Namibia by Land is a lively, exhilarating journey covering the iconic areas of this vast country – its dunes, desert, plains and superb wildlife – enriched by select accommodation in private reserves and concessions, such as the Ongava Tented Camp and Damaraland Adventurer Camp. Drive along lesser known paths through huge private concessions and reserves. On this adventure take in the soaring red dunes of Sossusvlei, the ice-blue Atlantic Ocean, the desert of Damaraland, and the dense plains game and hunters of Etosha National Park. This is a true Namibian adventure with a range of activities impossible to beat!
Highlights
Explore Sossusvlei, home to some of the tallest freestanding sand dunes
Game drive through Etosha National Park which houses large salt pans
Search for wildlife by boat in Walvis Bay
Visit Ugab Save the Rhino Trust Camp and witness black rhino conservation
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Meet your safari guide after clearing customs and start your exploration with a drive through the Khomas Hochland Mountains. Reach the Sossusvlei region after approximately 5-6 hours, keeping watch for interesting game and scenery along the way. Enjoy lunch en route and arrive to Kulala Adventurer Camp in time to freshen up before enjoying dinner under a canvas of stars.
Drive Time: 5-6 hours, 211 miles
*Flight must arrive to Windhoek by 8:00 AM or pre night hotel is required
Experience the unique dawn lighting over some of the world’s tallest freestanding sand dunes this morning as you start your adventure in the Kulala Private Reserve. The rich reds of the sand and dramatic shadow lines make for stunning photo opportunities. Wander the area and surrounds with your adventure guide, marveling at the fascinating landscape and creatures that call this part of Namibia home. Explore Sossusvlei and nearby Deadvlei before resting under a camel thorn tree to enjoy a picnic brunch. This afternoon return to the lodge for a late lunch before visiting Sesriem Canyon or relaxing at the lodge for the remainder of the day.
Today you leave the red dunes of Sossusvlei behind and travel north on the snaking roads of the Kuiseb Canyon and out onto the expansive gravel plains, eventually arriving in Walvis Bay before moving north into the quaint town of Swakopmund. After arriving in late afternoon the day is yours to explore this lively coastal town with its German influence and vibrant African markets before returning to your centrally located guesthouse for the night.
On Day 4, explore the ice-blue Atlantic coast with a catamaran cruise from Walvis Bay to spot wildlife from the boat including dolphins, seals, birdlife and depending on the season perhaps sea turtles and whales. (weather permitting). Join your guide for a private seafood lunch before returning to Swakopmund, where you are free to explore for the evening as you wish.
Continue on a road journey to Damaraland, west of the Brandberg Mountain, the second largest monolith in the world (after Uluru in Australia), stopping for lunch at Ugab Save the Rhino Trust Camp. This area boasts the largest concentration of black rhino anywhere on the planet outside a national park. Damaraland's rugged landscape is renowned for its geological and scenic splendor as well as wild displays of color, looming table topped mountains, magnificent rock formations and unique vegetation.
Your time in Damaraland is highlighted by 4x4 excursions to the Aba and Huab River Valleys, where you and your guide will search for the elusive desert adapated wildlife, most notable of which is the desert adapted elephant. Other optional activities include cultural visits, game tracking on foot, by bike, or 4x4 vehicle. Return to Damaraland Adventurer Camp each evening for dinner and star gazing.
Move east from Damaraland to Estosha National Park early this morning, visiting a local Himba settlement to learn about the customs and traditions of one of the last truly traditional peoples of Namibia. Continue onwards to Etosha National Park, or the 'Land of Dry Water', which houses huge salt pans leftover from a shallow lake that existed over three million years ago. Arrive to camp in the early evening, resting and relaxing after a long but rewarding day. Settle into your comfortable room before enjoying dinner at Ongava Tented Camp.
Arise early for breakfast before joining your private safari vehicle for a full day game drive through Etosha National Park. Keep an eye out for Etosha's resident wildlife, including lion, leopord, elephant and even the black rhino as you make your way from Amdersson's Gate to Halili for lunch. Game viewing in Etosha centers around springs and waterholes, where many of Etosha's 114 mammal and 340 bird species can be found congregating at these important sources of water.
Your game drive concludes in the Ongava Game Reserve, a private reserve on the Eastern border of Etosha National Park. Settle into a restful evening at your intimate camp, specially designed for travelers keen on experiencing the wilderness in it's raw splendour.
Day 10: Departure
1 Breakfast
Arise early for breakfast and your last transfer through the heart of Namibia toward Windhoek. Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to your accommodation establishment of choice, or out to the Windhoek International Airport (transfer to be booked additionally) if flying out this evening.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Notes
Select a Date
Rates based on current exchange rate ZAR/US dollars. Please contact us for exact quote in US dollars.
Initial deposit is 25% ($400 minimum), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Really enjoyed Thatch Caye. The staff was great. Really liked our guide Raffi. And snorkeling at night was wonderful.
Cheryl Brenton
4 days ago
The persons I spoke with knew the material. I wont know until I actually take the trip if it was all correct but at this point they were helpful in finding a trip that met my criteria
SS
1 week ago
Creating a checklist was very beneficial and meeting objectives on certain dates helped as well (to keep my trip organized). The Adventure Travel personnel helped keep me on track which is why my trip was so successful. Communication from both travel agencies (AT/MT) was vital.
Iziah Carthens
1 week ago
This is an amazing company to work with. I generally do not use tour companies as I am more of an independent traveller so I was slightly reticent. They were fantastic from the start - 10/10 - from lining up a phone call to discuss requirements, then their ongoing communication in the lead up to the tour and during it (thank you, Franny and Phen). They also explored cost-effective options (eg group transfers). The tour was in Patagonia so Adventure Life organised a pickup from the El Calafate airport to the El Chalten accommodation, two day hikes with a private guide and then to the El Calafate accommodation. A tour coordinator came to the hotel to explain, using the maps, what was involved in each day tour and what should be expected, and patiently answered all questions. The tour guide Marcos was excellent - very professional, knowledgable, communicative and at all times felt very safe with his navigational skills (important in the Patagonian wilderness). On the second day I forgot to take hiking poles so Marcos kindly gave me his. I honestly wouldn't have changed a thing and would happily recommend and book through them again.
Petrina Sta
1 week ago
Adventure Life has been great throughout my planning process for our up and coming Galapagos cruise. Kevin Moore, in particular, was very helpful in assisting me in making choices and providing me with options. He was also very patient, as I worked through figuring out what I really wanted in this vacation.