Day 1
Arrival in Windhoek
You’ll be picked up at the airport and driven to Windhoek, where you collect your rental car and proceed to your guesthouse in the quiet neighbourhood of Avis on the eastern outskirts of Windhoek. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you like, you can relax and recover from the long flight or do your shopping for the upcoming trip. Dinner can be had at one of Windhoek’s many restaurants.
(approx. 40 km, travel time approx. 45 min.)
Ti Melen Guesthouse (BB)
Day 2
Tsaris Mountains
Your camping adventure starts with a drive via Rehoboth to the edge of the Namib at the Tsauchab River Camp. Lying in the shade of huge fig trees, and with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains, the camp is interestingly decorated with curious exhibits made from old tools, crates, and equipment. At the camp there are various hiking trails and a 4x4 trail with sections suitable for beginners. Enjoy the experience of your first evening of camping under the starry African sky, a sky that shines in all its glory here in the clear, clean air, far from the city’s usual light pollution.
(approx. 280 km, driving time approx. 4 hours)
Tsauchab River Camp, Campsite (self-catering)
Day 3
Towards Sesriem
In the morning there is time to get to know the captivating landscape on foot, as the surrounding area is a hiker's paradise. Well-marked trails lead through wild gorges, over barren mountain ridges, and across wide plains. On the way, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the vast foothills of the Namib and, with a bit of luck, may even spot a herd of the shy Hartmann's Mountain zebra.
Afterwards you make your way to Sesriem, where you set up your tent inside the park and soak in the view of the high dunes to the west and the majestic Naukluft Mountains to the east. If you feel like it, you can take an excursion to the Elim Dune or the Sesriem Canyon in the afternoon.
(approx. 80 km, travel time approx. 1.5 hours)
Sesriem Oshana, Campsite (self-catering)
Day 4
Sossusvlei
Drive to the highest dunes in the world at Sossusvlei. As the sun is still quite low in the morning, the high dunes shimmer golden, yellow and reddish on one side, but are dark and shadowy on the other, making the dune ridge stand out razor-sharp. A short hike will take you to the photogenic Dead Vlei where you’ll see the bizarrely shaped trunks and branches of trees that died hundreds of years ago. You can also climb one of the highest dunes in the world and be rewarded at the top with the once-in-a-lifetime view.
(approx. 120 km, travel time approx. 2 hours)
Sesriem Oshana, Campsite (self-catering)
Day 5
To Swakopmund
After you pack up your tent you’ll head north to Solitaire, where you must try the famous apple pie. On the way to the coastal town of Swakopmund, you’ll cross the central Namib Desert and pass the Tropic of Capricorn. With a bit of luck, you may spot springbok, zebra, and oryx on the way. You’ll spend the night right next to the sea on the northern outskirts of Swakopmund and can take advantage of a reservation at the restaurant with a view of the ocean (optional).
(approx. 360 km, driving time approx. 5-6 hours)
Beach Lodge (BB)
Day 6
Swakopmund
Today you’ll get to experience a very interesting boat trip on a catamaran or in a kayak in the Walvis Bay lagoon. You are sure to see hundreds of seals as well as pelicans and flamingos, and possibly also dolphins, and, if you’re really lucky, a whale or two. In the afternoon you have time to look around Swakopmund, go shopping, or try a slice of cake in one of the German cafés.
(approx. 90 km, travel time approx. 1 hour)
Beach Lodge (BB) + catamaran trip included
Day 7
Swakopmund
There are numerous activities you can book today, including a desert tour in search of the "Little 5", fat bike tours, sandboarding, quad biking, camel rides, township tours, etc. You can also visit the museum, aquarium or snake park, or book a scenic flight over the vast sand sea of the Namib Desert or the Skeleton Coast. (All activities are optional).
Beach Lodge (BB)
Day 8
Erongo Mountains
Replenish your camping supplies, then drive back inland past the famous Spitzkoppe, and into the Erongo Mountains. Erongo Rocks’ individual campsites are nestled between huge granite boulders at the foot of the mountains, where the spectacular landscape begs you to explore it. End your day with a climb up the rocks and drink a toast to the sunset.
(approx. 230 km, driving time approx. 3 hours)
Erongo Rocks, Campsite (self-catering)
Day 9
Erongo Mountains
You have the whole day to explore the remote treasures of the Erongo Mountains, said to be one of Namibia's hidden gems. You can also visit the nearby "Living Museum of the San" (optional), where you’ll get to experience life in a traditional Bushman village and learn many interesting facts about the life of the San, but also about the flora and fauna of the Erongo Region. You’ll also gain an insight into traditional hunting methods and survival in the bush.
Erongo Rocks, Campsite (self-catering)
Day 10
Twyfelfontein
Today you drive via the small mining town of Uis and past Namibia's highest mountain, the Brandberg, to the sandstone mountains at Twyfelfontein - an Afrikaans name that means "dubious source". Here you can visit the fascinating ancient rock paintings and engravings which were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. Your campsite today is situated between granite peaks and, uniquely, has its own bathroom integrated into the rocks.
(approx. 250 km, driving time approx. 4 hours)
Mowani Mountain Camp, Campsite (self-catering)
Day 11
Etosha National Park
Your safari continues to the Etosha National Park, one of the largest game reserves in the world and considered one of the most outstanding in Africa. On the edge of the Etosha Pan, a huge calcareous salt pan, there are numerous waterholes where flocks of birds and numerous different animals can be found all year round. With the Etosha Safari Camp situated only a few kilometers from the park entrance you can go on your first game drive or choose to simply stay and relax at the camp.
(approx. 320 km, driving time approx. 4 hours)
Etosha Safari Camp, Campsite (self-catering)
Day 12
Etosha National Park
Exciting animal sightings await you today in the Etosha National Park where you have the whole day to explore this paradise. On the way, and at the various waterholes, you’ll get to see animals such as giraffes, kudus, zebra, springbok and, with a bit of luck, even lions. Remember to leave the park by sunset at the latest and drive back to your camp.
(approx. km/driving time depends on the drives in the park)
Etosha Safari Camp, Campsite (self-catering)
Day 13
Okonjima
With not too long a drive ahead of you today, you can have breakfast and assemble your tent without rushing. You then drive to Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation, where you can learn more about their projects with leopards and hyenas, and, in the afternoon, join a round trip in search of one of these most elusive big cats (included in the price). Your campsite is located in their 22,000-hectare private nature reserve in the middle of the Omboroko Mountains.
(approx. 230 km, driving time approx. 3 hours)
Okonjima Plains Camp, Campsite (self-catering)
Day 14
Drive towards Windhoek
Pack up your tent one last time and then drive to a private game reserve just outside Windhoek where you can relax by the pool and reflect on your amazing journey through Namibia. For those who want just a little bit more, in the afternoon you can take in one last game drive (optional).
(approx. 200 km, driving time approx. 2.5 hours)
Okapuka Safari Lodge (HB)
Day 15
Departure
Your safari adventure comes to an end today, but there’s time to soak up the African sun one last time before heading to the airport.
(approx. 80 km, travel/transfer time approx. 1.5 hours)
