Discover Classic Namibia — 13-Day Small Group Lodge Tour
Look forward to an unforgettable 13-day safari through Namibia. From the comfort of your window seat, take in the country’s most iconic sights, from the sweeping Namib Desert in the south to the world-famous Etosha National Park.
Price
from 3,000 USD pp sharing
Starting price per person
Highlights of the Tour
Day 1 - 13
Small Group Lodged Tour
Maximum 7 travelers, window seat guaranteed
Namib Desert
Visit Sossusvlei, Deadvlei & Sesriem Canyon
Swakopmund
Coastal town, optional activities
Erongo Mountain
The dramatic granite peaks of Spitzkoppe, adorned with ancient San rock art
Damaraland
Ancient stories carved in stone at Twyfelfontein, alongside the elusive desert elephants
Etosha National Park
Game drives and great wildlife sightings
Who Should Go
If you want to experience the highlights of Namibia in a personal and intimate way, this 13-day Namibia safari is the perfect choice. Ideal for first-time visitors, it showcases the country’s most iconic attractions, including Etosha National Park and Sossusvlei, while offering fascinating insights into Namibia’s culture, history, and geology from an experienced local guide. Solo travellers are welcome on this small-group tour, which ensures a warm, personal atmosphere throughout. With all arrangements taken care of, all you need to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival in Windhoek
Distance approx. 50 km; driving time approx. 1 hour
Please arrive at Windhoek International Airport no later than midday. Upon arrival, you will be met by a driver and transferred to the Elegant Guesthouse. After check-in, you’ll have time to freshen up before meeting your guide and heading out on a short city tour of Windhoek.
During the tour, you’ll discover some of the city’s highlights, including Christ Church and the Tintenpalast (House of Parliament). In the evening, enjoy dinner at one of Windhoek’s excellent restaurants (at your own expense), before returning to the Elegant Guesthouse for an overnight stay.
Day 2 | Windhoek – Kalahari
Distance approx. 280 km; driving time approx. 3-4 hours
After a short briefing and once your luggage has been loaded into the safari vehicle, you depart Windhoek and travel south toward Mariental. Your journey leads you to Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch, an oasis set on the edge of the southern Kalahari and surrounded by striking red sand dunes. Settle into the serene desert atmosphere, unwind, and take in the vast, open landscapes.
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In the late afternoon, you may choose to join an optional sundowner drive—an experience not to be missed. As the sun sinks below the horizon, the Kalahari glows in warm golden tones. Guided by a local expert, you’ll gain fascinating insights into the region’s unique ecology and wildlife.
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Back at the lodge, enjoy a delicious three-course dinner before retiring to your comfortable chalet for the night.
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Breakfast
Dinner
Day 3 | Kalahari – Namib Desert
Distance approx. 300 km; driving time approx. 4-5 hours
Early risers are rewarded with a breathtaking sunrise over the Kalahari. Enjoy a cup of coffee atop a dune as the first light of day bathes the landscape in stunning shades of gold and red. Alternatively, you may choose to sleep in or join one of the lodge’s optional morning activities, such as a scenic drive, a guided walk with the Bushmen, or a horseback ride. However you choose to begin your day, a hearty breakfast will prepare you for the journey ahead.
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Later in the morning, you continue your journey via Mariental and Maltahöhe toward Sesriem. Your destination is Elegant Desert Camp, the perfect base for exploring the vast star dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert. Spend the afternoon unwinding by the pool or relaxing on your private terrace, soaking in the peaceful desert surroundings.
Dinner and overnight accommodation are at Elegant Desert Camp.
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Breakfast
Dinner
Day 4 | Exploring Sossusvlei
Distance approx. 200 km; driving time approx. 3-4 hours
At sunrise, the gates of Namib-Naukluft Park open, allowing you to enter the iconic Sossusvlei region. If you arrive early and feel up to the challenge, you may choose to climb one of the towering dunes and be rewarded with sweeping views over the vast desert landscape. Traveling by 4×4 vehicle, you continue to Sossusvlei—a striking clay pan that fills with water only in years of exceptional rainfall.
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Your journey then leads to Sesriem Canyon, carved over millions of years by the Tsauchab River. After an eventful morning of exploration, you return to Elegant Desert Camp to relax and soak in the beauty of your surroundings.
As evening falls, take a moment to look up and admire the night sky, where millions of stars shimmer against the darkness. For an unforgettable experience, you may even roll your bed onto your private terrace and spend the night beneath the open sky, fully immersed in the magic of the desert.
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Breakfast
Dinner
Day 5 | Namib Desert – Swakopmund
Today’s journey leads you toward the Atlantic Ocean. En route, you pass the striking Bloedkoppie and travel along the scenic Welwitschia Drive. Several lookout points along the way offer spectacular views over the Moon Landscape, where you are invited to step out of the vehicle and take in this rugged terrain of rocky ridges and barren peaks. Both haunting and beautiful, the landscape leaves a lasting impression.
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Continuing onward, you arrive in Swakopmund, a charming coastal town nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Namib Desert. A short city tour introduces you to its distinctive German heritage and seaside character. In the evening, enjoy the freedom to dine at one of Swakopmund’s many excellent restaurants at your own expense—seafood is highly recommended.
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You will spend the next two nights at Organic Stay Guesthouse, located just a five-minute walk from the Atlantic Ocean.
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Breakfast
Day 6 | Swakopmund
After breakfast, the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Take a leisurely stroll through town or along the seaside promenade, or spend time browsing the local shops. Alternatively, you may choose from a range of optional activities, including a scenic flight in a light aircraft, a visit to Cape Cross, a catamaran cruise, or a desert safari in search of the “Little Five.”
In the evening, reunite with your fellow travellers for dinner at one of Swakopmund’s many restaurants (at your own expense), offering a wide variety of dining options. Overnight accommodation is at Organic Stay Guesthouse.
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Breakfast
Day 7 | Swakopmund – Erongo Mountains
Early in the morning, you depart Swakopmund and begin your journey back inland. Your first stop is the 700-million-year-old Spitzkoppe, whose striking granite dome peaks rise to 1,730 metres and are visible from afar. Accompanied by your guide, you explore this remarkable landscape and its fascinating granite rock formations.
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You then continue into the Erongo Mountains region and travel onward to a San Living Museum. Here, you gain valuable insight into the traditional way of life and customs of one of Namibia’s oldest indigenous communities. During a guided bush walk with the San, you learn about their hunter-gatherer culture and admire ancient, authentic rock paintings.
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From here, it is a short drive to your accommodation at Otjohotozu Guest Farm. After checking in and taking time to refresh, you set out on a guided sundowner drive to enjoy the beautiful scenery and learn more about the region’s fauna and ecosystem. The day concludes with a delicious dinner and an overnight stay at the guest farm.
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Breakfast
Dinner
Day 8 | Erongo Mountains – Twyfelfontein
Another exciting day awaits as you travel in a north-westerly direction. Your first stop is Twyfelfontein, home to Namibia’s famous rock engravings. Discover these remarkable cultural treasures, estimated to be over 2,000 years old, and gain insight into the country’s rich history.
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You then visit the Damara Living Museum, where you learn about the traditional way of life of the Damara people from centuries past, including their craftsmanship, dances, and songs.
In the afternoon, you continue to the beautifully situated Malansrus Tented Camp. Settle in, relax, and make yourself at home.
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Breakfast
Dinner
Day 9 | Desert Elephant Tracking
After an early breakfast, you set out for the dry Huab Riverbed in search of the rare desert-adapted elephants. Along the way, enjoy the striking landscapes of Damaraland while learning more about the local communities and their traditional way of life. With a bit of luck, you may encounter these unique elephants, which are slightly smaller than their counterparts in Etosha National Park.
After the excursion, you return to Malansrus Tented Camp, where another delicious dinner awaits. Fall asleep to the peaceful sounds of the surrounding wilderness.
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Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 10 | Twyfelfontein – Etosha National Park
Distance approx. 350 km; driving time approx. 4 hours
Today’s journey takes you to Etosha National Park, founded in 1907 and one of Southern Africa’s most renowned wildlife reserves. You will spend much of the day game viewing around the park’s waterholes, where elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and various antelope species gather to drink. With a bit of luck, you may even spot predators such as lions or leopards.
After an exciting day of wildlife encounters, you exit the park in the late afternoon via Anderson Gate. Just a short drive later, you arrive at your accommodation for the night, Etosha Village. Unwind with a refreshing drink at the bar, enjoy a delicious dinner, and look forward to the safari experiences still to come.
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Breakfast
Dinner
Day 11 | Etosha National Park
After sunrise and a hearty breakfast, you set out for another day of game viewing in Etosha National Park. Keep an eye out for herds of impala, wildebeest, oryx, and zebra roaming the open plains. You travel alongside the vast salt pan, which covers nearly a quarter of the park and is Etosha’s most striking and iconic feature. Along the route, the many waterholes offer further opportunities for memorable wildlife sightings.
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In the evening, you exit the park at the Von Lindequist Gate and continue to Mushara Bush Camp. Here, you will overnight in a permanent luxury tent with an en-suite bathroom, surrounded by the tranquil sounds of the bush.
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Breakfast
Dinner
Day 12 | Etosha National Park – Waterberg
Distance approx. 350 km; driving time approx. 4-5 hours
Your day begins early once again, and after breakfast you set out on your final game drive in Etosha National Park. Keep an eye out for animals you may not have encountered over the past few days—each safari day brings new and unexpected sightings. It is then time to leave the Etosha region and continue your journey south.
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Soon, the Waterberg Plateau comes into view, its steep red cliffs visible from afar. At the foot of the Small Waterberg Mountain lies your accommodation for the night, Waterberg Guest Farm. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to go on a hike to explore the scenic surroundings or relax by the pool and enjoy the tranquillity of nature. Overnight is spent at Waterberg Guest Farm.
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Breakfast
Dinner
Day 13 | Waterberg – Windhoek
Distance approx. 300 km; driving time approx. 3-4 hours
Today’s journey takes you back to the starting point of your 13-day Namibia safari. You arrive in Windhoek between 2:00 and 3:00 pm. If time permits, you may visit the Namibian Craft Centre to browse a wonderful selection of hand-carved souvenirs, baskets, accessories, and jewellery. If you already have all the mementos you need, relax at a nearby café and watch the rhythms of daily life in Windhoek.
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Depending on your onward travel plans, your guide will transfer you either to the airport or to a lodge of your choice in Windhoek. It is here that you bid farewell—until next time, we hope.
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Breakfast
Services
Services Included:
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transport in a 4x4 vehicle
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professional, English-speaking guide
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12 nights’ stay in lodges, tented camps or guesthouses
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meals according to the itinerary
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activities and transfers as per itinerary
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all national park fees
Services excluded:
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flights (international and domestic)
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meals not indicated in the itinerary
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alcoholic and soft drinks
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optional activities
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tips
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personal expenses, visa fees, travel insurance
