Namibia Explorer Tour

This 13-day small group tour is perfect for those wanting to uncover the highlights of Namibia. Discover a backdrop of wild and dramatic landscapes, from the world’s highest sand dunes to the stunning wilderness of Damaraland. Encounter a variety of wildlife species in Etosha National Park alongside the more elusive and uniquely rewarding desert adapted species of the northwest. Throughout the tour, you will be accompanied by a local tour guide who will provide you with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the incredible places you visit.

Itinerary
12 nights
Escorted Small Group Tour

£5,175 - £5,495pp including international flights. Also available on a private basis, see guide pricing below.

Itinerary overview

Day 1

Arrival in Windhoek

On arrival into Windhoek, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation for the night. Wi...

Day 2

Windhoek & Otjiwarongo

Following breakfast, your guide will take you on a tour of the city, where you will discover some...

Day 3

Otjiwarongo & Etosha

After breakfast, travel via Otjiwarongo, Otavi and Tsumeb to the border of the world-renowned Eto...

Day 4

Etosha

Spend the day game driving through Etosha National Park in your touring vehicle. Etosha covers 22...

Day 5

Etosha

Travel through Etosha, from east to west, searching for wildlife, stopping at several waterholes ...

Day 6

Etosha & Damaraland

Journey to Damaraland, one of the least populated and most geologically diverse areas in Africa. ...

Day 7

Damaraland

Head out early this morning on a scenic nature drive through, at times untouched wilderness area ...

Day 8

Damaraland & Swakopmund

After breakfast, travel via Uis, a former tin mining village, to the Atlantic Ocean and along the...

Day 9

Swakopmund

Today is a free day for optional activities, letting you take advantage of either Swakopmund’s ma...

Day 10

Swakopmund & Sossusvlei

Leave the Atlantic Coast behind, drive across seemingly endless desert plains to reach your lodge...

Day 11

Sossusvlei

Rise early this morning for an awe-inspiring excursion into the dunes. This area boasts some of t...

Day 12

Sossusvlei & Windhoek

Say goodbye to Sossusvlei and head back to Windhoek, for your final night in Namibia, the journey...

Day 13

Departure

You will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight home, or onward travel.

Day 1

Arrival in Windhoek

On arrival into Windhoek, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation for the night. Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, is a small city of many contrasts; modern skyscrapers blend with historic buildings from the German colonial era. Depending on the arrival time of your flight, you may have some free time to explore the city, we recommend the National Museum of Namibia which houses an excellent display on Namibia’s independence, or you may wish to simply relax. This evening, get to know your fellow companions for the next 13 days over a welcome dinner, at Joe’s Beerhouse, a Windhoek institution. Overnight at The Weinberg (or similar).

Day 2

Windhoek & Otjiwarongo

Following breakfast, your guide will take you on a tour of the city, where you will discover some of Windhoek’s history, architecture, culture and people. Later travel to Okahandja to see the Kavango woodcarvers and their wonderful animal and bird carvings. Next, drive for approximately 2 hours to Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation. The mission of this non-profit organisation is the long-term survival of Namibia’s predators in their natural habitat. During your visit, observe some of this programme at work and learn more about these amazing and beautiful animals, including meeting some of the animals kept in the Carnivore Care Centre by taking a game drive around their large enclosures. Overnight at Otjiwa Lodge (or similar).

Day 3

Otjiwarongo & Etosha

After breakfast, travel via Otjiwarongo, Otavi and Tsumeb to the border of the world-renowned Etosha National Park (approximately 3.5 hours). Your lodge is situated only four minutes' drive from the Von Lindequist Gate to the park, allowing you to enjoy Etosha’s wildlife without having to travel long distances. Overnight at King Nehale Lodge (or similar).

Explore Etosha, the jewel in Namibia’s safari crown

Etosha

If you’re craving a safari, there’s no better place in Namibia than Etosha National Park. The country’s oldest conservation area is home to 114 species of mammals and 350 bird species. What’s really special about Etosha though is its spring-fed waterholes, which draw animals from far and wide, especially during the dry season from June to November.

Etosha is good for a self-drive adventure, guided tour or the individual lodges also offer full and half-day safaris with their guides, who’ll know all the best waterholes and wildlife-watching destinations in the park. Perhaps take a break from behind the wheel or your guided tour vehicle and enjoy a ride in an open-sided 4×4, perfect for photographing animals and Etosha’s vast landscapes. Your guide will help you spot everything from giraffes and elephants to big cats and rhinos, as well as plains game like zebra, oryx and the rare black-faced impala.

There’s more to Etosha than just its diverse wildlife; the baobab-studded plains are covered with over 20 types of vegetation. Then there’s the Etosha salt pan, which is Africa’s largest and visible from space. In fact, the local Ovambo people refer to Etosha as the Great White Place after this geological marvel – traversing the pan is like travelling across the surface of the moon, with clouds of white dust flying up in your wake. While the dry season might be best for waterhole sightings, during the wet season the pans flood, creating mirrored lagoons that attract migratory birds, including flocks of flamingos – it’s quite a picture.

Day 4

Etosha

Spend the day game driving through Etosha National Park in your touring vehicle. Etosha covers 22,270 square kilometres and consists of grassland, woodland and savannah. The park boasts some 114 mammal and over 340 bird species. Wildlife that you might see includes elephant, lion, giraffe, zebra, as well as the endemic black faced impala. As soon as the sun sets peace succumbs over the park and you will return to your lodge to relax and reminisce about the day’s adventure. If you prefer, game drives in open 9-seater vehicles are possible at an additional cost, payable locally. Overnight at King Nehale Lodge (or similar).

Day 5

Etosha

Travel through Etosha, from east to west, searching for wildlife, stopping at several waterholes en route including the most prolific in Namibia; Okaukuejo. This waterhole especially comes into its own during the dry season when animals are drawn out of hiding to drink at the water’s edge. Exit the park in the afternoon through the Anderson Gate in the south and drive to your accommodation for the night, on the Epacha Private Game Reserve. Relax by the pool after a busy day or for those who want yet more animal adventure, you can book an optional night game drive round the Epacha Reserve. Overnight at Epacha Game Lodge & Spa (or similar).

Day 6

Etosha & Damaraland

Journey to Damaraland, one of the least populated and most geologically diverse areas in Africa. This region is typified by displays of colour, magnificent table-topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation. Visit the rock art at Twyfelfontein, accompanied by a local Damara guide. This is Namibia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and features 2,500 examples of bushman paintings and engravings dating back 6,000 years. Explore the Petrified Forest, a geological phenomenon depicting the creation and metamorphosis of wood into stone amongst some of the oldest landmasses on Earth and marvel at the Welwitschia mirabilis plant – the oldest living desert plant on Earth. Finally, learn about Damara culture at the fascinating Damara Living Museum. Overnight at Ondjamba Hills (or similar).

Explore Damaraland: peaks, petroglyphs and desert elephants

Damaraland

Damaraland is unlike anywhere else in Namibia, home to table-topped peaks carved with ancient petroglyphs and dry river beds where desert elephants roam. Explore Damaraland’s highlights, starting with its collection of ancient rock art in Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As Africa’s most extensive rock art collection, you can see over 2,500 animal shapes and geometric designs carved over thousands of years by Namibia’s native bushmen.

As you drive through Damaraland, your guide will point out its signature landmarks; geological formations carved by wind and sand over centuries. There’s a set of impressive dolerite pillars nick-named the organ pipes, a petrified forest of trees frozen in sediment over 200 million years ago and the Matterhorn-shaped volcanic peak, Spitzkoppe. Namibia’s highest mountain, Brandberg, is gorgeous at sunrise and sunset, when it appears to glow, earning itself the title Fire Mountain.

You may see Namibia’s desert elephants, who live in dry riverbeds such as the Huab, Hoarusib and Uniab. These ephemeral rivers flood during rains and are lined with vegetation like ana trees, a vital food source for elephants. Classed as endangered, only an estimated 150 desert elephants are now left in the wild. If you’re lucky enough to spot the elephants your guide will point out the unique adaptations that allow them to survive in the desert, including larger feet to stop them from sinking into the sand.

Day 7

Damaraland

Head out early this morning on a scenic nature drive through, at times untouched wilderness area of the Otjimboyo Concession to Brandberg, Namibia’s highest peak. This is the best time to capture the perfect light of sunrise and catch the last mist engulfing the mountain. As well as boasting some of the most spectacular scenery in Namibia, Damaraland is a surprising refuge for desert adapted wildlife including elephants, giraffe, oryx, springbok and rhino. These animals roam large tracks of unfenced desert landscapes and finding game can be challenging, but this is all part of the adventure of exploring this wild untouched gem of Namibia. Drive along the dry Ugab riverbed back to camp, looking out for the elusive wildlife. Back at camp, you may wish to explore the area on foot, following one of the walking trails. Overnight at Ondjamba Hills (or similar).

Day 8

Damaraland & Swakopmund

After breakfast, travel via Uis, a former tin mining village, to the Atlantic Ocean and along the coast to Swakopmund (approximately 3.5 hours). A small, coastal resort nestled between the desert and the sea, Swakopmund boasts a charming combination of German colonial architecture blended with modern hotels, shops and restaurants. There will be time this afternoon to explore the town and wander along the waterfront on foot. Overnight at The Delight Hotel (or similar).

Day 9

Swakopmund

Today is a free day for optional activities, letting you take advantage of either Swakopmund’s marine wildlife or the surrounding desert. Take a catamaran cruise on Walvis Bay to spot pelagic birds and the marine Big Five: whales, dolphins, mola mola (sunfish), leatherback turtles and seals. Alternatively explore the desert on a tour, go fat biking or sand boarding. Overnight at The Delight Hotel (or similar).

Living Desert Tour

Namibia

Meet the unique creatures of the Namib Desert on this educational tour. The aim is to get people to see the dunes with a different eye and realise they’re not just a pile of sand, they’re home to incredible wildlife. Departing from Swakopmund, you’ll be taken in a 4x4 to the coastal dune belt just outside of town.

During the drive, your guide will be looking for tracks and signs in the dunes. Looking for scorpions, spiders and the group informally called the little five: the palmato gecko, sand-diving lizard, fog-basking tok-tokkie beetle, sidewinder snake and chameleon. These secretive animals are tough to spot without the help of an experienced local guide.

When something is spotted, you’ll get a closer look as your guide tells you all about the special adaptations each creature has to survive in this inhospitable environment. You never know what you’re going to encounter in the desert though. End the trip with some exciting big dune driving in custom-built safari vehicles, it’s like a rollercoaster ride.

Sandboarding

Namibia

Soar down the Namib Desert’s dunes on this sandboarding adventure. The tour starts in Swakopmund, where you will be driven eight kilometres into the desert. The landscape is incredible, with dune-top views of the world’s oldest desert on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. It’s brilliant for photos; sometimes, you’ll even spot palmato geckos, beetles and chameleons hiding in the sand.

Expert instructors start with a safety briefing and then teach you the techniques for lie-down and stand-up boarding, which is a bit more technical. Quality snowboards that have been customised to glide perfectly across the sand are used. It’s an exhilarating feeling, rocketing down the dunes - when you’re lying down, you can even reach speeds of 50km an hour!

Afterwards, head down to the beach to watch the waves and have a picnic. You’ll enjoy cold Namibian beers, sandwiches and a lunch platter. As well as an adrenaline rush, the tour also gives you the rare opportunity to get out of your car and immerse yourself in the extraordinary scenery of the Namib Desert.

Day 10

Swakopmund & Sossusvlei

Leave the Atlantic Coast behind, drive across seemingly endless desert plains to reach your lodge for the next two nights. The drive will take 4-5 hours but you will be mesmerised by the scenery and keep your eyes peeled for oryx and other wildlife. When you arrive, there will be time to have a refreshing dip in the pool or explore the area on an optional nature walk or tour. Overnight at Sossusvlei Lodge (or similar).

Day 11

Sossusvlei

Rise early this morning for an awe-inspiring excursion into the dunes. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world, several over 300 metres high. Those who choose to climb one of the Sossusvlei dunes are rewarded with breathtaking views over the surrounding salt pan. You will also visit Deadvlei, probably the most photographed site in Namibia. Next, your tour guide will take you for a walk through Sesriem Canyon. Late afternoon, embark on a scenic drive on the lodge's private reserve, enjoying sundowners as you watch the spectacular sunset. This incredible day is complete with a bush dinner in the heart of the Namib Desert. Overnight at Sossusvlei Lodge (or similar).

Day 12

Sossusvlei & Windhoek

Say goodbye to Sossusvlei and head back to Windhoek, for your final night in Namibia, the journey will take approximately 5 hours. En route, stop at Neuras Wine Estate. Nestled in the foothills of the Naukluft Mountains, Neuras is one of the world's driest vineyards. Discover this unique winery on a vineyard tour and sample some of its wine. Overnight at The Windhoek Luxury Suites 2024 and The Weinberg 2025 (or similar). Passengers who are travelling on the 16-day Namibia Explorer tour with Desert Extension will instead travel to Luderitz today.

Day 13

Departure

You will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight home, or onward travel.

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Guide price information

Low Season

2025: 23 Jun

£5,175

High Season

2025: 11 Aug, 08 Sep, 22 Sep, 06 Oct, 20 Oct, 10 Nov

£5,495

Guide price information is based on the included flights from London, accommodation, transport and experiences detailed in the itinerary above for 2 people sharing as part of a small group departure. Guide prices do not include optional things to do. Call us for up to date prices – the cost of your holiday depends upon the time of year you travel, how long you go for, preferred departure airport, airlines, hotels and things to do.