The 14 day Namibian Experience is a combination of two of the most popular camping safaris on the books; the Northern Adventure Safari and the Southern Namibia Swing Safari. It offers the most comprehensive safari tour of Namibia. The itinerary for the entire tour is assisted comfortable camping, with participation limited to only helping with the tents

The first leg takes in the southern areas of Namibia featuring; Sossusvlei, the Namib Desert, Lüderitz and the Fish River Canyon. This tour offers an excellent cross-section of the main Southern Namibia features.

Highlights include:

• The Quiver Tree Forest – where the early San (Bushman) people fashioned quivers from the trees branches to keep their arrows.
• The Giants Playground – precariously balanced rocks.
• Fish River Canyon - one of the world's most spectacular natural formations. Only Arizona's Grand Canyon is bigger.
• Luderitz – a former German colonial town and thriving mining village and now a modern day fishing centre for pilchards and rock lobster!
• Sossusvlei – towering dunes, shimmering pans and an endless sea of sand.

Please note that the Sossusvlei section of the southern leg:

• Stays outside of the Namib Naukluft Park. Overnight stops are not at Sesriem Campsite, but at Agama Camp, which is 48 kms from the main entrance gate to the dunes.
• Arrival at the main gate is therefore at sunrise and then a drive through the dune field as the sun is coming up.
• This drive is stunning and one of the best ways to see the dune field with the early morning sun casting shadows and light onto the sand.
• You will not be on top of a dune to see the sun rise.

The second leg takes in the main highlights of northern and central-western Namibia; Etosha National Park, Damaraland and Swakopmund. This tour combines wildlife, cultural visits, San paintings and a trip to the seaside!

• Get close-up-and personal with the Big Cats at Okonjima.
• Game view and photograph the amazing wildlife in Etosha National Park
• Learn of the tribal structures, religions and daily life of the only traditionally functioning Himba community outside the far north Kaokoland region of Namibia.
• Walk in Namibia's highest mountain to view the 'White Lady.'
• Drive through the beautiful desert landscape of Damaraland
• Enjoy Namibia's premier seaside town, Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast.

Camping Safaris | Namibia

Day 1: Windhoek - Quiver Tree Forest

Travellers are collected from their hotel in Windhoek between 07h30 and 08h00. The long journey south (480km) on the main B1 highway, travels through a thin strip of the Kalahari Desert that protrudes onto the eastern side of Namibia. There are a number of stops at small towns along the way, including Rehoboth, the traditional home of the Baster people. Arrival time at the Quiver Tree Forest, is expected to be mid-afternoon and it is located just north of Keetmanshoop, (officially the sunniest town in the world!) After setting up camp, there is time to explore the area on foot.
Quiver trees are not in fact trees, but a type of aloe, (Aloe dichotoma), and one of Namibia's more striking species. They are a hardy, smooth-trunked plant that stores water in its succulent leaves and sponge like stem. It is so called because the branches fork 'dichotomously.' The early San (Bushman) people fashioned quivers from its branches, to keep their arrows.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Quiver Tree Forest Campsite

Day 2: Quiver Tree - Fish River Canyon

Before leaving the Keetmanshoop area, there is time to visit another local site of interest, the 'Giants Playground,' an area filled with massively eroded dolorite rocks that are precariously balanced in tottering towers. A short stop in the town of Keetmanshoop, a former German garrison town, follows.
The journey heads further south, off the tarmac and onto gravel roads heading towards the Fish River Canyon, one of the world's most spectacular natural formations. (161km long and in places 27km wide.) The cliffs to either side is a sheer 500m fall to the valley below. The campsite is on the north-west side of the Canyon, and opposite the traditional viewing point of the Canyon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Fish River Canyon Campsite

Day 3: Fish River - Klein Aus Vista

Viewing from the rim of the canyon, the sparkling Fish River can be seen. Although it's flow is seasonal, it leaves deep pools that outlast even the longest and driest of winters. After breaking camp, it's time to move on to the tiny town of Aus, formerly the site of a German prisoner-of-war camp. Camping tonight is at Klein Aus Vista, a private reserve, beautifully located in the Aus Mountain Range, (Huib-Hoch-Plateau region).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Klein Aus Vista

Day 4: Luderitz Day Trip - Klein Aus Vista

An early morning start for the short drive to Luderitz, a surreal colonial relic if ever there was one! En-route, keep a sharp look out for the desert feral horses. (Once tame but now wild.) The origin of these horses is unknown, and they have become adapted to an existence with very limited water. (They urinate less than domestic horses if you really want to know!)
Arrival in Luderitz is scheduled to join an optional extra excursion; a trip on an old wooden sailing ship, 'The Sedina,' for a cruise around Luderitz bay and weather permitting, on to Halifax Island to see the African jackass penguins, returning under sail. Lunch is on own account in Luderitz.
After the boat trip, there is a short drive out to the desert ghost town at Kolmanskop. It was built in 1908 after the discovery of diamonds, to provide shelter for workers from the harsh environment. Now it's just sand, abandoned houses, sand, you, more sand, and the howling wind! The rest of the afternoon is spent exploring the town of Luderitz, with it's German architecture, delicatessens, coffee shops and Lutheran churches. Later on there is a drive out to Diaz Point to see the bird life, seals and the stone cross replica, originally erected by the Portuguese mariner Bartholomew Diaz.
Returning to Klein Aus Vista in the late afternoon, the trip goes through the diamond fields of 'Sperrgebiet' or the 'forbidden territory.' N.B: The 'Sedina'excursion is subject to availability and on own account.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Camping: Klein Aus Vista

Day 5: Klein Aus - Sesriem Area

Turning north, we once again head deep into the ancient southern Namib, travelling on small gravel roads and passing some tiny rural communities along the way. The scenery is harsh, and sometimes forbidding. The process of erosion in these areas is well advanced and we pass time rounded "koppies" arid terrain and outcrops of tortured rock.
Traversing this bleak yet beautiful landscape, the terrain begins to change and we cross some open grass savannah and farmlands before the terrain begins to give way to the immense red sand dune desert of the Namib. We aim to arrive at our camp during the late afternoon and watch the colours glow and change on distant mountains to the east. (350 km).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Agama Camp

Day 6: Sossusvlei

A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert. After passing through Sesriem, the gateway to the dunes and driving into the heart of the dune field, we reach Sossusvlei itself by walking the last 5 km through the dunes.
The walk is like nothing else, in the cool of the morning, with soft sunlight just beginning to play over the dunes creating a sharp light and shadow contrast across the whole desert. Ancient mineral pans, stunted camel thorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect.
We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting dune 45, and as the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch to escape the heat of the afternoon. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Agama Camp

Day 7: Windhoek

After breakfast the final leg of the journey is a pleasant drive over the Naukluft Mountains and the Khomas Hochland Range. Arrival in Windhoek is scheduled for around 16h00, and you will be dropped off at your accommodation. Dinner tonight is at your own expense
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Windhoek Guest House

Day 8: Windhoek - Okonjima

The tour first north today, stopping at small towns along the way, including Okahandja, (The Garden Town of Namibia) with time to visit Namibia's largest woodcarvers market. The market is operated on a local co-operative basis and is one of the best places to shop for truly Namibian souvenirs and curios.
Continuing north and driving through mainly farmland, the tour is scheduled to arrive at Okonjima's Omboroko campsite mid-afternoon, with time to set up camp and to relax before heading out for the afternoon's activities. The lodge is home to The AfriCat Foundation, a non-profit organization, committed to the long-term conservation of Namibia's large carnivores, notably cheetahs and leopards. Activities commence at 15h00 in the winter, and 16h00 in the summer. The leopard can be viewed frequently here, (but not guaranteed) from a hide or radio-tracked from a game viewing vehicle. The cheetah project offers a valuable insight into the welfare work of the AfriCat foundation.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Okonjima Campsite

Day 9: Etosha Park

An early departure and continuing the journey north through some more small towns, making short stops for fresh supplies and fuel along the way. The first main stop is to the mysterious Lake Otjikoto, Namibia's largest permanent natural lake, into which German troops dumped weapons and ammunition prior to surrender in 1915.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Namutoni

Day 10: Etosha Park

An early start to benefit from a full day's game driving, heading east on the drive towards Halali Camp, situated in the middle of the park. Along the way there are several waterholes to visit and splendid views of the massive Etosha Pan. The game viewing along this route is usually excellent.
The lunch time stop is at Halali, with time for a leisurely lunch, dip in the pool or a visit to see who's taking a drink at the waterhole. The game driving continues down to Okaukuejo, famous for its waterhole, quite rightly described as one of the 'best game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa.' Black rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope pass by.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Okaukuejo

Day 11: Etosha - Kamanjab

One last game drive on the way out of Etosha National Park as the tour heads south with a relatively short drive to the small town of Kamanjab, with a short stop here before continuing on to find the Himba Tribesmen.
This is the only traditionally functioning Himba community outside the far north Kaokoland region of Namibia. The Ovahimba, an offshoot of the much larger Herero group, are semi-nomadic pastoralists, who breed cattle and goats. These tribes-people have migrated here, lifestyle and customs intact, and are following their traditional way-of-life in their village on a farm. Oase Village is located some 15-20km outside Kamanjab, the exact location of the site varies as the Himba occasionally roam to a new location, to take advantage of better grazing elsewhere. During the afternoon, the group we will be invited into Oase Village to meet with the locals, but with a specialist guide for the duration. He will be able to translate and introduce the 'alternative lifestyle.' include marriage customs, traditional food and the mysteries of the local religion, 'Holy Fire.'
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Oase Village Camp

Day 12: Kamanjab - Brandberg

The safari drives into one of the most interesting, beautiful and dramatic regions in Namibia, Damaraland, first heading south to the capital of this region, the small town of Khorixas, and then west, travelling via the Petrified Forest geological site, to visit the ancient Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontein. At both of these locations, a local guide will conduct a short guided tour. It's then deeper into the desert to Namibia's highest mountain, The Brandberg, (2573 m) an ancient Bushman spiritual site. Desert-adapted elephants are regular visitors here. Tonight's campsite will be set up under the shadow of this giant granite monolith.
Driving time: approx. (400 km).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Brandberg

Day 13: Brandberg - Swakopmund

An early start benefits from the cool morning air, especially important on today's guided hike, into the mountain to see the world famous so called 'White Lady' rock painting. (Said to be over 20,000 years old and probably a male!) It can be seen deep in the wild and lovely Tsisab ('leopard') gorge and is one of a whole gallery of splendid paintings to be found in the Maack Cave.
It's then back on the road to admire more of the beautiful Damaraland scenery. The next stop is in the small town of Uis, an old mining town, and one of the best places to buy semi-precious stones, especially rough Amethyst and Tourmaline.
From here it's directly west across the 'gravel plains' on the way to the Atlantic Ocean and the Skeleton Coast. After first meeting the ocean at Henties Bay, it's north along the coast to visit the seal colony at Cape Cross, where more seals breed than anywhere else in the world. Following the skeleton coast southbound, the final overnight stop is at the coastal town of Swakopmund, Namibia's premier seaside town. Scheduled arrival time is for the late afternoon, with time to explore the town on foot before sunset. The coast has always held a strong attraction for visitors, and Swakopmund is no different.
Accommodation tonight is in shared bungalows, with en-suite bathroom facilities. Most of the restaurants have an excellent choice of game meats and the seafood in Swakopmund is superb. Your guide will offer to organize a group meal in a local restaurant for this evening. (Participation is recommended but by no means required.) Dinner this evening is on own account.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Bungalows

Day 14: Swakopmund - Windhoek

Drive time back to Windhoek is around 5 hours hrs, departing after lunch. The morning is available for free leisure time in and around the beaches, shops and town's amenities. There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium is located in Swakopmund. There are many activities available in Swakopmund: dune-boarding, scenic flights over the desert and Skeleton Coast, skydiving and a whole lot more. After the morning in Swakopmund, we have lunch and then drive back to Windhoek, arriving about 17h30.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Mode of transport

Transport for up to 8 people will be in a minibus or a Land Cruiser. For more than 8 a specially converted safari truck will be used

Number Of Participants

Maximum of fourteen

Included

All transport
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Tea & coffee in camp
All camping equipment
Park entrance & accommodation fees
Guide
Pick-up and drop-off at accommodation in Windhoek

Excluded

Beverages
Sleeping Bag (can be hired)
Tips
Travel Insurance

Other

Itinerary is assisted comfortable camping with participation limited to only helping with the tents

Route & Accommodation

The itinerary above is a guideline only and whilst we try to adhere to it there may be circumstances when it may change - for example weather and/or road conditions, seasonal daylight hours etc. Overnight stops on occasion may be altered from those indicated.

Email us for more information and bookings on the Namibia Experience Safari