Namibia Classic Camping Safari
Safari Description:
A 12 day camping safari encompassing all the major sites of Namibia – Journeying north take in a fantastic conservation programme before continuing to the magnificent Etosha Pan and game–viewing plains of Etosha, the delightful and dramatic landscapes and tribes in Damaraland, onto the iconic Skeleton Coast and Swakopmund for adventure activities. Continuing south to wide-open landscapes with linear dunes and desert–adapted game; the second largest canyon in the world to ghost towns and African penguins at the outlandish coastline! This popular round trip has it all.
Safari Highlights:
AfriCat Foundation; Etosha National Park & Game Drives; Himba tribe; Skeleton Coast & Cape Cross; Swakopmund for adventure activities Namib Naukluft Desert with linear dunes and desert–adapted game; the second largest canyon in the world to ghost towns and African penguins at the harsh coastline!
Main Attractions:
Map & Short Itinerary:
Day 1 Okonjima Campsite for AfriCat Foundation
Day 2&3 Okaukuejo Campsite Etosha National Park
Day 4 Palmwag Campsite Northern Damaraland
Day 5 Cape Cross Campsite Skeleton Coast
Day 6 A La Mer Swakopmund
Day 7&8 Sesriem Oshana Campsite for Sossusvlei
Day 9&10 Klein Aus Vista Campsite & Luderitz/Kolmanskope
Day 11 Quiver Tree Forest Campsite via Fish River Canyon
Day 12 Windhoek – return to capital city/end
Length | 12 days |
Safari Type | Group Safari |
Price From | NAD 39600 |
Countries | Namibia |
Accommodation | Camping |
Group Size | Minimum 1 people |
Single Supplement | Yes |
Please Note | Subject to availability of accommodation |
Departures | Saturday |
Comfort Level:
Camping Comfort |
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1 Okonjima Campsite
We leave the capital city in our wake heading north, stopping at Okahandja to try our hand at bartering for wooden curios, and arrive at our destination in the afternoon. We’l find out about the AfriCat Foundation programme and learn about conservation of predators in Namibia and enjoy a game drive on this magnificent reserve
Day 2&3 Etosha National Park
Two nights are spent in the magnificent Etosha National Park and this unique game park offers some of the best game viewing in all Africa. We will head out for game drives and spend our evenings at the abundant waterholes hoping to see some of the 114 species of animals that thrive here from giants such as elephant, rhino and giraffe, to predators including lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena and plentiful plains game. There is never a bad time of year to visit this superb park – every season has something special to offer
Day 4 Northern Damaraland
A final game drive and the chance to tick off more species before we exit the park and make our way to Kamanjab. There’s a chance to meet with some of the local Himba, one of Namibia’s famous tribes, we will be able to find a little as how they survive in today’s modern world finding out about marriage customs, traditional food and more, these proud women cover themselves in ochre and butterfat and their hair styles indicate their status, the women tend to the children and village, whilst the men look after the livestoclk, continuing onto camp arriving in the afternoon
Day 5 Cape Cross & Skeleton Coast
We make our way out to the iconic Skeleton Coast, where we will see remains of old diamond mines, rusting equipment and the odd battered shipwreck – the Atlantic Ocean takes no prisoners as the powerful waves batter the remnants of wrecks. We overnight close to the beach and can wander along witnessing the changing weather conditions
Day 6 Swakopmund
After a leisurely start and hot breakfast, visit Cape Cross where over 100,000 Cape Fur seals congregate during breeding season, we then continue our south along the Skeleton Coast road to Namibia’s largest coastal town, Swakopmund, where there is time for optional activities – from adrenaline-filled quad biking or sky diving to a more relaxing scenic flight over the coastline and dunes
Day 7 Sesriem, Namib Naukluft National Park
After the chance for a shorter optional activity, we leave the coast and cross gravel plains towards the Namib Naukluft, travelling on small gravel roads and crossing the Kuiseb and Gaub Passes along with Tropic of Capricorn arriving at our base in the afternoon. Later, take a short walk to a vantage point to watch colours glow and change on distant mountains to the east as the sunsets.
Day 8 Sesriem,Namib Naukluft National Park
A pre–dawn start as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert dunes at Sossusvlei. Landscape photo opportunities abound as perfect sculpted shadows are cast. We explore Dead Vlei, Sossusvlei and surrounds, along with a visit to famous Dune 45 before returning to base. A short visit to nearby Sesriem Canyon is included. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s easy to see why – it’s also one of Namibia’s most unique and popular regions
Day 9&10 Klein Aus Vista & Luderitz
Journey south to Klein Aus, a truly wonderful and seemingly remote location, perched on the edge of the Sperrgebiet (Forbidden Zone) and our base for 2nights. Take a short, self-guided walk in the afternoon to view the endless vistas. On day 9, we drive out towards Luderitz with a guided excursion to Kolmanskop, now a ghost town where the sand has taken over the buildings, yet an eerie air remains. Kolmanskop was famous for its diamond rush in the 1920’s where gem–quality stones were picked from the ground and traded, it was home to the first x–ray machine in southern Africa, and a Miss Kolmanskop competition! All that remains today is a reminder of the past but the chance for great photos. We continue to Luderitz to visit the town, as well as the coastline watching out for African penguins (one of the most northerly colonies), and Diaz Point where a cross marks the history of the first European explorers
Day 11 Quiver Tree Forest via Fish River Canyon
This morning takes us to the rocky landscapes of Fish River Canyon, reputed to the be second largest in the world, around 160km long and reaching depths of up to 550m. Take in the spectacular vistas and walk along the rim. From here we drive to Quiver Tree Forest, perfect for late afternoon and evening photography, these rather strange looking plants that seem relatively common in these parts are in fact, one of the rarest flora species
Day 12 Windhoek
We explore the Quiver Tree Forest a little further then gradually return to our start point – Windhoek arriving in late afternoon. We recomend staying in the city tonight