Compare Wonders of Namibia by G Adventures vs Southern Namibia self-drive explorer by Audley Travel
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days | 13 days |
| Price From | $ 3,787 | $ 3,340 |
| Price Per Day | $ 379 | $ 257 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities | N/A |
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| Meals Included | 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners | N/A |
| Description |
From flaming red sand dunes to arid woodlands that harbour some of the world's most majestic elephant herds, Namibia bursts with unique natural wonders. Set out on wildlife drives in the renowned Etosha National Park in search of lions, rhinos, giraffes, and the elusive leopard. Visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund to learn about efforts to protect these vulnerable cats, and delve into one of the continent’s most dramatic landscapes—the timeless Namib desert. |
Namibia is completely different to any other African safari destination. Much of its wildlife has adapted to its dry desert landscape, including elephant and lion. It has the world’s highest dunes, where barking geckos, cartwheeling spiders and quick-tongued chameleons scuttle across sun-baked sand. And, it has a long coastline where you can kayak with seals and see the skeletal remains of ships sent awry by thick coastal fog. Our Africa specialists have explored the country in-depth, from Sossusvlei to the Skeleton Coast, and can help you plan a holiday to Namibia tailored to your interests. |
Day 1 Windhoek
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
Day 2 Windhoek/Sesriem
Set off from the Namibian capital towards Sesriem, the gateway to jaw-dropping Namib-Naukluft National Park. Drive past red-hued desertscapes, stark camel thorn trees, and dramatic curved dunes while keeping an eye out for the astonishing creatures that call these arid lands home—the oryx, springbok, jackal, hyena, and more. Settle in to our lodge and relax poolside, watching a fiery crimson sunset over the desert.
Enjoy postcard perfect desert scenery around Sesriem and Sossusvlei - vast desertscapes of reds and orange, stark camel thorn trees and towering dunes with dramatic curved ridges. Also keep an eye out for the surprising amount of wildlife that call this area home such as oryx, springbok, jackal, ground squirrel and hyena.
Day 3 Sesriem
Embark on a thrilling excursion into one of Africa’s largest national parks. Explore the Namib desert, the oldest desert in the world; and venture to the massive dunes at Sossusvlei and the white clay pan of Deadvlei. Capture dramatic images of dead camel thorn trees against a backdrop of orange dunes and a crisp blue sky. Then visit the Sesriem Canyon, a natural gorge carved out by the Tsauchab River over millions of years.
Day 4 Sesriem/Swakopmund
Continue by road through changing desert landscapes towards the coastal city of Swakopmund. Look out for roaming zebra, kudu, springbok, and oryx on the way, and take a break in the quirky town of Solitaire before heading into the countryside. Here, we meet a local for a 4x4 drive through the desert, learning about the survival strategies of bushmen who lived in this inhospitable area thousands of years ago. We also search for the smaller wildlife that has managed to survive here, such as snakes, geckos, spiders, and an array of insects.
Day 5 Swakopmund
Enjoy a free morning in Swakopmund, getting a taste of the town’s unique Afro-German culture; or opt for sandboarding in the Namib desert. This afternoon, take a tour of Mondesa township with a local guide, learning about its people and history. Visit the local market for an introduction to traditional foods such as wild spinach, mopane worms, and dried sardines or kapenta. Stop by an arts and crafts shop; chat with the locals; and round off the day with dinner and a performance at a cozy family-run establishment.
Explore the town's unique mix of German and African culture and opt to visit curio shops, the museum and restaurants. Optional activities include sandboarding.
Day 6 Swakopmund/Damaraland
Make your way to Twyfelfontein—Namibia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site—to see some of Africa’s largest concentrations of petroglyphs. Marvel at these remarkable engravings, carved by prehistoric hunter-gatherers and depicting rhinos, elephants, and ostriches, as well as human and animal footprints. Then continue to our lodge on the heart of the Damaraland area. Enjoy some free time to swim in the pool or admire a colourful sunset from the deck.
Day 7 Damaraland/Etosha National Park Area
Enjoy a relaxed morning at our lodge and explore the rich sandstone treasure of Damaraland. In the afternoon, travel towards Etosha National Park, arguably Namibia’s most spectacular wildlife sanctuary. Settle into our lodge, located outside of the park.
Day 8 Etosha National Park Area
Spend a full day on safari in Etosha National Park, where open grasslands converge on a massive salt pan. Etosha harbours some of the largest populations of lions, elephants, and other endangered species, so keep your camera on the ready as you explore in your open vehicle. Enjoy lunch at one of the park’s rest areas, where you can also take a swim; and sit back and watch all manner of creatures—including hundreds of species of birds—flock to the nearby watering hole.
After the vast desert, Etosha National Park, offers a contrast of wide open grasslands, a massive salt pan that covers 4731km² and tall camel thorn trees intermixed with Mopani trees. With a combination of natural waterholes, and diverse vegetation, wildlife flock to the park. Some of the largest elephants in Africa can be found in areas of thicker vegetation, as well as leopards. Lions, giraffe, ostrich and many antelope species can be found in the grasslands, while birders will love the salt pans which attract flamingos in the rainy season. More than 340 bird species have been counted in Etosha National Park including the European bee-eater, the kori bustard and numerous migratory birds.
Day 9 Etosha National Park Area/Windhoek
After breakfast, visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund, a global research and education center founded by National Geographic Grantee Dr Laurie Marker. Tour the facility to learn about the important conservation and community outreach work they do to protect the world’s fastest land animal, and enjoy a talk by one of the researchers. Then head out on a drive through the grounds to meet some of the center’s rescued and rehabilitated cheetahs. Continue to Windhoek for our final evening.
Day 10 Windhoek
Depart at any time.
Day 1 : International outbound flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Windhoek.
Day 2 : Windhoek
On arrival into Windhoek you will be greeted by a driver who will transfer you to your guest house in Windhoek. Your car will be dropped off direct to your guest house where a representative will also meet you with a welcome pack, cool box, phone and driving directions as well as answer any questions. The rest of the afternoon is then yours at leisure to relax.
Day 3 : Southern Kalahari
Leaving Windhoek today, start your journey south, driving towards the Southern Kalahari where you will spend the night.
Day 4 : Fish River Canyon
Today, after breakfast, drive to Fish River Canyon.Arriving at the lodge some time this afternoon you will have the chance to enjoy a sundowner drive or perhaps some walking in the area.
Day 5 : Fish River Canyon
Today you will have a full day to explore the dramatic Fish River Canyon. You may like to arrange some hiking down into the canyon with a guide.
Day 6 : Aus
From Fish River Canyon you will drive to the small town of Aus. Close by to your lodge are the wild horses the area is famous for.
Day 7 : Aus
Today you can explore Luderitz and enjoy a tour around the old mining town of Kolmanskopp. This is a great area for photography - the houses are the last remaining memory of 'Millionaires Avenue' which are now derelict and filled with sand.
Day 8 : Sossusvlei
You will head north towards the Namib Desert today. On your way to the lodge you will pass through the spectacular NamibRand nature reserve where the dunes change from light yellow to rich red.
Day 9 : Sossusvlei
Today you can visit the giant dunes at Sossusvlei and explore the area on foot. Excursions can be arranged through the lodge or you can drive yourselves to the dunes and then take a shuttle for the remaining distance on the sand.
Day 10 : Naukluft Mountains
Drive from Sossusvlei north to the Naukluft Mountains. Here you will be able to relax and enjoy some of the self-guided hiking trails in the mountains.
Day 11 : Naukluft Mountains
A day to relax and explore the Naukluft Mountains.
Day 12 : International return flight
You will drive from the Naukluft Mountains back to Windhoek today to meet your onward flights.
Day 13 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
