The Namibia Highlights Safari is a 10 day camping adventure safari, that combines a visit to the towering dunes of Sossusvlei, before heading north to enjoy Namibia's main northern features. This tour combines a trip to the oldest desert in the world, with wildlife, rock engravings and cultural visits. Although this tour has been designed as a camping safari, it is possible to upgrade from camping to accommodation (at an additional cost) on some nights. (If you are interested in this option please mention this in your inquiry.)

The optional activities on day 4 (Himba Excursion, Rhino Tracking or Damaraland Wildlife Excursion) must be pre-booked and pre-paid prior to your safari departure.

Highlights include:

• A walk on the sandy side through Sossusvlei, a distinct vlei, located at the end point of the ephemeral Tsauchab River.
• The Walvis Bay Lagoon - a protected RAMSAR wetland site, famed for it's water-birds, with nearly 80 different species.
• The quaint Atlantic seaside town of Swakopmund, Namibia's premier seaside resort. A pleasant place of colonial-style buildings, well-stocked shops and fine restaurants.
• The stark grandeur of Gross Spitzkoppe.
• The Stone Age rock-engravings at Twyfelfontein, a World Heritage Site.
• Learn of the tribal structures, religions and daily life of the semi-nomadic pastoral Himba tribe.
• Etosha National Park - a truly magical place - from sunrise to long past sunset, the plains and waterholes are places of wonder, drama and diversity.

Camping Safaris | Namibia

Day 1: Windhoek - Namib Desert

Travellers will be collected from their Windhoek accommodation at ± 08h00. The drive heads southwards through the town of Rehoboth, established in the early 1870's by Baster settlers who moved up from the Cape. There follows a full mornings scenic drive en-route to the lovely Agama Camp, with arrival time scheduled just in time for lunch. After lunch there is some free time to enjoy a dip and a splash in the swimming pool or to just relax around the camp. Later in the afternoon, your guide will accompany you on a short sunset walk, or you can join the (optional) Agama Camp sundowner drive. Dinner is prepared and cooked by the tour's guide and camp assistant.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Agama Camp

Day 2: Sossusvlei

A pre-dawn departure from camp is essential with a 65km drive towards Sossusvlei, watching the incredible sunrise as the drive continues along the ephemeral Tsauchab River Valley, (Tsauchab is derived from the the Nama language and refers to the 'river where there are many Salsola bushes) dwarfed by huge star dunes on either side. The last 5km from the 2x4 car park is either by 4x4 (shuttle) vehicle or the energetic might like to walk the rest of the way on the sand. The largest dune at Sossusvlei is affectionately known to the locals as Big Mama, and when you reach the top it's time for a short rest. It's a great spot to take some photographs and there is so much more to see when you look around. To the left is Naravlei, named after the many !Nara plants found on and around the pan. South of Big Mama is Cessna Pan, visible over the dunes, and Witberg (White Mountain), with its rocky ridges creating a beacon for travellers in the desert.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Agama Camp

Day 3: Namib Desert - Swakopmund

Another early morning departure as the tour says farewell to Agama Camp, stopping at the one horse town of Solitaire on the way for refreshments, but not leaving before sampling 'Moose' McGregor's famous apple pie, a must before continuing through the desert. The morning's drive continues with endless views across the pastel-coloured gravel plains, to the port town of Walvis Bay. The lagoon is a bird watchers paradise, (a protected RAMSAR wetland site,) where many species of birds can be spotted including greater and lesser flamingos, pelicans, avocets, plovers and the endemic Damara tern. There is a scheduled lunch break here, before continuing onto Swakopmund, a quaint coastal town, full of historic buildings and Teutonic culture. The afternoon is an ideal time to shake the desert dust out of your boots and relax around the town or on the beach. Swakopmund has a wide and decent range of banking and medical facilities, shops, restaurants and bars. Overnight is in comfortable twin/double rooms with an en-suite bathroom close to the town centre. (Laundry facilities are available here.) This evening's meal is a group dinner in a local restaurant. (On own account.)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: A Guest House in Swakopmund

Day 4: Swakopmund - Spitzkoppe

There is free time in the morning to wander around the country's foremost seaside resort, including the museum, aquarium or on optional activities. There are a number of fine cafe's and coffee shops,(including the famous Cafe Anton) and the safari departs after lunch. The afternoon's drive is along a section of the Skeleton Coast, before turning inland to head for Spitzkoppe, with arrival scheduled for late afternoon, in time to set up the overnight camp. There is a late afternoon climb to the Bushman's Paradise site, a natural amphitheatre that encompasses a splendid floral wonderland. Dinner is prepared by the guide with his assistant as the group marvel at the star-lit evening skies. Overnight camping in a remote bush camp. (With no flush toilet / shower facilities.)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camping: Spitzkoppe Community Campsite

Day 5: Swakopmund - Palmwag

The morning is dedicated to exploring the strange rock art of the Spitzkoppe, before proceeding to a World Heritage Site to see the Stone Age rock engravings and paintings at Twyfelfontein. The areas 'rock slabs' provide the 'canvas' for more than 2,500 petroglyph's. On the way, there is an opportunity to see the local Herero ladies selling their traditional and very colourful dolls. After lunch, the drive proceeds through some beautiful and dramatic landscapes of Damaraland, before arriving in the late afternoon at the overnight campsite at Palmwag. The famous desert-adapted elephants, frequently roam around the area. Dinner is prepared by the guide and his assistant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Palmwag

Day 6: Damaraland (Optional activities)

There are opportunities to join optional activities, including a Himba Excursion - where you will come into contact with Ovahimba villagers. The daily life of these nomads can be seen first hand, where they still live according to ancient traditions and rituals. They are a semi-nomadic, pastoral people, who are an off-shoot of the Herero tribe, a language they both share. For those who prefer to stay around the concession area, there are (optional) Rhino Tracking or Damaraland Wildlife Excursions around Palmwag Lodge. Apart from the desert-adapted elephants and black rhino, there are large populations of Hartman's Mountain Zebra, giraffe, oryx, springbok and kudu. The predator population is the largest outside of the Etosha National Park, with over 100 lions, cheetah, leopard, brown and spotted hyena. Bird life is prolific and diverse with most of Namibia's endemics birds present.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Palmwag

Day 7: Damaraland - Etosha

A morning drive to Etosha National Park, entering through Andersson's Gate and game viewing through to Okaukuejo Camp. This massive park centres on a pan, or shallow depression and is a haven for wildlife and supports an important ecological and wildlife system. After setting up the camp, there is a late afternoon game drive, visiting the surrounding waterholes, on the look-out for elephant, lion, rhino, kudu, giraffe as well as the large herds of springbok, zebra and wildebeest. Evening viewing at the flood-lit waterhole, is famous for its visits by black rhinos. Dinner is prepared by the guide and camp assistant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camping: Okaukuejo Campsite

Day 8: Etosha National Park

A sunrise departure from camp will ensure a full morning's game drive, transiting across the park visiting various waterholes along the way. The game viewing on this route is usually excellent. After lunch there is an afternoon game drive around Halali, with another opportunity to search for game on the pan. All of the 3 camps have excellent flood-lit waterholes, with elephant, rhino and an assortment of plains game coming to visit. This also attracts predators. Dinner is prepared by the guide and camp assistant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camping: Okaukuejo, Halali or Namutoni Campsite

Day 9: Etosha - Waterberg Plateau

We’ll enjoy an early morning game drive before departing Etosha on the eastern side. We have a stop at Tsumeb collecting fresh supplies and continuing on to Hoba Meteorite, the largest meteorite in the world for lunch. We arrive late afternoon at Waterberg Resort at the eastern end of the Plateau. Witness the fabulous colours of the lichen growing on the rock face of the plateau at sunset from the top of the plateau directly above our camp and enjoy the views across the Kalahari. There are plenty of animals wandering freely in this area such as eland, ostrich, springbok, kudu and impala. Dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camping: Waterberg Campsite

Day 10 : Windhoek

Your guide will lead you on a short walk and after a brunch, (breakfast and lunch) the tour returns to Windhoek via the Okahandja and it's woodcarvers market, to purchase those last minute souvenirs and gifts.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Mode of transport

Minibus or Safari Truck

Number Of Participants

Maximum of twelve

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

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.

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