3-Day Etosha Safari from Windhoek: Game Drives & Himba Village

Two full days inside Etosha, sleeping where the animals drink at the waterhole.

A 3-day safari from Windhoek that spends two nights inside Etosha National Park in en-suite accommodation, with morning and afternoon game drives searching for predators, a visit to a Himba settlement, and transport to Swakopmund. Pickup from Windhoek is included. The guide is English-speaking and the vehicle has a pop-up roof for wildlife viewing. Day one ends at Halali after a 3-hour drive and an afternoon game drive; day two runs a full day of drives through the park and past the Etosha Pan; day three crosses Damaraland and the Namib Desert to the coast.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Etosha and game drive

• Pick up and predeparture meeting
• Drive to Otjiwarongo, short break
• Arrive Ombika Gate, game drive to accommodation
• Visit floodlit waterhole before dinner
• Dinner at Rest Camp restaurant

Day 2: Morning and afternoon game drives

• Breakfast at Rest Camp
• Morning game drive to Etosha Pan
• Picnic lunch in the park
• Afternoon game drive towards Okaukuejo
• Exit park and drive to Etosha Village lodge
• Dinner buffet at lodge

Day 3: Cultural visits and travel to Swakopmund

• Visit Damara people and pop up shop
• Tour Himba village settlement
• Stop in Uis for drinks and bathroom break
• Stop at Zeila Shipwreck
• Arrive and drop off in Swakopmund

The experience

The tour picks you up from your Windhoek hotel at 7:15am and drives three hours to Otjiwarongo, where there's time to grab supplies before heading into Etosha National Park. You arrive at Ombika Gate around 2pm and spend the rest of the afternoon on your first game drive, heading straight to Halali Rest Camp inside the park. The accommodation is twin share rooms with en-suite bathrooms. The operator recommends spending time at the floodlit waterhole before and after dinner, where animals come to drink through the night.

Day two is the full game-drive day. After breakfast you head out on a morning drive searching for predators (lion, cheetah, leopard), and by mid-morning you reach the Etosha Pan itself, the vast salt flat the park is named after. A picnic lunch happens in the park, then a final afternoon drive takes you back toward Okaukuejo before sunset, and you exit the park to Etosha Village for the night. Day three is the long drive out: you travel through Damaraland and stop at a small Himba settlement for a short village tour, learning what makes the Himba people distinct. There's a resupply stop in Uis, then the route crosses the Namib Desert plains, passes the Zeila Shipwreck on the coast, and arrives in Swakopmund late afternoon.

The vehicle is custom-built for safari with an air-conditioned cabin and pop-up roof for unobstructed viewing. Your guide speaks English and drives. The park's 340 bird species and large mammals (rhino, elephant, giraffe, antelope) are what the itinerary is built around. Tap water is provided throughout. Other drinks and dinner in Swakopmund are optional add-ons at checkout.

What’s included

• Pickup from your Windhoek hotel.
• transport in a custom-built air-conditioned safari vehicle with pop-up roof.
• professional English-speaking driver and guide.
• two nights accommodation in twin share rooms with en-suite bathrooms at Halali and Etosha Village.
• one full day and one afternoon game drive inside Etosha National Park.
• a 1-hour Himba Village visit.
• tap water throughout.
• drop-off in Swakopmund.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday and ThursdayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Youth (12 to 16 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 21 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Chameleon Safaris

Is this one for you?The three days mean you spend two full nights inside the park where the animals are, not commuting in and out each day. The early 7:15am start and long day-three drive suit travelers who can handle a full schedule and don't mind hours in the vehicle to reach the coast.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 16 years); Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What animals am I likely to see on the game drives in Etosha?

Etosha is home to lion, cheetah, leopard, rhino, elephant, giraffe and numerous antelope species, plus around 340 bird species. The morning and afternoon drives focus on searching for predators, and the mid-morning drive takes you to the Etosha Pan where larger congregations gather.

Do I need my own accommodation in Swakopmund, or is it included?

Accommodation in Swakopmund is not included in the safari price. You are dropped at your hotel or lodging late on day three, so you need to book your own place to stay there.

How much driving is there on day three, and what do I see along the way?

Day three is a long driving day across rural Namibia. You pass through Damaraland to meet the Damara people at a small shop, stop at a Himba village for a short tour, cross the Namib Desert plains, and pass the Zeila Shipwreck on the coast before reaching Swakopmund late afternoon.

Is the Himba Village visit included, and how long does it last?

Yes, a 1-hour Himba Village experience is included on day three. It's a short tour through their settlement where you learn about their way of life and culture.

What's the pickup and drop-off arrangement?

Pickup is from your Windhoek hotel at 7:15am on day one. On day three you are dropped at your accommodation in Swakopmund late afternoon. Both pickups and drop-offs are within the city limits.