Tailormade Holidays in Namibia

Tour Code: TNAM

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Sample Itineraries

Create your own Tailormade holiday to Namibia with dates and an itinerary to suit you. Click one to scroll down and view more info.

Namibia & Botswana - From Desert to Delta

19 Days

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Namib Wildlife Explorer (Self-drive)

16 Days

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When to Go

Good Time to Go

ALL YEAR ROUND

Best Time to Go

June to November

Speak to a Namibia expert

Dan Lay

Operations Manager

Email Call 1-844-433-9473

Where to Go

Etosha National Park & Ongava Game Reserve
Sossusvlei & Namib-Naukluft National Park
The Naukluft Mountains
Walvis Bay & Swakopmund
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Summary

Namibia is a vast country – three times the size of its one-time colonist, Germany, yet with a population of only 2.3 million people. It is a land of spectacular desert landscapes, brick-red sand dunes, deep blue skies and a dramatic wave-pounded coastline. Exploring this starkly beautiful country, and looking for its hardy wildlife, is a uniquely exciting experience, and one that is aided by an excellent network of roads and some of the best lodges in Africa. Much of Namibia’s wildlife is thinly spread, although the permanent waterholes along the southern edge of the great Etosha Pan act like magnets, drawing in all manner of mammals and birds including Elephant, Gemsbok, Springbok, Southern Giraffe and the rare Black Rhino. The Etosha National Park is, undoubtedly, one of the jewels of southern Africa and a highlight on any Namibian wildlife journey. In the south of the country lies some of Namibia’s most breathtaking scenery, such as the world’s highest dunes at Sossusvlei, the seemingly endless horizons of the NamibRand Nature Reserve and the rugged Naukluft Mountains. Further north on Namibia’s Atlantic coast are Walvis Bay and Swakopmund where huge colonies of Cape Fur Seals and a profusion of waders, pelicans, flamingoes and other waterbirds can be found. Further north still are the desolate and stunning mountain landscapes of Damaraland, known for its wandering herds of ‘desert-adapted’ Elephants and ancient rock art at Twyfelfontein.

Our Locations

Etosha covers an area of 22,270 square kilometres and is one of the finest national parks in the whole of Africa. The word ‘Etosha’ means ‘big white place’, and the present pan is simply the floor of a 100-kilometre wide, shallow inland lake, which has long since dried up. Permanent waterholes are plentiful along the southern edge of the pan and these attract large concentrations of Etosha’s mammals such as Black-faced Impala, Damara Dik-dik, Southern Giraffe, Elephant, Black Rhino and hundreds of Springbok. Attentive predators and scavengers shadow the game and also rely on these same waterholes to drink. Some of these are relatively easily viewed such as Lion, Spotted Hyena and Black-backed Jackal, while Leopard and Cheetah sightings require more luck. The birdlife of Etosha is equally superb, with over 300 species recorded. Raptors are particularly numerous, and include Red-necked, Lanner and Pygmy Falcons, whilst other birds of note include Kori Bustard, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, White-tailed Shrike and the beautiful Blue Crane. Then, from dusk onwards, Rufous-cheeked and Fiery-necked Nightjars take to the wing to hawk for insects around the waterholes, and the occasional Honey Badger ventures down to the water’s edge to drink. Excitingly, it is now possible to take night safaris in Etosha, opening a window to the park’s intriguing, and rarely seen, nocturnal world.

Accommodation in Etosha National Park

The Tsauchab River – which rises periodically in the Naukluft Mountains – would empty into the South Atlantic were it not for the world’s highest sand dunes that lie in its path in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Thus, on the rare occasions that there’s sufficient rainfall for the river to flow, the waters eventually run into this impenetrable sand dune barrier and flood the alluvial pans or ‘vleis’ for which the area is known, attracting flamingoes and other waterbirds from far and wide. The most famous of these seasonal pans are Sossusvlei and Deadvlei which fill with water only every decade or so and are surrounded by towering brick-red sand dunes, the colour of which changes throughout the early morning hours as the sun rises and light intensifies. Quite simply, this is one of the most spectacular landscapes in the whole of Africa and a photographer’s paradise; the combination of dead ‘skeletal’ trees against the orange hues of the imposing dunes is a sight that’s unique to Namibia. At first glance it might appear that the entire area is devoid of life, but a wide range of hardy creatures eke out an existence in this inhospitable environment, such as Gemsbok, Springbok, Ludwig’s Bustard, Burchell’s Courser and Dune Lark. Tenebrionid beetles scamper across dunes and Shovel-nosed Lizards are a common sight as they lift their feet alternately off the hot desert sand. A visit to Sossusvlei works extremely well at the start of a Namibian tailormade itinerary, but make sure you get down into the dunes for dawn to enjoy the colours at their very best.

Accommodation in Sossusvlei & the Namib-Naukluft National Park

Sossus Dune Lodge

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Sossusvlei Lodge

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Dead Valley Lodge

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Elephants, Damaraland, Namibia shutterstock_1690710268.jpg

Damaraland is a spectacular region whose landscape is composed of 250-million-year-old table-top mountains. The area is famously home to herds of ‘desert-adapted’ Elephants which have learnt to survive in this harsh environment. These hardy mammals eke out an existence in the dry river valleys, such as the Huab, where the groundwater is close enough to the surface to support a green corridor of trees through an otherwise parched landscape. The ‘Desert Elephants’ share these valleys with a variety of other game including Springbok, Steenbok, Gemsbok and the rare Black Rhino. Ostriches are a common sight here, whilst other birds to look out for include Monteiro’s Hornbill, the beautiful Bokmakierie Shrike, and for those seeking an identification challenge, a variety of larks such as Sabota, Long-billed and Stark’s. The area is also well known for its prehistoric rock art paintings, the most impressive of which are at Twyfelfontein.

Accommodation in Damaraland

Damaraland Camp

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Camp Kipwe

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Flamingos, Walvis Bay, Namibia shutterstock_507831799.jpg

The old German colonial town of Swakopmund, perched on the edge of Namibia’s ‘Skeleton Coast’, is a good base from which to explore this unique region. Walvis Bay lies just to the south and its coastal lagoons and mudflats offer some excellent birding, especially between November and March when they host one of the highest concentrations of wintering waders in the whole of southern Africa. Numerous Curlew Sandpipers and Little Stints share the mudflats with Terek and Marsh Sandpipers, as well as resident species such as Chestnut-banded and Kitlitz’s Plovers and African Black Oystercatcher. Hundreds of Greater and Lesser Flamingoes feed in the shallows, whilst White Pelican, South African Shelduck, Cape Shoveler and seven species of tern – including the local Damara Tern – may also be seen. We also recommend taking to the water either by kayak or on one of the offshore pelagic cruises to observe obliging Cape Fur Seals and, with luck, Bottlenose and the rare Heaviside’s Dolphins. African Penguin, along with various albatrosses, shearwaters and petrels, are also possible further out to sea. Finally, a few hours’ drive up the Skeleton Coast to the north, lies the huge Cape Fur Seal colony at Cape Cross – a spectacular (if pungent!) site that is well worth visiting.

Accommodation in Walvis Bay & Swakopmund

Strand Hotel (Swakopmund)

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Hippo, Caprivi Strip, Namibia shutterstock_741191740.jpg

The Caprivi Strip is a thin strip of land that projects east from the far north-eastern corner of Namibia, sandwiched between Botswana to the south and Angola and Zambia to the north. Much of this land is protected within wildlife reserves including the Mahango Game Reserve and Caprivi Game Park, which, in stark contrast to the rest of the country, are clothed in dense riverine forest, tall teak woodlands and vast floodplains. The wildlife here is extraordinarily diverse and common mammals include Hippopotamus, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Red Lechwe, Common Reedbuck, Blue Wildebeest and Impala. Rarer species such as Roan and Sable Antelope and Sitatunga are also possible. The Caprivi Strip is well known for its superlative birdlife, with over 430 species recorded including Wattled Crane, Slaty Egret, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Giant Kingfisher, Broad-billed Roller, Southern Carmine Bee-eater and even the localised Greater Swamp Warbler. Since the Caprivi Strip extends eastwards in a narrow ribbon of land, it often makes sense, in terms of an itinerary, to continue from there to Botswana, perhaps spending a few nights in the Okavango Delta, or to finish off your holiday at the impressive Victoria Falls.

Conveniently located halfway between Namibia’s capital of Windhoek and the Etosha National Park, the Okonjima Game Reserve is home to The AfriCat Foundation. This is an excellent place to stay for a night to break your journey and learn about the plight of some of Africa’s top predators such as Cheetah, Lion and Leopard. The AfriCat Foundation has a successful rehabilitation programme; it also seeks solutions to human-wildlife conflict and conducts research to this end. There is excellent accommodation at the reserve itself and a choice of guided activities on offer.

Accommodation in Okonjima Game Reserve & The AfriCat Foundation

Okonjima Plains Camp

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Ground Pangolin shutterstock_380438890.jpg

Erindi is a privately owned, protected wildlife reserve covering an area of just under 800km². Careful management of the reserve over the course of the 21st century has resulted in a local resurgence of nationally rare and endangered species. Thanks to the reserve’s participation in several conservation initiatives, including those to preserve Leopard (which have long been considered a ‘pest’ in Namibia), Cheetah, Wild Dog and Pangolin, the area now boasts a healthy and varied population of predators and herbivores alike. Megafauna is abundant and easily seen, and the opportunities for birdwatching are equally mouth-watering, with over 300 resident species recorded. Erindi is around a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Windhoek. Alternatively, the reserve also has an airstrip which can be reached by a private charter flight.

Accommodation in Erindi Private Game Reserve

Old Traders Lodge

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View Map

View key locations on the map.

Sample Itineraries

This itinerary offers a chance to view some of Africa’s most iconic birds and mammals in some breathtaking – and contrasting – environments.

Day

Depart UK

Day

Arrive Windhoek

Days

3 - 4

Sossusvlei and Namib-Naukluft National Park

Days

5 - 7

Swakopmund

Days

8 - 10

Etosha National Park

Days

11 - 13

Caprivi Strip

Days

14 - 17

Okavango Panhandle

Day

Depart Maun

Day

Arrive UK

19 Days (Flight Inclusive)

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Optionally Extend Your Holiday:

Add a few extra days of relaxation to the end of your holiday with a visit to the Victoria Falls, one of nature's most impressive spectacles.

This comprehensive self-drive itinerary covers the very best of Namibia's wildlife and scenery. Stay in luxury lodges ideally suited for enjoying the country's wildlife and stunning locations.

Day

Depart UK

Day

Arrive Windhoek; transfer to hotel and collect car

Days

3 - 4

Sossusvlei

Days

5 - 7

Swakopmund

Days

8 - 9

Damaraland

Day

Ongava Game Reserve

Days

11 - 13

Etosha National Park

Day

Okonjima Game Reserve and AfriCat Foundation

Day

Depart Windhoek

Day

Arrive UK

16 Days (Flight Inclusive)

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Optionally Extend Your Holiday:

Spend extra nights in Etosha or visit one of the smaller concessions.

The Essentials

Wildlife Guides

The lodges in Namibia have some of the best naturalist guides in Africa. On self-drive holidays the in-house guides at each camp or lodge will accompany you for game drives and other wildlife activities, all of which are booked and paid for locally. However, we would also be very happy to organise a private naturalist driver/guide to accompany you throughout the holiday.

When to Visit

Namibia is a year-round destination with a subtropical desert climate with hot days and cool nights. The dry season runs between April and November and is marked by clear blue skies. The rainy season typically starts in November and lasts until March. However, even during this time there is often one short sharp downpour each day, before the rain abates and the sky again clears.

Getting Around

Many people opt for a self-drive holiday in Namibia as the roads are not crowded and the lack of a complex road system makes finding your way extremely easy. The main trunk roads from Windhoek to Etosha, Swakopmund and the Caprivi Strip are all tarmacked. The remaining roads are gravel, but during the dry season these are well maintained. You can stop almost anywhere along the quiet roads should you see an interesting animal or bird. When you are at the camps and lodges you can join the guided wildlife excursions with other guests at the lodge, although we would be happy to arrange privately guided excursions should you prefer. Alternatively, you might prefer to travel with a naturalist driver/guide and it’s even possible to fly between each location in small private planes. This option offers fantastic aerial views and is extremely exciting!

Why Naturetrek Tailormade?

A Naturetrek Tailormade holiday allows you, with the benefit of our wildlife travel expertise and destination experience, to enjoy the perfect private wildlife holiday – one that truly matches your requirements, expectations and ambitions. We will ensure the most competitive prices, superb naturalist guides and seamless ground services.

Some of the benefits of Naturetrek Tailormade travel include:
• A bespoke itinerary which is crafted by experts and designed specifically for you
• Private guiding by the very best local naturalists
• Travel with people you know, at your own pace
• Incorporate as much culture, history or relaxation time as you wish
• Choose dates to suit you
• Select your preferred style of accommodation
• Travel with families and children of any age

Furthermore, our Tailormade team are always on hand to help and guide you along the way, with friendly advice, first-hand knowledge and inside information specific to your destination of choice. So if you have any queries about your holiday, we will be delighted to answer them. Please just give us a call!