3 weeks in Namibia
Itinerary
Day 1-2 – Overnight flight from the UK – Windhoek
After your international flight, you will usually arrive in Windhoek in the morning. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation, which will take around 45 minutes. On your journey, you will get your first glimpse of Namibia’s open and arid landscapes, winding through wide stretches of savannah grasslands until you start to see the distant mountain ranges that surround Windhoek. You will spend your first night in a small, charming hotel set in serene gardens where you will be given a walking route to the local area. If you’re in the mood for exploring, the route takes you past colonial buildings and traditional coffee shops, but if you’d rather rest and recover from your flight, of course, you can enjoy the peaceful surroundings by the pool and settle into Namibia.
Day 3 – Windhoek – Kalahari
From Windhoek, the drive to Kalahari is around 2.5 hours. After you have checked in at reception, there is a short drive to the car park, from which you will have to walk around 200 metres to reach your accommodation as you can’t take the car through the loose desert sand. Your accommodation is simple but with plenty of local character. A unique stay in a raised tent with modern furnishings including a bed and an outdoor bathroom. Once the sun sets, you’ll be treated to unbelievable views of the Milky Way, with minimal light pollution enhancing the starlit sky, while the sounds of wildlife echo around you.
Day 4 – Guided walk
This morning after a tasty breakfast, you will head off the beaten track on a guided walk deep into the Kalahari. This is a completely immersive experience where you’ll get to know the native flora and fauna, and spot some of the elusive wildlife including springbok, ostrich and huge bird nests in the acacia trees. The walk takes around 4-5 hours but can be adjusted if you’d prefer a shorter route. The afternoon is free for you to spend as you wish, relax with a book on your terrace or take a dip in the swimming pool to cool off.
Day 5 – Quiver Tree Forest
On your way to Fish River Canyon, you will drive past the Quiver Tree Forest – a unique natural wonder featuring around 250 quiver trees. This is a great place to stop and stretch your legs, admiring the unusual trees that were once used by the San people, who hollowed out the branches to craft quivers for their arrows. You can walk through the forest and nearby Giant’s Playground, where huge boulders are stacked on top of one another, in around 40 minutes. You will arrive at your charming lodge accommodation in the afternoon, where you will sleep in a homely thatched cottage, just 30 minutes drive from Fish River Canyon.
Day 6 – Explore Fish River Canyon
As the canyon is most beautiful at sunrise, it’s an early start this morning, but rest assured, your efforts will be rewarded with incredible panoramic views over the valley. The Fish River Canyon is Africa’s largest canyon and one of the largest in the world. As you look over the edge, into the deeply carved gorge, you’ll see where the water used to meander through the valley and at sunrise, the landscape will be blanketed in a serene orange glow. You can explore the walking route, set along the edge of the canyon, which takes you to several different viewpoints for even more breathtaking scenes. After your adventurous morning, head back to your lodge and spend the afternoon as you wish. There is a thermal hot springs nearby, known as Ai-Ais Hot Springs, where you can relax in the mineral-rich waters while enjoying the picturesque backdrop of the Great Karas Mountains.
Day 7 – Overnight stop in Aus
Today you’ll continue your journey and head towards the Sossusvlei, stopping at the small town of Aus for the night and staying in a local lodge. This area is home to a pack of wild horses believed to be descendants of German calvary horses, adapted to the harsh desert environment. However, this is just a theory and no one knows for sure. If you’d like the chance to see them, ask for more information at reception. There are also various hiking trails and mountain bikes you can rent to explore the area, or if you’d prefer to relax by the pool, you can stay at your hotel.
Day 8 – Head to Sossusvlei
This morning you’ll drive towards Namib Naukluft Park, which is the national park of the Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. Here you can explore the huge red sand dune and take in the majestic sight of rolling dunes extending out to the sea. To truly immerse yourself in the unique surroundings, you’ll be staying at an eco-friendly desert camp with 360-degree views of the vast desert landscape. Your accommodation is a self-catering lodge, including a kitchenette and barbeque area, with the bonus of a swimming pool. Enjoy a traditional home-cooked African dinner tonight as the sounds of the desert buzz around you.
Day 9 – Exploring the dunes and wine-tasting
If you want to experience the Sossusvlei at its best, make sure you are at the entrance before sunrise. It is an early rise, but the morning sun painting the desert in a deep red glow creates an incredible visual effect that’s well worth the effort. You won’t see the sunrise from the top of the dunes, however, the sunlight on the dunes is a magical sight. Explore the towering dunes, some of which are the tallest in the world, as their colours switch from deep red and orange to light pink and experience the striking contrast against the central white clay plan. Between the dunes lies the area named Deadvlei, famous for its bizarrely shaped trees that have been dead for over 900 years but are unable to decompose due to the extreme dryness of the desert. This surreal sight creates a hauntingly beautiful landscape which is one of the most photographed places in the world.
After experiencing the dramatic landscapes of the Sossusvlei, it’s time to relax with a good glass of wine…tonight, you’ll be staying on a wine farm. First, it’s time for a tour of the wine cellar, with lots of tasting opportunities of course! Wine tasting here is a celebration of Namibian hospitality and food, often pairing the drinks with local dishes or snacks.
Day 10 – Arrival in Swakopmund
After driving through magical moonscape-esque scenes for around five hours, you’ll arrive at the charming coastal town of Swakopmund, where the former German colonial influences are still clearly visible with apple strudel and street signs being prime examples of this. There’s no need for the car while you’re here, as everything is easily reachable by foot. You’ll be staying at a small, homely B&B within walking distance of the town centre and the beach. Swakopmund is known as the ‘adventure capital’ of Namibia and is renowned for outdoor activities such as sandboarding, quad biking, skydiving and many other water-based activities. Enjoy a relaxed evening exploring the local area before getting adventurous tomorrow.
Day 11 – Kayaking with sea lions
Today you’ll be heading out onto the water in search of the huge colony of sea lions located just off the coast. There are around 15,000 of these playful mammals, so spotting them is almost guaranteed. Sea lions are curious creatures and they will often swim up to your kayak to greet you but don’t be alarmed they’re well used to interactions with humans and your experienced guide is there to keep you safe with minimal disturbance to the wildlife. In addition to seals, there’s a chance you may also spot dolphins and seabirds and, during migration season, you may even be lucky enough to encounter whales.
Swakopmund is truly the place to be for outdoor activities in Namibia. If you fancy another adventurous excursion, we have some optional tours available. Join a catamaran dolphin tour, try sandboarding through the dunes or explore a local township and visit a lively market. Speak to your travel specialist for more information.
Day 12 – Overnight stop in Brandberg
As the next destination of Damaraland is around six hours drive away, we will plan an overnight stay halfway. This is in the Twijfelfontein/Brandberg region. Not only does this prevent a long travel day, but there are a few nice stops along the way that you would otherwise not have time for. Soon you’ll spot the huge Brandberg Mountain looming in the distance, at 2,500m high this is Namibia’s highest peak and as you get closer, you will notice the blackened rocks. You will spend the night in accommodation without extra luxury but with all the comforts. We use various lodges here that are particularly special because of their location in the rocky desert. Don’t be surprised if a family of elephants comes to visit.
Day 13 – Arrival in Damaraland
On arrival in this rugged region, you will be met with dramatic landscapes, rolling plains, and striking mountains. You’ll pass through a green mountain pass to reach the ‘Grootberg’ which is the highest point in the area. Here, you will find your accommodation for the next two nights – a stone bungalow on top of the mountain. From your veranda, you can look out over the Kilp River Valley and enjoy the incredible panoramic views.
Day 14 – Elephant trekking
This morning you will enjoy an early breakfast, before heading off in search of the African desert elephant. These magnificent creatures travel enormous distances in search of food and water and they can be difficult to find in this vast landscape. Therefore, we will arrange for two rangers to go ahead of you and track the elephants, while you take a game drive through the desert where there is plenty of other wildlife to observe. Once the trackers locate the elephants, you will leave the 4×4 and go into the bushes on foot with the rangers, this way you can observe the elephants in their natural environment without disturbing them. When the tension rises and the leaves rustle, your breath catches… From a few meters away you see and hear these impressive animals. Sightings are never guaranteed, but there is always a high chance. You will explore the local farms and villages and learn more about the local people and their way of life, before enjoying a tasty lunch and heading back to your accommodation.
Day 15 – Drive to Etosha National Park
The next few days are all about safari. You will be heading to the largest national park in Namibia, where you will stay within the park for the next two nights. Your accommodation is known as the hub for wildlife enthusiasts and has a floodlit waterhole that attracts a huge range of animals, especially during the dry season, that you can observe day and night. You can buy a map from the park’s entrance and go in search of roaring lions and graceful giraffes from the comfort of your rental car. In the scorching midday sun, most animals seek shelter in the shade which is a great opportunity to take a dip in the swimming pool at your camp. At the end of the day, many animals enjoy visiting the waterhole for a drink so this can be a great time for wildlife spotting after your swim and into the night as the waterhole is illuminated.
Etosha is very popular, and the camps in the park can get booked up very far in advance. If there is no room in the park, we will reserve both nights in one of our small-scale lodges just outside the park.
Days 16-17 – Safari in Etosha National Park
It’s worth setting your alarm early this morning, to catch the first light, when most of the animals are at their most active. You have two full days to search for the big 4, so take it slow and explore the unpaved roads, looking out for any movement in the bushes. If you’re travelling during the dry season (our autumn), large herds of game gather at the waterhole and if you’re lucky you will witness an incredible moment where all species come together (although most animals make way for the elephants to show themselves, just to be on the safe side).
At the end of day three, you will check out of your camp in the national park and head to the east of the park, where you will stay in a beautiful safari lodge just outside Etosha National Park. The lodge is smaller than the previous nights, and family-run which makes for a more homely, intimate atmosphere for your final night in this region.
Day 18 – Arrival at the homestead
Today you will drive north to the ‘inhabited’ world of Namibia where more than half the total population lives, passing villages where local people lead a self-sufficient life in a traditional way and goats, zinc huts, bars and food stalls line the streets. In the afternoon, you will arrive at your small-scale African lodge with a private bathroom. The lodge borders directly with a homestead that was set up by an Owambo couple keen to introduce you to their community and tomorrow you will help with their daily activities and learn more about life here. Your dinner is included so end the day with a tasty meal and a cold beer at the local shebeen, a colourful pub where you will soon bond with the friendly Owambos.
Day 19 – Helping out on the homestead
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, you will be helping the owner of the lodge with whichever activities are needed that day. One of the most important jobs of the Owambo is pounding maize for porridge and herding cattle, but you can also help with pottery or basket weaving. If you choose to take part in the latter, you may even get a souvenir to take home with you.
If you still have energy left in the tank after the morning’s activities, you can visit the local arts & crafts market in a nearby village or visit a bottle recycling project where 450 orphans are being cared for. Spend the evening enjoying another tasty dinner and relaxing around the campfire.
Day 20 – Drive to Otjiwarongo
After around a 3 hour drive, you will arrive at Waterberg, home to the Waterberg Plateau National Park – a huge sandstone plateau rising out of the vast savannah, surrounded by lush vegetation. Your accommodation is a charming B&B, located in the nearby town of Otjiwarongo, around a one-hour drive from the national park. The African-style lodge has thatched roofs, beautiful gardens and a refreshing swimming pool to enjoy.
Day 21 – Hiking in Waterberg Plateau National Park
This morning lace up your hiking boots, drive to the entrance of Waterberg Camp NWR (the gateway to the national park) and pay your entrance fee. You will be given a map and some route suggestions, before heading out to explore the unique landscapes and diverse wildlife. There is also the option to book a game drive at the reception, where you may see giraffes, gemsbok, leopards and rhinos. If you want to keep exploring further, you can also visit the plateau in an organised game drive, however, the chance of spotting wildlife is lower due to the dense vegetation.
After the morning’s excitement, it’s time to leave Otjiwarongo and head back to Windhoek, which is around a 3-hour drive, passing the old missionary town of Okahandja – a great place to stop. The shoppers among us can indulge in the handicraft markets south of the main road, where the locals proudly show off their wood carvings.
Day 22 – Departure from Namibia
After your breakfast, you return your rental car and catch your international flight back home, where you land the following morning full of impressions and memories of Namibia.
Accommodation
For this itinerary we offer the following options
3 weeks in Namibia - In Style accommodation upgrade
For the locations included in this itinerary, we have alternative options available in terms of comfort. Our In Style options can be more luxurious or offer something unique – all with that local flavour! If you would like to upgrade your itinerary select our In Style option below.
