Namibia Discovery
14 Days Starting in Cape Town and ending in Windhoek
Visiting: Cape Town, Trawal (Lamberts Bay), Orange River, Fish River Canyon, Sesriem, Sesriem - Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland, Etosha National Park, Windhoek
Tour operator:
Tour code:
UBKN
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 13
Age range:
15-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Travel to Namibia and discover one of the most sparsely populated countries on earth. Crossing the border from South Africa, you’ll travel along Namibia's beautiful coastline, to sand dunes, moonscapes and savanna grasslands teeming with wildlife. Namibia is a country of contrasts and a paradise for wilderness lovers! Scale dunes, walk through the desert, savour local dishes, and relax on seldom-visited beaches. Soak up African sunsets, birdwatch, go on game drives through Etosha National Park and do it all with a local leader armed with all the fascinating insights.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation: Hotel
Welkom! Welcome to Cape Town. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, there's plenty to see and do. You will have a free day to explore Cape Town with the help of your leader and fellow travel companions, so we recommend checking the weather forcaste and planning your activities in Cape Town accordingly. After the welcome meeting, get to know your new travel group over an optional dinner with your local leader.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Cape Town is a dynamic city renowned for its stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, and rich cultural heritage. With a wealth of activities to choose from, you're free to craft your own adventure, guided by the expert advice of your leader and possibly some enthusiastic group members. Many experiences here are weather-dependent, such as a trip to the top of Table Mountain, which is best enjoyed on a clear day to take in the spectacular views. Rain or shine, whether it’s hiking, visiting wineries, or seeing the penguins, there's always something exciting to explore in Cape Town.
Optional Activities:
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Day 3: Trawal (Lamberts Bay)
Location: Trawal (Lamberts Bay)
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Depart Cape Town and travel along the west coast to the small seaside town of Lamberts Bay. The bay’s white beaches, lobsters and incredible wildlife earned the town its nickname ‘the diamond of the west coast’. When you arrive, enjoy a delicious feast at a local open-air restaurant, where the amazing ocean views will make for the perfect meal setting. After your seaside lunch, you'll head to Trawal to relax and soak in the views of wine farms and Cedarberg mountain range.
Day 4: Orange River
Location: Orange River
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Say farewell to South Africa as you cross the border into Namibia. You should reach your destination on the banks of the Orange River by mid-afternoon. The border crossing and a few photo stops along the way can delay this arrival time. Orange River is the longest river in South Africa, running from high up in the Drakensberg Mountain range and into the Atlantic Ocean. The river is significant for its role in transporting diamonds, which in turn leaves deposits that are found along the Namibian coastline.
Day 5: Fish River Canyon
Location: Fish River Canyon
Accommodation: Desert Camp
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Spend a leisurely morning getting some extra rest, or unwind by the outdoor pool, soaking in the stunning views of the Orange River in morning light. If relaxing isn't your style, then head out on an optional canoe adventure along the Orange River. With a local guide, you’ll wind through the ancient Richtersveld Mountains in 2-man canoes. This is a slow-paced trip covering approximately 10 km and you’ll mostly be travelling downstream. Later on, venture to Fish River Canyon – one of the biggest canyons in the world. You’ll stop at various lookouts along the way – all great opportunities to catch this gigantic gorge on camera. Look out for some exotic birdlife while you’re here, including plovers, wagtails, hammerkops and herons. You might even catch a glimpse of a baboon or an antelope at dusk!
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 6: Sesriem
Location: Sesriem
Accommodation: Desert Camp
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Today is a long travel day, so grab a window seat if you can or play some road trip games with your fellow travellers. You’re heading to the eastern edge of the Namib Desert today – this region of the world's oldest desert is known for its array of geological features. Take in the diversity and sprawling beauty of the scenery as you drive, and when you arrive, relax at your desert lodge.
Day 7: Sesriem - Sossusvlei
Location: Sesriem - Sossusvlei
Accommodation: Desert Camp
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Today, you’ll make an early morning visit to Sossusvlei, which lies at the end of an ancient riverbed. If you find yourself in the mood, a climb to the top of Dune 45 will reward you with unparalleled views. After breakfast, head to Dead Vlei – a clay pan well known for the iconic postcard-like images taken here by many. The pan is surrounded by some of the highest dunes in the world, including ‘Big Daddy’ and ‘Crazy Dune’. If you'd like to avoid a long walk in the sun, you can opt to pay extra for a 4WD transfer out to the entrance point. In the afternoon, visit Sesriem Gorge – a tranquil natural corridor you can walk through and explore. The canyon was caused by water erosion over thousands of years and the people who lived in the area used to pull buckets of water up from the depths with six knotted belts. Therefore, the canyon was named after the Afrikaans word ‘sesriem’, meaning ‘six belts’.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Swakopmund
Location: Swakopmund
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Depart your desert lodge and travel across the Namib Desert today, ending up on the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean coastline. The drive goes through a diverse and colourful landscape, so keep your eyes on the windows and soak up the scenery. You'll see the incredible Kuiseb Canyon along the way, before arriving at the beachside town of Swakopmund, located on the Skeleton Coast.
Day 9: Swakopmund
Location: Swakopmund
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Enjoy some free time in this gorgeous coastal oasis. Your accommodation is within walking distance of town, making optional activities easy to access. Maybe stroll along the beach, explore the open-air markets or visit the local museum. Your local leader will take you to the local activity centre if you’re not quite sure how you’d like to spend your day.
Optional Activities:
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Day 10: Damaraland
Location: Damaraland
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Get off the beaten track and head into the heart of Damaraland. The ancient landscapes of the Kunene Region are ruggedly spectacular – think awesome sunsets and night skies filled with a multitude of dazzling stars. This part of Namibia is also known as Damaraland, as it’s the ancestral homeland of the enigmatic Damara people (whose exact origins remain unclear). This is also home to a small population of hardy desert adapted elephants and some super unique flora and fauna.
Day 11: Damaraland
Location: Damaraland
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Spend the morning exploring the surrounding sights, including the Twyfelfontein Heritage Site, which boasts one of the largest concentrations of ancient rock engravings in southern Africa, and the Petrified Forest, home to 280-million-year-old fossilized tree trunks. You’ll be guided by locals at both sites, gaining fascinating insights into the area’s history. Visit the Living Museum of the Damara to experience traditional Damara culture, a rare opportunity to connect with one of Namibia's oldest communities. Stop at Burnt Mountain, a 200-meter-high hill at the base of a barren volcanic ridge. It was formed 80 million years ago by a lava flow that dramatically transformed the now desolate landscape. It can get hot, so bring a hat, sunscreen, and water. Spend the rest of the day back at the lodge, relaxing by the pool or enjoying a book in the shade.
Included Activities:
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Day 12: Etosha National Park
Location: Etosha National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Depart your lodge this morning and head towards Etosha National Park. Namibia has protected its game reserves against poaching, so there are large herds of elephants, antelope and other herbivores here. When you arrive, you’ll head out on a short afternoon game drive in your truck. Keep your eyes peeled for the resident wildlife!
Included Activities:
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Day 13: Windhoek
Location: Windhoek
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
From Etosha National Park, you’ll head to Windhoek – an old German town that’s now a cosmopolitan centre. The Germanic colonial architecture of this city contributes to its charming feel. You'll arrive in the late afternoon or early evening. Your trip comes to an end here, so no accommodation is included tonight. If you're staying in the area, the Tintenpalast (Ink Palace), the Christuskirche (church), the gymnasium and the Genossenschaftshaus are all well worth visiting. If you need to organise extra accommodation, speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Included Activities:
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Day 14: Windhoek
Location: Windhoek
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
From Etosha National Park, you’ll head to Windhoek – an old German town that’s now a cosmopolitan centre. The Germanic colonial architecture of this city contributes to its charming feel. You'll arrive in the late afternoon or early evening. Your trip comes to an end here, so no accommodation is included tonight. If you're staying in the area, the Tintenpalast (Ink Palace), the Christuskirche (church), the gymnasium and the Genossenschaftshaus are all well worth visiting. If you need to organise extra accommodation, speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Lodge (7 nights), Hotel (4 nights), Desert Camp (2 nights) -
Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
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Lamberts Bay - Cape Gannet Island
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Fish River Canyon - Canyon entrance
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Orange River - Canoe trip
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Sesriem - Sesriem Canyon Visit
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Sossusvlei - Dune 45
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Damaraland - Petrified Forest
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Damaraland - Twyfelfontein Bushman Paintings
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Etosha National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drives
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Etosha National Park - 4x4 Vehicle Game Drive
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Transport
- Our trucks are purpose-built, self contained safari vehicles. Our fleet of vehicles varies depending on your group size, trip route and style. In Southern Africa some departures may use vans and luggage trailers subject to group size and vehicle availability. It is also important to note that our overland vehicles are not air-conditioned, but all vehicles have windows that can be opened to allow for fresh air.
- There are many early starts with long hours spent driving on rough roads on all African itineraries. While most people love the chance to watch the changing landscape and daily village life, feedback shows that long periods of inactivity does not appeal to all clients. We provide the approximate distance covered each day and how many hours this normally takes to drive so that you can choose the safari experience that is right for you.
- African conditions are extremely tough on vehicles. While we fastidiously maintain our vehicles at our workshops, you should not expect Africa to be your traditional touring experience. While it's certainly our aim to avoid them, it's important that you set off on your trip knowing that the occasional breakdown can happen and are best treated as part of the African adventure. Due to wet weather there may be times when we have to take an alternative route which will mean longer travel times.
Accommodation
- Botswana is becoming increasingly popular tourist destinations. Despite the influx of travellers, bed numbers are not being increased to match the demand. This intentional move is aimed at minimising the environmental impact of tourism and keeping the destinations exclusive. It is therefore becoming more and more difficult for us to confirm our allocation with our usual suppliers, particularly in peak season. We may use alternative accommodation which could affect driving times and distances listed in the Essential Trip Information. However we will always use properties of the same standard and ensure that no included activities will be affected.
- If you require a Sleep Apnea Machine to sleep please ensure that it is battery operated. Lodges and Permanent Tented Camps are often powered by generators which are turned off during the night.
Included Activities
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
- Lamberts Bay - Cape Gannet Island
- Fish River Canyon - Canyon entrance
- Orange River - Canoe trip
- Sesriem - Sesriem Canyon
- Sossusvlei - Dune 45
- Damaraland - Petrified Forest
- Damaraland - Twyfelfontein Bushman Paintings
- Etosha National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drives
- Etosha National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drives
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 2. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
- 3. This trip finishes on arrival in Windhoek on Day 14. Please do not book any flights out this evening. The Airport is located 1hr drive out of Windhoek, and although we generally make it back to the hotel in Windhoek by 5:00pm, it can be difficult to get to the airport in time for flights.
- 4. The weight of baggage that can be brought on this tour is limited by the packing space and weight restrictions of the truck. The weight limit for luggage on all of our trucks is a maximum of 15-20kgs per person, plus a maximum of 5kgs for your day pack. Backpacks shouldn’t have an external frame unless it can easily be removed and stored separately to avoid damaging other people’s luggage. We strongly advise passengers to travel with a backpack or a duffel bag, and it is essential that no hard suitcases be brought on tour. For valuables, like passports, we offer a safe on each vehicle that is shared by all passengers to keep their documentation safe during their journey.
- 5. The minimum age for this trip is 15 at the time of travel. Any travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18 day to day’s care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document to delegate their authority.
- 6. Border crossing delays in the region are sporadic and difficult to predict. What takes an hour one day may take four hours the next. This may affect the order of activities in the itinerary. We understand this uncertainty can be frustrating, and we strongly recommend packing a bit of patience and flexibility.
Mode of Transport
- Our trucks are purpose-built, self contained safari vehicles. Our fleet of vehicles varies depending on your group size, trip route and style. In Southern Africa some departures may use vans and luggage trailers subject to group size and vehicle availability. It is also important to note that our overland vehicles are not air-conditioned, but all vehicles have windows that can be opened to allow for fresh air.
- There are many early starts with long hours spent driving on rough roads on all African itineraries. While most people love the chance to watch the changing landscape and daily village life, feedback shows that long periods of inactivity does not appeal to all clients. We provide the approximate distance covered each day and how many hours this normally takes to drive so that you can choose the safari experience that is right for you.
- African conditions are extremely tough on vehicles. While we fastidiously maintain our vehicles at our workshops, you should not expect Africa to be your traditional touring experience. While it's certainly our aim to avoid them, it's important that you set off on your trip knowing that the occasional breakdown can happen and are best treated as part of the African adventure. Due to wet weather there may be times when we have to take an alternative route which will mean longer travel times.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, visiting remote communities, and getting the best possible views of Africa's iconic wildlife. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows that let in the breeze and make it even easier to take spectacular snaps of the local wildlife. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/africa/overland
Namibian summer (November to March) can be very hot and humid with maximum temperatures around 30-35°C and peaks of over 40°C in the desert.
There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.
This trip can be partnered with other adventures into a ‘combo’, which means that some of your fellow travellers may carry on to further destinations at the end of this tour. If you’d like to spend more time in Africa, have a look at the combo itinerary: Amazing Southern Africa (UBKEC) -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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