13-day Pure Namibia - Camping

Explore Namibia on our Pure Namibia safari; this 13 day camping or fully accommodated safari is one of our most popular African adventures including the Namibian highlights of Etosha National Park, Fish River Canyon, the Waterberg Park and more.

'Namibia' means 'open plains' in the ancient Hottentots' language. It is a sought after tourist and safari destination defined by endless sunshine, scenic beauty and unusual contrasting topography. Namibia is sandwiched between two deserts - the Namib Desert, said to be the oldest in the world on its western coastline and the Kalahari Desert in the eastern interior. Northern Namibia features the great Etosha National Park (the most popular safari park in Namibia), boasting the country's largest concentration of safari game. In the south the majestic Fish River Canyon plunges 550 m and extends for 160 km. Between these four Namibian highlights lies over 820 000 km2 (the size of France and Britain combined) of contrasting scenery. The world's highest dunes are found in haunting scenery inspiring sombre reflection. Pre-historic rock art, the ancient fossil plant, Welwitschia mirabilis and fossilized dinosaur footprints are preserved in the ancient rocky mountain ranges of Namibia.

Highlights: Windhoek, Etosha National Park, Himba Experience, Opuwo, Brandberg, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei & Sesriem.
Group Size: maximum 10 people
Type of Safari: Semi-participation camping & lodge safari
Accommodation: Two options available:

Price: varies according to type of accommodation

• Camping:  11 nights camping + 3 nights accommodated USD$2045 pp sharing*
• Accommodated:  14 nights accommodated USD$2690 pp sharing*

Local Payment: ZAR 1500

Includes: Use of full camping equipment (except sleeping bags), meals as per itinerary, coffee/tea with the meals, transport on the tour, 3 nights in basic Lodges and 11 nights camping at designated campsites, activities as per itinerary, game drives as per itinerary.

Excludes: Meals not mentioned in the itinerary, all personal expenses, insurance for luggage, tips, drinks, laundry. 

Day 1: Windhoek
After your arrival at Windhoek Airport you’ll be picked up and transferred to your Lodge. The rest of the day is spent at leisure. You’ll meet your guide and the rest of the group at the lodge.

Day 2: Windhoek to Outjo
After an orientation city tour, we leave Windhoek and drive north to our first destination, Outjo in the Kunene Region. Set between low hills on the brink of the Ugab valley, Outjo is the gateway to the Etosha National Park and roughly translated means “little hills”. This afternoon there is the option to visit a Cheetah Farm in the area (own expense).

Days 3 - 4: Drive to Etosha National Park, Namibia
Today we travel to Namibia’s well-known Highlight of the North – Etosha National Park. After arrival we embark on our first game drive through the park in the hope of spotting a variety of wildlife. Etosha was declared a National Park in 1907, it is home to approx 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and, surprisingly, one species of fish.

Day 5: Etosha to Opuwo
We continue our journey on through the Etosha National Park travelling through the remote western region which was previously off limits to travelers and an area favoured by the Oryx and many other antelopes. On leaving the park we travel through many small rural villages before arriving in Opuwo the Gateway to the Kaokoveld region. Depending on the time of arrival we go and explore a traditional Himba Village that afternoon or the next morning. This will be a journey of culture exchange and learning and understanding of our last traditional tribe in Namibia, the Ova-Himba.

Day 6: Palmwag, Namibia
We leave the Northern part of Namibia and drive through the short but very steep Joubert Pass on to Palmwag. This area is home to the desert elephants and after reaching our destination we will try and find these majestic animals on foot. These elephants have adapted to their dry, sandy and rocky home by having a smaller body mass and seemingly larger feet.

Days 7-8: Brandberg
Today we head for Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia. Once settled in we enjoy a scenic hike in the mountains to visit the famous ‘White Lady’ rock painting.  After Breakfast the following day our journey takes us from Brandberg to Twyfelfontein, an area home to over 2000 rock carvings. Twyfelfontein was named a World Heritage site in 2007, the first in the country. We also visit the Petrified Forest, the trees of which are estimated to be 250 million years old.

Day 9: Swakopmund, Namibia
Today we travel towards the Atlantic Coast for a stop at Cape Cross, the breeding place of the Cape fur seals, and home to about 80 000 to 100 000.  We then continue our drive to the charming coastal town of Swakopmund, where you will have the opportunity to partake in a few of the many optional activities that are offered, such as Quad biking, Sand boarding or Sky diving. Alternatively you can just soak up the atmosphere of this little German Town and enjoy its beauty and beaches.

Days 10-11: Sossusvlei, Namibia
An early morning start takes us from Swakopmund south through Walvis Bay on our way to Sesriem in the Namib Desert, which is considered to be the oldest desert in the world.  On the way there we will make a stop at the small settlement of Solitaire where you will have a chance to sample their world renowned Apple Crumble – only served without cream! (Own account). We visit the world’s highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei, an area characterised by massive red sand dunes. A drive into the dunes is also available (own expense). At sunset these dunes, which can reach heights of over 300 m, are absolutely spectacular and provide for a fantastic photo opportunity. With luck, there may even be water in the vlei (lake).

Day 12: Drive to Windhoek, Namibia
We leave the Desert behind us and travel back to Windhoek. Although a long day we travel through the beautiful countryside with short stops en-route.  In the evening we’ll arrive back to in the city to enjoy a hearty meal in one of the many restaurants (own expense) and celebrate our last evening of the tour

Day 13: Windhoek, end of tour
After we meet one last time to enjoy our breakfast together, you will still have time to explore the town of Windhoek on your own depending on when your flight leaves back home or to your next destination.  You will be transferred to the airport to check-in for your flight and we hope to welcome you again sometime on one of our adventures.