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Namibia's Southern Hiking Tour (Short)

Namibias South - Hiking Safari Short

13 days hiking tour for self-drivers in the central south of Namibia

Experience the fascinating, unpopulated nature of the Namib and the Kalahari on a cozy Namibia safari with many hikes and excursions. This active trip with a focus on Namib, Naukluft and Kalahari gives you plenty of time to absorb the impressive and extremely varied nature of Namibia and forms a contrast to many other Namibia safaris, aiming at ticking off as many tourist highlights as possible.

You’ll spent much less time driving than on the usual Namibia tour. The guided and un-guided hiking trails are diverse and can be classified as easy to moderate. You should have a certain level of fitness though, especially when travelling during the hot summer months.  

Whether as a lodge tour or as a combination of camping / lodge safari, you will probably not forget this vacation soon.

Duration: 13 Days

But do take care: Once Namibia - Always Namibia!

Safari Overview - "Namibia’s most beautiful Highlights"

  • Day 1: Windhoek – Arrival, City Tour through Namibia’s capital
  • Day 2-3: Namib Desert – Complete arrival, Hiking in the fascinating Namib Desert
  • Day 4-5: Naukluft – Mountain hiking with refreshing pools
  • Day 6-7: Sossusvlei – The grand ocean of dunes of the Namib, Sesriem Canyon
  • Day 8-9: Tok Tokkie – Guided 3-day hiking trail with two nights under the Namib’s starry sky
  • Day 10: Kalahari - Drive into the Kahalari
  • Day 11-12: Kalahari – Guided 1,5-day hike in the Kalahari
  • Day 13: Return – Good-bye Namibia!

Costs

From N$ 45.500
(Camping/Lodge)
From N$ 60.000
(Lodge)

Rate example per person during the low season. Here you can find the detailed rates.

Rates in detail

Tour overview- "Namibia Southern Hiking Tour (Short)"

Day 1: Arrival in Namibia ~ 45 km

After your arrival at the Hosea Kutako International Airport approx. 45 km east of Windhoek, you will be welcomed by the car rental company and taken to Windhoek where you will take over your vehicle with all the necessary instructions and information. Afterwards you will drive to your accommodation where you are able to freshen up and rest. In the afternoon you will be picked up by your guide from Bwana Tucke-Tucke for an interesting Windhoek city tour, during which you will get to know historical buildings and the township of Katutura. In the evening you can go out for a relaxing dinner. We can recommend Joe's Beerhouse, Cape Town Fish Market or The Stellenbosch. 

Services included:

Lodge

  • Pick up at the airport and vehicle introduction.
  • Windhoek city tour
  • Accommodation Haus Sonneneck

Lodge / Camping

  • Pick up at the airport and vehicle introduction.
  • Windhoek city tour
  • Accommodation Haus Sonneneck

Day 2: On the way into the Namib ~ 230 km (4h)

After breakfast you can buy some supplies at the supermarket. Through the rugged Khomas Highland (Road C26) you drive westwards to the Namib Desert. A little picnic for lunch can be held at one of the viewpoints on the way to the Gamsberg Pass. Via the picturesque pass you’ll descend to the lower plains of the Namib Desert. After a few kilometres you turn left onto the C14 in a southern direction. After a short drive you’ll reach Rostock Ritz Desert Lodge. A one-hour sundowner walk will top off your day.

Services included:

Lodge

Lodge/Camping

Day 3: Namib Hiking ~ 0 km

Rostock Ritz Desert Lodge offers many different walking trails, varying from one-hour, light trails to whole day walking excursions to the rock paintings of the San (Bushmen). At the reception you will receive all information regarding length, difficulty and routing of the trails. We recommend to do the early sunrise trail followed by a lovely breakfast. Afterwards you are free to do one of the longer hikes. The afternoon can be spent at the refreshing pool with grand views. 

Services included:

Day 4: Naukluft Mountains ~ 130 km (2h)

The journey continues along the scenic C14 through the Namib Desert. In the little one-horse-town Solitaire you can get fuel and basic stuff from the little shop. Solitaire’s apple crumble is quite popular and people liking apple crumble claim “rightly so”. Strengthened and satisfied you’ll continue on good gravel road until you reach Naukluft Rest Camp. The contrast between the never-ending expanse of the desert and the ruggedness of the Naukluft Mountains couldn’t be bigger. 

After a lunch break there is enough time to hike the "Olive Trail", which takes about 4 hours. The level of difficulty is rated medium to difficult. One should definitely be free from giddiness and physically fit. Breath-taking views, impressive landscapes and a very special surprise guarantee an unforgettable experience.  Please note: If you don’t feel like climbing along a chain over a relatively steep cliff, you can also take a walk to a natural swimming pool up in the mountains (approx. 1,5 hours there and back).  Here you have several superb swimming possibilities in crystal clear mountain spring water – unique in Namibia!

Services included:

Lodge

Day 5: Naukluft Hiking ~ 0 km

Today a whole day hike, the "Waterkloof Trail" is on the program. Along perennial streams of the Naukluft Mountains the trail takes you 17 km through beautiful, diverse nature with several opportunities to take a quick refreshing dip in between. The trail takes about 6-8 hours and is rated medium to difficult. You should have endurance, be physically fit and have hiking experience.

On the trail you can not only enjoy wonderful landscapes, but with some luck – especially when you walk quietly – you can spot different wildlife. The Naukluft Mountains are home to mountain zebras, klipspringers, kudus, baboons and rock hyraxes. Numerous species of birds can be found including raptors and owls.

Services included:

Lodge

Day 6: From the Naukluft to the Namib desert ~ 100 km (1,5h)

In the morning you bid farewell to the Naukluft and take a relaxing one-and-a-half-hour drive to the Sossusvlei. It is advisable to pay the entrance fee for next day’s excursion into the Namib Naukluft Park upon arrival and to enjoy the sundowner from the first dune to the right of the road – the Elim Dune. Here you have beautiful vistas of the sea of dunes to the west and the mighty Naukluft Mountains to the east.  

Services included:

Lodge

Day 7: Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei and Sesriem Canyon ~ 130 km (2h)

Today an early rise (approx. 1 hour before sunrise) is advisable. Guests of the Sesriem Camsite, Dead Valley lodge and Sossus Dune Lodge are able to drive to the Sossus and Dead Vlei earlier than guests staying outside the park. The spectacle of colours of this natural wonder is best seen during sunrise with the additional advantage of cooler temperature than later in the day. You drive 80 km through dune landscapes on good tar road. The last 4 kilometres take you through thick sands where you will have to engage your 4x4.

The Dead Vlei with its numerous dead camelthorn trees as well as the famous Sossusvlei offer an unbelievable impressive natural setting. Take your time to just let your soul stray whilst climbing the Big Daddy, the tallest dune in the surrounding. Depending on your state of fitness and sand conditions the climb will take about 1 – 2 hours. The way down is usually much quicker and the more adventures can run down the steep slip face into Dead Vlei – this takes less than a minute.

Before the heats starts burning your soles away you should start to make your way back. At the park entrance we recommend a visit to the Sesriem Canyon before returning to your accommodation to spend the afternoon in the cool swimming pool.

Services included:

Lodge

Day 8: Tok Tokkie Trail ~ 130 km (2h)

After breakfast you continue south out of the state owned Namib Naukluft Park and into the private NamibRand Nature Reserve. More breathtaking landscapes and numerous wildlife species await you.

At the Tok-Tokkie farm house a light lunch is served and you will be introduced to your desert guide, who will accompany you the next two days. A short introduction to the trail is given after lunch before starting your hike in the early afternoon.

The Tok Tokkie Trail is easy to walk, as you only have to carry a day pack – all other luggage is transported by car to the overnight camp – and the speed of walking is adjusted according to the group. The maximum number of participants is eight, so that the groups are always small and that the guide is able to individually respond to the guest’s preferences. 

In the evening you’ll enjoy the obligatory sundowner and a little later a three-course menu. You’ll sleep on cosy field beds amidst the dunes underneath a million stars – a very special experience!

Services included:

Lodge

Lodge/Camping

Day 9: Tok Tokkie Trail ~ 0 km

Even before sunrise you are woken up with coffee or tea in bed. Now you have time to enjoy the sunrise in this pristine landscape. After breakfast we start with the reading the morning “newspaper”, which means that your guide will explain the fresh tracks in the sand left by the desert inhabitants to you as you go along

These inhabitants of the Namib, the oldest desert in the world, have adapted to the arid climate in an astonishing way. Your experienced guide will tell you a lot about the mammals, birds, reptiles and insects found here and will probably be able to lure one or the other desert inhabitant in front of your camera.  

The hot midday hours are spent at the shady lunch spot. Here you have time to relax, to have a bite for lunch and to reminisce about the last days. Once the temperatures cool down a bit towards the afternoon you embark on the last leg of the second day. The route takes you pass fairy circles and over small hillocks with unbelievable views onto the gras-covered, orange-red dunes of the Namib.  

At the dune camp you can free yourself from the desert sands under a rustic bucket shower. Again you will enjoy a delicious three-course, candlelight dinner. Your guide will take you on an short astronomy journey of the southern night sky once the sun has set and the sky is clear (i.e. nearly always).

Once more you’ll sleep in warm field beds right amidst the dunes!

Services included:

Lodge

Lodge/Camping

Day 10: Into the Kalahari ~ 260 km (4h)

Once more you awake with the rising sun surrounded by a sea of dunes. The hike today is easy going and you will arrive around 10:00 at the Tok-Tokkie farm house. Time to say good-bye to your guide and the friendly Tok-Tokkie staff and to drive into the Kalahari.

The last highlight of your journey, the Trans Kalahari Hike is awaiting you. Check in is from 2 pm and your guide is already awaiting you with the necessary information. The evening is spent at the Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge.

Services included:

Lodge

Lodge/Camping

Day 11: Kalahari Hike ~ 0 km

An early rise allows you to enjoy the sunrise on a Kalahari dune with a hot cup of coffee. Afterwards the hike commences. Experience the orange-red dunes of the Kalahari and the bush and tree savanna so typical for Namibia. After a picnic lunch you will reach the exclusive, luxurious Kalahari Dune Camp with shady Lapa and view deck in the afternoon. The camp’s waterhole is often visited by giraffes and antelopes. A small pool is at your disposal to clean yourself from dust and sweat of the hike. In the evening a barbeque awaits you at the campfire. Most of the time a clear sky allows a fabulous starry sky. You overnight in tents, each with own bathroom and hot shower.

Services included:

Lodge

  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Transkalahari Walk Camp

Lodge/Camping

  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Transkalahari Walk Camp

Day 12: A day in the Kalahari ~ 0 km

After an early breakfast in the dune camp with a view of the waterhole, you hike back to the Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge, where the Transkalahari Walk ends around midday. The rest of the day is spent relaxing in the lodge by the pool or on a short trip to the dunes if you haven't got enough exercise. In the late afternoon you can take part in a sundowner 4x4 game drive to get to know the Kalahari from a different perspective.

Services included:

Lodge

Lodge/Camping

Day 13: Back to Windhoek – Farewell from Namibia ~ 200 km (2h)

The Trans Kalahari Walk ends around noon at the Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge. It is the last day of your safari. Bid farewell to the Kalahari and to Namibia! Depending on your return flight you can plan a bit of time for souvenir shopping in Windhoek.  

The drive to Windhoek takes about two hours. You return your vehicle in Windhoek at the car rental and are transferred to Hosea Kutako Airport, as agreed upon at the beginning of your safari already.

Services included:

Lodge

  • Breakfast, Airport transfer

Lodge/Camping

  • Breakfast, Airport transfer

Good-bye Namibia !

Rates / Info-Namibia price guarantee

As with single bookings, our price guarantee also applies when booking a complete safari, meaning that you pay exactly the same amount as you would when booking the tour yourself (exception goes for campsite bookings).

  • The price indicated is based on bookings for two people.
  • For groups of four the rate will decrease as the rental car costs will be divided by the number of persons. This will be taken into account upon your booking request.

Low season 2024

01.01.2024 - 30.06.2024

From N$ 45.500 (Camping/Lodge)
From N$ 60.000 (Lodge)

High season 2024

01.07.2024 - 31.12.2024

From N$ 56.000 (Camping/Lodge)
From N$ 76.000 (Lodge)

The standard rates of the tours are approximate costs to give you an idea of the budget you can work with. The price is subject to availability of the accommodation and the rental vehicle and might change slightly if we have to book alternatives. We prefer working with smaller, more personal accommodation facilities and car rental companies, guaranteeing a consistent quality of service. Thus it is advisable to book at least one year in advance, especially when planning to travel during Namibia's touristic high season. Should we need to book alternative accommodation / rental vehicle we try to stick to this policy.

Tour enquiry "Namibia Southern Hiking Tour"

1. Personal details

First name *
Name *
Email *
Phone *
Country of origin *

2. Travellers

No. of adults *
Will you travel with children?*
Yes
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Please indicate number and age of children

3. Travel period

Do you know already when you will arrive in Namibia*
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Please indicate period of travel

4. Accommodation

Travel category*
Lodge
Camping / Lodge

5. Your message to us (optional)

I hereby confirm that I have read and understood the Terms and Conditions.

Dream holiday Namibia

Kathrin von Info-Namibia

After receiving your booking request, we will check availability of accommodation, before getting back to you with the exact cost of the tour. For special requests (amendments to the routing / accommodation / time frame.....) please use the field "Your message to us".

Should you prefer a complete individual routing for your self-drive or fly-in safari, please fill out our "dream travel questionnaire".

Dream Travel

Services

Services included:

  • Accommodation, activities and meals as per itinerary
  • 4x4 rental vehicle with the lowest excess
  • Airport transfers
  • 24 hour backup support
  • Detailed tour description with insider hints, telephone list for emergencies, vouchers – all sent in advance by e-mail for you to print and to familiarise yourself with.

Services excluded: 

  • International flight
  • Personal travel insurances
  • Fuel costs
  • Park and entrance fees
  • Activities
  • Tipps
  • Drinks and missing meals in the itinerary

Travel information / FAQs

Namibia is a safe country to travel in and with its good infrastructure it is ideal for self-drive safaris. Especially those, who like to get an individual impression of the country a tour in a rented vehicle is highly recommendable. You’ll have the opportunity to learn a lot about the country and people and also to experience a lot off the beaten track.

Here we answer the most important and most frequently asked questions:

Take it easy

To be able to really enjoy your self-drive safari you should be open-minded, serene and patient to a certain extent – in Africa and thus also in Namibia, the clocks often tick a bit differently.

On the other hand, compared to other African countries, Namibia is in many regards nearly European. Not without reason Namibia is seen as the perfect country for introducing novices to the African continent.

Gravel road

With the material and pre-information provided like route descriptions, distances and approximate travelling times you will be well prepared for your safari. However, one should be an experienced driver and should be in the possession of the licence for more than just a couple of weeks. 4x4 experience is not necessary. The tarred and gravel roads are overall in good condition.

The driving routes and distances have been selected in a way that you can have a rather relaxed experience.  

Check road signs

In Namibia you don’t need to be scared (just respectful) of spiders, snakes and lions, but rather of overestimating your own driving capabilities. Every car rental company will tell you that the average travelling speed on gravel roads should not exceed 80 km/h and 120 km/h on tarred roads. However, on some gravel roads 80 km/h is already too fast. Take your time – you are on vacation! And please take note of the road signs.

On arrival, when taking over your vehicle you will receive an orientation on driving in Namibia and on road safety. It is essential that you follow the instructions given by the car rental company:

Here some safety guidelines for driving in Namibia in advance:

  • Namibia has left-hand traffic – Please stick to it.
  • Please avoid driving at night!
  • Off the accelerator on gravel roads – maximum 80 km/h. Especially on gravel roads: reduce speed before entering a bend! Also when the road visibility is not clear. Abrupt reduction of speed can lead to losing control of the vehicle and in the worst case “rolling” the car.
  • Only over-take when visibility is 100%.
  • Always lock your rental vehicle and don’t leave valuables visible from outside in an unmonitored car.

Many rental vehicles are equipped with tracking devices. Should you have an accident and the evaluated data shows that you were speeding your insurance will be nil and void. 

You need your national driver’s licence in connection with an international licence for driving in Namibia.

Individual accommodation

All accommodations described in the itinerary are known to us and classified as good to excellent (service, cleanliness, location, facilities). Most of them only have a limited number of beds though and when fully booked we have to book alternatives. These changes are subject to availability at the time of booking. When having to book alternative lodges, hotels or B&Bs we always strive to find accommodation of the same quality.

In most of the lodges dinner and breakfast are included in the rates. In towns you have the option to visit restaurants of your choice for dinner, thus only breakfast is included.

The campsites have also been chosen with care. All team members of Info-Namibia are dedicated campers and value good campsites.

In the itinerary of a lodge or lodge/camping safari we have chosen locations where you have access to supplies. Camping vehicles are equipped with a fridge for storing perishables up to five days.

It is always advisable to visit the website of your Ministry of Foreign Affairs before travelling abroad.

Please see the "African Risk Map". Copyright © Control Risks 2019

Riskmap - Copyright © Control Risks 2019

In general, this can be said: Namibia is a politically stable country. Compared to other African countries the crime rate is very low, however as a tourist (and as any inhabitant) there are certain ground rules to adhere to:

  • Don’t do anything, you wouldn’t do at home. For example, don’t let any stranger assist you when drawing money at an ATM.
  • In town and especially in outskirts you should not travel on foot carrying valuables.
  • Avoid walking around in darkness. In Swakopmund one can make an exception when walking to or from a restaurant in the evenings, but please inform yourself at the reception of your accommodation.
  • Should you want to use a taxi service, please use official taxis (CityCab, etc.) or make use of Leva (Namibia-Uber).

Souvenirs in a himba village

Changing money: At the airport in Windhoek you can exchange foreign cash at the teller or you can draw money at the ATM. This goes for all bigger towns in Namibia. Best ATM when using foreign cards are Nedbank (green) or Standard Bank (blue). Draw or exchange about N$ 5000 per person at the beginning of your tour and try to pay with credit card during the rest of your travel. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted.

Costs for provisions during the safari: As mentioned above, dinner and breakfast are usually included in the lodge tour. Lunch and any missing, additional meals in restaurants can usually be paid with credit card.

On the mixed lodge/camping tour the accommodations and campsites are pre-paid.

Costs for supplies in shops are comparable to Europe or the USA. Eating out in restaurants is normally less expensive than in Europe.

Fuel: A large cost factor are costs for fuel. You can calculate with an average consumption of 10 litres on 100 km. One litre of fuel costs about N$ 12 (dated 07.04.2020). For a 2000 km journey you will need about 200 litres of fuel, which will cost you about N$ 2400.

Souvenirs: You can buy beautiful souvenirs relatively cheap all over the country.  Local producers of jewellery and artefacts benefit from this income.

Gratuities: A 10% gratuity for a good service in restaurants is common in Namibia. For services at fuel stations (re-fuelling, washing the windscreen…) a tip of N$ 5 is a guideline. Many accommodation facilities have a general “tip box”, the content of which gets equally distributed amongst all staff members. Tips are normally given once at the end of the stay and are usually about N$ 50 per person per night. Of course, the amount you want to give as gratuity is at your own discretion.

Visa and entry permit

  • You definitely need a passport which is at least 6 months valid and which has two open pages when entering the country.
  • Most Europeans (as well as US citizens and many others) receive a visa free of charge when entering the country. This visa is valid for the duration of the intended stay (make sure!). The maximum given stay is 90 days.
  • It is your responsibility to inform yourself about the visa regulations that adhere to your nationality before travelling to Namibia.
  • Double check the entry stamp at immigrations on the duration of validity of your visa.
  • Should you be travelling with minor children, please let us know as special documents are needed for that. 

Namibia does not prescribe any vaccination, but check with countries where you might be in transit! Malaria is restricted to certain areas of the country. Depending where you want to travel to, we will advise about malaria. As with the visa regulations please always inform yourself at your own Ministry of Foreign Affairs about regulations

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