what to do in namibia for a week
Sunrise over the Dune 45 in Sossusvlei : OUT.OF.THIS.WORLD. My aim is for you to imagine being in Africa with me, right now, as I go back there with my memories. Getting a comprehensive travel insurance before departure is recommended as medical costs can be quite expensive. Be amazed by some of the planet's tallest sand dunes, including Elim, Dune 45, and the 1,000-foot-tall (300 m) Big Daddy. It offers driving tips as well as money-saving advice for getting insurance and renting a car. I truly cant recommend them and their tours enough. The total distance of the trail is 86 km, the river itself is longer but due to many shortcuts, your walking distance is about 14 km less. Thanks for your comment. 1-2 sweaters or a fleece pullover (it dries fast if you need to wash it). Thanks, Jane. It went smooth all the way around " read more Traveled to Namibia as a couple in April, 2023 G Gurjit K. Ohio, United States There is not much public transport in Namibia. The journey changes you; it should change you. Our preferred partner is RentalCars.com. Millennia-old paintings adorn cave walls, homemade gin and beer quenches your thirst and there is a warmth and friendliness to all you meet. Depart from Windhoek. The picture with the sign is a rite of passage when visiting Namibia, almost like being baptised to Africa, or at least it was for me What a surreal place, besides our van, no one else was there, only the typical red soil meeting the bluest sky I have ever seen in my life and the Namibian endless horizons ahead! Hit the ground running after your arrival in Windhoek by picking up your rental car and driving to Etosha National Park. When I write a blog post I certainly want it to be useful for you, and I will give as much info as I can, but its also important for me to pass you my emotions and feelings before the information. Eerily photogenic ghost towns or the many shipwrecks dotting the coast - slowly being reclaimed by the ocean. Keep Calm And Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Check it out and discover this hidden gem of Africa! Vaccines for Hepatitis A and Typhoid are also recommended. In our case though, 1 week was unfortunately all the time we had. The conflict between the needs of wild animals and rural Namibians, the challenges of poaching, and the opportunity and costs of trophy hunting are issues with real impact on the lives of the community. Ok, I wont recommend it, but really, you can see a car arriving when its still kilometres away from you! An amazing trip plan was put together by Lize and team to na." read more Traveled to Namibia as a couple in August, 2022 Read more reviews Itinerary #1: Pride of Namibia Wildlife at Etosha National Park look amazing and you have taken good natural shots of giraffes and elephants. Maybe its not Nirvana but it felt a lot like it! What can I say there couldnt have been a better start for my African adventures, what a wild ride its been! It also offers plenty of opportunities to view wildlife from the comfort of your own car. I was puzzled, in a good way, as I couldnt understand how a place this beautiful wasnt invaded by tourists. Get your first taste of the Namib Desert on a drive through the reserve near your lodge, followed by a full-day tour through the Namib-Naukluft National Park the next day. Etosha is designed for the independent traveller self-driving in Namibia. All rights reserved, Namibia Road Trip / 2-Week Namibia Itinerary, Agama River Camp, between Solitaire &Sasriem, best places to stop on the Skeleton Coast, challenges of trophy hunting and rhino poaching, Waterberg Wilderness Lodge, Waterberg Plateau, 10 of the most stunning campsites in Namibia, A Guide To Driving The Skeleton Coast In Namibia, Driving in Namibia / 15 useful car rental tips for Namibia, Have An Incredible Safari Experience At Etosha National Park. Have a picnic lunch staring at a giraffe or at the wide-open views of this remarkable landscape, before arriving at the lodge. What to do in Namibia for a week? Book Well in Advance Many places in Namibia are very remote and accommodation can be limited. And I just realised that it will be impossible to leave my emotions at the door. Etosha Stay 1 nightDolomite Camp| 1 nightOkakuejo Camp| 1 nightHalali Camp, Travel 3 hours, 15 minutes Grootberg to Dolomite | 4 hours from Dolomite to Okakuejo | 2 hours from Okakuejo to Halali. This is the end of a week that hopefully will leave you with memories of Namibia for the rest of your life. Yesterday I went through my facebook posts, looking for the hundreds of African Pictures and updates I had put up until now on my social media and a few of them still makes me tear up. The foundation is committed to the long-term survival of Namibias larges carnivores and its 200 square km privately fenced nature reserve is home to abundant wildlife. Stunning photos and story. A riverbed dry for many years creates a break in the dunes through which a road has been cut. I would love to do a road trip like this! your beat hugging time For this itinerary, assuming you arrive on an international flight, we suggest you hire a car from Windhoek International Airport. Thanks for your comments, Yukti. This canyon is well worth a visit. But as the rains end, they congregate around waterholes in this otherwise dry landscape, creating some of the densest game viewing opportunities imaginable. You can also hop on a late evening open safari vehicle game drive. Thanks for sharing this amazing guide with us, Namibia has always fascinated me, even though I didnt know much. ABOUT However, with careful planning and prioritizing, you will be able to maximize your time and see some of the major attractions. But, if you need to stay for flight times, break up the drive from Okonjima by stopping at the craft market at Okhandja. Since this post is already MASSIVE (and its only covering one week!) It isnt always comfortable. Awesome blog. Sossusvlei & Deadvlei. If you continue to use this site, you agree with it. Most international flights arrive atHosea Kutako International Airport, a 40-minute drive from Windhoek. Mark. I am totally add this to the list your two week road trip itinerary is absolutely incredible. Namibia was amazing. For adventure and adrenaline seekers, do not miss to try sand boarding, tandem skydiving and paragliding. Weather - Namibia is in a subtropical location with plenty of sunny, dry days. Hiking the Big Daddy dune is looking nice too. The next morning was an early start, as we set off to the main event - our visit to Sossusvlei and the peerless Deadvlei. There are no words to describe the surreal atmosphere of Sossusvlei. 1. Thanks for your support Paul & Mark. By the way, I always look like I am trying to hitchhike, no thanks Im good with my super Van . Spend the night chatting to the local fisherman over a beer and enjoying the remoteness of this far-flung location. On Days 4 and 5, enjoy game drives in a couple of Namibia's national parks, Skeleton Coast National Park and Etosha National Park, as well as Onguma Private Game Reserve and Okaukuejo's teeming waterhole, one of the best game viewing destinations in the region. Namibia offers all this and more, interspersed with captivating views of the stark desert landscape that extends across most of the country. You will be picked up by your guide in your hotel for a 1-day excursion through Swakopmunds spectacular sand dunes. The deeper you head into the desert the higher the dunes climb. Dec 8, 2019 7 min read 1 week in Namibia itinerary - 7 days of stunning scenery Updated: Feb 20, 2021 Ok, let me start off by saying straight away: 1 week is not nearly enough time spent in Namibia! It also explains why we recommend renting a 44. When I get there I will be sure to visit the ghost town in Kolmanskop;) I just got back from a trip to Iran and the landscape in Namibia reminds me of Iran. Ghostly indeed for me, as unfortunately, I didnt manage to visit it. *Disclaimer: I was able to experience the beauty of Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Victoria Falls thanks to Wild Dog Safariswho invited me to join their tour. Its been a trip beyond words! Reading once again the list of the places Ive visited gets me every time, and you can probably understand why is taking me so long to process it all, considering that this list doesnt even cover an entire month out of the two Ive spent in Africa. They went above and beyond in so many ways. That means two things: 1) this is not a man-made desert and 2) life has adapted to its arid conditions. Okonjima Activities// Morning drive begins at 6:30; afternoon drive begins at 15:30. The White Lady of Brandberg painting is thought to be 1,000 to 2,000 years old but some etchings are over 5,000. End your day at Terrace Bay Resort, as far up the coast as the independent traveller can go. Sunset over the Kalahari Desert! Towering shifting dunes and crashing oceans. Begin by driving back through Solitaire, stopping again if you didnt have enough time to collect photos of the old burnt our cars. Believe it or not, we were the only people on the site when we arrived. At Walvis Bay Turn right and head up the coast to Swakopmund, a cute German colonial town, which is worth strolling around in the afternoon. A landscape that would leave anyone speechless for at least a few second. Its been more than eight months since I was weeping on a bench outside the airport in Daar El Salam Tanzania, waiting to board the first of 4 flights that would have brought me back to Europe. Its an educational and informative trip which we highly recommend. From here the road drops off the high canyon land and into the flat desert plains. The paintings are accessed via a compulsory guided walk which takes 2 hours and costs N$100 per person. Make a late stop at Solitaire to gather supplies for tomorrow. You'll cover the famous Etosha National Park for a wildlife-studded game drive and end your tour in the Namib Desert, all the while staying in luxury accommodations. |VIDEOS Thanks, Soraya so glad you found it useful. If not stay a night in Windhoek and make your way the next day. Im a person who also likes going off the beaten track so I probably would have picked the Skeleton Coast too but I am glad you shared your honest experience. After an informative sunrise hike the following morning, and an amazing local breakfast, we bade a reluctant goodbye to the Erongo Lodge as we set off on our final drive, making our way to our last night's accommodation. Hidden Vlei is its own kind of impressive imagery, however having to follow on from our just-completed visit to the unsurpassed Deadvlei, it was maybe just that little bit less inspiring by comparison. They have beautiful chalet rooms and a large, communal area decorated with native flair. Our visit was too short. Last week in partnership with Maestral International and UNICEF Namibia we ran a Safeguarding in Sport workshop with local coaches, administrators and athletes. Giraffe, elephants and rhino make the daily stroll to and from the waterhole and as the oryx, springbok and zebra congregate to drink so do the big cats that hunt them. Cross the Tropic of Capricorn and to coastal Swakopmund to visit Walvis Bay Lagoon, where you may spot rose-tinted flamingoes. Like you, I too would have probably picked the Skeleton Coast too. Etosha National Park (inside park) - 1 night. Thats why I was forced not only to skip the visit to the fascinating Kolmanskuppe ghost town in Luderitz, but I also missed the lovely city of Aus and a boat trip to see the penguins. And yes, I did make it to the Cheetah Conservation Fund on my second week exploring the Northern part of Namibia. Peter L. Brazil "Our guide Pietrus was the best. First day of my Namibian trip. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, could appear over 17 U.S. states on July 13. In fact, many 'standard' Namibia trip itineraries are no longer than 10 or 14 days. My first picture in Africa: The incredibly beautiful and surreal colours of Namibia! Passing through canyons and dry river beds, stop at Kuiseb Pass and take a short stroll up to the viewpoint over the national park. Take your morning drive, then spend a bit of time relaxing back at Okonjima Plains Camp. Thanks, Pooja. The distances to be covered are extensive, and made more so by the fact that they are rarely on paved roads. Namibia looks so amazing and surreal, wow! Join a Quad Bike Tour of the Namib Desert, organized by a tour operator. This was also the first time I ever set foot in the desert, an emotion so big that when I think about it, my heart feels like its about to explode. It would mean going from Clelia to a bad copy of any travel guide out there. Everything in there is mystical <3, Spettacolari, le foto e i racconti! The local settlement of Sesriem gets its name from this canyon, which was named by the original settlers who needed Six ("Ses") leather cords ("rieme") tied together to reach the water in the canyon far below. This classic weeklong itinerary balances wildlife spotting in Etosha National Park, architecture and culture in German-influenced Swakopmund, and desert canyons and dunes in Namib-Naukluft National Park. From typically African exotic wildlife safaris to the world's second largest canyon. 1:08. Namibia is wide open spaces end endless horizons. The accommodation issues in the National Park are a bit of an anomaly big travel companies book out lots of rooms, then cancel them at the last minute if their tours didnt book out. This is the official itinerary for our 3 weeks camping around Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The reality is, almost one year later Im still completely overwhelmed. Windhoeks metropolitan area is full of things to see and experience all within easy walking distance. Too many onlne articles only talk about how to camp in Namibia, what to see etc. I am loving the idea of spending an extra day in Kunene and be able to visit the Himba village that sounds incredible. Il mal Dafrica esiste eccome, e noi lo possiamo attestare . If the answer is no, what are you waiting for?! Windhoek, is not the best final destination for you Namibia itinerary. There are a few different route options to get to Sesriem, and we opted for the C26 / D1265 / D1261 via the Spreetshoogte pass, as recommended by our accommodation for that night - the Sossusvlei Lodge. After seeing my pictures and videos they went literally crazy and are planning to visit these countries asap . 30 Best Things to do in Namibia 1.) Starting in Cape Town, visit a working Rooibos tea farm and discover plants indigenous to the mountain slopes of Cederberg. Me on the tree, a super small lady in the background, and if you look carefully, you can see a tiny little person on top of the giant dune behind! There's even time to combine a visit with neighboring South Africa on a well-planned itinerary starting in Cape Town. Namibia is best experienced bouncing along gravel roads in your own car. We need to go again armed with your wonderful itinerary. Oh, the stars in Africa! I was well aware that an overland camping trip is more physically demanding than a normal tour and its not everyones cup of tea, but I happen to love camping and even if they give you the opportunity to upgrade to a standard room near the campsite, I didnt even consider that option. Thanks, Jen. The . Today was simply one of our favourite holiday days we can remember. I actually missed that van for the rest of my African trip , 24th November our 7 day south tour gets to visit the second largest canyon in the world, Fish River Canyon. Most people takes a connecting flight from major South African cities like Johannesburg or Cape Town to get to Namibias main airport Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in the capital of Windhoek. Avoid night time driving, especially outside urban centers, as there were instances of robberies. Unfortunately, we were slightly disappointed with our Naankuse lodge experience, which did not quite live up to the other amazing stays we had had thus far during our holiday. For some helpful tips to get you started, read our article on all thingsdriving in Namibia. There is abundance of wildlife in the park that you will surely lose count of whats been spotted. If you appreciate what we do, here are some ways you can support us. This might not be the best piece of literature out there, but Ive put my heart in every single word I wrote. Do not carry debit or credit cards with you, or hide it in your bra or shoes. Great recap with useful tips! It was the most amazing trip and we will share those memories with the Things forever. The winter dry season from July to October is a better time for a Namibia safari. Youll realize how beautiful and magical a place can be. Start early and experience a morning game at Namutoni. |CONTACT I do appreciate your honesty about what you would have done differently. Grootberg Lodge Activities/ Rhino tracking (3/4 day) and elephant tracking (1/2 day) depart before sunrise; evening game drive departs 15:30 and lasts 3 hours |Prices: N$1,925 rhino; N$1,370 elephant, N$570 evening game drive |Bookings: can be made at the lodge. With one week in southern Africa, you can experience some of the highlights of South Africa as well as Namibia. Our recommended Namibia route is best suited to a three or four-week itinerary but can easily be extended if you prefer to travel more slowly and spend longer in a destination. Nope, this is a collage of shots taken at Dune 45 and later at Deadvlei. The day is topped off with champagne and local oysters from the boot of your 44. Head to Walvis Bay Harbour and join the Pelican Point Kayak and Sandwich Harbour 44 combo tour. There is a lot of interesting information for you to know. While this country may seem like a vast and dry expanse of dusty plains with sparse pastures and trees, it's hiding some of the most stunning and unique landscapes in the world. We had chosen the Naankuse Lodge, partly for its proximity to the airport, and partly for its reputation. There are two main highlights that you absolutely shouldn't miss in Namibia and that is Etosha National Park and Sossusvlei. To make things easier for me and for you and avoid being overwhelmed when telling you about this experience I will go in chronological order. Needless to say, the landscape is beautiful and one of the best ways to visit Namibia is on an overland trip that goes to both the north and the south of the country. This special ecological lodge, nestled into the surroundings and playing such a big part in the conservation efforts of the region, was a highlight of our trip and is well worth dedicating a night or 2 to, for sundowners with a view, delicious meals under the stars, and guided nature walks led by passionate locals. I know it might appear confusing, overwhelming and sometimes scary for some people, but let me tell you this: No matter how hard it might be to decide which country or countries you want to visit, or how much money you will be able to spend: If there is a trip that you shouldnt miss for anything in the world, Africa is THE ONE. To finish your 2-week self-drive Namibia itinerary, head straight to the Windhoek airport from Okonjima. Other highlights include Fish River Canyon, Kolmanskop, Swakopmund, and Twyfelfontein. Read our opinion on thechallenges of trophy hunting and rhino poaching. The afternoon is dedicated to the Sandwich Harbour 44 tour. In fact, in truth we only had 6 nights! After I came back from Africa in January, I had so many emotions and memories inside that it took me forever to process them all. In a week, you can enjoy a range of wildlife-spotting highlights in Namibia's deserts and canyons, plains and watering holes, and coast and wetlands. There are plenty of pit stops to spy shipwrecked boats, rusting oil rigs and the largest cape fur seal colony on the planet. Unfortunately, if you already read my blog you know that I m rather delicate when it comes to my health (I caught the flu on my flight to Namibia). | Lusaka, Zambia national football team P.Iva: 03938960923 | It has the largest population of cheetahs on the planet, the highest sand dunes, and the oldest desert. A breathtaking experience #Namibia365 #wilddogsafaris, Una foto pubblicata da Wild Dog Safaris (@wilddogsafaris) in data: 24 Nov 2016 alle ore 11:55 PST. And this is not what this website is about. Screw it, when it comes to Africa, Im going to write whatever comes to my mind, trying to make sense of it all, mixing the emotions with tales, misadventures and useful tips for you. Sossusvlei, the Dead Vlei and Dune 45 definitely deserve a brand new blog post. Etosha National Park is quite simply one of the greatest safari parks in the world. One of Namibias Top Sights: The Fish River Canyon at sunrise. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. As soon as you arrive in their 44 youll notice the large colony of cape fur seals mulling around the lighthouse. If you're planning a self-drive safari to Namibia, please check out my other blog posts about it: 5 things to know about a self-drive safari On Day 2, you'll venture into the Namaqualand in Northern Cape. I still remember jumping up and down in my bed the day they confirmed I was in for the dates I wanted. At over 300m high they shimmer in the early morning light as they shift with the wind. Hopefully you get the chance. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Great photos! Fill up with petrol and get some food and water for a picnic tomorrow. Its incredible how many things can happen in 2 months (inside and out) when you travel. Ugh . Start this 2-week Namibia road trip by arriving in Windhoek. I get hopelessly stuck. ), taking a few photos with the rusty old abandoned cars, and having a piece of the renowned apple pie at the Solitaire bakery. It has gained popularity with tourists over the years due to the fact that it is much safer than its neighbor to the south. Okahandja (north of Windhoek) - 2 nights. Am I biased? Damaraland - 2 nights. Suggestion: west Etosha park- would have loved Etosha village lodge by the gate. On the right, a big empty road waiting for us, full of promising adventures! Arrive in Windhoek & Drive to Etosha National Park, Afternoon Game Drive, Walvis Bay Lagoon & Scenic Drive to Sesriem, Explore the Namib Desert & Sesriem Canyon Excursion, Arrive in Windhoek & Fly to Sossusvlei for a Sundowner Drive, Fly to the Skeleton Coast, Hoarusib River Excursion, Game Drive in the Skeleton Coast National Park, Fly to Etosha National Park, Etosha Game Drive & Onguma Sundowner, Arrive in Windhoek & Fly to Etosha National Park, Full-Day Game Drive in Etosha National Park, Fly from Etosha National Park to Damaraland, Arrive in Cape Town, Rooibos Tea Farm Visit, Cross the border to Namibia, Gariep (Orange) River, Sossusvlei Dunes & Namib-Naukluft National Park. I wanted the real deal. As a result, we were only able to sample a small portion of what a Namibian tourist's ideal to-do list would include. Quick Facts PASSPORT VALIDITY: 6 Months BLANK PASSPORT PAGES: 3 Pages TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: Not required for stays of 90 days or fewer per calendar year VACCINATIONS: Yellow fever, if traveling from a yellow fever endemic country CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY: Not applicable CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR EXIT: Not applicable Also, assess your physical condition as climbing the massive dune is harder than most people would expect. NAMIBIA: WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE SHOULD YOU EXPECT WHEN TRAVELING OVERLAND AND CAMPING? The first trip of the 3 combined on the 23 days Africa Odyssey. You see my dilemma. Swakopmund - 3 nights. So, you know what? Forty-five minutes up in the air brought me back to the movie The English patient, I couldnt stop smiling and slapping my face to make sure I wasnt dreaming! Its one of our favourite countries to travel to. MY ITINERARY FOR THE FIRST 3 WEEKS IN AFRICA: FIRST LEG OF THE TRIP: CAMPING OVERLAND TRIP TO NAMIBIA, BOTSWANA AND ZIMBABWE.
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what to do in namibia for a week
