Itinerary Namibia 27days

500 km from Etosha to Windhoek is not a problem. Roads are good.

Aren't you planning Swakopmund? I really liked it. Make sure you are there on a Saturday to see the Snake Museum (or is it farm?) feeding. So much to do there and great seafood restaurants, wine... cheap too. Woman at the tourist office is a wealth of information. In Walvis Bay go sandboarding with Wayne from Dune 7.

Don't forget Cape Cross Seal Colony. Short day trip is plenty. Can do it from Walvis Bay to Spitzkoppe. Just keep going north of Henties Bay then double back to Spitzkoppe Rd.

Naukluft - I did the Waterkloof Trail and it was OK but it is a good place to stop between Walvis Bay and Sesriem. There are kudus and small antelopes near the campground which is pretty cool.

Spitzkoppe is beautiful but I think one night is enough if you arrive before sunset and leave after sunrise. I really wanted to summit Brandberg but did not have time. Ask about the drive to the coast on the SW of Brandberg close to Uis. Something else I wanted to do but didn't have time. There is camping near there but the name of the site escapes me.

I think you could omit south of Windhoek unless there is something specific you want to see. I went to Fish River Canyon and was not overly impressed but I've been to Arizona and Utah which frankly blow Fish River away. And you can't hike anywhere without going through massive red tape. They simply don't want people hiking for (justifiable) fear of a rescue. I heard Luderitz is nice but I did not go.

Try to fit in a trip to the Okavango Delta in Botswana although it is a bit tough logistically since you already have the campsites booked. Shame to miss it since you are so close and have time. If you go, then forget the complacent, lousy, overpriced service of Audi camp and go with Old Bridge Backpackers. An overnight in the Delta is awesome and you will do game walks getting very close to zebras, buffs, and eles. Old Bridge also arranged a scenic flight over the delta which was a bit pricey @ $75/pp for an hour with 5 people but it was really good.

Jon

Hi,

I too wondered about the attractions of Mariental and Keetmanshoop, and the ommission of Swakopmund..?

I presume you will have a 4x4?

Etosha to Windhoek is good tar road all the way. c. 5 hours.

Unless you want to hike in Fish river canyon, one night will be enough. I'm not sure actually if there's day hike or if it's only the 5 days hike that is doable... I guess you're going to Keetmanshop for the Quiver tree forest and Giant's playground. I second that, it's a pleasant stop - make sure to get at sunset and/or sunrise at quivertree forest. Fantastic forest
I hence disagree with Jon - I really liked south of Windhoek, especially since it's so different from the north. Luderitz was interesting, and Ghost town was really nice to see ; again, maybe 2 nights in Aus will be too much, but I always prefer to have a looser plan and then make changes if I have too much time !

Agree with all of the above - esp 6 days in the south prob being (way) too much. There's nothing at all in Mariental, and I too thought Fish River Canyon was a bit ounderwhelming and 2 nights in Aus might be too much. If it's summer, you won't be able to do any walks in the canyon anyway.

I also agree that 1 night would be enough at Spitzkoppe. It's fab - but I think the extra day would be better enjoyed at Swakopmund.

You might also 'save' a day by not staying o'night at Twyfelfontein. The 'long tour' is only 45 mins, I think. I visited the area the same day I went to Brandberg.... you could poss combine some of the sights in Damaraland and buy yourself a little extra time for somewhere else.

If you're coming from north back to Okaukuejo, Hobatere has a lovely bush campsite (and lodge). Just a possible alternative to Kamanjab.

If you're considering shortening some of the Sthn Namibia itinerary based on some of the recommendations fom people above, but still need to fill in time as you already have your Sesriem bookings, you might consider substituting in Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park on the SA/Namibia/Botswana border. It's absolutely fantastic and very different to Etosha.

Thanks to all for your very interesting comments.

About the south, we really wanted to see the Quiver tree forest and sleep one night over there, and as we have time and haven't been to US and Arizona yet, we'll go to the Fish River Canyon.
The two nights in Aus are to visit Luderitz and the ghost town and not to have a too long driving day to reach Sesriem.

About Naukluft, we were thinking in doing the olive trail (about 10km I think).
And as most of you said, we're gonna sleep a second night in Walvis Bay/Swakop instead of a second night in Spitzkoppe!

I take good note of the camping site at Hobatere and Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park.

Thank you again!

Eva

If you leave Fish River Canyon early morning, not later than 10:00, you can reach Luderitz and skip Uas completely - nothing at Aus. From Aus to Luderitz is about 100 - 120 km, camp in Luderitz and get up early for Kolmanskop Ghost Town. On the way from Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe (alternative route via Usakos or the major town close to Swakop) you can also visit Bull Parties on the farm Ameid, also camping fasilities. Compare these rocks with Giants Playgrounds near Keetmanshoop! Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park is a bit off your route and time to short. Give Ais-Ais at Fish River a big miss - bad services for the past 15 years! not that Hobatere is much beter but at least the view close to the camp after driving the shocking road from the campsite to the edge of the canyon is great. Botswana will be another visit for you.

Nothing at Aus? Au Contraire.

There's a small military cemetery there with the graves of young men who died at the end of the 1st World War. Strange to think that European and Southern African armies fought in that remote desert.

Many of the dead were not killed in action, but had been captured and were struck down by the first pandemic of 'Spanish' 'flu.

Makes you glad you now live in an era where such things don't happen any more!

"Those who forget history are destined to repeat it"!

Isn't it near Aus that there's the wild horses?
I thought the little town of Aus was an interesting stop - a small town in the middle of nowhere! (you won,t have much choice to stop there for petrol anywhere)