Namibia Holidays, Road Trip & Safari Tours: Etosha + Namib Desert
Namibia Holidays - including self drive road trip, escorted safari tours & flying safaris - reveal a land of great beauty, with dramatic rocky deserts, huge rolling sand dunes, vast white saltpans and a wild coastline where the Atlantic waves mercilessly pound the shore.
The Namib Desert stretches for nearly 1,000 miles along this coastline and is thought to be the oldest desert on earth. The giant red shifting sand dunes at Sossusvlei are among the largest in the world and along the desolate Skeleton Coast you will find bleached-white whalebones and the remains of shipwrecks absorbed into the desert sands.
With its breathtaking Namib landscapes and network of well-maintained roads, Namibia holidays are ideal for a self-drive road trip, as well as overland escorted safari tours & flying safaris.
Namibia’s willdife, which has adapted to survive in these harsh conditions, is also stunning and in Damaraland you can animals such as the desert-adapted elephant and rhino. Etosha National Park is the country's premier game viewing destination, with easy game viewing on the vast open plains that surround the Etosha salt pan, which is the size of Belgium. Its waterholes attract plentiful game including the oryx with its magnificent long horns and the prancing springbok. These are both must-sees on Namibia holidays, whether self drive road trip or safari tours.
Combine your ideas with our expertise and let us help you create a holiday of a lifetime. We offer a wide range of options at different price points, all of which can be tailor made to your needs.
For expert advice on Namibia holidays, whether self drive road trip or safari tours to Etosha & the Namib Desert, email or call us on +44 (0)1582 766122 to speak with a specialist travel consultant. Download our Namibia brochure (PDF 1.7 Mb).
We have been arranging Namibia holidays, self drive road trip & safari tours to Etosha & Namib Desert for over 20 years.
More information on Namibia holidays, a self drive road trip & safari tours to Etosha & the Namib Desert:
On Namibia holidays you can explore a country that is four times the size of Britain, but sparsely populated.
Etosha National Park is one of the best known safari destinations in Southern Africa. It is a dry wilderness expanse located in the north of the country that includes the enormous Etosha Pan that is the size of Belgium. Local Herero people call it Great White Place. Dry most of the year, when the rains come this gigantic salt pan fills with water enjoyed by thousands of flamingos.
The sparse vegetation on Namibia holidays, whether self drive road trip or safari tours, makes it easy to spot animals from a distance, and the best strategy is to simply pack a flask and picnic, head for a waterhole and wait for the game to come to you. The park is home to over 100 different animal species and over 300 birds, so while it may look rocky and barren, its waterholes attract an impressive variety of wildlife. Elephant, rhino, cheetah and lion as well as large herds of wildebeest, springbok, zebra, oryx, ostrich and giraffe can all be seen on Namibia holidays, whether self drive road trip or safari tours. There are good basic rest camps in the park with floodlit waterholes for night viewing, comfortable hotels outside the gates and a few luxury lodges in adjacent private reserves.
Southwest of Etosha are the vast landscapes of Damaraland, where the wildlife has adapted to the parched conditions. Game drives here usually focus on seeking out the desert adapted elephant with its large padded feet. There is also the opportunity to track black rhino with rangers from Save the Rhino Trust on Namibia holidays, both self drive road trip & safari tours.
Twyfelfontein, Namibia’s first World Heritage Site, is a huge outdoor museum containing the largest collection of prehistoric Bushman rock art in Africa. You can also visit a Petrified Forest and a number of strange rock formations, such as the Organ Pipes and Burnt Mountain. Most visitors choose to self drive – a 4x4 is the most popular - or if time is tight, you can fly between camps. As distances are huge, escorted small group tours are also popular on Namibia holidays, as well as overland adventure tours staying in simple rest camps or camping.
In the far north of the country, towards the border with Angola, the indigenous Himba tribes have managed to maintain much of their semi-nomadic lifestyle that helps them survive in one of the most extreme environments on earth. If your journey takes you this far north, experiencing their culture and understanding something of their way of life is a moving experience and gives real insight into this land of extremes on Namibia holidays, whether self drive road trip or safari tours. The colourful Herero tribe also lives north of Etosha.
Located in the Namib Desert in the south, the towering red sand dunes at Sossusvlei rise over 300m and are some of the oldest and largest in the world. They provide the most spectacular views at sunrise and sunset and climbing one of the highest, such as Big Daddy or Dune 45, is truly exhilarating, but be sure to start early in the morning while the temperatures are still cool. The bright blue skies and many hues and shadows as the light changes make for impressive photographs, and a hot air balloon ride over the dunes at sunrise will create a memory of a lifetime on Namibia holidays, both self drive road trip & safari tours. Also don’t miss the superb star gazing in the clear night skies. There is a range of good places to stay near to the Sesriem Gate, which is the main public entrance.
In the southeast, the vast Kalahari is another of Namibia’s famous deserts, with its red sands and endless plains interspersed with acacia trees, grass and scrub vegetation, sustaining a surprising number of desert-adapted plants and species. The migratory Bushmen who survive in this harsh environment call it the “Soul of the World”.
In the far south of Namibia, the splendid Fish River Canyon is the second largest natural gorge in the world, after the Grand Canyon. Formed over 500 million years ago, it drops vertically without any warning and is a great place for photographers on Namibia holidays, whether on a self drive road trip or on safari tours . At nearby Ai-Ais there are welcoming natural hot springs.
Further north you will find Aus in the Succulent Karoo, where from mid-August to mid-September the desert unfolds into a carpet of wildflowers and explosion of colours. It is one of the twenty most important biomes in the plant world and the most species diverse desert. On Namibia holidays, both self drive road trip & safari tours, you can visit the ghost town at Kolmanskop, which has been absorbed by the desert sands, search for wild desert horses at Garub and visit the diamond town of Luderitz.
Forming about a third of Namibia’s coastline, the Skeleton Coast National Park extends from the Kunene River in the far north to the Ugab River. Its landscapes range from rugged canyons and mountains to windswept dunes. On Namibia holidays, both self drive road trip & safari tours, the southern section of the Skeleton Coast is open to four-wheel drive vehicles, while the north can only be reached on a fly-in safari. Dotted with shipwrecks and bones from the unfortunate days of the whaling industry, the coast appears inhospitable, but is in fact home to a great variety of species, including Cape fur seal and numerous seabird colonies.
Most Namibia holidays, whether self drive road trip or safari tours, begin and end in the capital of Windhoek, which has several stylish guesthouses and a few luxury hotels. A city tour will show you some of its old German architecture and life in a modern township. About a two hour drive out of town takes you to Okonjima, the home of the inspirational Africat Foundation and the best place in Namibia to see cheetah and leopard.
The coastal resort of Swakopmund is Namibia’s second city. The cold Benguela Current that sweeps up from Antarctica cools the desert’s heat and keeps the temperature lower here than elsewhere, with life-sustaining fog common in the mornings. As the adventure capital of Namibia, many adrenaline-inducing activities are available in the dunes including sand boarding, sand skiing, quad biking and parasailing. On Namibia holidays, both self drive road trip & safari tours, don’t miss the marine cruise from neighbouring Walvis Bay, where you can see sea birds, dolphins, seals and migrating whales in season.
Namibia is easily combined with a visit to the thunderous Victoria Falls, as there is a direct flight to the Zimbabwean side from Windhoek. If you have the time on Namibia holidays whether self drive road trip or escorted safari tours, it is possible to drive there from Etosha, travelling eastwards along the lush Caprivi – a narrow finger of land stretching north of the Okavango Delta to the point where four counties meet – Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Filter by Interest:
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Classic Namibia: Namib + Skeleton Coast + Etosha (self drive)
16 NIGHTS FROM:
$10,140
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights + car hire quoted separately
NCA16W
|
• Swakopmund
|
|
• Leopard Tracking
|
|
• Car Hire Windhoek
|
|
• Africat Foundation
|
|
• Twyfelfontein
|
|
• Self Drive Holiday, Namibia
|
|
• Namib Desert
|
|
• Etosha National Park
|
|
• Sossusvlei Sand Dunes
|
|
• Skeleton Coast
|
This wonderful self drive holiday in Namibia covers all the highlights, including the gigantic sand dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert, the coastal town of Swakopmund, the dramatic Skeleton Coast & the Bushman Paintings at Twyfelfontein, a World Heritage site. Also experience the wildlife of Etosha in the north & track leopard at the Africat Foundation, with car hire from Windhoek.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Southern Namibia Tour: Kalahari + Fish River + Namib
9 NIGHTS FROM:
$3,333
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
NYH9W
|
• Sossusvlei Sand Dunes
|
|
• Swakopmund
|
|
• Aus
|
|
• Namibia Kalahari
|
|
• Luderitz Bay
|
|
• Safari Tour Namibia
|
|
• Fish River Canyon
|
|
• Succulent Karoo
|
|
• Kolmanskop Ghost Town
|
|
• Windhoek
|
This escorted safari tour of Namibia explores the deserts & canyons of the south, including the wildlife of the Kalahari, the dramatic Fish River Canyon (the 2nd largest on earth), the Succulent Karoo, the diamond town of Luderitz, the gigantic sand dunes of the Namib Desert & the seaside town of Swakopmund. Regular scheduled departures. Group size 2-16 (or upgrade to Superior: 2-6). No children < 12.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Namibia Highlights Tour: Sossusvlei + Twyfelfontein + Etosha
11 NIGHTS FROM:
$3,718
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
NYA11W
|
• Windhoek
|
|
• Marine Cruise
|
|
• Namib Desert
|
|
• Safari, Etosha National Park
|
|
• Swakopmund
|
|
• Damaraland
|
|
• Namibia Escorted Tours
|
|
• Bushman Paintings
|
|
• Twyfelfontein
|
|
• Sand Dunes, Sossusvlei
|
Our Namibia Escorted Tours cover the highlights of this fascinating country, including the dramatic sand dunes at Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert, a marine cruise in Swakopmund, ancient Bushman rock art at Twyfelfontein & a safari in Etosha National Park. Regular scheduled departures. Group size 2-16 (or upgrade to Superior: 2-6). No children < 12.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Grand Namibia Tour: Fish River Canyon + Namib + Etosha
14 NIGHTS FROM:
$4,558
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
NYC14W
|
• Fish River Canyon
|
|
• Succulent Karoo
|
|
• Twyfelfontein Rock Art
|
|
• Windhoek
|
|
• Safari Tour, Etosha National Park
|
|
• Luderitz & Kolmanskop
|
|
• Namibia Safari Tour
|
|
• Kalahari
|
|
• Namib Desert
|
|
• Swakopmund
|
This wonderful Grand Namibia safari tour visits the wildlife of Etosha National Park, the red sands of the Kalahari, majestic Fish River Canyon, the Succulent Karoo, diamond town of Luderitz, ghost town of Kolmanskop & the gigantic sand dunes of the Namib Desert. Regular scheduled departures. Group size 2-16 (or upgrade to Superior: 2-6). No children < 12.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
North Namibia + Caprivi + Botswana + Victoria Falls Tour
15 NIGHTS FROM:
$6,364
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
NYG14W
|
• Swakopmund
|
|
• Zambezi Region (Caprivi)
|
|
• Botswana (Chobe)
|
|
• Northern Namibia Tours
|
|
• Bushman Paintings
|
|
• Mahango Game Reserve
|
|
• Etosha National Park
|
|
• Windhoek
|
|
• BwaBwabata National Park
|
|
• Victoria Falls
|
Our wonderful Northern Namibia tours travel from Windhoek to visit the small coastal town of Swakopmund, the Bushman Paintings at Twyfelfontein & the wildlife of Etosha National Park, before continung through the lush Zambezi region (Caprivi) and the vast Chobe National Park in Botswana to the mighty Victoria Falls. Regular scheduled departures: Group size 2-16. No children < 12.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Classic Namibia + Kaokoland (self drive)
17 NIGHTS FROM:
$6,389
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights + car hire quoted separately
NCD17W
|
• Swakopmund
|
|
• Sossusvle, Namib
|
|
• Windhoek
|
|
• Himba Village Namibia
|
|
• Etosha National Park
|
|
• Marine Cruise
|
|
• Kaokoland
|
|
• Africat Foundation
|
|
• Twyfelfontein, Bushmen Art
|
|
• Namibia Self Drive Safari Holiday
|
Visit an authentic Himba Village in Namibia on this self drive safari holiday that explores Northern Namibia. Starting in Windhoek, drive to the seaside town of Swakopmund & view the Bushman Paintings at Twyfelfontein, before venturing further into Damaraland and Kaokoland, home of the rare desert-adapted elephant & rhino. Complete your holiday exploring the wildlife of Etosha & Africat.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Chobe + Caprivi + Victoria Falls (circular - transfers)
14 NIGHTS FROM:
$7,057
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
NRW14K
|
• Chobe National Park
|
|
• Safari Holidays, Caprivi Namibia
|
|
• Popa Falls
|
|
• Kwando & Linyati Rivers
|
|
• Katima Mulilo
|
|
• BwaBwata Game Reserve
|
|
• Victpria Falls
|
|
• Okavango Delta, Botswana
|
|
• Nkasa Rupara Wetla
|
|
• Zambezi Cruise
|
Our affordable safari holidays to the Caprivi Wetlands in Namibia, situated just north of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, combine some of the best birding and wildlife in the world with Chobe Game Reserve & the mighty Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Visit Popa Falls and BwaBwata Game Reserve, with its vast herds of elephants, as well as the Nkasa Rupara Wetlands and the waterways of the lush Kwando-Linyati river system. Transfers or self drive are available.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Etosha (Namibia) + Hwange (Zimbabwe) + Chobe (Botswana)
14 NIGHTS FROM:
$7,892
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
NRG14W
|
• Chobe, Botswana
|
|
• Wild Dog Conservancy
|
|
• Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe Safari
|
|
• Victoria Falls
|
|
• Windhoek
|
|
• Africat Foundation
|
|
• Hwange, Zimbabwe
|
|
• Etosha, Namibia
|
|
• Elephants & Buffalo
|
|
• Cheetah & Leopard
|
This fascinating 3-country wildlife holiday combines Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe. Enjoy a safari in each of these countries' premier national parks - Etosha, Hwange & Chobe - as well as visiting the mighty Victoria Falls, with included Zambezi River cruise. Also visit the Africat Foundation in Namibia and the Painted Dod Conservancy in Zimbabwe. All transfers, park fees & game drives included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Flying Namibia Safari Tour
8 NIGHTS FROM:
$7,910
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
NYNQ9W
|
• Windhoek
|
|
• Swakopmund
|
|
• Bushman Paintings
|
|
• Twyfelfontein
|
|
• Etosha National Park
|
|
• Marine Cruise & Sandwich Harbour
|
|
• Namibia Flying Safari Holidays
|
|
• Namib Desert & Sossusvlei
|
|
• Desert Elephants
|
|
• Open Top Game Drives
|
If you do not want to travel long distances overland, our Namibia flying safari holidays & tours explore this vast country by light aircraft. From Windhoek fly to the wildlife of Etosha National Park & view the Bushmen paintings at Twyfelfontein. Continue to Swakopmund for a marine cruise & Sandwich Harbour tour, before flying to the giant sand dunes of the Namib Desert. All transfers, sightseeing & light aircraft flights included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Grand Namibia (self drive), with Fish River Canyon
19 NIGHTS FROM:
$8,971
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights + car hire quoted separately
NCB19W
|
• Windhoek
|
|
• Swakopmund
|
|
• Luderitz & Aus
|
|
• Kalahari
|
|
• Namibia Self Drive Holiday
|
|
• Africat Foundation
|
|
• Twyfelfontein Paintings
|
|
• Fish River Canyon Namibia
|
|
• Etosha National Park
|
|
• Sossusvlei
|
Visit the stunning Fish River Canyon, the second largest on earth, on this adventurous Namibia self drive holiday. Travel through the red sands of the vast Kalahari, Ai-Ais, succulent Karoo & diamond town of Luderitz to the sand dunes at Sossusvlei in the Namib, before heading northwards to Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein, Etosha & Okonjima, where leopard tracking at the Africat Foundation is included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Classic Namibia (self drive) + Caprivi + Botswana + Vic Falls
22 NIGHTS FROM:
$10,011
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights + car hire quoted separately
NCM22W
|
• Swakopmund
|
|
• Windhoek
|
|
• Victoria Falls
|
|
• Etosha National Park
|
|
• Caprivi
|
|
• Namib Desert
|
|
• Twyfelfontein
|
|
• Namibia Self Drive Holiday
|
|
• Sossusvlei Sand Dunes
|
|
• Bushman Paintings
|
This comprehensive Namibia self drive holiday starts in the capital of Windhoek , travelling south to view the gigantic sand dunes at Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert, the beach town of Swakopmund & the Bushman Paintings at Twyfelfontein. View wildlife in Etosha National Park, then drive through the lush Caprivi Wetlands to the mighty Victoria Falls.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Classic Namibia: Namib + Skeleton Coast + Etosha (self drive)
16 NIGHTS FROM:
$10,140
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights + car hire quoted separately
NCA16W
|
• Swakopmund
|
|
• Leopard Tracking
|
|
• Car Hire Windhoek
|
|
• Africat Foundation
|
|
• Twyfelfontein
|
|
• Self Drive Holiday, Namibia
|
|
• Namib Desert
|
|
• Etosha National Park
|
|
• Sossusvlei Sand Dunes
|
|
• Skeleton Coast
|
This wonderful self drive holiday in Namibia covers all the highlights, including the gigantic sand dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert, the coastal town of Swakopmund, the dramatic Skeleton Coast & the Bushman Paintings at Twyfelfontein, a World Heritage site. Also experience the wildlife of Etosha in the north & track leopard at the Africat Foundation, with car hire from Windhoek.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
South Africa to Namibia, via Kalahari - Private Guide
14 NIGHTS FROM:
$10,396
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
SPL14U
|
• Etosha National Park
|
|
• Sossusvlei Sand Dunes
|
|
• Photo Safari
|
|
• Kalahari
|
|
• Africat
|
|
• Private Tour Guide
|
|
• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
|
|
• South Africa and Namibia
|
|
• Namib Desert
|
|
• Bushmen Paintings
|
On this South Africa and Namibia private tour, travel with your own driver guide on a photo safari through the Kalahari to Etosha. Starting from Upington, travel through Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, with its unique desert-adapted wildlife, to the sand dunes of the Namib, Swakopmund & Twyfelfontein's Bushman paintings, ending at Africat. English speaking guide, all transfers & park fees included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Rovos Rail Train: South Africa to Namibia
15 NIGHTS FROM:
$14,570
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
9NYA15J
|
• Pretoria
|
|
• Rovos Rail Holidays & Vacations
|
|
• Kalahari
|
|
• Namib Desert
|
|
• Kimberley
|
|
• Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
|
|
• Fish River Canyon
|
|
• Luxury Train: Namibia, South Africa
|
|
• Flamingos
|
|
• Etosha Safari
|
This luxury train travels to Namibia from South Africa with Rovos Rail, journeying through Kimberley & the vast Kalahari to Fish River Canyon & Windhoek. Also fly to the sand dunes of the Namib & enjoy a safari in Etosha, before relaxing in Swakopmund. All activities included in Rovos Rail holidays & vacations. One departure per year (April/May) in each direction. Pullman, Deluxe or Royal cabin. Early booking essential.
|