The Ultimate 2-week Itinerary for Namibia

Namibia is one of my favourite places to travel to. Of course, I’m somewhat biased because it’s my home – but that doesn’t change the fact that it is uniquely beautiful and incredibly diverse. A trip to Namibia offers so many amazing experiences.

From the lush green landscape of the North, to the barren lands of the Namib Desert, the largest canyon in Africa, as well as a huge variety of wildlife, Namibia has so much to explore. Even after having lived there for 18 years, and taking 2 trips through the country, I still haven’t seen everything it has to offer. I went on one of these trips very recently, and I would love to share my experience and some tips from a local.

If you’re yearning for a holiday filled with adventure, look no further than Namibia – more specifically, plan a self-drive road trip through the country.

I’ve worked out an approximate itinerary (of course, it’s flexible to change) with activities, safari experiences, and extra tips to help you plan the perfect trip.

See the map below for a rough guide to where the trip through Namibia will take you:

Day 1-3: Windhoek

Your trip will begin your Namibia trip in the capital city, Windhoek. Though it isn’t super popular among tourists, I still think there are quite a few things to explore. Rent a vehicle from the airport, or catch a shuttle to the city and rent a car there. If you plan to follow this itinerary and self-drive, it is highly recommended that you rent a 4×4 vehicle. See my guide for renting a vehicle and tips for driving in Namibia here.

Spend your first day settling into your hotel, then go for dinner at the Namibia’s most iconic restaurant, Joe’s Beerhouse. The restaurant has a very unique take on blending Namibian and German culture and cuisine. Here, you can try 5 different types of meat in one dish, if that’s something you’re up to! If possible, go there on a Wednesday night, because between 6pm and 7pm, they usually have ‘Drum Circle’ – reserve a spot early enough and ask for a table in the Boma. You can book a table on the website.

I also recommend doing a guided city tour through Windhoek, especially if the country’s history interests you. You’ll see some of the important architecture, especially those built by the German during their colonisation, like the Christuskirche and Tintenpalast. Most tours also visit a market in Single Quarters in Katutura, the biggest township in Namibia. Here, you’ll be able to try lots of uniquely Namibian foods like Kapana and Mopane worms (if you dare!). Our tour also took us to a craft centre in Katutura dedicated to helping women who are disabled and/or underprivileged make a living.

Finally, one of the best experiences to have on a trip to Namibia is to do some activities at N/a’ankusê. This is the most expensive thing that I ever recommend, but I just love it so much. It is a wildlife sanctuary that takes care of animals including cheetahs, lions, caracals, wild dogs, etc. that were orphaned young or injured and would not otherwise survive in the wild.

Located about an hour away from Windhoek, it is the perfect place for a half-day trip. Find the list of activities on their website. In my opinion, the best activities are the Cheetah Experience and the Discover the Roots of N/a’an ku sê. I always recommend you either start or end your trip with this, because it is so special. It is also a great place to see animals that are sometimes very difficult to find otherwise (in Etosha National Park, for example).

You can now get ready for your Namibia road trip. Before you leave, make sure you do some shopping in Windhoek, because supermarkets can be a bit hard to find in the vast emptiness that is Namibia – be ready to travel a few hundred kilometres without seeing anything really very interesting. Make sure you have enough food, especially if you’re camping, which is by far the cheapest way to travel through Namibia. I recommend shopping at Checkers, though Pick ‘n Pay and Spar are also good options.

Places to stay:

Best Places to Eat:

Joe’s Beerhouse
Cape Town Fish Market
Heinitzburg Castle (go here for a Sundowner cocktail)
Droombos
Stellenbosch Wine Bar
Goodfellas

Day 3-5: Etosha National Park

After 5-6 hours of driving, you’ll reach Etosha National Park. The park is where you will see the majority of the animals on your trip. The best place to stay is directly at Etosha National Park, either at one of the lodges or at one of the camps (more budget-friendly). If you visit between November and January, it may be best to book at one of the lodges, because the campsites will be extremely hot! When we visited Etosha in December, it was around 40°C (104°F) the entire day.

Personally, I haven’t stayed at Etosha, so I cannot vouch for any campsite specifically. Visit the website to find more details on the specific ammenities each camp offers (and maybe choose one with a pool).

We stayed on a lodge nearby, called Kifaru. If your budget is a bit more flexible, I will never not recommend this place. It is first and foremost a rhino conservation and is home to the biggest population of rhinos in Namibia. They have a bush camp and a luxury lodge, both of which are fantastic (but we stayed at the bush camp). The staff is incredibly friendly and made us feel so special. You can book private game drives to see the rhinos on the farm.

The drive from Kifaru Lodge to Etosha National Park takes about an hour. So, if you leave early enough to get there by opening time, and leave around sunset, you will probably be able to explore most of the park. If you’re staying in Etosha, you’ll probably be able to explore the entirety of it, as you’ll have multiple days.

The entrance to Etosha National Park costs N$150 (about 7€) per person (for foreigners), plus N$50 (about 2€) per vehicle. Before you drive into the park, stop by the gift shop to buy a map of the park to help you navigate, and aim to go to as many waterholes as possible – this will be your best chance of seeing as many animals as you can.

Day 6-10: The Coast

From Etosha, your Namibia road trip will take you to Swakopmund, the biggest coastal town in the country. It still has strong German influences, and is completely different from the inland. When we drove 5 hours from Etosha to Swakopmund, the temperature dropped by over 20°C (68°F)!

The coast of Namibia is where you’ll find the most things to do. One of my must-do trips is a tour to Sandwich Harbour, which is the iconic part of the coastline where the dunes of the Namib Desert meet the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

Unfortunately, this is not possible to do as a private group, but must be done with a tour group. This part of the coastline is strictly protected, so you will need a permit to enter it. The tour can be done as a self-drive (make sure to ask your car rental company beforehand if they allow it) or in a car with an experienced guide.

The tour involves driving in the dunes, which can be very dangerous if you’ve never done it, so if you’re not experienced, I’d recommend you go with a guide driving the car. On the tour, you will also pass by the salt pans of Namibia and see lots of flamingos. If you’re lucky, you’ll even see some Oryx or Springbok in the desert on your visit.

On another day, head to the next coastal town of Walvis Bay for a Catamaran Tour to Pelican Point. There are a good handful of companies that offer the same type of tour (find them on GetYourGuide or Viator). I have personally experienced the tours of Catamaran Charters and Mola Mola Safaris, which were both great.

On the tour, you’ll see so many seals that you’ll probably never want to see one again! They even jump onto the boats – the pelicans do too (Tip: don’t let them sit on you, or they may poop on you). My friend even got bitten by one – but don’t worry, she’s okay (she thought it was hilarious).

On the 3-hour long boat ride, you may see mola mola (sunfish), dolphins, and even whales as you make your way to Pelican Point. There, you’ll be greeted by a colony of about 60 000 to 80 000 Cape Cross seals. You can also go kayaking around Pelican Point. On the way back, you’ll be served a light lunch, including fresh oysters farmed in Namibia.

Another favourite activity is Quad Biking in the Namib Desert. I like to go to Daredevil Adventures, situated between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, on Long Beach. Alternatively, you can go to Wilderness Explorers, right on the outskirts of Swakopmund.

There is no need to prebook, so you just show up and choose the tour you want. If you’re lucky and there’s no other group that shows up at the same time, you’ll end up getting a private tour.

They have lots of options, like a 1-hour, 2-hour, Breakfast, or Sunset Drive. You can also combine the quad biking with sand boarding. The tour takes you through the dunes and was one of the highlights of our last trip.

If you are interested in the creatures of the desert, as well as the way the desert is formed and expanding, take a ‘Little five’ Desert tour with Living Desert Namibia. On this tour, you probably won’t see any big animals, but you’ll see some very unique wildlife that has adapted to life in the desert. A guide will drive in his car and track down the little lizards, snakes and other critters.

Places to Stay in Swakopmund:

Best Places to Eat in Swakopmund:

The Jetty Restaurant
Old Steamer (buffet)
Tiger Reef (mostly for the vibe - go at sunset)
Village Café (for breakfast)
The Tug
Bits ‘n Pizzas
Altstadt Restaurant & Biergarten

Before you leave for Sossusvlei, make sure that you load up on supplies, because Sossusvlei really is in the middle of nowhere.

Day 11-13: Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei (and specifically Deadvlei) is the most visited tourist attraction in Namibia. On our recent Namibia trip, I actually visited for the first time in my life, and it really is a sight to see.

Deadvlei is the place you’ve probably seen on Instagram. It really does make for great pictures, with the stark contrast of the red sand dunes against the blue sky and the fossilised trees all across the white clay pan. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

In Sossusvlei you can also climb the dunes of the oldest desert in the world, which are among some of the tallest in the world. From the top of the dunes, you can really appreciate the vastness of the country. Be warned though, because it is exhausting, so make sure you’ve always got some water on you.

The drive to Sossusvlei consists mostly of gravel road, and it is a bit daunting as it takes you through the Kuiseb Pass. The pass is at the top of the Kuiseb Canyon, with the drops becoming high and the roads becoming rough and narrow. Don’t drive too fast here, because it can be very dangerous. It is worth stopping at the Kuiseb Canyon to take in the view of the incredibly vast landscape that gives Namibia its name.

On the same drive, you will come across the Tropic of Capricorn. Of course, it’s not much more than a sign on the side of the road. But it’s kind of cool to know that you’ve passed through it – and it’s a great photo op, too. What I love about these kinds of signs is that many travelers paste stickers onto them. It always makes me giggle to find a yellow ‘Nett Hier, aber waren Sie schon mal in Baden-Württemberg‘ sticker, so much so that I’ve started to look for them (If you know, you know).

We stayed at the Camping 2Go accommodation at Namib Desert Lodge. Of course, there are lots of lodges and camps in the area, but this was the best option for us. Check out my guide to Sossusvlei here, where I recommend some other options, depending on preference and budget.

Day 14: Fly Home!

On the day before your flight, make your way back to Windhoek, and go for a sundowner and dinner at Heinitzburg or Droombos. It is the perfect way to end your trip to Namibia.

Other places to add to your itinerary

Waterberg

Waterberg would make a great addition to this Namibia trip between Windhoek and Etosha National Park. It is a mountain (almost 50 km long!) that is almost completely flat at the top. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘Table Mountain’ of Namibia. Its surrounding plateau is another great location to spot wildlife.

Spitzkoppe

Spitzkoppe is a name given to this mountain by the Germans that once colonised Namibia. It means ‘pointed mountain’ (sort of), and this is definitely a great description of it. You’ll see it on your trip from Windhoek to Swakopmund, even if you don’t visit it. It also has a nickname; the ‘Matterhorn of Namibia’. It is most popular among hikers and is a great spot for beautiful photos, thanks to its interesting rock formations.

Skeleton Coast

If you want to add a particularly unique location to your trip, visit Skeleton Coast National Park before heading to Swakopmund. The area is known for the array of shipwrecks among this part of the coast. It is also home to the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, which is home to one of the largest Cape fur seal colonies in the world, at about 200 000 seals!

Fish River Canyon

Fish River Canyon, located in the south of Namibia, is a very popular tourist spot as well. It is the largest canyon in the world, and is particularly loved by hikers and outdoor adventurers. It is one of those places that you need at least 2 days to explore properly, and you’ll be outside the entire time, so make sure you pack lots of sunscreen!

Kolmanskop

The ‘Ghost Town’, also in the south of the country, is near the charming coastal town Lüderitz. I’d recommend combining these, so you can see the old German architecture of the town, and the run-down, delapidated houses in Kolmanskop. The houses are filled with sand, remnants of a sand storm that hit the town in 1905.

Extra Tips

When is the best time of year to visit Namibia?

Namibia is a great all-year-round destination, but, as with most places, I definitely recommend visiting during shoulder months. October to November and February to April are ideal for a trip to Namibia, in my opinion. December and January are also great, but way too hot and way too busy. Because this is the high tourist season, you’ll find everything a bit more expensive. Though May to September are also good, it might be more difficult to spot wildlife on safaris during these colder months.

What is the best way to get around?

Namibia’s public transport is basically nonexistent. Though there are buses and taxis, I would highly recommend avoiding them if you are just visiting. The best way to travel in Namibia is to rent a car as soon as you’re at the airport.

Internet and phone reception

When you get to the airport, buy a sim card from MTC. The best plans are usually the Aweh Bundles, but you’ll have to decide which option you want once you’re there. Also, make sure you download music playlists and google maps routes before you leave on any trip, because you never know where your phone will just lose reception.

Other tips

Don’t drink the water in Swakopmund. It is supposedly safe once boiled, but even then, it tastes really bad. Make sure you buy a few big bottles (5L) once you arrive. You can refill these at most supermarkets for really cheap.

Always be aware of the people around you. Though Namibia is safer than many other countries, it is a general rule of thumb to never leave anything lying in the car that you can see from the outside. Always keep a hand on your bag and always keep your eyes open.

Make sure to read my other posts to fully prepare yourself for your trip to Namibia: