This budget-friendly Highlights of Namibia Lodge Safari starts in Windhoek. On the first afternoon, visit N/a’an ku sê (Naankuse) Wildlife Sanctuary to see African big cats up close. Next, head to the world-renowned Etosha National Park to see a rich array of wildlife, including 4 of the Big 5 animals, and visit the Etosha Pan (the biggest salt pan in Africa) with its wide, shimmering horizons.
Then, travel to the coastal town of Swakopmund to enjoy optional fun activities and explore this historical town. From there, we drive into the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world. Take a sunrise drive to Sossusvlei Dunes in Namib Naukluft Park and climb Dune 45 to admire some of the highest dunes in the world. Visit the stark Dead Vlei and the impressive Sesriem Canyon,and marvel at the unforgettable sunsets over the ochre dunes.
Experience exceptional Namib Desert highlights, seaside Swakopmund and game-rich Etosha on one affordable Namibia Lodge Safari!
On day one of this Namibia Lodge Safari you are collected from the international airport or bus stop in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, and transferred to our first overnight hotel in the city.
This afternoon we visit the Naankuse (N/a'an ku se) Wildlife Sanctuary where excellent conservation work is being done and support is given to the local San people. We visit the local wild animals which are introduced to the rehabilitation centre and learn more about the program and how they aim to re-introduce the animals into the wild in due course.
After the feeding tour, we enjoy some free time and return to the city.
We spend the night at a hotel conveniently located within walking distance of the centre of Windhoek. We stay in comfortable twin shared rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Also provided is an outdoor swimming pool, bar and wi-fi internet.
In the evening you can have dinner at one of Windhoek's many exciting restaurants (at your own expense).
We depart from the hotel in Windhoek at 8:00 on day two of our Namibia Lodge Safari.
Driving north to Etosha we stop at Otjiwarongo along the way to enjoy lunch, before entering the world-renowned Etosha National Park.
We make our way into Etosha Park via the Anderson Gate embarking on an afternoon game drive to some of the nearby waterholes. Our game drive takes us in search of Etosha's wildlife especially the big cat predators, as well as zebra, giraffe, elephant and rhino.
We spend the night in a camp inside Etosha Park, arriving before sunset at Halali Camp, where we stay in twin rooms. The camp features a floodlit watering hole where guests can watch wildlife coming to drink during the night, including some elusive nocturnal animals.
Dinner is prepared by your safari guide, after our first exciting day on safari in Etosha.
Today we head back into Etosha National Park on an early morning game drive, setting off before sunrise.
We explore Etosha Park, stopping on Etosha Pan, Africa's largest salt pan, for a light breakfast in the mid-morning. Walk out onto the flat pan and experience the immenseness of this 4500 sq km saltpan (seasonal), also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Our game drive takes us through the vast Etosha Park in search of an array of African wildlife, including four of the Big Five (lion, rhino, leopard and elephant) as well as the abundance of plains game found in this wilderness area. We visit numerous waterholes along the way back to Halali Camp. Your guide prepares a tasty picnic lunch at Halali, which offers a cool retreat from the heat. Take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool, relax at the camp's waterhole or rest here during the hottest part of the day.
We then continue to Okaukuejo Camp calling into one more waterhole to watch a beautiful African sunset. Next, we leave Etosha National Park and make our way to our next overnight safari stop, just outside the game park. On the third night of our Namibia Lodge Safari, we stay at a safari lodge near the Etosha gates, in twin shared permanent tents with en-suite bathrooms.
Dinner is prepared by your safari guide and we spend the evening relaxing around the campfire and swapping tales of our game-viewing adventures.
On day four of this Namibia Lodge Safari, we have a leisurely breakfast at our affordable lodge near Etosha, before driving south towards Swakopmund.
We travel via arid Damaraland, in the Kunene Region, passing communal lands and stopping at the Ugab River bridge to visit the striking Herero ladies selling arts and crafts to support their families.
Our en-route lunch stop is at the foot of Namibia's tallest mountain, Brandberg Mountain. Here we visit a Himba group selling handcrafted jewelry and other African curios. After lunch, we drive through the Namib Desert pausing along the dramatic Skeleton Coast to see the latest shipwreck.
We arrive in coastal Swakopmund in the late afternoon, allowing time for you to explore this quaint, historical town of Namibia. Your safari guide can recommend a local restaurant for dinner (own expense) in Swakopmund.
The morning is free for you to explore Swakopmund with its colonial architecture and participate in optional adventure activities. After breakfast at the safari lodge, we highly recommend a visit to the Swakopmund Museum or Aquarium (unguided) or for those in search of a thrill you can join the 2-hour quad biking excursion into the dune belt to get your adrenaline pumping!
At noon in summer (11:00 in wintertime) we leave Swakopmund, driving through the Namib Desert. We travel via the Kuiseb Canyon and Solitaire arriving at our camp near Sesriem in the late afternoon.
In the late afternoon, we arrive at our desert safari camp near Sesriem and have some time to relax and enjoy the scenic setting. A refreshing pool and bar at the camp provide welcome relaxation. After settling in, we take a short walk to the Naukluft mountain range in time to catch a spectacular African sunset over the red sand of the Namib Desert.
Back at camp, a delicious dinner is prepared by your safari guide while you relax with a cool drink.
Today we leave camp at dawn arriving at the Namib Naukluft Park gate as the sun rises.
Our drive takes us down an ancient river bed surrounded by the towering dunes of the Namib as we head to the 2x4 parking area (around 55 km). From here we take a 4x4 shuttle into the Sossusvlei Dunes area to admire the beautiful orange-red sand dunes in the warm early morning light. The Sossusvlei Dunes of Namibia are amongst the highest dunes in the world and exploring this desert area we experience the quiet tranquility and solitude of this distinctive region.
We explore the unique Sossusvlei area on foot before travelling into the barren Dead Vlei. This large expanse of bleached flat clay is covered in cracks and dotted with skeletal black thorn trees, contrasting sharply with the huge, vibrantly coloured dunes in the background. From Dead Vlei we can either walk or catch the 4x4 shuttle back to our safari vehicle.
Along the way back to our overnight lodge accommodation we stop at the famous Dune 45. We climb the renowned sand dune or explore the area around the base, depending on what you prefer. Then we make our way back to Sesriem, visiting the nearby Sesriem Canyon, one of the few permanent water sources in the Namib Desert. After the impressive Sesriem Canyon, we return to our safari camp arriving in the late afternoon in time to catch a stunning sunset over the desert. Dinner will be prepared by your safari guide at camp.
After breakfast at our comfortable lodge near Sesriem, we head to a guest farm in Solitaire where we could sample their world famous Apple Crumble Pie. Then we drive to Windhoek via Bullsport, the Naukluft Mountains and Rehoboth.
We arrive in Windhoek in the mid-afternoon, bringing this memorable Namibia Lodge Safari to a close. You will be dropped off at the post-tour accommodation of your choice or transferred directly to the bus terminal or International Airport for your onward travel.
If you are catching an onward flight on the last day of this Namibia safari, we strongly recommend that you do NOT book any flights departing before 17h00. We advise booking flights after 17h00 in case there are any unexpected delays on safari.
Our centrally located hotel is in the Windhoek city centre, within easy walking distance of shops, banks, restaurants and Craft Centre.
The rooms contain either a double bed or twin single beds with good quality linen and have private shower and toilet facilities. Ceiling fans or standing fans, bedside lights and cupboards are also provided. A basic continental breakfast is available (included in the tour price) at this comfortable hotel, rated 2-star equivalent. Other facilities include wi-fi, solar heated swimming pool, a bar and information service on day trips.
Our preferred Etosha Lodge accommodation is located near Etosha National Park, just 2 km outside the game reserve. We stay in twin shared permanent tents featuring reverse cycle air-conditioning, as well as private shower and toilet facilities and an outside sitting area.
Each spacious safari-style tent is fitted with interior lighting, twin beds, good-quality linen and extra blankets. Small sleeper couches can be used for children under 12 years, however, we recommend booking an extra tent for children around this age for comfort. Camp facilities include 2 outdoor swimming pools, a bar, dstv, and a small shop and restaurant. Although Namibia doesn't have an official rating system, the lodge near Etosha is considered the equivalent of 3-star accommodation.
Our other Etosha lodge options are all located within 25km of the Anderson gate on the western side of Etosha National Park and will be of similar standard.
In Swakopmund, our friendly lodge accommodation is centrally located within walking distance of the beach, shops, restaurants and craft market. The lodge rooms feature a double bed or twin single beds and have private shower and toilet facilities. Rooms are fitted with bedside lights and cupboards for your luggage. The lodge has a relaxed atmosphere and a basic continental or cooked breakfast is available (included in the tour price).
Our selected Namib Desert Camp is located 3 km outside the Namib Naukluft National Park, not far from Sesriem. Each safari-style tent offers unsurpassed views of the Naukluft Mountains and arid plains of the Namib Desert.
The permanent tents each have an en-suite bathroom, fans, a small balcony and a personal braai area. These adobe-style tents are fitted with twin beds, a safe and a sofa. Good quality linen is included and additional bedding is also supplied in colder months. Other facilities include a small pool, bar, DSTV and self-catering kitchens with alfresco dining areas where your meals are prepared by your guide. Sleeper couches suitable for children under the age of 12 years are also provided. This earthy Desert Lodge is rated as equivalent to 3-star accommodation (no official rating system in Namibia).
Alternative Lodge options near Sesriem are all situated within 90km of the Namib/Naukluft entrance at Sesriem.
The type of tour vehicle used for specific departures will be determined by the size of the safari group at the time of departure.
This Namibia safari does not visit Etosha's Namutoni Camp at all as it is closed to non-resident visitors or on payment of a very high daily fee, which has not been included in the cost of this safari. Sleeping bags or bath towels are not necessary, but please bring swimwear and pool towels, especially during the summer months.
Etosha National Park, situated in the Kunene Region of northwestern Namibia, is rated as one of the best game reserves in Africa.
Covering 22,270 km sq this vast game park is home to 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and even one species of fish. The unusual terrain of Etosha Park supports rare and varied wild animals and birds making it a unique safari destination. The national park is dominated by the arid Etosha Pan, at nearly 5,000 km² with 'Etosha' meaning place of dry water, or great white place. The expansive silvery-white salt pan is an awe-inspiring sight with its wide horizons and shimmering mirages stretching into the distance.
Etosha hosts four of the Big Five of Africa, including both white rhino and endangered black rhino, as well as lion, leopard and elephant. Other wildlife include giraffe, cheetah, zebra and various antelope species, such as springbok, black-faced impala, tsessebe and gemsbok.
This tour does take children.
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