10-Day Namibia Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Namibia 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 Day Namibia Itinerary, incl. Windhoek and Etosha National Park

  Premium accommodations await at 5 major destinations: Windhoek's colonial center, Sossusvlei's towering dunes, Swakopmund's coastal charm, Damaraland's ancient rock art, and Etosha's wildlife. Includes 9 breakfasts, 7 dinners, and luxury lodging throughout.

  

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  • Day 1

    Windhoek

    Start in Namibia's capital city. Visit the German colonial Christuskirche and shop for local crafts at Post Street Mall. The city sits at 5,600 feet elevation, so take it slow on your first day. Most visitors prefer staying in Klein Windhoek for its quiet atmosphere and good restaurants.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Sesriem & Sossusvlei

    Drive south to Sesriem (4-5 hours) as the landscape turns to desert. Get up before sunrise to climb Dune 45. You'll need good shoes the sand is trickier to walk on than you'd expect. Visit Deadvlei early morning to photograph the stark dead trees against orange dunes in perfect light. Bring lots of water and sunscreen temperatures often hit 100°F (38°C) by noon.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Swakopmund

    Drive northwest to Swakopmund (4-5 hours), a colonial coastal town where cool ocean breezes offer relief from the desert heat. Take time to walk around the German architecture and palm-lined streets. You can visit Cape Cross seal colony in the morning. The thousands of seals are incredible to see, but be ready for strong smells.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Damaraland

    Travel inland to rugged Damaraland (5-6 hours). See the ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein early before other visitors arrive. The petrified forest has 280-million-year-old fossilized trees you won't want to miss. Keep your eyes open for desert-adapted elephants that sometimes pass through.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Etosha National Park

    Drive to Namibia's best wildlife viewing spot (4-5 hours). Visit the waterholes early morning and late afternoon when animals gather to drink. A recent visitor shared: "The floodlit waterhole at Okaukuejo Rest Camp offered incredible nighttime viewing we saw rhinos, elephants and lions all coming to drink."

    
  • Day 10

    Return to Windhoek

    The drive back takes about 4 hours. Book flights after 8pm since road conditions can be unpredictable. Consider adding an extra day in Windhoek to avoid rushing your connection.

    

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