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6 days - Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Etosha

Six days from Windhoek, the Namib dunes and Etosha

Six days by private tour from Windhoek to the Sossusvlei dunes, on to the Atlantic coast at Swakopmund and then north to Etosha National Park, returning to Windhoek on the last day.

1 Country
3 Stops
5 Nights
Luxury Service level
  • The storyThe headline tells the journey in a few lines, one after another.
  • At a glanceThe figures beneath it are the essential facts of the trip.

The journey

When to go

Sossusvlei and the Namib
Swakopmund and the coast
Etosha game viewing
Sossusvlei and the Namib Swakopmund and the coast Etosha game viewing Avoid
June Primary window

Crisp, dry days and cold desert nights; layers are needed for the pre-dawn starts. Cool, mostly clear days, with fog on some mornings. Dry-season Etosha: waterholes draw elephants, lions and rhino close to the road.

Cold dawns Cool, clear

The route

Sossusvlei Swakopmund Etosha National Park
01

Namibia

Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Etosha, with the drive back to Windhoek on the last day.

Upon arrival in Windhoek, our tour guide will meet you and transfer you to Windhoek, Namibia’s capital. Here we will undertake an orientation tour of the city. Windhoek is clean, safe, and well-organised, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek has a fascinating mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, many of which are worth a look at, including the Alte Feste (Old Fort), the 1896 Christuskirche (Christ Church), and the more contemporary Supreme Court. You then continue south and drive toward the towering red dunes of the Namib and Sossusvlei. Your guide's choice of routing may lead via the scenic Spreetshoogte Pass, with incredible views. Continuing towards Sesriem, we have chosen the unique Desert Grace as your point of overnight. Once settled in, you will have time to freshen up before joining the optional afternoon nature drive, where your ranger will tell you more about the area and the unique wildlife that you can see here. No visit can ever be complete without the mandatory sundowner! Everything here is about the unbelievable sunsets, and tonight will be no different. Watch the stars come out over the oldest desert in the world and hear what true silence sounds like. Back at the lodge, an excellent dinner awaits you. Afterwards, enjoy a drink at the One Night in Namibia bar that will evoke memories for many years to come. Before you drift off to sleep in the desert breeze, take a peek at the stars, and find the Southern Cross – so bright and close you can almost touch them.
This morning requires an early start to the day to make the most of it. Join your guide on an excursion to the Sossusvlei. The gates open up at sunrise, and it is the best time to see the dramatic colours of the dunes change as the sun rises. The drive to the heart of Sossusvlei is around 60 km and en route, you will find Dune 45, one of the largest dunes. You will go into the vlei, allowing you to explore the beauty of Deadvlei. Also, here you will have the opportunity to ascend these dunes. Considered some of the tallest dunes in the world, even surpassing those of the Sahara, these high star-shaped dunes are a sought-after destination for photographers and artists. The warm tint of the sand contrasts with the dazzling white surfaces of the clay pans in the surrounding areas. The hues constantly change with the sun rising from deep apricot to warm red and all shades in between. Returning from Sossusvlei you may call the Sesriem Canyon before making your way back to the lodge for an afternoon lazing at the pool or participating in the activities on offer.
After breakfast and a good night’s rest, the journey continues, this time towards the cold Atlantic coast, and Namibia’s premier holiday town, Swakopmund. The journey there will also take you via Solitaire, featuring no more than a general dealer, a filling station, and a bakery. You are here for the bakery and the best apple pie the dessert ever delivered. Naturally, you have to honour Moose’s legacy, and this affords you a coffee-and-cake stop. But before you get to explore this little gem, a bit of a detour to the neighbouring town of Walvis Bay, an important harbour town in Namibia. You will visit the shallow lagoon, one of the most significant wetland areas on the African continent, and a RAMSAR World Heritage Site. Over 80 percent of the African flamingos feed in this lagoon and present a spectacular picture when they appear in groups. Continuing along the scenic route between the dune belt and the Atlantic Ocean, you reach Swakopmund, a quaint desert town. With its palm-lined streets and seaside promenade, Swakopmund rates as Namibia’s most popular seaside destination. The town acts as a base for many varied activities, ranging from quad biking in the Namib to sand boarding and even desert tours. An enjoyable pastime is to do what the locals do, and 16:00 Kaffee-Kuchen is taken very seriously. It offers an excellent opportunity to take a mid-afternoon break for a coffee and a slice of baked cheesecake, or decadent Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, right from the heart of the Motherland.
This morning we will leave northbound along the coast towards the town of Henties Bay, a local fishing village whose inhabitants increase 100-fold during the summer holidays with visitors from far and wide. From Henties Bay we continue inland past Damaraland and onwards to see animals congregating in greater numbers and hence you will be heading for the Etosha National Park. After checking in, you have the opportunity to enjoy the afternoon undertaking your first game drive through the Etosha National Park in your touring vehicle. You can visit various waterholes on the lookout for Elephants, Lions, Rhinos, and all the other animals who come to drink some water. Spend day 5 exploring the Etosha National Park on a full-day Game drive with your guide and touring vehicle. Go exploring the waterholes along this enormous saltpan. There are close to 114 species of mammal in Etosha, including the black-faced impala and the threatened black and white rhino. The Etosha Pan contains water only after very good rains and sometimes only for a few days each year, but is enough to stimulate the growth of blue-green algae which lures thousands of flamingos.
Every fantastic holiday must come to an end and sadly so the time has come to bid farewell to this beautiful destination. En- route back to Windhoek you will call at the Wood Carvers Market in Okahandja where wood workers proudly display their handiwork and artefacts can be bought here. Keep a keen eye out for the Herero ladies dressed in their colourful and distinctive long dresses with matching headgear, said to mimic the horns of cattle. These dresses were inspired by the beautiful dresses of the German colonial fashion of the time. Upon arrival back at Windhoek International Airport, your guide will accompany you inside and you proceed to check-in.

Choose your route

The five-day route: Sossusvlei and Swakopmund · 5 days / 4 nights · lower-cost option · from $1,600 per person sharingThis version is a five-day private tour from Windhoek with a half-day city tour on arrival, two nights at Sossusvlei with a picnic at Spreetshoogte Pass and Dune 45 and Deadvlei at sunrise, then a night in Swakopmund with Pelican Point and the Walvis Bay flamingos before the return to Windhoek. It has no Etosha and is one day shorter. Ask us to build this version around your dates.

The detail

About this trip

Welcome to the 6-Day Namibia Private Tour! Namibia’s appeal lies in its dramatic mix of spectacular landscapes, iconic cultures, and African wildlife. The Namib Desert is home to the world’s highest dunes and the oldest desert plant known to man. The Fish River Canyon is surpassed in size only by the Grand Canyon, while the 60-tonne Hoba Meteorite is globally the largest of its kind. Namibia’s wildlife is exemplary and home to the Big 5, albeit, unlike a zoo, not found in one area. A great portion of Namibia falls under communal land, where the tourist can interact with age-old cultures such as the Himba, Damara, and the Bushmen. Swakopmund, wedged between the Atlantic Ocean and the desert dunes and fondly known as Namibia’s playground, is a must for adventure and leisure tourists.

What is included

  • Accommodation
  •  1x visit to Sossusvlei + 4×4 Shuttle (incl. Park Fees)
  • 2x Game Drives in Etosha National Park with own guide & vehicle (incl. Park Fees)
  • Private touring vehicles
  • English-speaking guides
  • Guide meals & accommodation
  • Water on board the bus (2 bottles per person per day)
  • Porterage (1 standard luggage piece per person)

What is not included

  • All airfares, air reservations and airport taxes
  • All other accommodation
  • All other meals
  •  All other transport
  • All other sightseeing
  • Gratuities for meals, tourist guides, drivers, game rangers and trackers
  • Personal expenses such as alcoholic and other beverages, telephone calls and laundry
  • Any other services not mentioned above

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

How does the 6-day Namibia route run?
The route is by road with your guide. On day 1 you are met in Windhoek and drive south towards Sossusvlei, perhaps via the Spreetshoogte Pass, to Desert Grace. Day 3 goes to Swakopmund via Solitaire and a detour to Walvis Bay. Day 4 follows the coast north to Henties Bay, then inland to Etosha. On day 6 you return to Windhoek via Okahandja, and your guide accompanies you to check-in.
When is the best time for this Namibia private tour?
June to September score highest across Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Etosha, with cool, clear days and the most reliable waterhole viewing. July is the coldest month, with near-freezing dawns, so layers are needed for pre-dawn starts. April, May and October are alternatives. November to March is hot, with Etosha green and game scattered.
What does a typical day look like on this itinerary?
Day 2 starts early so you reach Sossusvlei when the gates open at sunrise, drive 60 km past Dune 45, explore Deadvlei and return to the lodge for an afternoon at the pool. Day 3 is a coffee stop at Solitaire, Walvis Bay’s lagoon and Swakopmund’s Kaffee-Kuchen at 16:00. Day 5 is a full-day game drive in Etosha.
What can be adjusted on the Namibia private tour?
Your guide chooses the route on day 1, which may include the scenic Spreetshoogte Pass. The afternoon nature drive is optional, and Swakopmund offers activities such as quad biking, sandboarding and desert tours. Dinner at Desert Grace has a drink at the One Night in Namibia bar. Dates and lodges are confirmed in your proposal.
Can you combine more than one country in a single trip?
Yes. Many of our journeys cross borders, for example Botswana with Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, or Cape Town with a safari and the Falls. Tell us the places you have in mind through the enquiry form and we will plan the route and transfers as one itinerary.
What meals are included on safari?
Meals depend on the camp or lodge and are set out in your itinerary. On safari they are usually taken at camp, with a picnic or packed meal on some days. Tell us about any dietary needs when you enquire.
Do I need vaccinations or medication before an African safari?
Health requirements depend on where you are travelling from and where you are going, and they change. Check your country's official travel health advice or TravelHealthPro (travelhealthpro.org.uk), and see a travel clinic well before you depart. Ask about malaria prevention early.
What should I pack for an African safari?
Lightweight, breathable clothing that covers your arms and legs helps against sun and insects, in neutral colours. Bring comfortable closed shoes (boots if you will walk), a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards. Your itinerary lists any luggage limits for charter flights.
How do I stay safe on safari?
Your guides brief you on how to behave around wildlife. Follow their instructions, stay in the vehicle or camp area as told, and never approach or disturb animals. Conditions differ by country and change over time, so check your government's current travel advice before you book and again before you travel.

On this trip

Photographs from the route, not stock library scenery.

Young rhinoceros leaning its head against a large rock

Book it in this order

Work down the list. Each step depends on the one above it.

Field notes

The practical detail that decides whether a trip runs smoothly.

A fast route

Six days cover Sossusvlei, the coast and Etosha, so most days include a long drive. Keep water, snacks and a camera within reach.

Sunrise at the dunes

The Sossusvlei gates open at sunrise, and the drive into the heart of the park is about 60 km. Dune 45 is on the way, and Deadvlei is a short walk beyond.

Solitaire and Walvis Bay

Day 3 stops at Solitaire for coffee and apple pie, then at the Walvis Bay lagoon, where flamingos feed. Swakopmund keeps Kaffee-Kuchen at 16:00.

Etosha game drives

You have an afternoon drive on day 4 and a full-day game drive on day 5. The Etosha Pan holds water only after very good rains.

Okahandja

On day 6 the guide stops at the Wood Carvers Market in Okahandja, where carvers sell their work and Herero women in long dresses are a familiar sight.

Tipping

Tip your guide at the end of the tour. Your final documents give a guide to amounts.

Plan this journey

Make this trip your own

Every journey is planned around your dates and your party. Tell us who is travelling and when, and a specialist will come back with a tailored itinerary and a quote. Payment is by invoice.

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