Namibia’s Wild Side

Your adventurous 10-day Namibia camping safari starts in Windhoek where you will meet your guide in the morning. On the first leg of the journey, you will travel to Gamsberg. Gamsberg is a prominent table mountain in the Hakos mountains, south-west of Windhoek. High up on the Gamsberg Pass you will find your campsite for the night. After setting up camp, take a moment to relax and take in the moment. In the afternoon, you can explore the surrounding area on a tour together with your guide. Look out for mountain zebras, Oryx antelopes and kudus and enjoy the fantastic views of the wild mountains. In the evening, you can look forward to a delicious campsite dinner and the starry night sky. You spend the night in your tent.

After a hearty breakfast and the packing up of the camp, your journey continues south through beautiful farm land. As so often in Namibia, today the journey is the destination. The bumpy and bendy approach road to the next mountain pass will reward you with views from the spectacular Spreetshoogte Pass, one of the most beautiful in the country. From the view point you will have magnificent views across the Namib Desert at your feet. You continue downhill to the plains until you pass Solitaire and reach your campsite in Sesriem. In the afternoon, you will visit Sesriem Canyon which was formed over millions of years ago by the Tsauchab River. On a hike, you can explore the impressive rock formations of the canyon. Spend the evening sitting around a crackling campfire, before falling asleep in your tent.

Today, you rise earlier than the sun. While it’s still dark outside, you make your way towards Sossusvlei so by the time the sun rises, you find yourself surrounded by the dunes of the Namib Desert. Sip your tea or coffee with some rusks and watch the sun grow bigger behind the dunes, colouring them in a fascinating chase of light and shadow. Afterwards, you visit the famous Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. The contrast between the white Vleis, the rust-red dunes and the dark blue sky makes for impressive memories and photographs. Back at camp, you rejuvenate with an extensive brunch. Once camp is packed up, you continue to Rostock Ritz at the edge of the Namib Desert. You can spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. Enjoy the beautiful views across this untouched landscape and the solitude of this secluded place. You will spend the night in your tent.

At sunrise, you should definitely go for a walk. There is nothing more enchanting than to let your gaze wander across the seemingly endless and solitary landscape in the light of the early morning hours, feeling absolute freedom. On your return, your guide welcomes you back with breakfast. You continue to the coastal town of Swakopmund at the Atlantic Ocean and swap nature for civilisation – just for a short while. In the afternoon, you explore Swakopmund on a city tour. Swakopmund is known as the German city of Namibia; you are reminded of the German colonial time on many corners – you will recognise the German language, cuisine and architecture, including the train station and court house. Have dinner in one of the many restaurants (at your own cost). You spend the night in the cosy Organic Stay Guesthouse.

After breakfast, you leave Swakopmund, heading towards Cape Cross and its seal colony, one of the largest in the world. Seal next to seal as far as the eye can see – a true spectacle on land and sea. Along a beautiful route, you continue inland to Brandberg mountain. You set up camp under shade-giving trees in the dry river bed of Ugab River. In the afternoon, a local guide takes you on a casual hike to the well-known rock painting of the “White Lady”. Back at camp, relax and take a nap. Keep a look out for visitors – now and then desert elephants cross the area. Another eventful day comes to a close at the campfire. You spend the night in your tent.

You reach the Petrified Forest before lunch time. Be prepared to be amazed by the petrified trunks which are more than 200 million years old. Take a closer look at the Welwitschia plant and the Organ Pipes, ancient pillars of basalt, you find here. Your destination for today is Palmwag, an oasis of palm trees at Uniab River in north-west Damaraland. Take a quick dip in the pool before you go on a game drive around the 5,000 square kilometre large private concession area. The flat hills and rare plants look magnificent in the afternoon light. Plenty of wildlife is at home here, among them Oryx antelopes, kudus, ostriches, jackals and hyenas. With a little bit of luck, you might even spot a lion, the rare black rhino or desert elephants. Enjoy a sundowner drink and watch the sunset before heading back to camp. For a change, you have dinner at a restaurant – you can look forward to a delicious menu. You spend the night in your tent.

Along the picturesque Grootberg Pass you reach Grootberg Plateau. You stop at the viewpoint to enjoy the spectacular views across the Klip River Valley. Continue to the world-renowned Etosha National Park, one of the most popular national parks in Southern Africa and the safari highlight of your 10-day Namibia camping safari. The park is home to hundreds of mammals, birds and reptiles. Entering through the Galton Gate the search for the wild animals begins. You set up camp at Olifantsrus Camp. From a raised platform, you can watch animals at the watering hole below which is very popular with elephants. You spend the night in your tent.

The day starts early with a cup of coffee or tea and rusks. The cool early morning hours are the best time to go on game drives and you are out and about at sunrise, scouting the west of the park for elephants, rhinos, giraffes, the rare black-faced impala, lions and cheetahs. You stop at watering holes and with a bit of luck you can spot elephants drinking and taking a bath. You return to camp for a hearty breakfast. You continue to Okaukuejo where you spend the next two nights. While on the road, you have plenty of opportunities to stop for wildlife sightings. In the evening, you can spot wildlife at the illuminated watering hole which is a popular hangout for many of the park’s animals, making it a great spot for observing and taking photos. You spend the night in your tent.

Another day of exciting game drives and wildlife sightings in Etosha National Park begins. Together with your guide you go on extensive game drives in the morning and afternoon. Most of the time is spent scouting for elephants, rhinos and giraffes, different kinds of antelopes and other wildlife near the water holes. With a bit of luck, you can even see lions and leopards. You have the option to join a night game drive with a park ranger, spotting nocturnal animals. You spend the night in your tent.

After a tasty breakfast, your last leg of the journey begins. On your way to Windhoek you have time to stop at a souvenir market in Okahandja. You can find handmade souvenirs, wood carvings, baskets and jewellery. During the course of the afternoon, you arrive in Windhoek where your 10-day Namibia camping safari will come to an end. Your guide takes you to your hotel in the city or the airport where you say your goodbyes.