The 10 Day Namibian Explorer offers all the main Namibian highlights in a two week time frame. Travelling north, south & west you will visit the Africat Foundation at Okonjima to meet and learn about Africa’s Big Cats. Then on to Etosha National Park for some concentrated Big Game viewing.
The Himba village at Oase brings us in touch with some of Namibia’s ancient traditions before travelling into the desert to spend the night at Palmwag, before continuing the next leg along the Skeleton Coast down to Swakopmund, where we will have time to relax or some adrenaline charging adventure sports. We will be spending 2 nights in the awe inspiring sand dunes at Sesriem & Sossusvlei, the world’s tallest dunes in the world’s oldest desert.
Guaranteed departures every thursday of the year, with a minimum of four people. The style is limited participation and assisted camping, where the guidewill assist when required. Collection time is between 08:00 & 08:30 from anywhere within the Windhoek city limits.
Two of the world’s natural wonders, the Okavango Delta and the mighty Victoria Falls can also be included by combining this trip with our 8 day Delta and Falls Safari.
- Maximum group size is 10 travellers
- Air conditioned vehicle
- Guaranteed departures every Thursday of the year, all year round
Safari Tour Overview
| Day | Destinations | Accommodation | Meals |
| 1 | The Africat Ffoundation | Camping | L,D |
| 2 | Etosha national park | Camping | B,L, D |
| 3 | Etosha national park | Camping | B, L,D |
| 4 | Himba village | Camping | B,L,D |
| 5 | Palmwag(damaraland) | Camping | B, L |
| 6 | Swakopmund | Accommodation | B, L |
| 7 | Swakopmund | Accommodation | B |
| 8 | Sesriem (desert) | Accommodation | B, L, D |
| 9 | Agama(desert) | Accommodation | B, L, D |
| 10 | Return to Windhoek | | B, |
Safari Tour Details
Day 1
Etosha National Park – Okonjima/Africat Foundation (350 km) (B,L,D) (Camping)
We will aim to arrive at Okonjima during the middle of the afternoon, giving us time to set up our camp and to relax in the shade or plunge into the pool during the late afternoon. You will be taken on a tour during which you will be able to meet, close-up-and-personal, some of the cheetahs that are going through the Africat Rehabilitation Programme and other animals e.g.. wilddogs ,leopards etc.
Most of the animals currently living at Okonjima have been rescued from various desperate situations, being orphaned or caught in traps. The aim of the rehabilitation process is to re-introduce them into the wild.
Day 2
Okonjima – Namutoni (east Etosha) (330 km) (B,D) (Camping)
During the morning cool air, the drive this morning will take you through farmlands and small towns where will stop along the way for some refreshments. We aim to arrive at the camp in Etosha, Namutoni in the late afternoon.
After entering the national park we game drive our way through to the Namutoni camp where we will check in and make camp.
You will relax the evening away next to the camp fire where your guide will prepare your dinner on a open fire.
Day 3
Namutoni to the West Etosha,Okaukuejo (B,L,D) (Camping)
Today we leave early to enjoy the cool morning air as we game drive our way through Etosha. The wildlife viewing is usually excellent as we will visit several water holes surrounded by splendid views of the massive Etosha pan. We have the chance to see new species that are not normally seen on the Namutoni, the eastern side of the park.
We stop at the middle camp Halali, for a leisurely lunch in a restaurant where you will have the chance to choose from a veriety of game dishes. There will be time to visit the Halali Waterhole and to make use of the bar facilities. We will then continue to the western side of the park and our camp in at Okaukuejo. After your evening meal, there will be anoother opportunity to see Etosha’s big game at the Okaukuejo Floodlit Waterhole, which is situated on the boundary of our camp and is easily reachable by foot. It has been described as one of the best game viewing areas in Southern Africa. Situated at the door step of our camp ,White Rhino, Black Rhino, Elephants, Leopards and numerous species of Antelope are usually seen.
Day 4
Okaukuejo – Oase Himba Village (240km) (B,D) (Camping)
Departing Okaukuejo (West Etosha) with a farwell game drive, we head south to Outjo for a short stop to pickup fresh supplies. You can also get coffee and assorted cakes at the local bakery, before we continue on to the premier Kamanjab area at the Oase Himba Village. This is the only traditionally functioning Himba community outside the far north Kaokoland region of Namibia. These tribal people have migrated here, lifestyle and customs intact and are following their traditional way-of-life in their village on a farm. Oase Village is located about 15 to 20 km outside Kamanjab, the exact location of the site varies as the Himba occasionally roam to a new location.
We will make our camp about 150 meters from the village “Kraal” to ensure both our and our hosts privacy. In the late afternoon we will be invited into Oase Village and will meet with the locals. We will have a specialist guide for the time we are there, who will be able to translate for us and will introduce us to this “alternative lifestyle”. We will learn about marriage customs, traditional food and the mysteries of the local religion, “Holy Fire”.
Day 5
Oase himba village – palmwag (300km) (B,D) (Camping)
Today we head into one of the most beautiful desert regions in Namibia, Damaraland. We drive south west to the capital of this region, the small town of Khorixas, and then take a detour to the west, travelling via the Petrified Forest geological site, to visit the ancient Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontien. At thislocation we will have local guides to conduct us on a short guided tour after we continue to the home of the desert elephants and the scares black rhino.our camp tonight will be at the palmwag wilderness lodge.
Day 6
Palmwag -swakopmund (350 km) (B) (Chalets)
Leaving early and heading south along the Skeleton Coast, we will first visit the seal colony at Cape Cross that hold the biggest amount of Cape Fur Seals estimated between 100,000 and 200,000. It is possible to see thousands of Cape Fur Seals in the water and on the surrounding rocks and beaches.
From here we will continue for a short time to the Swakopmund section of the trip which is designed to allow people to relax either with the group, or on their own. Only breakfast is provided allowing you the chance to plan your time here with as much flexibility as possible and not to be tied to group meal times. It also gives you the chance to sample some of the excellent local cafes and restaurants. The seafood in Swakopmund is superb. Your guide will offer to organise a group meal in a local restaurant for this evening. Participation is recommended but by no means required. Dinner this evening is not included in the price of the safari and will be at the client’s own expense.
Day 7
Swakopmund (Chalets) (B)
Today is a free day. The idea is to allow time for everybody to do their own thing. Swakopmund is a very pleasant seaside town with lots of shops, a good stretch of beach (although the Atlantic here is quite cold) and an open-air curio market. There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium is located in Swakopmund.
Alternatively, there are various optional activities that can be arranged. These include:
- Aeroplane and Microlight Flights over the desert.
- Scenic drives
- Fishing trips (both from the beach or in a boat)
- Four-wheel motorcycle (quad bike) trips into the desert and over the sand dunes around Swakopmund
- Boarding trips (also in the dunes)
- Skydiving
- Surfing
- Bird-watching
Many other activities are available.
Your tour guide will discuss all the possible options with you before you reach Swakopmund and will offer to make bookings in advance of your arrival. (N.B. All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are made at the clients’ own risk and expense).
Dinner this evening is not included in the price of the safari and will be at the client’s own expense.
Day 8
Swakopmund -Sossus dune lodge (380 km) (B,LD) (Lodge)
A early start will lead the way north to Walvisbay our habour town. Here we will make a snap stop at the lagoon where it is more than likely, you will come across another wildlife excursion. You may be lucky to spot masses of flamingos and other sea bird life. After a short stop, we will make our way to the Namib. Lunch will be on route and when we will reach open plains that will lead us over both the Kuiseb and the Gaub Mountain Passes as we watch the spectacular desert landscape unfold before us. A short photo opportunity will be taken at the sign post of the Tropic of Capricorn. From here it is only a short distance to our next stop, the tiny town of Solitaire. We will stop here for some fuel and refreshments before continuing on a short distance to our lodge for the night.
We aim to arrive at our camp during the late afternoon, so there should be time for a dip in the pool and to see the sunset over the dunes.
Day 9
Sossus Dunelodge- Sosusvlei- Agama (B,L,D)
A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft morning light of the sunrise on the dunes as we drive through. The light casts strong contrasts of colour on the edges of the dunes and offers stunning views from the dry river bed we travel through.Our first stop will be at the famous Dune 45 with its most photogenic dune. Here you will make your way up on the dune to catch the amazing and unforgettable sunrise. Your guide will prepare your breakfast right at the foot of the dune, and after a short break we will leave the vehicle for a educational walk.
We reach Sossusvlei itself by walking the last 5 km through the dunes. The walk is like nothing else, enjoying the changing light and coolness of the morning. Ancient mineral pans, stunted Camel Thorn trees and the chance of seeing a Gemsbok or maybe an Ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect.
We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, and as the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch to escape the heat of the afternoon. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon.
Day 10
Agama - Windhoek (450 km) (B,L)
After breakfast we begin our journey, over the mountains and along scenic roads, back to Windhoek. We will travel back by different roads this timeby travelling by way of the Naukluft Mountain Range, through the Auas Mountain Range and back to civilization.
We are due back into the city around 15:00 where you will be dropped off at your accommodation on our return.
