Arrival in Windhoek
Welcome to Namibia. Upon arrival in Windhoek, a driver will transfer you to your accommodation for the night. Settle in and meet a local tour representative, who’ll go over your itinerary and, if you’re taking a self-drive trip, help with advice for your route. Depending on the arrival time of your flight, you may have some free time to explore the city. Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, is a small city of many contrasts; modern skyscrapers blend with historic buildings from the German colonial era. Overnight at The Weinberg.
Windhoek & Kalahari
Head south from the capital to reach the Kalahari Desert, where you will spend the night, surrounded by huge red sand dunes. There is a nearby waterhole where you may spot desert creatures, including antelopes, ostriches, zebras and a family of meerkats who live on the property and are great fun to watch. After dinner, you may wish to join a local astronomer and peer through one of the ranch’s state-of-the-art telescopes to see planets, star clusters and distant galaxies. The clear, star-filled skies above the Kalahari are magical. Overnight at Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch.
Things to do:
A desert dune stay at Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
Kalahari Desert drives, horseback safaris and stargazing
The Kalahari bushman experience
Kalahari & Fish River Canyon
Drive to Fish River Canyon and check in to your eco-friendly lodge, located right on the rim of the canyon and boasting spectacular views. Fish River Canyon is one of Africa’s finest geological wonders, second only in size to the USA’s Grand Canyon but with much fewer visitors. In places, it looms 27km wide and reaches a depth of 550 metres. Relax and take in the vistas, perhaps from the lodge’s rim-view pool. Late afternoon, you may wish to partake in an optional sundowner drive, stopping at two viewpoints to photograph the canyon during golden hour when the light is fantastic, before ending with sundowners and snacks watching the sun set. Overnight at Fish River Lodge.
Things to do:
Fish River Lodge, on the Edge of Eternity
Fish River Canyon sundowners and scenic drives
Fish River Canyon
Adventurous travellers will love hiking down into the depths of Fish River Canyon on a full-day trek. It’s a challenging hike that involves traversing rock-strewn slopes and scrambling over boulders, but the reward is getting to experience the world’s second-largest canyon up close. If you are looking for something less strenuous, there are also flat canyon rim walks available, as well as fat-bike canyon tours. Overnight at Fish River Lodge.
Things to do:
Fish River Lodge, on the Edge of Eternity
Hiking in Fish River Canyon
Fish River Canyon & Luderitz
Today’s destination is located on the Namibian coast. Luderitz is squeezed between the desert and the oyster-rich waters of the Atlantic, fringed by a seal-studded coastline. The coastal town is known for its German heritage, you can discover its art-nouveau architecture and Bavarian bakeries as you wander its streets. Overnight at Nest Hotel.
Luderitz & Tiras Mountains
Before you leave the Luderitz area, we recommend a visit to Namibia’s most Instagram-worthy landmark: Kolmanskop. In its heyday, Kolmanskop produced 12 percent of the world’s diamonds, until the riches ran out and townspeople fled, abandoning the settlement to the Namib desert. What remains is an eerie ghost town being swallowed whole by shape-shifting dunes, rooms half-submerged with sand – a dream for photographers. Next, head to the Tiras Mountains to a private nature reserve bordering the Namib Desert where you will spend the next two nights. Soak up the endless desert views from your deck, sip sundowners by the pool or explore the reserve on optional scenic drives. Overnight at Kanaan Desert Retreat.
Things to do:
Kanaan Desert Retreat: nature, luxury and conservation
Scenic drives in the remote Namib Desert
Tiras Mountains
Keen landscape photographers will be in their element here as the reserve is blessed with three different ecosystems: vast open grasslands, red-hued sand dunes and the Tiras Mountains. Optional photographic tours are led by a professional photographer, who tailors each trip to the individuals’ needs. You don’t need to be a pro; beginners are also welcome. The sunsets and sunrises here are incredible. At night, the sky is full of stars - you can even spot the Milky Way. Overnight at Kanaan Desert Retreat.
Things to do:
Kanaan Desert Retreat: nature, luxury and conservation
Take a photographic safari in the Namib Desert
Tiras Mountains & Sossusvlei
Today you’ll drive to the Namib, the world’s oldest desert. Check into your lodge and spend the afternoon relaxing. Take in views of the desert and Naukluft mountains from the pool, sip a sundowner on the rooftop terrace and dine under the stars in the open-air boma. If you want to explore the area, there are nature walks and sundowner drives available. Overnight at Sossusvlei Lodge.
Things to do:
Escape to the desert at Sossusvlei Lodge
Sossusvlei
Discover the wonders of the Namib Desert today, either on your own or on optional guided excursions. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world, several over 300 metres high. Perhaps choose to climb one of the Sossusvlei dunes and visit Deadvlei, probably the most photographed site in Namibia, famous for its striking black camel thorn trees, providing a perfect contrast against the red dunes and the blue sky. Another option is Sesriem Canyon, a geological gem carved by the Tsauchab River over 15 million years. Overnight at Sossusvlei Lodge.
Things to do:
Escape to the desert at Sossusvlei Lodge
Discover soaring sand dunes and skeletal trees in Sossusvlei
Explore Sesriem Canyon: a geological gem in the Namib Desert
Sossusvlei & Swakopmund
Before continuing to Swakopmund, you may wish to enjoy an early morning optional hot air balloon flight or scenic flight over the Namib-Naukluft National Park (weather permitting), offering unforgettable birds-eye views over Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert. The drive to Swakopmund takes you northwest through the ever-changing desert landscapes of the Namib-Naukluft National Park (approximately 5-6 hour’s drive). Resembling a small, German 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. Overnight at The Strand Hotel Swakopmund.
Things to do:
The Strand Hotel Swakopmund: your oceanside retreat
Hot air balloon highs in the Namib Desert
Soar over Sossusvlei on a scenic flight
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, sunfish, leatherback turtles and seals. Alternatively, meet the creatures of the Namib on a living desert tour, including palmato geckos and chameleons. Swakopmund is known as Namibia’s adventure capital. If you want to get your blood pumping today, take an optional sandboarding trip to rocket down dunes at speeds reaching 50km an hour. For a gentler adventure, cycle through the desert on a fat bike. Overnight at the Strand Hotel Swakopmund.
Things to do:
The Strand Hotel Swakopmund: your oceanside retreat
Encounter marine life on a Walvis Bay catamaran cruise
The Living Desert Tour: meet the creatures of the Namib
A fat bike adventure in the Namib Desert
Sandboarding in the Namib Desert
Swakopmund & Departure
Today your Namibia adventure comes to an end; enjoy breakfast at leisure and relax before departing for your onward flight. Fly from Windhoek Airport (approximately 4.5 hours drive), or perhaps Walvis Bay Airport which is only 45 minutes from Swakopmund and has regional flights available to Cape Town or Johannesburg.
Another stop?
We recommend finishing your African adventure with a trip to South Africa’s vibrant capital, Cape Town, or perhaps the world-famous Victoria Falls.
Extensions
A warm welcome and service guaranteed at the Pepperclub
Hike mighty Table Mountain
My Cape Town: explore with a local
Extensions
See the spray of Victoria Falls from your terrace at Ilala Lodge
Face to face with 'The Smoke That Thunders'
