This Best of Namibia Safari Adventure takes you to Namibia's top destinations, starting and ending in Windhoek.
Experience the land of contrasts with its sweeping dunes, star-studded skies and solitary vistas, and see the dramatic coast, open plains, and unique desert adapted wildlife of Namibia.
This Best of Namibia Safari Adventure starts at a selected hotel in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. Your safari guide meets up with you at 14h00 and gives you a short overview of the overland adventure ahead.
After meeting your fellow travelers and guide, we drive into the city of Windhoek to explore. Your guide leads you on a short sightseeing tour of Windhoek, visiting one of the museums and churches. Then it's off to the legendary Joe’s Beerhouse (or a similar) for a hearty dinner (own expense).
This morning we leave Windhoek and journey deeper into the inhospitable Namib Desert, admiring the stark scenery as we go.
We cross bare plains, passing undulating red-orange dunes and tall, stony mountains as we travel to our remote desert camp. We spend two nights camping at the base of a rocky outcrop in a concession area of the Namib Rand Nature Reserve. The desert camp serves as a base for our explorations in Namib Rand Nature Reserve, where we take bush walks and both day and night game drives.
The Namib Rand Nature Reserve, one of the largest private conservation areas in Southern Africa, borders on the Namib-Naukluft National Park to the west. This vast protected area covers diverse habitats of the Namib, hosting rare and unique flora and fauna, including many desert-adapted species
On day three of our Namibia Safari Adventure, we wake up to the solitary scenes of the vast desert surrounding the lodge, soaking up the calm and quiet of the Namib. We spend the day exploring the huge Namib Rand Nature Reserve. The morning is spent on a walk where your guide shows you the marvels of the desert plants and animals found here, telling you about their survival strategies for living in these extreme habitats. Relax back at camp during the heat of the day before embarking on an afternoon drive through the desert dunes in an open safari vehicle. We will enjoy a traditional sundowner drink as we watch in awe the colours of the setting sun over the wide open landscape.
The Namib Rand Reserve covers about 22 000 ha of south-western Namibia, protecting the unique ecology and biodiversity of this part of the Namib Desert. Ecotourism provides funds for the running of this nature reserve which incorporates important wildlife migration corridors.
Oryx (or gemsbok) and springbok are the most commonly sighted large mammals, with others antelopes including kudu, steenbok and hartebeest, and klipspringer. The nature reserve is also home to leopards, zebras, giraffes, hyenas, black-backed jackals, aardwolf, bat-eared foxes, caracals, wild cats, and genets. We are also sure to spot plenty of the 150 bird species recorded here, as well as reptiles, insects, rodents, amphibians, and invertebrates.
Up early this morning and off to the Namib-Naukluft National Park to visit the red landscape of the most photographed landmarks in Namibia.
First, we head for the renowned Sossusvlei Dunes, said to be the highest sand dunes on the planet. We spend some time climbing these giant red mountains of sand to catch the breathtaking views from the top. Next, a 4x4 vehicle takes us through the last stretch of dunes to the ethereal Deadvlei, a salt pan lying in the middle of the dunescape dotted with the silhouettes of dead trees. Here we immerse ourselves in the surroundings - red-orange sandscapes contrasted against the white crusty salt pan and cloudless blue skies, a surreal sight.
The 4x4 takes us back to the vehicle and we head across the arid, sun-baked plains to Sesriem Canyon to take a walk along the floor of this narrow canyon to marvel at the exposed faces of rock layers formed over the aeons.
After exploring the unforgettable scenes of the striking Namib-Naukluft we make our way to a camp in the heart of the still desert.
On day five of our overland camping tour, we drive through Kuiseb Canyon and the Namib-Naukluft Park admiring the lunar landscapes. Our travels take us via an ancient Welwitschia 'forest' to see these strange and hardy plants which can live over 1000 years. From there we move on to the lagoon at coastal Walvis Bay, to do some bird watching.
Our destination for the day - Swakopmund, is the main adventure activity hub of Namibia. We spend the next two nights at a comfortable lodge, conveniently located in the town. You are free to go sightseeing in this historic town that was founded by German colonialists in 1892 and still maintains some of the old charm. Swakopmund is a pleasant town to explore on foot - a good way to see the old German architecture, attractions, and sidewalk cafes.
On day six you have time to participate in exciting activities (own expense), in and around the town, including skydiving, sandboarding, and quad biking. You can also eat out (own expense) and sample the nightlife of vibrant Swakopmund on days five and six of our Namibia Safari Adventure.
Today our Namibia Safari Adventure takes us north along the dramatic Skeleton Coast, so-called for the notoriously dangerous conditions that have caused many a shipwreck along this barren coastline. Tracing the Atlantic Ocean coastline, we stop at the Cape Cross Seal Colony to get a close-up look at one of the largest colonies of Cape Fur Seals in the world.
We then drive inland through the semi-arid desert to the iconic Spitzkoppe, a grouping of granite peaks rising avove the flat desert floor, the highest reaching 1728 metres above sea level. The afternoon is spent exploring this fascinating area on foot admiring the rock formations and the impressive array of creatures that call this stark landscape home. We camp here for the night and enjoy unsurpassed stargazing.
After a leisurely morning exploring more of the Spitzkoppe we head off through the desert to the highest mountain in Namibia, Brandberg. En-route we pay a visit to members of the semi-nomadic Himba tribe who still practice their traditional way of life in this stark countryside. Then on to Brandberg, a granite massif which towers over the surrounding landscape to a height of 2573 metres above sea level. The name means 'Burning Mountain' due to the glowing color which is sometimes seen in the setting sun.The Brandberg is a spiritual site of great significance to the San (Bushman) tribes and we have a guided hike to visit the iconic White Lady rock art.
We reach camp mid afternoon and there is an optional excursion (own expense) to take a game drive in search of the elusive and rare desert elephants.
Making our way further north, we travel through the rugged, rocky Damaraland, home to the Damara people. We are headed to Etosha National Park - the wildlife highlight of our overland camping tour! Etosha is Namibia's premier safari destination, hosting an abundance of Africa's wildlife and birds. The national park is dominated by a large salt pan - the Etosha Pan, which stretches out in a seemingly endless expanse of desolate terrain. It is incredible the diversity of birds and animals who can survive in this extreme environment.
We spend spend two blissful days embarking on numerous game drives. We are highly likely to encounter elephants, black-faced impala, springbok, zebra, and giraffes, as well as black rhinos at the watering holes. Lions are frequently sighted, and other predators include cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and jackals. We will spend time at the famous Okekeujo waterhole just watching as animals and birds coming to quench their thirst and cool down.
On the final day in Etosha, we wake up early, have breakfast, pack up camp, and hit the road. We drive back to Windhoek where our Best of Nambia Safari Adventure began, traveling for about five hours. We should be back in modern civilization by late afternoon.
Post-safari accommodation is available in Windhoek and can be booked through African Budget Safaris.
This Best of Namibia Safari Adventure involves a fair amount of walking, so a small daypack is advisable. A sleeping bag, towel, and pillow are required for this tour. Seasonal Malaria precautions are advisable and are locally obtainable. During winter the nighttime temperatures can fall below zero and during summer the daytime temperatures can reach the forties, so be prepared for this. Most major currencies can be exchanged on arrival in Windhoek and other centers, but banking hours do apply. Credit cards are generally accepted.
This Namibia Overland Camping Tour can be upgraded to an Accommodated Overland Tour. Check Full Tour Pricing information for details.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does not take children.
All Windhoek Departures | All Namibia Tours | All Exclusive Overland Safari trips
From Windhoek to Etosha Park for game viewing, into rugged Damaraland, via the Skeleton Coast to Swakopmund for adventure activities. Explore the ancient Namib Desert, Fish River Canyon and Orange River, ending in Cape Town.
Explore Namibia’s stunning desert landscapes, coastal towns Luderitz & Swakopmund, and premier wildlife viewing at Etosha National Park on this budget Namibia Explorer Safari while staying in excellent lodges.
An adventure-filled 10 Day Explore Namibia Lodge Safari to the Namib Desert's Sossusvlei Dunes & Sesriem Canyon and Etosha Park. Visit Swakopmund, the Himba Tribe, Petrified Forest, Rock Art & Cheetah Centre, and more.
More on this 10 Day Budget Lodge Safari
A great 12-day Budget Camping Safari in Namibia exploring Etosha Park, Swakopmund, and the Namib Desert. This affordable Namibia Safari is ideal for families.
The Namibia Self Drive Safari saves time and money. Explore Etosha, Namib Desert and more on an independent Namibia tour - accommodation and car hire arranged.
More on this 12 Day Self Drive Tour
Our team has the destination knowledge to help you plan an unforgettable African adventure. We're based in Cape Town and ready to help.
We can also plan you an affordable private group or tailor-made tour. We built our business on turning luxury travel into affordable travel.
