8 day Namibia Sand Dunes and Wildlife Safari

Day 1:
The Utopia Boutique Hotel, Windhoek

Day Itinerary

On arrival in Windhoek you will be met at the airport and transferred to your overnight accommodation in the city. Enjoy the rest of the day at your own leisure.

Situated in Central Namibia, the cosmopolitan city of Windhoek serves as the capital of the country. It is home to an international airport and a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and accommodation options. The city is clean, safe and well-organised, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, many of which are worth a look, including the Alte Feste an old fort, the 1896 Christuskirche Christ Church, and the more contemporary Supreme Court.

Overnight: The Utopia Boutique Hotel

The modern N/a’ankusê@Utopia establishment has allied with the neighboring Pension Bougainvilla and offers serene rooms and luxurious suites situated amid beautiful, green lush gardens. The hotel is conveniently located in the tranquil suburb of Klein Windhoek.

Utopia combines business and leisure in a modest manner, simultaneously welcoming modern travelers and tourists in need of relaxation. Boasting 14 standard rooms, 7 luxurious suites and 1 executive suite, N/a’ankusê@Utopia creates an ideal hideaway.

Basis: Bed and Breakfast

Day 2:
Halali Resort, Etosha National Park

Day Itinerary

In your 8 Days Namibia Sand Dunes and Wildlife Safari, you will be collected from your guesthouse/hotels at 07:15 for the pre-departure talk and to meet the rest of the group. After the departure from Windhoek, we stop briefly at Otjiwarongo and enjoy a light lunch pack before entering Etosha National Park through the Anderson Gate.

We enjoy an afternoon game drive through the park visiting waterholes looking for predators as well as zebra, giraffe, elephant, rhino and many different species of antelope. We arrive at our lodge just before sunset and settle into our rooms, with ensuite bathroom and tea/coffee facilities. We highly recommend spending time at the floodlit waterhole while dinner is prepared by your guide over an open fire and an early night is recommended.

Situated in northwestern Namibia, the Etosha National Park offers a premier game viewing experience. The park’s diverse vegetation ranges from dense bush to open plains attracting a variety of wildlife. Located in the heart of the park is the Etosha Pan – a shallow depression that covers an area of 5000 square kilometres. Dry and shimmering for most of the year, the pans fill up with water after seasonal rains, making it the perfect habitat for wildlife. In the dry season, the wildlife is attracted to the perennial springs and waterholes that makes for excellent game viewing. Visitors can look forward to world-class game viewing including a variety of large mammals such as lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, zebra, giraffe, a diversity of birdlife such as flamingoes and pelicans.

Etosha National Park

Situated in northwestern Namibia, the Etosha National Park offers a premier game viewing experience. The park’s diverse vegetation ranges from dense bush to open plains attracting a variety of wildlife. Located in the heart of the park is the Etosha Pan – a shallow depression that covers an area of 5000 square kilometres. Dry and shimmering for most of the year, the pans fill up with water after seasonal rains, making it the perfect habitat for wildlife. In the dry season, the wildlife is attracted to the perennial springs and waterholes that makes for excellent game viewing. Visitors can look forward to world-class game viewing including a variety of large mammals such as lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, zebra, giraffe, a diversity of birdlife such as flamingoes and pelicans.

Overnight: Halali Resort

Strategically located halfway between Okaukuejo and Namutoni, Halali is situated at the base of a dolomite hill, amongst shady Mopane trees. A flood-lit waterhole which is viewed from an elevated vantage point provides exceptional wildlife viewing throughout the day and into the night.

Accommodation is provided in family chalets, two and four bed bush chalets and double rooms – all converted with large sliding doors to the outside, to allow visitors to experience and benefit from the peace and tranquility of the natural surroundings. Other facilities include a restaurant, bar, shop, swimming pool, kiosk and camping facilities.

Basis: Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3:
Taleni Etosha Village, Etosha South

Day Itinerary

In your 8 Days Namibia Sand Dunes and Wildlife Safari, We start our first game drive at sunrise to catch the predators while they are still active, visiting many waterholes and return to Halali for breakfast. Our second game drive mid-morning takes us to the impressive Etosha Pan “great white place” where you can get out of the vehicle and experience this 4500 sq km “saline desert” before continuing your game drive to look for the Big 4.

We arrive back at Halali where your guide will prepare you a delicious lunch whilst you have a dip in the pool or relax by the camp waterhole. After lunch you will have a chance to relax before our final game drive across the park towards Okaukuejo calling into some well-known waterholes and leave the park prior to sunset. Accommodation tonight is share permanent tents with en-suite bathroom facilities. Dinner is prepared by your guide and another early night is recommended.

Located just south of the boundary of Etosha National Park in northwestern Namibia, Etosha South makes up the southern region of this wild paradise. Ongava Private Game Reserve shares the southern boundary with Etosha National Park and offers an array of luxury lodges overlooking picturesque landscapes dotted with abundant wildlife. The national park can be accessed via the southern entrance at Andersson’s Gate. Visitors can catch a glimpse of a variety of wildlife including: lion, giraffe, elephant, white and black rhino, and a multitude of plains game. Popular activities include: game drives, tracking rhinos on foot, guided nature walks, or watch the sunset over this magnificent landscape.

Etosha Pan

Aeons ago, Etosha Pan was the bed of a vast lake; today what remains is a glittering, silvery-green salt pan that stretches across roughly 5000 square kilometres. Etosha is protected by the Etosha Pan National Park surrounded by savannah plains and woodlands supporting large herds of elephants. When dry, the pan sustains little life except for the algae that gives it its distinctive colour, and migratory birds that use it as a pit stop, but with heavy rain it becomes a shallow lake where flamingos breed, pelicans wade and feed, and a variety of mammal species come to quench their thirst, including leopards, lions, white rhinos, hunting dogs and antelopes.

Overnight: Taleni Etosha Village

Affordable Luxury at Etosha National Park near Okaukuejo

Situated only 2km from the Andersson entrance gate to Etosha National Park, Etosha Village uniquely combines affordability with comfort, style and exquisite cuisine.

The 45 luxury individual suites offer a fully air-conditioned bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and a patio to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. Two small children (under 12) can be accommodated with their parents on a fold-out sleeper couch in the unit.

Facilities include an open-plan bar with big screen television, 2 sparkling pools plus a kiddie pool, a restaurant serving delectable cuisine as well as a fully stocked utility and curio shop.

Explore Namibia’s animal kingdom with a morning or full day Guided Game Drives to Etosha National Park.

Enjoy the Walking Trails on our reserve where various small game can be spotted from the lookout decks and hides.

Sundowner Drives and Stargazing Sessions allow guests to experience the magic of our sunsets and famous star studded skies.

Let our team whisk you away to an enchanted venue in the Mopane Forest for a magnificent Boma Dinner Experience for your special function or private dinner.

Basis: Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4:
Hotel Pension A La Mer, Swakopmund

Day Itinerary

In your 8 Days Namibia Sand Dunes and Wildlife Safari, Enjoy an early morning breakfast and departure from your lodge is at 07h30. Your route today takes you into the dramatic and beautiful scenery of Damaraland. You have the chance to meet the wonderful Herero ladies who sell their handmade arts and crafts to support their rural families.

A light roadside lunch is served en-route in the shadow of Namibia’s tallest mountain, the Brandberg, and you can interact with some of the colourful local characters who live in this harsh environment. On the drive down the Skeleton Coast we explore the remains of a small shipwreck.

We arrive in Swakopmund mid-afternoon which gives you time to explore this quaint seaside town on foot. Your guide will be happy to recommend a good restaurant for your evening meal (own expense).

Set along Namibia’s spectacularly scenic coast, the seaside town of Swakopmund is known for its wide-open avenues, colonial architecture, and its surrounding otherworldly desert terrain. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more German than Germany. Now a seaside resort town, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, adventure options, laid-back atmosphere and cool sea breeze make it a very popular Namibian destination. Visitors can look forward to a number of exciting activities including: quad biking, horse riding, paragliding, fishing, sightseeing and fascinating desert tours.

Damaraland

This vast desert landscape is known as one of the most beautiful regions in Namibia. Huge, untamed and ruggedly beautiful, Damaraland is an exceptionally scenic landscape featuring open plains, ancient valleys and spectacular rock formations. The major attractions are the sacred Spitzkoppe, the Brandberg, Twyfelfontein, Vingerklip and the otherworldly Petrified Forest. Visitors can take in the dramatic vistas, catch a glimpse of the rare desert-adapted elephant, and enjoy spectacular stargazing in crystal-clear night skies from one of the many safari camps dotting Damaraland. Other popular activities include: guided drives, nature walks and visiting the local communities. Don’t miss the opportunity to view the Damaraland’s world-famous ancient rock art.

Brandberg

Situated in northwestern Namibia, the Brandberg (Fire Mountain) Massif is Namibia’s highest peak, at its zenith, the Königstein (King’s Stone), standing at a whopping 2573 metres above sea level. Named for the vivid shade of orange it sometimes turns at sunset, this is undoubtedly the main highlight of the region. The Brandberg has been sacred to the San people for centuries. The Tsisab Ravine at its base is permeated with over 45 000 ancient San rock paintings, including the famous ‘White Lady’. Visitors flock here to view this unique bushman painting, said to be over 2000 years old. Other popular drawcards include its untouched natural beauty and its free roaming wildlife such as mountain zebra, kudu, springbok, and desert elephant.

Skeleton Coast

Stretching from the Swakop River to southern Angola, the Skeleton Coast is known as the ‘Land God Made in Anger’ and is remoteness at its best. Thousands of miles of sandy desert dotted with shipwrecks meet with the cold waters of the Atlantic and somehow an amazing array of wildlife and flora manages to survive in this harsh but beautiful environment. Ocean fog creeps over the shoreline caused by the warm dry air of the Namib Desert colliding with the cold Benguela current. This otherworldly area is home to a diversity of wildlife including seabird colonies, Cape fur seals, zebra, gemsbok, desert-adapted elephant, lion and much more. Surfing enthusiasts are drawn to these powerful waves and photographers flock from around the globe to snap a shot of this eerie shipwreck graveyard and for the unrivalled maritime photographic opportunities. This coast is desolate but breathtakingly beautiful.

Overnight: Hotel Pension A La Mer

Ideally situated in the heart of the old town in Swakopmund, Hotel Pension A La Mer is a short walk away from the sandy shores of the beach and the historic jetty.

The hotel boasts 46 en-suite bdrooms, all of which are charming in design and range from a standard room to an executive luxury room. All rooms feature breathtaking views and are equipt with Wi-Fi, cable TV, an electric kettle. Guests can look forward to starting their day with a scrumptious breakfast.

Activities surrounding the hotel include boat and harbour tours, scenic flights, township tours, fishing and hot hair balloon rides.

Basis: Half Board – Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 5:
Desert Camp, Sesriem

Day Itinerary

This morning after breakfast we highly recommend a visit to the Museum or Aquarium (optional and unguided) and for the adrenalin junkies a 2 hour sand boarding experience in the dunes should get your pulse racing. You will be picked up from your guesthouse/hotel in Swakopmund from 11:15, (wintertime 10h15) as we aim to depart Swakopmund by 12 noon. We then drive through the Namib Desert via the Kuiseb Pass and Solitaire, arriving at our camp late afternoon and we have a chance to relax and enjoy the views before taking a short walk for sunset looking over the Naukluft mountain range. Overnight in twin rooms/permanent tents with en-suite bathroom facilities. Pool and bar available. Dinner prepared by your guide.

As there is no accommodation at Sossusvlei, visitors to this desert wilderness are likely to end up staying at Sesriem, 65 kilometres away, where camps and lodges serve as a base from which to explore the dunes. Sesriem Canyon, a deep chasm carved through the rocks by water, is a striking natural feature of the area that is best explored on foot. Stony walls rise up sharply on both sides of the canyon, while birds roost in its crags and lizards dart along the ledges. The canyon’s name was coined when early settlers used it as a water source, using six lengths of leather (‘ses riem – six thongs) tied together to lower buckets into the water at the base of canyon.)

Swakopmund

Set along Namibia’s spectacularly scenic coast, the seaside town of Swakopmund is known for its wide-open avenues, colonial architecture, and its surrounding otherworldly desert terrain. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more German than Germany. Now a seaside resort town, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, adventure options, laid-back atmosphere and cool sea breeze make it a very popular Namibian destination. Visitors can look forward to a number of exciting activities including: quad biking, horse riding, paragliding, fishing, sightseeing and fascinating desert tours.

Namib

The Namib Desert is the world’s oldest desert, and although it stretches along the entire length of Namibia’s coastline into southern Angola and even the northern Cape Province of South Africa, the Namib commonly refers to the vast sea of sand extending from Luderitz to Swakopmund. This vast expanse of breathtakingly beautiful sandy desert features remarkably varied scenery including, the massive red dunes of the world-renowned Sossusvlei, the moonscapes of the Namib-Naukluft Park, the stark beauty of the Atlantic Coast and a diversity of fauna and flora. This windswept, arid, ancient landscape is teeming with desert-adapted wildlife such as endemic chameleons, brown hyenas, gemsbok, jackals and seals along the coastline and a variety plantlife including the famous welwitschia plant, a unique living fossil. Other highlights of the Namib include: Fish River Canyon, Kolmanskop ghost town, Luderitz, Cape Cross seal colony and the Skeleton Coast.

Kuiseb Pass

Kuiseb Pass takes you through the Kuiseb Canyon, the watercourse of which only flows occasionally but often enough to halt the advance of the red sands of the Namib.

Solitaire

Situated in the Khomas region of Central Namibia, the desert town of Solitaire serves as an oasis in the  Namib Desert. There is not much to do or see in the small village of Solitaire, but it nevertheless, it is an important stop on the way to the ancient dunes of Sossusvlei as it provides the only petrol station, general store and post office between Sossusvlei and Walvis Bay. Solitaire also has a small bar and is renowned for its famous apple pie- said to be the best in Namibia. Home to a luxury desert lodge, a motel and a campsite, visitors can easily find comfortable accommodation in Solitaire. Enjoy a scenic sundowner with views of the spectacular Namib desert, hike and bike through the unspoilt natural scenery and visit the local Cheetah Sanctuary.

Overnight: Desert Camp

Self-catering at its Best amidst unparalleled Desert Beauty…

Desert Camp is situated just 5 km from the entrance gate to Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon in the Namib Nauklauft Park. Nestled under centuries old camel thorn trees, Desert Camp offers unsurpassed views over the Desert landscapes and surrounding mountains – An absolute must for the nature lover and photographer!

The 28 affordable self-catering accommodation units are equipped with an en-suite bathroom, shaded veranda with a fitted kitchenette, barbeque, power points and an adjacent parking area. Each air-conditioned room features twin beds and a fold-out sleeper couch to accommodate 2 small children (under 12) free of charge when sharing with 2 full paying adults. Utility boxes with most utensils needed are available at reception and fresh food supplies can be ordered daily.

Facilities at the main building include a fully stocked and serviced bar with big screen television, a sparkling swimming pool and 2 communal bomas with cooking and wash up facilities which are perfect for groups travelling together.

Meals can be enjoyed at the nearby Sossusvlei Lodge restaurant and their Adventure Centre offers a range of exciting Desert activities to explore the area.

A fully stocked shop, fuel and an Internet café is available at the Sossus Oasis Service Station.

Basis: Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6:
Desert Camp, Sesriem

Day Itinerary

Dawn departure from camp to arrive at the park gate for sunrise. We drive down an ancient river bed surrounded by towering dunes to the 2×4 parking (around 55kms) and take a 4×4 shuttle into the Sossusvlei area to appreciate the beauty of this place in early morning light and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the region. We explore this unique area on foot before heading into Dead Vlei with its large expanse of bleached cracked clay and skeletal camel thorn trees, contrasting with a backdrop of huge dunes with their ever-changing colours. We can either walk or take the 4×4 shuttle back to our vehicle. As we drive back to our accommodation we will stop at the famous Dune 45 and climb this dune if we wish or just wander around the base. We return to Sesriem and visit the nearby Sesriem Canyon, one of the few permanent water sources before arriving back at our lodge late afternoon to watch the sunset over this spectacular desert. Overnight in twin share rooms/ permanent tents with en-suite bathrooms. Dinner prepared by your guide.

Sossusvlei

Located in the scenic Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red dunes to make this one of the most scenic natural wonders of Africa and a photographer’s heaven. This awe-inspiring destination is possibly Namibia’s premier attraction, with its unique dunes rising to almost 400 metres-some of the highest in the world. These iconic dunes come alive in morning and evening light and draw photography enthusiasts from around the globe. Sossusvlei is home to a variety desert wildlife including oryx, springbok, ostrich and a variety of reptiles. Visitors can climb ‘Big Daddy’, one of Sossusvlei’s tallest dunes; explore Deadvlei, a white, salt, claypan dotted with ancient trees; or for the more extravagant, scenic flights and hot air ballooning are on offer, followed by a once-in-a-lifetime champagne breakfast amidst these majestic dunes.

Dead Vlei

This ancient clay pan was once an oasis, studded with acacias and fed by a river that suddenly changed course, leaving the earth to dry up along with the trees it previously supported. So dry were the climatic conditions that the trees never decomposed – instead they were entirely leached of moisture so that today, 900 years later, they remain as desiccated, blackened sentinels dotting the pan’s cracked surface. Surrounded by the red-pink dunes of the Namibia Desert, they create a surreal spectacle that is a photographer’s dream.

Dune 45

Named for its location 45 kilometres past the town of Sesriem, Dune 45 is renowned for its elegant shape, which – along with its position close to the road – have earned it the distinction of ‘most photographed dune in the world’. If you’re not keen for the strenuous hike to the top of Big Daddy, Dune 45 is a more forgiving alternative, standing at only 80 metres and featuring a much gentler gradient.

Sesriem Canyon

Sesriem Canyon, a deep chasm carved through the rocks by water, is a striking natural feature of the area that is best explored on foot. Stony walls rise up sharply on both sides of the canyon, while birds roost in its crags and lizards dart along the ledges. The canyon’s name was coined when early settlers used it as a water source, using six lengths of leather (‘ses riem – six thongs) tied together to lower buckets into the water at the base of canyon.

Basis: Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7:
The Utopia Boutique Hotel, Windhoek

Day Itinerary

Early morning breakfast before heading to Solitaire Guest Farm where we join a biologist to track wild cheetahs at the N/a’ankuse Namib Conservation Centre.

We return to Windhoek via Bullsport and Rehoboth and we arrive mid-afternoon where you will be dropped at your accommodation.

As previously described

Overnight: The Utopia Boutique Hotel

The modern N/a’ankusê@Utopia establishment has allied with the neighboring Pension Bougainvilla and offers serene rooms and luxurious suites situated amid beautiful, green lush gardens. The hotel is conveniently located in the tranquil suburb of Klein Windhoek.

Utopia combines business and leisure in a modest manner, simultaneously welcoming modern travelers and tourists in need of relaxation. Boasting 14 standard rooms, 7 luxurious suites and 1 executive suite, N/a’ankusê@Utopia creates an ideal hideaway.

Basis: Bed and Breakfast

Day 8:
End of Itinerary

8 Days Namibia Sand Dunes and Wildlife Safari Itinerary

Today you will be transferred from your accommodation in Windhoek back to the International Airport for your departure flight.

Rehoboth

Located in Hardap, Namibia, about 90 kilometres south of Windhoek, Rehoboth is surrounded by camel thorn, sweet-thorn and candle-pod acacia and dotted with several natural hot springs. The area is known not only for its striking natural beauty but also its rich heritage – the ancient Baster community, who came across the river to settle here in 1870, have a long and interesting history. Plant lovers will be interested to find that some of the Acacia Trees here date back around 2000 years. History enthusiasts will delight in the interesting town museum. Rehoboth makes for a convenient base for reaching popular destinations such as the Fish River Canyon, Sossussvlei, and Hardap Dam.

Windhoek

Situated in Central Namibia, the cosmopolitan city of Windhoek serves as the capital of the country. It is home to an international airport and a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and accommodation options. The city is clean, safe and well-organised, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, many of which are worth a look, including the Alte Feste an old fort, the 1896 Christuskirche Christ Church, and the more contemporary Supreme Court.

8 Days Namibia Sand Dunes and Wildlife Safari Travel Information

Located in southwestern Africa, Namibia boasts a well-developed infrastructure, some of the best tourist facilities in Africa, and an impressive list of breathtaking natural wonders. Visitors can explore the capital of Windhoek and discover the lovely coastal town of Swakopmund boasting remnants of the country’s German influence, reflected in the architecture, culture, cuisine and the annual Oktoberfest celebrations. To properly appreciate this extraordinary country, you will have to venture out of the cities to explore the remarkable natural landscapes Namibia has to offer. These include: the impressive Fish River Canyon; the vast Etosha National Park teeming with abundant wildlife, such as lions, desert-adapted elephants and the Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra; the hauntingly beautiful Kalahari Desert; and of course the Namib Desert stretching for over 2000 km along the magnificent Atlantic Coast. Namibia is an ideal destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable African experience in a uniquely beautiful untamed wilderness.

Banking and Currency in your 8 Days Namibia Sand Dunes and Wildlife Safari

Currency

Namibia uses the Namibian Dollar (N$) this is linked on a one to one exchange with the South African Rand. The Rand is legal tender in Namibia, but the N$ cannot be used in South Africa.

If you are wishing to purchase currency before arriving in Namibia, it is easiest to buy Rand as the Namibian Dollar is seldom available in banks outside of Namibia.

Banking

Banks are found in most towns, and are generally open from 09h00 to 15h30 on weekdays and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays. Closed on Sundays and public holidays. Most of them offer foreign exchange services – with cash, bank and credit cards as well as travellers  cheques.

You can also obtain cash from many of the ATMs. Several international banks have branches in main city centres. Always advise your bank that you are travelling outside of the country as they might block your purchases if they have not been informed.

8 Days Namibia Sand Dunes and Wildlife Safari Travel, Transport and Getting Around

Public transport in Namibia is geared towards the needs of the local populace, and is confined to main roads between major population centres. Although cheap and reliable, it is of little use to the traveller as most of Namibia’s tourist attractions lie off the beaten track.

It is easy to travel around Namibia by car, and a 2WD vehicle is perfectly adaquate for most journeys. However, long distances, poor mobile phone coverage outside of main towns and infrequent petrol stations that only accept cash mean that planning ahead is vital.

There are major airlines that fly into Windhoek and Swakopmund. Other destinations are reachable by car or charter flight.

Namibians drive on the left and all signposts are in English. Seat belts must be worn at all times and talking in a mobile phone while driving is prohibited. The general speed limit is 120km/h on tarred roads outside of towns and 100km/h on gravel roads. In built up areas, the speed limit is 60km/h.

8 Days Namibia Sand Dunes and Wildlife Safari Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice

Traditional Namibian cuisine is rarely served and so the food at restaurants tends to be European in style and is, generally, of a very high standard.

Namibia is very meat-orientated, and many menu options will feature steaks from various animals. However, there is usually a vegetarian and seafood section offered by most camps and restaurants.

In the supermarkets you’ll find pre-wrapped fresh fruit and vegetables (though the more remote the areas you visit, the smaller your choice), and plenty of canned foods, pasta, rice, bread, etc. Most of this is imported from South Africa.

The water in Namibia’s main towns is generally safe to drink, though it may taste a little metallic if it has been piped for miles. Natural sources should usually be purified, though water from underground springs and dry riverbeds seldom causes any problems. However, filtered and bottled water are readily available in most towns and all camps, lodges and hotels.

8 Days Namibia Sand Dunes and Wildlife Safari Climate and Weather

Partially covered by the Namib Desert, one of the world’s driest deserts, Namibia’s climate is generally very dry and pleasant – it’s fine to visit all year round. Namibia only receives a fraction of the rain experienced by countries further east. Between about December to March some days will be humid and rain may follow, often in localised, afternoon thunderstorms. These are more common in the centre and east of the country, and more unusual in the desert.

April and especially May are often lovely months in Namibia. Increasingly dry, with a real freshness in the air, and much greenery in the landscape; at this time the air is clear and largely free from dust.

From June to August Namibia cools down and dries out more; nights can become cold, dropping below freezing in some desert areas. As the landscape dries so the game in the north of the country gravitates more to waterholes, and is more easily seen by visitors. By September and October it warms up again; game-viewing in most areas is at its best, although there’s often a lot of dust around and the vegetation has lost its vibrancy.

November is a highly variable month. Sometimes the hot, dry weather will continue, at other times the sky will fill with clouds and threaten to rain – but if you’re lucky enough to witness the first rains of the season, you’ll never forget the drama.

8 Days Namibia Sand Dunes and Wildlife Safari Clothing and Dress Recommendations

Namibians have a somewhat relaxes attitude to dress codes. A jacket and tie is very unusual. In fact, long trousers and a shirt with buttons are often quite adequate for a formal occasion or work wear. A pair of sensible shoes, jeans and a t-shirt is recommended.

During the day it is generally hot, so pack light weight loose fitting clothes in natural fabrics, such linen or cotton, that will keep you cool and are easy to wash and dry.

Avoid blue clothing – the tsetse flies are drawn to the colour blue, and their bite can give you African Sleeping Sickness.

Long sleeved shirts and long trousers will protect your against mosquitoes at night.

8 Days Namibia Sand Dunes and Wildlife Safari Electricity and Plug Standards

Current is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles per second. A three-point round-pin adapter plug should be brought for your electrical appliances. Such adapters are also available at major airports.