Etosha, Sossusvlei Dunes, and the Tok Tokkie Trail
Namibia Expedition
Overview
In addition to utterly surreal beauty, Namibia has fantastic and rare wildlife, including the largest population of free-roaming black rhino in Africa, the highest cheetah population in the world, and a population of desert-adapted elephant. Our safari will have you tracking rhino on foot, climbing the colossal Sossusvlei Dunes, looking for wildlife on Etosha's salt pans, and hiking the Tok Tokkie Trail across the desert, with nights in “dune beds” beneath the star-studded sky in Africa's first Dark Sky Reserve. Along the way, enjoy a wonderful diversity of activities, special access to private concessions and wildlife reserves, and accommodations as unique as Namibia itself.
Arrive: Windhoek, Namibia
Depart: Windhoek, Namibia
Highlights
- Track leopard and rhino at Okonjima
- Experience world-class game viewing in Etosha National Park
- Track desert-adapted black rhino on foot in Damaraland with the Save the Rhino Trust
- Climb and photograph Sossusvlei Dunes at sunrise
- Hike the Tok Tokkie Trail, sleep under an incredible night sky
Itinerary
We head to Okonjima, home to the AfriCat Foundation, a rehabilitation center for injured or captured big cats, as well as a crucial research and education center. We'll learn about their conservation efforts and have up-close encounters tracking leopard.
This massive park, one of the largest in Africa, holds Namibia's greatest concentrations of wildlife. On Etosha's ethereal salt pans, dotted by waterholes, we explore by 4WD vehicle on the lookout for elephant, lion, giraffe, blue wildebeest, kudu, oryx, zebra, and more.
Damaraland is a realm of ephemeral rivers and ancient terraces formed by wind and water. From our exclusive camp, we'll have behind-the-scenes access with the trackers and rangers of Save the Rhino Trust and also the thrill of tracking rhino on foot. Other wildlife includes giraffe, oryx, and springbok. Heading to Twyfelfontein, a World Heritage Site, we walk among sandstone boulders that hold some 2,500 prehistoric engravings.
From the coastal town of Swakopmund, a scenic flight brings us into Namib-Naukluft National Park. We overnight at a lodge right inside the park, allowing us easy sunrise access to photograph and climb these imposing dunes (among the highest in the world!) while the light is right.
For three days, we hike the remote Tok Tokkie Trail across the private NamibRand Nature Reserve, with an expert guide to unlock its secrets. We always time our trips for the new moon so you enjoy phenomenally clear night skies—you might even see satellite galaxies of the Milky Way! Depart on Day 14 via Windhoek.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. This is a camping and lodge safari with game viewing by 4WD vehicle, nature walks, and long driving days. Any African safari is an adventure, and the traveler should bring along flexibility, a sense of humor, curiosity about new peoples and places, and an openness to the unexpected. Please note: on the Tok Tokkie Trail, if we have a small group (fewer than seven trip members), we may share the experience with other travelers. The maximum total number of travelers in the group would always be eight, to preserve the Tok Tokkie experience.
Review Trip Level Details
The hiking is mostly on easy terrain, but there are some sections of walking through sand dunes or on rough, hilly terrain with loose scree, which requires well-balanced and secure walking. We have two half-days and one full day of hiking; distances normally don't exceed 6 miles per day, and the pace is set to suit the group. Fitness and good conditioning are essential for enjoying this hike. Please bring well-broken-in lightweight hiking boots for these days, as well as for the hikes on the Sossusvlei Dunes.
Although this is not a particularly rigorous trip, we still recommend you undertake a preparatory program of physical conditioning (especially if you want to climb the sand dunes in Sossusvlei, which can be quite challenging; it's also recommended for the Tok Tokkie Trail). Daily walking or regular hiking, jogging, and stair-climbing are excellent preparatory exercises.
Namibia has a typical desert climate: hot in the day, and cool at night, mostly sunny and dry. Between November and April, daytime temperatures can be in the low 90°Fs, with night temperatures dropping to the 50°Fs. Between May and October, daytime temperatures generally reach the mid-70°Fs and can drop to as low as 40°F at night. The coastal region is cool and dry throughout the year.
While on safari, most breakfasts and evening meals will be taken at the lodge you are staying at or in camps along the Tok Tokkie Trail. Lunches while traveling between destinations will be served picnic-style en route or at a café or restaurant if there is not a suitable picnic site. Bottled water, soft drinks, juice, house wine, and beer are included throughout the trip. All vehicles are equipped with a fridge or cool box stocked with bottled water. Tea and coffee are offered by most accommodations free of charge with meals and at afternoon tea time.
Due to its vast distances, an integral part of any Namibia safari is driving, and this is part of the adventure. We will be in the company of the Trip Leader, who will make the road journeys very interesting and point out many highlights en route. While the driving times may appear long, there is a lot to see and the scenery is dramatic and beautiful. Our vehicles are very comfortable and have supplies for tea, picnic lunches, etc.
Client Testimonials
"I was so thrilled to track rhinos, visit with an elephant for lunch, and meet in person a honey badger—not to mention the porcupine and the pangolin!"
Amy M.
San Pedro, CA
"We have gone on a lot of Wilderness Travel trips—ALL of them delightful, but this certainly was one of the most unusual, eye-opening, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. One of the best parts— among so many great parts—was sleeping in the open under an incredible starry sky. Unforgettable."
Bettina R.
Santa Clara, CA
"This was my first Wilderness Travel vacation and my first trip to Africa. It exceeded any expectations I had. Absolutely fantastic!"
Carol T.
York, PA
"The trip exceeded my expectations, and the description in the catalogue!"
Dennis C.
Leland, NC
"The Namibian people love their country, and through them I learned to love the country as well. Can't improve on excellence!"
Dennis C.
Leland, NC
"This is an astounding trip to a really beautiful country. I really liked the itinerary. The Tok Tokkie desert hike is what caused me to chose the Wilderness Travel trip over some others and it was great. I was surprised by how many animals you see on that hike and how close they let you come to them."
Edward C.
Canandaigua, NY
"There is a great variety of experiences on this trip—it's action packed!"
Elaine C.
Zurich, Switzerland
"We have loved all our WT trips, but this one stands above them all. Not only was the itinerary fantastic, but our guides Orlando and Perez were the best ever. They helped us see more wildlife than I dreamed possible (and I was dreaming big!). Seventeen black rhinos, lions and lions and lions, leopard, cheetah, desert-adapted elephants, aardvark, caracal, giraffes, and thousands of seals nibbling on our kayak paddles. It doesn't get any better than this!"
Jeannee S.
Milwaukee, WI
"Couldn't have asked for a more interesting trip and two outstanding guides, accommodations, and meals. This was our fourth trip with Wilderness Travel and one of the best (although we say that about every trip we have been on!)."
Jerry W.
Santa Rosa, CA
"From our arrival to departure everything fell into place perfectly: the hotels, lodges, and food were all first rate. Being able to track wildlife on foot at AfriCat was absolutely amazing. What an experience!"
Karen S.
Gilmanton, NH
"Very active trip that covered a lot of ground. Huab Under Canvas was unbelievable—I'm still amazed we drove that road—and we loved the Tok Tokkie experience."
Kent S.
Los Altos, CA
"This is a wonderful trip. I was reluctant to leave just about every place we were. The place, the animals, the landscape, the accommodations, the people were all outstanding. The devotion of all to preserving their unique environment was impressive and enviable."
Linda M.
El Prado, NM
"The trip offers a wonderful overview of Namibia. We feel we left with a good sense of the people, the wild animals, and the breathtaking landscapes. It was an adventure, with the added advantages of lovely accommodations, excellent food, and first-class guides."
Lorna C.
Berkeley, CA
"I liked the mix of accommodations from 5-star lodges to rustic tent cabins. My only regret is that the trip wasn't longer!"
Lynne N.
San Francisco, CA
"Our guides were top notch. Great people and incredibly knowledgeable. Polite, helpful, energetic, enthusiastic, patient, caring, fun, wonderful humans. They couldn't be better."
Michael and Jan V.
Hillsborough, NC
"This trip was everything I had hoped for, and more. The itinerary allowed us to see the many different sides of Namibia—from amazing animals and otherworldly landscapes to the country’s friendly people and admirable conservation efforts—in a relatively short period of time, without feeling rushed. And the food and lodging were spectacular, even when far from civilization."
Michelle B.
Washington, DC
"This was my ninth Wilderness trip and one of my very favorites. This trip had it all, great animal viewing, stunning landscapes including dunes and deserts, and a real appreciation of Namibia past and present."
Nancy B.
Charlestown, MA
"I love Wilderness Travel. You select the best guides, a variety of special places to stay, the food is always plentiful and cultural, and the adventure is top drawer! This trip to Namibia met all my expectations and more. Thank you for offering a trip that expands one's knowledge of other cultures while making it enjoyable and fun."
Nancy D.
Little Rock, AR
"Namibia is a fascinating and varied country. I feel privileged to have seen it. The quality of a trip often rests with the quality of the guides, and both were excellent!"
Pamela P.
Bethesda, MD
"Usko was one of the best guides we have ever had during our many excursions around the world—he was knowledgeable, caring, thoughtful and had an incredible wit. Every day was a pleasure and joy! We have never travelled with a group who so instantly connected. Thanks WT for making this one of our best trips EVER—we will keep coming back!"
Pat B.
Katy, TX
"The lodges/camps on this trip were SENSATIONAL...especially Camp Kipwe. But the BEST was the Tok Tokkie Trail! It was AMAZING...and sleeping under a starfilled sky...no words for it! No one wanted to leave."
Sue S.
Melbourne, Australia
"One of the best Wilderness Travel trips I have been on—everything was outstanding! And the guides were so knowledgeable, professional, and fun!"
Vivian L.
Georgetown, TX
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.