Namibia Safari & Desert Tour: Etosha, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei

Six-day Namibia tour: wildlife at Etosha, coastal dunes, and Sossusvlei's red sand and dead trees

A 6-day guided tour from Windhoek combining Etosha National Park safari, the coastal town of Swakopmund, and Sossusvlei's iconic red dunes and Deadvlei salt pan. The tour includes a professional English or French-speaking guide, all lodge accommodations, meals, park entrance fees, vehicle with insurance, and airport transfers. A minimum age of 12 applies; optional activities like hot air balloon rides are available at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Windhoek to Okaukuejo Safari

• Travel from Windhoek to Okaukuejo
• Learn Etosha National Park history
• Settle at Toshari Lodge or similar
• Enjoy dinner at the lodge

Day 2 — Full-Day Etosha Safari

• Morning breakfast at lodge
• Go on game drives in Etosha
• Visit Okaukuejo Waterhole for wildlife viewing
• Take walking safari with guide
• Birdwatch in Etosha National Park
• Photograph wildlife and landscapes
• Dinner at Toshari Lodge or similar

Day 3 — Etosha to Swakopmund Adventure

• Breakfast at lodge
• Travel from Okaukuejo to Swakopmund
• Explore Swakopmund town and landmarks
• Visit Swakopmund Camel Farm for camel ride
• Hike or board-surf at Dune 7
• Stay overnight at Bay View Resort or similar

Day 4 — Swakopmund to Sossusvlei Drive

• Breakfast at Bay View Resort
• Visit Walvis Bay Lagoon and Pelican Point
• Cross Kuiseb Pass and admire landscape
• Stop at Solitaire desert oasis
• Arrive at The Elegant Desert Lodge or similar

Day 5 — Sossusvlei and Sesriem Exploration

• Breakfast at lodge
• Climb Dune 45 at Sossusvlei
• Explore Deadvlei salt pan
• Visit Sesriem Canyon geological site
• Dinner at The Elegant Desert Lodge

Day 6 — Return to Windhoek and Departure

• Breakfast at lodge
• Travel from Sossusvlei to Windhoek
• Drop off at accommodation or hotel booking

The Experience

The tour opens in Etosha National Park, where you spend two days based at Okaukuejo rest camp. Game drives take you through the park's ecosystems to spot elephants, lions, giraffes and over 340 bird species. The famous Okaukuejo Waterhole, lit at night, draws rhinos, zebras and other animals to drink after dark—a viewing opportunity most visitors plan around. Your guide handles the driving and wildlife spotting while you watch from the vehicle.

Day three moves you west toward the coast. You cross the Kuiseb Pass, a narrow gorge carved by the Tsauchab River between reddish-brown cliffs, then pass through Solitaire before reaching Swakopmund. This coastal town sits between the Namib Desert and the Atlantic; your afternoon is free to explore on your own. The Swakopmund Camel Farm offers guided rides into the desert, and Dune 7 near Walvis Bay stands 383 meters high for those who want to hike or board-surf its slopes.

Day four takes you inland again toward Sossusvlei. You drive through Walvis Bay and cross the Kuiseb Pass a second time, then continue south through the desert. The final day in the park focuses on the landscape itself: Dune 45 (170 meters, famous for sunrise climbs), Deadvlei with its blackened acacia trees against white salt pans, and Sesriem Canyon, a 1-kilometer gorge carved into reddish rock. Your guide leads walks and points out the geological layers and desert wildlife like oryx and springbok. On day six, you return to Windhoek with a city tour before being dropped at your accommodation or a hotel of your choice.

The guide provides binoculars and field guides throughout. Meals, fuel, vehicle insurance and all national park entrance fees are included. You can book this tour as a solo traveler or share it with others; the price per person adjusts accordingly. Personal medical insurance is mandatory but not provided by the operator. Airport transfers are included, and 24/7 assistance is available during the trip.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or French.
• all lodge accommodations based on availability.
• breakfast, lunch and dinner as stated in the itinerary.
• entrance fees to Etosha National Park and Namib-Naukluft National Park.
• vehicle rental with all-risk insurance.
• fuel for the entire route.
• airport transfers.
• binoculars and field guides.
• first-aid kit.
• 24/7 trip assistance.
• Namibia tourism levies and VAT.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for heart conditions

Operated by Motema Tours and Safaris Namibia

Is this one for you?Book this if you want wildlife, coast, and desert in one loop without managing logistics—the fixed itinerary moves you between camps on schedule, and your guide handles navigation and wildlife spotting.

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Top questions

What wildlife will I see on the Etosha game drives?

Etosha's game drives put you in front of elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, rhinos and over 340 bird species. The Okaukuejo Waterhole, lit at night, is where the largest concentrations gather to drink, especially after sunset.

How much time do I spend driving each day?

Days one and two are based at Okaukuejo with game drives from the camp. Day three is a long drive from Etosha to Swakopmund, crossing the Kuiseb Pass and passing through Solitaire. Day four moves you from Swakopmund inland toward Sossusvlei. Day five focuses on the dunes and canyons around Sossusvlei itself. Day six returns you to Windhoek.

What are Deadvlei and Sossusvlei, and why are they different?

Sossusvlei is a salt-and-clay pan surrounded by some of the world's tallest red sand dunes. Deadvlei, nearby, is a separate white salt pan where dead, blackened acacia trees stand in stark contrast against the red dunes—a landscape famous with photographers for its surreal colors and eerie beauty.

Is there free time to do activities on my own, or is every day scheduled?

Your afternoon in Swakopmund on day three is free to explore independently. Optional activities like camel rides at the Swakopmund Camel Farm, sandboarding on Dune 7, or hot air balloon rides can be arranged at checkout and paid separately.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English or French, depending on which option you book at checkout.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to and from the airport?

No. Airport transfers from Windhoek are included in the tour price, and your guide meets you at the starting location. On day six, you are dropped at your accommodation or a hotel of your choice.