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12 Day Namibia Tour
TOURCODE: NA1
Duration: 12 Days Countries Visited: 1 Activity Level: 1 Tour Style: Cultural
BASE PRICE
Select Date first
DEPOSIT DUE TODAY
$500 USD
Countries in this tour:
Namibia
Activity Level: 1

No particular physical activity is involved other than town/city walks and short walks to dinners and sites of interest, some of which are large.
Tour Style: Cultural

These three- and four-star hotel-based, "soft adventure" trips concentrate on the culture, history, and natural attributes of our destination. Though there are no strenuous activities built into these tours, you need to be prepared for some full days with some early starts, plenty of walking on uneven surfaces through villages, cities and archaeological sites, and not a lot of "down time." Independence, reasonable fitness, and an ability to be steady on one's feet are critical in order for you to get the most out of these programs.

12 Day Namibia Tour

Land of Contrasts

12 Days
TOURCODE: NA1

The Namib, world's oldest desert; Apricot dunes at sunrise; Kaleidoscope of cultures; Swakopmund: charming seaside town; Rugged Skeleton Coast; Etosha: Africa's undiscovered wildlife gem

Tour Overview
Tour Overview
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Countries Visited: 1 Activity Level: 1 Tour Style: Cultural

This 12-day Namibia tour takes us along the dense streets of its capital city, Windhoek, where we walk among people from the numerous tribes that wear a mixture of traditional and contemporary dress.

This country's captivating history shines through its architecture from the turn of the century, but a sense of modernism is kept alive through its vibrant culture.

Once we're outside of the city, the colourful Sossusvlei sand dunes tower above us with their record-breaking heights of 300 metres.

What would a trip to Africa be without a day spent game-viewing? Etosha National Park's "salt desert" is an important resource for the mixture of wildlife that inhabits this land.

Naukluft National Park yields an excellent display of animals as diverse as the baboon, rock hyrax or leopard.

This is a perfect adventure through a country that serves as an excellent showcase of what makes Africa such a compelling continent for so many travellers.

 


 

Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices

 

Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in US Dollars (USD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes. For single supplement rates and taxes (if any), please refer to below Prices & Dates table. For general information on flights to/from the tour, click here.

Select the Number of Travellers:   -   1   +

 

Select a date below to reserve your spot:

 

Optional Single Supplement: $840 USD (number of singles limited).
This tour may require a mandatory single supplement charge of $430 if you join our share program and we are unable to pair you.



$500 USD DEPOSIT REQUIRED per person
BASE PRICESelect Date first

 


 

Full Itinerary
Full Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrival in Namibia
Arrival in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia.

As capital cities go, Windhoek is very relaxed with a whole mixture of Namibia's tribes strolling the streets. Many are in traditional dress and others are in stylish contemporary clothes often with magnificent plaited hairstyles. The city is full of trees and gardens, plus some splendid buildings dating from the turn of the century, all jumbled up with post-modernist office blocks in a swirl of ethnic mix.

Today you will meet our Namibia-based Tour Leader and enjoy a welcome dinner this evening.

Please note: Due to space availability and other considerations, our Namibia itinerary may run in reverse order (Windhoek to Windhoek).

Overnight in Windhoek.

Included Meal(s): Dinner



Day 2 Windhoek - Etosha National Park East
This morning we leave the capital and head north toward Etosha National Park* with lunch en route. Time- permitting, we may be able to have a little game drive in the park this afternoon after a break to settle in.

Etosha National Park covers 22,270 km², of which approximately 5,000 km² is made up of saline depressions or 'pans'. The largest of these pans, the Etosha Pan, can be classified as a saline desert in its own right. The Etosha Pan lies in the Owambo Basin, on the north-western edge of the Namibian Kalahari Desert. Until three million years ago it formed part of a huge, shallow lake that was reduced to a complex of salt pans when the major river that fed it, the Kunene, changed course and began to flow to the Atlantic instead. If the lake existed today, it would be the third largest in the world. Etosha is the largest of the pans at 4,760 km² in extent. It is nowadays filled with water only when sufficient rain falls to the north in Angola, inducing floods to flow southward along the Cuvelai drainage system.

* Please note: Occasionally, due to operational reasons, this itinerary may operate in reverse.

Overnight in Etosha (East).

Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner



Day 3 Etosha National Park
The park consists of grassland, woodland and savannah. Game-viewing centers on the numerous springs and waterholes where several different species can often be seen at one time. The park boasts some 114 mammal and over 340 bird species. Wildlife that one might see includes elephant, lion, giraffe, blue wildebeest, eland, kudu, gemsbok (Oryx), zebra, rhino, cheetah, leopard, hyena, honey badger and warthog, as well as the endemic black faced impala.

Our day and lunch placement are somewhat free-form to take into account seasonal variations, weather, and travellers' interest.

Overnight at Etosha-East.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner



Day 4 Etosha National Park East - West
Today we re-locate to the park's western sector with a full day of game viewing along the way with a lunch stop en route.

Our route will likely take us via selected waterholes such as Goas, which are normally particularly good for game viewing, to the western gate, eventually leaving the park before sunset, arriving with enough time to relax and freshen up before for dinner.

Overnight Etosha West.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner



Day 5 Etosha - Damaraland
After an early breakfast the road takes us south into the wonderful and diverse heart of Damaraland where we will spend the next two nights at our lodge.

Damaraland is typified by displays of colour, magnificent table-top mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation. The present day landscape has been formed by the erosion of wind, water and geological forces which have created rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains and ancient river terraces. It is the variety and loneliness of the area as well as the scenic splendor which will reward and astound you, giving one an authentic understanding of the word 'wilderness'.

If time allows this afternoon (or tomorrow if we are running late) we will visit the nearby attractions and geological sites of the pre-historic Twyfelfontein rock engravings (recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site). We will arrive in the late afternoon after a long yet rewarding day, with time to enjoy sundowners before dinner.

Overnight in Damaraland.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner



Day 6 Damaraland Touring
Today is dedicated to exploring this remarkable and fascinating area with our guides. After an early breakfast we will be treated to a memorable 4x4 excursion along the ephemeral Aba Huab River valleys to explore this remarkable region and to search for game, including the elusive desert adapted elephants if they are in the area. Damaraland is home to a variety of desert adapted wildlife and hidden desert treasures. As the elephants are mostly active in the mornings we will normally have the best chance to see them then before returning to camp for lunch. However, if all
travellers are in agreement, we could possibly take a picnic lunch and stop to enjoy that in the shade of a large Ana tree by the riverbed, ideally while watching a herd of elephant browsing nearby.

On return to camp there should be time to relax and enjoy some pre-dinner drinks while admiring the stunning views of our surroundings at sunset.

Overnight in Damaraland.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner



Day 7 Damaraland - Swakopmund
Today our journey south continues, past Namibia's highest mountain, the Brandberg, which peaks at 2573m/8,440 ft above sea level, and take time to view game and absorb the vastness of the scenery along the way.

Our destination is the German colonial resort town of Swakopmund. This is Namibia's second biggest town and traditional "summer capital", and one of the most surreal places in this surreal country. You approach the town through the endless expanses of the Namib Desert, one of the world's largest wilderness areas. Then, through the mists (it is almost always misty in the morning and late afternoon) Bavarian spires and elaborate Germanic architecture rise through the fog banks. The boom of the surf on the notorious Skeleton Coast is an ever-present reminder of the icy Atlantic Ocean beyond.

We will have some time for a stroll around town before dinner.

Overnight in Swakopmund.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 8 Swakopmund: Leisure Time & Optional Activities
Today is free to wander the streets of charming Swakopmund. The town is an eclectic mixture of Bohemian and Bavarian, home to an intriguing mix of artists, hippies, strait-laced descendants of German settlers, stately Herero women in Victorian dress, and hardened miners, game rangers, safari operators and fishermen. Swakopmund exudes romance and history, a rich cultural melting pot of old and new. Nighttime entertainment ranges from sophisticated spins on the casino's roulette wheels, through raucous parties at the many pubs and restaurants, to an assortment of drama, music and cultural events. It is indeed odd to be in a little corner of old Bavaria wedged between one of
the world's harshest deserts and even harsher coastlines.

You may wish to participate in an optional activity, including "Living Desert" excursions of the amazingly diverse Namib Desert biosphere; marine cruises on the Walvis Bay lagoon and outer harbour, camel rides, and many more (your Tour Leader can advise on current pricing and book in advance once you arrive on the tour).

Overnight in Swakopmund.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 9 Swakopmund - Namib-Naukluft Park
We continue our journey south toward Namib-Naukluft Park via Solitaire and the spectacular rocky Kuiseb Canyon (photo stops en route) -- with possible sightings of baboon, rock hyrax, or, if lucky, leopard.

We travel through magnificent colours, pastel-basted rock formations, and waves of taupe-coloured grasses. Even the clouds are tinged orange-pink as distant dunes reflect their colour skywards! In the Nama language, Namib means vast, and this is an understatement. At the opposite end of the moisture scale is the parched Namib Desert with endless orange dunes blown into razor sharp ridges by the sand-shifting wind. The famous Sossusvlei sand dunes at 300m (1,000 ft), are the highest in the world, towering over their nearest rivals in Arabia, and just begging to be climbed.

Animals, insects, and plants have adapted to live in this generally inhospitable region and apart from infrequent rains, rely on the sea mist that rolls far inland. En route we have the chance to see kudu, springbok, gemsbok and black eagles set against some of the most expansive and dramatically rugged scenery in the world.

En route we have several stops for scenery viewing and photos. Upon arrival this afternoon you will have time to wander the land around our lodge and enjoy the multi-hued sands, strange twisted acacia trees, and almost guaranteed perfect sunset. We will have a picnic lunch en route.

Overnight in the vicinity of the Namib-Naklauft National Park.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner



Day 10 Namib-Naukluft Park
Very early this morning we drive into the park to a special place called Sossusvlei, a huge dried up pan (vlei) which sporadically holds water, at the base of some of the most spectacular dunes in the Namib. We watch the morning sun light up the apricot coloured sands, the long shadows accentuating the graceful, almost feminine curves of the dune crests. These immense rich ochre sand dunes are one of the most wondrous sights in the world.

Geologists say that this desert, covering most of the Namib-Naklauft Park, could be the oldest in the world. The older the dune, the brighter the colour from slow iron oxidisation and minute fragments of garnets. Dwarfed by the sheer size of the dunes, your footprints look like insect trails and each step forward forms a mini sand-slide. The solitude is immeasurable and your place in the great scheme of life takes on a curious insignificance. Visually powerful and deafeningly silent, this unforgettable experience is a high point of our visit to the Namib. Possible game sightings include oryx antelope, springbok, or ostrich.

At Sossusvlei we have plenty of time to walk into the heart of the dunes, scale a dune or two for panoramic views, and walk across the sand to a pan called Dead Vlei. This spooky place is named as such because of the blackened dead acacia trees that "sprout" from a blinding white pan against an orange dune backdrop. Stupendous.

On our way back to our accommodation we will make a stop at Sesriem Canyon, located near the entry gate to Sossussvlei. It was an important source of water for early inhabitants and even during dry times there is water in the upper reaches, where deep clefts in the rock reduce evaporation. Explorers, transport riders and early travellers used to lower a bucket down to collect the water and it normally took 6 lengths of thong tied together, hence the Afrikaans name 'Ses' meaning six, and 'Riem' meaning thong. The canyon was formed by the Tsauchab River rising in the Naukluft and Zaris Mountains to the east, and flowing through to Sossusvlei. Walking through the canyon takes you on a journey back 10-20 million years ago when sedimentary layers of gravel and sand were deposited and cemented together by lime. The ledges are now inhabited by pigeons, raucous pied crows and chattering starlings.

We'll have a picnic breakfast en route and likely a late lunch upon return to our lodge.

Overnight at Namib-Naukluft.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner



Day 11 Namib-Naukluft - Windhoek
After a leisurely breakfast we set off on our journey back to Windhoek. The road takes us north through the spectacular Gamsberg Pass, through commercial farmlands to Namibia's central highlands, to reach Windhoek.

Overnight in Windhoek.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner



Day 12 Departure
Today we depart from Windhoek.

BON VOYAGE!

Included Meal(s): Breakfast

 


 

Trip Info
Trip Info

Inclusions
Breakfast and dinner daily (hotels and restaurants); most lunches. All accommodation, transport, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary. Gratuities for drivers, local guides, restaurant staff, porters.

Our Namibia/Botswana tours are an EXCEPTION to our usual policies around airport transfers, which we INCLUDE for all passengers regardless of whether you book your air through us or not.

Exclusions
International airfare to/from the tour. Tour Leader gratuities, some lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), international (if applicable) air and airport taxes. Optional trip cancellation insurance. Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on shopping and not included meals.

Our Namibia/Botswana tours are an EXCEPTION to our usual policies around airport transfers, which we INCLUDE for all passengers regardless of whether you book your air through us or not.

Seasonality and Weather
Most rain falls in summer (Nov-Apr); that said, Namibia is an arid place that tends to be dry at any time of year. Temperatures are quite high at this time. Winter (May-Oct) nights can be fairly cold, but days are generally warm and pleasant. Our March departure is moving into the cooler season when showers, though short lived, may occur. Our departures in Oct/Nov will experience cooler temperatures; showers--sometimes heavy--will be a greater likelihood moving into Nov.

Transport and Travel Conditions
Varies depending on group size. Bus transport may be arranged, or the group may be accommodated in multiple Land Rover type vehicles. These are specially modified vehicles and are the best-suited for the conditions we will encounter. Note that air conditioning is VERY rare in vehicles in Namibia in general, though in a dry climate an open window should provide adequate relief. That said, you must remember that you will be visiting a desert environment in which heat and dust are a fact of life. Namibia is also a huge, sparsely populated country with great distances between facilities. We stop for breaks as often as possible, but you must be prepared for some long days and some early starts. For our full days of game viewing in Etosha we will be using open safari-style vehicles (ie Land Rover / Land cruiser) with space for 4-6.

Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form.

Accommodation
Well-located, air-conditioned, 3&4-star hotels and lodges with en suite toilet and bath throughout (maybe shower only). Some hotels have hairdryers, irons, and outdoor swimming pools. Porter service is available throughout (see 'Inclusions'). Single rooms are limited and likely smaller than twins. There is no camping.

Staff and Support
Local Tour Leader throughout, drivers, local guides at various locations.

Group Size
Maximum 18 plus Tour Leader

Tour Extensions
This tour is part of a series that can be upgraded to make for a longer trip. For more options, please refer to tour code/s:

20 Day Namibia & Botswana Tour
MAR OCT
TOUR CODE: NA2
Tour Overview
25 Day South Africa Tour & Namibia
FEB OCT
TOUR CODE: SA5
Tour Overview
29 Day Namibia Tour & Southern Africa
FEB OCT
TOUR CODE: SA3
Tour Overview
33 Day Southern Africa Tour
FEB OCT
TOUR CODE: AF1
Tour Overview

 


 

Map & Hotels
Map & Hotels

Regions visited: Southern Africa
Countries visited: Namibia


*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.


The following is a list of sample hotels at some locations included on this tour. The hotels shown here are meant to provide a general sense of the standard of hotel we usually aim for; they are not necessarily confirmed for your chosen departure.


Galton House
4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation
Location: Windhoek
Country: Namibia
Galton House is Windhoek's newest accommodation establishment. Named after the famous explorer Sir Francis Galton, it has a relaxed but efficient style which creates a very welcoming atmosphere. Impressive wildlife photography adorns ... walls whilst the rest of the interior is a combination of modern minimalistic and understated chic.

A mere ten minute drive from the centre of town and perched on the edge of Windhoek's northernmost affluent suburb of Eros, guests staying here will be ensured of peace and tranquillity. There is Wi-Fi throughout the property and the eight guest rooms all have wired internet connectivity and satellite television. There is a coffee/tea station available in the reception area and these can also be provided in the rooms on request.
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Sossusvlei Lodge
4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation
Location: Namib-Naukluft National Park
Country: Namibia
Situated at the Entrance Gate to the Namib Naukluft Park, Sossusvlei Lodge offers direct access to the towering red sand dunes, the famous pan of Sossusvlei, the scorched black trees of Dead ... and the remarkable depths of the Sesriem Canyon.

Experience the true art of Hospitality with the thoughtful touch of attentive staff to contribute to a truly memorable experience. Facilities include a sparkling pool, bar, sundowner deck, beer garden and an al fresco terrace where one can enjoy exquisite food, award-winning wines and magnificent views of the floodlit waterhole.
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Swakopmund Hotel
4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation
Location: Swakopmund
Country: Namibia
Enclosed by the ever-changing restless movement of the dunes of the Namib Desert on the east and the pounding waves and beaches of the Atlantic Ocean to the west, lies the historic ... of Swakopmund, gateway to the Skeleton Coast. The Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre has been designed to complement the architecture of the historic (1901) station building, which today forms part of the hotel’s public areas.

The hotel offers the perfect balance between charming, old-world tradition and the thrill and excitement of modern day entertainment.
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Anderssons At Ongava
3 Star Accommodation 3 Star Accommodation 3 Star Accommodation
Location: Etosha National Park
Country: Namibia
Guests at Anderssons at Ongava have the option of being immersed in and can contribute to developing creative, knowledge driven solutions with resident scientists, visiting researchers, conservationists and rhino security personnel, or ... relaxing and enjoying the luxurious guest suites, waterhole, photographic hide, and pool where they will find their own personal place for reflection.
Read More

 


 

Gallery

 


 

Frequently Asked Questions
ASK A QUESTION
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
ASK A QUESTION
01. What is the maximum number of participants on a trip?
Most of our tours carry a maximum of 18 participants; some tours (ie hiking tours) top out at 16. In the event that we do not achieve our minimum complement by our 60-day deadline, we may offer group members the option of paying a "small-group surcharge" as an alternative to cancellation. If all group members agree, we will confirm the trip at existing numbers; this surcharge is refundable in the event that we ultimately achieve our regular minimum. If the small group surcharge is not accepted, we will offer a refund of your deposit or a different trip of your choice.
02. Can I extend my tour either at the beginning or end? What about stopovers?
Yes, you can extend your tour either at the beginning or the end and we can book accommodation in our tour hotel. Stopovers are often permitted, depending on air routing. Stopovers usually carry a "stopover" fee levied by the airline.
03. How do I make a reservation? How and when do I pay?
The easiest way to make a reservation is to contact us by telephone. You can also book online through our website. A non-refundable deposit is payable at the time of booking; if a reservation is made within 60 days, full payment is required. Some trips require a larger deposit. If international airline bookings require a non-refundable payment in order to secure space or the lowest available fare, we will require an increase in deposit equal to the cost of the ticket(s). Early enrolment is always encouraged as group size is limited and some trips require greater preparation time. Once we have received your deposit, we will confirm your space and send you a confirmation package containing your trip itinerary, any visa/travel permit related documents, invoice, clothing and equipment recommendations, general information on your destination(s), and forms for you to complete, sign and return to us. Your air e-tickets (if applicable), final hotel list, final trip itinerary, and instructions on how to join your tour, will be sent approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure.
04. What about cancellations, refunds, and transfers?
Please review our cancellation policy page for details.
05. I am a single who prefers my own room. What is a single supplement?
All of our tours have a single supplement for those who want to be guaranteed their own room at each location. This supplement is a reflection of the fact that most hotels around the world do not discount the regular twin-share rate for a room by 50% for only one person occupying a room. Most hotels will give a break on the price, but usually in the range of 25-30% of the twin-share rate. This difference, multiplied by each night, amounts to the single supplement. The conventional amount can also vary from country to country and some destinations are more expensive than others for single occupancy. In order to be "single friendly," the supplements we apply are not a profit centre for us and we do our best to keep them as reasonable as possible. On most tours we limit the number of singles available, not to be punitive, but rather because many hotels allow for only a limited number of singles; some smaller hotels at remote locations also have a limited number of single rooms available. Please note that most single rooms around the world are smaller than twin-share rooms and will likely have only one bed.
06. Do you have a shared accommodation program?
Yes! If you are single traveller and are willing to share, we will do our best to pair you with a same-gender roommate. On most of our tours, if we fail to pair you, we will absorb the single supplement fee and you will default to a single room at no extra charge. At some destinations, however, where single rooms are not significantly discounted, or not at all, we may apply a "mandatory" single in the event that we cannot find you a share partner. This is usually 50% of the usual supplement, but can be as much as 100%. If applicable, this proviso will be noted on each tour page on this website, on your invoice, and in our tour date/price book (available for download under "Resources").

 

What People are Saying
Beverley M.
Kitchener, ON - CA
The Sand Dunes and the game drives were the main reasons I took this safari and they were amazing! Our local guide was excellent - extremely knowledgable, very helpful in meeting the needs and interests of the group as a group and as individuals. very nice personality and sense of humour. He could not have been better. He increased the quality of the safari immensely. Toyota Land Cruiser was perfect for the itinerary, the size of the group and the amount of baggage and a supplies that had to be carried. The dinners were excellent quality and the restaurants in Swakopmund and Winhoek were excellent. The hotels and lodges were excellent. I highly recommend Adventures Abroad to friends and will travel again with you.
Jean-Marie M.
Cornwall,ON - CA
All excursions included in the tour were excellent. Our local guides Orlando and Edward were superb - knowledgeable, courteous, attentive, excellent communicators, etc. All meals exceeded expectations. The safari vehicles were roomy and air conditioned. All meals exceeded expectations. We were impressed and are likely to use your services again. Recommend highly.
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