Wild Namibia: Small Group

From Windhoek to Windhoek

Tour Overview

Join an unforgettable small group Pioneer Tour of Namibia!

Discover Namibia’s wild heart—where vast, sun-drenched landscapes stretch endlessly and desert-adapted wildlife thrives against all odds. This tour goes beyond the usual highlights to reveal remote, untouched corners few ever get to see.

Explore dramatic dunes, hidden oases, and rugged terrain in a true off-the-beaten-track adventure. With flexibility, a spirit of participation, and a love for the wild, you’ll experience Namibia in its purest form.

Prefer a roof over your head?
No problem—this itinerary is also available as an explorer tour!

Video Highlights

Viva's Best Bits...

It is a place of living deserts, where one can't help but be captivated by the ever-changing natural colors that paint the horizon.

Explore the Deadvlei, an ancient clay pan surrounded by towering sand dunes, creating a mesmerizing and otherworldly landscape.

Etosha National Park offers a captivating blend of abundant wildlife, stunning landscapes, and an unforgettable safari experience.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Windhoek

Our adventure in Namibia begins in the capital city of Windhoek at 14h00.
After a short tour briefing and “meet and greet”, we set off exploring Windhoek, viewing the attractions of the city before ending the day welcoming the warm hospitality at the infamous Joe’s Beerhouse restaurant. Tonight we spend in comfort at our hotel and prepare for the next day’s adventure.

Day 2
Namib Desert Reserve

Leaving the city lights behind we enter the heart of the Namib, taking in its vast plains, red dunes, towering mountains and ever changing landscapes. Late afternoon, we reach the Greenfire Desert Camp, a remote camp nestled against a rock outcrop, within a conservancy that forms part of the vast Namib Rand Nature Reserve, and home for the next two nights. The reserve gives life to a variety of desert adapted fauna and flora and many an animal species. Enjoy an extensive walk as well as a day and a night desert drive during our time here.

Day 3
Desert Reserve

We awake to desert vistas that extend further than the eye can see. All animals here exist in completely natural surroundings, and are free to move unrestricted over the full extent of the reserve. Our expert guide will help us understand the unique desert fauna and flora, so today we start off with an ecology walk in this beautiful environment, searching for animals, foot prints, and signs of the behaviour and survival strategies that allow them to exist in these harsh conditions.

During the heat of the day guests have time to relax at the camp, or to explore the surrounding area on foot, should they wish to. Mid-afternoon we depart on a desert drive, up and over the magnificent dunes. As the evening approaches, a traditional sundowner drink is enjoyed while the sun dips over the African landscape. Once dark, we slowly drive back to camp anticipating to encounter some of the nocturnal animals adapted to living in the desert.

Day 4
Sossusvlei Dunes

Setting off early, we cross the endless desert plains to the Sesriem Canyon and the awesome red Sossusvlei dunes – reputedly the highest in the world.
We transfer into the heart of the dunes, to spend some time climbing these spectacular mountains of sand, before taking a 4×4 transfer into Sossusvlei and Deadvlei – a clay pan characterized by dark dead camel thorn trees against the white pan floor. We explore these truly unique sites on foot, before the 4×4’s take us back to our vehicle.

In the afternoon we visit the Sesriem Canyon, before continuing to our camp-site for the night.

Day 5-6
Swakopmund

Crossing through Kuiseb Canyon, and the Namib-Naukluft National Park, we make our way to the port town of Walvis Bay, and then on to Swakopmund, where German influence still lingers from late 1800’s, and spend two nights in comfortable accommodation.
We explore this holiday town and its surrounds thoroughly, and enjoy both our evening meals at local restaurants (own expense).

Swakopmund is a must-see for any visitor, and offers guests a variety of adventure activities. Clients have the opportunity to partake in quad biking, sand boarding and skydiving whilst here (own expense). For those that simply want to relax, the town offers a variety of restaurants and shops, where one can get a feel for the local culture.

Day 7
Skeleton Coast Spitzkoppe


Today we head north up the harsh Skeleton Coast, a barren stretch of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, with scattered ship wrecks, littering the beaches.

We visit Cape Cross, a spectacular breeding ground for Cape fur Seals where more than a 100 000 seals take refuge.

We then venture back inland, travelling through the vast desert to the iconic Spitzkoppe, which is a group of bald granite peaks in the Namib desert of Namibia. The granite is more than 120 million years old and the highest outcrop rises about 1,728 metres above sea level. The peaks stand out dramatically from the flat surrounding plains, before arriving at the camp early afternoon.

Day 8
Brandberg

After a leisurely start we spend time exploring and climbing the Granite boulders of Spitzkopppe, before venturing through the vast desert to the iconic Brandberg Mountain, the highest mountain in Namibia, en route we make a roadside stop to interact with members the local Himba tribe, before stopping at the base of the Brandberg mountain where we take a guided hike to the iconic White Lady bushmen paintings before arriving at the lodge in the late afternoon.

Those interested why not take an optional excursion hoping to encounter the elusive rare desert elephant, before retiring to our campsites snuggled at the foot of the mountain.

Day 9-10
Etosha National Park

Today we continue our trip up to Etosha, this journey takes us through breath taking Damaraland, region and home of the Damara people. Along the way we will stop for a roadside lunch before reaching our campsite for the night.

Making our way further north, we enter the renowned Etosha National Park, arguably the highlight of the tour. Becoming one with nature we enjoy two days of exploring the park. During these days we conduct extensive game drives, visiting little water holes, exploring, letting your senses free, making the most of our time in the park. (Game drives will be conducted in the Drifters truck ) On one of the days we will shorten the game drive and drive to the world famous Okaukuejo waterhole where we will spend approximately 2 hours, waiting patiently for the animals to come and quench their thirst, before leaving in time to exit the park.

Time permitting; why not take an optional sunset game drive (drinks included) on private land
bordering the parks.

Day 11
Windhoek

An early morning, we pack up and begin our journey back to civilization. The drive to Windhoek will take the majority of the day and the tour will officially come to an end in the late afternoon on arrival back in the capital city.

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 3 nights hotel / lodge accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 7 nights camping in comfortable dome tents
  • Included Copy 7 A sleeping bag, towel and pillow are required for this tour
Food
  • Included Copy 20 10 breakfasts
  • Included Copy 20 8 lunches
  • Included Copy 20 7 dinners
  • Included Copy 7 alcohol, bottled water and soft drinks
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 2 licensed, professional tour managers
  • Included Copy 20 group equipment
  • Included Copy 20 permits and park entry fees
  • Included Copy 7 visas, tips, flights, airport taxes, airport transfers or any optional extras
Transportation
Drifters Expedition Vehicle

Drifters Expedition Vehicle

Activities

  • Included Take in the highlights of the Capital as you explore Windhoek on a City Tour
  • Included Be amazed at the spectacular desert landscapes found in Namib Desert private reserve
  • Included Get up close to nature on a Desert walk
  • Included Discover the nocturnal animals and spectacular night skies on a Desert night drive
  • Included Enjoy a 4×4 trip to Sossusvlei where you will see the famous 'Big Daddy' and 'Dune 45'
  • Included Walk along the narrow canyon floor of Sesriem Canyon
  • Included Enjoy the natural beauty and outdoor adventures found in Walvis Bay
  • Included Discover the charming streets lined with German colonial-era buildings in Swakopmund
  • Included Be amazed by the rugged and inhospitable Skeleton Coast and spot shipwrecks along the way
  • Included Visit Cape Cross seal colony, home to one of the largest colonies of Cape fur seals in the world.
  • Included Wildlife spot in Etosha National Park and visit the vast salt pan
  • Included Explore the ancient rock formations and spot desert adapted wildlife found in Damaraland
  • Included Explore the amazing Deadvlei, a surreal pan surrounded by ancient dead camel thorn trees
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

11 days

Price from

$2,092 USD

Per person, sharing

Select Date