Classic Namibia

Day 1: Arrival in Windhoek.

Today you will arrive at Windhoek International Airport. You will be welcomed by a representative who will transfer you to your accommodation for a quick refresher. We’ll spend the rest of the day exploring Namibia’s capital city with a guided tour of the city.

Day 2: Windhoek – Sossusvlei

After breakfast, you’ll leave Windhoek and drive to Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert in the southwest of the country, which will take approximately 5 hours. You’ll stay in Sossusvlei for the next two nights and you’ll have time to explore the iconic sand dunes, as well as other incredible geographical formations of the region, such as the Deadvlei and the Sesriem canyon.

Day 3: Sossusvlei

Early morning after breakfast, you will head out to climb the iconic Dune 45, also known as big daddy for a breathtaking sunrise, or if you prefer you can soar above this breathtaking landscape in a hot air balloon (not included). After you have climbed Dune 45, you will head to Deadvlei, where you get to spend some time. You will head back for lunch to the lodge and can head out in the afternoon for some afternoon activities or spend time at the pool. Other activities you can enjoy today include a nature drive to spot the desert-adapted wildlife, a dune walk or an eco-sensitive guided quad bike excursion, sandboarding, and horse riding. In the evening you can enjoy a gin and tonic on a sundowner tour, or after dark, you can join a stargazing excursion with your knowledgeable guide.

Day 4: Sossusvlei – Swakopmund

After breakfast, you’ll leave the Namib Desert and you’ll drive north through beautiful canyons and striking scenery as you head towards the lovely town of Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast. You can make a stop at the picturesque town of Walvis Bay where you might spot some seals.

Swakopmund itself is a former colonial town famous for its German architecture and culture - many residents speak German and there's even an Oktoberfest beer festival. It is an ideal place to spend a couple of days between visiting the dunes of Sossusvlei and exploring the attractions of northern Namibia.

Day 5: Swakopmund

After breakfast, you will have a full day to explore Swakopmund and the surrounding area. You can decide to go for a living desert tour, or go and spot the seals, dolphins, and pelicans during a boat or kayaking trip. You cal also join a bird-watching excursion, or you may wish to visit the Swakopmund Lighthouse, the Swakopmund Museum, and Sandwich Harbour. These activities can be added to your tailor-made tour for an extra cost. Just outside Swakopmund, several sand dunes have been set aside for adventure activities, including sandboarding, quad biking, camel riding, and off-road driving. It will be a day full of fun activities. You will head back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Swakopmund - Damaraland

After breakfast, you will head out up North along the Skeleton Coast to Damaraland, this drive will take you approximately 5 hours. En route, we recommend that you stop at Henties Bay to see the Cape Cross seal colony and you'll visit the shipwreck of MS Winston at Durissa Bay. On arrival, you’ll settle into your accommodation and you can spend the afternoon relaxing at your lodge, or if you wish you can take a walk in the surrounding area, stopping at viewpoints to marvel at the beautiful Damaraland landscape. There are also options for you to take an elephant nature drive in search of Namibia's desert-dwelling elephant, or you may wish to join the Twyfelfontein, Burnt Mountain, and Organ Pipes excursion to see the rock engravings at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein.

 Day 7: Damara – Etosha National Park

After breakfast, you'll drive east towards Etosha National Park which will take approximately 4 hours. Etosha offers fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly around the waterholes. You can expect to see Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, Leopard, Zebra, Springbok, and Gemsbok and it’s also one of the best places in Southern Africa to see the endangered Cheetah, Black Rhino, and rare antelope species such as black-faced Impala, Damara dik-dik, and Roan antelope. We offer a choice of superb lodges, both in the park and on its borders.

Day 8: Etosha National Park

On safari in Etosha Today you’ll have a full day to explore Etosha National Park. This means we can take our time visiting the many different waterholes such as Halali, Okondeka, and Okaukuejo, where large concentrations of wildlife congregate with your knowledgeable guide. Almost a quarter of Etosha consists of salt pans, including the Etosha Pan which is undoubtedly the park’s most distinctive and dramatic feature. The Etosha Pan is the only known mass breeding ground for flamingos in Namibia and at times there can be up to a million flamingos here.

Day 9: Etosha National Park – Okonjima Nature Reserve

This morning you’ll leave Etosha and head south to the Okonjima Nature Reserve which is home of the famous Africat Foundation - an education and research facility dedicated to the rehabilitation of Namibia's big cats, particularly Cheetah and Leopard. During your time here you’ll have an opportunity to observe and learn about Africat’s conservation work. Depending on your interests you can also go mountain biking or hike up the mountains to watch the sunrise, join a bird-watching excursion to spot some of the 250+ species of birdlife in the area, enjoy a nocturnal game drive, or you can experience a day in the life of a San Bushman on a bushman trail.

Day 10: Okonjima Nature Reserve – Windhoek

Today's your last morning on your Classic Namibia tour. Following your breakfast at your hotel, you’ll drive back to Windhoek which should take approximately 3 hours. On arrival, you’ll have time to get some lunch, before heading to the airport to catch your international flight home.