Namibia Classic Camping Safari

12 Day Group Safari

Safari Description:

A 12 day camping safari encompassing all the major sites of Namibia – Journeying north for game viewing in a private reserve 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:

Okonjati Nature Reserve; Etosha National Park & Game Drives; Himba tribe; Skeleton Coast & Cape Cross; Spitzkoppe 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:

Namibia: Etosha Park, Sossusvlei, Fish River, Damaraland, Swakopmund, Namib Desert

Map & Short Itinerary:

Camping

Day 1   Mount Etjo Campsite and private reserve
Day 2&3 Okaukuejo Campsite Etosha National Park
Day 4  Palmwag Campsite Northern Damaraland
Day 5  Spitzkoppe Campsite via 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

Map & Itinerary
Length 12 days
Safari Type Group Safari
Price From NAD 57000
Countries Namibia
Accommodation Camping
Group Size Minimum 1 people
Single Supplement Yes
Please Note Subject to availability of accommodation
Departures Saturday

Comfort Level:

How we rate comfort
Camping Comfort1 Star2 Star
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Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1  Mt Etjo 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. Enjoy our first game drive on the private reserve in the afternoon and look out for elephant and rhino.  After dinner, take part in a Big Cat Feeding tour and the chance to spot our first lions.

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 livestock,  continuing onto camp arriving in the afternoon

Day 5 Cape Cross & Skeleton Coast to Spitzkoppe

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 before visiting Cape Cross where over 100,000 Cape fur seals congregate during breeding season.  We turn inland to overnight at the magnificent Spitzkoppe and weathered rock formations along and ancient Bushman paintings

Day 6 Swakopmund

After a leisurely start and hot breakfast, return to the coast stopping at Zeila shipwreck and lichen fields found 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

How we rate our safaris

Namibia, Botswana and some other African destinations do not have a set star system that is familiar worldwide to many countries, however, as this is widely used, we have tried to replicate this format to give you an idea of the level of comfort during your safari. For example, a mobile camping tour in Namibia is given 1* and luxury accommodation increasing to 5*. Depending on your tour, there may be a bit of a mix of levels of comfort so please check if you are not sure.

1* or 1–2* Rated Safaris – Camping tours:

These are generally scheduled/small group or self–drive safaris (though a private–guided safari can also fall into this category if you wish to camp); the scheduled trips generally involve client participation where you may be expected to put up/take down your tent and assist with camp chores, dome tents and a ground mattress is supplied. For self–drive options this will often mean roof tents on the vehicle and all camping equipment. There may be the occasional night in simple accommodation but majority of nights are spent camping and most camp sites will have shared ablution facilities. If there is a good mix of both camping and accommodation, this may be rated at 1&2*. These are the most basic level of safaris offered and scheduled safari group sizes vary according to the trip and company – 1* tours are the most affordable option and geared for adventurous travellers who do not mind a bit of discomfort.

Accommodated Safaris

Standard/Mid–range safaris 2–3.5*

Standard accommodation style trips generally have no camping included (though on occasion with a specific activity such as a Delta or Serengeti excursion, or perhaps hiking, a couple of nights may be included). As a general rule this is not the case. With most small group/scheduled tours accommodation is generally 2/3* level – clean and affordable but generally without too many frills; rooms will have en–suite facilities, most will offer air con/fans in the rooms, swimming pools etc (not guaranteed), restaurant/bar facilities, though location can be a little further away from main place of interest this option offers excellent value for money for those seeking a bed each night! We try to indicate on each trip the level of comfort for the particular tour

Superior/Luxury Safaris 3.5–5*

A superior style of accommodation. Most lodges at this level will have air–conditioning or fans in the room though some accommodation establishments are technically “camps” as they may be partially build of canvas – these “camps” are permanent fixtures, generally built on a platform, and will have full and comfortable facilities – the occasional trip may have a more basic night or two involved depending on location to ensure clients can fully appreciate the region they are experiencing. Service is generally very good and most places (outside of towns/cities) will have just a few rooms/chalets. Tours in this bracket include very small group safaris (up to 8 clients), self–drive and private–guided options which are tailored to suit you. The luxury options offer a high standard of accommodation, facilities and service in the region with attention to detail – some “camps” /lodges will have private guides and vehicles, but all accommodation is the best available with personalized service and a quality or unique experience perhaps unavailable elsewhere or in a more moderate price bracket. Tours include fly–in safaris, self–drive and private–guided options.

Please note: this is a guideline only and each destination can vary – some areas in Southern Africa do not always have 5* accommodation (there are limited hotels outside of cities that have the same * grading accommodation) but will be best in the area, have limited volume of rooms and some of the best locations and experiences for clients that is outside of the normal “tourist/travel” route. This can include exclusive conservation regions and emphasis is place on clients having a unique experience rather than offering hairdresser type of facilities that may be found is hotels in cities in other countries. Please also remember that some of these locations can be remote so wifi may not always be available, nor a huge menu range.

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Contact Information

Tel: +264 61 309387
Email: info@chameleon-holidays.com

Opening Hours

Monday to Friday
08.00 – 17.00
Saturday
08.00 – 13.00
Sunday & Public Holidays
Closed

Address

7 Voigt St,  Windhoek