This 7-day Namibia Desert and Etosha National Park camping tour starts and ends in Windhoek. It is made for those who want to see Namibia’s top three highlights.
You will visit the world’s oldest desert, the Namib, see the high sand dunes at Sossusvlei, visit Walvis Bay and Swakopmund on Namibia’s Atlantic coast, and end at Etosha National Park for a safari.
Day 1: Windhoek to Namib Desert
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel between 9:00 and 9:30 am and depart by 10:00 am. You will drive south to Sossusvlei via the Spreetshoogte Pass, stopping at a viewpoint to see the Namib.
Lunch will be at the Solitaire Oasis before arriving at the lodge or campsite between 3:00 and 4:00 pm. The afternoon is hot, so you can cool off by the pool.
You will need to rest early for tomorrow’s early start.
Day 2: Dune 45 and Sossusvlei Desert
You will wake up early to catch the sunrise over the desert. After passing Sesriem, you will continue to Sossusvlei, with dunes on both sides of the road.
The white plains and red dunes under the blue sky create a beautiful scene.
You will climb Dune 45 and see the orange landscape. You will visit Dead Vlei, a dry pan with old acacia trees, and can climb Big Mama, one of the world’s highest dunes.
You will return to camp to relax by the pool as the day gets hot. In the afternoon, you can hike in Sesriem Canyon.
Later, you will return to camp to freshen up before dinner and spend the evening at leisure.
Day 3: Swakopmund
Today you will drive northwest through the Namib Naukluft National Park. You will see the Ghaub and Kuiseb Canyons and pass through Kuiseb Pass.
You will reach the coast at Walvis Bay and continue to Swakopmund, where you will enjoy the cooler coastal breeze for your one-night stay.
There are activities in Swakopmund available at your own cost.
After freshening up, you can explore the waterfront on foot before having dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Himba Village
This morning, you will go to Walvis Bay for a half-day Sandwich Harbour tour. You will meet your guide at the waterfront at 8:00 am for a briefing before the activity.
After the tour, you will drive north to Damaraland, enjoying the scenery and having lunch on the way.
You will pass Namibia’s highest mountain and arrive at Oppi Koppi Rest Camp in the late afternoon.
After settling in, you will meet your guide in the lobby to visit a Himba Village. A local guide who knows the Himba people will show you around and translate for you.
After the visit, you will return to Oppi Koppi to freshen up and have dinner. The rest of the night will be at leisure.
Day 5: Kamanjab to Etosha National Park
After breakfast, you will drive to Etosha National Park with lunch on the way. You will arrive in the late afternoon. After check-in, you will meet your guide for a game drive, visiting waterholes to see wildlife.
You may see predators, or you may see zebra, giraffe, elephant, rhino, and many antelope species.
After the drive, you will return to your accommodation to freshen up while your guide prepares dinner on the open fire. You will then have dinner and can relax while watching wildlife near the area.
The rest of the evening will be at leisure.
Day 6: Etosha National Park
Today you will spend most of the day looking for animals. You will visit waterholes and see the Etosha Pan, a large salt pan also called the “place of dry water.”
Seeing herds of animals here with the mirages is a special experience.
You will visit the Etosha Pan before continuing your game drive to search for the Big 5 and other wildlife. Lunch will be on the way.
You will return to your accommodation to freshen up for dinner.
After dinner, you will go on a night drive and return to the resort afterward. The rest of the evening will be at leisure.
Day 7: Etosha to Windhoek
After breakfast, you will drive back to Windhoek, passing through small towns. Before reaching the city, you will stop in Okahandja to visit Namibia’s largest wood-carving market.
You will arrive in Windhoek around 4:30 pm and be dropped off at your accommodation.