Namibia's Etosha Pan & Skeleton Coast

Tour Code: NAM02

A 17-day wildlife safari in search of the birds and mammals of Namibia's desert habitats, including the Etosha Pan, Namib Desert, Okonjima Africat Foundation, Damaraland and the Skeleton Coast.

17 days from
£7,995 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£7,195
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

We begin this tour surrounded by the huge sand dunes of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, where we will look for Gemsbok, Springbok and the endearing little Shovel-nosed Lizard, as well as such birds as Crimson-breasted Gonolek and the endemic Rüppell's Korhaan. Next we drive to Walvis Bay at the southern end of the Skeleton Coast, home to large flocks of wintering waders, flamingoes and numerous Cape Fur Seals. Turning inland we will stop amongst the spectacular table-top mountains of Damaraland before entering Etosha National Park, whose permanent waterholes are a magnet for numerous mammals including Elephant, Black Rhino, Lion and Southern Giraffe, as well as an abundance of birds. On our way back to Windhoek we will break our drive with two nights at Okonjima Nature Reserve, home of the AfriCat Foundation.

  • Explore the spectacular desert landscapes of the Namib-Naukluft National Park & Sossusvlei
  • Abundant game in the Etosha National Park
  • Look for the 'desert-adapted' Elephants of Damaraland
  • Endemic birds such as Rockrunner, White-tailed Shrike & Rüppell's Korhaan
  • See the extraordinary Welwitschia mirabilis – one of the longest-lived plants
  • Enjoy Cape Cross’s seal colony & the ancient rock art in the Twyfelfontein Valley
  • Optional pelagic boat trip in search of Heaviside’s Dolphin & African Penguin

Grading

Grade A. A mix of gentle bird and game viewing walks and drives.

Situated along Africa’s most inhospitable coastline, Namibia is a wild and spectacular country of desert landscapes and deep blue skies. The name Namib is a Hottentot word meaning ‘great plains’, epitomised by the magnificent Etosha Pan, whose amazing wildlife spectacles we have all seen so many times on television. To the east of Etosha lies the great Kalahari Desert, whilst to the west is the beautiful Namib Desert which stretches along the full length of the country’s coastline. Namibia is truly vast: three times the size of its colonist, Germany, yet with a population of just two and a half million! Not surprisingly its wildlife has suffered less at the hands of man than in most other African countries, and such endangered species as the Black Rhinoceros still retain a viable toehold.

Namibia’s scenery is varied and full of contrasts. It is a land of towering brickred sand dunes — the tallest on earth — of deep canyons, shimmering plains, high mountains and plateaux, and endless bushland. Along the appropriately named Skeleton Coast — the grave of so many ships — the cold Benguela Current sweeps northward, transporting plankton-rich Antarctic waters into warm subtropical regions. It is this current that has created the Namib Desert, since the Benguela’s low temperature prevents evaporation and assures an incredibly low rainfall in the region. Yet, if the Benguela limits the land-based flora and fauna, its nutrient-packed waters are a haven for fish, seals and seabirds.

Although Namibia was colonised by Germany from 1894, and presents a German flavour and architecture in its towns even today, modern Namibia still boasts the rich indigenous cultures of its tribes — the Bushmen, Himbas, Hereros, Ovambos and Damara. Thus it makes a most interesting country through which to travel, and in which to enjoy unique habitats and a fabulous range of mammal and bird species, many of which are endemic.

Our holiday begins in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, from where we will drive to the Namib Naukluft National Park for a stay of three nights. Here the Naukluft Mountains and the world’s highest sand dunes conspire to offer some of the finest scenery in Africa. Amongst them we will find some wonderful walking, such drought-tolerant mammals as Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, Gemsbok and Springbok, and an excellent range of desert birds, including Black Eagle, Ludwig’s Bustard, Rosy-faced Lovebird, Bokmakierie and Dune Lark.

The long drive to Walvis Bay, at the southern end of the Skeleton Coast, is unique in its utter desolation. We will cross the dry Kuiseb Canyon, the remarkable Moonland, and arid plains where great flocks of Ostrich and herds of Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra roam. We will spend three nights in Walvis Bay in order to fully explore the surrounding mudflats, marshes and deserts. The bay holds one of the highest concentrations of waders in southern Africa, and is also home to thousands of Greater and Lesser Flamingoes, White Pelicans, grebes, ducks, gulls, terns and, quite often, vagrant American species into the bargain! If the weather permits, we will also set out to sea for a morning to look for the exciting pelagic species that feed offshore. We will also venture inland in search of the peculiar Welwitschia mirabilis, a remarkable desert plant that lives for as long as 2,000 years!

En route to the spectacular wilderness of Damaraland, we will stop on the Skeleton Coast to look at the Cape Cross fur seal colony and in the beautiful valley of Twyfelfontein to enjoy its wealth of rock art. Damaraland is an unpeopled wilderness of rolling, bush-covered hills and plateaux. Here we will stay in a comfortable tented camp and explore this unique environment, hoping for a chance encounter with the region’s Black Rhino, Lion or ‘desert’ Elephant, and some outstanding birding. At night we will have an opportunity to go spotlighting in search of some of the region’s nocturnal mammals such as Aardwolf, Bat-eared Fox and Honey Badger.

Covering 22,000 square kilometres, Etosha is one of the finest parks in Africa, and one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth. At its heart is the Etosha saltpan, an enormous shallow depression — over 100 kilometres across — with numerous perennial springs around its edges, which attract large concentrations of birds and mammals. This is one of the last places in the world where Elephant and Black Rhino may both be seen, plus predators such as Lion, Cheetah and Leopard, and antelopes ranging in size from the giant Eland to the diminutive Damara Dik-dik. We will now spend three full days enjoying the best of the park’s wildlife.

We will break our drive back to Windhoek with two nights at Okonjima Nature Reserve, home of the AfriCat Foundation, a conservation body dedicated to the protection of Namibia's carnivores. Our game drives in the reserve will be the perfect end to an unforgettable Namibian experience.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Depart London
Day 2
Arrive Windhoek & transfer to lodge
Day 3/4
Sossusvlei, Namib Desert
Day 5/7
Swakopmund
Day 8/9
Damaraland
Day 10
Central Etosha National Park
Day 11/13
Eastern Etosha National Park
Day 14/15
Okonjima
Day 16
Depart Windhoek
Day 17
Arrive London
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    We stay in comfortable accommodation with private facilities.

  • Food:

    All meals are included in the price.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Wed 22nd Oct – Fri 7th Nov SPACES £7,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£7,195
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Wed 5th Nov – Fri 21st Nov SPACES £7,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£7,195
Room sharing options:
If a customer on this departure has already expressed an interest in sharing a room it will be flagged here. We will identify if there are sharing options for male, female or both.
Male sharing available, Female sharing available
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Wed 21st Oct – Fri 6th Nov SPACES £7,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£7,195
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Wed 4th Nov – Fri 20th Nov SPACES £7,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£7,195
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Wed 18th Nov – Fri 4th Dec SPACES £7,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£7,195
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995 
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Mammal Watching Holidays


Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.


Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours


Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.


Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:



Bargain mammal selection


We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.




Our specialist recommends...







"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager




  


All Mammal Watching Tours

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Safari Holidays – Experience Earth’s Greatest Continent for Wildlife


Why choose Africa for wildlife safaris?


When people think of visiting Africa, safari holidays are regularly at the top of the list. Riding in an open-top jeep along dusty tracks and looking out across sun-baked savannahs teeming with big game is arguably one of life’s best experiences.


For the nature enthusiast, Naturetrek’s African safari holidays offer unparalleled opportunities. Africa is the world’s greatest continent for wildlife, being home to many of the planet’s most iconic mammals and birds.


Many of these animals are relatively easy to observe and exist in scarcely believable abundance, guaranteeing that our African safari tours are always full of amazing sightings.


From the Okavango Delta in Botswana and Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park to Namibia’s Etosha National Park and the superb Kruger National Park in South Africa, our African wildlife safaris will take you to all the continent’s most unmissable destinations.


Classic African safari holidays


We offer classic safari-style packages to Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Namibia.


On these African safari tours you will stay in or very near the prime game-rich areas such as national parks and reserves, heading out daily for wildlife watching in vehicles. There will usually be additional chances to join night drives and look for nocturnal species.


On the majority of our African wildlife safaris, even those in our bargain range, we are able to use superb accommodation, including in remote locations. Tented, fully serviced camps with private facilities are the norm.


Expert naturalist guides


All of our African safari tours are led by expert naturalist guides. Most of our tours are led by superb local guides (the quality of guiding in many parts of Africa is second to none), while some of our longer tours are joined by a UK leader.


What wildlife might I see?


Africa is the best place in the world for seeing large concentrations of big game such as African Bush Elephant, Lion, Cape Buffalo, Giraffe and Blue Wildebeest. On Naturetrek’s African safari tours we visit some of the world’s most famous national parks and reserves, such as the Serengeti, Kruger and Okavango Delta, as well as some less well known regions, in search of a full range of the continent’s most spectacular mammals, from Hippos, Wild Dogs and White Rhinos to Leopards, bushbabies and African Wildcats.


The birdlife is equally staggering, with an enormous variety of charismatic species found across the continent, from bee-eaters and hornbills to finches, weavers and a stunning diversity of birds of prey. Naturetrek’s African wildlife safaris offer a chance to search for a superb variety of species and avian spectacles, such as flamingo-lined lakes in the Rift Valley, bizarre Shoebills in Uganda’s swamps, and giant Ostriches strutting across endless savannahs.


See our list of the best African Safari Holidays


 




Our specialist recommends...







"We offer a superb choice of expert-led African safari holidays ranging from 9-day bargain tours in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park to a 17-day birdwatching and mammal-viewing safari through Namibia, Botswana and Zambia. For those who have previously enjoyed a traditional safari, I would recommend our ‘South Africa’s Rare Mammals’ tour, which targets some of the continent’s most rarely seen creatures, such as Aardwolf, Black-footed Cat, Cape Porcupine, African Wildcat, Brown Hyaena and the iconic Aardvark





Paul Stanbury – Operations Manager


 







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For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!