Overview
A budget-friendly Namibian safari expedition to Etosha and Swakopmund in a duration of four days.
This Budget Lodge Safari commences and concludes in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, and includes game viewing in Etosha National Park. Spend one night at Halali Camp within Etosha Park, with a floodlit waterhole for wildlife observation, and one night at a resort next to Etosha Park. We investigate the distinctive environment of Etosha Park with game drives, seeking the diverse animals present in Namibia’s foremost game reserve.
Subsequently, we journey along the Skeleton Coast to Swakopmund, the adventure center of Namibia. We investigate the charming coastal town and partake in many optional adventure activities offered in and around Swakopmund.
An exceptional trip in Namibia, providing wildlife observation and coastal adventure. Explore Etosha Park and Swakopmund economically!
Detailed itinerary:
Day 1: Windhoek to Etosha National Park, Namibia
We commence our journey from a designated backpackers lodge in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, at 8:30 am on the first day of this economical Etosha and Swakopmund Safari.
While driving north to Etosha, we pause in Otjiwarongo for lunch before proceeding to Etosha National Park.
We enter Etosha Park by the Anderson Gate, commencing an afternoon game drive to several local waterholes. Our game drive seeks to observe Etosha’s wildlife, particularly the carnivores, along with zebras, giraffes, elephants, and rhinos.
We spend our inaugural night within Etosha Park, arriving prior to dusk at Halali Camp, where we occupy twin rooms. The camp includes an illuminated drinking hole where visitors may observe animals, including elusive nocturnal species, as they come to drink at night.
Your safari guide prepares dinner following our exhilarating first day in Etosha. Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Game Observation at Etosha National Park
This morning, we embark on an early game drive in Etosha Park, departing prior to daybreak.
We traverse Etosha Park, pausing at Etosha Pan, Namibia’s largest salt pan, for a modest meal in the late morning. Step onto the expansive flat pan and encounter the vastness of this 4500 sq km seasonal saltpan.
Our game drive traverses the expansive Etosha Park in pursuit of diverse African species, including four of the Big Five (lion, rhinoceros, leopard, and elephant), along with the plentiful plains animals inhabiting this desolate region. We traverse multiple waterholes on route to Halali Camp. Your guide arranges a delectable picnic lunch in Halali, providing a refreshing respite from the heat. Engage in a revitalizing swim in the pool, unwind in the camp’s waterhole, or repose here during the peak heat of the day.
We go to Okaukuejo Camp, stopping at an additional waterhole to observe the sunset over the African savanna. Subsequently, we depart from Etosha Park and proceed to our second overnight safari destination, located just outside the game reserve. We reside at a safari lodge adjacent to the Etosha gates, in twin-share permanent tents equipped with en-suite facilities.
The safari guide prepares dinner, and we spend the evening unwinding around the campfire, exchanging stories of our wildlife viewing experiences. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Depart from lodge near Etosha to Swakopmund
On the third day of this Namibian Safari Adventure, we enjoy a relaxed breakfast at our economical lodge near Etosha, prior to traveling southward to Swakopmund.
We traverse the parched Damaraland in the Kunene Region, traveling through communal areas and halting at the Ugab River bridge to engage with the remarkable Herero women selling arts and crafts to sustain their family.
Our lunch halt along the journey is located at the base of Brandberg Mountain, the tallest mountain in Namibia. We are visiting a Himba community that sells handcrafted jewelry and various African artifacts. Post-lunch, we traverse the Namib Desert en route to the striking Skeleton Coast. We pause to observe the most recent shipwreck and appreciate the formidable Skeleton Coast.
We arrive in coastal Swakopmund in the late afternoon, providing an opportunity for you to explore this charming beach town in Namibia. Your safari guide can suggest a local restaurant for dinner (at your own expense) in Swakopmund.
Our overnight lodging in Swakopmund consists of twin-share rooms with en-suite bathrooms. (BL)
Day 4: Swakopmund to Windhoek – Namibia
On the concluding day of the Etosha & Swakopmund Safari adventurous, we enjoy a relaxed breakfast, followed by leisure time to further explore Swakopmund or engage in adventurous activities.
Optional activities in Swakopmund comprise quad biking, sandboarding, dolphin cruises, picturesque flights above shipwrecks, among others. Birding aficionados will be pleased to know that our driver is available to take them to Walvis Bay to observe the flamingoes in the lagoon, a designated RAMSAR Site for avifauna.
In the afternoon, we return to Windhoek, pausing for a brief lunch along the road. We make a brief stop at the Okahandja Wood Carving Markets, where you may peruse locally crafted items and negotiate with the woodcarvers.
The affordable Namibia Safari Adventure to Etosha and Swakopmund concludes in Windhoek, where you will be dropped off to your selected accommodation, the bus terminal, or the International Airport. (BL)
Etosha Lodge Lodging
Our favored Etosha Lodge hotel is situated 2 kilometers outside the Etosha National Park game reserve. We reside in twin-share permanent tents or rooms, equipped with en-suite bathrooms that include private shower and toilet facilities.
Each expansive safari-style tent is equipped with inside illumination and twin beds. High-quality towels, linen, and additional blankets are supplied, and the tents include self-catering amenities.
All our alternative Etosha lodge alternatives are situated within 25 km of the Anderson Gate on the western perimeter of Etosha National Park and will maintain a comparable standard.
Swakopmund Lodge Lodging
Our hospitable resort in Swakopmund is conveniently situated within walking distance of the beach, shops, restaurants, and craft market.
The lodge accommodations include either a double bed or twin single beds, along with private shower and toilet facilities. Rooms are equipped with bedside lamps and storage cabinets for your belongings.
The resort in Swakopmund offers a tranquil ambiance, with a basic continental or cooked breakfast included in the trip package.
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park, located in the Kunene Region of northwestern Namibia, is esteemed as one of Africa’s premier wildlife reserves.
This enormous game park encompasses 22,270 km² and has 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species, and one fish species. The distinctive landscape of Etosha Park sustains uncommon and diverse wildlife and avifauna, rendering it a singular safari locale.
The national park is characterized by the arid Etosha Pan, spanning around 5,000 km², with ‘Etosha’ signifying a location of dry water or vast white spot. The vast silvery-white salt pan presents a breathtaking view, characterized by its broad horizons and glimmering mirages extending into the distance.
Etosha Park is home to four of Africa’s Big Five: white rhino, endangered black rhino, lion, leopard, and elephant. Additional fauna including giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, and several antelope species, including black-faced impalas, tsessebes, and gemsboks.
Safari Vehicles in Namibia
Nine-seater: 4×4 Land Cruiser featuring a pop-up roof and individual forward-facing seats equipped with lap belts.
Six-seater: 4×4 Land Cruiser equipped with a pop-up roof and individual forward-facing seats with lap belts.
Four-seater: 4×4 station wagon equipped with seat belts and air conditioning. Designed for intimate gatherings of two or three individuals (ensured window seating).
12-passenger: Two-Wheel Drive Custom-built safari vehicle featuring expansive drop-slide windows and twelve forward-facing seats that provide superior front visibility. Equipped with seat belts, a pop-top roof, an inverter for charging cameras, iPods, and cell phones, along with a USB plug on the stereo for personal music playback.
The selection of the tour vehicle for particular departures will be based on the size of the safari group at the time of departure.
Namibia Safari Note: This Etosha Safari can be integrated with the Sossusvlei Dunes Safari to create a 6-day Dunes and Wildlife Safari, a fully catered expedition that explores the two primary attractions of Namibia. The Namibia safari package comprises one night of lodging in Swakopmund and departs every Tuesday.
This safari to Etosha excludes Namutoni Camp entirely, as it is inaccessible to non-resident visitors unless a substantial daily fee is paid, which is not incorporated in the safari’s cost. Kindly bring swimwear and pool towels, particularly during the summer season.