Etosha national park

7 Days

Etosha national park, Namibia’s prime safari and arguably one of the best wildlife conservation areas in Africa. Explore the beauty of the Namibia Desert Experience, the oldest true desert in the World. In a desert where in many years it hardly rains, discover the abundance of life in this vast land. The driest country in Southern Africa, Namibia has a huge area more than 825 600 sq km. It lies between the Namib desert and the Kalahari desert and that makes its annual rainfall quite insignificant.

The desert however is very attractive in different ways than one especially the everchanging landscape, something impressive about Namibia. In the Central Plateau area between the Skeleton Coast and the Kalahari desert, there is a broad expense of hyper-arid gravel plains and dunes. Colorful orange-red dunes in Sossusvlei are as high as 300 metres. The red color is due to oxidation of iron filings evidence of existence of iron ore. Fish river canyon which drops to a depth of 500 metres shows the crust structure of the earth below.

Etosha National park safari

The Great Escarpment rises to altitude above 2 000 metres; temperature suddenly swells up and fogy and mist from the Atlantic waters disappears. Although the area is rocky with poorly developed soils it is way more productive. Moving further north to the Caprivi and Rundu, the bushveld appears with significantly high rainfall. The area is generally flat with sandy soil that does not retain water.

As for the climate; Namibia is arid descending from sub-humid through semi-arid as you move to the Kalahari. Its temperature rises to as much as 40 degrees mostly in the low lying areas like Ais-Ais.

What to do in Namibia

Etosha National Park – The abundance of wildlife in Namibia is somewhat unexpected for such a driest region, common and rarest species. Etosha elephants are among the biggest in Africa. The endangered black rhino, leopards and lions are in sufficiently good numbers in the thick vegetation region.

During the rain season, the Etosha Pan fills with water attracting a cloud of flamingos. There are over 340 species of birds and interesting ones like the ostrich, kori-bustered, secretary bird and vultures.

Orange River canoeing – The canoeing lap is 10 km downstream in the Orange river in the company of experienced River Guides.

Fish River Canyon – Its a gigantic ravine spanning 160 km and up to 27 km at its widest. This is the biggest canyon in Africa.

Dune 45 – The red dunes of Namibia are the main feature of the Namib Desert displaying the rust color of oxidation that takes place when fine particles of iron reacts with water. As the seasonal Benguela wind current changes direction the dust and fine sand keep building up the Dunes.

Namibia safari is essential the best safari tour you can have in Namibia. Starting from Swakopmund you travel through the Skeleton coast as if going to Hentis Bay. You stop at the lichen fields to observe the biological existence of these already endangered plants.
Further in Namibia in Opuwo region you get to meet the Himba tribe as you have an insight into a few of the remaining African cultural groups.

Fauna

In Etosha national park you have 3 days of game driving around the park that stretches for over 300 km and covers an area of about 21 000 sq km. With over 15 species of big animals and over 350 species 0f birds it is the most probable national park to view most of the wildlife in Africa. The openness of the national park and the waterholes makes it easy too. For a limited time for safari in Africa Etosha is indeed the ideal national park.

Overview

The first of this Tour is a Tour of Namibia’s countryside and the Etosha national park for your experience of Safari. The drive through the skeleton coast and further inland of Namibia is great experience for landscape. Enjoy the mingle with Himba people in Opuwo is you make your way to 3 days in the national park for game viewing full of surprises. The Etosha national park is one of the best national parks for African safari. Not only that Namibia is a peaceful country that you would love. This Tour ends in Windhoek with a City Tour of Windhoek the countries capital.  

Tour Highlights

  • Skeleton coast
  • Spitzkopje
  • Himba people
  • Etosha national park
  • Windhoek City Tour

Itinerary

Day 1 :
Swakopmund

Today it’s an open day for relaxing after some time in the Desert and also time to experience Swakopmund. The Swakopmund museum, the lighthouse, the marine museum and the Railway Station are part of the colonial era that are worth to visit. You have a choice of optional activities that you can book for the day. Accommodation: There is a wide variety of accommodation in Swakopmund to suit your taste of life. We are usually booked at Amanpuri lodge. There is wi-fi and rooms can be shared between two people. It is very close to most services in the Swakopmund Town.

Day 2 :
Spitzkopje

You drive through the skeleton coast to see one of the sea wreckage in the history of Namibia’s coast. By noon you will have a walking tour of the Spitzkopje. Get to know the Damara land and the history of the ‘bushmen’. Accommodation: Khorixas country club. There is both camping site and lodges should you want to upgrade into rooms subject to availability. In addition wi-fi is available as well as swimming pool.

Namibia is well known for cultural preservation and today you meet one of the many cultural groups of the Himba tribe. Opuwo is an an exciting town to mingle and to relate with Himbas and the Herero people. Today is a very long drive from Xhorixas to Opuwo Town about 370km. Along the way you stop for lunch break and as usually in these overland tours, we stop for bush bathrooms whenever necessary to do so. Accommodation: Opuwo Country Club. There is wi-fi at the reception area and the campsite is about 200 metres from the reception. Bar and restaurant is available as well as a beautiful swimming pool

Safari in Etosha national park; It’s Africa’s biggest game reserve situated in the semi desert part of Namibia. The grass is dry so is the land, short shrubs and bushes with isolated acacia trees. The animal kingdom congregates at a few waterholes, the prey has to be extra cautious. The eagles and vultures sitting high on the trees; as the ostrich ad the secretary birds can be seen in this open veld. Etosha National park is close to 21 000 sq km making it one of the biggest national parks in Africa. Enjoy game viewing at it’s best in this extra-ordinary game reserve. Accommodation: Okaukuejo Camp. This is a campsite right inside the national park. There is a water hole just outside the campsite and you allowed to walk and sit to view as animals come to drink. There is also lodges available should you want to be in rooms rather than camping. The campsite is well protected from animals.

Today it's all day game drive in the national park. There is quite a number of interesting places especially waterholes which attract high volumes of animals sometimes. Accommodation: Halali Camp. The campsite as well is inside the national park with exactly the same facilities as Okaukuejo camp.

The last day of the game drives in the park as you make your way out through Namutoni gate. But first a stop at the Etosha pan to view the long dried up salt pan. The nearly 4000 sq km dried lake covers 20% of the national Park. In rain season it attracts many animals and sometimes migratory birds. Accommodation: Just outside Namutoni gate at a farm lodge. The camping grounds are well maintained here. There is a swimming pool and wi-fi is available at the reception area. Rooms are also available for possible upgrades.

From Safari to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. In the late afternoon you have a City Tour of the country’s administrative buildings in colonial times and other landmarks in the town. Get to know modern day Namibia. Your accommodation today is at Heja lodge 25km from the City. You will have down-time to do your shopping after the City Tour. Later in the evening there is an option to go for diner in Town at Joe's Beer, a popular joint for international, regional and local visitors to Windhoek. This you can arrange with your Guide for booking on time if you want. However there is a good restaurant at Heja Game reserve where you are staying tonight with a good variety of game meat. Your Tour Ends Today There will be arrangement for how to get to the airport.

The Trip Cost Includes

  • Pick-up or Drop-off service from and to Airport(in our own vehicle) Transportation to and from!! Food all along the trip(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and a cup of coffee or tea) and accommodations during the trip in lodges and campsites with family environment Transportation, food, accommodation and insurance of Guide during the trip First Aid Medical Kit(Your guide will carry the Medical Kit on the truck) All the required permits and paperwork

The Trip Cost Excludes

  • International Airfare Visa Charges Hotel Expenses or any other upgrades Your travel and medical insurance Personal Expenses such as shopping, bar bills, telephone, laundry, titbits etc Food and accommodations not mentioned or not promised by the agent/agency Emergency expenses such as expenses on chartered helicopter.

Frequently asked Questions

How fit do I need?

No fitness is required all activities will be done on our trucks except for the interaction with people. And for that is just walking small distances. For game drives you will be on 4×4 open vehicles.

What is the climate of Namibia?

Namibia is mostly a desert and temperatures are generally warm in the range of 30-35 degrees Celsius. In summer it gets much hot to as much as above 40 degrees Celsius. While in winter the temperatures can be cold the days would still be as warm in the range of 18-25 degrees. Summer months are usually from September to January and winter from February to August.

What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?

On all campsites and lodges on this tour there is electricity for charging. Hot showers are also available and for campers the ablution blocks are shared with other like campers from other groups.

Are there ATMs on the way ?

Yes ATMs are available on most towns we drive through. Card payments by Master-cards or Visa-cards are also acceptable on most of the campsites for services and either drinks or food purchased.

What about internet access?

Yes. Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. Whilst traveling connection is not available unless you buy a local sim card and register it with a service provider.

Is it necessary to hire Guides?

Yes we already have Guides on Tour who doubles up as drivers and/or chefs. For optional activities like 4×4 game drives which you may pay as an extra beyond what we provide you will have a Guide as well.

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Etosha national park
10% Off
From €1,000 €900
/ Adult
  • 1-12 people
  • Camping otherwise upgrade to rooms if you want a lodge.
  • Swakopmund Namibia
  • Moderate
  • All year
  • 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches 6 diners
  • English speaking guides who doubles as drivers, and camp assistant also doubles as chef. We have provision for translators for German, French and Dutch on some of our Tours.
  • Camping and accommodation

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