Best of Namibia

Hello and welcome to the Namibian capital! Tonight we’ll all meet at the hotel and then start the trip in style with a delicious welcome dinner. You’ll also have time to go shopping for any last-minute supplies (AKA snacks, sunblock etc).

We’ll make our way to Etosha National Park today, but not before we’ve checked out some of Windhoek’s iconic attractions on a guided city tour. We’ll hit the open road with our eyes peeled for beautiful desert scenery, stopping off at a few cultural hotspots too. First stop out of Windhoek? Okapuka Safari Lodge. You'll have the chance to jump on a game drive and scout for Namibia’s savannah wildlife before we refuel over lunch and roll on to our Etosha accommodation. After checking in at the lodge, you’ll have a bit of free time to chill by the pool. Tonight we’ll head out for a walkabout dinner in Outjo – fuelling up before the big safari day tomorrow.

• Explore Windhoek

We’ll wake up bright and early this morning, ready to embark on our first big game drive in Namibia. Prepare yourself for a wildlife experience like nowhere else on Earth. Eyes peeled for desert-savvy antelope too! We’ll head back to the lodge for lunch, and then you’ll have some free time to sunbathe and relax. Tonight we’ll take a sunset walk and then enjoy a buffet dinner back at the lodge.

Today we’ll head west to the coastal town of Swakopmund. Along the way, we’ll stop off in the Erongo Mountains to visit the San Bushmen of Omandumba. They’ll teach us their local language, and educate us on how they survive and thrive in the harsh desert conditions. You can also check out their handmade arts and crafts too – perfect if you’re hunting for souvenirs. Our next stop-off is the ‘Matterhorn of Namibia’, where we’ll have lunch and bask in the beauty of the towering granite peaks. We’ll check into our hotel together, and then we're off to take a Swakopmund Township Tour followed by a traditional dinner. After that, you’ll have a free night to explore.

• Visit Bushman Living Museum MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
• Marvel at the 'Matterhorn of Namibia'

Here we are in the adventurer’s paradise that is Swakopmund. First up, we’re heading to the ocean… Here in Walvis Bay, we’ll head to Pelican Point for a kayaking trip with serious wow factor. Keep your eyes peeled for seals, dolphins, and maybe even whales too. Want to make it a full-day adventure? Jump on the combo tour and explore the coastal sand dunes on the way to famous Sandwich Harbour. Prefer to stick to seal kayaking? Then this afternoon is free to explore Swakopmund your way. Check out the local bars and restaurants, hit the dunes for something more active, or squeeze in both if you’re feeling ambitious.

This morning we’ll take a long (but beautiful) drive into the Namibian desert. On the way, we’ll stop for lunch at Solitare – a one-horse town famous for its apple pie. This evening, we’ll arrive at our lodge near the Soussusvlei salt and clay pans! Framed by some of the highest sand dunes in the world, this is one of the most iconic and jaw-dropping attractions in the whole of Namibia. After checking in, you’ll have the chance to have a little swim, and then we’ll head out for a sunset desert drive – followed by a buffet dinner back at the lodge.

We’re up early this morning to visit Namib-Naukluft National Park – eyes open for Oryx and other desert-dwelling wildlife. Once we hit the sand dunes, we’ll leave the jeep and go for a walk along Big Daddy sand dune down into nearby Deadvlei. Expect unrivalled 360° views, and to hear yourself constantly saying “So THAT’S where my desktop background comes from!” After lunch, we’ll hit the road for a final picturesque drive back into Windhoek. We’ll check in, freshen up and then head out for a farewell dinner at the famous Joe’s Beerhouse.

• See Deadvlei and Big Daddy Sand Dune

Rise, shine, prep your goodbyes and get planning for the big reunion (same time next year, anyone?). But before the trip ends officially, we’ll all enjoy one last hearty breakfast together.