10-Day Namibia Tour: Etosha, Sossusvlei & Swakopmund

Cross five distinct landscapes in one journey: savannah, ancient stone, coastal waters, red desert and golden plains.

A 10-day guided tour of Namibia departing from Windhoek, covering Etosha National Park safaris, Damaraland's rock engravings, the Namib and Kalahari deserts, Swakopmund's coast, and a Walvis Bay boat cruise. The itinerary pairs wildlife viewing with cultural sites and geological landmarks, moving through five contrasting ecosystems in sequence. Accommodations, meals, park entry fees, vehicle with insurance, fuel and a professional driver are included. A tour guide is optional depending on your booking option.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Otjiwarongo and Game Drive

• Depart Windhoek to Otjiwarongo
• Settle at accommodation
• Afternoon game drive

Day 2: Etosha National Park Game Drives

• Full day game drive in Etosha
• Arrive Namutoni lodge
• Afternoon game drive at Namutoni

Day 3: Visit Damara Living Museum

• Travel to Damara Living Museum
• Experience Damara culture and traditions

Day 4: Travel to Damaraland and Rock Art Visit

• Depart Okaukuejo to Damaraland
• Visit ancient rock engraving site
• Settle into Damaraland accommodation

Day 5: Travel to Swakopmund with Free Time

• Travel west to Swakopmund
• Enjoy free time in Swakopmund

Day 6: Walvis Bay Cruise and Dune 7 Visit

• Boat cruise in Walvis Bay with lunch
• Visit Dune 7 for sandboarding or views

Day 7: Scenic Drive to Sossusvlei

• Drive through Kuiseb Pass
• Cross Tropic of Capricorn
• Stop at Solitaire settlement
• Arrive at Sossusvlei accommodation

Day 8: Explore Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon

• Visit Sossusvlei dunes
• Explore Deadvlei
• Climb Dune 45
• Visit Sesriem Canyon

Day 9: Travel to Kalahari Desert

• Drive from Sossusvlei to Kalahari Desert
• Settle at Kalahari accommodation

Day 10: Return to Windhoek and Departure

• Travel to Windhoek
• Visit National Museum of Namibia

The experience

How do you see five different Namibias in one trip without piecing together your own route? This 10-day tour strings together the country's most distinct regions in a single arc: you start in Etosha's open plains hunting wildlife at waterholes, pivot west into Damaraland's rugged mountains to stand in front of ancient rock engravings, drop down to Swakopmund on the Atlantic coast for a boat cruise through Walvis Bay, then turn inland across the Tropic of Capricorn into the Namib Desert's towering dunes at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, and finish in the red sands of the Kalahari before returning to Windhoek. The route is fixed, so the stops and the pacing stay the same across every departure.

The first two days anchor you in Etosha, where you drive the park's eastern section from Namutoni with a guide and your own vehicle, watching springbok and zebra move between waterholes and spotting rarer species like the black-faced impala endemic to Namibia. From there you head west into Damaraland, visiting the Damara Living Museum to see traditional hunting techniques and home construction, then moving on to rock engravings at Twyfelfontein that are thousands of years old. The coast comes next: Swakopmund gives you free time to explore the town, and a full day includes a boat cruise from Walvis Bay with champagne and lunch, plus the option to climb Dune 7, one of the world's highest sand dunes. The desert portion takes you through Kuiseb Pass and across the Tropic of Capricorn to Solitaire, a small settlement in the Namib, then into the park itself for a full day at Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Dune 45 and Sesriem Canyon: the most photographed and geologically striking part of the itinerary. You finish with a drive through the Kalahari's red dunes before heading back to Windhoek and the National Museum of Namibia.

The vehicle is a rental with all-risk insurance, and fuel for the entire 10 days is covered. You travel with a professional driver and chauffeur. A tour guide is optional and depends on which booking option you select. Binoculars and field guides come with you, as does a first-aid kit. Accommodations range from Frans Indongo Lodge near Otjiwarongo to Namutoni Resort in Etosha, Twyfelfontein Country Lodge in Damaraland, Bay View Resort in Swakopmund, The Elegant Lodge near Sossusvlei, and Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge: all subject to availability. Meals are included as stated in the itinerary, and airport transfers in Windhoek are part of the package. You'll need to arrange your own international flights and handle any visa requirements beforehand. Personal medical insurance and repatriation are mandatory but not provided by the operator.

What’s included

• Meet-and-greet service at Windhoek.
• professional driver and chauffeur for all 10 days.
• rental vehicle with all-risk insurance and fuel for the entire journey.
• accommodations at eight lodges as listed in the itinerary, based on availability.
• meals as stated in the daily itinerary.
• entrance fees to Etosha National Park, Namib-Naukluft National Park and all reserves.
• Walvis Bay boat cruise with champagne and lunch.
• binoculars and field guides.
• first-aid kit.
• airport transfers in Windhoek.
• 24/7 assistance during the trip.
• Namibia VAT and tourism levy.
• parking fees.

Options for this experience

2 options

Shared pricing, per person08:30Pickup is included

Solo pickup:Y08:30Private trip, pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Motema Tours and Safaris Namibia

Is this one for you?Book the shared option if you want a professional guide leading the commentary at each stop and don't mind traveling with other guests. Choose solo pickup if you prefer the flexibility of your own driver without a guide, though you'll need to arrange your own interpretation at sites like Twyfelfontein and Sossusvlei. Minimum age is 12, and the itinerary involves long driving days and early starts, so it suits travelers comfortable with several hours in a vehicle each day.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife will I actually see in Etosha, and how much time do I spend there?

Etosha holds elephants, giraffes, zebras, springbok, leopards and the black-faced impala found nowhere else in Africa. You spend two full days driving the park from Namutoni lodge, with afternoon and full-day game drives that take you to waterholes where animals congregate, especially in the late afternoon light.

Is the Walvis Bay boat cruise included, and what does it cover?

Yes, the Walvis Bay cruise is included on day six. You board a boat to see aquatic life along the coast, and the cruise includes champagne and a full lunch. The option to climb Dune 7 nearby is available but separate.

How long is the drive from Swakopmund to Sossusvlei, and what do I see along the way?

The drive crosses the Namib Desert via Kuiseb Pass and the Tropic of Capricorn, passing through Solitaire, a small desert settlement. The route showcases the transition from coastal plains to vast sand dunes, and you have free time in the afternoon after arrival to settle in.

What exactly is Deadvlei, and why is it worth visiting?

Deadvlei is a stark, lifeless salt pan surrounded by some of the world's tallest sand dunes, located near Sossusvlei in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The name comes from Afrikaans words meaning "dead marsh." It's a full day's stop on day eight, visited alongside Sossusvlei, Dune 45 and Sesriem Canyon, a 1-kilometer gorge carved by the Tsauchab River over millions of years.

Do I need my own guide, or does the driver provide commentary?

A professional driver and chauffeur are included on every departure. A tour guide is optional and depends on which booking option you select at checkout. You can choose a shared tour with a guide or travel solo with the driver alone.

What happens on the final day, and when do I return to Windhoek?

Day ten takes you from the Kalahari Desert back toward Windhoek, with a stop at the National Museum of Namibia to explore Namibian history before your departure. The exact return time depends on your flight schedule and is coordinated with airport transfers included in the package.