9 Day Highlights of Namibia Safari

After breakfast, guests are transferred to Eros Airport, located close to central Windhoek, for a charter flight to Sossusvlei. The scenic flight offers sweeping views over rugged mountains and the arid expanse of the Namib Desert. Your destination is Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, set in the private NamibRand Nature Reserve, one of the largest private nature reserves in southern Africa. The Namib, often called “The Living Desert,” is recognized as one of the world’s oldest deserts and is renowned for its red dunes, stark plains, and dramatic light.

On arrival at the lodge, you settle into your luxurious accommodation and enjoy some time at leisure before your first afternoon activity. Led by Sossusvlei’s expert rangers and naturalists, the afternoon is devoted to exploring the surrounding desert in open 4x4 vehicles. You learn how plants and animals have adapted to survive in this extreme environment, and you may encounter desert species like oryx, springbok, and smaller nocturnal creatures. As the sun sets behind the distant mountains, you return to the lodge for dinner under a remarkable desert night sky.

The morning is devoted to an excursion into the famous Sossusvlei sand dunes, among the highest dunes in the world and some of Namibia’s most iconic landmarks. The name “Sossusvlei” refers to the area where the Tsauchab River is blocked by dunes, forming a series of ephemeral pans. You travel into the heart of this dune field in the cool early hours, when the light is at its most photogenic and the sand is firmer underfoot. Guests have the opportunity to walk on the dunes and appreciate the sweeping desert views from their ridges.

After exploring the dunes, the safari continues to Sesriem Canyon, a deep, narrow chasm carved by the Tsauchab River over millions of years. The canyon begins as an almost imperceptible crack in the ground, then widens and deepens as you follow it along its course. Because it is sheltered, Sesriem may retain water well into the dry season, providing a vital resource for wildlife. Later, you return to the lodge for lunch and a relaxed afternoon, with optional additional activities or time to simply enjoy the tranquility of the desert setting.

Guests are transferred to the local airstrip for a scenic flight to Swakopmund, following the transition from inland desert to the Atlantic coast. Along the way, you may see shifting dune belts, dry riverbeds, and perhaps even the stark meeting of sand and sea that characterizes this coastline. Swakopmund is a quaint seaside town established in 1892 during the German colonial period, and its architecture and atmosphere still reflect that heritage today. On arrival, you are met and transferred to the centrally located Hansa Hotel, your base in the town.

Later in the afternoon, the focus shifts to adventure with a quad biking experience in the desert near Swakopmund. On arrival at the departure point, you watch a short introductory video about quad biking and receive your safety equipment. Your guide explains how to operate the quad bikes, the hand signals used on the trail, and what to expect from the dunes. Both manual and automatic bikes are available, making the activity accessible to most guests. You then head out onto the coastal dunes, enjoying the thrill of riding across the sand before returning to town for a relaxed evening.

Today you explore the coastline and wetlands around Walvis Bay and Sandwich Harbour, an area recognized for its rich birdlife and dramatic scenery. The day typically begins with a drive south from Swakopmund, passing notable landmarks such as “Bird Rock,” a historical guano island that once supported large seabird colonies. Continuing on, you reach the expansive lagoon at Walvis Bay, which is designated as a wetland of international importance and is a key stopover for migratory bird species, including large flocks of flamingos and other waders in season.

From Walvis Bay, the safari travels towards Sandwich Harbour, where towering, wind-sculpted dunes plunge directly into the Atlantic Ocean. Weather and tide conditions permitting, you may walk along sections of this wild coastline and observe the contrast between desert and sea. As you explore, keep an eye out for marine life offshore, including seals, dolphins, and, at certain times of year, whales offshore near the bay. In the late afternoon, you return to Swakopmund, with time to enjoy the town’s restaurants, cafés, or simply relax at your hotel before dinner.

After breakfast, guests are transferred to the local airstrip for a flight inland to Ongava, a private reserve situated on the southern boundary of Etosha National Park. The flight offers a final aerial perspective of the coast before giving way to the savanna and scrub of Namibia’s interior. Ongava is known for excellent wildlife viewing and conservation work, including efforts to protect both black and white rhino. On arrival, you are met by lodge staff and transferred to Ongava Lodge, where you check in and enjoy lunch or refreshments.

In the late afternoon, you set out on a guided game drive in an open 4x4 vehicle, either within the Ongava Reserve or into Etosha National Park, depending on conditions and wildlife movements. Etosha is Namibia’s premier game viewing destination and is nearly the size of Switzerland, with a wide variety of habitats and species. During the dry season, large herds of plains game such as springbok, zebra, and gemsbok gather at waterholes, attracting predators like lion. As the sun sets, you return to the lodge, where you may continue watching wildlife from the lodge’s own waterhole.

The next two days are devoted to early morning and late afternoon open 4x4 safari excursions in Etosha National Park and the Ongava Reserve, accompanied by experienced rangers and trackers. Etosha, meaning “Great White Place,” is dominated by the vast Etosha Pan, a mineral-rich depression that covers roughly a quarter of the park. The pan, part of the ancient Kalahari Basin, occasionally fills with shallow water after heavy rains, drawing thousands of wading birds and creating a shimmering white expanse visible from great distances.

Game drives focus on the park’s network of waterholes and surrounding savanna, where a high diversity of wildlife can be found. Lion, leopard, cheetah, and spotted hyena are all present, alongside large numbers of antelope, giraffe, and elephant in season. Both black and white rhino occur in this area, and sightings of these endangered animals are often a highlight of any visit. Between drives, guests return to the lodge to relax, enjoy meals, and, in many cases, continue viewing animals that come to drink at Ongava’s own waterhole, particularly in the evening and at night.

A final morning game drive offers one more opportunity to search for species you may not yet have seen and to savor the atmosphere of the Namibian bush. After the activity and a relaxed breakfast at the lodge, you are transferred to the local airstrip for your flight back to Windhoek. The route once again highlights the scale and variety of Namibia’s landscapes, from semi-arid plains to distant dolomite hills, as you retrace your way towards the capital and your onward connection to South Africa.

From Windhoek, you connect to a scheduled flight to Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport. On arrival, guests are met and either transferred to a location of their choice in Johannesburg or Pretoria, or assisted with checking in for a connecting international or regional departure. Your Namibia safari ends with a wealth of memories of its deserts, coastlines, and wildlife-rich national parks, and the option to extend your journey elsewhere in southern Africa if desired.