14 Day Namibia Safari Expedition: Hiking and Wildlife Wonders

The arrival time at Windhoek International Airport is 9am. Your guide meets you at the airport with a friendly grin, and following a quick tour briefing, your hiking journey through Namibia can start. After departing from Windhoek, you travel north, passing via the tiny community of Okahandja. Today you’re going to the quaint Waterberg Guest Farm. Following some downtime, you and your guide embark on your first hike. You trek to the summit of Small Waterberg Mountain via one of the guest farm’s nature pathways. A breathtaking vista of the Waterberg Plateau awaits you here. You may look forward to a delectable dinner in the evening.

Stay at Waterberg Guest Farm

Waterberg Guest Farm is an intimate, family-run conservation retreat and active cattle farm set on a 42,000-hectare reserve at the foot of Namibia’s Small Waterberg Plateau. At Waterberg Guest Farm, you can experience handmade bush bungalows with outdoor showers, communal farm-to-table dining, plateau hikes, nature drives across the “Little Serengeti” plain, horse-riding excursions, and easy access to the nearby Cheetah Conservation Fund.

Following breakfast, you go on a leisurely hike with your guide through the Omumborombonga Forest. Because it is the world’s heaviest wood, the Omumborombonga tree is also known as leadwood. Local Herero tradition holds that the first humans emerged from the first Omumborombonga tree. You have the opportunity to recover after your hike through this enchanted forest before continuing on to the Etosha National Park, the safari’s high point on your hiking vacation across Namibia. With good cause, Namibia’s most well-known national park is Etosha. You have the chance to see some of the area’s numerous wild residents when you go on a wildlife drive in the afternoon. You spend the next two nights at the Etosha Safari Camp, which is located just outside of the Etosha National Park, following your game drive.

Stay at Etosha Safari Camp

Etosha Safari Camp is a vibrant, African shebeen-themed lodge set among mopane trees just 10 kilometers south of Etosha National Park’s Andersson Gate. At Etosha Safari Camp, you can experience air-conditioned mopane-shaded chalets, live local musical performances at the colorful township-style Oshebeena Bar, an outdoor swimming pool, and guided or self-drive game viewing excursions into nearby Etosha National Park.

For once, have a calm start to the day! You should take advantage of the fact that you are on vacation by sleeping in and enjoying a lavish breakfast in a laid-back setting. After that, you travel to the Vingerklip Lodge, where you will spend the next two nights. You are welcome to lounge by the pool for a while after a light lunch (optional) and then head out for a lovely afternoon hike. You trek across the Eagles Nest Plateau with your guide in the direction of the Vingerklip, a rock formation that looks like a finger pointing up into the sky. The breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the breathtaking Ugab Valley below is the reward for the short climb up to the Vingerklip. After a while, you take a short cut back to the lodge, where you can spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing. After a delectable dinner in the evening, cozy up in your chalet and enjoy another peaceful night.

Stay at Vingerklip Lodge

Vingerklip Lodge is a tranquil, scenic retreat set in the Ugab Terrace valley, famous for its dramatic, cliffside views overlooking the towering 35-meter “Finger Rock” geological formation. At Vingerklip Lodge, you can experience thatched-roof bungalows or the exclusive cliffside Heaven’s Gate Suite, sunset dining atop the mesa at Eagles Nest Restaurant, two refreshing outdoor pools, guided sundowner drives, and scenic hiking trails directly to the base of the Vingerklip rock structure.

For once, have a calm start to the day! You should take advantage of the fact that you are on vacation by sleeping in and enjoying a lavish breakfast in a laid-back setting. After that, you travel to the Vingerklip Lodge, where you will spend the next two nights. You are welcome to lounge by the pool for a while after a light lunch (optional) and then head out for a lovely afternoon hike. You trek across the Eagles Nest Plateau with your guide in the direction of the Vingerklip, a rock formation that looks like a finger pointing up into the sky. The breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the breathtaking Ugab Valley below is the reward for the short climb up to the Vingerklip. After a while, you take a short cut back to the lodge, where you can spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing. After a delectable dinner in the evening, cozy up in your chalet and enjoy another peaceful night.

Stay at Vingerklip Lodge

Vingerklip Lodge is a tranquil, scenic retreat set in the Ugab Terrace valley, famous for its dramatic, cliffside views overlooking the towering 35-meter “Finger Rock” geological formation. At Vingerklip Lodge, you can experience thatched-roof bungalows or the exclusive cliffside Heaven’s Gate Suite, sunset dining atop the mesa at Eagles Nest Restaurant, two refreshing outdoor pools, guided sundowner drives, and scenic hiking trails directly to the base of the Vingerklip rock structure.

Today, go on an amazing hike once more. You trek to the southern terrace and then around it, beginning at your lodge. You will stop at a number of sites along the route that provide breathtaking views of the Ugab Valley. Your knowledgeable guide is happy to impart his extensive local knowledge to you and educate you on the local flora, wildlife, and distinctive geological characteristics. The hike comes to a close with a delicious meal and a vista atop the Eagles Nest Plateau. After that, you can either head back down to the lodge and cool off in the pool or you can kick back and enjoy your amazing vantage position. You should go to the lookout platform, which has a view of the nearby waterhole, once the shadows lengthen. Here’s where you may enjoy a nice, refreshing beverage while taking in the lovely sunset.

Stay at Vingerklip Lodge

You stay at the Vingerklip Lodge for an additional night.

Enjoy a substantial breakfast before entering Damaraland. You can buy some locally made trinkets at the Herero Women’s Craft Market while you travel through the area. Today’s destination is the distantly visible Brandberg region, which is Namibia’s highest peak. The reddish granite boulder of Brandberg is known for its dazzling red light in the evening sun. It is widely recognized for the rock art that is seen across the mountain range. You will see the most well-known rock painting, “White Lady,” with the assistance of a local guide. It’s a quick climb uphill to the Tsisab Gorge. Along the way are large boulders, sheer cliffs, and striking rock formations. Your trek to Uis then continues. Awaiting you is an extraordinary journey that begins with a late-afternoon sundowner drive. At your guesthouse, which has been prepared for you in the middle of nowhere, you will arrive after a breathtaking sunset in a lovely location. Take a seat by the fireplace, sip a refreshing welcome drink, and watch while a delectable dinner is prepared for you over an open flame. Once you’re satisfied, you can relax by the flickering fire, take in the sounds of nature, and gaze up at the amazing starry sky. Alternatively, you might spend a memorable night in one of the most remote locations ever by sleeping in your tent.

Stay at Uis Elephant Guesthouse 

Uis Elephant Guesthouse is a modern, eco-friendly bed and breakfast blending rustic country charm with industrial-chic finishes, located in the former mining town of Uis near Namibia’s iconic Brandberg Mountain. At Uis Elephant Guesthouse, you can experience air-conditioned rooms or double-story suites, delicious homemade African cuisine, a refreshing swimming pool, scenic sundowner drives, and guided 4×4 excursions to spot desert-adapted elephants roaming dry riverbeds or explore the ancient rock art of the Brandberg.

You begin each new day as soon as the sun rises. Finally, savor the splendor of your idyllic surroundings, sip a hot cup of tea or coffee, munch on a rusk, and experience a sense of oneness with the natural world. You will eventually return to Uis, where a sumptuous meal will be waiting for you. Eventually, your adventure will take you to the primitive Omandumba Bush Camp, where you will spend the next two nights, at the foot of the majestic Erongo Mountains. You can go on another hike in the afternoon to get some fresh air and see more of your surroundings. A drive at sunset to an amazing vantage point is the ideal way to cap off the day. Savor a cool beverage as you perch on a hilltop to witness Namibia’s next breathtaking sunset. Dinner will be ready for you when you return to the camp. It will be really tasty.

Stay at Omandumba Bush Camp

Omandumba Bush Camp is a rustic, owner-managed sanctuary set among the red granite boulders of the Erongo Mountains, offering canvas-and-stone safari tents and warm Namibian hospitality on an operational guest farm. At Omandumba Bush Camp, you can experience canvas safari tents with private viewing decks, communal family dinners around a campfire under the stars, visits to the Ju/’Hoansi San Living Museum, guided tours of ancient rock art sites, scenic boulder hikes, and relaxed sundowner drives

You’re in for another exciting day. Following breakfast and a quick drive, you set out on a hike that takes you into the towering Erongo Mountains granite rock formations. The ancient San people formerly lived in this stunning region. Some of the well-preserved and concealed rock art left by these ancient hunter-gatherers will be shown to you by your guide. You will return to the camp after the hike and be rewarded with a hot lunch. Before visiting the nearby Living Museum of the Ju/’Hoansi-San/Bushmen, you might take some time to unwind. Here you can embark on a bushwalk with a San guide and discover which plants are good for medicinal uses as well as traditional hunting techniques and religious beliefs.

Stay at Omandumba Bush Camp

Your second night at Omandumba Bush Camp is about to start. What a fantastic way to end another amazing day in Namibia.

Enjoy a leisurely start to the day before proceeding with your travels. The Spitzkoppe Mountains, looming over the surrounding terrain, will soon come into view. Following a quick photo op at the Spitzkoppe Bridge, you drive into Namibia’s backcountry until you feel the crisp air of the Atlantic Ocean and a nice sea breeze. This coastline has seen numerous ships run aground, and en-route you’ll stop at one of the shipwrecks that you can see from the shore. Today you are going to the quaint coastal village of Swakopmund. Before you get to the Swakopmund Guesthouse, your guide will take you to some of the town’s top sights. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to do as you like. There are many different supper alternatives in Swakopmund, and your guide can recommend the best eateries.

Stay at Swakopmund Guesthouse

Swakopmund Guesthouse is a family-owned, eco-friendly boutique bed & breakfast set in a converted holiday home near the town center, offering a modern beach-house aesthetic with crisp, pebble-adorned interiors just a short stroll from the Atlantic coast.

Start your day early in the morning to get ready for an exciting hike into the Moon Landscape today. Hiking chances are some of the most breathtaking in this nearly otherworldly location. From a distance, the area appears barren and unpopulated. However, during your journey, your guide can point out to you different plants and possibly even some critters that have evolved clever strategies to survive this hostile environment. There isn’t a more well-known plant than Welwitschia mirabilis. This intriguing plant, which may reach an age of more than a millennium, is scattered across the terrain. You head to the Goanikontes Oasis to finish your climb and treat yourself to lunch (optional) or ice cream as the midday sun begins to show its face. You have the remainder of the afternoon to do as you wish once you’re back in Swakopmund.

Stay at Swakopmund Guesthouse

Once more, you spend the night at the Swakopmund Guesthouse, which is close to the beach.

It’s time to head back inland and away from the coast. You pass via the Kuiseb and Gaub passes, going over dry riverbeds in your path. Sometimes, following prolonged downpours, the rivers briefly fill with water, creating an amazing spectacle. You pause in the tiny town of Solitaire, where you are welcome to have a light meal (optional). After getting back on the road, you travel deeper into the Namib-Naukluft area and reach the Elegant Desert Camp, where you will spend the night. You are free to stroll around the neighborhood or spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing by the pool. We’re having a great dinner outside beneath the stars.

Stay at Elegant Desert Camp

The Elegant Desert Camp is an intimate, off-the-grid tented retreat nestled against the rugged Tsaris Mountains roughly 45 kilometers from Sesriem, where guests can enjoy custom canvas safari tents with outdoor showers and roll-out star-beds, a rock pool overlooking the Namib plains, open-air boma dinners, and easy access to Sossusvlei excursions and mountain hiking trails.

This morning, you should get up early—before the sun even rises. This is due to the fact that the Namib-Naukluft Park’s gates are only a short drive away. Your guide will lead you to a solitary dune, away from the bustling people, where you can take in the breathtaking dawn light sweeping across the world’s oldest desert. After having a picnic for breakfast, you continue your journey into the desert. Following your visit to Sossusvlei, you and your guide will begin your stroll. You travel through another secret “vlei” and over sand dunes to reach the iconic Deadvlei. A dreamlike scene is created by the white clay pan, desiccated camelthorn trees, and the blue sky overhead. You also proceed to the Sesriem Canyon, where you can stroll along the gorge’s dried-out riverbed. Around midday, full of fresh experiences to relish, you leave the park and head for Büllsport Lodge & Farm. A filling dinner and a restful night’s sleep are in store for you this evening.

Stay at Büllsport Lodge

Büllsport Lodge is a long-standing, eco-friendly guest farm and active horse-breeding property set at the foot of the Naukluft Mountains, offering an ideal multi-day stopover between Windhoek and Sossusvlei. At Büllsport Lodge, you can experience spacious air-conditioned en-suite rooms, farm-to-table communal dining, guided 4×4 mountain drives, horse-riding excursions, and 14 self-guided or guided hiking trails through their private nature reserve to spot Hartmann’s mountain zebras and quiver trees

Rising early will come naturally to you by this point. You load up an open 4×4 and head up the neighboring alpine plateau after breakfast. There is breathtaking scenery to enjoy during the two-hour drive. On your drive, you might even spot some oryx, kudu, or mountain zebra. After reaching the summit of the mountain, you start your journey and make your way down into the Quiver Tree Gorge. You will see breathtaking views and landscapes on this lovely hike. Your guide will interpret any animal traces you may come across. Keep an eye out for them. Additionally, you’ll come across pools with crystal-clear water, and you might feel like taking a little swim. We’ll have a picnic for lunch in the gorge under a tree’s shade. Once the hike is over, you’ll be rewarded with a cold, refreshing drink and driven back to your lodging in an off-road vehicle. You can spend the remainder of the afternoon lounging by the pool.

Stay at Büllsport Lodge

After a leisurely breakfast, you depart for Windhoek once more. If you’re interested, your guide can give you a recommendation for a nice place to have lunch or coffee along the way (both optional). Between 1:00 and 2:00 pm, you will go past the little hamlet of Rehoboth and arrive in the capital city. Then it’s time to bid adieu. You can choose to be dropped off at the airport or at a guesthouse in the city by your guide. We hope to see you again soon, buckle up your hiking boots, and wish you safe travels. We also extend a warm welcome to Namibia.