Experience the best of Namibia in one immersive adventure combining desert landscapes, coastal activities, and wildlife encounters. Begin in Windhoek, Namibia’s vibrant capital, where you’ll receive your rental vehicle and enjoy a guided city tour, local cuisine, and a taste of its German colonial heritage. Travel south to Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert to explore iconic red dunes like Dune 45, the surreal Deadvlei, and Sesriem Canyon, with optional hot air ballooning for a breathtaking aerial view of the desert.
Next, head to the coastal town of Swakopmund, where adventure meets relaxation. Take part in the Marine Dune Combo, enjoy dolphin and seal sightings, 4×4 desert excursions, camel rides, and quad biking. Discover local cuisine and explore the town and beach at leisure. Finally, visit Okapuka Safari Lodge, a wildlife sanctuary near Windhoek, for game viewing, a Himba village visit, and a sunset drive through Namibia’s scenic landscapes, rounding out a perfect blend of nature, culture, and adventure.
This self-drive itinerary combines flexibility with guided experiences, offering travelers a safe, comfortable, and unforgettable way to experience Namibia’s diverse beauty, from towering dunes and rugged coastlines to thriving wildlife reserves.
Day 1
Windhoek
Upon arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport, your Travel Specialist will meet you outside the customs hall at the pick-up point and assist you with your luggage. Tour documents will be handed to you for your tour briefing. Receive rented vehicle and head to your hotel. Pick up for your city tour and late afternoon is spent at the mall near your hotel. Dinner, we recommend The Hook Restaurant (dinner on own account).
Windhoek is Namibia’s capital, home to an international airport and a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and accommodation options. The city is clean, safe and well-organised, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, many of which are worth a look, including the Alte Feste (Old Fort), the 1896 Christuskirche (Christ Church), and the more contemporary Supreme Court.
Overnight: Windhoek Town Lodge
Accommodation is on Bed and Breakfast basis.
Town Lodges offer a perfect blend of affordability and comfort for travellers who appreciate value-added experiences in an upper mid-scale hotel. The properties are strategically located in South Africa as well as Windhoek, Namibia and Gaborone, Botswana, providing the essentials and more for business and leisure travellers. Enjoy air-conditioned rooms with spacious showers; delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Eat-in restaurant; comfortable lounge and sparkling swimming pool.
Day 2
Sossusvlei
After breakfast, depart to your accommodation in Sossusvlei. Lunch at your lodge on own account. Sundowner drive with your camp (Snack platter and drinks included). Evening is spent at leisure.
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red sand dunes to make this one of the natural wonders of Africa and a photographers heaven. Aside from the attractions at Sossusvlei – Dune 45, Hiddenvlei, Big Daddy and Deadvlei – other attractions in the area include the Sesriem Canyon and Namib-Naukluft National Park, where the mountains of the Namib meet its plains.
Overnight: Elegant Desert Camp
Accommodation includes dinner, bed & breakfast.
Surrounded by the majestic Tsaris Mountains, flat gravel plains and inselbergs in the Namib Desert and situated only 45km from Sesriem, the gate to Sossusvlei is the Elegant Desert Camp!
Comprising of 10 individual en-suite tents in harmony with nature, this secluded little Camp offers our Guest a world of vast spaces, endless horizons and rugged mountain heights. The utter tranquillity and extraordinary clarity of light make this area one of Africa’s most compelling landscapes.
Custom build 85 sqm Canvas Tents envelope guests in pure privacy, complete with an outside viewing deck, an indoor and outdoor shower, spacious bathroom and a Mini Bar provided by the Elegant Desert Lodge in the form of a cool box. Our Rock Pool on top of the mountain with a large sun downer deck offers the most exquisite views and scenery.
You have the option of moving your bed out to sleep under the stars. And wake up naturally to the most beautiful scenery! Eerie silence, tranquillity, a sense of soulfulness and untouched landscapes make this Camp especially unique! The camp is totally off the grid with its own water and power supplies.
Day 3
Sossusvlei
Today is fully spent on a full day Sossusvlei excursion, arriving at Sesriem gate, pay your park fees N$ 150.00 per person and N$ 50.00 per vehicle payable at the entrance gate. Visit Dune 45, Deadvlei, Elim Dunes and Sesriem Canyon – pay N$ 180.00 per person for shuttle if you are not comfortable driving the last 4km to the vlei). Optional ballooning N$ 9,200.00 followed by the park excursion afterwards. Lunch we recommend at Sossuvlei Lodge (lunch on own account). Evening is spent at leisure. Dinner and overnight.
Sossusvlei
Dead Vlei
This ancient clay pan was once an oasis, studded with acacias and fed by a river that suddenly changed course, leaving the earth to dry up along with the trees it previously supported. So dry were the climatic conditions that the trees never decomposed – instead they were entirely leached of moisture so that today, 900 years later, they remain as desiccated, blackened sentinels dotting the pan’s cracked surface. Surrounded by the red-pink dunes of the Namibia Desert, they create a surreal spectacle that is a photographer’s dream.
Dune 45
Named for its location 45 kilometres past the town of Sesriem, Dune 45 is renowned for its elegant shape, which – along with its position close to the road – have earned it the distinction of ‘most photographed dune in the world’. If you are not keen for the strenuous hike to the top of Big Daddy, Dune 45 is a more forgiving alternative, standing at only 80 metres and featuring a much gentler gradient.
Sesriem Canyon
Sesriem Canyon, a deep chasm carved through the rocks by water, is a striking natural feature of the area that is best explored on foot. Stony walls rise up sharply on both sides of the canyon, while birds roost in its crags and lizards dart along the ledges. The canyon’s name was coined when early settlers used it as a water source, using six lengths of leather (‘ses riem – six thongs) tied together to lower buckets into the water at the base of canyon.
Namib Sky Balloon Safaris (recommended – at an additional cost)
Namib Sky Balloon Safaris Price Per Person N$ 9,200.00
Situated in the heart of the Namib Naukluft Park, Sossusvlei, one of the most fascinating landscapes in Namibia, is a photographer’s dream. Gigantic orange dunes, dramatic shadows, undulating plains and Rocky Mountains create a magical kaleidoscope of colours and shapes. To the east, Namib Rand Nature Reserve vast sandy plains are surrounded by towering granite mountains and rolling dunes. Here, in the oldest desert on the planet, amazingly adapted animals and plants come together to form one of the most visually stunning ecosystems in the world. And truly the best way to experience the heart of the Namib desert is with a hot air balloon safari. Watching the spectacular sunrise over this magnificent landscape from a silent hot air balloon is the experience of a lifetime, never to be forgotten. At landing, you come back to earth with an “Out Of Africa” style Champagne breakfast set up in the middle of nowhere. Your pilot will present you with a flight certificate before you take a leisurely nature drive back to the pick-up point.
Overnight: Elegant Desert Camp
Accommodation includes dinner, bed & breakfast.
Day 4
Swakopmund
After breakfast depart to Swakopmund en-route make a stop at Solitaire for the best Apple pie in Africa and do not miss the photographic opportunity at the Tropic of Capricorn sign. Late lunch in Walvis Bay (Anchors Waterfront Restaurant – lunch on own account). Arriving is Swakopmund, check in at your hotel. Head to Desert Explorers for your 45 minutes Quad biking and 30 minutes Camel ride (included). Explore Swakopmund centre and the beach on foot. Dinner at The Tug Restaurant (dinner on own account).
Swakopmund
Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more German than Germany. Now a seaside resort, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, colonial-era buildings and the cool sea breeze make it very popular.
Overnight: Swakopmund Sands Hotel
Accommodation is on Bed & Breakfast and includes 45 Minutes Quad Biking & 30 Minutes Camel Ride.
The Swakopmund Sands is literary minutes’ walk away from the very popular Jetty and TUG restaurants as well as other tourist attractions and yet you have total privacy once on the premises of the Hotel. Each room is equipped with a flat screen TV, safe, under floor heating, fridge, as well as tea and coffee facilities for your convenience. A laundry service is available for same day delivery. Each bathroom has a hairdryer and shaving facilities and all international power points can be used. In the morning you will be able to enjoy a sumptuous buffet breakfast in a very relaxing and tranquil dining area.
Day 5
Swakopmund
Today requires an early start; departing to Walvis Bay Waterfront at 07h30 for the full day marine Dune Combo (Boat Cruise followed by your 4×4 Sandwich Harbor Tour – champagne, soft drinks, cold beers, fresh Oysters and finger food included). Dinner at Brewer and Butcher Restaurant or Ocean Cellar Restaurant (dinner on own account).
Overnight: Swakopmund Sands Hotel
Accommodation is on Bed & Breakfast and includes Marine Dune Combo.
Day 6
Okapuka Safari Lodge
Today deserves an early start; after breakfast depart to Spitzkoppe for your day visit, embark on the Himba village visit (N$ 350.00 per person). Explore Spitzkoppe and head to your overnight lodge. Sunset Drive (drinks and snacks included. Dinner and overnight.
Spitzkoppe
Although not Namibia’s highest mountains these giant granite domes with their amazing rock formations are its most famous.
Overnight: Okapuka Safari Lodge
Accommodation includes dinner, bed & breakfast & Sunset Drive.
Okapuka is a safari lodge about 30 km north of Windhoek. The lodge offers a variety of comfortable accommodation options, a huge garden, swimming pool, a gift shop and a nice restaurant. The lodge is located on a 7,300 hectare wildlife farm, home to all native antelope species, giraffes, ostriches and, most importantly, white rhinos. Okapuka Safari Lodge offers sunrise and sunset drives as well as regular game drives on the farm.
Day 7
Departure
After breakfast you will head to Windhoek, tour debriefing with your host. Head to Hosea Kutako International Airport. Handover rented vehicle and check for your flight back home.
End of our service
Quotation in nett rates
By using Town Lodge Windhoek, The Elegant Desert Camp, Swakopmund Sands Hotel & Okapuka Safari Lodge | |
Per Person Sharing | USD 1836 |
Prices include:
Rental vehicle a Ford Ranger 4*4 (N$ 4,500.00 refundable deposit will be required)
Accommodation as stipulated in the itinerary
Activities with English speaking driver/guide or naturalist guide
Prices do not include:
Park fees
Fuel
Meals and activities not specified
Laundry
Visas (currently US$ 50 per person)
Tips
Inoculations and personal insurance
International flights and departure taxes
Optional activities and excursions
Items of personal nature such as beverages, telephone, postage etc.
Terms and Conditions
Non-Refundable 30% Deposit – Upon Confirmation
100% Payment – 45 Days prior to arrival
Cancelation 45 days or less prior to arrival 100% Cancelation Fees
15% Handling fees on all refund
The quote is subject to availability at the time of booking as nothing is booked
