Short Tours and Day Trips from Windhoek

If you don’t have much time to explore Namibia on a longer trip or have a few days before or after your main tour, you can experience Namibia on a day trip. All our day trips start from Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, and hub for international travellers. There are three types of day tours: half-day and full-day day trips in the city of Windhoek itself, day trips to the surrounding farmlands of Windhoek, or short tours starting in Windhoek to Sossusvlei or Etosha National Park – these are essentially three-day trips, but still very short in Namibian terms.

Windhoek is an accessible and inviting capital and easy to navigate. You can explore it on your own or join one of our professional guides. Having a local by your side will give you an in-depth experience and insight into the daily life of Namibia’s capital. On our city tours, we take you to the historic sites such as the Old Fort (Alte Feste), Christ Church (Christuskirche), House of Parliament (Tintenpalast), and Railway Station. While history has its place in Namibian culture, it is places like Katutura that give you an idea about daily life and culture of Namibia today. Please let us know if you would like to add a visit to Katutura to your day trip.

The Namibia Craft Centre is the perfect place if you want to shop for high-quality and unique souvenirs, enjoy a coffee or cold drink and a bite to eat.

On our Windhoek city tours, pick up and drop off is included from any guesthouse in Windhoek. The starting time for our day tours in Windhoek are flexible, meaning you can start either in the morning or after lunch. There is no better way of getting to know the city in a short period of time.

What to expect on self-drive day trips from Windhoek to surrounding farmlands

Windhoek’s location is ideal for a weekend away or even just a half-day or full-day trip to the surrounding areas. There are several guest farms surrounded by beautiful farmland, rolling hills and spectacular views. Our recommendation is a day trip to GocheGanas Lodge just 29 kilometres Southeast of Windhoek. They offer a mix of wildlife, nature, and wellness in their 6000-hectare large nature reserve. You can go on guided nature walks or game drives amongst zebras, giraffes, and oryx, enjoy the swimming pools and spa as well as the restaurant and bar – and of course the amazing views across the beautiful farmland. Daan Viljoen Natural Wildlife Park is another great option for a day trip from Windhoek. There are two different hiking trails you can enjoy even without being accompanied by a ranger. Afterwards, you can visit the restaurant at Daan Viljoen Lodge and take a dip in their big swimming pool. Dusternbrook Guest Farm as well as Naankuse Lodge are other great options for a short stay or day trip from Windhoek.

Sossusvlei day trip from Windhoek

Sossusvlei with its iconic Deadvlei and the Sesriem Canyon is one of the highlights on many Namibia trips. The driving distance between Windhoek and the Sossusvlei region of the Namib Desert is around 340km and about 4 hours one way – which is why we don’t offer strictly speaking day trips from Windhoek to Sossusvlei. We do however offer a two-nights, three-days trip to Sossusvlei: This short Sossusvlei safari gives you a full day in the Sossusvlei area to enjoy the vast sea of dunes in the oldest desert in the world, to walk up the tall Big Daddy dune, explore the white clay pan of the Deadvlei with its camelthorn trees and walk the Sesriem Canyon. You have the option of going in one of our 4×4 safari vehicles and together with one of our local guides or do a self-drive trip. You spend two nights at the beautiful Elegant Desert Eco Camp (or similar) in a stunning location. Three days well spent, without being in a rush.

Day trips to Etosha National Park from Windhoek

Etosha is the wildlife viewing highlight of Namibia and a bucket list destination for many visitors to Southern Africa. Its distance from Windhoek is about 460km or a 5-hour drive one way. As we don’t recommend driving on Namibian roads in the dark, we don’t offer a day trip in the literal sense of the word. However, we do offer two-nights, three-days trips to Etosha National Park from Windhoek. This short Etosha safari allows you more than a full day of game viewing in Etosha, looking for elephants, lions, zebras, and many more iconic animals of the African bush. You can choose to go in one of our safari vehicles and together with a guide or do a self-drive trip. You spend two nights in an authentic safari camp, getting a real feel for life in the bush.