7 Day Best of Namibia Highlights Safari

Arrive at Windhoek International Airport and be warmly greeted by your driver, who will transfer you to the Backpackers Lodge, conveniently located near the city center. Take some time to relax and unwind before embarking on an exciting afternoon excursion. Visit the renowned N/a’an ku se Wildlife Sanctuary, a sanctuary dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned animals. Witness the incredible work being done to protect and conserve these precious creatures, providing them with a safe haven and a chance to thrive. Encounter a variety of fascinating species, including baboons, caracals, lions, cheetahs, and wild dogs. Observe these animals in their natural habitat, learning about their unique behaviors and the challenges they face. As the day concludes, return to Windhoek and indulge in a delicious dinner at one of the many excellent restaurants the city has to offer. Your guide will be happy to provide recommendations and assist with bookings.

A short pre-departure meeting will be held at 07h00 following your collection from your accommodation within the Windhoek city limits. Heading north from Windhoek, we stop briefly at the small town of Otjiwarongo to gather some last-minute supplies before continuing on to Etosha and we enjoy a light lunch pack whilst “on the move”. We enter Etosha National Park and game drive our way to our overnight accommodation at Halali Camp.

This huge park has 114 mammal species, 350 bird species, 110 reptile species, uncountable insects and, somewhat bizarrely, one fish species. While touring the park, stopping at the various waterholes along the way, we stand a good chance of spotting many of these creatures. Guests must be in camp by sunset, and we aim to arrive at Halali Lodge before sunset, allowing time for settling into our rooms, with en-suite bathrooms and tea/coffee facilities. Halali takes its name from the bugle refrain used in sport hunting in Europe with horses and hounds. To signal the end of the hunt, the bugler would sound the trumpet. Etosha was selected because hunting animals is prohibited within the National Park’s protection. When the sun goes down, Etosha continues to entertain. Floodlit waterholes are available at all Etosha camps. Our accommodation is within walking distance of the Halali waterhole, called Moringa after the moringa trees that are abundant here. The waterhole is known to be very popular with elephants and critically endangered black rhinos during the night, making it highly recommended to visit this evening.

The whole day is at our disposal to explore Etosha, so let’s take advantage of it. Meet your experienced local guide at the park gate and embark on an open game viewer safari. As the sun breaches the horizon, the park gates open. In the morning, you can usually catch big cats returning from hunting early in the day.

After breakfast, we return to Halali to load our vehicles before heading out for another game drive. There is little water in Etosha, a desert landscape. However, there are a number of waterholes here, both natural and man-made, which we take advantage of. As thirsty animals seek a drink, we hope the game will come to us. Etosha Pan will be our first stop today. In English, Etosha means ‘great white space’, but this name does not do justice to its enormity. The dazzling white mineral pan covers over 4,700 square kilometers. Our accommodation is only a short drive from Etosha. The rooms are spacious twins with modern en-suite bathrooms. Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you while you sit back and relax. This evening, our guide prepares a fantastic dinner.

Our goal is to be on the road by 07h30 this morning after breakfast. The Skeleton Coast is on our way, and we are taking the scenic route. Leaving Outjo on the main road, we head west through Damaraland to pick up the gravel road as we travel through an area known as Damaraland, then south on the main road.

The scenery in Damaraland is beautiful, with mountains, open grasslands, tall pink granite koppies (little hills), wide open spaces and a big sky. Our road today is lined with informal shops selling locally made, handcrafted souvenirs, so we could also meet some of the locals. Our pictures here usually feature ladies wearing traditional clothing from the Himba, Herero, and Damara tribes. Among these colourful characters who live in this harsh environment are some of the locals. Directly contributing to the local economy is as simple as buying a small item here.

While driving through Namibia’s beautiful landscape, we stop for a picnic lunch under the shadow of Namibia’s highest peak, the Brandberg. A giant monolith of pink tinged granite rising from the desert floor, it rises 2,573 m above sea level. Arriving at the Atlantic Ocean and the coast, we continue our journey west. Due to Namibia’s forbidding mountains and barren beaches, the entire coastline is known as the Skeleton Coast. Ships are driven onto the beach by the wind, waves and fog banks. A shipwrecked mariner facing no water, food, rescue, or the prospect of exposure faced, in olden days, a slow death. They considered themselves lucky to have gone down with their ship.

Continuing south, our next stop is a more recent shipwreck. The Zeila, a fishing trawler, was beached 15 km south of Henties Bay in 2008. A scrapped old vessel, she was currently under tow. In the swell and currents, and like so many vessels before her, she ended up on the beach. It’s a good photo opportunity since she’s close to the shore.

After our journey into Swakopmund, we check into our accommodation, Hotel Al la Mer, which is centrally located and offers easy access to the town on foot. The German Empire founded Swakopmund in 1892 by Captain Kurt von François. His other city was Windhoek. The mighty sand dunes of the Namib Desert surround this town to the north, east, and south, while the Atlantic Ocean borders it to the west. German is still widely spoken and colonial German architecture can be seen.

You can book restaurants and get recommendations from your guide in Swakopmund.

Due to our mid-morning departure from Swakopmund, we can have a more leisurely start. The exact time of departure will be communicated to you by your guide. Our morning in Swakopmund can be filled with many activities if you don’t want to lie in. There are many optional activities available in the town centre, which is small and easily explored on foot. If you enjoy adrenaline rushes, quad biking and sandboarding are also popular activities. All options will be discussed with you in advance and any bookings can be made by our guide. Our journey east begins at 11h30 from Swakopmund. Firstly, we must traverse the mighty Kuiseb Pass, which drops steeply down into a canyon carved over the centuries by the Kuiseb River as it flows towards the sea at Walvis Bay. Almost immediately after emerging from the mountains, we cross the Tropic of Capricorn. We stop at this auspicious spot to take photos. Onwards again to Desert Camp, nearby the National Park entrance at Sesriem, where the dunes of Sossusvlei are located. Dinner is cooked over an open fire by our guide and there is a pool and bar.

Rise before dawn, embarking on an early morning adventure to witness the breathtaking beauty of the towering sand dunes at sunrise. Capture unforgettable photographs as the dunes are bathed in golden light, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Traverse the ancient Tsauchab Riverbed, exploring the surreal landscape of Deadvlei, adorned with the skeletal remains of ancient camelthorn trees. Venture into the hidden depths of Sesriem Canyon, learning about its geological formations and the ability to sustain wildlife within its hidden pools. Witness the grandeur of Sossusvlei, a captivating desert landscape shaped by the forces of nature. Explore the area on foot, climbing the towering dunes for panoramic views that will leave you breathless. As the day concludes, return to Desert Camp, reflecting on the unforgettable experiences of your Sossusvlei adventure.

Conclude your journey with a memorable visit to Solitaire, indulging in the renowned apple pie that has made this charming town famous.

Enjoy the scenic drive back to Windhoek, traversing the central plateau and passing through the small communities of BűellsPort and Rehoboth. Arrive in Windhoek in the mid-afternoon, where you can check into the Backpackers or your preferred accommodation within the city limits.