9 Day Namibia Unveiled: Etosha & Sossusvlei Wildlife & Dunes

Day 1: Windhoek – Mount Etjo Game Reserve, Namibia

Ignite your Namibian adventure on a 9-day expedition overflowing with wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, and breathtaking landscapes! Your journey begins with a pre departure meeting at 07:15. Depart Windhoek and delve into Okahandja, a haven for local crafts. Browse Namibia’s largest wood carving market, unearthing a unique souvenir while supporting local artisans. Continue to your campsite near the Okonjati Game Reserve, a haven for diverse wildlife. Set up camp and savor a delicious lunch before embarking on an exhilarating afternoon game drive. Traverse vast savannas dotted with colossal termite mounds, keeping your eyes peeled for iconic Big Five game – elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, and buffalo. Be captivated by herds of springbok, wildebeest, and graceful giraffes as they graze the golden plains. As the fiery African sunset paints the sky, witness the resident pride of lions enjoying their evening meal at a secure viewing hide. After a delectable campfire dinner beneath a blanket of stars, retire to your comfortable tent, ready to dream of your next Namibian encounter.

Accommodation: Twin share tents, shared ablution at campsite
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlights: Game driving on Mount Etjo Game Reserve
Distance: 230 km

Day 2: Mount Etjo Game Reserve –  Etosha National Park, Namibia

After a hearty breakfast, depart your campsite and head north towards the iconic Etosha National Park. En route, make a quick pitstop in Otjwarongo for any essentials before arriving at Etosha’s main camp, Okaukuejo. Embark on a short introductory game drive as you enter the park, keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife sightings. Etosha boasts an incredible diversity – over 22,000 square kilometers teeming with 114 mammal species, 350 bird species, and countless reptiles and insects. Set up camp and then venture into the park for your first official Etosha game drive. Spot elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and even the elusive big cats roaming the vast savannas. Don’t overlook the smaller creatures – antelopes, gazelles, zebras, and a dazzling array of birds await discovery. As sunset paints the sky, return to camp for dinner. But the wildlife viewing doesn’t end there! Head to the floodlit waterhole, a short walk from your campsite. Here, witness Etosha’s magic come alive at night. Black rhinos, critically endangered and Namibia’s pride, are frequent visitors alongside elephants, big cats, and a plethora of smaller animals. This unforgettable experience under the stars is a highlight of any Etosha adventure!

Accommodation: Okaukuejo Campsite
Included Highlights: Game drives in Etosha National Park
Distance: 220kms

Day 3: Okaukuejo –  Halali – Okaukuejo – Etosha National Park, Namibia

Rise with the sun and embark on an action-packed day exploring Etosha National Park. Head out as dawn breaks, a prime time to spot predators returning from their hunts. Navigate the park, a desert landscape dotted with life-giving waterholes. These natural and man-made watering holes are your key to incredible wildlife sightings – witness animals gather for their morning drink. Enjoy a quick breakfast at a designated picnic area before continuing your exploration en route to Halali Camp. Derived from a European hunting call signifying the end of the chase, Halali symbolizes a new era for Etosha – a haven where animals are forever protected. Savor lunch at Halali, browse the souvenir shop, or cool off with a swim. Before an afternoon game drive, don’t miss the chance to see wildlife at the Halali waterhole. On your return journey to Okaukuejo, stop and marvel at the Etosha Pan – a vast expanse of white mineral exceeding 4,700 square kilometers, visible even from space! With watchful eyes searching for animals, arrive back at camp just before sunset for the highlight of the day – prime wildlife viewing at the floodlit Okaukuejo waterhole. This unforgettable day promises an abundance of wildlife encounters in Namibia’s crown jewel!

Accommodation: Okaukuejo Campsite
Included Highlights: Afternoon game drives in Etosha National Park

Day 4: Okaukuejo – Palmwag, Namibia

Farewell Etosha! After an early breakfast and game drive exiting the park, delve into Namibia’s cultural tapestry. Visit the Otjikandero Himba Village, a living museum showcasing the traditions of this fascinating tribe. Interact with the villagers, learn about their way of life, and capture captivating photos (with permission, of course!). Continue your journey westward towards the awe-inspiring Etendeka Mountains, aptly named “flat top” for their unique mesas. This dramatic landscape, sculpted by ancient volcanic upheavals, boasts the same rock formations found in Brazil – a testament to continental drift! Enjoy sweeping vistas and appreciate the grandeur of this prehistoric land. Finally, arrive at your campsite nestled beside the Uniab River in Palmwag. Keep your eyes peeled for Namibia’s unique desert-adapted elephants, known to frequent the area and even visit the camp’s swimming pool! As the sun dips low, enjoy a sundowner and witness the magic of these gentle giants in their natural habitat

Accommodation: Palmwag Campsite
Included Highlights: Himba Village visit
Distance: 320 km

Day 5: Palmwag to Cape Cross, Namibia

Embark on a westward journey towards the awe-inspiring Skeleton Coast National Park. Traverse diverse landscapes teeming with unique flora, including Namibia’s national plant, the Welwitschia Mirabilis – a drought-resistant marvel estimated to be over 1,500 years old! Witness the stark beauty of the Skeleton Coast, a shipwreck graveyard where relentless winds, waves, and fog have claimed countless vessels. Learn the fascinating (and ill-fated) stories of prospectors who searched for diamonds and oil along this unforgiving coastline. Spot remnants of their endeavors, including a giant abandoned oil rig. Exit the park at the iconic Ugab River gates, perfect for an Instagram moment! Finally, arrive at the world’s largest Cape fur seal colony at Cape Cross. Witness over 100,000 seals basking on the rocks and prepare for an olfactory challenge – this is the smelliest stop of your safari! Learn about the historical significance of Cape Cross, named after the stone crosses erected by Portuguese explorer Diego Cao in 1485. As the sun dips below the horizon, enjoy a relaxing walk along the beach before settling in for your overnight stay. This day promises breathtaking scenery, historical intrigue, and an unforgettable wildlife encounter!

Accommodation: Cape Cross Campsite
Included Highlights: Visit to Cape Cross Seal Colony
Distance: 320 km

Day 6: Cape Cross – Swakopmund, Namibia

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before cruising south along the coast. Spot the beached Zeila shipwreck, a recent addition to the Skeleton Coast’s collection. Next, marvel at Namibia’s world-record lichen fields, a unique ecosystem perfectly adapted to the foggy desert environment. Learn about their delicate balance and how to explore responsibly. Finally, arrive in Swakopmund, a vibrant town nestled between the Namib Desert and the Atlantic Ocean. Explore its German colonial architecture, indulge in delicious local cuisine (lunch & dinner at your own expense), and choose from a variety of exciting adventures – scenic flights, skydiving, quad biking, desert tours, and more! Your guide will be happy to assist with recommendations and bookings for an unforgettable Swakopmund experience!

Accommodation: Campsite
Optional Activities: 
Distance: 120 km

Day 7: Swakopmund –  Desert Camp, Namibia

Enjoy a relaxed morning – explore the charming town on foot, or choose an adrenaline rush – quad biking or sandboarding down towering dunes (bookings can be made through your guide). In mid-morning, depart Swakopmund and delve into the Namib Desert. Traverse vast gravel plains dotted with dramatic mountain inselbergs. Conquer two majestic passes – the mighty Kuiseb Pass with breathtaking canyon views and the Gaub Pass, a tributary marvel. Cross the Tropic of Capricorn, marking 23.5 degrees south, and capture a photo at the commemorative signpost. Finally, arrive at your Desert Camp near Sesriem, gateway to the iconic Sossusvlei dunes. Relax by the pool, enjoy a delicious dinner prepared over an open fire, and settle into your comfortable en-suite room for a night under the Namibian stars! (158 characters)

Accommodation: Twin rooms with en-suite bathroom facilities
Distance: 350 km

Day 8: Desert Camp, Sossusvlei –  Desert Camp, Namibia

Witness the magic of Sossusvlei at sunrise! An early start ensures you capture the iconic dunes ablaze in golden hues. Travel from Sesriem into the heart of the Namib via the ancient Tsauchab Riverbed. Reach Sossusvlei, a dramatic pan fringed by colossal dunes, and embark on a 4×4 adventure. Explore Deadvlei, a surreal landscape dotted with petrified trees, standing testament to a bygone era. Challenge yourself with a climb up one of the world’s highest dunes for panoramic vistas. On your return journey, stop at Dune 45, another iconic landmark, and soak in the desert’s grandeur. Finally, explore the Sesriem Canyon, carved by the Tsauchab River over millennia. Return to Desert Camp in the late afternoon, filled with unforgettable memories.

Accommodation: Twin rooms with en-suite bathroom facilities
Included Highlights: Guided excursion to Sossusvlei
Distance: 120 kms

Day 9: Desert Camp – Windhoek, Namibia

Bid farewell to the Namib with a heartwarming experience! Join a conservation project near Solitaire and learn about cheetahs, the world’s fastest land animals. Get up close to these magnificent creatures and capture unforgettable photos. Savor Solitaire’s iconic apple pie before embarking on a scenic journey back to Windhoek. Traverse Namibia’s central plateau, enjoying breathtaking mountain landscapes. Your adventure concludes mid-afternoon with a drop-off at your chosen accommodation in Windhoek. This unforgettable journey leaves you with cherished memories of Namibia’s wildlife and landscapes!

Included Highlights: Cheetah experience at Solitaire
Distance: 320 kms

Onward Travel Plans

Due to circumstances beyond our control while on tour (such as border crossings, traffic, breakdowns and delays, etc), the end time on the last day cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we strongly recommend you stay the night and fly out the next day. Please consult with your booking consultant.