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Behold the spectacle that is Namibia—from dandelion-colored dunes stretching into the distance to the blotted spots on a cheetah’s coat.
The largest national parks and tallest sand dunes in all of Africa. The oldest desert in the whole world. Namibia packs so much into a footprint just larger than the state of Texas that no amount of writing would do the country justice. So, let these words be your starting point: If you want to tread Sossusvlei’s timeless sands, sail the Atlantic’s waves off Swakopmund, rumble past wildebeest on a game drive in Etosha, and come face-to-face with millennia of history at Twyfelfontein, this tour’s the ticket. Want to check off South Africa, too? Stretch your trip by a few days and add the extension to lush Cape Town.
Your tour package includes
- 10 nights in handpicked hotels
- 10 breakfasts
- 6 lunches
- 8 dinners with beer or wine
- 1 food tasting
Included highlights
- Sossusvlei’s sand dunes
- Deadvlei’s Skeleton Trees
- Namib-Naukluft National Park
- Swakopmund catamaran cruise
- Skeleton Coast
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Day-by-day itinerary
Print itineraryBoard your overnight flight to Johannesburg, South Africa, today.
Welcome to South Africa! Meet a Go Ahead representative in the arrivals lounge, then walk together to the airport’s hotel. Get a good night’s rest: You’ll be flying to Namibia tomorrow.
This morning, board a short flight from Johannesburg to the Namibian capital city of Windhoek. (Say it “VIND-hoke.”) Then, make your way to the Sossusvlei Region with your Tour Director and fellow travelers, stopping for a packed lunch as you go. At your hotel this evening, meet back up with your group and keep getting to know one another over an included dinner, served with beer or wine. Once you’re done, settle back in for the night and start preparing for the next day’s sightseeing.
Surrounded by the towering red dunes of the world’s oldest desert, punctuated by the sand-smoothed husks of dead trees, the Sossusvlei (pronounced “SAUCE-us-vlai”) salt pan wouldn’t look out of place in a surrealist painting. However, we assure you it’s very real; head out early this morning to explore the eerie landscape of this natural work of art, sculpted by years of natural evaporation.
- Walk through Deadvlei: Directly translating from the original Afrikaans as “dead marsh,” this white-clay pan is home to a unique attraction—the 600-year-old skeletons of desiccated camel thorn trees, scorched black by the searing sun.
- Take in the titanic form of Sossusvlei’s largest sand dune, a 1,066-foot-tall behemoth affectionately nicknamed “Big Daddy.”
- Climb up a neighboring dune—part of the tallest collection of such features on the planet—and gaze upon the ancient Namib Desert from a new perspective. (If you aren’t up for it, don’t worry: This hike is optional.)
- Head to the Sesriem Canyon—a gnarled gorge created over millions of years—and learn how the Tsauchab River honed its walls.
After your first day in the desert, head back to your hotel and freshen up before reconvening for tonight’s included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Emerge from the UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Namib Desert and arrive in Swakopmund—a laidback, bohemian city on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Named after the nearby Swakop River, it boasts an interesting blend of German and African architecture: Snap some pictures ahead of tomorrow’s outing, then join your group in the evening for an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Board a catamaran, cruise out into the Atlantic Ocean, and spend a few blissful hours skimming the surf.
- Enjoy a light lunch, including oysters and sparkling wine, as you sail along the Namibian coastline.
- As you relax, hear about the creatures that call these waters home. Humpbacks and southern right whales are native to this part of the Atlantic, and you’ll learn about their migratory habits while you sail.
- Keep your eyes peeled for leatherback sea turtles, sunfishes, and members of the Marine Big Five: dolphins, sharks, seals, penguins (yes, penguins!), and, of course, whales.
Please note: Due to their seasonal migratory patterns, you may not see any whales while on your cruise.
Once you dock, take up an optional excursion and head south to the seaside city of Walvis Bay for a scenic stroll and a safari through its neighboring dunes. Alternatively, hang back and spend a free afternoon strolling Swakopmund Mole, an old seawall built during German rule.
Walvis Bay & Dune Safari
From $149 per person
Make your way to Damaraland by way of the Skeleton Coast, an arid terrain that has more than earned its menacing nickname. So dubbed for the bones of whales and seals that have washed ashore over the years, this treacherous stretch of the Namibian coast holds over 1,000 shipwrecks in various states of decay. It isn’t all gloomy, though: One of the world’s largest fur seal colonies, 200,000 strong, has settled here.
Take in the powerful views of this protected expanse, then stop for an included lunch along the way. Rev back up to finish your journey to Damaraland, settling into your safari lodge before rejoining your group for an included dinner, served with beer or wine, at the property’s restaurant.
Depart Damaraland, setting a course for Etosha—one of the largest national parks in all of Africa. As you traverse the rocky desert, you’ll make a pair of pitstops.
- First, detour to Twyfelfontein. Officially known as /Ui-//aes—“jumping waterhole” in the indigenous Khoekhoe language—this archaeological trove was named Namibia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. It lays claim to roughly 2,500 rock paintings and engravings, showcasing over 6,000 years of human settlement. (It also happens to be one of the largest collections of petroglyphs on the African continent.)
- From there, stop for an included buffet-style lunch before moving on to another Namibian National Monument: the Petrified Forest. Deposited in their current location by a massive flood millions of years ago, these fossilized trees have, quite literally, been turned to stone. Learn how they were petrified through a process called silicification and examine them where they lay, surrounded by sandstone and silica.
Continue to Etosha. After settling into your hotel, sit down to an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Please note: The visit to Twyfelfontein and the Petrified Forest may take place on day 7, based on the location of your hotel.
Spend the day on a game drive through Etosha National Park. Encompassing some 8,600 square miles, this 111-year-old conservation area is home to several endangered species, including the black rhino and the black-faced impala. Roll out and back on a 4x4 safari vehicle, enjoying a midday lunch at your lodge before setting out once again. Four of the Big Five, Africa’s most famous game animals, roam Etosha’s lands. See if you can spot a lion, leopard, rhino, or elephant—maybe you’ll find them all!
After your final game drive of the day, freshen up back in your room before enjoying an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
More cheetahs roam Namibia than any other country in the world, and today, you’ll visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), a nonprofit in the Waterberg Region dedicated to preserving their habitat. After an included lunch, you’ll follow a guide to see cheetahs that can’t be let back into the wild. In the process, you’ll learn about the CCF’s rescue, rehabilitation, and release programs, as well as the group’s efforts to promote peaceful coexistence between rural communities and these famed predators.
One inspiring outing later, you’ll return to your accommodations and join your group for an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Today, join a dedicated guide and a specialized anti-poaching team and spend the morning on foot, tracking a population of southern white rhinos. They may not look it, but these beasts are quite easygoing—especially compared to their aggressive cousins, the black rhino. Their calmer dispositions allow for safer, more intimate observation, letting you and your group see them in their natural habitat.
Please note: Your guide will make a full safety assessment before allowing your group out of the safari vehicle. Only upon successful completion will you proceed to track the rhinos on foot.
Wrap up your adventure by returning to Windhoek and joining your Tour Director for a short tasting of local specialties. Then, celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers during tonight’s farewell dinner, served with beer or wine.
Fly back to Johannesburg, South Africa, where you’ll board your overnight flight home.
Bid Africa farewell as you take off for home—or extend your trip and stay a while longer on the continent’s southern tip, discovering why Cape Town was named a UNESCO City of Design.
Fly from Windhoek to “the Mother City:” Cape Town.
Founded in 1652, Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa, and has the cultural heritage to match. Start your first full day here by joining your Tour Director for some guided sightseeing.
- Ride a cable car up Table Mountain—one of Cape Town’s defining features—and revel in the panorama unfolding below you.
- See the flat-topped peak of Signal Hill and the Castle of Good Hope, a 17th-century bastion fort erected by the Dutch East India Company.
- Drive on through the city, catching glimpses of City Hall—distinguishable by its Edwardian style—and the Neoclassical Houses of Parliament as you go.
- Leave your bus and set out on a walking tour of Bo-Kaap. Painting the slopes of Signal Hill in flashes of color, the pastel homes and cobbled roads of this diverse neighborhood nurtured the Cape Malay culture created by Muslims who arrived in the country in the 1700s.
- Visit the District Six Museum to learn about those who were forcibly removed under Apartheid—a ruthless system of racial segregation that only ended in the ’90s. While there, see how its employees are helping to rebuild and strengthen communities in District Six and beyond.
Please note: The cable car ride up Table Mountain is weather-dependent. Also, on some departures, the optional excursion will be offered in the morning and the sightseeing tour will take place in the afternoon. For departures during July and August, travelers will visit Signal Hill and enjoy an included lunch due to annual maintenance of the Table Mountain cable car.
After wrapping up your morning tour, join your group for an optional excursion to Robben Island, site of a notorious prison that once held Nelson Mandela captive. Or, enjoy a free afternoon in Cape Town, sunbathing on one of its 10 Blue Flag beaches—strips of shore recognized worldwide for their quality and sustainability.
Robben Island
From $85 per person
Spend the day exploring the rocky Cape Peninsula, hopping on and off your bus to see interesting sights up close.
- Drive along the Atlantic seaboard, passing the beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay.
- Visit the Cape of Good Hope—an instantly recognizable headland long used as a landmark by mariners—and the Cape Point lighthouse, soaking in beautiful views all the while.
- Head to coastal Simon’s Town, where you’ll have free time for lunch or a walk along the beach. Then, go to Boulders Beach, a protected marine habitat and home to a colony of endangered African penguins. While there, learn how your visit helps support a local nongovernmental organization: the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds.
Choose to spend the day on an optional excursion, sampling wines crafted in the fertile Cape Winelands. You could also take a free day in Cape Town: We suggest familiarizing yourself with the native flora at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
Then, spend the evening taking part in a unique African dining experience at GOLD Restaurant—a culinary destination famous for its immersive meal services.
- Join in an authentic djembe drumming performance, where you’ll be given your own drum to play along with the performers.
- Sit down in a private room for a one-of-a-kind banquet, complete with a history of local spices, a guided sensory analysis, and a tasting of 14 traditional dishes.
- Celebrate your trip with an evening full of entertainment, enlivened by storytelling staff and a number of different performances.
Cape Winelands Tasting & Lunch
From $109 per person
This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home.
Arrive home today.
Book for just $99 down
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Reviews
Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.This convenient hotel is located at the airport in Johannesburg. Guests enjoy the lobby lounge, a swimming pool, and an on-site restaurant.
This Namib Desert lodge is located in Sossusvlei. Guests enjoy private patios; an outdoor pool; a nearby watering hole that attracts wildlife; and an ...
This charming hotel is located in the heart of Swakopmund. Guests enjoy two on-site restaurants, a peaceful garden, and a bar. Nearby, you’ll find the...
This unique mountainside hotel is located in Damaraland and subtly blends in with its surroundings. Guests enjoy breathtaking views of the Huab Valley...
Located just outside of Etosha National Park, this hotel beautifully blends modern and traditional styles. Guests enjoy three on-site dining options, ...
This simple and relaxing lodge is located just outside of the Okonjima Nature Reserve. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, a delicious on-site restaurant, ...
This hillside hotel is located a few minutes away from the center of Windhoek. Guests enjoy a bar, gift shop, and incredible views of the city from an...
This nautically decorated hotel is located in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront district. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, a spa, and a gym. Nearby, you’ll fin...
Flights
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
- Find out more about flights
FAQ
Print FAQ- In order to enter Namibia and South Africa, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
- U.S. and Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter Namibia or South Africa.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- Minors traveling with only one parent must present an affidavit proving the missing parent’s consent to their trip. This requirement is waived if the missing parent’s name doesn’t appear on the minor’s birth certificate.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code NAM.
- You’ll walk for about two hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and unpaved trails, with some steep hills.
- You should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- You should feel comfortable managing your own luggage at times, as well as getting in and out of boats.
- This tour includes long, bumpy rides in safari vehicles.
- If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Johannesburg. (They will depart from Cape Town if you book the tour’s extension.) Due to airline scheduling and availability, you may need to depart a day early and stay overnight in Washington, D.C. or New York before boarding your flight to Namibia. In these instances, Go Ahead Tours will book an overnight hotel on your behalf, and a representative will meet you at the airport to take you there. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
- During game drives, you’ll travel in safari buses, open-air vehicles, and on foot. Rides are often long and rough, so we recommend bringing a small pillow to ease the bumps.
- Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
- Contact your airline(s) for the luggage restrictions for your itinerary. However, please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other modes of transportation.
- You’ll need one overnight bag, such as a backpack or small collapsible duffle. One small carry-on is also permitted (and can double as your overnight bag).
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear. Quick-dry material is best for hot days outside, and a warmer layer may be needed for chilly evenings and early mornings.
- On game drives, blue and black clothing can attract tsetse flies, while bright pieces may scare animals away. For these outings, we recommend packing muted, light-colored, medium-weight clothes.
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes, such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots, are best for walking during the day.
- Pack a swimsuit: Many of the hotels have pools that you are free to use at your leisure.
- Sun protection is very important. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your face and the back of your neck.
- Occasional rain showers are common during certain seasons, so lightweight rainwear may be necessary depending on the timing of your trip.
- Insect repellent and binoculars are highly recommended. We also suggest bringing a flashlight: Some hotels turn off the electricity at night or experience unpredictable blackouts.
- A small bottle of hand sanitizer may be helpful on the road when other facilities aren’t readily available.
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your healthcare provider, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at cdc.gov, for the latest updates and entry requirements.
- Local governments may require proof of a yellow fever vaccination (often referred to as a yellow card) or a statement of medical exemption from the vaccine. This is only required of travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission. (Please note: The U.S. and Canada are not on that list.) Visit cdc.gov/yellowfever for more information.
- Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth, and avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re peeled and cooked or washed in clean water.
- Bring a small first aid kit—including antacids, antidiarrheals, motion sickness treatments, and any prescription medications—in your carry-on bag.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays you may encounter.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code NAM.
- Namibia operates on 220–230 volts and uses a Type M plug with two small round pins and one larger round pin.
- South Africa operates on 220–240 volts and also uses Type M plugs.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other devices without built-in converters.
- South Africa regularly experiences load shedding: Also known as rolling blackouts, this occurs when the demand for electricity exceeds available supply and utility providers cease delivery to certain areas to prevent a total outage. You should only be briefly impacted on tour, as all accommodations are equipped with generators and activities aren’t reliant on the grid.
- Not all of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
- Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
- The official currency of Namibia is the Namibian dollar, but U.S. dollars are widely accepted.
- You will use the South African rand when in South Africa.
- We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible, as well as small amounts of U.S. dollars—only crisp bills printed in 2004 or later.
- ATMs are not readily available in more rural locations.
- Major North American credit cards are accepted, but can be difficult to use in certain remote locations. Visa cards are the most widely accepted.
- You can use most debit and credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they don’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in USD.
- We recommend tipping $10–$12 per person, per day for your Tour Director and $3 per person, per day for your driver.
- We also recommend tipping $5 per person, per game excursion for your local wildlife guides.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- Gratuities for baggage handling are included in the price of your tour.
- You’ll have the opportunity to shop for local handicrafts, such as wood carvings and textiles, at outdoor markets and roadside stalls. Some lodges will have boutiques on the premises as well.
- Prices at most markets are negotiable, so don’t be afraid to haggle—it’s a great way to strike up a conversation with a local.