Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure
Your flight to Namibia departs in the evening, so you'll have the day to handle last-minute preparations before heading to the airport.
- Day 2
Windhoek
After you land in Windhoek, a city tour takes you through the colonial heritage sites like Christuskirche and Alte Feste, then into the Katutura district where you can see the vibrant local culture and energy of this area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Windhoek
- Visit Christuskirche
- Visit Alte Feste
- Visit gardens of the Ink Palace
- Explore Katutura district
Landmarks/POIs Christuskirche Alte Feste Katutura District - Day 3
Windhoek to Namib-Naukluft National Park
Leaving the city behind, you'll drive toward the Namib Desert and stop at Connie's coffee shop for their traditional coffee ceremony. From there the drive continues through open landscapes to your lodge in Namib-Naukluft National Park, where you can spend the rest of your day exploring the surrounding terrain however you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Coffee ceremony at Connie's Coffee Shop
- Drive through Namib Desert landscapes
- Namib-Naukluft National Park entrance
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of surrounding area
Landmarks/POIs Namib-Naukluft National Park Namib Desert - Day 4
Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon
Early morning means heading out in open four-wheel drive vehicles to Sossusvlei, where massive red sand dunes tower 300 meters high around a clay depression. You'll climb the dunes for wide views, visit the ghostly Dead Vlei with its dead trees, and then explore Sesriem Canyon, a limestone gorge cut through the desert.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to Sossusvlei
- Open four-wheel drive vehicle excursion
- Dune climbing and viewing
- Visit Dead Vlei
- Visit Sesriem Canyon
Landmarks/POIs Sossusvlei Dead Vlei Sesriem Canyon - Day 5
Namib-Naukluft National Park to Swakopmund
The route crosses Gaub Pass and Kuiseb Pass as you drive through the desert scree toward the Atlantic coast. Stop in Solitaire to try their famous apple pie, then continue to Swakopmund with its German colonial architecture and palm-lined streets along the ocean.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Gaub Pass and Kuiseb Pass
- Stop in Solitaire
- Explore Swakopmund
Optional Activities
- Try legendary apple pie in Solitaire
Landmarks/POIs Gaub Pass Kuiseb Pass Solitaire Swakopmund - Day 6
Walvis Bay and Swakopmund
A morning boat trip on Walvis Bay lagoon gives you a good chance to see dolphins and seals up close, followed by lunch with oysters, local snacks and sparkling wine. The afternoon is free to walk around town, and if you're interested there's an optional township tour in Mondesa. Later that evening, head to Strand Hotel for a beer tasting showcasing beers made to traditional German purity standards.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Snacks, fresh local oysters and sparkling wine)
Included Activities
- Boat trip in Walvis Bay lagoon
- Lunch with oysters and sparkling wine
- Beer tasting at Strand Hotel
Optional Activities
- Township tour in Mondesa
- Self-guided exploration of Swakopmund
Landmarks/POIs Walvis Bay Mondesa Township Strand Hotel - Day 7
Swakopmund to Erongo Mountains
You'll head inland away from the coast into the Erongo Mountains, passing through surreal terrain with massive granite boulders scattered across the landscape. At Omandumba farm, the San Living Museum shares the history and culture of ancient hunter-gatherer peoples. Later you'll take a short hike to a viewpoint where you can watch the sunset over the mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit San Living Museum
- Guided hike to sunset viewpoint in Erongo Mountains
Landmarks/POIs Erongo Mountains San Living Museum - Day 8
Erongo Mountains to Etosha National Park
The drive heads toward Etosha National Park. Depending on how much time remains in the day, you might enter the park for a brief look around, or stay at your accommodation to relax and take in the Mopane landscape views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Brief visit to Etosha National Park (if time permits)
Landmarks/POIs Etosha National Park - Day 9
Etosha National Park
A morning game drive with experienced local rangers takes you through Etosha in open vehicles where you could spot antelopes, elephants, rhinos, lions and leopards. In the afternoon you get another chance to explore, this time on your own or with your group in your vehicle. You'll return to the lodge by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning game drive with local rangers in open off-road vehicle
- Afternoon game drive in touring vehicle through Etosha National Park
Landmarks/POIs Etosha National Park - Day 10
Etosha to Otjiwarongo
Leaving Etosha behind, you drive toward Otjiwarongo and stop at Ombu Village museum to learn about Herero culture and traditions. You'll meet Herero women in their striking traditional colorful dress and headdresses, and learn about the sacred fire that's central to their heritage. Your overnight accommodation is on one of Namibia's oldest game farms, which covers over 12,000 hectares.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ombu Village Herero museum
- Meet Herero women in traditional dress
- Learn about sacred fire ceremony
Landmarks/POIs Ombu Village - Day 11
Otjiwarongo
Head south to Okahandja to visit the local woodcarving market, the most important cultural center for the Herero people. The rest of the day is yours to spend however you'd like, whether that's relaxing by the pool or joining lodge activities. There's also an optional rhino spotting trip available if you want to go out searching.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Okahandja woodcarving market
- Learn about Okahandja as Herero cultural center
Optional Activities
- Optional round trip wildlife viewing with rhino spotting opportunity
- Pool relaxation
- Lodge activities
Landmarks/POIs Okahandja Woodcarving Market - Day 12
Departure
Time to say goodbye to Namibia. You'll be driven to the airport for your return flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 13
Arrival
You arrive back in the morning and continue with your individual travel arrangements to get home.
