Rhinos spotted on a guided tracking hike, below the Waterberg Plateau in the plains of Namibia

Operated by Intrepid Travel

Namibia Highlights

From

CAD 6,065

Duration

12 days

Countries

Namibia

Activity

easy

Group size

Max 16

The adventure

Spend 12 days witnessing the remarkable diversity of Namibia’s landscapes, encountering local culture and wildlife along the way. See the granite peaks of Spitzkoppe, have a sunset picnic among the striking Moon Landscape and venture into the towering dunes of Sossusvlei to see ancient camel thorn trees rising from the Deadvlei clay pan. Embrace plenty of opportunities for wildlife sightings – track rhinos on foot near the Waterberg Plateau, go on a full-day 4WD safari in Etosha National Park to see iconic African wildlife like elephants, lions, giraffes and zebras, and visit a community conservancy working to protect native species. Get up close with local culture and history when you see the ancient rock carvings at UNESCO World Heritage-listed Twyfelfontein and learn about Damara traditions and crafts.

Waterberg - Nature Walk

Waterberg - Rhino Tracking on Foot

Etosha National Park – Full Day 4WD Safari

Damaraland - Living Museum of the Damara

Damaraland - Twyfelfontein Bushman Paintings

Damaraland - Petrified Forest

Day by day

Your journey through

Namibia

Showing Days 1-7

12-day itinerary

Day 1WindhoekOshi li nawa! Welcome to Namibia. Your adventure begins in the capital, Windhoek, known for its German architecture including the Tintenpalast (parliament) and Christuskirche buildings. You'll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. After the meeting, why not head out to a local restaurant and get to know your group over dinner – your leader will have all the best recommendations.

A majestic oryx standing in the arid expanse of Namibia's Karas Region.

Windhoek

Oshi li nawa! Welcome to Namibia. Your adventure begins in the capital, Windhoek, known for its German architecture including the Tintenpalast (parliament) and Christuskirche buildings. You'll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. After the meeting, why not head out to a local restaurant and get to know your group over dinner – your leader will have all the best recommendations.

Day 2Waterberg Private Nature ReserveWindhoekLeave Windhoek this morning and travel north to Waterberg Wilderness – a private nature reserve located at the foot of the Waterberg Plateau. The plateau stretches up to a height of 200 m and is 50 km long. When you arrive, head out on a nature walk along one of the reserve’s trails. Winding through the valley and over the slopes of the plateau, you’ll make stops at viewpoints along the way and learn about the springs, wildlife and flora that make up this ecosystem. Stroll through the Botanical Garden where you can learn about the 500 or so species of plants on the plateau and its surrounds, including fig trees, camel thorn trees and leadwood trees.

Close-up shot of a gazelle with focus on its head behind a wire fence, captured in Namibia.

Windhoek

Leave Windhoek this morning and travel north to Waterberg Wilderness – a private nature reserve located at the foot of the Waterberg Plateau. The plateau stretches up to a height of 200 m and is 50 km long. When you arrive, head out on a nature walk along one of the reserve’s trails. Winding through the valley and over the slopes of the plateau, you’ll make stops at viewpoints along the way and learn about the springs, wildlife and flora that make up this ecosystem. Stroll through the Botanical Garden where you can learn about the 500 or so species of plants on the plateau and its surrounds, including fig trees, camel thorn trees and leadwood trees.

Day 3Etosha National ParkThis morning, head out into the Waterberg reserve with an experienced guide in search of rhinos. As you explore, keep an eye out for giraffes, kudu, oryx, eland, blue wildebeest and red hartebeest as well. Then, say goodbye to Waterberg and drive north, headed for Etosha National Park. This is one of the best spots for wildlife viewing in Namibia. Spanning more than 20,000 sq km, more than 114 mammal species and 340 bird species can be found here. This afternoon, you can opt to go on a 4WD safari to start exploring the national park and catch your first glimpse of the diversity of wildlife that calls this place home.

Etosha National Park

This morning, head out into the Waterberg reserve with an experienced guide in search of rhinos. As you explore, keep an eye out for giraffes, kudu, oryx, eland, blue wildebeest and red hartebeest as well. Then, say goodbye to Waterberg and drive north, headed for Etosha National Park. This is one of the best spots for wildlife viewing in Namibia. Spanning more than 20,000 sq km, more than 114 mammal species and 340 bird species can be found here. This afternoon, you can opt to go on a 4WD safari to start exploring the national park and catch your first glimpse of the diversity of wildlife that calls this place home.

Day 4Etosha National ParkRise bright and early this morning to set off on a full-day 4WD safari in Etosha National Park. Drive along the open plains and keep watch at the waterholes on the edge of the Etosha Pan where the wildlife gathers to drink. You might see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, rhinos and the endemic black-faced impala. Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon, where you can debrief about the day’s adventures with your group or just kick back and relax.

Etosha National Park

Rise bright and early this morning to set off on a full-day 4WD safari in Etosha National Park. Drive along the open plains and keep watch at the waterholes on the edge of the Etosha Pan where the wildlife gathers to drink. You might see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, rhinos and the endemic black-faced impala. Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon, where you can debrief about the day’s adventures with your group or just kick back and relax.

Day 5DamaralandTravel to the mountainous region of Damaraland this morning. You’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site of Twyfelfontein, home to one of the highest concentrations of petroglyphs in Africa. The carvings depict rhinos, footprints of both animals and humans and rock shelters, combining to create a record of hunter-gathering practices in this region dating back thousands of years. Continue to the Damara Living Museum to learn about Damara cultural traditions and crafts like blacksmithing, fire-making, singing and dancing. Then it’s on to one of Damaraland’s natural wonders – the Petrified Forest, where you can see a vast deposit of 280-million-year-old fossilised tree trunks. After, head to Khorixas, where you’ll spend the night.

4x4 vehicle exploring the iconic Spitzkoppe mountain, Namibia at sunset, showcasing adventure travel.

Damaraland

Travel to the mountainous region of Damaraland this morning. You’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site of Twyfelfontein, home to one of the highest concentrations of petroglyphs in Africa. The carvings depict rhinos, footprints of both animals and humans and rock shelters, combining to create a record of hunter-gathering practices in this region dating back thousands of years. Continue to the Damara Living Museum to learn about Damara cultural traditions and crafts like blacksmithing, fire-making, singing and dancing. Then it’s on to one of Damaraland’s natural wonders – the Petrified Forest, where you can see a vast deposit of 280-million-year-old fossilised tree trunks. After, head to Khorixas, where you’ll spend the night.

Day 6UisThis morning, journey towards Brandberg Mountain – Namibia’s highest peak at an elevation of 2573 m. On the way, make a stop at a community conservancy where you’ll learn how locals are working to protect wildlife and conserve habitats. Continue towards Brandberg, where you’ll spend the night at a lodge.

This morning, journey towards Brandberg Mountain – Namibia’s highest peak at an elevation of 2573 m. On the way, make a stop at a community conservancy where you’ll learn how locals are working to protect wildlife and conserve habitats. Continue towards Brandberg, where you’ll spend the night at a lodge.

Day 7SwakopmundJourney to the coast, making a stop at Spitzkoppe to take in the views of dramatic granite peaks rising from the desert. Then, continue to the coastal city of Swakopmund. Join your leader for an orientation walk to get your bearings, then the rest of your day is free. Maybe get together with your group for dinner – your leader will be ready with recommendations for restaurants where you can sample some fresh local seafood.

Swakopmund

Journey to the coast, making a stop at Spitzkoppe to take in the views of dramatic granite peaks rising from the desert. Then, continue to the coastal city of Swakopmund. Join your leader for an orientation walk to get your bearings, then the rest of your day is free. Maybe get together with your group for dinner – your leader will be ready with recommendations for restaurants where you can sample some fresh local seafood.