Day 1 — arrival
Land mid-morning. Transfer to Windhoek hotel. Lunch, nap, dinner Joe's Beerhouse. Vehicle delivered next morning.
Days 2–3 — Sossusvlei (2n)
350km drive day 2 arriving by lunch at Sesriem. Sunrise Deadvlei day 3, afternoon at the lodge pool.
Days 4–5 — Swakopmund (2n)
Drive day 4 via Solitaire (apple pie). Sandwich Harbour day 5. Evening at the Tug or Jetty.
Days 6–7 — Etosha (2n)
Drive day 6 to Etosha (long but tarred most of the way). Full game-viewing day 7. Floodlit waterhole both evenings.
Day 8 — return
Early start, 450km back to Windhoek airport via Otjiwarongo. Vehicle returned, evening flight home.
Honest caveat
You skip Damaraland (the desert-elephant region). It's a 7-day trip — you can't have everything. If Damaraland matters, do 10 days minimum.
