Itinerary Details
Day 1: Arrive in Windhoek
After landing at Windhoek’s International Hosea Kutako Airport, about 40km outside the city, you will be welcomed by a tour representative who will transfer you to town and your accommodation for the evening in Windhoek City.
You will also be provided with everything you will need for your self-drive safari; from your accommodation information to a map marked with your route and a full safari briefing. At the hotel you will also receive your rental vehicle and receive a full vehicle briefing - please ensure that you have your driver's license, credit card, and passport on hand to complete the vehicle hire documents.
Dinner this evening is for your own account to give you the option to either dine at the hotel's in-house restaurant, or out at one of the restaurants in town.
Hotel: Galton House (4 Star Rating)
Galton House is a boutique guesthouse located in the upmarket suburb of Eros on the northern edge of Windhoek. Just a ten-minute drive from the city centre, it offers a relaxed but efficient style with modern décor, 8–9 en-suite rooms and a tranquil garden and pool area. The property features communal indoor and outdoor dining spaces, a lounge, a day-room for early arrivals or late departures, complimentary WiFi, air-conditioning in the rooms and secure parking. Its prime location makes it a comfortable base before or after a Namibian safari.
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Day 2: Self Drive Windhoek To Etosha EastAfter breakfast you will be met by your guide and depart from Windhoek in your safari vehicle and set off on your Namibia safari, which today takes you through Okahandja, via the town of Outjo to reach the outskirts of the southern boundary of the Etosha National Park.
Time allowing, you can enter the Etosha National Park for some exciting game viewing, exiting the park again before sunset to return to your accommodation in time for dinner.
Hotel: The Mushara Bush Camp (3 Star Rating)
Mushara Bush Camp offers an inviting, family-friendly safari base just outside the eastern gate of Etosha National Park. The camp features 16 custom-built canvas and wood tents, including four family units, each with a private veranda and large bathroom. Natural materials and soft earthy tones create a relaxed bush atmosphere. Central areas include an open-sided thatched lounge, dining terrace, and a circular swimming pool with an adjacent children's splash pool. Evenings often gather around the firepit, while the kitchen serves homestyle meals with views of the surrounding bush. Guided game drives into Etosha are available, providing access to the park’s abundant wildlife. With its welcoming setting, practical layout, and easy Etosha access, the camp suits both families and independent travellers seeking comfort and simplicity close to Namibia’s premier wildlife destination.
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Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Self-Drive Into Etosha Open DayYou have the option to drive to Etosha National Park in your rental vehicle at your own time. Explore and stop over at the various waterholes in the hope of experiencing some exciting wildlife sightings on your self-guided day.
You can have lunch (for own account) at any of the rest camps inside the park. After your arrival at the lodge again, the rest of the day is spent at your leisure (very often this is welcomed since you have spent most of the day in the vehicle game driving in the park).
Hotel: The Mushara Bush Camp (3 Star Rating)
Mushara Bush Camp offers an inviting, family-friendly safari base just outside the eastern gate of Etosha National Park. The camp features 16 custom-built canvas and wood tents, including four family units, each with a private veranda and large bathroom. Natural materials and soft earthy tones create a relaxed bush atmosphere. Central areas include an open-sided thatched lounge, dining terrace, and a circular swimming pool with an adjacent children's splash pool. Evenings often gather around the firepit, while the kitchen serves homestyle meals with views of the surrounding bush. Guided game drives into Etosha are available, providing access to the park’s abundant wildlife. With its welcoming setting, practical layout, and easy Etosha access, the camp suits both families and independent travellers seeking comfort and simplicity close to Namibia’s premier wildlife destination.
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Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Self-Drive Etosha East To Etosha SouthToday you enter the Etosha National Park and explore and stop over at the various waterholes in the hope of experiencing some exciting wildlife sightings. You can have lunch (for own account) at any of the rest camps inside the park.
After your arrival at Etosha Safari Lodge the rest of the day is spent at your leisure (very often this is welcomed since you have spent most of the day in the vehicle game driving in the park).
Hotel: Etosha Safari Lodge (3 Star Rating)
Etosha Safari Lodge is a comfortable mid-range lodge located just 10 kilometres from the southern entrance (Andersson Gate) of Etosha National Park, giving guests quick access to the park’s renowned wildlife. The property sits on a hill offering sweeping savannah views, and features air-conditioned rooms with private verandas, three outdoor swimming pools, a restaurant and bar, and a lookout deck for game-viewing. It serves as a convenient base for safari drives while offering decent amenities in a relaxed environment.
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Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Self-Drive Etosha South To DamaralandThis morning after breakfast you will continue your safari to the heart of Namibia, Damaraland, traveling through farmlands and the small towns. Damaraland is typified by displays of colour, magnificent table topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation. The present-day landscape has been formed by the erosion of wind, water and geological forces which have formed rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains and ancient river terraces.
It is the variety and loneliness of the area as well as the scenic splendour which will reward and astound you, giving one an authentic understanding of the word 'wilderness'.
Hotel: Camp Kipwe (5 Star Rating)
Huddled in the rocks, with sweeping views across the Aba Huab valley, Camp Kipwe is full of surprises, starting when guests first arrive. It appears as if rocks have tumbled down the hill to reveal this gem of a camp. The setting is one of intimacy and space. An inviting lounge area, where birds fly in to enjoy the water seeping from the rocks, a refreshing swimming pool nestled in the rocks and a scattering of bungalows complete this eco friendly camp. The surrounding space and endless views of Damaraland cannot be contained. They beckon you to explore - enjoy an early morning game drive in search of elusive desert dwelling elephants, hike in the ancient surroundings of the Aba Huab River or travel back in time at Twyfelfontein, Namibia's first World Heritage Site.
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Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Guided Activity Camp Doros - Desert Black RhinoToday you will spend an exciting and memorable morning out rhino searching with the assistance of local trackers. It is worth noting that these black rhino form part of one of the only free-roaming black rhino populations in Africa and searching for animals in an unfenced and uninhibited environment is an absolute privilege. You will return to camp for a freshly prepared lunch and with time to relax at camp during the heat of the day. Later in the afternoon you head out again for a scenic nature drive or walk to explore this vast and astounding ecosystem.
Camp Doros works together with the Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) - an NGO that has been instrumental in the preservation of the rare, endangered, desert adapted black rhino. Having barely survived the slaughter in many parts of Africa during the '80s and '90s, the black rhino population of Namibia increased substantially since the formation of SRT.
Desert Black Rhinoceros: Namibia is home to the larger of two subspecies of the black rhinoceros found in southern Africa. The only population that remains in the wild, unfenced and outside reserves occupies an arid range in the western Kaokoveld. Their preferred habitat is the mountainous escarpment, but they follow ephemeral rivers into the northern Namib as well, especially when conditions are favorable after rains. They are the only black rhinoceros in Africa that are internationally recognized as a “desert group”. Like desert-adapted elephant, they cover great distances.
Hotel: Camp Doros (3 Star Rating)
Camp Doros is a small, eco-conscious bush camp in the heart of Damaraland, perched above a dry riverbed and mopane woodland. The camp includes six raised tents (one family tent), each with private deck, hot-water shower, en-suite flush toilet, solar-powered lighting/charging and fan - offering basic but comfortable amenities. Shared facilities comprise an open-sided lounge, dining area, campfire deck, plunge pool with sun deck, and a separate WiFi/charging zone. Activities focus on wildlife and nature: guided 4WD drives, walking safaris, plus tracking of the region’s desert-adapted black rhino (and, on longer stays, desert-adapted elephants), with optional excursions to nearby rock-engraving sites. Fully inclusive of meals, local drinks and activities, Camp Doros provides a rustic, remote safari experience where the emphasis is on immersion in wilderness rather than luxury.
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Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Day 7: Guided Activity Camp Doros - Desert Adapted ElephantsToday you continue your adventures exploring Damaraland, enjoying the freedom to discover the fascinating landscapes with your lodge guide both by vehicle and on foot. Damaraland is a surprising refuge for desert adapted wildlife that may include elephant, giraffe, oryx, springbok and even some predators such as lion. However, as with any wildlife sightings in Namibia, this depends on many factors including seasonality so specific sightings are never guaranteed.
The wildlife roams large tracks of unfenced desert landscapes and finding game can be challenging, but this is all part of the adventure of exploring this wild untouched gem of Namibia. Today’s focus will be largely on searching for the elusive desert adapted elephants in the ephemeral river systems, an activity which will mean spending most of the day out. Your guide will take along a delicious picnic lunch and you will return to camp in the late afternoon.
Hotel: Camp Doros (3 Star Rating)
Camp Doros is a small, eco-conscious bush camp in the heart of Damaraland, perched above a dry riverbed and mopane woodland. The camp includes six raised tents (one family tent), each with private deck, hot-water shower, en-suite flush toilet, solar-powered lighting/charging and fan - offering basic but comfortable amenities. Shared facilities comprise an open-sided lounge, dining area, campfire deck, plunge pool with sun deck, and a separate WiFi/charging zone. Activities focus on wildlife and nature: guided 4WD drives, walking safaris, plus tracking of the region’s desert-adapted black rhino (and, on longer stays, desert-adapted elephants), with optional excursions to nearby rock-engraving sites. Fully inclusive of meals, local drinks and activities, Camp Doros provides a rustic, remote safari experience where the emphasis is on immersion in wilderness rather than luxury.
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Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Day 8: Self-Drive Damaraland To SwakopmundAfter an early breakfast the drive today takes you south past Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg which peaks at 2,573m above sea level, and west to meet the coast at Henties Bay. You then continue south to the coastal town of Swakopmund where you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location and cooler coastal air for the night.
Should there be time this afternoon you can explore the town and wander along the waterfront on foot (just note that most shops and businesses close at lunchtime over weekends and public holidays), before heading off for dinner (on your own account) at a popular restaurant which specializes in locally harvested fresh seafood as well as other local and international dishes.
Hotel: The Delight Hotel (4 Star Rating)
The Delight Swakopmund enjoys a convenient location in the heart of Swakopmund, within easy walking distance of restaurants, cafés, shops, and the Atlantic coastline. Combining contemporary style with warm Namibian hospitality, the hotel offers comfortable accommodations, a restaurant, bar, and outdoor swimming pool, making it an excellent base from which to explore the town and the surrounding Skeleton Coast region.
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Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 9: Guided Activity In SossusvleiThis morning you will rise early for a magical excursion into the Namib Naukluft National Park, entering the Park gates at sunrise to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows accentuate their towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world.
Your local guide will give you an insight on the formation of the Namib Desert and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environs.
Once you have explored the areas around Sossusvlei and Deadvlei to your hearts content you can enjoy a picnic in the shade of a camel thorn tree. Return to your lodge in the early afternoon for a late lunch. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure (from experience, this is usually welcomed after an exhilarating morning in the dunes) or can be spent on another guided scheduled activity within the nature reserve as offered by the lodge.
Hotel: The Delight Hotel (4 Star Rating)
The Delight Swakopmund enjoys a convenient location in the heart of Swakopmund, within easy walking distance of restaurants, cafés, shops, and the Atlantic coastline. Combining contemporary style with warm Namibian hospitality, the hotel offers comfortable accommodations, a restaurant, bar, and outdoor swimming pool, making it an excellent base from which to explore the town and the surrounding Skeleton Coast region.
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Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 10: Self-Drive Swakopmund To SossusvleiToday you leave the coast behind and head for the Sossusvlei region. The fascinating drive today takes you south-east through awesome and ever changing desert landscapes via the impressive Kuiseb and Gaub Canyons and through the dunes to the settlement of Solitaire.
Arrival should be in the late afternoon, with time to enjoy sundowners appreciating the unique desert surroundings.
Hotel: Kulala Desert Lodge (4 Star Rating)
Kulala Desert Lodge lies inside the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, just outside the dunes of Sossusvlei in Namibia’s Namib Desert. The lodge offers 23 elevated canvas-and-thatch tents (including family units), each built on wooden decks and many with a rooftop “sleep-out” platform for stargazing under desert skies. Communal facilities include a main lounge and dining area with wrap-around veranda, a swimming pool, a bar, and a waterhole view that often draws desert-adapted wildlife at dawn or dusk. Guests can access the dunes at sunrise via a private reserve gate for guided drives or walks, explore scenic river runs, enjoy sunset rides, desert e-biking or even hot-air balloon flights over the sand sea. For travelers wanting proximity to the iconic dunes, a blend of comfort and rugged desert adventure, Kulala offers a compelling base.
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Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Guided Activity Sossusvlei With Lodge GuideThis morning you will rise early for a magical shared excursion into the Namib Naukluft National Park, entering the Park gates at sunrise to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows accentuate their towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world.
Your local guide will give you an insight on the formation of the Namib Desert and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environs. Once you have explored the areas around Sossusvlei and Deadvlei to your hearts content you can enjoy a picnic in the shade of a camel thorn tree.
Return to your lodge in the early afternoon for a late lunch.
The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure (from experience, this is usually welcomed after an exhilarating morning in the dunes) or can be spent on another guided scheduled activity within the nature reserve as offered by the lodge.
Hotel: Kulala Desert Lodge (4 Star Rating)
Kulala Desert Lodge lies inside the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, just outside the dunes of Sossusvlei in Namibia’s Namib Desert. The lodge offers 23 elevated canvas-and-thatch tents (including family units), each built on wooden decks and many with a rooftop “sleep-out” platform for stargazing under desert skies. Communal facilities include a main lounge and dining area with wrap-around veranda, a swimming pool, a bar, and a waterhole view that often draws desert-adapted wildlife at dawn or dusk. Guests can access the dunes at sunrise via a private reserve gate for guided drives or walks, explore scenic river runs, enjoy sunset rides, desert e-biking or even hot-air balloon flights over the sand sea. For travelers wanting proximity to the iconic dunes, a blend of comfort and rugged desert adventure, Kulala offers a compelling base.
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Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Day 12: Self-Drive Sossusvlei To WindhoekAfter breakfast you return to Windhoek, driving northeast up the Great Escarpment and through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands.
You should arrive in Windhoek in the mid to late afternoon and you can then go on to your accommodation establishment located in the Windhoek surrounds.
Hotel: Galton House (4 Star Rating)
Galton House is a boutique guesthouse located in the upmarket suburb of Eros on the northern edge of Windhoek. Just a ten-minute drive from the city centre, it offers a relaxed but efficient style with modern décor, 8–9 en-suite rooms and a tranquil garden and pool area. The property features communal indoor and outdoor dining spaces, a lounge, a day-room for early arrivals or late departures, complimentary WiFi, air-conditioning in the rooms and secure parking. Its prime location makes it a comfortable base before or after a Namibian safari.
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Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 13: Depart from WindhoekShould you have time this morning, you can explore Windhoek, if you have any last minute shopping to be done, before being transferred to the Windhoek's Hosea Kutako International Airport by an Ultimate Safaris guest liaison in time for your international flight.
This is officially the end of your Namibian Safari. We hope to see you again soon, Bon voyage…!
We wish you safe travels onwards and hope that your Namibian safari has been full of unforgettable highlights and memorable experiences.
Meal(s): Breakfast
