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Discover Namibia - Lodges

Name: Discover Namibia - Lodges
Brand: Exodus
SKU: AZNP
Availability: LimitedAvailability
Rating: 4.8 (43 reviews)

43 reviews

Overview

Safari in Etosha, climb desert dunes, and track rhinos in Africa’s most underrated destination

Vast, spectacular, diverse, Namibia is the best of Africa and more. The wildlife rivals any: spend two days spotting safari animals in Etosha National Park, track rhinos, and watch water holes for any welcome visitors. You’ll also climb a desert dune, hike to the ancient White Lady rock painting, and gaze into the Milky Way at night. Better yet, you’ll be joined by one of our expert tour leaders, eager to share their Namibia.

Itinerary also available as Discover Namibia – Camping

Key Information

Travel Style Classic: The quintessential Exodus adventure, pairing iconic sights and cultural discovery with comfortable stays: Classic
Activity: Culture
Activity Level: Easy & Moderate
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
Trip Code: AZNP
Ways to Travel: Classic, Guided Group
Countries: Namibia
Carbon Footprint: 13.8kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All accommodation: 12 Comfort nights (lodges, chalets or hotels)
All breakfasts, two lunches, eight dinners
Immersive itinerary with all transport (purpose-built overland truck) and listed activities
Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure
Arrival and departure transfers

Positive Impact

We donate to our Foundation and rewild 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller. Find out more about how our adventures support nature and people to thrive.

Don't Forget To

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations.

Highlights

Join our much-loved tour leaders to discover the best of Namibia

Spend two full days on safari in Etosha National Park

Climb the highest dunes in the world in the early morning light

Track rhinos with the help of an expert local guide

Hike to the ancient White Lady rock painting, created by San people

Observe cheetahs at the Namib Carnivore Conservation Centre

Itinerary

First Destination: Windhoek
Next Destination: Windhoek

Accommodation:Arebbusch Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Dinner

Accommodation:Weltevrede Guest Farm (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:Weltevrede Guest Farm (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:Prost Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Prost Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Brandberg White Lady Lodge campsite (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Damara Mopane Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:Lodge in/near Etosha (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:Camps in/near Etosha (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Camps in/near Etosha (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Otjiwa Safari Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:Arebbusch Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Windhoek
Next Destination: Windhoek

Begin your adventure at Arebbusch Lodge in Windhoek. Spend the afternoon exploring or relaxing, perhaps taking a dip in the pool or watching the many native birds that swoop overhead.

Around 6pm to 7pm, say hello to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big Namibian welcome by arranging a group dinner.

Want more time in Windhoek? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation:Arebbusch Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Dinner

Today we head southwest through the spectacular scenery of the Namib-Naukluft Park towards the Sesriem/Solitaire area.

This national park, one of the largest in the world, is home to one of the driest and oldest deserts on Earth. It also has towering, jagged rock formations and an incredible lunar landscape, so be prepared for great photo stops.

Total drive time: 5hr 30min (one hour on paved roads, 4hr 30min on gravel)

Accommodation:Weltevrede Guest Farm (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Today we spend much of our time in the Namib Desert. Rising early, we visit the tallest dunes in the world and climb one of them in the early morning light for spectacular views.

You could then catch an (optional) 4×4 transfer to Deadvlei, where ancient acacia trees form an eerie desert scene. If you’re lucky, we may see gemsbok or ostrich among the dunes.

In the afternoon, join a guide to see the cheetahs at the Namib Carnivore Conservation Centre; depending on time, we may go tomorrow morning.

Total drive time: 3hr to 3hr 30min (2hr on paved roads, 1hr to 1hr 30min on gravel)

Accommodation:Weltevrede Guest Farm (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

We take a long but very scenic drive through the Namib-Naukluft Park to Swakopmund. En route, we visit Walvis Bay for lunch and to see flamingos. Swakopmund is a small German colonial resort town with quaint cake shops and coffee houses and a centre for adrenaline activities.

Total drive time: 4hr 30min to 5hr (gravel)

Accommodation:Prost Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Today is free to enjoy one of the many optional activities here. On the water, go deep-sea fishing; in the desert, try sandboarding and quad-biking; and in the sky, fly over the Skeleton Coast. Or spend the day enjoying the fantastic local Viennese-style cakes, walk along the beach or nearby dunes, or just watch the world pass in this town which seems strangely out of place in Africa.

Accommodation:Prost Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

After a relaxing start, we leave the cool breeze of the Atlantic Ocean behind and head inland towards Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia, in Damaraland. The Damaraland area is best-known as being home to desert elephants that roam in the Ugab River. Depending on our arrival time, there may be the option of a 4×4 game drive looking for desert elephants.

In the evening, we can normally enjoy spectacular stargazing.

Total drive time: 4hr to 4hr 30min (paved roads and gravel)

Accommodation:Brandberg White Lady Lodge campsite (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin our day with a short drive to Brandberg, where we enjoy a walk through Valley 45 for approximately 90 minutes. Along the way, we view beautiful, granite formations and a variety of birdlife. The valley takes us to the White Lady rock painting which, along with several other small paintings and engravings, are thought to have been left by San hunter-gatherers at least 2,000 years ago (if elephants walk into this area then it might be too dangerous to do the walk – in this case we typically take an alternative walk to see San paintings). After, we drive towards the Khorixas area, where we should pass various Himba and Herero women selling crafts from the roadside. We may also spot desert elephants and meerkats on the way.

Total drive time: 3hr to 3hr 30min (paved roads)

Accommodation:Damara Mopane Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

We begin with a short drive to Etosha, a huge national park of mixed forest and grassland centred around a large salt pan. We should arrive in time for a late afternoon game drive before reaching our accommodation for the night. The itinerary allows plenty of time to really enjoy this fabulous game park.

Driving:125mi (200km); three hours
Accommodation:Lodge in/near Etosha (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Today is dedicated to exploring the wildlife of Etosha National Park, home to a great variety of species, which are generally easy to find as the animals congregate at different times around the waterholes.

Wildebeest, zebras, impalas, springbucks, kudus, elephants, giraffes, lions and even rhinos are all common sights here. Bring plenty of camera memory and patience and you will be rewarded by one of the greatest game spectacles in southern Africa.

Etosha is also a good place to spot birds, with plenty of water birds on the lakes (when filled with water), and weaverbirds and hornbills in the trees.

Accommodation:Camps in/near Etosha (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A second day in Etosha gives us even more opportunity to witness the rhythm of the park. Wildlife movements change constantly as animals travel between waterholes, and returning to different areas increases our chances of spotting species we may have missed the day before.

Our guide adjusts the route depending on recent sightings and seasonal conditions, guiding us to productive corners of the park where animals are most active. With more time on safari, we can linger at waterholes, watch animal behaviour unfold and continue building an ever-growing wildlife checklist.

Accommodation:Camps in/near Etosha (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Leaving Etosha, we head to Otjiwa Safari Lodge, which is ideally placed for our rhino-tracking tomorrow.

Today, you have several optional activities you can join at Otjiwa, including cycling and/or a night drive.

Total drive time: 205mi (330km); 3hr 30min

Accommodation:Otjiwa Safari Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we see rhinos up close! We’re led by a well-trained guide who tracks the rhinos by vehicle; once they’re spotted, we carefully get closer to the rhinos on foot. This is an incredible experience, allowing the group to admire rhinos from a safe distance. Later, we head back to Windhoek, stopping at a crafts market on the way.

Total drive time: 3hr 30min (paved roads)

Accommodation:Arebbusch Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

You’ve spotted iconic safari animals and seen the largest dunes in the world; but today, the trip ends after breakfast. Spend any free time before your flight relaxing at the accommodation or exploring Windhoek, where there are museums and shops. Additionally you can add on a township tour of Windhoek (see Optional Excursions section).

If you’d like to extend your adventure, perhaps even adding a visiting to Cape Town, speak to your sales representative who can go through our range of extensions with you.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

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Accommodation

Guesthouses and lodges

Throughout this adventure in Namibia, we mostly stay in two- and three-star lodges and occasionally in permanent tented camps. Most properties have swimming pools, so don’t forget your swimwear.

Below are a few of the standout accommodations.

Arebbusch Lodge

Discover Namibia – Lodges

Our guesthouse is only a 10-minute drive from the city centre yet is spacious with two swimming pools and one of the best pizzerias in the capital. It also has a beautiful garden enlivened with indigenous trees, which provide a habitat for a wealth of birdlife, including black-throated canaries, laughing doves and red-headed finches.

Brandberg White Lady Lodge

Discover Namibia – Lodges

Our Brandberg stay is in the middle of nowhere. From the viewpoint, you will not see another property, just the ruggedly beautiful landscape of Damaraland and possibly some desert elephants in the distance. There’s a dining area, well-stocked bar, lounge, and two swimming pools.

Lodges in/near Etosha National Park

Discover Namibia – Lodges

In Etosha, some departures stay within the national park itself. The lodges we use, either Okaukuejo or Namutoni, are government run and are more basic. Each has a restaurant, swimming pool and bar, but the highlights are the flood-lit waterholes where the wildlife regularly stops to drink. Other departures stay just outside the park in Etosha Safari Camp. This is a quirky property themed on a ‘shebeen’, a much-loved informal bar with local colour and bric-a-brac feel.

Worth knowing

Wifi is available in several properties but not everywhere, notably not in Sesriem or Etosha.
Our rooms in Etosha are the only accommodation where mosquito nets are provided, as the park is in a low-risk malaria area.
Additional game drives may be available at the Etosha sites, which can be booked on arrival for an extra cost.

Extend Your Trip

Exclusive Add-ons

Cape Town Hotels

With its iconic Table Mountain backdrop, world-class food scene and vibrant waterfront, additional nights in Cape Town can make your adventure feel even more extraordinary. Here are a few of our favourite hotels to inspire your stay:

Bay Hotel: Set along the palm-lined shores of Camps Bay, this stylish beachfront hotel offers elegant rooms with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. With multiple pools, a relaxed coastal atmosphere and easy access to cafés and restaurants, it’s perfect for unwinding after your tour.

V&A Hotel by Newmark: Located in the lively V&A Waterfront, this contemporary hotel blends historic charm with modern comfort. Spacious rooms, harbour views and direct access to shops, dining and attractions make it an ideal base for exploring Cape Town.

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel: A luxury retreat at the foot of Table Mountain, the Mount Nelson offers lush gardens, refined rooms and classic afternoon tea on its iconic pink terraces. Its serene setting, exceptional service and rich heritage make it one of Cape Town’s most memorable places to stay.

This is just a glimpse of what’s possible. Speak to your sales representative, who can guide you through the options and arrange everything for you.

Essential Information

This trip has been rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Most walks are of a Moderate difficulty, such as climbing Dune 45 and visiting the White Lady rock painting at Brandberg.

Travel: Transport is in a specially modified safari truck with 10 to 12 seats for group members. There is plenty of legroom and packing space plus a reference library, fridge and/or icebox. Smaller groups may be in a Mercedes Sprinter/Quantum bus/Toyota Hilux. By keeping the group size small, we maximise the exposure to the great African wilderness.

Road conditions: Eighty percent of Namibian roads are good gravel roads. However, road conditions are dependent on maintenance, so can be poor on occasions. This can have an impact on journey times and comfort and can be punishing on the vehicles. Drive times on this trip are moderate, and we normally arrive at our destination in the afternoon. The total distance covered is about 1,740mi (2,800km). Drive times below are approximations and do vary according to road conditions and the number of stops. We rarely exceed six hours of driving in one day.

Difficulty: There are some days where we have to get up before sunrise, but this allows us to get the most from our activities (for example, the game drives in Etosha where we are more likely to see wildlife in the early mornings before it gets too hot).

Key information

Start hotel: Arebbusch Lodge, Corner of Golf & Auas Rd, Olympia, Windhoek, Namibia
Phone: +264 61 252 255
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing around 6pm in the evening.
Airport: Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 45 minutes’ drive from the airport. We provide free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers.

Catching your return flight

We provide free departure transfers for all customers to Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) from the end hotel.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start hotel and from the end hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

Namibia

Travellers from the UK, US, Canada, and some EU states need a visa to enter Namibia (see the full list here).

Visas can be obtained online (https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na/) and you should apply for the Visa on Arrival option. Please check all visa requirements.

Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/namibia
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/namibia
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/namibia/entry-requirements
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Namibia.html

If you are transiting through South Africa and are a non-UK passport holder you may require a transit visa. Please check before travelling. Please note that if flying via South Africa you will probably have to pass immigration there.

Passports: To enter Namibia, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least six months after the date you arrive. It must also have at least one blank page. If you’re travelling to South Africa, you will need an additional two blank pages.

Travelling with children: In addition to valid passports, parents travelling with children (under 18) should always carry the original or certified copy of the unabridged birth certificate (listing the child’s and both parents’ details). Adults travelling with children where they are not the biological or legal guardians of those children, should be in possession of an affidavit statement from the child’s parents giving consent for their travel. If a child is travelling with only one parent, the other parent should give consent for travel in the form of an affidavit.

For meals not included, allow approximately 250-350 Namibian dollars (US$15-US$20) per person for dinner and 250 Namibian dollars (US$15) for lunch. Meals are in restaurants or at the lodges.

Worth knowing

Vegetarian cuisine: Meat plays a big part in Namibian cuisine. However, most lodges/restaurants cater for vegetarians if notified in advance, except for the government-run sites in Etosha. Please make let us know before departure if you have any dietary requests.

June to August: Clear and warm during the day, but temperatures can near freezing point at night.
September to May: Considerably warmer; October to March is the hottest, reaching the high 30Cs (around 100F). However, it is always a dry heat and the temperature drops at night. The wet season is between November and February, but this is not a bad time to go as the desert blooms after rainfall, there is plenty of birdlife to see and it never rains for very long.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

You’ll also find Thriving Nature, Thriving People moments across our trips. These experiences are often a highlight of your adventure, while also benefiting the natural world or local communities.

On this trip, we:

Visit the Namib Carnivore Conservation Centre to learn how conservation programmes protect Namibia’s large carnivores through research and rehabilitation.
Track wild rhinos on foot with an expert guide who teaches you about the vital rhino conservation efforts and anti-poaching initiatives.
Join an optional township tour in Windhoek for an educational insight into the daily lives of the residents.

In addition, we support the conservation of African elephants through our Foundation’s Free to Roam Project.

Reviews

Add new review

David Drysdale

Added July 2026

Discover Namibia - Lodges

Trip ran smoothly with an excellent guide who was a fount of knowledge, and who also coped with some difficulties along the way (lost luggage, bouts of illness).

Most Inspirational Moment

Etosha night drive; rhino tracking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - knowledgeable, interesting, helpful, organized, and able to adapt to difficulties along the way,

Christine Beeton

Added July 2026

Fabulous trip!

I absolutely loved every minute of that trip. I went in April and we got to see many different dramatic landscapes and amazing wildlife. Every evening we had clear details on what would happen the next day, departure and driving times, number of stops, and what to wear. Some drives looked long on paper but the landscapes were always interesting to watch and we never knew when wildlife would be visible. The itinerary is well designed as we discovered landscapes and alternated days with short drives and multiple hikes and days with longer drives but plenty of stops on the way. Some mornings started relatively early but that is necessary to see wildlife and walk in the desert before it gets too hot. The lodging ranged from absolutely fabulous (Damara Mopane Lodge and Otjiwa Safari Lodge for example) to painting peeling off the wall in Etosha National Park. Regardless, all were clean and quiet and being so close to the waterhole in Etosha was well worth the slightly less luxurious room. The bus we used is especially well designed to travel on dirt roads and to see immense landscapes and wildlife. The provided extra cushions were welcome on bumpy roads and all seats had seatbelts. Once we got into Etosha, we opened the roof and (shoes off) would stand on seats to have a 360 degrees view. The front and side windows also open. That means everyone could see the wildlife from different angles with obstructing the view of others in the group. I had high expectations when I booked that trip and I came home with all those expectations exceeded.

Most Inspirational Moment

Only the one most inspiring moment? I can't choose. Climbing the red sand dunes of the oldest desert on the planet, seeing the Namib sand gecko and desert-adapted giraffes and elephants that only live in Namibia, seeing cheetahs up close, walking up to white rhinos, spotting two black rhinos face off at sunset, coming face to face with a family of warthogs outside the lodge, seeing remarkably old and well preserved cave paintings, driving long the coast where the desert meets the ocean, and petting Mila the meerkat of the Brandberg White Lady Lodge. Everyday brought something new and amazing, and sometimes unexpected like the honey badger we never expected to spot.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Shane was great. He had a great plan to ensure we always had cold water to access on the bus and we could always access it even during the night if needed. He was great at spotting wildlife and also at sensing excitement in the bus and stopping even for the 100th springbok or giraffe. He modified the itinerary slightly by switching activities between days so we got to do everything planned but with shorter drives. And some evenings he answered the same question 10 times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack layers. Mornings and evenings were chilly in some places, and days got hot. The temperature changed fast at sunrise and sunset. We got our pant legs quite wet during the white rhino tracking and it was chilly but so worth it. Bring a good camera (seriously, everywhere in Namibia is amazing for photography) with protective gear against wind and sand and a cleaning kit. I used my camera cleaning kit almost daily and others on the tour used my cleaning kit too. Talk with the group leader about your plans. During our day off in Swakopmund, I had read about optional excursions and was debating between the Living Desert tour and the Sandwich Harbor tour. I couldn't make my mind and Shane managed to arrange for me to do both, warning me it would be an exhausting day. I did the Living Desert tour at 8:30 am, got back in town, changed cars, and got back from the Sandwich Harbor tour just 30 min before our planned dinner time. It was exhausting but I regret nothing! I saw and learned so much and am so grateful I was able to do both excursions. And during a meal, ask for a Malawi Shandy. It might become your favorite drink on a hot day.

Judy Skinner

Added July 2026

Discover Namibia - Lodges

Efficient and knowledgeable office staff Great trip with local guide

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing Dune 45 and seeing Deadvlei Visiting white lady rock paintings in Brandberg Etosha game drives and seeing Rhinos, Leopard, Cheethah, Lions, Jackals, Hyenas, 16 elephants at a water hole and over a hundred Zebras at our lodges waterhole Rhino tracking in Otjiwa

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent leader, friendly and helpful. As a group we tended to like to have information on the next day earlier than at our evening meal to help with packing planning etc but it tended to be given after dinner

Elizabeth Morgan

Added March 2026

Discover Namibia

Brilliant trip for seeing wildlife & very varied landscapes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeng leopards, white rhino & elephants at fairly close quarters.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

The early starts & sometimes long journeys are not for the feint hearted but definitely worth the effort!

Chloe Fairbairns

Added September 2025

Discover Namibia - Lodges

I’ve really enjoyed both trips I have done with Exodus - the mixture of local expertise and interesting companions makes for a fantastic break. I like the mixture of couples and singles, I like the smooth organisation of the trips, I like the interesting and beautiful places I have visited.

Most Inspirational Moment

Loads of them! The night sky and empty landscapes at Weltevrede. Sand dunes and learning a bit about the geology of the area. Seeing humpback whales off the boat at Swakopmund. Amazing landscapes of ancient dried riverbeds. Game drives where I saw far more rhinos than I could ever have hoped, plus elephants and lions and cheetahs and leopards. There are too many highlights!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Shane came across as a really nice guy - he was fun to be around, knowledgeable, a great driver and he clearly has a great working relationship with the folk at the lodges and guest houses we stayed at which I think really paid off for us.

Simone Pfluegl

Added June 2025

Best trip ever!

I really enjoyed getting to see all the animals you usually only see in books or Disney movies: Lions, meerkats, elephants, mongoose... the list goes forever. As if this wasn't enough, the Namibian landscape is varied and impressive with sand dunes, mountains and the ocean. This trip takes you to all of these, and offers unforgettable adventures, such as tracking rhinos on foot or flying over the desert in a helicopter! The pace of this trip is gentle enough that you will get some R&R in besides all the action, but is never boring - how could it be when there's so much to see and do?

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved tracking the rhinos on foot, as it gave us a chance to experience these wonderful creatures in their natural environment without anyone else around.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I will nominate Shane as leader of the year! He was the most up-beat, fun guide with extensive knowledge on pretty much anything under the sun. No matter what we asked him (astronomy, flora, fauna, geography), he was ready with a detailed answer. He always took us to the best restaurants and made sure we had everything we needed. Intelligent and sunny, he's the ideal guide. Thank you for helping us have the best time, Shane! I miss you!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be sure to bring your malaria pills as it can be tricky to get them in Namibia outside the bigger cities. It's best to buy your anti-mosquito spray in Namibia as a higher concentration of Deet is necessary than what is typically sold in North America and Europe. Also be sure to make loads of space on your photo-taking device of choice, as you will have plenty to take photos of! :)

Michael Nutt

Added June 2025

A country of stunning diverse landscapes

We booked this trip to celebrate my 70th birthday, aware that it included some long days on rough bumpy roads and a couple of challenging walks. I am very fit for my age but did find the itinerary very intense, with numerous early morning starts (a 6:15 alarm felt like a lie in for us!) and little time for relaxation or recovery (apart from the free day in Swakopmund, when we declined all the optional activities). The walk in Brandberg was difficult underfoot, with lots of rocks to negotiate and boulders to scramble over, with the potential to twist an ankle with each step; we were rewarded by the sight of cave paintings dating over 2,000 years, which fascinated me but may not be to everyone’s interest. The walking trail at Waterberg is even more challenging, and nobody in our group completed it (one couple went part of the way up); most opted for a game drive that took us onto the plateau, and we were fortunate to come upon a group of giraffes at a waterhole / salt lick at close quarters, but otherwise there was little to see on the drive. I would have liked to have experienced and learned more about the history and culture of the country. Waterberg is a place of great significance in the Herero genocide and I think time could have been better spent exploring its historical aspects (there is a German cemetery there but we had no time to visit it), instead of the walking trail or the optional game drive. And the brief encounter with Himba and Herero people on day 7 was merely a photo and shopping opportunity (you had to pay to take photos - I declined - and nobody in our group bothered with the market stalls); I would have preferred to have spent time seeing their village and learning about their culture and history. That’s the negative aspects of the trip dealt with. On the positive side, Namibia is a country of contrasting landscapes, each of them impressive in its own way: red ochre sand dunes, lunar landscapes, vast open plains and grasslands, strange granite outcrops, desolate mountains, limitless horizons … and the grandeur of the Waterberg Plateau, a table top mountain fringed with bare granite and best appreciated from below and a short distance away. We saw a variety of wildlife along the way, and a good deal in Etosha, although the recent rains after a three year drought meant that game was hard to spot in the tall grass and vegetation that had sprung up; we saw no leopards, briefly glimpsed a few cheetahs (although we got up close to a group in the cheetah conservatory early in the trip), and spotted the head of a lone male lion resting in the long grass and watching us for a short moment. But we had some amazing encounters with elephants, giraffes, wildebeest and zebra, and saw many different antelopes and other fauna. Unfortunately the flamingos had left Walvis Bay, and the desert elephants were no longer in the valley at Brandberg, which was disappointing. Wildlife watching is mostly a matter of luck, and nothing is guaranteed.The best wildlife encounter was the rhino safari at the end of the trip, when we walked to within 20 feet of three white rhino at Eagle’s Rest; an unforgettable experience. There were many other interesting sights and experiences along the way: countless giant ground crickets, almost everywhere we went; walking through the Sesriem Canyon ; old German colonial architecture in Swakopmund; eating apple strudel and ice cream at Anton’s Cafe; the Zeila wreck on the Skeleton Coast; pet meerkats in Brandberg White Lady Lodge.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to say, but walking with three rhinos in Otjiwa takes some beating, with the huge animals watching us, no more than 20 feet away. And the sight of thousands of zebra, with some wildebeest for company, stretched out in columns for more than a mile either side of - and on - the road in Etosha NP was very impressive. And the apple strudel with ice cream in Anton’s Cafe in Swakopmund was simply divine!

Thoughts on Group Leader

What can I tell you about Shane? Simply to say that we couldn’t have asked for more from a group leader and guide. He was tireless in doing everything he could to ensure we had the best possible experience. He described the twelve of us in the group as his “family”, but trying to manage a group of British travellers (actually there was a Frenchman among us, but he’s an honorary Brit as resident in the UK for a while) with a number of eccentricities must have seemed a bit like herding cats to him! He has a great sense of humour, an infectious laugh, and was always approachable and responsive to the group’s wishes and needs. When my wife was taken ill on day 3, he ensured we got into Swakopmund the next day in time to take her to the pharmacy for antibiotics before it closed. When we had no hot water in our room at Okaukuejo Lodge in Etosha, he investigated the problem and arranged for it to be fixed straight away. His organisational skills guaranteed everything happened on time, in what was a very busy and tight schedule. He was an excellent driver on the long drives, often on very rough and rutted road, and his skills ensured we had a safe trip. He really is a great guy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be mindful of what you take with you: travel as light as possible and use the laundry facilities at the lodges wherever you can. Travel cubes are a great help to organise your clothing and accessories, as you will be living out of your bag. Temperatures range from very hot in the daytime to chilly at early morning and evenings; it can get particularly cold in the open 4x4 vehicles used on optional game drives. Take clothes for both extremes. Listen carefully to what your group leader says. There is often a lot of information to take in, so make sure you know what the arrangements and timings are for the group. Buy an eSim for your mobile phone, as WiFi is unreliable and often unavailable in many locations. You can then set up a WhatsApp group to share information. Be prepared for long days on the road travelling between lodges, so maybe take earbuds to listen to music, or podcasts or audiobooks on the bus.

Lawrence Mastin

Added December 2024

Great trip to a fascinating country

From sand dunes to rock piles to boat trips to game safaris, there is so much to see in Namibia, albeit separated by several hours of less interesting drives through desert scrub. But this trip managed to make it all interesting, splitting the longer drives up with short stops. The converted truck/bus ("Gogga") was comfortable enough, even though the AC had problems coping with the 35°C + heat. Accommodations were good, and vegetarians were accommodated well enough.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the dunes just after dawn.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Shane was a great leader - organized, efficient, friendly, funny. He is also a great driver with apparently unlimited tamina, coping with hours of driving on bumpy dirt roads.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The long hours bumping along on dirt roads can be gruelling, even for passengers. Add in some early morning starts, and it can be a tiring trip for us old fogeys.

Sue Potter

Added July 2024

Stunning scenery and Amazing Wildlife

A packed and varied itinerary with desert landscapes, mountain walks and a chance to see a huge range of wildlife (we got to see the Big 5). Accommodation was good: big rooms, mosquito nets when needed, always a fridge and kettle, tea, coffee. Pretty good for vegetarians. Breath-taking skies and vast plains and mountains.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing Dune 45. Seeing Deadvlei. Flying over the desert. Spotting leopard, lions, rhino (both black and white)...., including 4 cubs playing. waterhole in Etosha outstanding. The vastness of the landscape, the huge red skies.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Shane was wonderful: funny, organised, gave all the correct information, has a great knowledge and love for his country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take warm clothes for early mornings. Scarf or buff for the dust. Some of the extra costs are out of date so check before booking (extra game drive at Etosha was double quoted price). Take Rand, they are accepted everywhere. Tap Water not safe at White Lady lodge and we were advised not to drink tap water in Etosha. Malaria prophylaxis advice is variable: we were all told different things. Felt very safe. Advice is not to go into Windhoek at night and only catch hotel shuttle. Food and drink costs very cheap. Lovely people. Full on trip but you will love it.

Penny Hibbert

Added June 2024

Amazing Holiday

Fantastic trip, saw such a range of wildlife. Really great to go to so many different locations on this trip. Great guide, comfortable and spacious vehicle and some very nice lodges and hotels. Would highly reccomend this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many to choose from. One highlight was seeing rare mountain zebra at the waterhole outside our room at Weltevrede Guest Farm. Another was seeing multiple humpback whales during the optional scenic flight. Overall though just the vast amount of animals we saw throughout the entire trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Shane Katjirua was fantastic. He was very organised, patient, helpful and funny. He was a mine of imformation. His driving was exceptional and he was able to spot wildlife whilst on game drives that we missed. He really made the holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do take advantage of the optional trips. Especially the optional game drive in Etosha National Park. We also did the Sossusvlei Scenic Flight by Eagle Eye Aviation, depending on group size the plane can be very small and hot, but it was definitely worth doing. Also highly reccomend the Ocean Adventures seal and dolphin trip from Swakopmund.

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USD 5510

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Discover Namibia - Lodges

Overview

Safari in Etosha, climb desert dunes, and track rhinos in Africa’s most underrated destination

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Reviews

Discover Namibia - Lodges

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabulous trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Discover Namibia - Lodges

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Discover Namibia

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Discover Namibia - Lodges

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Best trip ever!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

A country of stunning diverse landscapes

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Great trip to a fascinating country

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Stunning scenery and Amazing Wildlife

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Amazing Holiday

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

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