Namibia Desert Coast & Etosha Safari
Duration: 9 Days | Route: Windhoek → Canyon Region → Sossusvlei → Skeleton Coast → Etosha West → Windhoek
Itinerary Outline
- Day 1 and 2: Arrival in Windhoek and Canyon Stay
- Day 3 and 4: Fly to Sossusvlei Region
- Day 5 and 6: Fly to Skeleton Coast
- Day 7 and 8: Fly to Etosha West
- Day 9: Departure from Etosha to Windhoek
Tour Overview
This 9 day safari covers the country’s top regions with smooth transfers between each location. The journey includes canyon landscapes, the red dunes of Sossusvlei, the remote Skeleton Coast and the wildlife rich Etosha region. Each stay is in high end lodges with strong views and guided activities.
The tour suits travellers who want comfort along with good coverage of Namibia’s key areas. You spend less time on long road journeys and more time at each destination, with guided experiences in the desert, coast and safari zones.
Highlights
- Canyon landscapes with rim walks and wide open views in a quiet setting
- Sossusvlei dunes with guided desert activities and stays in luxury suites
- Scenic transfers between regions, saving time on long road journeys
- Skeleton Coast stay with remote ocean views and guided coastal excursions
- Etosha safari with twice daily game drives and strong wildlife sightings
- Premium lodges throughout the journey with scenic locations and full service stays
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 and 2: Arrival in Windhoek and Canyon Stay
On arrival at Windhoek Airport, you are received and transferred to your lodge. From here, you head towards one of Namibia’s most scenic canyon regions.
Over the next two days, you can spend time exploring the area at your own pace. Short hikes along the canyon rim offer wide views of the landscape, especially during early morning and late afternoon. The setting is quiet, with open space and very little disturbance.
Day 3 and 4: Fly to Sossusvlei Region
After breakfast, you transfer to the airstrip and board a charter flight to the Sossusvlei region. On arrival, lodge transfers take you to your accommodation.
You stay in a luxury suite with wide views and skylights for night sky viewing. Over the next two days, you join guided activities such as:
- Sossusvlei morning excursions
- Living Dunes and Desert People experience
- Desert rock formations and nature drives
Each activity gives a closer look at how life adapts to desert conditions.
Day 5 and 6: Fly to Skeleton Coast
After breakfast, you transfer to the lodge airstrip for your next flight to the Skeleton Coast. On arrival at Möwe Bay, you are welcomed and transferred by 4×4 vehicle to your lodge.
The lodge is set along the remote coastline, known for its shipwreck history and raw landscapes. During your stay, you can join guided excursions across the coast and inland areas. Time is also set aside to relax and enjoy views from the deck.
Day 7 and 8: Fly to Etosha West
After breakfast, you transfer back to the airstrip and fly to Etosha West. On arrival, you are taken to your lodge located near the park.
Over the next two days, you take part in scheduled safari activities, usually twice a day. Game drives focus on wildlife sightings around waterholes and open plains. Evenings are spent at the lodge with views over the surrounding landscape.
Day 9: Departure from Etosha to Windhoek
After breakfast, you have some time to relax before your transfer to the airstrip. You board your charter flight back to Windhoek.
Depending on your flight schedule, you may need an overnight stay in Windhoek before your onward journey.
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Places You Will Visit
Where You’ll Stay
Travel Information
Inclusion
- Accommodation in luxury lodges and suites throughout the safari
- All meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner at each lodge
- Charter transfers between destinations with lodge transfers
- Guided desert activities in Sossusvlei region
- Guided coastal excursions at Skeleton Coast
- Scheduled safari activities in Etosha with experienced guides
- Park entry fees and conservation charges where applicable
- Services of lodge guides and staff during the stay
- Airport assistance and transfers in Windhoek
Exclusion
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry and phone calls
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Premium beverages not included by lodges
- Any optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Anything not listed in the inclusions section
Customization options
Safari vehicle options (standard 4×4, private upgrades if relevant)
- Game drives are typically conducted in lodge-based 4×4 vehicles in Sossusvlei, Skeleton Coast, and Etosha.
- Private vehicles may be arranged at certain lodges depending on availability.
Lodge options (budget, mid-range, high-end)
- Accommodation is generally offered as mid-range to high-end lodges due to the fly-in nature of the itinerary.
- Options are available in Windhoek, Sossusvlei region, Skeleton Coast, and Etosha West, depending on availability and airstrip access.
Game drive flexibility (timings if applicable)
- Game drives in Etosha follow lodge schedules, usually in the morning and late afternoon.
- Activities in Sossusvlei and Skeleton Coast are scheduled based on weather and flight timings.
Add-on experiences (based on itinerary)
- Scenic flights over desert and coastal regions are part of transfers between locations.
- Additional guided excursions can be arranged in Sossusvlei and along the Skeleton Coast.
- City-based add-ons can be included in Windhoek.
Flexibility in number of nights per location
- Additional nights can be added in Sossusvlei or Etosha to extend activities.
- Skeleton Coast stay can be adjusted depending on flight routing and lodge availability.
- Extra nights in Windhoek can be included at the beginning or end of the tour.
Flexible departure options
- Return to Windhoek is included on the final day.
- Flight timings can be adjusted based on international departure schedules.
Cancellation Policy
- If cancellation requested before 120 days (or more) prior to departure, Full refund.
- If cancellation requested before 60 days (or more) prior to departure – 75% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 45 to 59 days prior to departure – 50% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 30 to 44 days prior to departure – 25% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 15 to 29 days prior to departure – 10% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested less than 15 days prior to departure, No Show – No Refund.
Further Information
Best time to visit (based on regions in the itinerary)
- May to October is suitable for travel across Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Skeleton Coast, and Etosha National Park due to dry conditions and better wildlife visibility in Etosha.
- November to April offers greener landscapes, especially in Etosha, though wildlife may be more dispersed.
- Coastal areas like Skeleton Coast can have cooler temperatures and fog throughout the year, which may affect flight schedules.
Optional activities (relevant to locations in the outline)
- Scenic dune excursions and guided walks can be arranged in Sossusvlei.
- Nature drives and coastal excursions are available along the Skeleton Coast.
- Game drives are included in Etosha National Park, with optional guided drives through lodges.
- Short city-based visits can be arranged in Windhoek on arrival or departure.
Who this tour suits (based on pace, parks, and travel type)
- This tour suits travelers looking for a fly-in safari covering remote regions of Namibia.
- It is suitable for those interested in desert landscapes, coastal environments, and wildlife viewing in Etosha.
- The itinerary involves multiple light aircraft transfers, making it suitable for travelers comfortable with small aircraft travel and fixed routing.
