12 Day Southern Namibia Tour

Namibia is a big country with vast blue skies and unimaginable scenery. On this 12 day tour we focus on the southern half of Namibia. The itinerary makes sensible use of time and distance and gives the visitor a very good insight into the gems that exist in this half of Namibia, including places like Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei, The Kalahari and Swakopmund. It starts and ends in Windhoek, and we can also offer a fully guided version of this itinerary if you prefer.

12 Day Southern Namibia Tour

Itinerary at a Glance:

  • Day 01

    Arrive Windhoek - The Weinberg

  • Day 02

    Windhoek to Intu Afrika Camelthorn Lodge, Namibia

  • Day 03 & 04

    Camelthorn Lodge to Fish River Lodge, Fish River Canyon

  • Day 05 & 06

    Fish River Canyon to Luderitz Nest Hotel, Luderitz

  • Day 07 & 08

    Luderitz to Desert Homestead Lodge, Namibia

  • Day 09 to 11

    Desert Homestead Lodge to Swakopmund Luxury Suites, Swakopmund, Namibia

  • Day 12

    Swakopmund to Windhoek

Day 01

Arrive Windhoek - The Weinberg

You will be met by the car rental company representative on arrival and transferred to their offices in Windhoek to complete all rental procedures, you will then meet with our representative to hand over your travel documents. The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing at your leisure, for dinner tonight, you can head into town for a bite to eat at one of Windhoek’s well known restaurants.
The city of Windhoek is located almost dead centre of the country, and was initially developed around a permanent spring that local pastoral communities would use. Today the city is a clean, safe and orderly city with a strong German influence that dates back to the late 1800s. There are lots of shops and restaurants as well as historical buildings that can be experienced.

The Weinberg Boutique Hotel, Namibia
The Weinberg Boutique Hotel, Namibia

Day 02

Windhoek to Intu Afrika Camelthorn Lodge, Namibia

Travel Time: 245km - approximately 3 to 4 hours
After breakfast, you can still pop into town for anything you might need and then depart heading south from Windhoek to the red sand dunes of the Kalahari.
Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in this beautiful setting.
Optional activities here include game and nature drives as well as a Bushman experience.

View of the chalets at Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge
Breakfast by the pool at Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge
Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge, Pool
Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge chalets

Day 03 & 04

Camelthorn Lodge to Fish River Lodge, Fish River Canyon

Travel Time: 440km - approximately 7 to 8 hours
Head south via Mariental and Keetmanshoop to the Karas region, the Fish River Canyon area. Detour en-route to Giant’s Playground and Quiver Tree Forest, a beautiful site where three large aloes grow between rocks. Enjoy the view from the lodge at sunset to end the day.

The fish River Canyon, Namibia
Swimming pool with a view at Fish River Lodge
Dining and lounge area at Fish River Lodge

Carved by centuries of erosion this rocky chasm in the south of Namibia, the world’s second largest canyon. Hot, dry and stony, the Fish River Canyon measures a whopping 160 kilometres in length, at times 27 kilometres in width and 550 metres in depth. Hot springs, hiking trails and many different view points along its rim are just a few of the attractions around this natural spectacle.

Day 05 & 06

Fish River Canyon to Luderitz Nest Hotel, Luderitz

Travel Time: 385km - approximately 5 to 6 hours
Enjoy a morning canyon view before heading west through harsh but beautiful terrain which changes to wide open desert plains as you make your way to the coast. Your drive will take you via Aus, where you may be lucky to view the wild desert horses in the area
1 full day is set aside to enjoy the historic town of Lüderitz and visit the amazing Kolmanskop Ghost Town. Lunches and dinners can be enjoyed at any of the local restaurants in town

The jetty into the ocean, Luderitz Nest Hotel
View of Luderitz Nest Hotel
Luxurious and comfortable rooms at Luderitz Nest Hotel

Day 07 & 08

Luderitz to Desert Homestead Lodge, Namibia

Travel Time: 505km - approximately 7 to 8 hours
After breakfast, you will depart to the “sea of sand” backtracking to Aus and then heading north via Helmeringhausen. Wake up early for breakfast and then head to the entrance to Sossusvlei, the Sesriem Gate, spend the whole day in the beautiful Sossusvlei area, exploring the highlights: Sossusvlei,  Dead Vlei, Dune 45, Big Daddy, Elim Dune and the Sesriem Canyon. Return to the lodge for lunch or arrange a lunch pack to enjoy in the dunes and return late afternoon for a well-earned rest. Optional extra activities: Guided Sossusvlei excursion, Hot air balloon safari, Nature drives

Aerial view of Desert Homestead Lodge
Lounge with uninterupted views of the area
Luxury suites at Desert Homestead Lodge

The Homestead is located in a wide grassy valley against the Nubib, Tsaris and Naukluft Mountains and has far reaching vistas to the dunes that this area is famous for. The Desert Homestead offers traditional Namibian hospitality that you will know becoming to expect. Fresh farm cuisine, a cool swimming pool and string of amazing sunsets & sunrises are standard.

Day 09 to 11

Desert Homestead Lodge to Swakopmund Luxury Suites, Swakopmund, Namibia

Travel Time: 350km - approximately 5 to 6 hours
Depart after breakfast and head north to Solitaire, then west crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, through the Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons via the Namib Gravel Plains to the coast. Either via Walvis Bay to Swakopmund, or (recommended) detour via Ganab to the Welwitschia Plains and Moon Landscape.
The Namibian coastline is generally known as The Skeleton Coast due to the barren areas, ship wrecks and, in days gone by, whale skeletons left on the beach
2 full days are set aside for this lovely area where Swakopmund and Walvis Bay offer a wide range of activities such as: Dolphin cruise, Sandwich Harbour excursion (a real Skeleton Coast experience), Dune quad biking, Sand boarding, Sea kayaking, and lots more… Lunches and dinners can be enjoyed at a café or restaurant overlooking the sea

Bedrooms at Swakopmund Luxury Suites
Suites at Swakopmund Luxury Suites

Day 12

Swakopmund to Windhoek

Travel Time: 350km - approximately 4 to 5 hours
Head back to Windhoek today, where the vehicle is dropped off and your holiday comes to an end. You will then be transferred to the airport to catch your departure flight. (Keep in mind that you need to be at the airport 2 hours prior and the airport is still a 45 minute to 1 hour drive from town).

Tour Cost

Jan - Jun 2025
R48,749 per person sharing (Based on 2 adults)
R39,468 per person sharing (Based on 4 adults)
R13,018 Single supplement

Jul - Dec 2025
R51,969 per person sharing (Based on 2 adults)
R41,607 per person sharing (Based on 4 adults)
R13,495 Single supplement

Cost Includes

Accommodation as indicated - can change depending on availability and request at time of booking
Meals as indicated
Meet and greet upon arrival
Car hire as below
Airport transfers on arrival and for departure
Activities as indicated
Tour file with detailed itinerary, map with route descriptions, vouchers etc.
24 hour personal and friendly support
Fast and efficient response to service providers

Vehicle Hire:
4X4 Toyota Fortuner – Automatic Transmission
Which includes GPS, ZERO excess - maximum insurance, tyre & windscreen cover, unlimited mileage, 2nd spare tyre, additional driver, cell phone with local sim

Cost Excludes

Items of a personal nature
Optional extra activities
International flights
Holiday or personal insurance
Staff gratuities
Park entry fees
Fuel for vehicle rental
Visas and visa applications

Your Safari Planning starts here.

Learn from our experience.

Expert advice on safaris & logistics.

Supportive ‘one on one’ service.

Quick Enquire

Read Why Our Clients Love Us

Debbie Isaacs
Debbie Isaacs
21 January 2025
We used African Travel again for the second time over Xmas and New Year. Once again, every little bit of our trip ran smoothly and without a hitch. Their communication was great throughout and we will, no doubt, be returning to them in the future too. Thanks Petru.
Daniel Stewart
Daniel Stewart
08 January 2025
We had the most amazing time on our self drive tour of Namibia organised through African Travel Gateway. Everything from the planning and booking process, to the arrival and welcome in Windhoek, to the app with the itinerary and directions made for a really relaxed and well organised holiday. But the most important part was getting to experience Namibia - what a spectacular country! The only negative was that we should have booked for longer!
Hilda Stanfliet
Hilda Stanfliet
27 December 2024
Amazing hotel booked by Lize of African Travel Gateway, the most attentive service leading up to holiday
Zoe Heelas
Zoe Heelas
27 November 2024
ATG were fantastic from start to finish organising our trip 3 week trip in South Africa.Communication with Debbie was excellent before and during our trip. All accommodation and trips chosen by ATG was fantastic. This is our third trip with ATG and we are already thinking about our next.
Harrison Shore
Harrison Shore
09 November 2024
We used African Travel Gateway to plan our honeymoon, and it was incredible! Putting together the itinerary was really smooth and fun - Lize sent us a few options, and was really quick to make the changes we wanted and let us know what made the most sense. The planning portal had a lot of really useful information so we knew what to expect and made the whole thing very comfortable (this was our first trip to Africa!) The itinerary we ended up with was spectacular, and very well structured. We spent most of our trip in the greater Kruger area (Kapama River Lodge then Walkers Plains Camp) and then finished in Victoria Falls (Vic Falls River Lodge) - each stop was both nicer and more wild than the last, which made for a very cool trip. Some real gems - Walkers and the camp at Victoria Falls had both been open less than a year, and were super luxurious, no way we would have found places like that on our own! And starting at Kapama, which is a bigger operation and a little more controlled (fully fenced, very close to the Hoedspruit airport) was a great way to ease into the trip. The animal viewing at all three locations was amazing - we saw the Big 5 at both camps in South Africa, plus wild dogs and a cheetah at Walkers, and not just from a distance - we were able to get up pretty close at several of the viewings. The guides were excellent at all three, same with the staff, and the other guests! Logistics were seamless - all of our transfers were easy, the lodges knew our schedule and drivers were where they needed to be exactly on time. I would absolutely recommend African Travel Gateway, and hope to work with Lize on our next safari!
Hamdan nazarudin
Hamdan nazarudin
28 September 2024
Contacted Lize to get assistance with our trip. Her help has been really great! Enquiries are replied within a short period. Even asking for last minute arrangement of extra baggage and early hotel check-in. Itinerary are also seamless at every transition of camps and location.
Archie B
Archie B
16 August 2024
Travelled across South Africa with ATG. They picked the most amazing places to stay where we felt like royalty. The planning was efficient and there was regular communication during the booking process. The knowledge of Lize was excellent and so we knew what to expect at each stage. Would we use them again? YES, of course, and we are!!! - Already planning our next trip across Namibia for next year!
yvonne omer
yvonne omer
07 August 2024
We chose African Travel Gateway because of their awesome reviews and they did not disappoint! Bianca created a fabulous itinerary combining a luxury private reserve experience, a trip to Victoria Falls, a riverboat stay viewing the animals from a different perspective, ( and BTW the best scrambled eggs we have ever tasted) and a stay at a lodge where we saw different animals and a ride on a bush plane landing in what seemed the middle of nowhere! Every connection was seamless, no stress traveling at its best.Our hosts and guides were excellent, and lovely people. The food was wonderful and of course loved the sundowner drinks and our first” Bush Bar! Would definitely go back for more adventure, thank you ATG for a lovely experience!
Jennifer Morawiecki
Jennifer Morawiecki
06 August 2024
We've just returned from an incredible two-week holiday across Botswana and Zimbabwe with African Travel Gateway. The arrangements made by Bianca were perfect, the documentation provided was extremely thorough, and every detail of our journey was meticulously planned. Communication was excellent throughout. Coming from North America, we felt it best to work with a travel agent located in Southern Africa and it was absolutely the right choice. Highly recommended!
Maria Lohan
Maria Lohan
01 August 2024
Lize helped us find accommodation in Kruger when there was practically none to be got - and t was the best place. The tours she booked were tremendous and the people she booked were great and we are very grateful and glad we had the opportunity to book with Lize. Maria & family form Belfast
Arishana Riek
Arishana Riek
03 July 2024
Tailormade itinerary with knowledgeable guides (Apartheid Museum and Cradle of Humankind).
Sivan Debeljakovic
Sivan Debeljakovic
03 July 2024
Petru, of African Travel Gateway, planned our 12-day South Africa-Zimbabwe itinerary for three of us (arriving from two continents). Her expertise, keen insights, and care in arranging the most perfect accommodation for us, prompt and efficient transfers/drivers, and booking all internal flights, meant this was the smoothest, most enjoyable holiday experience, ever! We covered a lot of ground in a short time, but the precision-timing with transfers, and Petru's choice of such knowledgeable and personable tour guides really made all the difference. Huge thanks to Natasha (Afrifriends) and Chris (Paradise)! Highlights were: The Peech Hotel in J'burg (delightful boutique hotel with a fabulous breakfast - thank you, Oliver!); Ilala Lodge in Zimbabwe; Nkorho Bush Lodge in Sabi Sand (if you want up close & personal experiences with the wildlife, this is where you need to go!); Rickety Bridge Manor House in Franschhoek (perfectly appointed and beautiful accommodation); Boschendal Winery (try the pinotage; farm shop is a must!); Woodstock Markets in Cape Town (so much to see and buy here!). We had the most exceptional holiday – we will definitely return to SA in the future, and will be utilising the expert services of Petru at ATG. Thank you again, Petru.
Sergio Santini
Sergio Santini
03 June 2024
Petru has been our reference person at African Travel Gateway: she organised our self-drive travel through South Africa during April 2024. The itinerary has been tailored according to our wishes and her suggestions. She did a great job , fully meeting our requirements and tacking care about us in real time even during the trip. We really enjoyed the safaris she proposed and we saw what has to be seen in this beautiful country for a 3 weeks visit. The TravelKey App was new for us; it is an efficient tool and has been a very positive experience, having everything filed in the HP.
lilia sanabria
lilia sanabria
25 May 2024
I recently returned from an unforgettable trip to Namibia, and I owe it all to Bianca and her exceptional expertise! From the moment I contacted African Travel Gateway, Bianca was warm, knowledgeable, and dedicated to crafting a personalized itinerary that exceeded my expectations. Bianca not only helped me plan a seamless trip, but also introduced me to an incredible guide, Nicco Visser, who brought the country to life with his expertise, love for his country and passion for photography. With Nicco by my side, I experienced the real Namibia - from the stunning landscapes and incredible wildlife to the vibrant culture and warm hospitality of the people. Thank you, Bianca, for connecting me with Nicco and helping me create memories that will stay with me forever!"
Bill Lenew
Bill Lenew
13 May 2024
Amazing, Outstanding and Fabulous are a few words to describe our Safari. This was my 7th African Safari, that Lize at So. African Travel has planned for my Family and Friends. All of them were extremely over the top and satisfying. From the accommodations, to the food and most of all seeing all of the Big Five at every Lodge. I highly recommend using Lize, as she has always given us many options to pick from. All of which have been perfectly organized by Lize. Once you fly into Johannesburg, she reserves a room for you at the Hotel right next to the airport. Then the next morning we fly into the Krueger to get to our Lodge. She also organizes the flight for you. And then after the Safari, we usually go into Cape Town, which she also organizes that flight too. We can't say enough about what a Great Travel Agent Lize is. If you want your trip to be perfect call Lize! Thank you Lize! as I said before "You're the Best"! Karen Lenew.
Recommended on