On arrival in Windhoek our handover agent will be the first friendly Namibian face you see at the airport as they greet you at arrivals. We provide a transfer from the airport to our offices where you will pick up your 4×4, sign the paperwork and we will explain how to use the 4×4 mode and keep the car in the best condition possible on the dusty Namibian roads.
Check-in at your guest house and enjoy the rest of your afternoon and evening in the capital city.
Today will be your first day of adventure and you will soon be on our dusty and bumpy gravel roads. As the road takes you further south west you will get your first sights of the Namib desert. Upon arrival, set up camp under a shady Camelthorn tree at Sesriem.
This morning you will wake up extra early to head into Sossusvlei before the sun even rises. Climb to the top of Dune 45 to see the first rays light up the highest dunes in the world. Then head over to the famous trees at deadvlei, maybe climb Big Daddy then finish the morning at Sesriem Canyon. After a spot of Lunch at Sossusvlei Lodge head over to Solitaire to see the old cars and grab a coffee and piece of apple pie.
Continue north today via the Kuiseb Canyon and Gaub pass with a quick stop at the Tropic of Capricorn. Arrive on the cool misty coast and get a few photos of the Walvis Bay flamingos before going to the quirky town of Swakopmund. This is where you will spend the night. We recommend having a plate of fresh fish for dinner by the ocean.
Today you have a large choice of things to do. Swakopmund and Walvis Bay both offer a wide range of activities from boat rides to see dolphins and otters, to quad biking in the dunes or even skydiving. One of our favourite activities is a full day at Sandwich Harbour with a guide to see where the dunes meet the ocean.
After stocking up at the supermarket and filling up your fridge this morning you will just have a short drive to the epic Spitzkoppe. Stop on the way to have a look at the wide range of crystals, gems and semi-precious stones at the crystal market just as you turn off the main road. With a souvenir in your pocket carry on the dirt road with the mountain looming in front of you. Upon arrival set up your tent in one of the campsites of your choice and pull on your hiking boots to start exploring! Walk around and admire the bush paintings amongst spectacular landscapes.
Make the most of a last walk around Spitzkoppe this morning if you wish, maybe head on over to the arch or see if there is any water in the rock pools. Then head directly north to the highest mountain in Namibia, Brandberg. Known as the burnt mountain you will see why as the sun sets and reflects black and red off the rock face. If you are lucky the desert adapted elephants may be in the area and you can join an excursion from the lodge to see them up close in the dry river beds.
Drive north a bit further and you will enter one of our favourite regions of Namibia, Damaraland. If you leave early enough then you will have time to go to Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage site where you can visit an incredible collection of rock engravings with a local guide. We also suggest visiting the friendly locals at the Damara Living Museum. A little further on you will arrive at Palmwag where you are likely to see giraffes by the road.
No destination in view today! A second night at Palmwag allows you to go into the day visitor area of the concession slowly to search for desert adapted elephants, giraffe, zebra, springbok, and if you are very luck even a black rhinoceros. Either take a picnic with you and spend the full day, or head back to the lodge to relax around the pool.
This morning pack up camp and get back on the roads to start heading west. Be prepared for more incredible landscapes as you drive over the Grootberg pass. Take it slow as this road can be tricky but the views from the top are worth it. Stop at Kamanjab for lunch and to stock up on some fresh items if needed then follow the tar road north to the Hobatere reserve. Enjoy a sundowner at the restaurant overlooking the waterhole.
A full day of safari awaits you in the infamous Etosha National Park. Wake up early and leave as soon as the sun rises to get the best chances of seeing lions on the move. Head east to Okaukuejo but not before stopping at all the waterholes along the way. As it is your first day in the park your camera’s memory card is sure to fill up quickly. Each waterhole is different and you never know what you might see. Use the map we provided you with at the beginning of your tour to make sure you don’t miss any.
Last night you probably won’t have slept much as you made the most of the floodlit waterhole at Okaukuejo. But do your best to head out early as the animals do not wait! The road from Okaukuejo to Halali is full of great places to visit. You will probably spend a lot of time at Nebrowni waterhole as there is very often lions and elephants there. Make sure you take the detour along the edge of the pan via salvadora too for the best views of the pan. You will see that this itinerary allows you to see all corners of the park at a slow pace, allowing you to make the most of your time in nature.
Continue east to Von Lindequest gate today. In the eastern side of the park you have great chances of seeing black rhino and cheetahs. We recommend heading to Chudop waterhole, a favourite for elephants. Grab some lunch at Namutoni and explore the fort, then spend the afternoon exploring the north eastern edge of the parc. The vegetation is very different here and attracts hundreds of giraffe.
Today you get back onto the main roads to start returning to Windhoek. The smooth tar under your tyres will be a welcome change to the bumpy roads of Etosha. We recommend stopping at the town of Otjiwarongo, a central hub in the area for locals and many farmers. The town offers some lovely restaurants and the unusual edition of a crocodile farm. Carry on a bit further south in the afternoon to your comfy accommodation on a guestfarm for your last night in the Namibian bush.
Today is your last day in Namibia and you return your trusty 4×4 to the office from where we will transport you to the airport for your departure.
