This 6-Day Namib Desert & Etosha Tour is for those who want to see two of Namibia’s main attractions in a short time—the Namib Desert and Etosha National Park.
This tour gives you plenty of space to enjoy the quiet beauty of Namib.
Visit Sossusvlei, home to some of the highest dunes in the world and great views. Then travel north to Etosha National Park for a real safari experience.
Here, you have the chance to see the Big Five and many other animals.
Day 1: Windhoek to Sossusvlei
We will pick you up from your accommodation in Windhoek, or from Hosea Kutako International Airport if you arrive that day. You will leave Windhoek at 10:00 am in your safari vehicle with a private guide.
The drive goes southwest through the Khomas Hochland highlands and then down the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert. Along the way, there will be a stop for a picnic lunch at a scenic spot.
You will arrive at Namib Desert Lodge in the mid-afternoon. You will stay here for two nights while exploring the desert with your guide.
If time allows today, your guide can take you to see Sesriem Canyon, a nearby natural site, or Elim Dune. If you prefer, you can relax and enjoy the calm surroundings of the lodge.
After a long day, you return to freshen up for dinner. The rest of the evening is free.
Day 2: Sossusvlei Dunes
You will wake early and meet in the lobby for coffee, tea, and rusk. Then you head to Namib Naukluft Park for the Sossusvlei excursion.
The earlier you arrive, the better your chance to see the dunes in soft light with shadows that show their shapes.
You will climb Big Daddy, the highest dune at Sossusvlei. After exploring Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, and the nearby dunes, you will enjoy a relaxed picnic brunch under a camelthorn tree.
You return to the lodge in the early afternoon for a late lunch. If you did not visit Sesriem Canyon on Day 1, you can go there this afternoon. The rest of the day is free.
Day 3: Sossusvlei to Swakopmund
Today’s drive takes you northwest through changing desert landscapes of Namib Naukluft National Park. You will pass impressive places like Ghaub and Kuiseb Canyon via Kuiseb Pass.
You will reach the coast at Walvis Bay and then continue north to Swakopmund. Here you can enjoy the seaside and cooler coastal air.
You will stay one night in Swakopmund. The day is free for you to relax or explore. Many activities are available here, but they are optional and at your own cost.
You can ask your guide for advice on what to do. In the evening, freshen up for dinner. You can walk along the waterfront before having dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Swakopmund to Etosha National Park, South
After an early breakfast, you will head to Walvis Bay for a special activity. You will meet a local guide and take a half-day Sandwich Harbour tour from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.
After this, you will meet your guide at the waterfront and begin the journey toward Etosha National Park. You will have lunch on the way. You will arrive in the late afternoon.
After checking in, you will meet your guide for a game drive at waterholes. If lucky, you might see predators hunting, or you will see zebra, giraffe, elephant, rhino, and many types of antelope.
After the game drive, freshen up for dinner. You can relax after dinner watching animals near the main camp. The rest of the night is free.
Day 5: Etosha National Park, East
Today you will spend most of the day searching for animals as you travel through the park toward Namutoni rest camp. You will visit several waterholes and stop to see the Etosha Pan, also called the “place of dry water.”
This large flat area is about 5,000 square kilometers and often shows mirages. Seeing large groups of animals here is a special experience. You might stop at Halali camp for lunch before continuing to Namutoni.
At Namutoni, you can relax at the swimming pool or watch animals at the waterhole before going on a late afternoon game drive.
The game here is usually very good, with close views of springbok, zebra, impala, giraffe, gemsbok, and many birds. You may also see elephants and lions.
In the evening, enjoy a glass of wine and a nice sunset from the tower of the old German fort before dinner.
Day 6: Etosha to Windhoek
After a morning game drive and the chance to take more photos, get ready for the long, scenic drive back to Windhoek. On the way, you will pass towns and rural areas and stop at Okahandja, known for Namibia’s largest wood carving market.
The market is run by local co-ops and offers many genuine Namibian souvenirs. You will return to Windhoek in the afternoon by 4:00 pm at the latest.
You will be dropped off at your accommodation. If you are leaving the country, please talk to your guide to arrange an early drive to the airport.
