Ultimate Namibia: Small Group Tour

Welcome to Namibia!

This morning, your guide will collect you from your accommodation in Windhoek or from Hosea Kutako International Airport (for arrivals before 07:00). You’ll depart in your safari vehicle, heading southwest through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands and descending the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed at a scenic spot en route.

You’ll arrive at Dead Valley Lodge by mid-afternoon, your base for two nights as you explore the breathtaking Namib Desert. Depending on time, your guide may take you to Sesriem Canyon, a fascinating geological feature, or to Elim Dune for a gentle afternoon walk. Formed over millennia by the Tsauchab River, Sesriem Canyon is a narrow gorge around 1.5 km long and 30 meters deep. Seasonal pools form in its shaded depths, offering a vital water source in the past. Early settlers named it "Sesriem" for the six rawhide thongs (“riems”) they tied together to draw water from the depths.

Alternatively, simply relax and enjoy the peaceful desert surroundings.

Overnight at Dead Valley Lodge — Includes lunch, dinner, and guided excursions.

Opened in July 2019, Dead Valley Lodge is located inside Namib-Naukluft Park between the Sesriem Gate and Elim Dune—ideally positioned for exploring Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. The lodge features 20 luxurious, climate-controlled tented chalets with private bathrooms and panoramic desert views. Enjoy Namibian-inspired cuisine in the restaurant and relax in the poolside bar while gazing out towards the dunes.

Rise early for an unforgettable excursion into Namib-Naukluft National Park, typically departing before sunrise to capture the iconic dunes in soft morning light. Your guide will share insights into the formation of the Namib Desert and its incredible flora and fauna.

Explore Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, and the surrounding dune fields—home to some of the tallest freestanding dunes on earth. Enjoy a picnic brunch under the shade of a camelthorn tree before returning to the lodge in the early afternoon. If not already visited, there’s time later to see Sesriem Canyon. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at Dead Valley Lodge — Includes all meals and guided excursions.

Optional Extra: Consider a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Namib Desert (additional cost). This must be booked exclusively through Ultimate Safaris to fit within the day’s schedule.

Today’s drive takes you northwest through ever-changing desert landscapes, including the Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons, before reaching the Atlantic coast at Walvis Bay. Continue north to Swakopmund, a charming seaside town where you’ll spend the next two nights. Enjoy a stroll along the waterfront this afternoon and dine at a local restaurant known for its fresh seafood.

Overnight at The Delight Hotel — Includes all meals.

The Delight Hotel is conveniently located near Swakopmund’s ‘Mole’ promenade and offers cheerful, modern accommodation. Each en-suite room features air-conditioning, tea/coffee facilities, fridge, TV, WiFi, and a safe. Thoughtful touches and warm service ensure a relaxing stay.

After breakfast, travel south along the coast to Walvis Bay for a kayaking adventure in the protected outer lagoon. Visit Pelican Point and the salt works before paddling past Cape fur seals, dolphins, pelicans, and flamingos—with the occasional sighting of whales or sunfish. Refreshments are served on the beach.

Alternative option: Join a motorized boat cruise instead, offering similar wildlife encounters along with sparkling wine, oysters, and snacks.

Return to Swakopmund in the early afternoon for time at leisure. Optional activities such as sandboarding, scenic flights, and quad biking can be arranged (additional cost).

Overnight at The Delight Hotel — Includes all meals.

Today you’ll travel north and inland into the spectacular landscapes of Damaraland, passing Brandberg, Namibia’s tallest mountain at 2,573m. The scenery here is stunning—marked by table-top mountains, ancient riverbeds, and dramatic rock formations.

If time permits, visit Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its prehistoric rock engravings. If not, your visit will be scheduled for tomorrow.

Overnight at Camp Kipwe — Includes all meals and guided excursions.

Camp Kipwe is set among granite boulders near the Aba Huab riverbed. Each thatched bungalow offers comfort and rustic charm, with open-air en-suite bathrooms and sweeping views. The lodge features a swimming pool, sunset viewpoint, and an alfresco dining area.

Set out early for an exhilarating 4x4 safari through the Aba Huab and Huab River valleys in search of desert-adapted elephants and other unique wildlife. You may return to camp for lunch or enjoy a picnic under a shady Ana tree.

Later, visit Twyfelfontein and other nearby geological attractions if not done the day prior. Enjoy the rest of your day relaxing at the lodge or on a gentle walk with your guide.

Overnight at Camp Kipwe — Includes all meals and guided excursions.

Desert-Adapted Elephants are not a separate species, but a unique ecotype found only in Namibia. These elephants have adapted to desert life, covering vast distances between food and water sources and surviving in some of the driest environments on earth.

Today you head northeast toward the southern boundary of Etosha National Park. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive on the private reserve with a resident ranger and fellow lodge guests.

Overnight at Ongava Collection (2025 departures) — Includes all meals and shared game drives in Ongava and Etosha.

Ongava spans 30,000 hectares and is home to lion, leopard, rhino, giraffe, zebra, and many antelope species. The terrain features open plains, mopane woodlands, and dramatic dolomite outcrops, creating an ideal setting for game viewing.

Overnight at Safari House (2026 departures) - Includes all meals and shared game drives in Etosha Heights and Etosha.

Located on the Etosha Heights Private Reserve, just next to Safarihoek Lodge, Safari House is a traditional Namibian farmhouse that the group will stay on an exclusive-use basis, complete with a private pool and a waterhole with its own hide. This private reserve, which shares a porous boundary with the park, is renowned for its impressive wildlife, including large herds of elephants, countless zebra, springbok, wildebeest, both black and white rhino, and giraffe. Lion sightings are frequent, adding even more excitement to the experience!

Spend the day exploring Etosha National Park on morning and afternoon game drives. Alternatively, opt for a full-day excursion with a picnic or lunch at a rest camp. Etosha’s diverse habitats are home to over 114 mammal species and 340 bird species. Look out for elephant, lion, rhino, giraffe, cheetah, leopard, and endemic black-faced impala.

Return to camp before sunset and dinner.

Overnight at ypour comfortable lodge — Includes all meals and guided game drives.

After an early breakfast you depart the reserve and your journey leads you south via Outjo, Otjiwarongo and Okahandja to reach to Windhoek.

A lunch is included and arrival in Windhoek will be mid afternoon. You’ll be dropped at your accommodation or the airport for evening flights (departure must be no earlier than 19:00 to allow time for the visit and return drive).

A final overnight in Windhoek is highly recommended and can be arranged upon request.

Optional Extensions
For those looking to extend their Namibia adventure, we offer one- and two-night extensions to Okonjima Nature Reserve, home of the AfriCat Foundation. Guests booking this extension will be collected directly from the entrance to Okonjima along the main road, minimizing any disruption to fellow safari-goers not continuing on.

Additionally, we offer an unforgettable extension to Wolwedans, set within the breathtaking NamibRand Nature Reserve. This is one of Namibia’s most iconic desert experiences, perfect for those seeking tranquility, desert landscapes, and soul-stirring views.

Both the Okonjima and Wolwedans optional extensions can extend the duration of the entire safari for those who have the luxury of time.