Namibia Discovery

13 Days | From Cape Town to Windhoek, explore the coastline, sand dunes, and wildlife-filled savanna grasslands of unforgettable Namibia.

4.7 out of 5 based on 17 reviews submitted.
Overland
From
NZD $4,785
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Travel to Namibia and discover one of the most sparsely populated countries on earth. Crossing the border from South Africa, encounter Namibia's treacherously beautiful coastline, its soaring sand dunes, incredible moonscapes and savanna grasslands teeming with wildlife. Namibia is a country of contrasts and a paradise for wilderness lovers. See the best of this spectacular region by canoeing down rivers, scaling sand dunes, walking through the desert, savouring local dishes and relaxing in quaint towns and cities. Travel from Cape Town to Windhoek and get ready for an unforgettable adventure.

Trip overview

Map of Namibia Discovery including Namibia and South Africa
Start
Cape Town, South Africa
Finish
Windhoek, Namibia
Theme
Overland
Destinations
Namibia, South Africa
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Comfort
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 13
Trip code
UBKN
This trip generates 26.13 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Your dining experience in Lambert's Bay will be one to remember. This open-air restaurant, Muisbosskerm, was rated by National Geographic as having one of the 'Top Ten Sea Views to Dine For'
  • Take a canoe adventure down South Africa's longest stream, the picturesque Orange River
  • The scale of Fish River Canyon is staggering, but stunning African birdlife and a colour-changing sunset makes it so much more than one of the world's largest gorges
  • As eerie as they are fascinating, the sand dunes of the Sossusvlei can be seen in all their blazing glory from the top of Dune 45
  • Enjoy plenty of time for seaside leisure in Swakopmund, amid the dramatic breakers of the Atlantic Ocean
  • Etosha National Park is one of the best places in the world for wildlife-spotting, and you'll enjoy a full day of game drives here

Is this trip right for you?
  • This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, visiting remote communities, setting up your own tent (unless you’re on an Original or Comfort style trip), occasionally roughing it in the bush with no facilities, and getting the best possible views of the ‘big five’. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows which let in the breeze and make it even easier to take spectacular snaps of the local wildlife. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/africa/overland
  • You don't need to be a super-fit athlete to go on an overland safari, but you will need a good level of physical resilience and movement, especially for entering and exiting the vehicles, and for taking long trips on bumpy roads. There's also a half-day canoe trip along the Orange River.
  • Namibia summer ( Nov-Mar ) can be very hot and humid with maximum temperatures around 30-35°C and peaks of over 40°C in the desert.
  • As the early bird catches the worm, the early camper sights the animals. There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.
  • You may also want to check out our Amazing Southern Africa trip if you have more time to explore in southern Africa.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Namibia Discovery including Namibia and South Africa

Inclusions

Meals

12 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 9 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle, Canoe

Accommodation

Lodge (6 nights), Hotel (4 nights), Desert Camp (2 nights)

Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Lamberts Bay - Cape Gannet Island
  • Fish River Canyon - Canyon entrance
  • Orange River - Canoe trip
  • Sesriem - Sesriem Canyon Visit
  • Sossusvlei - Dune 45
  • Damaraland - Petrified Forest
  • Damaraland - Twyfelfontein Bushman Paintings
  • Etosha National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drives
Add on activities
  • Cape Town - Table Mountain Hike - ZAR1600
  • Cape Town - Table Mountain Aerial Cable - ZAR380
  • Cape Town - Robben Island tour - ZAR550
  • Cape Town - Harbour cruise - ZAR200
  • Cape Town - Best of the Cape Combo Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
  • Cape Town - Cape Peninsula and SUP Tour - Full Day - ZAR2100
  • Cape Town - Robben Island Ferry & Table Mountain Tour - Full Day - ZAR1800
  • Cape Town - Winelands Tour - Full Day - ZAR1600
  • Cape Town - Winelands Tour - Half Day - ZAR1000
  • Cape Town - Cape Peninsula & Table Mountain Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
  • Cape Town - Cape Malay Cooking Tour - Half Day - ZAR1200
  • Cape Town - Township Experience - Half Day - ZAR965
  • Cape Town - City and Waterfront Tour - Half Day - ZAR1100
  • Cape Town - Cape Peninsula & Kirstenbosch Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
  • Cape Town - District Six & Bo-Kapp Cultural Tour - Half Day - ZAR965
  • Swakopmund - Swakopmund Museum - USD2

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
3. This trip finishes on arrival in Windhoek on Day 13. Please do not book any flights out this evening. The Airport is located 1hr drive out of Windhoek and although we generally make it back to the hotel in Windhoek by 5:00pm, it can be difficult to get to the airport in time for flights.
4. Please make sure that passengers are aware that overland trucks used on this itinerary are not air-conditioned.
5. Clients will not be at Sossusvlei in time for dawn/sunrise. This is because they stay outside of the park gates and they do not open early enough for visitors to make it for sunrise.
6. The weight of baggage that can be brought on this tour is limited by the packing space and weight restrictions of the truck. The weight limit for luggage on all of our trucks is a maximum of 15-20kgs per person, plus a maximum of 5kgs for your day pack. Backpacks shouldn’t have an external frame unless it can easily be removed and stored separately to avoid damaging other people’s luggage. We strongly advise passengers to travel with a backpack or a duffel bag, and it is essential that no hard suitcases be brought on tour. For valuables, like passports, we offer a safe on each vehicle that is shared by all passengers to keep their documentation safe during their journey.

7. The minimum age for this trip is 15 at the time of travel. Any travelers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18 day to day’s care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document, to delegate their authority.

8. Border crossing delays in the region have been sporadic and difficult to predict. What takes an hour one day may take four hours the next. This may affect the order of activities in the itinerary. We understand this uncertainty can be frustrating, and we strongly recommend packing a bit of patience and flexibility.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 based on 17 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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ro b · Traveled November 2023
This trip is an awesome combination of nature, culture and activities, in a truly unique destination. It offers the iconic must-do's like the Dune 45 in Sossusvlei as well as some not yet discovered experiences like the Fish River Canyon and the chill, coastal vibe of Swakopmund. I came away with a much deeper understanding of the culture having visited some of the tribal people (Himba, Damara) along the way, as well as an exhilarating game drive in Etosha (including a rare cheetah sighting). The amazing dream team of our leader/guide (Spha) and driver (Goodman) significantly enhanced my experience on this trip - I don't say this lightly having travelled to 70+ countries in the past. I came back home with some special memories that will endure for a while. I don't understand the low ratings of this trip... if you read the essential trip information, you will have an amazing experience. Namibia is a destination that requires getting off-the-beaten path to get the most out of it and Intrepid does it really well.
Review submitted 21 Nov 2023

Sturt · Traveled November 2023
Namibia is a truly undiscovered treasure. My fellow travelers and I were fortunate to learn about the customs and traditions of this vastly explored land, often brought to life by our engaging and thoughtful guide and driver who made the (be forewarned) long bus rides both interesting and even enjoyable.
Review submitted 19 Nov 2023

Nicola · Traveled October 2023
If you are looking for and abundance of wildlife, culture and adventure in Africa then look no further. This trip is truly exciting and memorable for all of the right reasons. Namibia is beautiful and welcoming and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Our (family) of Sandile and Dumis, went out of their way from the ‘get go’ to make this a truly magical and memorable experience. Would highly recommend topping and tailing with some time in Cape Town before and after your trip. We travelled in October which was very hot but quieter than at peak season. If you prefer it cooler, go earlier but it will be busier. We saw an abundance of birds, wildlife, culture and flowers throughout our trip and the history and terrain of the country is equally fascinating.
Review submitted 14 Nov 2023

Jonathan · Traveled September 2023
I am leaving Nambia with a feeling of complete fulfillment and gratitude. The itinerary was comprehensive and well paced - I will be eternally grateful to Intrepid, Bonnie, and Siya for a truky remarkable experience. I can't wait to get home and make all my friends jealous - and then recruit them for my next Intrepid adventure! Cheers!
Review submitted 06 Oct 2023

Jenny · Traveled September 2023
An absolutely fabulous trip! Whilst the roads were frequently bumpy and the journeys often long, the rewards were more than worth it. The accommodation was amazing and there were plenty of food options. Pack less than you think- you really don’t need much.
Review submitted 24 Sep 2023
Namibia Discovery
From
NZD $4,785