Two hikers walking along the ridge of a large red sand dune at sunset

Safari 11 days Camping safari

Namibia Adventure Tour: Sossusvlei & Etosha

The Namibia adventure tour with Sossusvlei and Etosha takes you across southern Africa from Cape Town to Windhoek in eleven days.

Dates and price

The Journey

Namibia adventure tour from Cape Town to Windhoek

Namibia adventure tour with Sossusvlei and Etosha: over the coming days you will experience a varied overland route with a clear rhythm of driving days, nature experiences and free time. As a South Africa Namibia round trip, the journey starts in Cape Town and leads via the Cederberg region and Namaqualand to the Orange River, before you reach Namibia. After that you cross the Namib Desert, with red dunes, Sesriem Canyon and several days in the Namib-Naukluft area. The trip continues to Swakopmund and the Brandberg, before the Etosha National Park safari with two days of game viewing forms the highlight and the trip ends in Windhoek.

Duration
11 days
Travelling
Camping safari
Sleeping
Tent or lodge
Group
4 to 20 guests
Safari days
3 of 11
Demands
Moderate
2 countries
Namibia South Africa
1 national park
Etosha National Park
Aerial view of Cape Town city with Table Mountain rising behind the coastline Aerial view of Fish River Canyon's layered rock walls with the river winding below View over Windhoek in a valley with mountains behind and flowering aloe in the foreground Campers around a fire on the Orange River bank at dusk, a canoe on the sand A lone oryx standing in dry grassland with mountains in the distance Namibia Adventure Tour: Sossusvlei & Etosha
Wildlife

Key Highlights of the Trip

What the itinerary names. Wild animals cannot be ordered, but the parks, the season and the hours at the water are chosen so the odds are good.

Big Five 2 of 5 on this route
  1. Lion Named in the itinerary
  2. Leopard Not on this route
  3. Elephant Named in the itinerary
  4. Rhino Not on this route
  5. Buffalo Not on this route
Also along the way
  • Giraffe
  • Zebra
  • Springbok
  • Antelope
01 Sossusvlei Dunes
01
Sossusvlei Dunes
Early in the morning you reach the red dunes of Sossusvlei. On the Dune 45 Sossusvlei hike you climb to the crest in the first light, and then Deadvlei with its ancient trees and the narrow Sesriem Canyon await.
02 Namib-Naukluft National Park
02
Namib-Naukluft National Park
You spend several days in the heart of the Namib. This Namib Naukluft National Park tour leads you to red dune fields, wide plains and clear nights, when the starry sky stands above the silent desert.
03 Etosha National Park Safari
03
Etosha National Park Safari
Two full days are set aside for game drives along the Etosha Pan. On this Namibia safari round trip, at the waterholes you may see elephants, lions, giraffes and zebras in the wild with a bit of luck.
04 Fish River Canyon
04
Fish River Canyon
After the border crossing you reach the Fish River Canyon in Namibia, the largest canyon in Africa. A walk along the rim opens the view into the deep gorge, and before that the quiver tree forest and the rock labyrinth Giants Playground beckon.
05 Overland Truck & Camping
05
Overland Truck & Camping
You experience the whole Namibia overland truck tour in a small group in a purpose-built vehicle. On the Namibia group camping trip you share campfires, driving days and stops - lodge guests travel in the same truck.
Adventure Tours

Parks on this route

More trips through Etosha National Park

Namibia Small Group Tour: Namib & Sossusvlei
Namibia

Namibia Small Group Tour: Namib & Sossusvlei

11 days
Namibia group tour by overland truck
Namibia

Namibia group tour by overland truck

12 days
Days 1-11
Aerial view of Cape Town city with Table Mountain rising behind the coastline
Cape Town - Namibia Adventure Tour

Cape Town - Namibia Adventure Tour

The Namibia adventure tour with Sossusvlei and Etosha begins in Cape Town. As you leave the city, you take a last look at Table Mountain before heading towards the Cederberg. A stop at a traditional Padstal brings homemade treats, and in the Cederberg mountains you get to know the home of rooibos. At dinner at the accommodation you experience South African hospitality.

Campers around a fire on the Orange River bank at dusk, a canoe on the sand
Namaqualand - Orange River Camp

Namaqualand - Orange River Camp

The second day of your Namibia round trip from Cape Town to Windhoek leads to Namaqualand, where you dive into the desert landscape for the first time. After a supplies stop in Springbok, you continue to the camp on the banks of the Orange River, South Africa's largest river. If you travel between July and September, the region's famous wildflowers are often in bloom here.

Aerial view of Fish River Canyon's layered rock walls with the river winding below
Fish River Canyon - Namibian Border

Fish River Canyon - Namibian Border

In the morning you can set off on an optional canoe trip on the Orange River. Afterwards you continue your South Africa Namibia round trip, cross the border and drive inland to the Fish River Canyon in Namibia. The canyon is home to Namibia's longest river and is considered the largest canyon in Africa and the second largest canyon in the world.

Silhouettes of quiver trees against an orange and blue sunset sky
Quiver Tree Forest - Giants Playground

Quiver Tree Forest - Giants Playground

After breakfast you stroll through the quiver tree forest and visit the Giants Playground, where huge dolerite rocks form a labyrinth. Then the Namib Desert overland trip takes you along long, dusty roads and across wide farmland deeper into the desert, until you reach the red dune fields, where you spend the next two nights.

A tall red sand dune with a sharp ridge line under a clear blue sky
Namib-Naukluft National Park - Rest Day

Namib-Naukluft National Park - Rest Day

This day in the Namib-Naukluft National Park is for rest. The silence of the desert gives you time to process the impressions of your Cape Town Sossusvlei Etosha trip. You can explore the surroundings on your own or simply let the vastness sink in, a rare moment of slowing down far from everyday life.

A dead camel thorn tree in Deadvlei backed by a tall orange dune
Sossusvlei - Dune 45 & Deadvlei

Sossusvlei - Dune 45 & Deadvlei

Early in the morning, the Dune 45 Sossusvlei hike takes you up to the crest of the famous dune, while the sun bathes the red sand in warm orange. After breakfast you visit the white salt pans of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei with its dead trees. To finish, the narrow Sesriem Canyon, up to 30 meters deep, awaits, before the evening winds down at the campfire.

Tour expert

Questions about the tour itinerary?

Our tour guide is happy to answer any questions about the day-by-day route, stops, and details.

The Tropic of Capricorn road sign covered in travel stickers in the desert
Namib - Swakopmund on the Coast

Namib - Swakopmund on the Coast

On the last day in the desert, a local expert leads you on a guided desert walk to the small inhabitants of the Namib. Afterwards the Namibia overland truck tour continues to the coast at Swakopmund, a lively town in colonial style. On the way you stop at the Tropic of Capricorn, and in the evening a dinner in a local restaurant awaits.

A lone oryx standing in dry grassland with mountains in the distance
Swakopmund - Brandberg White Lady

Swakopmund - Brandberg White Lady

Your 11-day Namibia camping safari continues north, where hot dunes meet the cool Atlantic. After a photo stop at Wlotzkasbaken and a visit to the lichen fields, you reach the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain massif. On a roughly two-hour hike over rocky terrain you visit the White Lady rock painting, about 2,000 years old.

Two elephants touching trunks at a waterhole while springbok drink in the background
Brandberg - Drive to Etosha Park

Brandberg - Drive to Etosha Park

Today the Namibia group camping trip takes you from the Brandberg towards Etosha. With huge salt pans, open savannas and light woodland, Etosha is one of the best game reserves in Africa and, at around 18,000 square kilometers, one of the largest parks in southern Africa. The name means great white place and refers to the enormous salt pan at its center.

A herd of zebras gathered at a waterhole, one dipping its head to drink
Etosha National Park - Game Drives

Etosha National Park - Game Drives

Etosha National Park is the heart of every Namibia safari round trip, and today a whole day is set aside for game drives. Along the Etosha Pan and at the waterholes, with a bit of luck you will see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras and antelopes. The focus is on the edges of the pan and the game trails, where the chances of intense wildlife sightings rise.

View over Windhoek in a valley with mountains behind and flowering aloe in the foreground
Windhoek - End of the Namibia Trip

Windhoek - End of the Namibia Trip

The last morning is yours to enjoy the hours in camp. After lunch, the Cape Town to Windhoek overland journey brings you to its destination: the capital of Namibia. The drive gives you time to let the impressions of the red deserts, dunes and Etosha safaris pass by. Your trip ends in Windhoek, with its mix of African and European flair.

Want a detailed description of all tour days?

Our expert will walk you through the full itinerary and answer all your questions.

Verified Reviews

What riders say about Safari in Namibia

5.0

3 reviews

Tim H.

The Namibia experience trip offers a demanding physical challenge through the combination of camping and cultural experiences in Swakopmund. The different trail...

Translated from German · Show original

Die Namibia Erlebnisreise bietet durch die Kombination von Camping und kulturellen Erlebnissen in Swakopmund eine anspruchsvolle körperliche Herausforderung. Die unterschiedlichen Strecken, insbesondere die Wüstenpassagen und der Nationalpark Namib Naukluft, erfordern eine gute Fitness und Anpassungsfähigkeit an wechselnde Bedingungen.

Tim H.

Jürgen R.

The organization and the course of the Namibia tour were clearly structured. The daily planning included informative briefings and well-coordinated trips to the...

Translated from German · Show original

Die Organisation und der Ablauf der Tour durch Namibia waren klar strukturiert. Die tägliche Planung beinhaltete informative Briefings und gut koordinierte Fahrten zu den Höhepunkten wie den Dünen von Sossusvlei und dem Namib Naukluft Nationalpark. Die Unterbringung in festen Zeltunterkünften und das Engagement der Crew sorgten dafür, dass die Gruppe mit maximal 20 Personen gut betreut und in der Wildnis angemessen untergebracht war.

Guest

Tim S.

The technical preparation during the Namibia adventure trip was particularly well thought out, thanks to the daily briefings before the stages. The route throug...

Translated from German · Show original

Die technische Vorbereitung während der Namibia Erlebnisreise war durch die alltäglichen Briefings vor den Etappen besonders durchdacht. Die Route durch die Dünen von Sossusvlei und den Namib Naukluft Nationalpark erforderte präzise Navigation und Anpassungen an wechselnde Bedingungen.

Guest
Offroad adventure

PRICE

from

€ 1,849 / person

Price Options

Camping safari per person (with double occupancy) € 1,849

Additional Options

Lodge (with double occupancy) / Person € 699
Single room € 979
Single tent € 69
Small group trip (with double occupancy) / Person € 1,199
Small group trip (single room) € 1,459

Trip includes

  • Meals as described in the itinerary (10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 8 dinners) and filtered drinking water in the truck
  • Accommodation in permanent structures, lodges or rigid tents
  • Qualified, multilingual crew and tour guide throughout the entire trip
  • Entry fees for the national parks along the route
  • Transport in the overland truck (4x4 is used for transfers and optional safaris)
  • Information for trip preparation and tour folder
  • All included highlights named in the itinerary
  • How much time do you spend in the vehicle, and how tiring are the driving days?
    Overland means long distances, and on this Namibia overland truck tour there are days with many hours in the truck, depending on roads, weather and stages. That is exactly part of the experience, because the route counts as much as the stops. An average driving day can take about 5 to 14 hours, depending on roads, weather and conditions.
  • How big is the group, and is the tour also suitable for solo travelers?
    The group is deliberately manageable, with a maximum of 20 guests. You travel in an international mix and usually find company quickly, especially at shared meals and briefings.
  • What accommodation can I expect, and is the tour also available as a camping version?
    Depending on your booking, you stay overnight in a lodge, guesthouse or camp. On the 11-day Namibia camping safari you sleep in a tent, while the lodge version offers proper rooms.
  • Are meals and water included, and how does it work in practice on the road?
    Meals are included according to the itinerary, and there is filtered water in the truck. Personal extras such as snacks, soft drinks, alcohol and tips you budget for in addition.
  • Which highlights are included, and which experiences can be booked as optional extras?
    Included are, among others, the Sossusvlei highlights with the Dune 45 Sossusvlei hike and 4x4 shuttle, Deadvlei and Sesriem Canyon, the coast near Swakopmund, the Brandberg hike and the safari days in Etosha. Depending on the departure, optional activities include the Orange River canoe trip, Swakopmund adventures and a full-day 4x4 safari in Etosha.
  • How intense are the hikes and activities, do I need special fitness?
    The tour is doable with normal basic fitness. There are easy walks, for example at the Fish River Canyon in Namibia, and a roughly two-hour Brandberg hike, partly on rough terrain. With many optional activities you decide yourself how active you want to be.
  • Which wildlife sightings are realistic in Etosha National Park?
    Etosha is one of the best safari areas in southern Africa. On this Namibia safari round trip, salt pans, savanna and many waterholes increase your chances of seeing wildlife, and every game drive is different.
  • What should I know about the climate, and when is the best time to travel?
    The tour runs all year round, so be prepared for strong temperature swings: warm to hot during the day, noticeably cooler at night depending on the season. In Namaqualand the wildflowers are a particular topic from July to September.
  • What luggage rules apply, and why are suitcases not ideal?
    Space in the truck is limited and there are fixed lockers, so soft luggage is a must: a duffel or backpack plus a daypack, up to 23 kg. Suitcases with a frame often do not fit and are left behind if in doubt.
  • How do border crossings and visas work on the South Africa to Namibia route?
    You cross the border overland. For that, a valid passport, correct entry and exit stamps and the right visa requirements are crucial. Visas remain the responsibility of the travelers and should be checked in good time.
  • Is there electricity, internet and charging, and what about CPAP or refrigerated medication?
    In remote regions power is not always stable, and outages are possible. For medication there is a cool box in the truck. CPAP is generally possible, but a constant power supply cannot be guaranteed.
  • Is there a single room, and how does it work for solo travelers?
    For solo travelers a single supplement is mandatory. If you would rather share, we try to match you with a person of the same sex, but this is not guaranteed.
  • What accommodation can I expect, more luxury or more authentic?
    These are not luxury hotels. As a rule you can expect 2 to 3-star accommodation, mostly en suite, sometimes also permanent safari tents. Standards in southern Africa are comfortable overall.
  • Camping or lodge, what is the practical difference on the tour?
    On this Namibia group camping trip, camping and lodge guests travel together in the same truck, with the same route and crew. The difference is mainly tent or bed; for camping you need a sleeping bag, pillow and towel.
  • How comfortable is the truck, is there air conditioning or a toilet?
    This is an overland trip in a purpose-built truck, with no air conditioning and no toilet on board. In return there is a club area to sit together and regular stops along the way.
  • Are showers and hot water always available?
    Many camps have toilets and showers, but hot water is not guaranteed everywhere, and some stops can be more basic. It is best to bring your own towel.
  • How safe is it on the road, and where do I keep my passport, money and camera?
    There is a safe in the vehicle for passports, money and cards. Valuable electronics belong in your daypack and stay with you, which is the most important routine against loss and theft.
  • What is included in the price, and what should I budget extra for?
    Included are transport in the truck, crew, filtered water in the truck, meals according to the itinerary, included highlights and national park entry fees. Extras are personal expenses such as snacks, soft drinks, alcohol, tips, souvenirs, bottled water and optional activities.
  • Are there vegetarian options or support for food intolerances?
    As a rule, important dietary needs can be accommodated to a certain degree, but this information must be reported early. The more remote the region, the more limited the choice, so timely communication is crucial.
  • Which documents do I need for South Africa and Namibia, and can the schedule change?
    On this South Africa Namibia round trip, visas and entry requirements depend on your nationality and are your responsibility, so please check at least four weeks before departure. At border crossings, correct entry and exit stamps are important. The tour dossier is a guideline; overnight stops and schedules can change for safety, weather or road reasons. For relaxed travel we recommend arriving one day before the start and flying home one day after the tour ends.

Similar Adventures

Safari
6 tours

How did you
hear about us?

Adventure truck Road path Palm tree
Ask a Route Expert