Namibia Tracks and Trails

Namibia Tracks and Trails is one of the longest-established tour operators based in Windhoek. It was founded in 1986 by Karl-Heinz Grüttemeyer, who started the business while he was building Palmwag Lodge in Damaraland, and it has grown into a company with about 90 permanent staff and a fleet of around 39 vehicles, from transfer vehicles and SUVs to specialised safari vehicles. Its Windhoek office is in Philadelphia House on Newton Street, and it also has an office in Swakopmund, on the corner of Bohr and Einstein Streets, which is handy if your trip ends at the coast.

The range of trips is broad, covering Namibia and Botswana. Guided options include guided lodge tours, guided camping safaris and guided mobile tours, while independent travellers can choose self-drive itineraries, a self-drive and flying combination, or full flying safaris. There is also an Italian-language scheduled tour. Sample itineraries on its website include a Northern Namibia Explorer, a Southern Namibia and Kalahari Explorer and a Skeleton Coast fly-in escape, and trips can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget.

The company also runs its own camps: Desert Hills Glamping, Ozondjou Trails Camp and Malansrus Tented Camp. Having its own camps and vehicles is useful if you want a mix of guided and self-drive travel on one booking.

Conservation is a major theme. Namibia Tracks and Trails holds a five-flower rating from Eco Awards Namibia for 2026 to 2029, and in October 2026 it reported being ranked the highest eco operator in that scheme. It works with partners including Save the Rhino Trust, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and Elephant Human Relations Aid, and is a member of the Tourism Association of Namibia and registered with the Namibia Tourism Board.

To plan a trip, contact the Windhoek office on +264 61 252 197 or +264 81 125 1359; email addresses are on the website's contact page. As with any Namibian operator, book well ahead for the busy July to October season and for school holidays. The company suits travellers who want an experienced, well-resourced operator for anything from a short self-drive to a multi-week guided safari, and those who care about conservation credentials.