6 Day Sand, Sea & Etosha Budget Camping Safari
Overview
Available languages
144 hours
Mobile ticket
For those seeking adventure, this is the ideal way to explore the highlights of Namibia on a budget. With 2 nights camping in both Etosha National Park, then 2 nights in accommodation in the adventure capital of the Skeleton Coast, this safari allows you plenty of time to enjoy Namibia's wildlife, culture and stunning coastal landscapes.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What‘s Included
Camping equipment
Game driving in Chameleon Safaris vehicle
Tap water
National Park entry fees
Sossusvlei excursion
Park fees for National Parks
All drinks and snacks and dinner in Swakopmund
Sleeping bag - can be hired
Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Avani Windhoek Hotel & Casino
129 Independence Avenue, Gustav Voigts Centre Windhoek Namibia
Windhoek Country Club Resort
Western Bypass, Pioneer Park, Windhoek Namibia
Hilton Windhoek
Rev. Michael Scott St, Windhoek Namibia
Movenpick Hotel Windhoek
Corner of Auas And Aviation Road Windhoek Namibia
Arebbusch Travel Lodge
Golf Street, Corner Auas Rd Windhoek Namibia
The Elegant Guesthouse
56 Ziegler Street Windhoek Namibia
Chameleon Backpackers Hostel
5 Voigt Street, North, Off Trift Street Windhoek Namibia
Roof of Africa Hotel Conference & Restaurant
124-126 Nelson Mandela Avenue, Windhoek Namibia
Windhoek Gardens Guest House
31 Pasteur Street Windhoek Namibia
Protea Hotel Windhoek Furstenhof
4 Frans Indongo Street, corner of Hosea Kutako Windhoek Namibia
What To Expect
Wednesday - Windhoek - Sesriem campsite– 320 km
Accommodations
Camping Sesriem Campsite. Communal bathroom facilities are available.
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
Picnic style lunch
DINNER
Dinner
A different dish each night – curries, pasta, braai (BBQ), stir fries etc.
You will be collected from your accommodation within the Windhoek city limits at 07:00 and transferred to Chameleon HQ for a short pre-departure meeting. There is some lovely mountain scenery on our drive to Sesriem. The road climbs up onto and over Namibia’s central plateau and stops at the small town of Rehoboth for essential supplies, back on the road we pass via the small community at BűellsPort on the way to our campsite. We aim to arrive at Sesriem around lunchtime and make our campsite under a huge, ancient camelthorn tree from where we can glimpse the towering red dunes of the world’s oldest desert. We enjoy a picnic-style lunch after setting up camp. In the late afternoon, there is the option with which to start our time in the world’s oldest desert. A short drive will take us to Elim Dune, for the best golden light before sunset. From here, if you would like to, it is a relatively short walk back, through the desert, to our camp.
Thursday – Sesriem – Sossusvlei – Sesriem – 120 km
Accommodations
Camping Sesriem Campsite. Communal bathroom facilities are available.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Variety of cereals, yoghurt, seasonal fruits, cooked breakfast, toast, juice, tea/coffee
LUNCH
Lunch
Picnic style lunch
DINNER
Dinner
A different dish each night – curries, pasta, braai (BBQ), stir fries etc.
Sossusvlei
Sunrise in the dunes is the name of the game this morning and that means a pre-dawn start. Our first stop will be at dune 45, so named because it is 45 km from Sesriem, and we cover this first distance in darkness and early morning twilight. The best time to photograph the dunes is around sunrise and sunset. This is when you can see towering sand dunes illuminated a glowing orange, apricot red on one side and swathed in shadow on the other. The depth of field is amazing at this time of day. We arrive at Dune 45 and climb to a vantage point for sunrise, watching as the colours grow and change with the ever-altering light. Back to the vehicle for a quick breakfast and we carry on for the last few kilometres to the 2x4 car park where all 2-wheel drive vehicles have to stop. From here we enter the ancient Tsauchab Riverbed for the last 5km leg to Sossusvlei itself. The River is ephemeral, it only flows seasonally, when there is enough rain, and for the most part, the riverbed is dry,,,
Friday – Sesriem Campsite -Swakopmund – 350 km
Accommodations
Overnight in twin share rooms with en-suite bathroom.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Variety of cereals, yoghurt, seasonal fruits, cooked breakfast, toast, juice, tea/coffee
LUNCH
Lunch
Picnic style lunch
Swakopmund
Departing after an early breakfast we head west into the desert. We first cross the Namib gravel plains, large areas of flat and seemingly barren terrain broken up by huge mountain inselbergs. We cross the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.5 south degrees. There is a signpost at this auspicious spot and we stop along the road for photos. We have two mountain passes to traverse this morning, first is the smaller canyon of the Gaub River, a tributary of the Kuiseb river Kuiseb Pass. We continue to follow the road to the top of the mountains, dropping steeply down into the canyon carved over eons by the Kuiseb River on its way to debouch into the ocean at the port town of Walvis Bay. We climb up from the banks of the river and over the pass, travelling through the mountain peaks We emerge from the mountains onto a flat road that takes us all the way to the town of Walvisbay. We have lunch at Walvisbay lagoon and complete the final leg of our journey into Swakopmund, no tents tonight.
Saturday– Swakopmund - Etosha National Park – 510 km
Accommodations
Overnight Okaukuejo Campsite with shared ablutions
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Variety of cereals, yoghurt, seasonal fruits, cooked breakfast, toast, juice, tea/coffee
LUNCH
Lunch
Picnic style lunch
DINNER
Dinner
A different dish each night – curries, pasta, braai (BBQ), stir fries etc.
Okaukuejo waterhole
After breakfast, we aim to be on the road from 09h00 today. Scenic route on comfortable paved road take us all the way to Etosha National park, arriving in the afternoon to do our first camp drive into the park to set up camp. Evening to spend at the amazing waterhole.
Sunday – Okaukuejo – Halali – Okaukuejo - Etosha National Park
Accommodations
Overnight Okaukuejo Campsite with shared ablutions
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Variety of cereals, yoghurt, seasonal fruits, cooked breakfast, toast, juice, tea/coffee
LUNCH
Lunch
Picnic style lunch
DINNER
Dinner
A different dish each night – curries, pasta, braai (BBQ), stir fries etc.
Okaukuejo waterhole
Etosha is a desert landscape and water is the most scarce natural resource. There are however numerous waterholes here, both natural and man-made, and our game driving technique is to take in as many as of these possible. Here we hope that the game will come to us as the animals attend for an early morning drink. Along the way, we will make a stop at a designated picnic area for a quick breakfast before continuing our game drive en route to the camp at Halali. The name for Halali is taken from a bugle refrain that was originally used during sport hunting with horses and hounds in Europe. The bugler would sound the Halali to signify that the hunt was over. This was considered appropriate for Etosha as inside the protection of the park, the hunting of animals is over forever.
Monday – Etosha National Park -Windhoek – 500 km
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Variety of cereals, yoghurt, seasonal fruits, cooked breakfast, toast, juice, tea/coffee
LUNCH
Lunch
Picnic style lunch
Windhoek
After breaking camp for the last time we head south to Windhoek, we stop briefly at the small town of Otjiwarongo to refuel the truck. Our journey takes us through the small town of Okahandja where we will find Namibia’s largest wood carving market. Craftsmen from all over Namibia come here to showcase a wide variety of items both large and small. Here we have the opportunity to collect a truly Namibian souvenir and at the same time to support the local artists and communities. We aim to be back in Windhoek in the late afternoon. There will be a shuttle service to take you to your accommodation within the Windhoek City limits.
Options
MALE/FEMALE willing to share
Pickup included
Reviews
44 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Incredible tour with fantastic guides!!
897charlottec,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did an amazing 6-day camping tour of Namibia with Chameleon and we couldn't have loved it more! A spectacular trip from start to finish - we particularly loved Sossusvlei and Sandwich Harbour! Special thanks to our amazing guides, Smithley and Bronny who were endlessly helpful, organised, knowledgeable and funny! They really made the trip so much fun. Highly recommend Chameleon for exploring this truly incredible country.
Amazing well-organized tour through Namibia
Daydream17945182993,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I’m super grateful for this adventurous trip! Kennedy was an excellent and professional guide — always helpful, resourceful and eager to share his extensive knowledge about Namibia’s flora and fauna. He also took our personal wishes into account which made the experience even more special. Although the drives were long, they were absolutely worth it, as we got to witness a wide variety of breathtaking landscapes (like dunes, pans) and incredible wildlife (on safaris). I would definitely recommend this trip to friends!
Amazing experience
NorthStar17542407979,
Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful time on the 6 day Budget Camping Safari with Chameleon Safaris and have returned with so many precious memories. The trip really shows off what an amazing country Namibia is. Our guide, Smithley, was exceptional, taking such good care of everyone.
Fantastic tour!
mauras959,
Sep 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Did the 6-day tour to see Sossusvlei and Etosha. It's an excellent way to get to experience Namibia if you are short on time. You get to see so many animals and do multiple walks on sand dunes to take in the amazing landscapes, beautiful sunrises and sunsets. So happy I chose the camping option, it's the way to do it and you'll get the most out of the experience! Ask for Smithley! He is a very knowledgeable and helpful guide and such a kind and caring person with positive energy. Definitely the best guide I've had so far, and I'm so happy we got to share this amazing trip with him!
Great cheap tour
NorthStar68294500263,
Aug 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I booked Chameleon Safari because it was cheaper than other companies, but I was very happy with the service and the price! We recommend it with confidence! First of all, I was relieved to have very solid support at the time of communicating online beforehand. It is very nice to have free transportation to and from the airport and the city of Windhoek even if it is not on the day of the tour. The tour has been so amazing. Our guide Smithley was really, really kind and acted around the clock for us from early morning to night. It's the best guide I've ever had! Sunrise and sunset from the desert, Deadfray, Etosha safari, perfect starry sky are all unforgettable memories. Every meal we ate outside was delicious. It was cold on a night in August, but I was able to sleep well because I could rent a sleeping bag cheaply! Small groups are also great. If I ever come to Namibia again, I will definitely take the Chameleon Safari!
Ray’s Best way
669lailak,
Aug 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ray isn’t just a friend He is a brilliant guide No need to pretend For that was beautiful ride Didn’t want it to end And loved him on my side !
Incredible experience with amazing guide Raymond
Derek1231,
Aug 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I highly rate my experience travelling with Chameleon safari. I did the six day tour covering the dunes, deadvlei, Sossusvlei, Etosha. Our guide Ray was incredible. Super hard working, professional, humorous, kind, patient guide and driver. He made sure the trip ran very smoothly and was tons of fun. The overall tour was a fantastic experience - we covered a lot of ground in 6 days and captured all the main highlights. I thoroughly recommend this affordable trip to explore the best Namibia has to offer. If you have Ray as your tour guide you’ll be very fortunate.
Trip of a lifetime
J3188JZcatherineb,
Jun 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The 6 day sand sea and safari trip with Chameleon Safaris was the absolute best! Our guide Erastus was absolutely fantastic! We climbed the red sand dunes in the Namib desert, we explored Sesriem canyon and Deadvlei, I went quad biking on the dunes in Swakopmund and finished off with 2 nights camping in Etosha, we fell asleep listening to lions roaring, saw black rhino's playing in the water hole, mating couple of lions, visited the etosha salt pan and do much more. Erasers really made this trip epic, he worked so hard cooking amazing meals for us, driving long hours on difficult roads! We had an epic blowout but he changed the tyre with minimal hassle and delay, he truly was such a lovely and great guy! I am recommending Chameleon to everyone who asks! The hostel they run is pretty epic too!! I want to go back to Namibia!!!
Some issues but enjoyed myself
andy2efc,
Apr 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00I just thought I would contribute to the previous review by Wayne D (I was on the 6 day tour which overlapped). 1. I can’t really comment on his issues regarding the shuttle bus. Clearly two people had an issue which was a constant issue of the trip. It resulted in an argument with the guide which hung over the rest of the trip. It appears to me that they left too short a space between the end of the tour and their flight in my opinion but they felt very differently. 2. Not a criticism but there is a significant amount of time spent on the bus. 4 out of the 6 days was driving. Namibia is a big country I understand but in hindsight is was too long spent on the bus. I would consider self driving if you want to avoid this. 3. Ray was a good guide and had good knowledge. 4. I have driven all over Africa and the roads are not great in Namibia in parts. However, the driving was simply too fast, constantly overtaking other cars who were driving more sensible on rough roads. The driving felt like we were rushing and in my opinion led to the tyre blowout and damage to battery. This meant we missed activities that afternoon. 5. Pre departure information and communication with Tina was excellent. 6. The game drive in Etosha took us out at 2.30 pm which is odd. Should be from 4.30 - 7.00 pm. Peace.
Great time seeing Namibia
Go27118594463,
Mar 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an unforgettable trip to Namibia, thanks to our fantastic guide, Raymond, who made the experience truly special. We did the 6-day tour with Chameleon, which covered the desert, the coast, and Etosha National Park. The trip was exceptionally well-organized, and the staff were both professional and great company. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Namibia!
From ZAR 23,500.00
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