14-Day Namibia Safari: From Windhoek to Etosha and Beyond
This comprehensive 14-day Namibian safari offers participants an extensive exploration of the country’s diverse landscapes, wildlife, and rich cultural heritage.
Duration: 14 Days
Places to Visit: Windhoek, Kalahari Desert, Sossusvlei, Namib-Naukluft National Park, Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein, Damaraland, Kunene Region, Epupa Falls, Etosha National Park, Erindi Game Reserve
Itinerary:
Day 1: Windhoek – Kalahari Desert
Begin in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city with a population of about 325,000. Visit the Independence Memorial Museum to learn about Namibia’s struggle for independence. Drive to the Kalahari Desert (approximately 3 hours). The Kalahari covers 900,000 square kilometers across Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa.
Meet with San Bushmen to learn about their traditional way of life. The San have inhabited this region for over 20,000 years, developing unique survival skills in the harsh desert environment. Enjoy a nature drive to observe desert-adapted wildlife and the iconic red dunes of the Kalahari.
Accommodation: Kalahari Anib Lodge or similar
Day 2: Kalahari Desert – Sossusvlei
Travel to Sossusvlei (approximately 5 hours), home to some of the world’s highest sand dunes. The dunes in this area can reach heights of over 300 meters. Visit Dune 45, one of the most photographed dunes in the world, standing 170 meters high. Explore Deadvlei, a white clay pan dotted with 900-year-old petrified camel thorn trees, creating a surreal landscape.
Learn about the Topnaar people, who have lived in the Namib Desert for centuries, surviving on the nutrient-rich !nara melon.
Accommodation: Sossus Dune Lodge or similar
Day 3-4: Sossusvlei – Namib-Naukluft National Park
Spend two days exploring Namib-Naukluft National Park, one of the largest conservation areas in Africa, covering 49,768 square kilometers. Take guided nature walks to learn about desert ecology and the unique adaptations of plants and animals in this extreme environment. Visit Sesriem Canyon, a natural gorge carved by the Tsauchab River over millions of years, reaching depths of up to 30 meters. Learn about the Welwitschia mirabilis, a plant unique to the Namib Desert that can live for over 1,000 years.
Accommodation: Namib Desert Lodge or similar (2 nights)
Day 5: Namib-Naukluft National Park – Swakopmund
Drive to Swakopmund (approximately 4 hours), a coastal city with strong German colonial influences. Visit the Swakopmund Museum to learn about the city’s history and the diverse cultures of Namibia. Take a tour of the surrounding Namib Desert to observe unique desert-dwelling creatures like the Namaqua chameleon and the dancing white lady spider. Enjoy a seafood dinner at one of Swakopmund’s renowned restaurants, showcasing the city’s rich culinary heritage.
Accommodation: Strand Hotel or similar
Day 6: Swakopmund – Twyfelfontein
Travel to Twyfelfontein (approximately 5 hours), a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rock engravings. Explore over 2,500 rock carvings and paintings dating back 6,000 years, created by San hunter-gatherers. Visit the nearby Damara Living Museum to learn about the traditional lifestyle of the Damara people.
Accommodation: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge or similar
Day 7: Twyfelfontein – Damaraland
Explore Damaraland, known for its rugged landscape and desert-adapted wildlife. Visit the Petrified Forest, where 280-million-year-old fossilized tree trunks can be observed. Learn about the conservation efforts to protect desert-adapted elephants and black rhinos in the region. Meet with members of the Damara people to learn about their culture and traditional practices.
Accommodation: Doro Nawas Camp or similar
Day 8: Damaraland – Kunene Region
Travel to the Kunene Region, home to the Himba people, one of the last semi-nomadic peoples in Africa. Visit a Himba village to learn about their unique customs, including the use of red ochre for body decoration. Observe the stark beauty of the Kunene landscape, where mountains meet desert.
Accommodation: Opuwo Country Lodge or similar
Day 9: Kunene Region – Epupa Falls
Drive to Epupa Falls on the Kunene River, forming the border between Namibia and Angola. Take a guided walk to view the falls, which drop 37 meters over a series of cascades. Learn about the significance of the Makalani palm trees to the local Himba people.
Accommodation: Epupa Falls Lodge or similar
Day 10-12: Epupa Falls – Etosha National Park
Travel to Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s great wildlife sanctuaries covering 22,270 square kilometers. Spend three days exploring different areas of the park, including the western, central, and eastern regions. Visit the Etosha Pan, a vast salt pan visible from space, covering 4,800 square kilometers. Observe diverse wildlife at waterholes, including elephants, lions, rhinos, and numerous bird species. Learn about the Hailom San people, who inhabited the Etosha area for thousands of years before being relocated.
Accommodation: Okaukuejo Rest Camp, Halali Rest Camp, Namutoni Rest Camp (1 night each)
Day 13: Etosha National Park – Erindi Game Reserve
Travel to Erindi Game Reserve, a private reserve covering 70,000 hectares. Take a game drive to observe wildlife in a different setting from Etosha. Learn about Erindi’s conservation efforts and community involvement programs. Enjoy a farewell dinner featuring traditional Namibian dishes.
Accommodation: Old Traders Lodge or similar
Day 14: Erindi Game Reserve – Windhoek
Return to Windhoek (approximately 3 hours). Visit the Namibia Craft Centre to purchase locally made souvenirs and support Namibian artisans. Transfer to Hosea Kutako International Airport for departure.
End of Service.
This 14-day Namibian Safari offers participants a comprehensive exploration of the country’s diverse landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage. The itinerary combines varied wildlife viewing opportunities with cultural and historical insights, providing a well-rounded experience of Namibia’s natural and cultural wonders.