9-Day Namibia Itinerary | Sossusvlei, Damaraland & Etosha

Join a knowledgeable guide on a 9-Day Namibia Itinerary of the bizarre and expansive Namibia terrain, which includes stops in one of Africa’s largest animal reserves, the desolate Damaraland, and the world’s oldest desert.

Set out on your 9-Day Namibia adventure amidst the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei, which are among the tallest in the world. During your stay at a real adventure camp, you can take picturesque drives through the exclusive Kulala Wilderness Reserve. See unique animals like desert-adapted elephants, which evolved to survive in arid climates by reducing body size, increasing leg length, and increasing foot size.

Then spend a few days at Swakopmund, a charming town in Namibia’s captivating Atlantic coast, where the architecture and cultures of Africa and Germany blend picturesquely. During the right time of year, you can go on a catamaran cruise and see dolphins, pelagic birds, leatherback turtles, Cape fur seals, and even humpback and southern right whales.

Damaraland, a mystical and secluded place, is up next on your 9-Day Namibia adventure. This mostly deserted region is situated between the enigmatic Skeleton Coast and the even more isolated Kaokoveld. Explore a World Heritage Site’s 10,000-year-old rock carvings on a nature walk and go on game drives to see additional desert-adapted animals, like black rhinos.

The Ongava Game Reserve is a private reserve in Namibia covering 74,000 acres. It shares an unfenced border with the breathtaking Etosha National Park, making it the perfect place to end your unforgettable safari. Many safari enthusiasts consider Namibia’s “Great White Place” to be the best spot in Southern Africa to see wildlife. The country is home to an abundance of different kinds of birds and mammals. At Etosha, you can see four of Africa’s Big Five (buffalo cannot survive in the dry climate), and your game viewing experience will be unparalleled.

A Detailed 9-Day Namibia Itinerary

Days 1-3: Discover the Sossusvlei Desert Region

As soon as you touch down in Namibia, your 9-Day Namibia Itinerary to the breathtaking Sossusvlei area will commence. While being chauffeured to this fascinating desert area, take it easy and marvel at the varied scenery as you pass through the Khomas Hochland Mountains.

Your two-night stay will be at the Private Kulala Wilderness Reserve’s Kulala Adventurer Camp, which is adjacent to Namib-Naukluft National Park. To see the sun rise over the Sossusvlei dunes, you’ll need to get up early the following morning.

Throughout the day, you will have the opportunity to explore the 91,000 acres of land that are home to a variety of animals, including ostrich, springbok, oryx, and fox. Day and night drives, guided hikes, hot air balloon rides, horseback riding, and quad biking (ATVs) are some of the offered activities.

Days 3-5: Explore the Coast of Swakopmund

If you get up early enough, you can drive through the winding Kuiseb Canyon roads and eventually reach the gravel plains on your way to Walvis Bay. Leaving this tranquil seaside hamlet, you will continue along the coast until you arrive at Swakopmund, a charming tiny town sandwiched between the enormous Namib Desert and the frigid Atlantic Ocean. An landmark structure that is an integral element of Swakopmund’s architectural culture, the Hansa Hotel will serve as your home for two nights.

From Swakopmund, you may go on a catamaran tour of the ocean, where you can see seals and dolphins among the many marine species. Marvel at pelicans, flamingos, sunfish, leatherback turtles, and humpback whales depending on the season, and visit the Oyster Platforms and Pelican Point lighthouse.

Days 5-7: Spot the Desert Elephant in Damaraland | 2 Nights

Damaraland is a separate region to the north of the Brandberg (Fire Mountains). Keep going north in this direction. You can have lunch at the Ugab Save the Rhino Trust Camp, which is home to more black rhinos than any other location outside of a protected area.

To see some of the desert-adapted animals, such the black rhino and the elephant, you have to go into the old landscapes of Damaraland. A wide variety of animals, such as springbok, zebra, kudu, giraffe, and oryx, can be found in this region.

Spend the day hiking, riding, and seeing the ancient rock carvings at Twyfelfontein, a World Heritage Site. Then, go on night drives in search of aardwolves, porcupines, and owls—fascinating creatures that come out at night.

Days 7-9: Experience the Wildlife of the Etosha National Park | 2 Nights

Enter the Ongava Game Reserve, which is next to Etosha National Park, and make your way to the Ongava Tented Camp. In addition to Namibia’s highest wildlife density, the reserve is home to the world’s largest salt pan.

Indulge in a full day of safari exploration the following day as you look for savannah animals such as rhino, elephant, leopard, and lion, among others. At Halali Camp, you can have lunch while watching the animals come and go from the adjacent waterhole on a leisurely stroll.

You will have dinner at your camp in the Ongava Game Reserve before continuing your night drives and hikes, which are optional, in the hopes of seeing some of the area’s nocturnal wildlife.

Day 9: Returning to Windhoek

Get back on the road heading south first thing in the morning and head back to Windhoek to catch a flight back home or to your next 9-Day Namibia Itinerary stop.

End of the 9-Day Namibia Itinerary

Inclusions

  • Meals:
    Damaraland Camp : Fully Inclusive (All Meals, Selected Beverages)
    Ongava Tented Camp : Fully Inclusive (All Meals, Selected Beverages)
  • All necessary permits, conservancy and park fees
  • All activities specified, including morning and evening game drives each full day on safari
  • 24/7 assistance and support during your trip

Exclusions

  • Your international flights to and from Africa + any related taxes
  • Any travel visas you require (though we help you with this)
  • Tips
  • Personal items (eg. travel insurance, souvenirs)