Namib Desert

 Day 01: Arrive at Windhoek International Airport, and transfer to Chameleon Backpackers Lodge. For early arrivals, visit N/a’an ku se Wildlife Sanctuary in the afternoon to see rehabilitated animals. Learn about conservation efforts and observe wildlife. Return to Windhoek in the evening. Dinner is on your own, with guide assistance for restaurant recommendations.

Day 02: Depart Windhoek at 07:00, stop in Otjiwarongo for supplies, and head to Etosha National Park. Enjoy a light lunch pack while on the move. Game drive through Etosha, stopping at waterholes. Arrive at Halali Camp before sunset. Accommodation has en-suite bathrooms and tea/coffee facilities. Experience the Halali waterhole, Moringa, for night-time wildlife viewing. Dinner at the lodge.

Day 03: Full day exploring Etosha, starting with a sunrise game drive. Return to Halali for breakfast and vehicle loading. Explore the park, focusing on waterholes for wildlife sightings. Stop at the vast Etosha Pan for a closer look. Exit at Anderson gate at sunset. Check into a comfortable accommodation with modern en-suite facilities. Enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by the guide.

Day 04: After breakfast, depart at 07:30 for the Skeleton Coast, passing through Damaraland’s scenic landscapes. Encounter local tribes and buy handmade souvenirs. Enjoy a picnic lunch near Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg. Continue west to the Skeleton Coast, known for its shipwrecks and harsh terrain. Visit the Zeila shipwreck before reaching Swakopmund. Check into A La Mer hotel, centrally located for easy exploration. Founded in 1892, Swakopmund has German colonial architecture, surrounded by desert dunes and the Atlantic Ocean. Explore the town on foot and dine at recommended restaurants.

Day 05: Leisurely morning or optional activities in Swakopmund. Depart at 11:30, heading east into the desert. Cross Namib gravel plains and traverse Kuiseb Pass, descending to the Kuiseb River canyon. Pass through the Gaub River canyon and cross the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.5 degrees south. Arrive at Desert Camp near Sesriem, close to Sossusvlei. Enjoy the pool and bar, and dinner prepared by the guide over an open fire.

Day 06: Early start for sunrise at Sossusvlei, entering the dune area when the gate opens. Capture the iconic orange and red dunes during the best light. Visit Dead Vlei, a pan surrounded by dunes and filled with ancient camelthorn trees. Explore on foot, climb a towering dune, and take a 4×4 shuttle to navigate the sandy riverbed. Visit the iconic Dune 45 and optionally climb it. Drive back to Sesriem, then explore Sesriem Canyon, carved by the Tsauchab River. Return to Desert Camp in the late afternoon.

Day 07: Last day: Return to Solitaire for the famous apple pie. Enjoy mountain scenery on the drive back to Windhoek via BűellsPort and Rehoboth. Arrive mid-afternoon and get dropped at Chameleon Backpackers or chosen accommodation in Windhoek. If flying, ensure no departures before 19:00 due to potential delays. Outbound airport transfer is included for today or a later date.