12 Day Namibia Essentials Tour
Central & Northern Namibia | Self Drive & Guided Options
Sol Expedition’s Classic 12 Day Namibia Safari
OVERVIEW
A private, experience-led journey through Namibia’s most striking landscapes… from vast desert horizons to ancient rock formations and wildlife-rich plains. These itineraries blend dramatic scenery, active exploration, and moments of stillness: red dunes at sunrise, remote mountain passes, quiet camps beneath star-filled skies, and encounters with wildlife far from the crowds.
Designed for travelers who value depth, each safari is carefully paced and thoughtfully routed, allowing space to explore, reflect, and connect with the land. Expect curated adventures such as hiking, rock climbing, desert walks, and scenic drives, balanced with refined lodges, exceptional locations, and time to simply be present.
Private vehicle, knowledgeable local guides, hand-picked accommodations, and seamless logistics throughout - delivering Namibia in its raw, beautiful, and most authentic form, without rushing.
Our Tour Offerings
Total price: €4,950 / $5,850 / 94,000 NAD
(Price Per Person, 2 guests sharing)
A refined self-drive adventure through central Namibia for travellers who value independence and space. Navigate Namibia’s vast landscapes at your own pace, with opportunities for hiking, desert exploration, and outdoor adventure along the way — supported by thoughtful routing, hand-picked lodges, and smooth logistics behind the scenes.
Includes:
• Accommodation at all locations on itinerary
• Breakfasts are included at the lodges
• Curated self-drive itinerary with detailed route guidance
• Transport service to and from the airport
• 4×4 vehicle rental
• 15% VAT and tourism levy
• On-call local coordination and support
Total price: €7,450 / $8,750 / 141,000 NAD
(Price Per Person, 2 guests sharing)
A refined private journey through central Namibia led by an expert local guide, designed for travellers who want depth, insight, and adventure without compromise. Explore Namibia’s vast landscapes through outdoor adventure, and immersive nature experiences, balanced with exceptional locations and seamless logistics throughout.
Includes:
• Accommodation at all locations on itinerary
• Breakfasts are included at the lodges
• Well planned guided itinerary
• Transport service to and from the airport
• Vehicle rental, fuel, and all other transport costs
• 15% VAT and tourism levy
• English speaking driver/ guide (one person)
• National park entrence fees
• On-call local coordination and support
WHAT’S INCLUDED
(ALL OPTIONS)
• Carefully curated 12-day / 12-night itinerary
• Accommodation at all locations on itinerary
• Breakfasts are included at the lodges
• Transport service to and from the airport
• Vehicle rental
• 15% VAT and tourism levy
• On-the-ground coordination and support throughout the journey
Plus, depending on option selected:
• Guided options include fuel and all other transport costs
• English speaking driver/ guide (one person)
• National park entry fees
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
(ALL OPTIONS)
• Drinks
• Lunches and dinners
• Optional activities and lodge activities
• Travel insurance
• International and domestic flights
• Fuel and park fees (self-drive option)
GOOD TO KNOW
• All experiences are private and customisable
• Prices are per person with a 2 person minimum
• Rooms and tents are based on double occupancy
Detailed Itinerary
(Day by day)
Day One : Arrive in Windhoek
Approx. 1 hour drive.
Morning
Arrive in Namibia at Hosea Kutako International Airport.
One of our team members will be there to greet you and to take you to N/a’an kusê, the first lodge you will be staying at on your trip.
Late Morning
Arrive and settle into N/a’an kusê.
Enjoy welcoming drinks at the lodge and a member of our team will describe the itinerary to you in detail and answer any additional questions you may have about the journey ahead.
Lunch
Have lunch at the lodge.
Late Afternoon
Go for a late afternoon game drive and get your first introduction to Namibia’s vast wildlife, experiencing some of Namibia’s most incredible predators up close.
Evening
Enjoy dinner at the lodge for your first taste of Namibian cuisine.
Day Two : Windhoek to Sossusvlei
Approx. 5 hour drive.
Morning
Enjoy a late morning and have a delicious breakfast at the lodge.
Late Morning
Join our highly rated cheetah walk for the encounter of a lifetime. Walk alongside one of the world’s fastest predators, the cheetah, for an experience that will let you interact with these animals and learn how they live first hand.
Continue your drive southwest and travel through some of the country’s most beautiful mountain landscapes.
Lunch
Have lunch at the lodge restaurant and then have our team take you to your rental car in town to prepare for the long drive to the desert.
Afternoon
Pick up your rental car and drive 386 km through some of the country’s most beautiful mountain landscapes to the world’s oldest desert, the breathtaking Namib Desert.
Evening
Arrive in Sossusvlei and settle into Dunestar Lodge.
Enjoy dinner and drinks at the lodge.
Day Three : Sossusvlei
Approx. 1-2 hour drive.
Morning
Have breakfast at the lodge and drive to Deadvlei.
Arrive at Deadvlei and climb the towering highest dune in the Namib Desert at 325 m, Big Daddy.
Late Morning
Race down Big Daddy into Deadvlei and explore this otherworldly landscape.
View the skeletons of trees that have been preserved for hundreds of years in this ancient lake against the backdrop of the red desert dunes.
Lunch
Head back to Dunestar for lunch.
Afternoon
Drive to Sesriem Canyon and hike the 1 km long canyon that winds through the barren surroundings.
Late afternoon and Evening
Head back to Dunestar for sunset drinks looking out over the dunes.
Enjoy dinner and at the lodge and settle in early in preparation for tomorrow’s optional early air balloon flight.
Day Four : Sossusvlei to Swakopmund
Approx. 5.5 hour drive.
Morning
Wake up before sunrise for the experience of a lifetime. Take the optional hot air balloon flight of the Namib Desert as the sun rises over the ancient sands.
Enjoy a beautiful breakfast in the desert after the air balloon flight.
Late Morning
Drive 420 km northwest through the endless beauty of the Namib Desert to Swakopmund.
Lunch
Stop in Solitaire en route to Swakopmund for lunch.
Afternoon
Arrive in Swakopmund and settle into The Delight.
Late Afternoon
Then head to the dunes at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean to race across the sand on quad bikes for an hour and a half of fun.
Evening
Head back to The Delight and have dinner at the hotel.
Day Five : Swakopmund
Approx. 1 hour drive.
Morning
Enjoy a slower morning at the lodge and join the famous breakfast buffet at The Delight.
Afterwards drive to Walvis Bay for the Sandwich Harbour tour.
Late Morning
Visit the Walvis Bay Lagoon and the pink salt flats on the way to Sandwich Harbour.
Lunch
Enjoy lunch on the beach where the dunes meet the sea.
Afternoon
For the highlight of the Sandwich Harbour tour, go for a rollercoaster of a ride with experienced dune drivers.
Late Afternoon
Join our scenic sunset flight to experience the sunset from above where the dunes dramatically drop into the ocean for one of the most incredible experiences of the whole trip.
Evening
Head back to The Delight and have dinner at the hotel.
Day Six : Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe
Approx. 2 hour drive.
Morning
Enjoy another incredible breakfast at The Delight.
Then drive two hours east to the dramatic granite peaks of Spitzkoppe.
Late Morning
Arrive at Spitzkoppe and settle into the Spitzkoppe Cabin Camp.
Lunch
Enjoy an early lunch at the Spitzkoppe Rest Camp restaurant.
Afternoon
Go on a tour with a knowledgeable guide the view the 4000 year old bushman paintings in the area.
Late Afternoon
Head over to boulder valley to go rock climbing on the smooth slabs at Namibia’s number one climbing destination.
Evening
Enjoy an open fire and dinner under the stars at the Cabin Camp.
Day Seven : Spitzkoppe to Damaraland
Approx. 3 hour drive.
Morning
Have breakfast at the Spitzkoppe Rest Camp restaurant.
Visit the famous rock arch before departing for Damaraland.
Late Morning
Drive 230 km north into one of Namibia’s most unique and beautiful setting, Damaraland.
Arrive at the plateau on which Grootberg Lodge is perched.
Lunch
Have lunch at Grootberg Lodge.
Afternoon
Enjoy a slower, quiet afternoon on the plateau with superb views of the surrounding landsacpe.
Late Afternoon
Join the sunset game drive on the plateau and be on the lookout for desert elephants.
Evening
Have dinner at the lodge and settle in for the night.
Day Eight : Damaraland to Etosha
Approx. 6.5 hour drive.
Morning
Have breakfast at Grootberg Lodge.
Begin the longest drive of the trip, 675 km across the northen Namibia along the Etosha Pan to King Nehale Lodge.
Late Morning
Stop at Kifaru Lodge along the way to see the rhino sanctuary and its vast population of one of Namibia’s most threatened animals.
Lunch
Have lunch at Kifaru Lodge.
Late Afternoon
Arrive at King Nehale Lodge, your home for the next few days and the home base for the biggest safari of the trip.
Evening
Have dinner at the lodge and enjoy drinks under the stars.
Day Nine : Etosha
full day game drive.
Morning
Have breakfast at King Nehale Lodge.
Meet an experienced guide at the lodge for a full day game drive through Etosha National Park.
Late Morning
Head over to the vast salt pan that stretches over 120 km across to view all sorts of plains game against the empty backdrop of the salt pan.
Lunch
Stop along the way for lunch under the camel thorn trees of the savanna.
Afternoon
Spend the rest of the afternoon searching for some of Africa’s most incredible animals such as lions, rhinos, elephants, leopards etc.
Evening
Have dinner and drinks at the lodge.
Day Ten : Etosha to Okonjima
Approx. 2.5 hour drive.
Morning
Have breakfast at King Nehale Lodge.
Begin the 230 km drive to Okonjima Nature reserve.
Late Morning
Arrive at Okonjima and settle into the lodge.
Lunch
Have lunch at the lodge restaurant and prepare for an unforgettable afternoon.
Afternoon
Join the Okonjima team on a half day tracking excursion across the reserve for a chance to encounter one of Namibia’s top predators up close, the leopard.
Late Afternoon
Return to the lodge just after sunset for a relaxing evening.
Evening
Have dinner at the lodge and settle in for the night.
Day Eleven : Okonjima to Windhoek
Approx. 2.5 hour drive.
Morning
Enjoy a late breakfast at Okonjima.
Spend the morning at the lodge relxing and enjoying the final moments of your trip.
Lunch
Have lunch at the lodge restaurant and prepare for the final stretch back to windhoek.
Afternoon
Drive 220 km back to Windhoek for your final night.
Late Afternoon
Arrive in Windhoek and settle into N/a’an kusê @ Utopia in the city for your final night.
Go for sunset drinks and the independence museum with a sunset view of the city.
Evening
Have dinner at the hotel restaurant and reflect on the trip.
Day Twelve : Windhoek
Approx. 1 hour drive.
Morning
Have breakfast at Utopia.
Meet a member of our team for a final goodbye and sendoff after the tour.
Return the rental car and prepare for an airport transfer/ shuttle to next hotel if you are staying longer in Namibia.
“This was hands down the most unforgettable adventure we’ve ever had! Namibia completely blew us away. The trip was action packed and showed us the beauty of the country from the side of a cliff, the back of a quad bike or the inside of a small plane!”
– Luke Magg, 2 Guests, Former Customer
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