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

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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
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