Compare Wonders of Namibia by G Adventures vs Namibia self-drive family safari by Audley Travel
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days | 15 days |
| Price From | $ 3,787 | $ 3,360 |
| Price Per Day | $ 379 | $ 224 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities | N/A |
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| Meals Included | 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners | N/A |
| Description |
From flaming red sand dunes to arid woodlands that harbour some of the world's most majestic elephant herds, Namibia bursts with unique natural wonders. Set out on wildlife drives in the renowned Etosha National Park in search of lions, rhinos, giraffes, and the elusive leopard. Visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund to learn about efforts to protect these vulnerable cats, and delve into one of the continent’s most dramatic landscapes—the timeless Namib desert. |
Namibia is completely different to any other African safari destination. Much of its wildlife has adapted to its dry desert landscape, including elephant and lion. It has the world’s highest dunes, where barking geckos, cartwheeling spiders and quick-tongued chameleons scuttle across sun-baked sand. And, it has a long coastline where you can kayak with seals and see the skeletal remains of ships sent awry by thick coastal fog. Our Africa specialists have explored the country in-depth, from Sossusvlei to the Skeleton Coast, and can help you plan a holiday to Namibia tailored to your interests. |
Day 1 Windhoek
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
Day 2 Windhoek/Sesriem
Set off from the Namibian capital towards Sesriem, the gateway to jaw-dropping Namib-Naukluft National Park. Drive past red-hued desertscapes, stark camel thorn trees, and dramatic curved dunes while keeping an eye out for the astonishing creatures that call these arid lands home—the oryx, springbok, jackal, hyena, and more. Settle in to our lodge and relax poolside, watching a fiery crimson sunset over the desert.
Enjoy postcard perfect desert scenery around Sesriem and Sossusvlei - vast desertscapes of reds and orange, stark camel thorn trees and towering dunes with dramatic curved ridges. Also keep an eye out for the surprising amount of wildlife that call this area home such as oryx, springbok, jackal, ground squirrel and hyena.
Day 3 Sesriem
Embark on a thrilling excursion into one of Africa’s largest national parks. Explore the Namib desert, the oldest desert in the world; and venture to the massive dunes at Sossusvlei and the white clay pan of Deadvlei. Capture dramatic images of dead camel thorn trees against a backdrop of orange dunes and a crisp blue sky. Then visit the Sesriem Canyon, a natural gorge carved out by the Tsauchab River over millions of years.
Day 4 Sesriem/Swakopmund
Continue by road through changing desert landscapes towards the coastal city of Swakopmund. Look out for roaming zebra, kudu, springbok, and oryx on the way, and take a break in the quirky town of Solitaire before heading into the countryside. Here, we meet a local for a 4x4 drive through the desert, learning about the survival strategies of bushmen who lived in this inhospitable area thousands of years ago. We also search for the smaller wildlife that has managed to survive here, such as snakes, geckos, spiders, and an array of insects.
Day 5 Swakopmund
Enjoy a free morning in Swakopmund, getting a taste of the town’s unique Afro-German culture; or opt for sandboarding in the Namib desert. This afternoon, take a tour of Mondesa township with a local guide, learning about its people and history. Visit the local market for an introduction to traditional foods such as wild spinach, mopane worms, and dried sardines or kapenta. Stop by an arts and crafts shop; chat with the locals; and round off the day with dinner and a performance at a cozy family-run establishment.
Explore the town's unique mix of German and African culture and opt to visit curio shops, the museum and restaurants. Optional activities include sandboarding.
Day 6 Swakopmund/Damaraland
Make your way to Twyfelfontein—Namibia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site—to see some of Africa’s largest concentrations of petroglyphs. Marvel at these remarkable engravings, carved by prehistoric hunter-gatherers and depicting rhinos, elephants, and ostriches, as well as human and animal footprints. Then continue to our lodge on the heart of the Damaraland area. Enjoy some free time to swim in the pool or admire a colourful sunset from the deck.
Day 7 Damaraland/Etosha National Park Area
Enjoy a relaxed morning at our lodge and explore the rich sandstone treasure of Damaraland. In the afternoon, travel towards Etosha National Park, arguably Namibia’s most spectacular wildlife sanctuary. Settle into our lodge, located outside of the park.
Day 8 Etosha National Park Area
Spend a full day on safari in Etosha National Park, where open grasslands converge on a massive salt pan. Etosha harbours some of the largest populations of lions, elephants, and other endangered species, so keep your camera on the ready as you explore in your open vehicle. Enjoy lunch at one of the park’s rest areas, where you can also take a swim; and sit back and watch all manner of creatures—including hundreds of species of birds—flock to the nearby watering hole.
After the vast desert, Etosha National Park, offers a contrast of wide open grasslands, a massive salt pan that covers 4731km² and tall camel thorn trees intermixed with Mopani trees. With a combination of natural waterholes, and diverse vegetation, wildlife flock to the park. Some of the largest elephants in Africa can be found in areas of thicker vegetation, as well as leopards. Lions, giraffe, ostrich and many antelope species can be found in the grasslands, while birders will love the salt pans which attract flamingos in the rainy season. More than 340 bird species have been counted in Etosha National Park including the European bee-eater, the kori bustard and numerous migratory birds.
Day 9 Etosha National Park Area/Windhoek
After breakfast, visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund, a global research and education center founded by National Geographic Grantee Dr Laurie Marker. Tour the facility to learn about the important conservation and community outreach work they do to protect the world’s fastest land animal, and enjoy a talk by one of the researchers. Then head out on a drive through the grounds to meet some of the center’s rescued and rehabilitated cheetahs. Continue to Windhoek for our final evening.
Day 10 Windhoek
Depart at any time.
Day 1 : International outbound flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Windhoek.
Day 2 : Windhoek
On arrival at Windhoek Airport you will be met and driven to your hotel. Here our ground agent will meet with you, run through your trip, hand over your mobile phone, cool box and driving directions. They will also be present whilst your hire car is delivered to answer any questions you may have.
Day 3 : Naukluft Mountains
You will drive into the Naukluft Mountains this morning to the Corona Guest Farm. Corona has lots of space for children to play and you can enjoy a short nature walk if you choose.
Day 4 : Sossusvlei
You will continue your journey on to Sossusvlei today. Here you'll stay in the relaxed and family friendly Desert Quiver Camp. You can explore under your own steam this afternoon or take a guided nature drive before relaxing with a swim back at the camp and a BBQ on your patio under the stars.
Day 5 : Sossusvlei
Spend today climbing the sand dunes at Sossusvlei - you can slide down them and enjoy just playing in the sand!
Day 6 : Swakopmund
Today you'll set off for Swakopmund. Walvis Bay is a good place to stop and stretch your legs and there are flamingos and often pelicans to see in the lagoon. Depending on what time you arrive into Swakopmund you might want to spend the afternoon on the beach, at the aquarium or exploring the town.
Day 7 : Swakopmund
Today you could do a kayak trip to Pelican Point where there are hundreds of seals that play around your kayaks. If your children are too young for kayaking there are some excellent boat trips to view the seals as well as other wildlife such as pelicans, flamingos and dolphins. Another alternative is the Living Desert Tour which shows children lizards, geckos and more in the desert.
Day 8 : Damaraland
Drive north into Damaraland today keeping your eyes out for wildlife along the road. Spend the afternoon relaxing at Twyfelfontein which has a large pool to enjoy or you could explore and see some of the nearby rock engravings on the short walking trail nearby.
Day 9 : Damaraland
This morning you could visit the rock carvings if you didn't manage to get there yesterday or spend time exploring more of the area, visiting the burnt mountain and organ pipes, or taking a day trip from the lodge in search of desert adapted elephant.
Day 10 : Etosha National Park
This morning you will head out for Etosha and Okaukuejo Rest Camp. The rondavels here are close to the waterhole and are great for families. There is a good sized pool and the camp is fenced so well suited to children. In the centre of camp is a floodlit waterhole, surrounded by benches where you can sit and spot game throughout the day and into the night.
Day 11 : Etosha National Park
A full day to explore Etosha in your own car. We provide you with a map of the park and you can choose which waterholes to head for and how long you'd like to go game viewing for. Returning to camp in the middle of the day you can enjoy a buffet lunch, picnic or BBQ and spend some time in the pool before setting out for another game drive.
Day 12 : Etosha National Park
Another day of game viewing. If you like you can set off for Halali and stop there to stretch your legs, have lunch and use their pool before heading back to Okaukuejo.
Day 13 : Windhoek
You will drive south to Windhoek today, perhaps stopping at the Okahanja Craft Market where there is a huge variety of wood carving and other curio on offer! Your car will be collected this evening from your accommodation.
Day 14 : International return flight
This morning a driver will take you to Windhoek International Airport for your onward flights.
Day 15 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
