Namibia is a land of vast horizons: an ancient desert, a salt pan visible from space, and a coastline where kelp forests meet roaring dunes. Independent since 1990, the country blends Indigenous heritage with German colonial architecture—most evident in Swakopmund’s pastel facades and palm-lined promenades. Wildlife is wild in the truest sense: Etosha’s floodlit waterholes offer some of Africa’s best after-dark sightings of elephant, lion, and endangered black rhino.

Expect dramatic contrasts on this 7-day itinerary: three nights of safari in Etosha National Park followed by three nights on the Atlantic, with Walvis Bay’s dolphins and seals on one side and the Namib’s sinuous dunes on the other. Activities range from classic game drives to Sandwich Harbour 4x4 routes where dune slopes plunge straight into the ocean.

Practical notes: Namibia’s roads are excellent by African standards, but distances are long—drive by daylight, keep fuel topped up, and carry plenty of water. The Namibian dollar (NAD) is pegged to the South African rand; cards are widely accepted in towns. For flights into Windhoek, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Self-drive in a reliable SUV is common; guided transfers are easy to arrange if you prefer not to drive.

Etosha National Park (Okaukuejo Area)

Etosha’s 4,800-square-mile salt pan shimmers at the park’s heart, with life clustering around dozens of waterholes. The Okaukuejo area is famed for its floodlit pool—arguably Africa’s most reliable place to see black rhino at night—along with elephant herds, lion prides, and elegant herds of springbok and gemsbok.

Top routes include Okaukuejo–Okondeka (predator country on the pan’s edge), the fairy-tale woodland around Olifantsbad and Gemsbokvlakte, and a midday stop at Halali for lunch and a siesta by its quiet Moringa waterhole. Bring binoculars—Etosha is also superb for raptors and kori bustards.

• Where to stay: Inside the park for after-dark waterhole viewing (Okaukuejo Rest Camp), or just outside at boutique lodges with guided drives (Taleni Etosha Village, Etosha Safari Camp). Browse stays near the park on VRBO and Hotels.com.
• Food & drink tips: Okaukuejo and Halali have restaurants and small shops for basics. Just outside the Andersson Gate, Taleni Etosha Village does a fun boma-style dinner (think grilled game and salads), while Outjo’s beloved Outjo Bakery is perfect for padkos (road snacks) and German-style pastries on transfer days.
• Getting there: From Windhoek it’s ~435 km/4.5–5.5 hours by paved B1 to Okaukuejo (plus park check-in). Fuel for the leg runs roughly US$60–75 depending on vehicle. If you’d rather fly part-way, compare Windhoek–Ondangwa flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com and transfer 2.5 hours by road.

Swakopmund & Walvis Bay

Where the Namib Desert tumbles into the Atlantic, Swakopmund serves art nouveau silhouettes with fresh sea air. It’s Namibia’s adventure capital: sandboarding and quad biking in the Dorob dunes, coastal hikes, and the iconic Sandwich Harbour 4x4 route perched between ocean surf and shifting sand slopes.

Walvis Bay—20 minutes south—hosts dolphins, seals, and pelicans in a protected lagoon and is the launch point for catamaran cruises. Between seafood institutions and new-wave coffee roasters, the culinary scene is a surprise delight after days in the bush.

• Where to stay: Oceanfront hotels near the Mole or Vineta put you close to dining and dune operators. Check options on VRBO and Hotels.com.
• Dining short list: The Tug (harborside seafood, book ahead), Brewer & Butcher (house beers and hearty mains), The Wreck (north-beach sunset views), Farmhouse Deli (all-day café), Kücki’s Pub (classic Swakop institution). Coffee at Slowtown Coffee Roasters or Village Café; in Walvis Bay, Two Beards and a Saint roasts excellent cups.
• Getting there from Etosha: ~480 km/5.5–6 hours via Outjo–Uis–Henties Bay to Swakopmund with vistas of Brandberg. Fuel ~US$65–85. Prefer to fly on departure? Walvis Bay (WVB)–Windhoek (WDH) is ~55 minutes; compare prices on Trip.com or Kiwi.com (often US$90–160 one-way).

Day 1: Arrive Windhoek (afternoon arrival)

Afternoon: Land in Windhoek (WDH), pick up your SUV, and stock up on water, snacks, and a cooler. If you prefer to sleep in town before the long drive tomorrow, search stays on Hotels.com or VRBO.

Evening: Settle in and shake off jet lag with a Namibian welcome dinner: Joe’s Beerhouse (game skewers and lively patio) or The Stellenbosch Wine Bar (Namibian beef and a deep South African wine list). Turn in early—tomorrow is your safari push.

Day 2: Windhoek to Etosha + first waterhole magic

Morning: Depart Windhoek by 7:30 a.m. for the 4.5–5.5-hour drive to Etosha’s Andersson Gate. Aim to check into Okaukuejo around midday, pay park fees, and drop bags.

Afternoon: After a quick lunch at Okaukuejo Restaurant, take a gentle loop: Okaukuejo–Gemsbokvlakte–Olifantsbad. Watch for elephants dust-bathing and plains game in shimmering heat mirages.

Evening: Dinner at the camp restaurant, then bring a jacket and sit quietly at the floodlit waterhole. With luck you’ll see black rhino shuffling in for a drink, sometimes alongside elephants—an unforgettable Etosha scene.

Day 3: Full-day Etosha game drive

Morning: Gate opens at sunrise. Pack coffee and head to Okondeka on the pan’s edge—lions favor this route to ambush zebra. Birders: scan for kori bustard and pale chanting goshawk on roadside posts.

Afternoon: Break the heat at Halali: lunch at the restaurant and a quiet hour at Moringa waterhole where elephants often file past. Return via Rietfontein and Ombika, checking each waterhole for cheetah or spotted hyena.

Evening: Outside the gate, Taleni Etosha Village’s boma dinner grills game cuts to order with salads and traditional sides; inside, Okaukuejo’s kitchen does hearty curries and steaks. One more late sit at the waterhole—you never know which nocturnal visitor will appear.

Day 4: Dawn drive, then Etosha to Swakopmund (Atlantic welcome)

Morning: Short pre-breakfast loop to Nebrownii for oryx silhouettes against the pan, then check out by 9:30 a.m. Begin the scenic 5.5–6-hour drive via Outjo–Uis–Henties Bay to Swakopmund. Stop for takeaway pies at Outjo Bakery and views of Brandberg Massif near Uis.

Afternoon: Arrive in Swakopmund, check in, and stretch your legs along the Mole. Coffee at Slowtown Coffee Roasters (single-origin espresso) or Village Café (quirky décor, generous cakes).

Evening: Seafood dinner at The Tug (oceanfront, grilled kabeljou) or sunset tables at The Wreck north of town. Post-dinner stroll on the Jetty—Atlantic spray, starry skies.

Day 5: Marine Dune Day — catamaran cruise + Sandwich Harbour 4x4 (full-day tour)

Today is a signature Namibia experience combining Walvis Bay’s marine life with the desert’s towering dunes. Morning catamaran cruise to see dolphins, seals, and pelicans, often with oysters and sparkling refreshment on board; after lunch, transfer to 4x4s for the thrilling Sandwich Harbour dune drive where the Namib meets the sea.

Book: Marine Dune Day: Catamaran Cruise and Sandwich Harbor Dune Drive

Tip: bring a windbreaker, hat, and sunglasses. Hotel pickup is standard; lunches and drinks are usually included. If you prefer a shorter day, consider this half-day option instead:

Half-Day Sandwich Harbour Tour from Walvis Bay with Lunch

Day 6: Dunes, history, and Swakopmund flavors

Morning: Grab a flat white and pasteis de nata at Cordes & Co, then head to the Dorob dunes for an adrenaline combo.

2hr COMBO – 1hr Lie-down Sandboarding and 1hr Quad Bike Ride

Afternoon: Explore town with a guided narrative—colonial facades, the Jetty’s story, and coastal ecology—great context between activities.

Swakopmund Historical City Tour

Evening: Toast the day with a house pilsner at Brewer & Butcher (strand-side views), then dinner on fresh Atlantic seafood or eisbein at Kücki’s Pub. For a sweet finish, grab gelato on Daniel Tjongarero Ave and walk the promenade.

Day 7: Coast-to-capital and departure (afternoon flight)

Morning: Easy breakfast at Farmhouse Deli or a last coffee at Slowtown. If time allows, detour to Walvis Bay Lagoon to spot flamingos (seasonal) and pelicans; brunch at Two Beards and a Saint before you hit the road.

Afternoon: Drive ~360 km/4–4.5 hours back to Windhoek for your flight, or fly WVB–WDH (~55 minutes; compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com). If you’re overnighting, browse Windhoek stays on Hotels.com.

Optional/Alternate Coastal Add-ons (if you have extra time)

• Marine Dolphin Seal Cruise (Walvis Bay) — ideal if you chose a half-day Sandwich Harbour yesterday.

Practical safari tips: Carry a proper map or offline navigation; obey 60 km/h inside Etosha. Best sightings happen at first and last light—linger quietly at waterholes. In Swakopmund/Walvis Bay, book popular activities 1–2 weeks ahead in high season (June–October).

Where to sleep this trip: Etosha area stays on VRBO | Hotels.com and Swakopmund stays on VRBO | Hotels.com.

Why this route works: It stacks your days from bush to beach for variety, keeps drives to reasonable daylight windows, and pairs Etosha’s high-density game viewing with coastal experiences you won’t find elsewhere in Africa—dune driving where the desert falls into the Atlantic.

Summary: In a week, you’ll experience Namibia’s two great stages: Etosha’s wildlife theater and the Namib’s ocean-lit dunes. With thoughtful pacing, standout coffee and seafood stops, and a handful of must-do tours, it’s a balanced, high-reward itinerary you’ll be talking about for years.