Taking a tour of Namibia is on many a bucket list, and we understand why. But where do you go and what are the most fun activities? These are logical questions when planning a trip to Namibia. We have mapped out the ultimate itinerary for you, which will take you through the most beautiful landscapes, but which also gives you enough time for beautiful walks, adventurous safaris and cultural discoveries. Get to know the Namibian culture, experience the colonial German influences in the coastal cities and stop at the most beautiful geological sites of Namibia!
How many weeks do you need to travel through Namibia?
If you follow our itinerary in whole or in part, you will need about 3 weeks. In this time you can see and experience a lot of Namibia. If you have less time you can consider destinations such as the Fish River Canyon ahead of time or Etosha National Park, for which you make a detour, from the itinerary. For us, and maybe for you too when you return to the Netherlands, you can never have enough weeks to travel through Namibia. By the way, this is a good reason to return someday!
Travel route Namibia: clockwise or counter clockwise?
A round trip through Namibia will almost always start in the capital Windhoek, unless you enter the country via neighboring Botswana or South Africa. Most travelers therefore make a nice tour of Namibia from Windhoek, with the capital being the start and end point of the trip.
Our itinerary takes you through the south along the coast to the north spending the last few days in Etosha National Park. You have the chance to spot wildlife at several places along this route, but the national park is definitely the highlight in this regard. Every zebra, oryx and springbok you see on the way to Etosha NP is actually a taster, because when you finally see all the animals in one place together ... then a dream really comes true.
Transportation in Namibia
By far every tourist traveling through Namibia does so with a rental car and this is almost always a 4×4 jeep with rooftop tent. To see as much of the country as possible, a rental car is also essential since public transport is not an option in this vast country. Would you also like to travel around with a 4×4 jeep with rooftop tent or prefer a rental car with 4×4 drive? Then before renting a car, read our tips for car rental in Namibia.
The ideal 3-week travel itinerary through Namibia
The round trip we made through Namibia in 3 weeks is an itinerary we recommend to everyone. During these weeks you will drive through the most beautiful landscapes, visit bustling and dead quiet cities and gaze up at the beautiful starry sky every night.
Windhoek - 1 night
Kalahari - 1 night
Fish River Canyon - 2 nights
Aus - 2 nights
Lüderitz - 1 night
Sossusvlei - 2 nights
Naukluft NP - 1 night
Swakopmund - 2 nights
Spitzkoppe - 1 night
Brandberg - 1 night
Madisa Camp - 1 night
Etosha - 3 nights
Waterberg - 2 nights
Windhoek
1. Windhoek
Windhoek is the capital of Namibia and this is without a doubt the destination where your adventure starts. Some other blogs recommend leaving Windhoek immediately after picking up the rental car, but we enjoyed spending an afternoon in the capital and can definitely recommend it. And besides, it's nice to recover from such a long flight.
In downtown Windhoek you will find a number of fun sights to visit, including some for free. These are 5 fun things to do in Windhoek before leaving the capital.
2. Kalahari Desert
From Windhoek, it is about a 3-hour drive to the Kalahari Desert. The route takes you along the B1, a paved road, past Lake Oanab. You will find a beautiful resort where you can stop to have a nice cup of coffee in the restaurant. To enter the resort you pay 30 NAD per person, which is about €1.80. You approach the Kalahari Desert when you see the red sand of the dunes on the horizon. The Kalahari Desert is the oldest crust of earth in the world and stretches across Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia. Because there is a lot of rainfall during the wet season, the Kalahari is actually a semi-desert. The dunes of the Kalahari Desert are only 15 to 30 meters high, but hundreds of kilometers long. The desert is breathtakingly beautiful, especially during golden hour when the sun's rays illuminate the golden yellow grasses beautifully. This is therefore a great time to take a safari where you have the chance to spot oryx antelope, springbok, ostriches, jackals and maybe even giraffes and zebras.
Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch is one of the most beautiful places to stay. You have beautiful lodges on the dune edge and luxury campsites with private bathrooms. There are only a few campsites on the ranch, so it is definitely advisable to book in time. Several animals roam freely on the ranch, so don't be surprised if you suddenly see an oryx by the pool. Of course you are here to see more of the Kalahari Desert, so a game drive through the park is recommended. By the way, it is an expensive excursion to book, but well worth it.
3. Fish River Canyon
Your adventure through Namibia has only just begun but after one night's sleep in the Kalahari Desert, it is already time for the next highlight of your tour: the Fish River Canyon. Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world and is known for its spectacular views. Because the canyon is not yet well known worldwide, you can enjoy the scenery here at your leisure. Want to make the most of your visit? Then quickly read our article full of useful tips for visiting Fish River Canyon.
Quiver Tree Forest & Giants' Playground
The drive from the Kalahari Desert to Fish River Canyon is about 400 kilometers. It is a hefty drive that will definitely take you about 5 hours. You pass the large town of Keetmanshoop on the way. This is the ideal place to refuel and do some shopping. Once you have done this it is nice to visit the nearby Quiver Tree Forest and Giants' Playground visit. Both sites are a nice stop on the way to Fish River Canyon.
4. Aus
On the edge of the Namib Desert you will find the small town of Aus. A destination often visited only to break up the long route between Fish River Canyon and Sossusvlei. A shame! The area around Aus lends itself perfectly to hiking through the mountains and valleys of Namib Naukluft National Park. Spectacular vistas are guaranteed. Did you know that you can even spot the wild Namibian horses here?
Little Aus Vista
Free up two days in your itinerary to spend in the Aus area, especially on the grounds of Klein Aus Vista. On this estate you will find standard to very special lodges to stay in. The eye-catchers on the estate are the Eagle's Nest Chalets and the Geisterschluct Cabin. Of course, you will also find a number of camping sites idyllically situated among the mountains. We stood on the most beautiful spot in all of the campground, curious which one this is? Read the article camping in the wilderness at Klein Aus Vista.
5. Lüderitz
The small and old fishing town of Lüderitz is a fun, but mostly interesting place for a short stopover on your trip through Namibia. This is not only because of the colonial architecture in the town, but also because of its enigmatic location. This is because Lüderitz lies on the coast but is surrounded by nothing but sand. The road to the former German coastal town is therefore regularly littered with a pile of sand. For those who love nature and history, Lüderitz is an indispensable destination in Namibia. These are the best tips and to do's for the fishing town of Lüderitz!
Kolmanskop
One of the most extraordinary locations in Namibia is the abandoned town of Kolmanskop. So remote in the desert, you can hardly imagine that this town was once hugely vibrant. An important historical site during German colonization in Namibia. Taste the atmosphere, dive into history and be amazed by the forces of mother nature. Also read our tips for visiting ghost town Kolmanskop in Namibia!
6. Sossusvlei (Sesriem).
Sossusvlei National Park offers you the most beautiful dunes and valleys you have ever seen. To get everything out of your visit and not do anything too rash, you will need at least 2 days. Some of the highlights in Sossusvlei are Big Daddy, Deadvlei and Dune 45. However, there is much more beauty to see in Sossusvlei hence we have also written a separate article on all the highlights in Sossusvlei that you should not miss. Of course, helpful tips such as the ideal campsite and the best spots for a beautiful sunrise and sunset are also listed in this article.
7. Naukluft (National Park).
A place not often included in a tour of Namibia is Naukluft. After seeing the sand dunes of Sossusvlei, people think they have seen the best of the immediate area, but nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed, just an hour's drive from Sesriem you will find the impressive mountains of Naukluft. The ideal location to make beautiful walks and perhaps even spot mountain zebras. The Olive Trail which we walked here is one of the most beautiful walks we have done in all of Namibia.
8. Swakopmund
After all the impressions of the past week and a half and the considerable distance we have now traveled, it is wonderful to spend two days in Swakopmund. The rooftop tent is exchanged for a comfortable hotel room (with a sea view!). Swakopmund is the ideal destination to take it a little easier. Especially in the summer months when Swakopmund is bustling as the only sunny seaside resort in Namibia. Because of its unique location between sea and dunes, there is an awful lot to do in Swakopmund and its surroundings. One of the unique activities you can do here is kayaking among the fur seals at Pelican Point. Curious about what else there is to do? Then check out our tips for Swakopmund.
9. Spitzkoppe
The next destination on the itinerary takes you back inland where temperatures are higher than on the coast at Swakopmund. Spitzkoppe is in Damaraland, a region in northern Namibia known for its rugged desert-like landscape with giant rocks and mountains. It is a surreal place in the Namib Desert where you can camp under breathtaking starry skies. The adventurer in you will definitely come out in this place. Interested in this special place? Then read al our tips for the ultimate camping experience at Spitzkoppe.
10. Brandberg
The last week of our tour of Namibia has arrived and it is time to take it a little easier. The distances between the destinations are shorter so you can relax more on location or see something of the area at your own pace. The road from Spitzkoppe to Brandberg is largely unpaved but it is a beautiful route to drive. Many ethnic tribes such as the Himba and the Herero still live in Damaraland. Along the way you may encounter locals from these tribes. Himba women can be recognized by their bare skins which are rubbed with a mixture of animal fat and red powder. Herero women can be recognized by their colorful dresses and headgear in the shape of horns.
Brandberg is a mountain range in Namibia, and with a peak of about 2,573 meters, Königstein Point is the highest point in the country. The name of the mountain range refers to the fiery glow the mountain massif receives from the warm rays of the setting sun. By the way, here you are in the habitat of the desert elephant and the black rhinoceros. With a little luck, you will come across one of these special animals. But Brandberg is best known for the rock paintings of the San, especially the ancient White Lady.
Brandberg White Lady Lodge
Brandberg White Lady Lodge is the ideal accommodation to unwind. On the vast estate you will find several chalets, safari tents, cottages and, of course, a large campsite. Near the reception is the restaurant where you can order food and drinks during the day, there is a beautiful garden and a cooling pool overlooking the iconic Brandberg Mountain.
After a night of sleeping in the tent you step into the shower. Because there is no roof you look from the shower over the walls onto the fire mountain. That's a nice way to wake up. An activity you can do first thing in the morning is a self-drive through the riverbed of the Tsisab (only with 4WD!). A tip we got from the owner and would love to share with you. You can drive there beautifully. Initially through loose sand but that soon becomes a paved and dried out surface. Until you arrive at the first puddles of water where you can also ride carefully through. Pretty exciting and a bit of adrenaline is definitely involved. With a little luck you'll come across an elephant or rhino here.
11. Madisa Camp
The only place in our itinerary that we say this one can possibly be skipped is Madisa Camp in Damaraland. This is not because it is not a beautiful place to stay, on the contrary. But staying here has little to add if, like us, you choose to also stay at Brandberg and skip a visit to Twyfelfontein.
Still, Madisa Camp is a fine place in the middle of nowhere. In fact, it is so remote that there is no wifi and little to no internet connection. You are therefore really dependent on each other or on nature here. Madisa Camp offers a number of camping sites and also has a number of safari tents. At the camp sites you have your own sanitary facilities but for hot water you have to heat the boiler by means of a self-made fire in the so-called 'donkey'.
Important to remember is that you can only pay with cash at Madisa Camp, so make sure you have enough Namibian Dollars with you. Also, there is no supermarket or store in the area. Bringing enough groceries, provided you are camping here, is nice. Would you like to have dinner at the restaurant in the evening? Then be sure to make your reservations on time (at least 24 hours in advance).
Scenic Sunset Drive
One of the activities you can book at Madisa Camp is a Scenic Sunset Drive. As the name suggests, this drive through the hilly landscape surrounding Madisa Camp takes place during sunset. The vast surroundings are home to giraffes and elephants, among others, but there are no guarantees that you will spot these animals. Just before the sun sets, we climb one of the hills and, while enjoying a beer, watch the sun disappear behind the horizon.
12. Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park is Namibia's wildlife sanctuary and spending your last few days here is a real treat. After all the glimpses you've had of wildlife over the past few weeks, you can spot wildlife here in excess. Spread the number of days you spend in the national park over several locations so you can see as much of the vast plains as possible. Curious about all our tips? Then quickly read our extensive blog about The ideal itinerary and tips for Etosha National Park!
13. Waterberg Plateau
A visit to Waterberg is a nice last stop on your tour of Namibia. Indeed, on the way from Namutoni to Windhoek, you almost pass it. You can spend the night here in a cool spot in the middle of nature and with a view of the plateau.
The Waterberg Plateau is a rare mountain range in Namibia because of its fertile soil. No area in Namibia has as much water as the Waterberg National Park. The green surroundings and golden brown rocks are therefore the ideal place for a final hike in Namibia. If you stay at Waterberg Wilderness Lodge, you can follow several routes across the territory. It is not possible to enter the plateau without a guide. Waterberg Wilderness Lodge offers two camp sites and several unique lodges.
Join an early morning rhino safari or take a scenic hike through the area. Waterberg Wilderness Lodge is a popular accommodation and for this spot you really need to book in time. The lodges at Waterberg Wilderness Lodge can be booked via Booking.com, but if you want to book a pitch here you can only do so by the contact form on the website fill in.
Helpful tips for touring Namibia
Now that you have your itinerary through Namibia in your head, it's time to prepare. What is the best travel period? Where is the best place to stay? How expensive is traveling around Namibia? Some of the questions you undoubtedly want answered. In this article we share All our tips for touring Namibia.
