Discover Namibia - Sossusvlei & Etosha Park Solo Traveller

Depart for Windhoek, Namibia. Discover the highlights that Namibia has to offer, from the world's oldest desert to the Skeleton Coast, the largest national park in Africa – Etosha National Park, and one of the least densely populated countries in the world. This makes Namibia a truly unique destination to visit.

We have arrived in Windhoek Airport! Let’s meet our guide/driver and transfer by safari truck to our hotel in Windhoek. Our mode of transport for the duration of our tour will be a robust safari truck, perfect for exploring Namibia’s rugged landscapes and reaching those off-road places that larger vehicles can’t access.

Let’s check in to our hotel, relax and unwind for the rest of our day.

Later we get together for dinner (included).

Please note holiday groups may be made up of single travellers and larger parties travelling together.

• This tour is operated by an overland Safari truck, designed for off road experience, while on tour. Often the roads in Namibia can be rough and bumpy country roads, and our robust safari truck is an ideal way to travel in this unique terrain, through the national parks for optimal game viewing, where it is more difficult for coaches to go.
• Air-conditioning is very rare in Safari trucks in Namibia, mostly a dry dusty climate; opening windows can help, however there may be heat and dust due to the desert environment.
• Comfort breaks will be made where possible, however most days involve early starts and long drives, especially for safari experiences. Namibia’s vast, sparse landscapes mean extended travel times are part of the journey. Our small safari trucks, accommodating 6 to 10 people maximum, provide a unique experience, ideal for the terrain, small groups and game viewing.

Early start today from Windhoek as we ease into our safari rhythm with a short pre-departure meeting at around 7am. We depart Windhoek and head towards Otjiwarongo for a quick stop to pick up supplies. If we’re lucky, we might even catch our first glimpse of some Himba tribal people near the shops.

From Otjiwarongo, we journey towards Etosha National Park, where our safari adventure begins! Etosha’s vast landscapes and stark beauty are truly breathtaking, offering memorable moments. Keep your eyes peeled for the Big Four – elephant, rhino (especially the rare black rhino), lion, and the elusive leopard.

We’ll take the opportunity to stop at waterholes along the way, perfect for spotting a variety of free-roaming wildlife, bird species, and more. Ensure your cameras are ready for action at any moment.

After a day of exploration, we arrive at our hotel in the evening. The drive today covers approximately 530km over six hours.

Let’s get checked in and relax.

A simple packed lunch is also provided for today and dinner is included tonight.

We rise extra early today as we aim for the Etosha National Park gate opening to the park when the sunrises. Early mornings are one of the best times for game viewing. We may even catch sight of some lions returning from a hunt. Wrap up warm as it can often be chilly in the mornings, especially with the breeze of the open windows (for photography) and the wind in your hair.

After our early drive looking for game, we return to our hotel for breakfast. After we pack up our bags and make our way to our next hotel on our full day safari drive.

Let’s make the most of our safari time, keep a keen lookout for wildlife. Etosha National Park’s vastness offers free roaming wildlife, including the rare black rhino and one of the highest concentrations of cheetahs in the world, although they can be quite rare to see. Etosha has a unique desert landscape with a massive salt pan. The dazzling white mineral pan stretches over 4,700 square km and can be seen from space. We spend our day driving throughout the park looking for birds, reptiles, and various wildlife at different waterholes.

After our days safari we exit Etosha at the Anderson gate close to sunset and take a short drive to our new hotel.

Check in, refresh and join the rest of our group for dinner (included).

A simple light packed lunch is included today 

Another early start as we head to the Etosha park gates shortly after sunrise. This morning is our last chance to spot Etosha’s incredible wildlife. The park is home to rare black rhinos, and we’ll keep a keen lookout for them. If we haven’t seen one yet, today might be our day! Leopards, often called the elusive leopard, are tricky to spot, blending seamlessly into their surroundings. Keep your eyes on the plains for roaming herds of elephants, especially in the dry season, where dust clouds might give them away. Around the waterholes, we’re likely to see oryx, impala, ostriches, and much more.

After our morning drive, we return to the hotel for breakfast. Once refreshed, we head out again for another full day of game viewing.

Enjoy the stark beauty of Etosha’s unique landscape and the tranquillity of the experience. With fewer safari vehicles in the park, wildlife sightings often feel even more special.

We return in the evening in time for dinner (included). A light packed lunch is also provided today.

Today, we bid farewell to Etosha and head towards some of Namibia’s cultural highlights. Our journey is approximately 266km, taking around four hours through stunning scenery.

Our first stop is Otjikandero Himba Village, near the small town of Kamanjab. The village blends traditional Himba culture with modern life. Learn about their customs, admire their unique dress, a great opportunity to take photos and learn about their lifestyle.

After a short stop in Kamanjab, we continue our journey. Relax and soak up the ever-changing landscapes, from flat plains to rugged mountains and rocky terrain.

We arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon. Take some time to unwind and soak in the beautiful surroundings.

A light packed lunch and dinner are included today.

Today, we embark on a scenic journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Damaraland. The route takes us past open grasslands, striking hills with pink granite boulders, and ever-changing terrain that highlights Namibia's numerous contrasts making this journey a unique experience. Our journey covers approximately 445km and takes around six hours plus. Sit back, enjoy the views, listen to a podcast, or simply take in the beauty around you.

We’ll pause for a simple picnic lunch with the rugged Brandberg Mountain as our backdrop. Along the way, we may stop to explore local Herero and Damara tribes selling handcrafted souvenirs, time permitting.

As we approach the Skeleton Coast, the landscape transforms into dramatic scenes of shipwrecks and desolate beaches and can often have thick fog rolling in – we take a moment for a quick photo stop.

Late in the evening, we arrive in Swakopmund, a charming colonial German town on the coast. After check-in, relax and unwind after our long days scenic drive.

Today is free to enjoy the charm of this coastal town - Swakopmund. Wander to the lighthouse and take in the views of the wild Atlantic Ocean, admire the colourful colonial architecture, or browse the local markets and shops for souvenirs. Take it slow and savour the relaxing atmosphere, savour a cup of coffee at one of the cafes, relax and soak up the atmosphere.

Our driver/guide is available to help you make the most of your time in Swakopmund, offering tips and recommendations.

Please note: For those interested in adventure sports like hot air ballooning or skydiving, please be aware these activities are not organised or sold by our guide. Ensure your travel insurance covers any such activities if you decide to partake of these activities on offer locally

Today, we depart Swakopmund late in the morning and travel to Sesriem, covering approximately 264km (around five hours). Our route takes us through the scenic Kuiseb Pass, descending from the mountains and heading towards the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.5 degrees south. We’ll stop here for a photo at the iconic Tropic of Capricorn sign.

Next stop Solitaire, a quaint spot known for apple pie and photogenic surroundings. Stretch your legs and take a few selfies!

A simple packed lunch is included, and dinner will be served at the lodge. Arrive in the evening, check in, and relax.

We start the day very early, setting off towards the stunning sea of dunes in Sossusvlei. We aim to enter the national park at sunrise, and drive 60km from Sesriem to the dunes' parking area. From here, we set off to explore the iconic Deadvlei one of Namibia’s most iconic images, a striking ancient pan surrounded by towering red dunes and dotted with skeletal Camel Thorn trees over 1,000 years old. Soak up the desert atmosphere and take in this striking desolate beauty of the Deadvlei.

For the adventurous, there’s the option to climb "Big Daddy," a towering dune over 300 metres high – a challenge not for the faint-hearted!

Next, we visit the famous Dune 45, where you’ll have the chance to climb or simply admire its beauty and capture iconic photos.

We return to the lodge in the late afternoon. The rest of the day is yours to relax after an exhilarating adventure.

A simple packed lunch and dinner at the lodge are included.

Today, we bid farewell to the desert and head towards Windhoek, covering 222km (around three hours). Our first stop is in Solitaire, where you could enjoy a slice of the famous apple pie if you missed it last time. Take in the quirky surroundings, perfect for photos, with rusted old trucks, petrol pumps, cacti, and a desert backdrop. 

We continue our journey, transitioning from desert landscapes to the small city of Windhoek, arriving at our hotel in the late afternoon. Check in, relax, and unwind after the drive.

Let’s get together and enjoy our final dinner together this evening (included).

We depart our hotel and make our way to Windhoek airport for our flights home after a memorable journey through the magnificent vastness and uniqueness that is Namibia.