A dynamic journey for those who want to explore Namibia beyond the familiar paths.
Most Namibia itineraries run the same loop. This one takes the same headline places — Sossusvlei, the coast, Damaraland, Etosha — and adds two that usually get skipped because they cost an afternoon: the granite domes of Spitzkoppe, and Twyfelfontein’s rock engravings seen first thing in the morning, when the low light actually shows them.
It is a driving safari and it does not pretend otherwise. Namibia’s distances are long and most of the roads between these places are gravel. What we have done is put the long transfers where they belong and keep the good hours for the places themselves — which is why the last two days are Etosha and nothing else.
On arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport you are met and transferred privately to your Windhoek hotel — the airport is 45 km and about 45 minutes east of the city — followed by an evening briefing with your guide where arrival time permits.
An early start south-west across the Khomas Hochland, down through Solitaire and on to the Sesriem area — around 350 km and five hours, the last long stretch on gravel. Check in at The Elegant Desert Lodge with the afternoon at leisure.
Through the Sesriem gate at opening for the drive to Dune 45, arriving in the long early light for the climb. On to Deadvlei and the ancient camelthorn skeletons standing against the white clay pan, then Big Daddy for those who want the longer walk up. Back at the lodge for the heat of the day, afternoon free.
North through Solitaire and down the Kuiseb Pass, then west past Walvis Bay to Swakopmund — around 350 km and five and a half hours, mostly gravel, with the landscape changing about four times on the way. Check in at the Beach Hotel Swakopmund.
A full-day 4×4 excursion south into the dune belt to Sandwich Harbour, where the dunes drop straight into the Atlantic and the lagoon behind them fills with birds. Lunch on the dunes. The excursion is run by a licensed Walvis Bay operator and its timing is set by the tide, so the day’s start time is confirmed a day or two beforehand.
East on the B2 and then north onto the gravel to Spitzkoppe — the granite inselberg that rises straight out of flat scrub, and the Rock Arch beneath it. Time out of the vehicle here before the road north through Uis, where we stop for fuel and lunch, and on into Damaraland. Around 395 km and five and a half hours of driving all told, arriving at Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp in the late afternoon. The evening is yours.
The Twyfelfontein engravings are ten minutes from camp and the site opens at eight. We are there for opening, and deliberately so: the engravings read by the contrast between dark desert varnish and the paler rock beneath, and low morning light is when they show. The guided walk takes about an hour and is led by a guide from the Uibasen-Twyfelfontein Conservancy, who look after the site. Back on the road by mid-morning for the run north to Etosha — around 365 km and five hours through Khorixas and Outjo. Check in at Etosha Safari Lodge in the afternoon. No game drive today; tomorrow is the whole day.
A full day in the park. Into Andersson Gate in the early morning for the southern waterholes when the light is good and the animals are still moving. The middle of the day out of the sun. Out again in the afternoon, and back through the gate before it closes at sunset.
An early breakfast and the drive south — around 475 km and, realistically, five and a half to six hours to Hosea Kutako including a stop. There is no game drive on this morning, and that is deliberate: the day that tries to fit one in is the day that misses a flight. Leaving at seven puts you at the airport around one in the afternoon. This day is built around departures from 17:00 onwards — if your flight leaves earlier, tell us before we finalise the itinerary and we will propose a final night nearer Windhoek.
Pictured: the hills around Windhoek. Destination imagery, not a photograph of the arrival hotel.
Pictured: flamingos on a shallow lagoon. Regional imagery, not a photograph of the property.
Pictured: elephant in a dry riverbed. Regional imagery, not a photograph of the property.
Accommodation is subject to availability. The properties above are the lodges we aim to use on this journey. They are confirmed only once your booking is made and the lodge has accepted it. Where a property is unavailable for your dates, we will propose an alternative of an equivalent standard and location, and confirm it with you before booking.
How this journey is put together. SLM Safaris is registered with the Namibia Tourism Board as a Tour Facilitator (TFA01009). We plan, book and coordinate your journey. Road transport is provided in 4×4 safari vehicles supplied through our transport partners, and your guide is assigned to your itinerary from our network of professional guides and specialists. Where an activity is run by a lodge or a licensed local operator, we say so above and we book it on your behalf. The meal basis at each property is set out in full on your written itinerary before you book.
Wildlife is wild. Game drives are planned around the seasons, waterholes and movements that give the best realistic chance of rewarding sightings, but no operator can guarantee that any particular animal will be seen. Routes and drive times may be adjusted for road, weather or park conditions, always in consultation with you.
Extend the journey — a day in the Huab. Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp runs a full-day excursion into the ephemeral Huab River and the valley around it, with a picnic lunch and the possibility of finding the desert-adapted elephants that move through the dry river system. It is not part of the nine-day journey, because the camp offers it to guests staying two nights or more and our standard routing has one. If you want it, we add a second night in Damaraland and the journey becomes ten days. Tell us when you enquire and we will price it and confirm availability with the camp. The elephants are wild and range widely; the excursion is a day in their country, not a guarantee of finding them.
Namibia is a year-round destination, but each season offers something different. Here's what to expect when planning your safari — and what each window is best for.
Peak game-viewing season. Days are warm, nights cold. Animals concentrate around waterholes. Ideal for wildlife and photography.
The best wildlife months — Etosha's pans are at their busiest. Days are very hot. Book early as lodges fill up.
The wet months. Lush landscapes, dramatic skies, fewer crowds, lower rates. Birding is exceptional. Some roads can be tricky.
The desert can be visited any time. Cooler months are most comfortable, but the dunes are spectacular year-round.
Tell us a little about your travel plans and we’ll reply within one business day. An enquiry is a conversation, not a booking — nothing is reserved until you have approved a written itinerary.
Email info@slmsafaris.com
Phone +264 81 813 0400
WhatsApp +264 81 813 0400
Hours Mon — Fri · 08:00–17:00 CAT