Namibia Highlights

After arriving at Windhoek International Airport, you collect your rental car and drive to your prearranged accommodation in town. The rest of the day is at leisure and you can either relax at the guesthouse or explore the city. See the National Gallery (featuring local artists), the National Museum (Namibia’s history) and the well-known Christ Church. Enjoy traditional cuisine at a local restaurant (own account). You will overnight at the Elegant Guesthouse.

After breakfast you leave Windhoek and drive through the Khomas Highland in a south-westerly direction towards the Namib Desert. Passing through beautiful landscapes, you finally reach the Elegant Desert Camp, your home for the next two nights, close to Sesriem. Enjoy the picturesque desert landscapes; you can also book a guided nature drive to admire the magical light at sunset. End the day with a delicious dinner.

Try to start the day as early as possible to see the early morning sun creating beautiful shadows on the enormous dunes of Sossusvlei. Gates to the park open at sunrise. Climb one of the famous dunes such as Dune 45 or Big Daddy for some early morning exercise. It is a breathtaking experience seeing the sea of sand around you. Also visit Deadvlei, a very photogenic spot of ancient dead trees. Thereafter you drive to the Sesriem Canyon where you can also do short hikes (dry season only). After an adventurous day of exploring, you leave the park in the afternoon and return to the Elegant Desert Camp. You can also pre-book a guided day trip and explore the area together with a knowledgeable guide.

Today’s journey on gravel roads takes you to the coastal town of Swakopmund where you can find beautiful pieces of colonial architecture. Swakopmund is also a base for adventure activities (all optional) in the area – join a dolphin cruise in Walvis Bay, go dune boarding, skydiving, fishing, take a scenic flight over the desert, go quad biking, take a day trip into the desert or to the seal colony at Cape Cross. You will spend two nights at Cornerstone Guesthouse. There is a variety of restaurants to choose from but be sure not to miss the fresh seafood.

After a leisurely breakfast, you leave Swakopmund and travel inland. In the distance, you will see the Spitzkoppe, one of Namibia’s most recognisable landmarks. Go for a walk and explore the imposing granite rock formations or take an optional guided tour and view ancient San rock art. Today’s destination will be the Otjohotozu Farm in the Erongo Mountains. Lean back and enjoy the warm farm atmosphere. Alternatively, join a game drive in the morning or afternoon (optional). You will spend two nights at Otjohotozu Guest Farm.

Today you will head west past the Brandberg Mountain (2,580 metres), the highest mountain in Namibia. Your home for the night is the rustic Malansrus Tented Camp, beautifully set on the banks of a sidearm of the dry Aba Huab River. Settle in and take a short break before you visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein (optional). The numerous rock engravings, which are estimated to be over 2,000 years old, will fascinate you. Nearby are also the Organ Pipes, the Burnt Mountain and the Damara Living Museum where you can get a glimpse of the traditional Damara culture and their ancient traditions. Back at camp, you are welcome to lean back and round off the day at the crackling campfire.

After breakfast, you can visit the Petrified Forest near Khorixas, a collection of ancient, mineralised tree trunks which are estimated to be more than 200 million years old. Via the small town of Outjo, you then continue to the world-famous Etosha National Park. Etosha (‘huge white area’) is one of the largest game parks in Africa and with its range of animals and landscapes – acacia trees, vast open plains and a massive salt pan – also one of the most interesting. During these two days, you will spend most of your time game viewing around the waterholes where elephants, giraffes, different species of antelope and birds come to drink. With a bit of luck, you might even be able to spot lions and rhinos. Shortly before sunset, you leave the park and drive to Etosha Safari Lodge, just a few minutes from the park entrance. You will spend the next two nights in one of the lodge’s bungalows.

After breakfast you will continue east, driving along the edge of the flat salt pan that extends into the horizon. You will see herds of impalas, wildebeests, zebras and oryx on the plains. Amongst the acacia trees and shrubs look out for elephants, giraffes and lions resting in the afternoon heat. Stopping at waterholes along the way, you should see a variety of birds and animals coming and going to quench their thirst. By late afternoon you will reach Von Lindequist Gate where you exit the park. The beautiful Mushara Lodge is just a stone’s throw away and your home for the night.

Today’s journey will take you past a deep lake and a meteorite. Just outside Tsumeb you can turn off to visit the bright blue Lake Otjikoto. Next on today’s list is the 60-ton Hoba Meteorite; at roughly 3×3 metres, it is the largest meteorite in the world. Your last stop is the private Okosongomingo ranch at the foot of the Waterberg Plateau, where you will find the Waterberg Guest Farm. The Waterberg is a massive red plateau rising 200 metres above the surrounding plains. The variety of microclimates – mountain, valley and plains – accommodates a variety of vegetation ranging from massive fig trees to ferns and acacia trees. In the afternoon or next morning, you can explore the farm with or without a guide on several hiking trails. Especially the hike to the top of the so-called Small Waterberg is recommendable, as the views of the “big” Waterberg are just breath-taking. You will overnight in a bush bungalow at the Waterberg Guest Farm.

Today you will continue south towards Windhoek. On your way, you may want to stop at the craft market in Okahandja. Here you can haggle and bargain for wood carvings, beaded jewellery, baskets and other crafts. In Windhoek, you will head to the airport to return your rental car or spend another night in the city (optional).