Come to our 14-day one-on-one meetings with the African's Bush Treasures. Home of the oldest desert in the world, where the vastness of stupefying dry lands comes to life with its unique wildlife, warm-hearted people, and mind-boggling sceneries.
Namibia is inviting you for an exploration – a road trip adventure, bushmen nature walk, cave paintings discovery, a cultural safari, or a game drive. This country is a feast for all senses – simply look around and soak up the atmosphere. Continue keeping your eyes and ears open, and your mouth will follow – you will stare open-mouthed at the new worlds that will open in front of you.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Namibia has been a German colony and was administered by South Africa post World War II. After 106 years of German and South-African rule, Namibia finally succeeds to grant its independence on March 21, 1990. Archaeological evidence of rock paintings and engravings shows that the country was inhabited at least 25,000 years ago – the oldest dwellers of those territories were nomadic people (Bushmen or San).
Etymology: The name of the country originates from the Namib Desert, however, the root of Namibia’s first syllable – ‘’Nama’’ means vast place.
Size: 824,292 km2
Capital: Windhoek
Population: 2,646,859 (2022) – more than one-third of which lives in urban areas. The country has a young population.
Nowadays, Namibia is inhabited by roughly 10 tribes and ethnic groups. Ovambo is the largest group and makes up around 50% of the entire community. Others: Herero, Damara, Kavango, European, Nama, Caprivian, San, Basrer and Tswana.
Languages: English is the official language, but Ovambo languages are spoken by more than half of the population. Other used, but less commonly spoken languages in the country are Nama-Damara, Herero, Caprivi, Kavango, Afrikaans and German.
Currency: Namibian Dollar. For reference: 1 NAD = 0,067 EUR; 1 NAD = 0,067 USD
Economy: The rocky solid grounds and dunes are making Namibia hostile for many agricultural activities, but perfect for livestock and mining. The country is rich in mineral resources like diamonds, uranium, and other non-fuel minerals.
Best time to visit: The peak travel season is from June to October – the temperatures during this period are very pleasant, the chance of rain is low and wildlife viewing is at its best. The animals are looking for water sources where they congregate and are easy to spot.
Namibia’s wet season is very hot and humid, and it lasts from November to April.
Whenever you decide to go, I recommend you book your trip well in advance.
What to pack: Layer clothing in earth tones – days are hot, but nights get much cooler. I suggest you pack a good jacket for sunrise/sunset expeditions and night safari walks/game drives. Don’t forget comfortably closed (hiking, but not only) shoes, a hat, scarf, sunglasses (for sun, but also sand protection), good sunscreen, plenty of deeply moisturizing creams especially if you visit during the dry season (thank me later), lip-balm, torch, lighter etc.
If you plan to do camping you will get most or could rent most of the needed equipment from the selected car rental agency. However, I suggest you at least bring your own sleeping bags.
Photography: Namibia is the photographer’s paradise – from stunning landscapes to wildlife, and astrophotography. If staying behind the camera is your passion, most probably you already know that you have to be prepared to carry a lot of camera gear starting with the basics - a good DSLR or mirrorless camera; you need interchangeable lenses – anything above 200mm (the traditional lenses for wildlife photography are the 500mm and 600mm) would do the trick for your safari encounters, and a tripod for capturing those Milky Way flavoured night skies.
*Drones – keep in mind that you have to apply ahead of time for permission to fly. For personal or recreational use is recommended to obtain approval from DCA at least a month (30 calendar days) before the planned flight. You need to register your drone and have a drone piloting license (you don’t need that if your drone weighs below 250g – like Mavic Mini 3 Pro). Prepare to show liability insurance, pay a fee and pin on a map/add all locations and dates when you plan to fly the drone. They require a detailed plan of your flights. You can find all current RPA regulations and application forms on the website of the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority.
Flying in national parks is strictly prohibited. If you bring your drone there and announce at the checkpoint that you have a drone, they will lock it with a security plastic seal and remove it once you exit the park.
Stay connected: The easiest way to buy a prepaid SIM card on arrival at Windhoek airport is at the MTC store which is open for all international arrivals. You can find MTC stores in other bigger towns and some gas stations and supermarkets. We’ve done our research and MTC is mostly recommended, because it is supposed to have better coverage. However, forget to have any coverage at all in some areas such as Spitzkoppe and Sossusvlei, for example. Namibia’s second service provider TN is better connected at these places, and we had to purchase Wi-Fi data at the camp in Sossusvlei and stayed completely disconnected at Spitzkoppe. Don’t worry though depending on your lodges, you should be covered with a free internet connection. At national parks and state-owned lodges, Wi-Fi is always provided for an additional fee.
HOW TO GET AROUND
Car rental – in my opinion, this is the best option to explore the country and get the best out of the journey. Consider renting 4WD, because even if you might not need it, it will make the trip more pleasant and the long drives on gravel roads less noticeable. It’s very important to always check your tyre pressure and deflate your tyres whenever driving on these endless, but well-maintained gravel roads. A flat tyre in Namibia is something that happens quite often, and you should be prepared for it - bring your acquaintance or ‘’google’’ it to gain the knowledge prior heading to on this adventure. My biggest recommendation is to pay for that extra windshield, wheels and tyres insurance.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO KNOW BEFORE DRIVING IN NAMIBIA
• Driving is on the left side of the road.
• Always check your tyres and deflate them with 10-15% when driving on gravel roads. The general rule is to take a cold tyre pressure before you set off on the terrain.
• Take every opportunity to stop at a petrol station and top up the tank + bring an additional jerrycan (usually provided by the rental company), because the next gas station might be more than 100km away.
• Make sure to also bring enough water and snacks for the way – we don’t want you to get dehydrated or starving in the middle of a desolate area.
• Namibia has long stretches of plains, where the only thing you might encounter is a trespassing or grazing oryx. The size of the country is impressive, and the landscapes are totally worth the long drives.
• It’s essential to rent your vehicle as early as possible because, during peak season, rental agencies are frequently booked out. If you plan of doing or incorporating camping overnights in your itinerary, I advise you to rent a 4x4 with rooftop camping equipment, but ground camping is also an option if you’d prefer that.
• Car rental companies advise that you don’t drive before sunrise and after sunset.
DISTANCES
In this blog post, I will give you the distances from point A to point B, but I will avoid giving you the timing because we did it faster than the shown on Google driving times while following the rules and speed limits. However, in some places, most people would prefer to drive slower than the speed limit. Drive safe and be careful – it’s not uncommon for an animal to jump on the road.
THE CAR RENTAL COMPANY WE CHOSE
We booked our 4WD Nissan Navarra with rooftop camping equipment online with Advanced Car Hire, and I couldn’t recommend them more. The service was incredible. They gave us a lot of priceless tips regarding our journey and car maintenance. An airport pick-up and drop-off are included in the price. New, well-kept, clean vehicles, and great camping equipment – they provided us with everything that will help us survive in the wilderness if needed.
Instagram: @advancedcarhire
Discover their vehicles/ Get a quote: Advanced Car Hire
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
During the pandemic as the world paused nature began to revive and I believe there is no better time to support more conscious travel and choices. Namibia is an environmental protection and sustainability pioneer. An inspiration for Africa after becoming the first African nation to establish community-based conservancies (1990).
Dive into our 14 days of soul-enriching vastness full of life. Below I will share our 2-weeks itinerary which goes the other way around than most travel itineraries we’ve read, but after countless hours of research, we concluded that this is the best option considering the time and the places we want to see.
We wanted to discover a few other hotspots, but the time didn’t allow us. 3-weeks would be the perfect duration to explore and infuse the true spirit of Namibia.
DAY 1.
Arrival at Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH). We flew with Ethiopia Airlines from Geneva with transit in Addis Ababa.
WDH – ADVANCED CAR HIRE – approx. 50 km
Pick-up by Advanced Car Hire. After finalizing the contract at their office in Windhoek and being briefed about the vehicle, we continued our way to Okonjima Nature Reserve. Don’t forget to put fuel in Windhoek before hitting the road, because you won’t get a full tank which means you will also return the car as empty as possible.
On the way, we saw 2 giant troops of baboons crossing the road, many antelopes and wild rabbits (scrub hares). Be aware and keep your eyes wide open while driving.
ADVANCED CAR HIRE – OKONJIMA NATURE RESERVE - approx. 230 km
OKONJIMA NATURE RESERVE
Okonjima Nature Reserve is centrally located between Windhoek and Etosha National Park. Easily reachable from both destinations for about 2,5 hours; from the WDH airport normally it will take you around 3 hours to get there.
The biggest part of the road from Windhoek to the nature reserve is paved, so no need to worry about tyres pressure.
Once you reach the entrance gates you will be welcomed by an Okonjima employee who will let you pass and give you directions. Get ready for another 14-16 km drive on gravel roads to the camps.
We saw rhinos after passing the second reserve gate. This happened in the evening of our arrival which is considered incredibly lucky.
Okonjima is located on the outskirts of the sandstone Omboroko Mountains – it covers over 200 km2 of plains, mountainous bulges, and riverine thickets. Famous for its diversified ecosystem, being home, ensuring the survival of predators in their natural habitat, and offering educational safari expeditions to encounter some of the rarest animals. Prepare to meet wild cats such as leopards and cheetahs, brown hyenas, rhinos, pangolins, and most of the country’s endemic birds. Explore the sensory-enriching magic of the African bush from sunrise to sundown. Being part of the founded in 1991 AfriCat foundation, Okonjima puts the focus on wildlife conservation. They are pursuing their mission through plenty of environmental research, educational projects and securing safe natural habitat for wild animals.
WHERE TO STAY
OKONJIMA LODGE
Family-run sustainable luxury in the lap of nature. You can choose between campsites and stunning safari lodges. From award-winning accommodations such as Okonjima African Villa and the Private Bush Suite to the amazing Okonjima Plains Camp and Omboroko Campsites.
Their dining options are also delectable – here we had one of the best culinary experiences in Namibia.
Instagram: @okonjima_nature_reserve
Book here: Okonjima Nature Reserve
DAY 2.
SUNRISE LEOPARD TRACKING IN OKONJIMA NATURE RESERVE
Many of the leopards in the reserve have collars and are being actively tracked for educational and conservation purposes. Radiofrequency is detecting the leopards, but it’s not like a GPS and doesn’t give an exact location – a signal shows in which direction the leopard is headed. If the leopard is too far it won’t be caught by the ranger’s antenna.
We didn’t have any signal for a very long time and had to climb up a hill for better visibility/connection which gave us an orientation on where to look next – not only that we’ve found the leopard, but it surprisingly jumped out of the bushes and caught its morning prey – a duiker. I felt bad for the little antelope, but this is a very rare occurrence to observe – our guide last saw a hunting leopard in action 2 years ago.
The leopard we met is a feline called Vamos. What impressed me is that she brought and hid the kill under a tree and cleaned herself before going to look after her cub. She didn’t devour at all the duiker but left it for the little one which was 2 – 3 km away from the spot. We’ve followed her and witnessed something incredible – the noises of a caring mother searching for her kid. The little playful cub jumped out from its hideout. The kiddo was so excited that started climbing and going down the trees. The games with his mum on the way back for breakfast were also adorable.
Once finished with this sunrise game drive, we also went for breakfast at the lodge.
Unfortunately, we did not succeed to do the morning pangolin walking tour, but after the leopard tracking, we went to visit rescued cheetahs, the Okonjima/AfriCat’s clinic and their educational centre.
OKONJIMA NATURE RESERVE – ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK VON LINDEQUIST GATE - approx. 288 km
ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
A salt pan so big that can be seen from space, some of the largest elephants in Africa due to the vitamins and nutrients found in the ground, more than 340 bird species and home to the endangered black rhino, leopards, lions, giraffes… Meet some of the most stunning wildlife representatives in Etosha National Park.
In the Ovambo language, Etosha means ‘’great white space’’ named after its natural pan which covers an area of 4,800 km2 and is formed over 100 million years ago. Being the largest salt pan in Africa and at times hosting around 1 million flamingos, this pan stretches over roughly a quarter of the park.
Etosha spans an area of 22,270 km2 and has 4 entrance gates: Anderson’s Gate (on the southern end of the park – closest camp is Okakuejo); Von Lindequist Gate (in the east – closest camp is Namutoni); Galton Gate (on the south-western end of the park) and King Nehale Lya Mpingana Gate (in the northern end of the park).
TOP TIPS, RULES AND INFO FOR SELF-DRIVE SAFARI IN ETOSHA Let’s make this thrilling and remarkable experience turn out as planned.
• Ideally spend 3-4 days in Etosha to cover different areas as the park is giant and this will allow you to increase your chances of seeing all desired/rare animals.
• Gates opening hours: Sunrise – Sunset. It’s not allowed to drive in the park before sunrise and after sunset.
• Entrance/Permit Fees have to be paid at the gate and may differ depending on the vehicle, nationality (locals/foreigners) and age. We paid 1080 NAD for 3 days/2 adults.
• Due to poaching incidents, when entering the park you will be requested to show an identification document – a passport, ID or a driving license. When leaving the park you will have to open the trunk of the vehicle.
• 4x4 vehicle is not a must, as offroad driving is strictly prohibited in Etosha, but despite that, I recommend you rent a 4WD rather than 2WD, especially if you are doing a road trip in Namibia and not coming only for the safari adventure. ⚠️ Keep in mind that most of the roads in Etosha National Park are gravel and it isn’t uncommon to get a flat tyre. Don’t forget to deflate your tyres by 10-15%. However, not a flat tyre, but a little rock surprised us by hitting and cracking the windshield - pay that extra money for tyre, wheels and glass excess insurance.
• Respect the general speed limit of 60 km/h, and 20km within the area of the campsites.
• Do not open doors, lean out of windows or sunroofs, or climb on top of vehicles to get a better view.
• If you sleep inside the park, buy your food from a bigger town before entering Etosha National Park, otherwise, you will have to dine at their restaurants, which we did, but in my opinion is to be avoided.
• Inside the park overnight is permitted only in designated rest camps. The three main camps are Okakuejo, Halali and Namutoni. Dolomite and Onkoshi are situated deeper in the park and are described as ‘’more exclusive’’.
If you don’t want to worry about the gate opening and closing hours and want to be among the first touring safari enthusiasts, you should consider booking a campsite inside the park. My recommendation is to book a vehicle with a rooftop tent (make sure to arrange that well in advance). If you stay longer than one night at the same place - a ground tent would be a better option, as you won’t need to build and unbuilt it every time before hitting the road, and it will be easier to put it under the shade. I recommend you change campsites which will help you explore different areas of Etosha so the rooftop tent makes more sense to me and it adds to the sense of adventure I imagine in Namibia.
Inside the park, at the same locations as the campsites, you could also book a government-managed lodge. We decided to have this unadulterated and kinda must-do experience when in Namibia and one of the nights slept in a tent.
These government-controlled lodges are far from the luxury you could experience in any other privately owned camps in Namibia. There are good places to overnight outside the park, but then you won’t have the opportunity to admire the most beautiful game viewing - at sunrise and sunset when the animals come to drink water in the waterholes stationed around the state-run campsites. This is why despite the bad service, I would prefer to have the best live-wildlife National Geographic cinema every evening at dusk and catch up with all the luxurious moments during the rest of the journey.
For reservations at any of the Etosha National Park camps or lodges, we stayed at, you can make a booking enquiry here: Bookings & Reservations (etoshanationalpark.org)
• The designated viewing decks by the waterholes are noise-restricted areas, so please discuss your private matters and your day afterwards.
• Go during the dry season when most of the animals are gathering by the waterholes which gives you the unique opportunity to witness incredible moments, moments that will take your breath away. September and October are the best months for game viewing.
During the wet season (summer) the dusty earth tones and landscapes turn into lush greeneries. Meet newborn animals and thousands of migrating flamingos colouring the formed rainwater pools at the giant salt pan. However, then the roads could get flooded, which makes driving more challenging and spotting animals more complicated. A well-equipped vehicle is a must.
• Best time of the day for observing wildlife and having the biggest probability to spot big kitties in action is in the morning - the earlier the better. Thanks to the cooler temperatures, lions, cheetahs and leopards are still awake, hunting or eating their prey of last night’s chase.
• Learn more about the warning signs in animal behaviour. The most dangerous wildlife encounter that could damage your vehicle and yourself, are the elephants and the rhinos. Don’t freak out though - this is a very rare occurrence, but it might happen if you get into their comfort zone.
• Needless to say, keep a safe distance from the animals; turn off the engine while watching and taking pictures of them; do not feed them.
• Safari dress code: dress in layers - remember the mornings and evenings are chilly, but the days are hot. Don’t forget to wear the shades of the African bush - earthy tones such as browns, khaki, and greens.
• Be aware that inside the park you won’t have many opportunities to fill up the gas tank. In fact, in this large area covering 22,270 km2 there are only 3 petrol stations: Okaukuejo, Namutoni and Halaliand, so don’t forget to always fuel up when you pass by any of them or simply carry jerrycan supplies to add up fuel whenever needed.
• If you don’t feel comfortable getting the steering wheel and cruising alone searching for 4 of the Big Five residing in the Etosha National Park, the alternative is an organised safari tour. We already have a safari experience, and we explored this park completely by ourselves, but I would suggest you look into both options and opt for an organised tour at least for a day. For first-timers, this is the best solution which will ensure that you took the best out of your trip. Guides are communicating with each other, and it is more likely to know where to bring you if you are looking for a specific, less commonly seen animal.
WHERE TO STAY
NAMUTONI CAMP
Namutoni is situated in the eastern part of Etosha National Park and is best accessible via the Von Lindequist Gate. We booked the campsite at Namutoni and used our rooftop tent for the first time here. A little mongoose greeted us at check-in and tried to eat the cables of the car. Friendly, but naughty little guys.
Namutoni Camp is built into an old German Fort, from the walls of which you can experience a game-viewing of King Nehale Waterhole, where wildlife often assembles at sunrise and sunset.
Located close to Fisher’s Pan, Namutoni is perfect for bird watchers. This is also the area where you have bigger chances to spot wild cats – cheetahs and lions. Already the first morning of the self-drive safari we saw a couple of mating lions.
Don’t forget to start your game drives early because the early bird gets the worm. Most of the animals are active when the weather is cooler, and this is your chance to encounter the big kitties in action as they sleep most of the time throughout the day.
DAY 3.
NAMUTONI CAMP – HALALI CAMP - approx. 70 km
Another day, another game drive and plenty of wildlife to brighten my day.
WHERE TO STAY
HALALI CAMP
The thicker vegetation surrounding Halali Camp makes it a great starting point for searching for leopards, rhinos, and elephants. The waterhole there is not as popular as the one in Okakuejo, but I promise you, you won’t regret the views. After having a lovely sunset spectacle of thirsty wildlife, we looked up at the sky which made us speechless. We couldn’t stop admiring the Milky Way and connecting the sparkling dots of the constellations. Star gazing at its purest.
DAY 4.
HALALI CAMP - OKAKUEJO CAMP - approx. 70 km
WHERE TO STAY
OKAKUEJO CAMP
What we loved about Okakuejo Camp is its central location, which makes it a hotspot for all game drives. However, the biggest highlight is its floodlit waterhole, where often you can witness some of the big five ingesting water at the same time – black rhino, elephant, and lion in the same picture. We didn’t see the lion drinking alongside the others, but the endangered black rhinos and elephants gathered and interacted at sundown, followed by giraffes and other animals. This scene was unforgettable. A live spectacle or Mother Nature’s perfection
.
Okakuejo Camp is 17 km from Anderson Gate and within its walls is situated the Etosha Ecological Institute.
OKAKUEJO CAMP – DAMARALAND / TWYFELFONTEIN - approx. 350 km
On the way to Damaraland, you could stop if you need to do some grocery shopping in Outjo. There opposite the supermarket SPAR, you could pass by for a coffee or a croissant from the famous German heritage bakery from 1947 called - Outjo Bakkery.
While driving on this road you will meet some tribal people/kids asking for water and food. Maybe it’s a good idea to buy more from the supermarket and make the day for someone. I will never forget the happiness in these kids’ eyes.
TWYFELFONTEIN
Before checking in the lodge for the night, we decided to visit the most famous sight of Damaraland -Twyfelfontein. It was very hot – put on sunscreen, and a hat and don’t forget to take some water.
Twyfelfontein means ‘’doubtful fountain’’ because the water source was unreliable and there wasn’t always water, or very little of it.
Twyfelfontein was inhabited for 6000 years and has one of the largest concentrations of petroglyphs in Africa. 2500 rock engravings were counted and preserved.
Entrance fee: 250 NAD for 1 hour guided tour
WHERE TO STAY
ONDULI RIDGE by Ultimate Safaris
Snuggled between granite boulders while opening magical deserty views, Onduli Ridge is this new otherworldly addition to the Damaraland landscapes which exactly like a chameleon matches and complements the environment. Cuddling up with my partner under the warm blanket, opening our senses to the wilderness and not blinking an eye while reading what is written in the stars - this endless carpet of beautiful twinkling lights that make us all dream and ready to reach for the sky. Milky Way, hello! What to expect - an outstanding service, finger-lickin’ good food, the most stunning design decisions and teleportation to an entirely new universe.
How to get there: After booking, you will get special instructions on how to get to Onduli Ridge. You will have to let your car at the lodge’s private shaded parking and will be picked up by a safari vehicle which will drive you to your ‘’home away from home’’.
Instagram: @ultimatesafaris
Book here: Ultimate Safaris – Onduli Ridge
DAY 5.
ONDULI RIDGE – SPITZKOPPE - approx. 230 km
SPITZKOPPE
Spitzkoppe is mind-boggling with its hallucinatory vistas and nature creations of art. The “Matterhorn of Namibia” spreads canvases painted with beautiful landscapes and extraordinary shapes like the Rock-Arch and the bald granite peaks popping out from the vastness of the Namib Desert. Landed on the plains of the Namib Desert, these inselbergs dating back to more than 120 million years are impressive with their shapes and structure. They are laying between Usakos and Swakopmund. Large Spitzkoppe rises about 1728 metres above sea level and is the highest mountain massif in the area, small Spitzkoppe is 1584 metres high. Due to its appearance, Spitzkoppe is often referred to as the “Matterhorn of Namibia” and it’s the perfect place for hikers and mountaineers. On these bald granite peaks, hundreds of rock paintings can be found. The most famous place for the discovery of this rock art is called Bushmen’s Paradise Cave situated south-east of the Pondok Mountains. Photo spot: Don’t miss visiting the natural Rock-Arch around sunset or sunrise - one of the most postcard-worthy places in the area.
WHERE TO STAY
SPITZKOPPE CAMPSITE
We stayed at the campsite of Spitzkoppe and slept in our rooftop tent provided by our car rental company. This was the most incredible wild experience - no phone signal, campfire dinner, several bush scratches and thorns, many insects, animal sounds, and the most incredible star gazing.
Few points to note:
• Book in advance and know that there is a park fee/permit to be paid on arrival.
• The campsites are far apart and at night you could feel alone in the entire park.
• There is no electricity and running water at the campsites – you can find flush toilets and showers at the Restaurant Area, where you could also be served ‘’quick and easy meals’’.
For rates, booking and more info click here: Spitzkoppe
DAY 6.
SPITZKOPPE – SWAKOPMUND - approx. 160 km
SWAKOPMUND
Swakopmund is a very well-organized coastal town influenced by its German colonial history. You can see it in its landmarks such as the Swakopmund Lighthouse and the Mole, the Swakopmund Museum, and the Railway Station. Why not also go and see its sandy beaches facing the Atlantic Ocean.
More sightseeing: Woermannhaus, Hohenzollernhaus, Altes Amtsgericht, National Marine Aquarium, Lutherian Church
We loved the atmosphere of Swakopmund, and the town served us as a great place to have a break on the way to Walvis Bay.
SWAKOPMUND – WALVIS BAY – approx. 35 km
WALVIS BAY
The cold Atlantic Ocean and the offshore currents make Walvis Bay cooler and windier than the rest of Namibia. Its tidal lagoon hosts and it’s a favourite place for flamingos, pelicans, Damara terns and other birds, and the Atlantic waters are home to dolphins, whales, seals etc.
Walvis Bay is a beautiful port town and the second-largest city in Namibia. Its natural deep waters harbour, protected by the Pelican Point sand spit is busy with fishing boats and ships. It is in fact the only natural harbour in the country.
Walvis Bay is the perfect place to start a day/ half-day tour to Sandwich Harbour, enjoy sand dune adventures, hike Dune 7, and explore the abundant birdlife. It is also known for the artificial Bird Island, the salt production and being a centre of the guano collection industry.
WHERE TO STAY
IRIS BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Our hotel was located on the coast facing the favourite gathering point of flamingos. We had the flamingos resting, eating, and interacting right next door.
Book here: Iris Boutique Hotel
WALVIS BAY – SANDWICH HARBOUR approx. 60 km
SANDWICH HARBOUR sunset tour
Discovering Sandwich Harbour with Sand Waves Adventure was a true adventure. There are many theories about where the name Sandwich Harbour originates, but those are just theories which aren’t 100% proven, so I won’t put the focus on this here. No matter, if the name comes from a sandfish/ sand shark or a ship sent on an expedition to explore the west coast of Africa, seeing this place when you are in Walvis Bay is a must. Go and see where the desert meets the ocean. Having this stunning seashore ride while the waves are crashing the coastline is such an unforgettable experience. Encountering wildlife on the beach and in the desert - birds, seals, jackals, oryx, and witnessing the jaw-dropping whale show in the ocean went beyond all our expectations. The thrill of climbing and going down enormous dunes where mesmerizing views of the entire landscape are opening was huge. Driving up and down, savouring every moment and finishing with a picnic on “top of the world” while watching the sunset. Laugh. Love. Travel. Repeat. ℹ️ Good to know: The only way to pass to Sandwich Harbour is at low tide with a 4x4 vehicle and a guide. We chose Sand Waves Adventures, and I could recommend them with both hands.
Instagram: @sandwavesadventure
Book here: SandWaves
DAY 7.
The best idea for starting the day is to go for a seals-kayaking adventure where curious baby seals will be swimming around you, jumping on your kayak in the ocean and will leave you with lifetime memories. Unfortunately, this was the biggest failure of our organization, because we didn’t book it in advance and kept it as a last-minute decision. Now we deeply regret not doing it, but when we decided to make it happen, it was booked out everywhere. After long research, we found that Pelican Point Kayaking is the best in organizing this tour. The tour starts in the early morning and finishes at lunchtime, so you can continue to your next destination right after.
WALVIS BAY – THE DESERT GRACE – approx. 280 km
On the way to our lodge for the night we saw quiver trees (aka Aloe dichotoma) and we had to stop because they are very popular and indigenous to Southern Africa. The branches of this tree were once used by the Bushmen/ San people as quivers to carry arrows. In medicine, the roots of the quiver tree can be used to treat asthma and tuberculosis.
We also passed through the Tropic of Capricorn and pulled up at the famous for having the best coffee and apple pie in Namibia Solitaire. Solitaire is a great coffee break and car ‘’pampering’’ stop at the edge of Namib-Naukluft National Park. There you will find a petrol station, café and bakery. You will also be welcomed by extremely friendly ground squirrels and a lovely collection of vintage car wrecks.
WHERE TO STAY
THE DESERT GRACE by Gondwana Collection
The Desert Grace is the perfect place to unwind and cool off from the burning Namibian sun. Their signature pink colour integrated into the details is representing the sunset shades, and the glowing letters ‘One night in Namibia’ are welcoming you at their bar promising an unforgettable night. I recommend you stay longer to completely embrace the serenity of the desert and the graceful atmosphere of these lodges. Don’t forget to jump in your private plunge pool, admire the intense sunsets and sunrises, go for a game drive or on a scorpion walking mission at night, enjoy a good meal, and of course never forget before to head to bed to look up at the sky and do some stargazing.
Instagram: @gondwanalodges
Book here: Gondwana Collection
DAY 8.
THE DESERT GRACE - NAMIB SKY – approx. 65 km
NAMIB SKY – HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI
Fly me to the Moon with a hot air balloon. Flying above the world’s oldest desert while greeting the first sunrays was one of the most mind-blowing moments of this trip. Enjoy the landscapes and the awe-inspiring display of nature when the sun rises above the horizon and brings the desert to life. Witness how the oryx sprint and sway the vastness of the desert.
Breathe in, breathe out and connect all your senses to this visually striking scenery.
Big hearts: Namib Sky Balloon Safaris gives its visitors not only an unforgettable experience but also stands for the environment and does big steps towards creating awareness for both visitors and the local community. They are looking for more sustainable ways of living (using solar energy, gardening, water conservation), work ethics and plans to help the community.
Namib Sky founded and constantly supports the first Early Childhood Development and Primary School in the area.
Meeting point is at their office, located 22 km south of Sesriem on the C27. There you will park your vehicle and will be brought by little vans to the point of departure.
Instagram: @namibsky
Book here: NamibSky
NAMIB SKY – SЕSRIEM CAMPSITE – approx. 21 km
The gates of the Namib-Naukluft National Park open at sunrise and close at sunset. Prepare to pay a fee upon arrival.
WHERE TO STAY
SESRIEM CAMPSITE
This campsite is located within the gates of Namib-Naukluft National Park, which is an advantage and helps to be among the first to hit the road and drive to the dunes of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei before sunrise.
Sossusvlei and Deadvlei are 60 km away from the camp, which makes Sesriem Campsite and Sossus Oasis Campsite the closest accommodations you could find.
Make an enquiry here: Sossusvlei
SESRIEM CAMPSITE - SESRIEM CANYON – approx. 4 km
SESRIEM CANYON
Located not far from the entrance of Namib-Naukluft National Park, this approximately 30 meters deep and around 3 km long gorge has been formed for millions of years by Tsauchab River. The river carved its way into creating this lovely small canyon. The etymology of the name: The early Afrikaans inhabiting these lands had to find a way to collect water from the river. To acquire that they had to drop down buckets with a rope which inspired the name of the canyon. They needed to tie up six (ses) leather straps (riem) to reach the required rope length to get to the waters. 🅿️ Free parking area is available on site.
SESRIEM CAMPSITE – DEADVLEI and BIG DADDY DUNE – approx. 60 km
🅿️ To reach the parking you should have a 4x4 vehicle and be prepared to drive on the sand. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it, there is an earlier parking lot (shuttle service) where for a fee you will be driven to the place from where you can start your walk/hike either to Deadvlei or to Big Daddy Dune. Dress warm, because mornings could be freezing - I had pants and a jacket, but I think I needed to add gloves and a scarf. Don’t forget to wear comfy shoes and put sunglasses on if you plan to climb the dunes. I had a sand grain souvenir in my eye for 2 days, despite wearing the sunnies.
DEADVLEI
900-years old sun-dried trees stamped into the milky white cracked clay pan and comfortably snuggled and hidden between the reddish-orange dunes. They grew on those lands thanks to the Tsauchab River which was flowing here. A climate change and the appearance of the iron-oxide-coated sand dunes stopped the inflow of water into the valley. These dead camel thorn trees didn’t rot due to the dry climate. ℹ️ Deadvlei means “dead marsh”. ⚠️ It is forbidden to touch the trees.
🅿️ Deadvlei is approximately a 1 km walk from the parking lot.
TIP: Most people go hiking Big Daddy Dune first and go down to Deadvlei afterwards – your best chance to have Deadvlei to yourself is to do it the other way around.
NAMIB DESERT DUNES
Time to travel back in time and walk on the lands of the oldest desert on Earth. The crisp curves of the sands sculpted by the wind into the iconic Sossuvlei dunes in the Namib Desert originated in the Kalahari. Their rusty-red colour is formed thanks to the oxidization of iron in the sand. The warm light of the rising and setting sun brings the most spectacular reddish-bathed dune colours.
BIG DADDY DUNE / aka THE CRAZY DUNE
With its 325 - 380 meters, Big Daddy Dune is the tallest dune in Sossusvlei and one of the tallest dunes in the world. This dune is located next to Deadvlei, but it requires better physical condition and more time to climb to the top. For some people, the hike takes about an hour, but for others, it could be 2 - 2,5 hours. The easiest way to reach the peak of the dune is barefoot.
Don’t forget to take plenty of water, put your sunglasses on and go on an expedition ‘’sunrise’’. The views from above are magical.
Another reason to start the hike before sunrise, except for the obvious admiration of the morning sunkissed landscapes, is to avoid climbing it when it gets too hot. However, before sunrise you will have the opposite issue – it’s quite cold.
BIG MAMA DUNE
Explore the dry cracked clay grounds of Sossusvlei and feel the burning Namibian sun while being surrounded by beautiful dunes and a little oasis.
Big Mama Dune is shaped on the eastern edge of the Sossusvlei Pan, to the north of Big Daddy Dune.
DUNE 45
Dune 45 is one of the most hiked dunes in Sossusvlei – easier to climb up and opening jaw-dropping sceneries. As the name says, Dune 45 is located 45 km from the Sesriem entrance of the park.
DAY 10. + DAY 11.
SESRIEM CAMPSITE – ZANNIER HOTELS SONOP – approx. 170 km
We decided to take the last few days to unwind and go slow while enjoying dreamy vistas in the sunbaked Namib Desert.
WHERE TO STAY
ZANNIER HOTELS SONOP
Built on granite boulders overlooking the unspoiled Namibian wilderness, Zannier Hotels Sonop is one of those places that just leaves you speechless. Their luxury tented suites are designed in 1920s British colonial style and are decorated with a love for detail. Enjoy the views of the infinite desert from the comfort of your room (why not while taking a bath), relax or watch an open-air cinema movie by the pool, or just stare at the magical tapestry of stars by night. Zannier Hotels Sonop was on top of our bucket list accommodations and we couldn’t have been happier that we’ve experienced this staggering place for real. Taking a shower while my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery - the vastness of the Namibian plains sheltering some beautiful boulder peaks, the unpolluted desert air, the sound of wildlife…
How to get there: You will get directions from Zannier Hotels Sonop. When you reach the final point of departure for your car you will be greeted, park it under the shade and will be driven by a safari vehicle to the lodge.
Instagram: @zannierhotels
Book here: Zannier Hotels
DAY 12.
ZANNIER HOTELS SONOP – HABITAS NAMIBIA – approx. 510 km
WHERE TO STAY
HABITAS NAMIBIA
Live inspired. Slow down and cherish every moment. Go barefoot. Leave footprints of love and kindness wherever you go. Our stay at Habitas Namibia started with a lovely gift - an iconic for the Habitas Family bracelet, followed by a little ritual, but a big reminder about what really matters in life. Time to release, unwind and let go. Once settled in our home in the wild, we dived deep into our senses. Listening to the sound of the Namibian bush, while admiring the beautiful sunset turned into a night of stargazing, and greeting another sunrise with another game drive. Safari o’clock! We love the rhythm of Africa. Habitas Namibia is having a mission to create deeper human connections, feed our souls with good vibes, good music, and good food, inspire our adventurous spirit and bring us closer to nature.
Thank you for reminding us to let the phones on the side for a moment and soak up the moment! We miss you!
How to get there: After booking instructions will follow. Once you get to the Marula Conservation Park, you will be picked up and brought to the lodges by a safari vehicle.
Instagram: @habitasnamibia
Book here: Our Habitas
DAY 13.
We had a sunrise game drive in Marula Conservation Park. During this safari expedition, we saw a group of breeding lions, elephants, oryx, giraffes and so on. A perfect way to finish our stay. Starting and finishing the trip with a safari. Well, one night to go before leaving and we are already missing Namibia.
HABITAS NAMIBIA – ZANNIER HOTELS OMAANDA – approx. 56 km
WHERE TO STAY
ZANNIER HOTELS OMAANDA
Staying at one of the 10 boutique clay huts overlooking the African savannah and the distant hills of the Khomas Hochland Plateau is such a unique experience. From the comfort of your terrace, while lounging at the sunset infinity pool, having a meal at the restaurant, or enjoying fireside cocktails you could encounter wildlife going for a refreshment in the waterhole located right in front of the property.
Instagram: @zannierhotels
Book here: Zannnier Hotels
DAY 14.
ZANNIER HOTELS OMAANDA – WINDHOEK AIRPORT (WDH) – approx. 30 km
Time to say goodbye to this beautiful country.
I felt in my element throughout the entire journey - Earth tones, natural materials, wildlife, African plains and savannah views – I completely embraced nature’s soothing appeal.
Sleeping under twinkling dusts of shimmering galactic blasts… gazing at the night sky and getting blown away by its beauty. Don’t forget to breathe when in Namibia, because without a doubt it will take your breath away.