12 Days Namibia Uncovered Safaris

Start in Sossusvlei and the magnificent blood-red sand dunes before heading to NamibRand for game drives through the pristine wilderness. Next up, it’s Swakopmund, the country’s adventure hotspot, where skydiving, parasailing, and quad-biking are all in a day’s work. Then it’s off to Damaraland to track desert elephants, marvel at the spindly, petrified trees in the eerie forest, or simply walk through the shimmering desert under the watchful eye of the towering boulders.

Highlights

• Kulala wilderness reserve
• Sossusvlei
• Namib rand reserve
• Namib- Naukluft national park
• Walvis bay
• Damaaraland
• Etosha national park

Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrival in Windhoek

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You will be met at the airport and transferred to your first lodge. The Olive Exclusive is where we recommend all our guests base themselves when overnighting in central Windhoek. Best described as a luxury guesthouse, their seven stylish suites are in high demand, so if one’s free for your dates, grab it! Located in a quiet residential corner of the city, 40 minutes from the international airport, it attracts mostly safari-goers and a few corporate clients, plus locals who come to dine and soak up the panoramic views from the hotel’s terrace.

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Day 2: Drive to Kulala Wilderness Reserve

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You will be transferred to Kulala Desert Lodge which lies on the 210-square-kilometer private Kulala Wilderness Reserve in southern Namibia. The lodge’s prime attraction is its proximity, and private entrance, to the Namib-Naukluft National Park, but its vast views are headline-worthy too – from the Namib-Naukluft dune sea in the west to the mountains in the east. The place is friendly and comfortable and, of course, there’s that desert to explore.

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Day 3: Explore Sossusvlei desert dunes

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Take an early-morning excursion (the best time to see the light on the dunes) to Sossusvlei, accessed via a private gate that is shared only with sister Little Kulala Lodge. Climb 325-metre Big Daddy, Sossusvlei’s tallest dune. It’s a long trip to dramatic Sesriem Canyon, but worth it for the memories and photographs. Take a shorter drive in Kulala Private Reserve, go on a guided walking trail, or get a bird’s-eye view from a hot-air balloon (extra charge).

Day 4: Drive to NamibRand reserve

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Set amongst the phenomenal landscapes of the Namib Desert, this elegant, stylish tented lodge has magnificent panoramic views of the 2100 km2 NamibRand reserve in all directions. Wolwedans Dunes Lodge prides itself on delivering a personal experience full of luxury, privacy, and tranquility. The reserve offers a pristine wilderness experience, with considerably fewer tourists than the neighboring national park (though a visit there is still highly recommended).

There is a wide variety of wildlife on the reserve (including elusive predators like leopards, cheetah, brown hyenas, Cape foxes, and caracals) but they are extremely hard to find. You’re more likely to see gemsbok (oryx), springbok, zebra, and black-backed jackals.

Day 5: Safari to Namib-Naukluft national park

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A morning’s trip into the Namib-Naukluft Park to see some of the famous dunes is a must. Other awesome activities include hot air ballooning, horse-riding, and scenic flights but come at substantial extra cost.

Day 6: Drive to Walvis Bay

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Walvis Bay is a port town on the coast of Namibia. Sheltered by the Pelican Point sand spit, its tidal lagoon is home to abundant birdlife including flamingos, pelicans, and Damara terns. The harbor is busy with fishing boats and ships. Dolphins, whales, and Cape fur seals inhabit the Atlantic waters around the Pelican Point Lighthouse. East of the bay, coastal sand dunes like Dune 7 mark the start of the Namib Desert.

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Day 7: Explore Walvis Bay

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This remote former harbor control station has been transformed into a luxurious beach lodge next to the working Pelican Point lighthouse and offers a choice of nine beautifully-styled suites with stunning sea views and distinctive maritime flair. The emphasis here is the appreciation of the solitude, marine wildlife, and the often wild and stormy seascapes. You’ll need a 4×4 vehicle for the half-hour drive from Walvis Bay, the nearest town unless you opt for a boat or road transfer. Pelican Point Lodge is a nature lover’s paradise. This pristine stretch of protected coastline and peninsula has a thriving marine wildlife population. Several colonies of Cape fur seals are nearby, together with huge flocks of terns and flamingos. Picnics can be arranged for long walks on the beach, and kayaking and dolphin cruises are optional extras.

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Day 8: Drive to Damaraland

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Damaraland in north-west Namibia is an ancient, boulder-strewn landscape of heat, dust, and extraordinary beauty. This is the middle of nowhere, so finding tranquil Mowani Mountain Camp, tucked among the giant ochre rocks, is a real surprise. The lodge’s organic design has earned it an architectural eco-design award, and the interior decor combines elegance, earthiness, and tranquillity. The accommodation is spacious and comfortable, the food is great, the game drives are rewarding and you could lose yourself in the views.

Day 9: Explore Damaaraland

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Game drives with local guides who explain the people, geology, botany, and wildlife of the area are a must. Take a four-to-six hour morning drive to explore the dunes and look for elephants, hook up with a guide and investigate the landscape on foot, visit the rich rock art gallery at Twyfelfontein and the Organ Pipes rock formation. Or lounge beside the pool or on your private deck.

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Day 10: Drive to Southern Etosha national park

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Your journey continues east to Namibia’s premier wildlife viewing destination, Etosha National Park. Your stay is at Etosha Safari Camp.

Etosha Safari Camp is situated 9 km south of Andersson Gate, the entrance to the Etosha National Park. It has a sparkling swimming pool, the Okambashu Restaurant, and the Oshebeena Bar styled like a typical little township bar. Enjoy evening entertainment next to a fire, under the stars.

This afternoon, you may want to explore the Southern side of the Park, guided or self-drive. A series of waterholes along the southern edge of the pan guarantee rewarding and often spectacular game viewing.

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Day 11: Game drives and transfers to eastern Etosha national park

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Pack your belongings because an impressive 5000-square-kilometer Etosha salt pan is waiting for you. The Park is well equipped with camps, restaurants and swimming pools. Make a stop at Halali Camp mid-way between Okaukuejo and Namutoni. Here you can visit the famous Moringa Waterhole at the camp. The oasis-like natural spring at Goas is also a favorite.

Upon arrival at Mokuti Etosha Lodge, a cool, green tropical oasis welcomes you. Charming thatched buildings and two sparkling pools nestled amongst the vast indigenous gardens, give credence to the name “Mokuti”, which in Ovambo means “In the forest”.

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Day 12: Drive back to Windhoek

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Bid farewell to the lodge and start your drive to Windhoek for your departure flight back home.

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End of tour

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Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.

What’s included in Safari

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• Airport transfers
• Accommodation
• Park Entrance
• Activities included on the final itinerary
• Drinking water in the Car

What’s excluded in the Safari

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• International flights
• Insurance
• Tips
• Personal expenditure like donation

When to book the safari package?

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6 months in advance but last-minute inquiries can be made through our Africa travel specialist

Best Time to Travel

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May-October

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