10-Day Namibia Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Namibia tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffNamibia travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Days in Namibia, incl. Windhoek and Etosha National Park

  Namibia's diverse landscapes unfold across 6 major destinations, including 3 days in the Namib Desert, 2 full days in Etosha National Park, and cultural experiences in Swakopmund. Features daily activities from desert exploration to wildlife viewing, with nights at premium lodges.

  

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  • Day 1

    Windhoek

    Arrive in Namibia's capital Windhoek which sits at 5,600 feet elevation. Take it easy on your first day to adjust to the altitude. "The welcome meeting is usually around 5 PM at the hotel, giving you time to rest after the long flight and adjust to the altitude."

    
  • Days 2-3

    Sesriem & Sossusvlei

    Drive 5-6 hours from Windhoek to Sesriem the gateway to the Namib Desert. Get up before sunrise to visit the towering red dunes at Sossusvlei when it's cooler. You'll need proper hiking shoes since the sand gets very hot by mid-morning. Visit Deadvlei's white clay pan with its 900-year-old petrified trees. "The dunes are absolutely massive - climbing them is challenging but the views are worth every step. Go early before the sand becomes too hot to walk on."

    
  • Days 4-6

    Swakopmund & Skeleton Coast

    Take a 7-8 hour drive to the coastal town of Swakopmund. Go on a Living Desert walk to spot sidewinder snakes and desert beetles. Take a 4x4 trip along the Skeleton Coast to see shipwrecks and seal colonies. The town's German colonial architecture sets it apart. Try the local seafood and German pastries or opt for activities like sandboarding and fat tire biking on the dunes.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Etosha National Park

    Head northeast for 7.5 hours to Etosha National Park. Spend two days on game drives looking for lions elephants rhinos and birds around the waterholes. "The white salt pan is surreal - we saw huge herds of zebra and springbok come to drink, with lions lurking nearby. The best wildlife viewing was early morning and late afternoon."

    
  • Day 9

    Cheetah Conservation & Return to Windhoek

    Visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund to see their rehabilitation work with endangered cheetahs. Take the 5-6 hour drive back to Windhoek. Book afternoon flights for the next day since roads can be rough.

    
  • Day 10

    Depart Windhoek

    Have breakfast before departing. Most international flights leave in the afternoon so you can fit in some shopping at the craft markets.

    

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• 10 Day Namibia Itinerary, incl. Sossusvlei and Etosha

  A scenic 550km route through Namibia spans 10 days and 9 key destinations. The itinerary features 2 nights at Namib Desert Lodge near Sossusvlei, 2 nights in Swakopmund at Hotel Al Mer, and 3 nights at Toshari Lodge for extensive Etosha game viewing.

  

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  • Day 1

    Windhoek Arrival

    Arrive in Windhoek, Namibia's capital. Plan for a 45-minute drive from the airport to the city center. Try to book a morning arrival since most shops in Windhoek close early. Take it easy today to adjust to the heat and altitude of 5,600 feet.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Sossusvlei and Namib Desert

    Drive southwest to the Namib Desert (4-5 hours). Plan your Sossusvlei visit for early morning. "Get to Dune 45 by dawn. The orange sand against the blue sky makes for incredible photos, but it gets brutally hot by 10 AM." Climb Big Daddy dune early while the sand is cool and firm. Pack closed shoes since the sand becomes too hot to walk on by midday. Make time to see Dead Vlei's white clay pan with its ancient dead trees.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Swakopmund & Walvis Bay

    Take the 4-hour drive northwest to coastal Swakopmund. Visit Walvis Bay's lagoon to spot thousands of flamingos. You'll see them best about two hours before high tide when they gather near the shore. Swakopmund offers a mix of German colonial buildings and cool Atlantic breezes. Book adventure activities like sandboarding or skydiving for your second morning when winds are usually calmer.

    
  • Day 6

    Twyfelfontein via Cape Cross

    Travel north on the Skeleton Coast to see the Cape Cross seal colony. Bring a bandana because the smell is strong. Continue to the ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein. Visit before 10 AM or after 3 PM to avoid intense midday heat. Wear shoes with good grip since the rocks can be slippery.

    
  • Day 7

    Damaraland to Etosha

    Start with a morning visit to a Himba village. Ask permission before taking photos and bring practical gifts like sugar or tea instead of money. The drive to Etosha takes about 4 hours. Try to reach your lodge by mid-afternoon to settle in before tomorrow's safari.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Etosha National Park

    Spend two full days exploring Etosha. One traveler shared: "The waterhole at Okaukuejo Rest Camp was incredible - we saw 13 elephants, rhinos, and lions all coming to drink at sunset." Start your game drives at sunrise when animals are most active. Take a break during the hot hours (11 AM - 3 PM) when wildlife seeks shade. Go back out for late afternoon viewing until the park closes at sunset.

    
  • Day 10

    Return to Windhoek

    The return drive to Windhoek takes about 4 hours. Stop at the Okahandja woodcarvers' market for better prices than in Windhoek. Plan to reach the city by early afternoon to avoid rush hour if you have an evening flight.

    

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• 10 Days in Namibia, incl. Etosha and Sossusvlei

  A grand circuit through 15 Namibian cities stretches from Windhoek to Etosha National Park, Twyfelfontein's rock art, Swakopmund's coastal charm, and Sossusvlei's dunes. Accommodation includes stays at Namutoni Resort, The Mole Guesthouse, and Intu Afrika Kalahari Lodge.

  

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  • Day 1

    Windhoek to Etosha National Park

    Take a 45-minute transfer from Hosea Kutako International Airport to Windhoek. Stop at the Okahandja Craft Market before driving north to Etosha National Park. A traveler shared: "Getting into Etosha by early afternoon made all the difference - we saw elephants at the waterhole right before sunset." Check into Namutoni Resort Lodge for dinner and a guide briefing.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Etosha National Park Safari

    Dedicate two full days to exploring Etosha's landscapes and wildlife. Your guide will take you to the best waterholes during early morning hours when animals are most active. Explore the eastern section on day one and central Etosha on day two. A visitor reported: "The Halali waterhole at midday was incredible - we watched three different herds of elephants come to drink while lions waited in the shade."

    
  • Day 4

    Damaraland & Twyfelfontein

    Travel west to Damaraland and visit a Himba village in the morning to learn about their customs and traditional lifestyle. Later, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Twyfelfontein to see ancient rock engravings. Plan your rock art viewing for early morning or late afternoon since the sandstone gets very hot at midday.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Swakopmund & Walvis Bay

    Drive to coastal Swakopmund with a stop at the Zeila shipwreck. Take an early morning boat cruise in Walvis Bay to spot dolphins, seals and pelicans. Spend the afternoon doing optional activities. One traveler advised: "The sandboarding was thrilling but book early, tours fill up fast in peak season." Stay at The Mole Guesthouse.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Sossusvlei Desert Experience

    Journey through the Namib Desert and cross the Tropic of Capricorn. Stop in Solitaire for their famous apple pie. You'll have two full days to explore massive red dunes. Climb Dune 45 at sunrise for optimal photos and cooler temperatures. Visit Deadvlei to see dead trees against orange dunes. Bring closed shoes and plenty of water as the sand becomes extremely hot by 10am.

    
  • Day 9

    Kalahari Desert

    Visit the Kalahari for a different desert landscape. Join a sunset drive to spot desert wildlife and meet San Bushmen who will share traditional survival skills. Stay at Intu Afrika Lodge. A guest mentioned: "The stargazing here was absolutely incredible - I've never seen the Milky Way so clearly."

    
  • Day 10

    Return to Windhoek

    Drive 3 hours back to Windhoek after breakfast. If time allows, visit city center craft markets before your departure flight. Book afternoon flights to ensure enough travel time from the Kalahari.

    

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