Namibia Sand Dunes & Safari - 8 Days

Welcome to Namibia. Transfer from the airport in Windhoek to our accommodation. The rest of your first day is at leisure to unwind in the hotel or head out to explore Namibia's compact capital.

Windhoek - Otjiwarongo - Etosha National Park. We rise early this morning, meeting the rest of the group nearby, for a short pre-departure meeting.

It's then time to head into the wilds of Namibia. After a brief stop in the town of Otjiwarongo to gather supplies, we are plunging into Etosha National Park, one of Namibia's top safari destinations. Our accommodation for tonight is located within the boundaries of the park, and we'll make our way towards it, stopping whenever we see anything of interest. Etosha is home to lions, elephants, giraffe and many more of Africa's iconic species. The 22,000 square kilometre park is also home to 350 species of bird and more than 100 species of reptile.

Arriving in time for sunset, we can spend the evening at the floodlit Halali waterhole, which is popular with elephants and the rare black rhino.

We have a full day today to explore Etosha, and to hopefully spot any wildlife we haven't managed to see so far. We'll rise early and be on the road for sunrise, which is the best time of day to spot big cats like leopards returning from their nocturnal hunt.

We head back to camp to refuel with breakfast and then head back into the park, driving from waterhole to waterhole to see the wildlife that gathers at these precious spots. Etosha is incredibly dry, and the watering holes in the park are a lifeline for all creatures large and small. We will also take some time to admire the Etosha Pan, a salt pan covering more than 4,500 square kilometres - it can be seen from space and fills with water during the rainy season.

After a day of safari, we head to our accommodation on the outskirts of the park.

Etosha National Park - Swakopmund. We aim to be on the road by 07:30 this morning for our journey to the Skeleton Coast. Heading south, we pass through Outjo before heading through the striking landscapes of Damaraland. Along the way, we’ll have the chance to meet local artisans from the Himba, Herero, and Damara communities, who sell handcrafted souvenirs in informal roadside markets.

We pause for lunch under the towering Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain at 2,573 metres, then continue west to the windswept Skeleton Coast. With its desolate beaches, shifting fog banks, and treacherous currents, this coastline has claimed countless ships over the centuries. One of the more recent was the Zeila, a fishing trawler that ran aground in 2008, just 15 km south of Henties Bay. Originally destined for scrap, the vessel broke free while under tow and now lies eerily close to shore.

After some time to take in the dramatic scenery of the Skeleton Coast, we complete our journey to Swakopmund, founded in the late 1800s as a German colony. Swakopmund is hemmed in by towering dunes on three sides and the Atlantic Ocean on the fourth. The town retains a strong German influence, which you can see in the architecture - your evening is at leisure in the town.

Swakopmund - Sesriem. We won't depart from Swakopmund until around 11:30, so you can enjoy a lie in or rise early to head out and further explore. Optional activities such as quad biking and sand boarding can be arranged with our guide in advance for this morning.

Heading east, we cross the Kuiseb Pass, following the road from the top of the mountains before dropping steeply down into the canyon carved over millennia by the Kuiseb River. We also cross the canyon carved by the Gaub River, a tributary of the Kuiseb. After crossing the mountains, we pause for a photo at the Tropic of Capricorn, marked by a signpost.

Heading into the Namib Desert, we reach the tiny town of Solitaire, where you can take in some of the rusted vehicles that Solitaire is known for. Arriving at our desert camp, you can cool off with a dip in the outdoor pool or admire our surroundings with a crisp beer from the bar.

Sesriem - Sossusvlei - Sesriem. We start before dawn today, ensuring an early arrival at the dunes to witness them at their most dramatic. After a quick breakfast, we enter the park as soon as the gates open at sunrise, making the most of the golden hour when the dunes glow in deep shades of orange and red, their sharp ridges casting long shadows across the desert.

From Sesriem, we cover the 60 km into the dune fields before switching to a 4X4 shuttle to take us the last 5 km of our journey through the dry Tsauchab River bed to Sossusvlei. Once a river that occasionally reached the Atlantic, the Tsauchab is now blocked by towering dunes, its waters ending here in rare floods that transform the area into a temporary lake, sometimes lasting for months.

We also visit Deadvlei, a white clay pan surrounded by dunes and scattered with the skeletal remains of ancient trees, some of which have been here for 1,000 years. Sossusvlei itself is almost completely enclosed by dunes, with only a narrow passage kept open by the shifting sands. For those up to the challenge, there’s time to climb one of these giants, some rising more than 300 metres. On our way back, we stop at the famous Dune 45, so named for its position 45 km from Sesriem. There's another incredible view on offer for those who can make the climb to the top.

Before returning to our accommodation, we make a short detour to Sesriem Canyon, a narrow gorge carved by the Tsauchab River over millions of years. Its walls provide welcome shade, and we can explore on foot, walking along the usually dry riverbed. By late afternoon, we return to our accommodation, with time to relax after a busy morning.

Sesriem - Solitaire - BuellsPort - Rehoboth - Windhoek. Today is the final full day of the tour. Leaving the desert behind, we stop briefly again in Solitaire to try the apple pie that the homestead has become famous for. We can then enjoy the drive back to Windhoek, stopping to visit the small community at BuellsPort and the small town of Rehoboth. Arriving back in the capital, your final evening is at leisure.

Enjoy breakfast and a final morning in Windhoek before check out and an included transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!