Discover Namibia - Camping

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, 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. Stay: Arebbusch Lodge (or similar). (D)

Today we head southwest through the spectacular scenery of the Namib-Naukluft Park to Sesriem. 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. Driving: 186mi-217mi (300km-350km) ; seven hours Stay: Sesriem Campsite (or similar) (B/L).

Today we spend much of our time in the Namib Desert. Rising early, we catch the tallest dunes in the world in the best light and can climb one as the sun rises. We can then either walk to Hiddenvlei as a group (a round journey of 1hr 45min) or catch a 4×4 transfer (optional extra) to Deadvlei, where ancient acacia trees form an eerie desert scene. If we'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. We then continue to our next camp approximately one-hour away. Driving: 124mi (200km) ; three hours Stay: Solitaire Guest Farm Campsite (or similar) (B/D).

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. Driving: 186mi (300km) ; 5hr 30min Stay: Prost Hotel (or similar) (B).

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. Stay: 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. Driving: 149mi (240km) ; 3hr 30min Stay: Brandberg White Lady Lodge campsite (or similar) (B/L/D).

We begin our day with a short drive to Brandberg, where we enjoy a walk through a valley 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 (please note that if elephants walk into this area then it might be too dangerous to do the walk- in this case we will typically go on a game drive looking for elephants).

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. Driving: 155mi (250km) ; 4hr 30min Stay: Sophienhof camp (or similar)  (B/L/D).

We begin with a short drive to Etosha, a huge national park of mixed forest and grassland centred around a large salt pan. En route, we stop in Outjo for coffee and German pastries. We arrive around lunch time, allowing plenty of time to enjoy this fabulous wildlife-watching destination. Driving: 93mi (150km) ; two hours Stay: Etosha Safari Campsite (or similar) (B/D).

Etosha is 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. Stay: (Day 9): Etosha Safari Campsite (or similar), (Day 10): Namutoni NWR Campsite (or similar).

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, a night drive, cooking and spa. Stay: Otjiwa Safari Lodge - camping (or similar) (B).

Start early today to see rhinos up close! We’re led by an expert 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 and learn about rhino conservation and anti-poaching efforts.

Later, we head back to Windhoek, stopping at a crafts market on the way. Drive: 4hr 30min Stay: Arebbusch Lodge (or similar) (B).

You've camped under the Namibian sky, 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. Alternatively, arrange a township tour of Windhoek or visit the nearby Daan Viljoen game reserve (see Optional Excursions section). If you'd like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative about booking additional nights (B).