6-Day Namibia Safari: Etosha, Sossusvlei & Skeleton Coast

Chase sunrise at Dune 45, then track wildlife at Etosha's waterholes

This six-day camping safari departs Windhoek to cross Namibia's oldest desert, camp at Sossusvlei and Etosha National Park, and explore the Skeleton Coast, with a live English-speaking guide, all park fees, game drives and camping equipment included. The itinerary moves between three distinct landscapes: red sand dunes, a coastal town with hotel beds, and a wildlife reserve where you'll spend two nights watching animals drink at waterholes. Children from age five are welcome, and pickup from Windhoek accommodation is arranged.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Windhoek to Sesriem campsite

• Collected from Windhoek accommodation
• Transfer to Chameleon HQ for meeting
• Drive to Sesriem via Rehoboth and BűellsPort
• Set up camp at Sesriem campsite
• Enjoy picnic-style lunch
• Optional drive to Elim Dune for sunset
• Walk back to camp through desert

Day 2: Sesriem and Sossusvlei dunes

• Pre-dawn start to Dune 45
• Climb Dune 45 for sunrise
• Return to vehicle for breakfast
• Drive to 2x4 car park near Sossusvlei
• Enter Tsauchab Riverbed to Sossusvlei

Day 3: Sesriem to Swakopmund

• Early breakfast and depart Sesriem
• Cross Namib gravel plains and Tropic of Capricorn
• Traverse Gaub River canyon and Kuiseb Pass
• Stop for photos at Tropic of Capricorn
• Lunch at Walvisbay lagoon
• Drive to Swakopmund town

Day 4: Swakopmund to Etosha National Park

• Breakfast in Swakopmund
• Drive to Etosha National Park
• Afternoon camp drive in Etosha
• Set up camp at Okaukuejo Campsite
• Evening at waterhole

Day 5: Etosha National Park game drives

• Early morning game drive to waterholes
• Stop for breakfast at picnic area
• Continue game drive to Halali camp
• Overnight at Okaukuejo Campsite

Day 6: Etosha to Windhoek return

• Break camp and depart Etosha
• Stop at Otjiwarongo to refuel
• Visit wood carving market in Okahandja
• Arrive in Windhoek late afternoon
• Shuttle to accommodation in Windhoek

The experience

The truck collects you from your Windhoek hotel at 07:00 on day one and heads south across Namibia's central plateau toward Sesriem. The 320-kilometre drive climbs through mountain scenery and stops in the small town of Rehoboth for supplies before arriving at the Sesriem campsite by lunchtime. You'll set up camp under an ancient camelthorn tree with views of the world's oldest desert's red dunes rising beyond. In the late afternoon, a short drive takes you to Elim Dune for the golden light before sunset, then a walk back through the desert to camp if you choose it.

Day two starts before dawn. You drive to Dune 45 in darkness and early twilight, arriving in time to climb to a vantage point and watch the colours shift as the sun rises: the sand glows orange and apricot on one side while shadow pools on the other. After a quick breakfast, you continue the last few kilometres to the 2x4 car park, then walk the final 5 kilometres through the dry Tsauchab Riverbed to Sossusvlei itself. The riverbed only flows seasonally when rain is heavy enough, so for most of the year you're walking across sand and gravel. You return to camp at Sesriem for the night.

Day three is a long drive west into the Namib gravel plains, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn (there's a signpost for photos) and traversing two mountain passes carved by rivers over centuries. You drop steeply into the Kuiseb canyon, emerge onto flat road toward the coast, and stop for lunch at Walvis Bay lagoon before reaching Swakopmund. Tonight you sleep in a twin-share room with an en-suite bathroom instead of a tent: the only night off the ground on this safari.

Day four takes you north on paved road to Etosha National Park, arriving in the afternoon for your first game drive into the park before setting up camp at Okaukuejo. You'll spend the evening at the waterhole watching animals come to drink. On day five, the guide takes you on game drives between multiple waterholes: Etosha is a desert landscape where water is scarce, so animals gather at these points, especially in early morning. You'll stop at a designated picnic area for breakfast and drive to Halali camp for the night, returning to Okaukuejo afterward. Day six breaks camp for the last time and heads south toward Windhoek, stopping at Okahandja's wood carving market where craftsmen from across Namibia sell both large and small pieces. A shuttle service returns you to your Windhoek accommodation in the late afternoon.

What’s included

• Camping equipment and tent for all nights except Swakopmund.
• game driving in a Chameleon Safaris vehicle with a live English-speaking guide.
• entry fees for Sossusvlei and Etosha National Park.
• the Sossusvlei excursion including Dune 45 and the walk through the riverbed.
• pickup and drop-off at your Windhoek accommodation.
• tap water throughout the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesdayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (16 to 70 years) · Youth (12 to 15 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 9 · max 4 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 11 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Paid on siteUS$ 14.78

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

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

Operated by Chameleon Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're comfortable sleeping in a tent and spending long days driving: the six days move between three landscapes, and the camping at waterholes is what puts you in place for early-morning game drives when Etosha's wildlife is most active. The budget format means shared facilities and a group setting, which keeps costs down but also means less flexibility on timing and stops.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 15 years); Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What's included in the camping equipment for this safari?

The tour provides all camping gear: tent, sleeping mat and other equipment needed for the nights at Sesriem and Etosha. A sleeping bag can be hired separately if you don't have your own.

How many game drives happen in Etosha, and what's the best time to see wildlife?

Etosha includes multiple game drives between waterholes over two days and nights at the park. The guide focuses on early morning drives when animals come to drink, which is when you're most likely to see them gathered at the water.

Do I need a 4x4 vehicle to reach Sossusvlei?

The tour uses a Chameleon Safaris vehicle to reach the 2x4 car park, where all two-wheel-drive vehicles must stop. From there, the final 5 kilometres to Sossusvlei itself is a walk through the dry riverbed.

What happens on the night in Swakopmund, and is it different from the camping nights?

Swakopmund is the only night with hotel accommodation. You'll sleep in a twin-share room with an en-suite bathroom instead of camping. Dinner and drinks in town are not included, so you can choose where to eat.

What's the Tropic of Capricorn stop, and why do we pass through it?

The Tropic of Capricorn is a latitude line at 23.5 degrees south that crosses Namibia. The tour stops at a signpost marking this geographical point for photos during the drive from Sesriem to Swakopmund.