Premium Namibia
Experience Overview
Flanked by ocean and desert, Namibia boasts both landscapes and wildlife of world-class diversity. Experience the country at its best on a 10-day Premium round trip from Windhoek with a local leader by your side. Marvel at the desert landscapes of Swakopmund and Sossusvlei and uncover fascinating peaks, petrified forests and culture in Damaraland. Slow down in the laidback beachside town of Swakopmund and set out in search of animals in the vast Etosha National Park. From ethereal landscapes to remarkable wildlife, this is an adventure you won’t forget.
Highlights
- The unique landscape of Etosha National Park makes it one of the best animal-viewing destinations in the world, and you'll enjoy a full day of game drives here.
- Explore ancient rock paintings and petrified forests in the harshly beautiful and sparsely populated Damaraland region. Visit the Damara Living Museum – this Exclusive Experience will expose you to one of Namibia’s oldest cultures
- Slow down and enjoy the relaxed German-Namibian atmosphere of Swakopmund, a beachside town amid the dramatic breakers of the Atlantic Ocean.
- Climb the iconic Dune 45 to admire views of the sand dunes of the Sossusvlei, explore the picturesque and eerie Deadvlei Salt Pans and Sesriem Canyon, and enjoy an Exclusive Experience nature drive through Sesriem’s desert.
- Soak in views of the ethereal desert landscape from your Feature Stay lodge in the Naukluft Mountains, with chalets inspired by nomadic desert huts, then enjoy a guided 4x4 nature drive in the surrounding area finished with drinks at sunset.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Helping Rhinos. Donations support their all-female ranger program in South Africa, which specialises in fighting wildlife crimes and protecting rhinos, and other critically endangered animals, from poachers.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2943
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Unknown
Transport: 4x4,Open Safari Vehicle,Private Vehicle
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: UBPN
Starts: Windhoek, Namibia
Finishes: Windhoek, Namibia
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (9), Lunch (2), Dinner (7)Accommodation: Lodge (6 nights),Hotel (3 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $7,885 ($788 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Namibia! Your adventure begins in the capital, Windhoek, known for colonial German architecture and a relaxed atmosphere. On arrival, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel, where you will meet your local leader and fellow travellers for a 6pm welcome meeting. If you arrive early, perhaps head out for a stroll around town to admire the architecture of the Tintenpalast and Christuskirche buildings, or stop by a local market to peruse handmade crafts. After your meeting, head to your boutique hotel’s sky lounge for a tapas dinner made with the freshest local ingredients. From here you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding valley – a perfect spot to watch the sun go down.
Included Activities:
- Windhoek - Welcome Dinner
Accommodation:
- The Weinberg Boutique Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, drive south to Sesriem, your gateway to the Sossusvlei Dunes, Deadvlei, and Sesriem Canyon. Arrive at your Feature Stay accommodation for the next two nights, situated next to the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Take in the magnificent views, which can be enjoyed from your very own private patio. Enjoy lunch at the lodge’s restaurant, with the otherworldly landscape stretching far in each direction, then spend the afternoon relaxing by the bar or next to the sparkling pool. Later on, head out on a guided four-wheel drive (4x4) nature drive to discover the unique flora and fauna of the desert. Stop for a drink to take it all in as the sun sets, then return to the lodge for dinner and relax on the terrace overlooking the floodlit waterhole.
Included Activities:
- Sesriem - Guided Nature Drive & Sundowners
Accommodation:
- Sossusvlei Lodge (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Make an early-morning visit to Sossusvlei, which lies at the end of an ancient riverbed. This is a great opportunity for unsurpassed views of the surrounding area. Climbing to the top of Dune 45 will reward you with a spectacular perspective of the surreal desert landscape. After breakfast, travel to Deadvlei, a clay pan that lends itself to many iconic images. When you see the skeleton trees against a vibrant orange backdrop of dunes, you’ll soon understand what all the fuss is about. The pan is surrounded by some of the highest dunes in the world, 'Big Daddy' or 'Crazy Dune' average about 350 metres in height. In the afternoon you will visit Sesriem Gorge, a tranquil natural corridor that you can walk through and explore. Return to the lodge for the evening.
Included Activities:
- Sesriem - Sossusvlei & Deadvlei Salt Pan Visit
- Sesriem - Dune 45 Visit
- Sesriem - Sesriem Canyon Visit
Accommodation:
- Sossusvlei Lodge (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Continue your journey to the beachside town of Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast. Stop by the small settlement of Solitaire. Scattered with abandoned trucks, cars, petrol pumps and cacti, it's the only place between Walvis Bay and Sossusvlei to feature a petrol station, post office, general store, and bakery. Enjoy a piece of the local apple pie which has earned itself quite a reputation. Continue on past moon valley, named for its eerie lunar-like appearance, and the Tropic of Capricorn. Walvis Bay is the hibernation area for thousands of migratory birds, most notably flamingos. If in season you may take quick detour to see these elegant birds. Upon arrival at Swakopmund take some time for lunch, then join your leader on an orientation walk to get a feel for this interesting township with a German-Namibian atmosphere.
Included Activities:
- Solitaire - Bakery Visit & Apple Pie Tasting
- Swakopmund - Leader-led Orientation Tour
- Walvis Bay - Visit
Accommodation:
- The Delight or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
The day is yours to enjoy this gorgeous coastal town. Your accommodation conveniently located within walking distance of the town, where you can enjoy a walk on the beach, open air markets or the local museum. You may wish to take an optional trip north to Cape Cross, a breeding site for Cape fur seals. There can be in excess of 100,000 seals there at any given time, making for quite the spectacle (quite a smell too, if the wind happens to change direction). Wander the coastline and attempt to document these beautiful creatures with a photo or two, and visit the large cross that lies nearby, left by Diego Cao, the first European to arrive on Namibian soil in 1485.
Optional Activities:
- Swakopmund - Swakopmund Museum (2 USD)
Accommodation:
- The Delight or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Leave the Atlantic Ocean coastline behind and drive towards the Namib Desert, along a portion of the Skeleton Coast. Take in the beautiful, diverse and colourful landscapes that stream past along the way: mountains, sand dunes, ocean waves and shipwrecks. Continue to Damaraland. Home to Namibia's highest peak, ancient rock paintings and petrified forests, the harshly beautiful and sparsely populated Damaraland region is a land of extraordinary contrasts. Depending on the time of year, you might be lucky enough to see the desert elephants that roam the area. Your accommodation features a centrepiece swimming pool fringed by beautiful chalets, each with a private garden. The evening is yours to relax and enjoy the amenities as the sun goes down.
Accommodation:
- Damara Mopane Lodge or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Spend the morning visiting the Twyfelfontein Heritage Site and the Petrified Forest with expert local guides to provide insight on these wonders. Twyfelfontein has one of the largest concentrations of ancient rock engraving in southern Africa and is a fascinating insight into the past. The Petrified Forest looks back into nature’s history, where 280-million-year-old fossilised tree trunks lie. Continue on to the Living Museum of the Damara, which aims to reconstruct and preserve the 'lost culture’ of the Damara people. Your leader will tell you all about this fascinating traditional culture that is, along with the Bushmen, the oldest in Namibia. Return to the lodge in the afternoon, with the rest of the day free to relax by the pool with a book.
Included Activities:
- Damaraland - Twyfelfontein Bushman Paintings
- Damaraland - Twyfelfontein Heritage Site
- Damaraland - Petrified Forest
- Damaraland - Living Museum of the Damara
Accommodation:
- Damara Mopane Lodge or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Leave Damaraland behind and head towards Etosha National Park. On arrival, the afternoon will be free to relax at your lodge. Maybe cool off in the pool, read a book, or enjoy a sundowner by the bar. Be sure to charge your camera tonight as tomorrow will be a full day in the park. This is one of the world's premier game-viewing destinations; spotting animals in the park is relatively easy due to the man-made waterholes and the large, sparsely vegetated pans. The bushland surrounding the pans is difficult to see through, but there are enough clearings, pans and waterholes to allow for sightings. Namibia has protected its game reserves against poaching, so there are large herds of elephants, antelope and other herbivores.
Accommodation:
- Etosha Safari Lodge or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Rise early for a full-day 4WD safari in Etosha National Park. Keep a close eye on the landscape for black rhino, Hartmann's mountain zebra, black-faced impala, roan antelope and the tiny Damara dik-dik. The park is also home to some 340 bird species. After, return to your lodge and reflect on the day's adventures as you take in the views from the outdoor pool, viewing deck, or spacious veranda overlooking the mopane woodlands.
Included Activities:
- Etosha NP - Full Day 4WD Safari
Accommodation:
- Etosha Safari Lodge or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning after breakfast you will make your way back to Windhoek. Your adventure comes to an end on arrival. Please do not book any international flights departing from Windhoek before 8pm this evening to allow for any unexpected delays. If you would like to extend your stay, additional accommodation can be booked in advance (subject to availability).
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Katy - Traveled, September 2023
Fabulous trip. The premium tag was worth it for the Desert Hills Lodge hotel alone! Probably the best hotel we have ever stayed at and did not disappoint. The land cruiser made the bumpy roads very comfortable compared to other modes of transport, so another reason to choose premium if you are undecided. Relaxed itinerary which was perfect for us. Not too much rushing around and you didn’t feel drained from being on the go all the time especially in the heat! Take plenty of layers for Swakopmund which is around 15 degrees compared to up to 40 degrees everywhere else!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/09/2023
Rod and Karen - Traveled, September 2023
Namibia is a great place to visit. This trip is not cheap but gives excellent value with great accomodation and activities.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/27/2023
Jill - Traveled, July 2023
Great trip....the red Namibian dunes, the Deadvlei and the flamingoes of Walvis Bay are my personal favourites! Some fantastic Lodges to stay in...especially the architecture of the Desert Hills Lodge! Overall the food was good despite me being a lactose intolerant vegetarian! If you eat meat you will be in heaven in Namibia!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/16/2023
Alison - Traveled, July 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this tour! The itinerary was excellent and visited the sites in Namibia, and had lots of 2 night stays (this is important when there are long travel days). The lodges and hotels were all interesting and most were high quality. I would recommend organising your own airport transfer rather than rely on Intrepid to do this (the only negative of my trip was the missing transfer).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/15/2023
Jennifer - Traveled, June 2023
The combination of beautiful landscapes, incredible wildlife, fantastic culture, luxurious accommodation and very knowledgable guides made this an unforgettable experience. A must-do for anyone looking to explore the wonderful country of Namibia!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/02/2023
Matthew - Traveled, September 2023
Great itinerary to see Namibia and we were fortunate to have a great tour leader. The trip needs some refinements to make what it should be.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/03/2022
Karen - Traveled, September 2022
This tour was excellent all around! Our leader was amazing, the hotels and lodges outstanding, the food incredible, and a really fabulous trip! Thank you Intrepid for a great trip to Namibia!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/25/2022
Joanna - Traveled, August 2022
This was our first time to Africa and it truly was the most wonderful experience. We did the Premium Namibia trip: our guide was first class; could not fault accommodation (luxury!) and food, and the 10 days were perfectly balanced. I would highly recommend this to anyone in search of a varied slice of Africa with a truly premium feel. Thank you!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/29/2022
Phil & Sue - Traveled, July 2022
This trip has all the elements of a great trip, however it needs some improvements to be called a premium trip. Not all descriptions in the trip notes are accurate. Some smaller elements either don't happen or are exaggerated. With hindsight we should have considered Namibia Discovery comfort trip instead.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/16/2022
Robert - Traveled, July 2022
There were many good experiences on the trip, but the disappointment of Etosha overshadowed them. We stayed 'outside' of the park, which meant driving all day seeing only one of the big five. No expert guide or vehicle. Hotels were beautiful, but one had mice. Interactions with locals were somewhat fake.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/24/2022
Alan - Traveled, June 2023
This trip covers everything you could want to see and do in Namibia. The guides were fantastic and the accommodation included was excellent. Would recommend for anyone looking to explore this incredible country!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/01/2023
Jeanette - Traveled, April 2024
Wonderful trip which was well organised and included a good variety of activities. Our leader was excellent, as was our driver.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/29/2024
Suzanna - Traveled, June 2024
A great trip covering much of Namibia. Loved the variety of activities covering desert dunes, Atlantic coast, mountains, and safari in national park. The accommodation was a highlight with beautiful lodges and enough time to relax and enjoy them. The pace was a good combination of doing activities and relaxing, and the whole trip was interesting and stress free! Our guide Nathi, and driver Gerson, really looked after us and helped us learn about Namibia, as well as celebrating milestone birthdays!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/13/2024
Magdalene - Traveled, July 2024
Extremely well organised tour with great activities, excellent accommodation and a really fantastic leader who helped the group gel into a family who had a ton of fun.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/19/2024
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