7-Day Namibia Safari: Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein, and Etosha
This 7-day Namibian safari offers participants a diverse exploration of Namibia’s landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage.
Duration: 7 Days
Places to Visit: Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein, Etosha National Park
Itinerary:
Day 1: Windhoek – Sossusvlei
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 and cultural diversity. Drive 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 2-3: Sossusvlei – 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. The museum houses exhibits on natural history, mineralogy, and colonial history. Take a tour of the surrounding Namib Desert to observe unique desert-dwelling creatures like the Namaqua chameleon and the dancing white lady spider.
Visit the Mondesa township to learn about urban Namibian culture and sample traditional foods. Explore the Crystal Gallery, showcasing Namibia’s geological treasures, including the world’s largest quartz crystal cluster. Enjoy a seafood dinner at one of Swakopmund’s renowned restaurants, showcasing the city’s rich culinary heritage. Optional activities include sandboarding on the nearby dunes or a scenic flight over the Skeleton Coast.
Accommodation: Strand Hotel or similar (2 nights)
Day 4: 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. The site contains more than 5,000 individual figures. Visit the nearby Damara Living Museum to learn about the traditional lifestyle of the Damara people. Participate in traditional fire-making, leather tanning, and jewelry crafting activities. Observe the unique Welwitschia mirabilis plants, some of which are over 1,500 years old.
Accommodation: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge or similar
Day 5-6: Twyfelfontein – Etosha National Park
Drive to Etosha National Park (approximately 4 hours), covering 22,270 square kilometers. Etosha means “Great White Place” in the Oshindonga language, referring to the vast salt pan visible from space. Spend two days exploring different areas of the park, including the central and eastern regions. Visit the Etosha Pan, a vast salt pan covering 4,800 square kilometers. During the rainy season, the pan fills with water, attracting thousands of flamingos.
Observe diverse wildlife at waterholes, including elephants, lions, rhinos, and numerous bird species. Etosha is home to 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, and 16 amphibian species. Learn about the Hai||om San people, who inhabited the Etosha area for thousands of years before being relocated in the 1950s. Their deep connection to the land and traditional knowledge has played a crucial role in understanding the park’s ecology.
Take a guided walk with a park ranger to learn about the smaller inhabitants of the park, including insects and plants that have adapted to the harsh environment. Participate in a stargazing session. The dark skies of Etosha offer excellent opportunities for astronomy, and many constellations hold significance in local folklore.
Accommodation: Okaukuejo Rest Camp and Namutoni Rest Camp (1 night each)
Day 7: Etosha National Park – Windhoek
Take a final morning game drive in Etosha, focusing on areas known for predator sightings.
Depart for Windhoek (approximately 5 hours), reflecting on the diverse wildlife and cultural experiences of the past week. Upon arrival in Windhoek, visit the Namibia Craft Centre. This marketplace showcases handmade crafts from various Namibian ethnic groups, offering a glimpse into the country’s rich artistic traditions. Enjoy a farewell dinner at Joe’s Beerhouse, a Windhoek institution known for its eclectic decor and menu featuring game meats and traditional Namibian dishes.
Transfer to Hosea Kutako International Airport for departure.