Classic Namibia Safari: Dunes, Coast & Wildlife

Touch down in Namibia’s capital and meet your private guide who will be with you throughout your journey. After settling in at your guesthouse, you can explore Windhoek’s highlights—stroll past Christuskirche, shop the local craft markets, or relax with a sundowner before enjoying your welcome dinner.

After breakfast, take a final opportunity to visit town before departing south from Windhoek to your lodge for a two-night stay, traveling via the scenic Spreetshoogte or Remhoogte Pass. The next morning, set out early for a full-day exploration of Sossusvlei, visiting highlights such as Dead Vlei, Dune 45, Big Daddy, Elim Dune, and Sesriem Canyon. Enjoy an optional lunch at the lodge or a packed meal in the dunes before returning in the late afternoon to relax. Additional activities like a hot air balloon safari or nature drives are available at an extra cost.

Wake up early for a sunrise excursion to Sossusvlei, home to some of the highest sand dunes in the world. Climb the famous Dune 45 and witness the spectacular play of light and shadows over the desert. Continue to Deadvlei, a surreal clay pan dotted with ancient, skeletal camel thorn trees. Visit Sesriem Canyon, a dramatic geological formation, before returning to your lodge for a relaxed afternoon. 

Today, you’ll traverse the vast landscapes of the Namib-Naukluft National Park en route to Swakopmund, a charming coastal town. Stop at the Tropic of Capricorn for a photo opportunity and visit Walvis Bay Lagoon, home to flamingos and other birdlife. Arrive in Swakopmund and take a leisurely evening stroll along the beachfront promenade. 

Today offers something for everyone—choose from marine cruises, sandboarding, quad biking, or a scenic flight over the desert. Visit the local museum or relax in a seaside café, then enjoy dinner with ocean views. Activities are optional and available at an additional cost.

Leave the coast behind and journey into the rugged terrain of Damaraland. En route, visit Cape Cross Seal Reserve, home to thousands of Cape fur seals. Continue through dramatic landscapes, including towering rock formations and ancient riverbeds. Arrive at your lodge in time to relax and soak in the wilderness. 

Spend the day discovering Damaraland’s natural and cultural treasures: Visit Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 2,500 ancient rock engravings, Explore the mysterious Organ Pipes and Burnt Mountain, Search for desert-adapted elephants and other wildlife on a guided nature drive. End the day with a sundowner, watching the sky turn brilliant hues over the rocky landscape.

Head north towards Etosha National Park, Namibia’s premier wildlife destination. As you enter the park, begin your first game drive, keeping an eye out for giraffes, zebras, and the elusive cheetah. Arrive at your lodge just outside the park and enjoy a relaxing evening under the stars. 

Spend two full days exploring Etosha National Park, known for its diverse wildlife and massive salt pan. Activities include: Morning and afternoon game drives in search of lions, elephants, and rhinos, Visiting famous waterholes where animals congregate and Nighttime game viewing at the lodge’s floodlit waterhole.

After a final morning safari, begin the scenic drive back to Windhoek. Stop for lunch along the way and visit local markets for last-minute souvenirs. Arrive in Windhoek in the late afternoon, with time to freshen up before a farewell dinner at a top local restaurant. 

After breakfast, transfer to Hosea Kutako International Airport for your onward flight, taking with you, incredible memories of Namibia’s stunning landscapes, rich culture, and unforgettable wildlife encounters.