13 Days Southern Namibia
Price
Package Features
- 13 Days / 12 Nights
- Namibia
- Starts: Windhoek
- Ends: Windhoek
Overview
See the very best of beautiful Southern Namibia on this exciting 13 day tour. With a myriad of attractions on the itinerary, including iconic destinations like Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Damaraland and Etosha, intermingled with stops at lesser-known places like Solitaire and the Giants Playground, this tour is more than enough to suit soulful travellers and adrenaline explorers alike and includes some of the country’s finest accommodation.
Tour Features
- Sunset nature drive in the Kalahari (optional)
- Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playground near Keetmanshoop
- Visit to Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world
- Garub watering hole, home to Namibia’s wild desert horses
- Guided walk through the abandoned diamond town of Kolmanskop
- Guided tour of Lüderitz’s colonial architecture
- 4x4 shuttle to the Sossusvlei dunes, the highest sand dunes in the world
- Visit to Deadvlei and Sesriem Canyon
- A stop in Solitaire for its famous apple crumble pie
- City tour of coastal Swakopmund
- Dune boarding or catamaran cruise with dolphins in Swakopmund (optional)
- Ancient San rock art at Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Petrified Forest
- Visit to the Damara Living Museum
- Search for desert-adapted elephants in Damaraland (optional)
- Half-day game drive in Etosha National Park in safari vehicles
- Full-day guided safari in Etosha National Park
Activities and Transport
Activities: Guided stops and excursions run throughout the route, including Kolmanskop, the Garub wild horses, Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, Sesriem Canyon, the Twyfelfontein rock engravings, the Damara Living Museum, and both a full day and a half day game drive through Etosha National Park.
Optional Activities
- Sunset nature drive in the Kalahari on the first evening
- Dune boarding in Swakopmund
- Catamaran cruise with dolphins in Swakopmund
- Early morning nature drive in search of Damaraland’s desert-adapted elephants
Transport: Travel is by road throughout in a touring vehicle suited to Namibian conditions, with fuel and vehicle insurance included, a 4×4 shuttle for the final stretch into Sossusvlei, and open safari vehicles for the Etosha half day drive.
A private transfer from your Windhoek accommodation is included on the first morning, with the tour concluding by road transfer back into Windhoek on the final day.
Rates
Rates (Valid Until 31 October 2027)
| Paying Guests | Rate per Person Sharing |
|---|---|
| 2 paying guests | N$ 105 800 |
| 3 paying guests | N$ 79 950 |
| 4 paying guests | N$ 74 920 |
| 5 paying guests | N$ 66 440 |
| 6 paying guests | N$ 60 550 |
| 7 paying guests | N$ 57 500 |
| 8 paying guests | N$ 55 100 |
| 9 paying guests | N$ 54 650 |
| Single Supplement | N$ 7 820 |
Accommodation and Meals
On this tour, you’ll spend your first night at Kalahari Anib Lodge, set among the red dunes and camelthorn trees of the Kalahari, before moving south to Canyon Village near Fish River Canyon.
2 nights follow at Desert Horse Inn in Aus, a base for exploring Lüderitz, Kolmanskop and the Garub wild horses, and then 2 nights at Hammerstein Lodge near Sossusvlei, within easy reach of the dunes and Sesriem Canyon.
The coastal stretch of this tour includes 2 nights at Swakopmund Sands Hotel, followed by 2 nights at Lodge Damaraland.
The route continues to Toshari Lodge on the edge of Etosha National Park, and finally to Minen Hotel in Tsumeb before the return to Windhoek.
All accommodation is subject to availability, with alternatives of a similar standard used where necessary.
Breakfast is included every morning throughout the tour, and dinner is included on 10 of the 12 nights, with the 2 nights in Swakopmund left free of included dinner so guests can choose from the town’s restaurants and cafes.
Route
- Day 1 - Kalahari
- Day 2 - Fish River
- Day 3 - Aus
- Day 4 - Aus
- Day 5 - Sossusvlei
- Day 6 - Sossusvlei
- Day 7 - Swakopmund
- Day 8 - Swakopmund
- Day 9 - Damaraland
- Day 10 - Damaraland
- Day 11 - Etosha
- Day 12 - Tsumeb
- Day 13 - Windhoek
- Departure – Windhoek
Day By Day
Day 1 – Kalahari
You will be picked up by your guide in Windhoek and, after introductions, you’ll take to the road and start heading south, through the quaint town of Rehoboth and past many interesting sights.
Unlike the massive and always changing golden dunes of the Namib, the Kalahari has a completely different character, with low red dunes covered in golden grasses and dotted with old, picturesque camelthorn trees.
Many of these trees have enormous communal nests of bright weaver birds, delicately woven structures that can shelter over a hundred birds and become the home of multiple generations. Sometimes these nests are decades old.
By late afternoon you’ll arrive back at the lodge and the rest of the day is free to enjoy. You can laze at the pool or set out on an optional sunset drive, where you might see springbok, oryx and ostrich moving through the fading light.
As the sun sets, the dunes turn into shades of crimson and gold, and after dark a wide canopy of stars marks the start of your Namibian holiday.
Dinner will be served at the lodge, after which you can retire for the evening.
Day 2 – Fish River Canyon
The day starts with a hearty breakfast, before you climb aboard a comfortable vehicle with your guide and take to the road that will lead you even further south, as you drive to today’s main attraction, the Fish River Canyon.
The road will take you through Mariental and the fascinating small town of Keetmanshoop. You’ll get to visit the ancient Quiver Tree Forest, where some of the trees are estimated to be between 200 and 300 years old, and you’ll also take a walk through the Giants Playground, a series of unique rock formations.
You’ll then arrive at the wondrous Fish River Canyon, the second-biggest canyon in the world, where you’ll be checked into your lodge and have dinner later in the evening.
Day 3 – Aus
The day starts early, as you explore a little more of the Fish River Canyon, before tucking into breakfast back at the lodge. Soon after breakfast, you’ll climb back into the vehicle and set out to explore some more of the attractions scattered throughout southern Namibia.
Our main destination today is Aus, a tiny settlement in the ǁKaras Region.
While the town is small, no more than a dot on the map, it is home to one of Namibia’s more interesting attractions: wild horses.
As the day stretches out, you’ll arrive at your hotel, which will be home for the next 2 evenings, and after you check in, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing before having dinner later in the evening.
Day 4 – Lüderitz & Kolmanskop
The first stop today is the coastal town of Lüderitz, home to some of the best seafood restaurants and known for its colourful German colonial architecture. Between its wind-swept shores and the wide desert plains that surround it on 3 sides, Lüderitz has an intriguing character, one created by the meeting of culture, history and nature.
From here, the road leads to Kolmanskop, once a thriving diamond mining settlement, and now a series of run-down buildings slowly being reclaimed by the desert.
Sand has spilt into its rooms and hallways, sunlight falls through broken windows, and only the low voices of fellow travellers and the occasional gust of wind are the sounds of what was once a busy town.
Your return trip to Aus passes the watering hole at Garub, where, with some luck, you’ll see Namibia’s wild desert horses. Adapted to survive in one of the harshest environments on earth, these horses are a rare sight and a striking symbol of endurance.
By late afternoon, you’ll be back at the lodge where there’s time to relax before dinner.
Day 5 – Sossusvlei
Today, you’ll be heading back north again, travelling to one of Namibia’s most recognised places, Sossusvlei.
Its name means “dead end” or “dead end marsh”, and yet there’s nothing marshy about it. For most of the year, Sossusvlei is bone dry, but sometimes, when a season has been particularly rainy, all the extra water floods the pan, creating a short-lived oasis.
Martian is one way that Sossusvlei is often described. The land looks so alien-like that many who travel here can quite believe that they have been transported to a completely different world.
The strange mountain scenery and endless red horizons look as though they stretch beyond imagination.
Along the way to Sossusvlei, you’ll watch the landscapes slowly changing, and you’ll feel a growing sense of anticipation for what lies ahead.
By late in the afternoon, after a day on the road, travelling through some of the most incredible scenery, you will arrive at the lodge.
As evening quickly settles in and the stars begin to appear overhead, you’ll be treated to a satisfying dinner and an early evening in preparation for the day to come.
Day 6 – Sossusvlei
Your morning starts well before the rest of the desert begins to wake up. With a cup of coffee or tea to give you a boost, you’ll set out into the coolness of the morning for the desert.
Arriving at Sesriem as dawn begins to break, you’ll enter the park shortly after sunrise, just as the first light spreads across the desert and catches the red dunes, lighting them up.
A 4×4 shuttle will take you the final 5 or so kilometres to Sossusvlei.
At Deadvlei, a part of Sossusvlei, you’ll visit the white clay pan that is home to centuries-old camelthorn trees, long dead but still standing, before a stop at the beautiful Sesriem Canyon.
Back at the lodge, the rest of the day is yours to spend at the pool or in the garden, and later in the evening you’ll have dinner at the lodge.
Day 7 – Swakopmund
The day starts with a laid-back breakfast before you depart from Sossusvlei and make your way to the picturesque coastal town of Swakopmund.
The road from Sossusvlei to Swakopmund is profoundly beautiful, and all along the way there are several attractions to see.
The seemingly one-horse town of Solitaire is a particularly interesting pitstop, with a population of just around 100 residents and a handful of businesses, including a tiny shop, a fuel station, and the now famous Desert Bakery, founded by Moose McGregor.
The town might be small, but it has a big personality, and it would be a crime to pass through here without stopping for a slice of apple pie.
After many days spent travelling around the desert, coming over the rise to Swakopmund and feeling that refreshing ocean air hit your face is bliss.
Swakopmund is a hub of activity all year round, and while exploring the town you’ll find excitement, history, and nature, along with some of the finest restaurants and most beautiful sea views.
Before arriving at the hotel, you’ll set out on a quick sightseeing tour. Tonight, you can dine at one of the town’s restaurants before retiring for the evening, following another beautiful day in Namibia.
Day 8 – Swakopmund
You can catch your breath today because you’ll be deciding how you’d like to spend your time.
Swakopmund is well-known for its adrenaline scene, with dune boarding and a catamaran cruise alongside dolphins being just some of the things you can get up to. The town is also the ideal place to just kick back and relax for a while.
Many visitors to the town like to take a walk along the Swakopmund Jetty, stop in at a few of the local cafes and galleries, or walk along the beach.
Tonight, dinner will be on your own account, and Swakopmund’s restaurants do not disappoint. Be sure to ask for recommendations from your guide, the hotel or the locals you bump into.
Day 9 – Damaraland
Refreshed from a couple of days at the coast, the day starts with breakfast at the lodge and from there you’ll set out for Damaraland, one of Namibia’s most photographed places.
The road to Damaraland is full of interesting things to see, as you travel through the Namib. Along the way you’ll see fascinating land formations, including rocks, hills and the undulating sands of the desert, which are known for changing colour as the sun moves overhead.
During your road trip, you’ll stop at Twyfelfontein to admire the San rock art and intricate engravings, and you might come across desert-adapted wildlife like elephants, giraffes and a couple of different types of antelope.
Damaraland is a peaceful place, and you can’t help but be pulled into the serene atmosphere while exploring it.
After ample time spent enjoying the attractions and the scenery, you’ll arrive at your lodge where a restful evening and a scrumptious dinner await.
And you’ll want to spend some time outside tonight. Damaraland is one of the darkest places on earth, making it one of the few places where you’ll see the Milky Way on full display.
Day 10 – Damaraland
Waking up in Damaraland is like waking up on another planet. Looking out of your window, you might think that you are somewhere on the moon.
The day starts with breakfast overlooking the desertscape, and after that you’ll be heading out with a guide in search of some of the desert wildlife on an optional Desert Wildlife Experience. If you’d rather not be on the road today, you can stay back at the lodge.
The day is fully yours to enjoy as you please and, in the evening, there’ll be dinner at the lodge and another quiet evening.
Day 11 – Etosha National Park
Today you are travelling to Namibia’s best-known wildlife destination. There’ll be a filling breakfast and a slow enough pace to say goodbye to Damaraland before you take the road to Etosha.
The drive will take up most of the morning, and by afternoon you’ll arrive at the park gates. Your time in Etosha begins the moment you arrive, with your first afternoon game drive.
Etosha National Park is a fascinating place, and much of the focus is around the massive salt pan as well as the numerous waterholes, both of which attract wildlife. Most safaris take place close to the waterholes just because you’ll be treated to an abundance of sightings.
After spending most of the afternoon on a game drive, you’ll then be taken to your lodge. Dinner and stargazing follow later in the evening.
Day 12 – Etosha to Tsumeb
Most of Africa’s safari destinations have one thing in common, and that is that the best time to be in the bush is just before sunrise. Wildlife is at its most active before the heat of the day kicks in so the earlier you can be in the park, the more opportunity you’ll have for sightings.
There’s a time for a snack before you head out, and later on in the morning you’ll have breakfast in the park, stopping somewhere comfortable for your prepacked breakfast.
You’ll be spending the whole day in Etosha, driving along some of the best roads, those known for excellent sightings. You’ll see the enchanting landscapes, spend some time at the salt pan, and drive through old acacia woodlands, as you keep an eye out for zebra, springbok, giraffe, and a few predators like lions.
The safari ends in the late afternoon, and instead of heading back to last night’s lodge, you’ll leave the park and travel to Tsumeb and your hotel for the evening.
Day 13 – Windhoek & Departure
On the last day of your tour, you start with a lazy breakfast before starting the long drive back to Windhoek.
You’ll be travelling along the B1, which will take you through Otavi, Otjiwarongo, and Okahandja, giving you one last look at Namibia’s incredible and always changing landscapes, arriving in the city in about the middle of the afternoon.
This tour comes to an end in Windhoek.
Inclusions/Exclusions
Inclusions
- 12 nights in locally standard accommodation
- 12 breakfasts and 10 dinners, with dinner excluded in Swakopmund
- Road transport throughout in a touring vehicle, with fuel and insurance included
- An experienced Namibian tour guide throughout
- All national park entry fees as per the itinerary
- A visit and short walk at Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world
- A guided walk through Kolmanskop, the historic diamond ghost town
- A stop at the Garub watering hole, home to the wild horses of the Namib Desert
- An excursion to Sossusvlei, among the highest dunes in the world, including a 4×4 shuttle for the final five kilometres
- A visit to Sesriem Canyon
- A city tour of Swakopmund
- A visit to the ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein and the Petrified Forest
- A visit to the Damara Living Museum
- One full-day guided game drive through Etosha National Park in the tour vehicle
- One half-day game drive through Etosha National Park in open safari vehicles
Exclusions
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Optional and recommended Excursions
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Visa fees (where applicable)
Getting There
This tour starts in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, well served by regular flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town and other regional centres, along with long-haul connections from European cities such as Frankfurt and Amsterdam.
On arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport, a road transfer of around 45 minutes takes you into Windhoek, where your first night begins, before your guide meets you in the morning.
The tour comes to a close back in Windhoek.
From there, Hosea Kutako International Airport, roughly 45 minutes outside the city, connects you onward to Johannesburg and other regional hubs for your flight home.
Offered By
Kurt Schultz spent 7 years as an overland guide across East and Southern Africa before coming home to found Kurt Safari in Hazyview.
In the 17 years since, the company has become one of the Kruger’s most established tour operators, staffed entirely by local guides from the Greater Kruger region, with a long list of tour options that reach as far as Namibia.
Rated the top Kruger Park safari company on TripAdvisor for 9 years running, and backed by SATIB insurance and SATSA accreditation, Kurt Safari’s guiding principle is to keep every safari as authentic and wild as it can be.
Been on this safari? Share your experience and help other travellers plan their trip.
Write a review13 Days Southern Namibia
What is the best time of year to visit Namibia?
The dry winter months from May to October bring the clearest skies and the most reliable wildlife viewing, particularly around waterholes in Etosha National Park. April and November also work well, with cooler days and quieter parks.
Do South African citizens need a visa to visit Namibia?
No, South African passport holders do not need a visa for tourist visits and are typically granted entry for up to 90 days on arrival. It is worth checking passport validity requirements beforehand, as most southern African countries require at least six months remaining.
What currency is used in Namibia, and can I pay with South African rand?
The Namibian dollar is the local currency, pegged one to one with the South African rand, which is widely accepted throughout the country. Card payments are common in towns and lodges, though small amounts of cash are useful in rural areas.
Is Namibia safe for tourists travelling by road?
Namibia is considered one of the safer countries in the region for road travel, with well-maintained tar routes between major towns and gravel roads into more remote areas. A guided tour with an experienced local driver removes much of the uncertainty around distances, fuel stops and road conditions.
How many days do you need to see Namibia's main highlights?
Around 10 to 14 days allows enough time to cover the country’s key regions, from the desert landscapes of the south to Etosha National Park in the north, without feeling rushed. Shorter trips are possible but usually mean choosing between the coast, the dunes and the wildlife areas rather than combining all three.
