Safari, Sand & Sundowners.
When Gary and I were planning our Namibian road trip, we were slightly unsure if we were setting our expectations too high, in what we had hoped to see in this magnificent country.
Believe me; our wishes were surpassed tenfold and given the opportunity we would return again.
Your experiences will be different; however, you won’t be disappointed with the breath-taking country of Namibia.
![The pin image for our post - '14 experiences to tick off on your Namibian Road Trip](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/14-experiences-to-tick-off-on-your-Namibian-Road-Trip-Pin6.jpg)
Our List ...
- Sunrise over Sossusvlei
- Embark on a self-drive safari
- Visit Kolmanskop
- Explore the Skeleton Coast
- Meet the Desert Elephants
- Discover Fish River Canyon
- Look out for Etosha’s wildlife
- Visit Swakopmund
- Meet the locals at a Himba Village
- Experience a game drive day & night
- Explore the Kalahari Desert
- See the Eternal Night Sky
- Tour of the dunes
- Enjoy the perfect Sundowner
![Foot tracks leading up the sand dune known as 'Big Mamma' in Sossusvlei, Namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Tracks-up-Big-Mamma-Sossusvlei-things-to-do-in-namibia-places-to-see-in-namibia-V5.jpg)
![A petrified tree baked in the pan of Deadvlei with the dunes of Sossusvlei in the background.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Baked-in-the-desert-Sossusvlei-things-to-do-in-namibia-places-to-see-in-namibia-V5.jpg)
We chose a tour organised by our accommodation at Sossus Dune Lodge, which included breakfast after sunrise.
For more check out our post - 'Sossusvlei – The land that time forgot'
Driving Tip
If you are driving to Sossusvlei under your own steam, then heed the advice of others and reduce the air pressure in your tyres – we came across a group that’d regretted it!!!
For more details on driving in Namibia we have our post - 'The Hilux Briefing'
![our toyota hilux parked next to a long straight dirt trail disappearing into the distance just outside fish river canyon in namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/the-long-road-fish-river-canyon-namibia-curious-namibia-hidden-gems-in-namibia-visit-namibia-a-road-trip-in-namibia-touring-namibia-V5.jpg)
Like us, you can stay at lodges each night and enjoy a little luxury.
Then the following morning, hop back in your truck and tour the watering holes like an experienced ranger.
![The beware of the elephant sign next to the dirt trail in damaraland in namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/elephant-crossing-namibia-curious-namibia-hidden-gems-in-namibia-things-to-see-in-namibia-visit-namibia-a-road-trip-in-namibia-V5.jpg)
Truck Tips
- Opt for a 4X4;, you’ll need it!
- Request a long range fuel tank – fuel up regularly as petrol stations are few and far between.
- If you have the option, then request a fridge, you’ll be grateful for cold water. (Make sure you carry at least 2 litres of water per person)
- GPS will also come in handy, but it's not essential.
We used Advanced 4x4 Car Hire, and were very pleased with 'Heidi', our faithful Toyota Hilux.
![Disused building in the desert landscape of kolmanskop, namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/on-the-outskirts-of-town-in-kolmanskop-namibia-curious-namibia-discover-namibia-hidden-gems-in-namibia-iconic-namibia-places-to-visit-in-namibia-visit-namibia-touring-namibia-V5.jpg)
![Sand dunes inside a disused building in kolmanskop, namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/sand-everywhere-in-kolmanskop-curious-namibia-discover-namibia-hidden-gems-in-namibia-iconic-namibia-places-to-visit-in-namibia-visit-namibia-touring-namibia-V5.jpg)
It’s a bit eerie strolling amongst the abandoned homes and hospital, but equally fantastic that you’re allowed to just roam around on your own.
For a little more there our post - 'Kolmanskop - The gallery'
![A wrecked trawler washed up on the sandbanks of the skeleton coast just outside Swakopmund, Namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Another-victim-of-the-skeleton-coast-Swakopmund-reasons-to-visit-namibia-things-to-see-in-namibia-V5.jpg)
![The dunes of the skeleton coast where they meet the Atlantic Ocean in Walvis Bay, Namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/The-skeleton-coast-Sandwich-Bay-reasons-to-visit-namibia-places-to-see-in-namibia-V5.jpg)
If you're considering a road trip through Namibia, then your in for a holiday of a lifetime. I always find it incredibly useful to plan our trips with the help of a guide book.
Take a look at this informative Bradt guide, it will give you great tips and advice.
![A close-up of the head of an old bull desert elephant in the Kunene Region of Namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/An-old-bull-elephant-desert-elephants-Kunene-Region-reasons-to-visit-namibia-things-to-see-in-namibia-V5.jpg)
There were only four of us in the truck, so the experience felt really personal; I’m sure it’s one we’d struggle to match again.
There are our posts - ‘Those Elusive Desert Elephants‘ & ‘Camp Kipwe‘ for more info.
![A small family herd of five desert elephants huddled around a bush in Namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/desert-elephants-in-a-family-group-in-the-kunene-region-namibia-discover-namibia-must-see-namibia-places-to-visit-in-namibia-touring-namibia-V5.jpg)
![A view over the deep ravine of Fish River Canyon, Namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Traces-of-water-Fish-River-Canyon-things-to-do-in-namibia-places-to-see-in-namibia-V5.jpg)
This will take you to the southern end of Namibia, but it is worth it.
For more check out 'Fish River Canyon & the Roadhouse, Namibia'
![A group of resting lions against the stone wall of a water reservoir in Etosha National Park in Namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/a-pride-of-resting-lions-in-etosha-namibia-discover-namibia-must-see-namibia-places-to-visit-in-namibia-things-to-see-in-namibia-a-road-trip-in-namibia-V5.jpg)
Just be cautious when driving through the park, as you are in their environment and when confronted with a bull elephant or a rhino, there will only be one winner.
For more There's our posts - 'Western Etosha & Dolomite Camp, Namibia' , 'Then there were lions, Namibia' & 'Then there was a rhino, Namibia'
![a lone big bull elephant in etosha national park in namibia staring straight at us.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/a-big-bull-elephant-in-etosha-namibia-discover-namibia-must-see-namibia-places-to-visit-in-namibia-things-to-see-in-namibia-a-road-trip-in-namibia-V5.jpg)
It was really good to see that the German colonial influence was still prominent in Swakopmund, not just with the colourful buildings but also with their cuisine.
It’s a bustling town and has an interesting, lively craft market, where you can bargain for your Namibian souvenirs.
![A colonial-era building in a Bavarian-style in Swakopmund, Namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Colonial-past-Swakopmund-Namibia-V5.jpg)
Swakopmund sits on the Atlantic Ocean and is a great place to base yourself to discover the Skeleton Coast and the Namib Desert tours.
There's our posts - 'Swakopmund and its hostile coastline', 'The Little 5, Living Desert tour, Namibia' and the 'Sandwich Harbour Tour, Namibia' for more details.
![The old colonial pier heading out a long way into the atlantic ocean at swakopmund in namibia as waves crash against the shoreline](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/the-old-jetty-at-swakopmund-discover-namibia-hidden-gems-in-namibia-must-see-namibia-places-to-visit-in-namibia-visit-namibia-a-road-trip-in-namibia-V5.jpg)
![A young man leading a tribal dance of the Himba people in Damaraland, Namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/A-tribal-dance-of-the-Himba-Damaraland-reasons-to-visit-namibia-things-to-see-in-namibia-V5.jpg)
![A group of the Himba people sitting with simple home gifts in front of them with a mud hut in the background](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/gifts-for-sale-from-the-himba-in-damaraland-namibia-discover-namibia-hidden-gems-in-namibia-must-see-namibia-things-to-do-in-namibia-visit-namibia-V5.jpg)
The Himba are Nomadic and have since moved on from the village we visited. Still, you can find the latest from the Namibia Tourism website on how to organise a visit to these lovely people.
For a little bit more detail on our experience, then check out our post - 'The Himba People'
![A close up of a young springbok caught on safari in the Kalahari desert in Namibia.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/A-young-springbok-Morning-Game-Drive-Bagatelle-Kalahari-Game-Ranch-Namibia-V5.jpg)
We did a couple during the day. However, the night game drives are really interesting, tracking the nocturnal wildlife with a searchlight and hearing the soundtrack of the African nightlife come to life.
More details are available in our post - 'A Morning Game Drive, Kalahari Desert'
![An ostrich nursing her clutch of eggs surrounded by discarded eggs set in the deep burnt orange sand of the kalahari desert in namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ostrich-guarding-its-nest-near-the-bagatelle-kalahari-game-ranch-namibia-discover-namibia-things-to-do-in-namibia-what-to-see-in-namibia-V5.jpg)
![A roaming ostrich, walking away from us of the orange sands of the kalahari desert as seen on the morning game drive at the bagatelle kalahari game ranch, namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/a-roaming-ostrich-morning-game-drive-bagatelle-kalahari-game-ranch-namibia-namibia-tourism-things-to-do-in-namibia-what-to-see-in-namibia-touring-namibia-V5.jpg)
From here we saw some fantastic wildlife, not quite your lions or rhinos but equally enjoyable.
For more on our stay, we have our post - 'Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch, Namibia'
![A couple of young springboks in the kalahari desert as seen on the veranda of our lodge at the bagatelle kalahari game ranch in namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wildlife-from-our-lodge-bagatelle-kalahari-game-ranch-namibia-namibia-tourism-things-to-do-in-namibia-what-to-see-in-namibia-touring-namibia-V5.jpg)
![The Milky Way and night sky from our safari lodge at Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch, Namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/The-night-sky-from-our-safari-lodge-Bagatelle-Kalahari-Game-Ranch-reasons-to-visit-namibia-things-to-see-in-namibia-V5.jpg)
![The little 5 desert tour safari land rover parked on a sand dune overlooking the sea at walvis bay, swakopmund in namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Land-Rover-and-the-view-Living-Desert-Adventures-Walvis-Bay-Swakopmund-Namibia-V5.jpg)
While we were based in Swakopmund, we joined a couple of tours to discover more of the unreachable scenery and learn about the wildlife that manages to survive in this terrain.
We chose the ‘Little 5’ Living Desert tour, which was run by a fantastic guide who was extremely informative and passionate about respecting his surroundings.
![A close-up of our guide holding a sand-diving lizard between his thumb and forefinger on the little 5 desert tour in walvis bay, swakopmund, namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/A-Sand-diving-lizard-or-Shovel-Snouted-lizard-Living-Desert-Adventures-Walvis-Bay-Swakopmund-Namibia-V5.jpg)
Also, the Sandwich Harbour tour, which is for a full day, crosses the undulating dunes and visits a lost lagoon.
For more info on both experiences, catch our posts 'The Little 5, Living Desert tour, Namibia' and 'Sandwich Harbour Tour, Namibia'
![A view from the back seat of a Land Rover of Ernst, our guide, and he navigates the dunes of Sandwich Bay, Namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ernst-goes-for-a-drive-Sandwich-Bay-reasons-to-visit-namibia-things-to-do-in-namibia-V5.jpg)
![A cake stand resting on a tree stump overlooking a wide sandy valley at Camp Kipwe, Twyfelfontein, Namibia](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Sundowners-at-Camp-Kipwe-Twyfelfontein-reasons-to-visit-namibia-things-to-see-in-namibia-V5.jpg)
Is there any better way to finish your day than enjoying your favourite tipple under the African skies and watching the sunset across the desert?
Mine’s a G&T, please 🍸
One final time, for more on our time at Camp Kipwe then there's a post - 'Camp Kipwe, Twyfelfontein, Namibia'
![Sunset over the kalahari desert at the bagatelle kalahari game ranch in namibia as we enjoy sundowners](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/sundowners-at-the-bagatelle-kalahari-game-ranch-namibia-explore-namibia-things-to-do-in-namibia-visit-namibia-what-to-see-in-namibia-a-road-trip-in-namibia-V5.jpg)
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