot, before continuing our wildlife adventure. When we reach Halali Camp we take a break for lunch. Here there's time to stretch your legs, pop into the shop, and take a swim in the camp's pool. There is a curio shop where you can buy souvenirs and snacks. We also have time to visit the waterhole at this Etosha camp and scan for visiting wildlife.
After our refreshing lunch stop at Halali, we embark on our afternoon game drive in Etosha Park. We drive along the southern fringes of the immense Etosha Pan, so you can gaze out over the shimmering expanse of this famous salt pan. Etosha Pan covers over 4700 km² (1815 mi²) making it visible from space! Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as we drive back to Okaukuejo Camp for our second night of camping in Etosha National Park.
We arrive back at camp in time to catch a serene sunset over the rugged bush and visit the Okaukuejo waterhole at its most active time of day. Then we return to our campsite where we have dinner and unwind around the campfire.
On day six of our small-group Namibia Safari, we rise early to enjoy the wild habitat of Etosha Park. After an early morning coffee, we break up camp and pack up our things. Then we hit the road again, for a final game drive in Etosha National Park.
As we make our way out of Etosha Park, we scan the bush for large mammals and other creatures. With some luck, we'll spot large predators and key species we may have missed thus far.
From Etosha Park, we drive south to Windhoek, pausing briefly in the small town of Otjiwarongo to refuel. Next, we pass through Okahandja. where we visit the well-known wood carvers' market to peruse the wide variety of handmade creations from across Namibia. This is your chance to buy handcrafted Namibian curios and support local communities.
By late afternoon we arrive in Windhoek city, the capital of Namibia. Here you are taken to your post-safari accommodation, bringing this action-packed Nambia Camping Safari to a close.
For recommendations and help with booking activities in Swakopmund and accommodation in Windhoek, talk to our budget travel experts.
Etosha National Park is Namibia's top wildlife safari destination. It is the largest national park in Namibia and one of the biggest wildlife parks in Africa. Etosha Park is over 22 000 km² (8494 mi²) in size. The national park, located in northern Namibia, is dominated by Etosha Pan. This massive salt pan consists of vast arid plains where mirages hover in the heat. Etosha means ‘Great White Place of Dry Water’ in Ovambo.
Etosha National Park hosts an impressive number and variety of mammals (114 species), birds (350 species), and reptiles (110 species). Inhabitants include rare and endangered animals, as well as desert-adapted creatures. From tall elephants and giraffes to strange-looking blue wildebeests, elands, and tiny Damara dik-diks. Predators include lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and jackals. Etosha is renowned for its outstanding sightings of endangered black rhinos.
This tour does take children.
Children aged 5 years and older are welcome on this Namibia Camping Safari.
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