Your itinerary
Day 1
Adventure starts in Windhoek
Begin your adventure at Arebbusch Lodge in Windhoek, where you can wash off the journey with a dip in the pool.
Around 6pm to 7pm, say hello to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.
Your tour leader then ensures a big Namibian welcome by arranging a group dinner.
Want more time in Windhoek? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
Drive through Namib-Naukluft National Park to Sesriem
Today we embark on our longest drive of the trip as we head southwest through the spectacular scenery of Namib-Naukluft National Park to our first campsite at Sesriem. This national park, one of the largest in the world, is home to one of the driest and oldest deserts on Earth. It contains the finest desert scenery in Africa, if not the world, with towering, jagged rock formations and incredible lunar landscapes.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 3
Sossusvlei dunes and the Namib Carnivore Conservation Centre
We spend all day in the Namib Desert. Rising early, we catch the tallest dunes in the world in the best light and have the opportunity to climb one as the sun rises, truly one of the great sights in Africa. We can either walk to Hiddenvlei (a 1hr 45min round walk) or catch a transfer (optional extra) to Deadvlei where ancient acacia trees in the desert form an eerie scene. If we’re lucky, we may see gemsbok or ostriches among the dunes. In the afternoon, we join a guide to see the cheetahs at the Namib Carnivore Conservation Centre (please see Responsible Travel section) – depending on time we may go tomorrow morning.
Upgrade from camping to a room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 4
Travel through Namib Desert to Swakopmund via Walvis Bay
We have a long, but very scenic, drive through the Namib-Naukluft National Park to Swakopmund. En route, we visit Walvis Bay for lunch and to see flamingos. A centre for adrenaline activities, Swakopmund is a small German colonial resort town with quaint cake shops and coffee houses.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5
Full day in Swakopmund with optional activities
Today is spent in and around Swakopmund. There is time to go fishing, relax on the beach, or enjoy a cream tea and a seafood dinner along the front. If you’re keen for action, there are enough options for the whole family such as experiencing the thrill of quad biking over dunes or try the popular sport of sandboarding.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6
Drive to the Brandberg
After a relaxing start, we leave the cool breeze of the Atlantic Ocean and head inland towards the highest mountain in Namibia, the Brandberg, in Damaraland. The Damaraland area is famous for desert elephants, which roam the Ugab River; there may be the option of a 4×4 game drive looking for them, if there’s time. Alternatively, you can do this tomorrow morning instead of the walk to the White Lady painting.
In the evening, we turn our attention to the skies – stargazing is normally spectacular from this remote area.
Upgrade from camping to a room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 7
Walk through Valley 45 to White Lady painting
We begin our day with a short drive to the Brandberg, where we walk through valley 45 for approximately 1hr 30min. Along the way, we view beautiful, granite formations and a variety of birdlife. The valley takes us to the White Lady rock painting, which, along with several other small paintings and engravings, are thought to have been left by indigenous San people at least 2,000 years ago (please note, if elephants walk into this area then it might be too dangerous to do the walk; in this case, we typically go on a game drive looking for elephants).
Afterwards, we drive towards the Khorixas area where we should pass various Himba and Herero women selling crafts from the roadside. There is also the possibility of spotting desert elephants and meerkats on the way. We arrive at our accommodation around midday.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 8
To Etosha National Park
The first day is spent with a scenic drive to Etosha. We should arrive in time for a late afternoon game drive before setting up at our camp. Our itinerary allows plenty of time to really enjoy this fabulous game park.
Upgrade from camping to a room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9
Game drives in Etosha
Etosha is a huge park of mixed forest and grassland centred around a large saltpan. Etosha is home to a great variety of species, which are generally easy to find as the animals congregate at different times around the waterholes. Wildebeest, zebras, impalas, springbok, kudus, elephants, giraffes, lions and even rhinos are all common sights here. Take plenty of camera memory and lots of patience and you will be rewarded by one of the greatest game spectacles in southern Africa.
Etosha is also a good place for birds, with plenty of water birds on the lakes (when filled with water), and weaverbirds and hornbills in the trees. While in Etosha, we typically stay within the park on some or all of the nights (subject to availability) and some of these are next to waterholes.
Upgrade from camping to a room – speak to your sales representative for more details
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 10
Game drives in Etosha
A second day of game drives in Etosha National Park, giving you the opportunity to discover different regions of this vast reserve. A second day greatly increases your chances of rewarding sightings, whether it’s predators on the move, large herds gathering to drink, or rarer species.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11
To Otjiwarongo
After a relaxing start to the morning, we have a short game drive out of Etosha before making our way to Otjiwarongo, where we stop for lunch. We then spend our final night of camping under the African sky on a private farm.
Upgrade from camping to a room – speak to your sales representative for more details
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 12
Rhino tracking and the Waterberg Plateau
Start today seeing rhinos up close! We’re led by a well-trained guide who tracks the rhinos by vehicle; once they’re spotted, we carefully get closer to the rhinos on foot. This is an incredible experience, allowing the group to admire rhinos from a safe distance.
In the afternoon, we drive to the gigantic Waterberg Plateau, a 655ft (200m) high plateau covered with bushveld. It is one of the more fertile areas in Namibia and very colourful, especially after the rains. Here, there are several walking trails, including one leading to a viewpoint near the top of the plateau for a great view. In addition to a guided walk, there are many smaller walks to explore without a guide.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13
Adventure ends in Windhoek
A 3hr 30min drive brings us back to Windhoek, where our adventure ends. Bid farewell to new-found friends and begin your return journey home. If you’d like the adventure to continue, speak to our sales representative about extending your stay – perhaps with extra nights in Cape Town to see a little of South Africa.
Please note: The group transfer back to Windhoek is scheduled to align with a chosen flight; therefore, you should not book flights leaving before this. Please contact your sales representative for the timings of this flight.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
What’s not included
Additional information
Namib Carnivore Conservation Centre Cheetah Visit
Join a resident guide to see cheetahs at the Namib Carnivore Conservation Centre, learning how rescued and rehabilitated cats are monitored and supported. Observe these graceful sprinters safely, gaining close insight into their behaviour and the challenges they face in arid environments.
Namibia supports the world’s largest free-roaming cheetah population. This visit highlights human–wildlife conflict mitigation, research, and responsible viewing protocols. Families discover how conservation and community initiatives work together to secure a future for these fleet-footed predators.
Sossusvlei Sunrise Dune Climb & Hiddenvlei Walk
Rise before dawn to climb a towering dune in Sossusvlei as the first light paints the sand in copper and gold. After panoramic photos from the ridge, continue on foot to Hiddenvlei, a dry basin framed by ochre dunes where silence stretches across the world’s oldest desert.
Located within Namib-Naukluft National Park, this is classic Namib scenery: wind-sculpted crests, gemsbok tracks, and hardy grasses adapted to extreme aridity. Keep an eye out for ostrich on the move against vast horizons as you savour the desert stillness.
Walvis Bay Lagoon Flamingo Viewing
Pause on the Atlantic coast to visit Walvis Bay Lagoon, where wind-ruffled waters and salt pans host elegant flamingo flocks. Stroll the shoreline, breathe the cool sea air, and photograph reflections of pink and white birds stepping through the shallows.
A protected Ramsar wetland, the lagoon attracts both greater and lesser flamingos alongside pelicans and migrant waders. With the Namib’s dunes as a backdrop, this compact stop delivers superb birdlife and crisp coastal light ideal for families who love nature photography.
Brandberg Valley 45 Hike & White Lady Rock Painting
Walk through the granite landscapes of Valley 45 towards the famed White Lady rock painting. The 1.5-hour guided trail reveals sculpted boulders, lichen-painted slopes, and hardy desert shrubs before reaching a shelter of ancient art.
Created by San hunter-gatherers at least 2,000 years ago, the paintings—despite the misnomer—likely depict a male figure amid wildlife and ritual scenes. With Brandberg (Namibia’s highest massif) towering nearby, this hike blends archaeology, geology, and quiet desert atmosphere.
Etosha National Park Game Drives & Waterhole Watch
Set out on multiple game drives in Etosha National Park, scanning open savannah and mopane woodland for elephants, lions, giraffes, and plains game around the shimmering Etosha salt pan. Your leader focuses on productive routes and seasonal waterholes for rewarding sightings.
Etosha’s network of natural and artificial water points concentrates wildlife, creating superb viewing. Between drives, many camps feature floodlit hides where you can enjoy an atmospheric waterhole watch after dark—often revealing rhino, elephants, and nocturnal visitors in remarkable stillness.
Rhino Tracking on a Private Reserve
Accompany an expert local guide to track rhinos on a private reserve. Begin by vehicle to locate signs, then approach on foot to a respectful safe distance for an unforgettable observation of these powerful yet vulnerable animals.
Along the way, learn to read spoor, identify browse plants, and understand behaviours that distinguish black and white rhinos. The experience supports ongoing conservation efforts, revealing the challenges of anti-poaching protection and habitat management in Namibia’s savannah.
Waterberg Plateau Guided Walk to the Viewpoint
Explore the trails of the Waterberg Plateau on a guided walk through bushveld to a sweeping viewpoint near the rim. Red sandstone cliffs, fig and acacia groves, and birdsong set a tranquil scene as you gain gentle elevation.
This elevated sanctuary protects rare antelope and diverse flora nourished by natural springs. From the crest, gaze across far-reaching savannah towards the Kalahari margins and pause for photos and reflection amid a mosaic of russet rock and green thicket.
Deadvlei 4x4 Transfer & Clay Pan Walk
Upgrade your desert morning by taking the 4×4 transfer over soft sand to reach Deadvlei, a stark white clay pan surrounded by rust-red dunes. Walk among the sun-blackened silhouettes of ancient camelthorn trees and frame dramatic photos beneath endless blue skies.
Formed when shifting dunes cut off the Tsauchab River centuries ago, Deadvlei offers Namibia’s most surreal contrasts. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, complementing the included Sossusvlei dune activities.
Swakopmund Desert Quad Biking
Rev up for an adrenaline burst as you ride quad bikes over coastal dunes near Swakopmund. After a safety briefing, follow guides along rippling ridgelines and bowls for a thrilling taste of the coastal Namib with Atlantic breezes at your back.
Guided routes keep to designated areas that protect sensitive dune ecosystems while maximising fun and views. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour, with options suitable for adventurous teens and parents alike.
Swakopmund Sandboarding on the Dunes
Swap snow for sand and sandboard down sweeping dune faces outside Swakopmund. Learn how to position your feet, wax your board, and carve or lie down for speed before launching into gravity-fuelled runs with the Atlantic coastline on the horizon.
Guides manage safety, show you the best slipfaces, and capture action shots between rides. This high-energy desert experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, perfect for families who love active challenges.
Brandberg Desert Elephant 4x4 Game Drive
Head out with local trackers on a 4×4 game drive along the Ugab River’s sandy channels to look for desert-adapted elephants. Learn how these remarkable herds navigate scarce water and sparse browse amid rocky outcrops and dry riverbeds.
Desert-adapted elephants move widely and sightings can never be guaranteed; the search itself reveals geology, birdlife, and hardy flora unique to Damaraland. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, sometimes offered in place of the Valley 45 walk if conditions require.
Windhoek Welcome Dinner & Briefing
Begin your adventure in Namibia by gathering to meet your tour leader and travelling companions for a relaxed orientation and group dinner. Share first impressions, run through practical tips for the journey, and enjoy hearty local flavors that set the tone for days of exploration ahead.
Windhoek’s highland setting and blend of German colonial and contemporary architecture frame this warm Namibian welcome. Your leader outlines how to travel safely and sustainably across desert regions, helping families feel prepared and excited for the experiences to come.
