Upon arrival and check-in, you’ll have the option of either a restful afternoon to unwind or a guided city tour of Windhoek, depending on your preference and arrival time. Windhoek offers a mix of colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and cultural sights, making it a charming introduction to Namibia. Dinner plans are flexible and can be tailored based on your guide's recommendations. He can help you reserve a table at one of Windhoek’s popular restaurants, allowing you to enjoy local cuisine and get a taste of Namibian hospitality.
Accommodation Basis: Bed & Breakfast
The first leg of your journey takes you to the Kalahari Desert, famous for its striking rusty-red dunes and unique landscape. The name “Kalahari” comes from the Tswana word Kgalagadi, meaning “a waterless place.” The Kalahari Desert is a vast, semi-arid savanna that covers much of Botswana and extends into parts of Namibia and South Africa. Though it bears the name "desert," it is not a true desert, as it receives more rainfall than typical arid regions. This unique environment is home to a wide range of wildlife, including iconic African species such as oryx, giraffe and suricates.
Once you arrive, you’ll have the option of a game drive or guided walk to observe wildlife specially adapted to this arid environment. For a quieter experience, you might opt for a sundowner among the dunes, where the sky comes alive with hues of red and gold as the sun dips below the horizon.
Accommodation Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a vast wildlife preserve and conservation area in southern Africa, situated primarily in the southern Kalahari Desert along the border with Namibia. It combines two national parks: South Africa's Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and Botswana's Gemsbok National Park, spanning a total of 38,000 square kilometers (15,000 square miles).
Home to over 470 documented species, the park offers exceptional opportunities for game viewing. Since 2005, it has been recognized as a stronghold for lions in Southern Africa, especially the iconic Kalahari dark-maned lion.
Accommodation Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Leaving Kgalagadi, the next stop on your journey is Upington, a historic city founded in 1873 and nestled on the banks of the Orange River in South Africa's Northern Cape province. Known as South Africa’s largest province, the Northern Cape boasts desert landscapes, unique wildlife, and rich deposits of gemstones. In spring, the typically arid plains of Namaqualand—extending into Namibia—transform as wild daisies and other flowers blanket the region.
This segment offers a glimpse into the varied desert landscapes, with an afternoon dedicated to relaxation.
Accommodation Basis: Bed & Breakfast
Known as "The Garden of the Gods," Springbok, the largest town in Namaqualand, draws tourists with its stunning display of spring flowers that bloom every August and September.
Another popular attraction nearby is the Augrabies Falls, a breathtaking 145-meter waterfall located in Augrabies Falls National Park. The waterfall and its dramatic ravine are celebrated as one of South Africa’s most awe-inspiring natural landmarks.
Accommodation Basis: Bed & Breakfast
Returning north over the border and back into Namibia, the next stop is the Fish River Canyon. Fischfluss Canyon in German, is located in southern Namibia and stands as Africa's largest canyon. It is Namibia's second most visited tourist attraction, renowned for its immense ravine that stretches approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) in length, reaching widths of up to 27 kilometers, and depths approaching 550 meters in certain areas. The canyon offers breathtaking vistas of sheer cliffs and rugged rock formations shaped by millions of years of erosion.
Guided walks along designated viewpoints allow you to take in the immense scale and raw beauty of this vast ravine. The Fish River Canyon is a place where geology and time are etched into every layer of rock, creating a truly awe-inspiring spectacle.
Accommodation Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
As you enter the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Africa's largest conservation area, one of your stops is Kolmanskop; a hauntingly beautiful ghost town that stands as an evocative reminder of Namibia’s diamond-mining history, with sand-filled buildings that echo a bygone era. It is located about 10 kilometers inland from the port town of Lüderitz. This area was first encountered by Bartolomeu Dias in 1487. Visit the town of Lüderitz which experienced a rapid surge in prosperity in 1909 when diamonds were discovered in Kolmanskop, sparking a full-blown diamond rush.
Nearby, you’ll have a chance to see the Garub Desert horses, one of only two feral horse herds in Africa. These resilient horses have a mysterious origin, likely descending from a mix of German cavalry horses and riding horses released in the early 20th century, particularly around World War I. Adapted to the harsh desert environment, these horses embody the spirit of survival, a fascinating sight amid the sweeping Namib sands.
Accommodation Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Next, you’ll journey to Sossusvlei, found in the heart of the Namib Sand Sea, a designated UNESCO World Heriatge site. Sossusvlei captivates visitors with its stunning desert landscapes, especially the towering red dunes that can reach nearly 400 meters in height—some of the tallest in the world and the favourite to climb, "Big Daddy".
Deadvlei is a striking white salt and clay pan set against the vibrant orange-red dunes and the deep blue sky. It is dotted with ancient, blackened camel thorn trees, which create a surreal, almost timeless atmosphere. The area is a photographer's paradise and is accessible year-round, providing an unforgettable experience of the stark beauty and immense scale of the Namib Desert.
Accommodation Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Your journey then takes you to Swakopmund, a charming coastal town nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the vast Namib Desert, along the coastal dune belt. Known for its distinct German colonial architecture and laid-back atmosphere, Swakopmund offers a unique blend of European and African cultures. Founded in 1892 as the main harbor for German South West Africa, the town retains much of its heritage, with colorful buildings, bakeries, and cafes lining its streets.
Swakopmund serves as a base for both relaxation and adventure, offering activities such as sandboarding, quad biking, and dolphin cruises. The town’s cool coastal climate is a refreshing change from the desert, and it’s also a prime spot to explore Namibia's vibrant marine life. Whether you’re looking to dive into adrenaline-pumping activities or simply unwind by the ocean, Swakopmund provides a delightful contrast to Namibia’s desert landscapes.
Accommodation Basis: Bed & Breakfast
The Central Highlands of Namibia offer a unique blend of landscapes, wildlife, and cultural richness. This region is characterized by rugged, rolling hills, expansive grasslands, and granite outcrops. The landscape here is varied, transitioning between scrubby bushveld and savanna. Private game reserves around Omaruru have emerged as ideal sanctuaries for wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism. Conservation efforts often focus on protecting endangered species and maintaining biodiversity, with many reserves featuring wildlife rehabilitation programs and anti-poaching initiatives.
The reserves offer immersive safaris, where guests can experience the unique flora and fauna up close. The experience in these reserves is intimate, prioritizing small group sizes, eco-friendly accommodations, and activities that harmonize with the natural environment. In addition to game drives, visitors can enjoy bird watching, guided bush walks, and sometimes even cultural excursions to meet local communities.
Accommodation Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
As your journey winds down, you’ll head south through Namibia’s central highlands on a scenic, leisurely drive back to Windhoek or its surrounding areas. The landscape transitions from rugged terrain to rolling hills, dotted with acacia trees and far-reaching savannas. This relaxing drive offers a final chance to take in Namibia’s expansive beauty, with opportunities to stop for photos or enjoy a last taste of the Namibian countryside. Arriving in Windhoek, you’ll end your unforgettable adventure, enriched by the diverse landscapes, unique wildlife, and cultural experiences that make Namibia so extraordinary.
Accommodation Basis: Bed & Breakfast
As your incredible journey through Namibia concludes, you’ll carry home not only countless photos but also unforgettable memories of breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and warm encounters with local cultures. With a “trunk full” of these memories, you’re sure to relive the magic of Southern Africa long after you return home, keeping its beauty and spirit close for a lifetime. Safe travels!
Departure from Hosea Kutako International Airport.