Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival at Airport | Transfer To Mariental | Game Drive In Kalahari Desert
Arrival at Airport | Transfer To Mariental | Game Drive In Kalahari Desert
You will be met on arrival at Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport by an English-speaking guide. You'll have a short time to change money if necessary before proceeding directly south towards Mariental. We'll cross Rehoboth, the traditional home of the Baster people. The Basters migrated north from the Cape and settled in this fertile area in the 1870s. Their name derives from the word “bastard” and refers to their “mixed blood” (European and Khoikhoi)—far from being insulted by such a reference, the Baster people are very proud of their heritage.
Drive to the Kalahari Desert, located in eastern Namibia on the border with Botswana. You will have an evening game drive in the park. Despite being a desert, the Kalahari is home to a great variety of desert-adapted plants, insects, and animals including lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, hyenas, rhinos, and venomous snakes.
Dinner and your overnight stay are at Kalahari Anib Lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Kalahari Desert
- Accommodation:
- Kalahari Anib Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Morning Game Drive | Drive To Sossusvlei
Morning Game Drive | Drive To Sossusvlei
After a leisurely breakfast, we'll leave for a game drive in the Kalahari Desert. Afterwards, head over the mountains to reach the Namib Desert this afternoon. We'll cross Maltahöhe which lies on the edge of the Swartland escarpment, a gateway to the wonders of the west with a predominantly Nama population. Once off this village, we will be on a gravel road that extends into the desert, where we can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Zaris Pass. Enjoy lunch en route to the Sossusvlei area.
Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red sand dunes of Namibia. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red sand dunes to make this one of the natural wonders of Africa and a photographer's heaven. Aside from the attractions at Sossusvlei—Dune 45, Hiddenvlei, Big Daddy and Deadvlei—other attractions in the area include the Sesriem Canyon and Namib-Naukluft National Park, where the mountains of the Namib meet its plains.
Dinner and your overnight stay are at Desert Grace Lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)
- Accommodation:
- The Desert Grace
Wildlife in Namib-Naukluft NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Tour Sossusvlei, Visit Dead Vlei, Sesriem Canyon and Namib-Naukluft National Park | Visit Dead Vlei
Tour Sossusvlei, Visit Dead Vlei, Sesriem Canyon and Namib-Naukluft National Park | Visit Dead Vlei
We will head out deep into the dune fields. The Namib Sand Sea is the second UNESCO World Heritage Site for Namibia (2013). One of the coldest, driest, and most pristine areas on Earth, the Namib Desert is a world of vast spaces, endless horizons, and jagged mountain heights. The best time for photography in the dunes is early morning when the rising sun still casts shadows that give depth and contrast to the dunes. As the sun rises overhead the colours of the dunes change from salmon pink to brick red and orange.
Sossusvlei is a striking white pan surrounded by ancient Camelthorn trees and the towering orange dunes of Namib. Dead Vlei offers excellent photographic opportunities. This pan is completely surrounded by dunes and the floor of the pan is dotted with stark, dead Camelthorn trees.
You will visit Sesriem Canyon, a 30-meter deep gauge incised into the desert floor by the Tsauchab River.
Dinner at Desert Grace Lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Namib-Naukluft National Park (Namib Desert)
- Accommodation:
- The Desert Grace
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Travel to Namib Naukluft Park | Swakopmund | Visit The Museum | Leisure In The Afternoon
Travel to Namib Naukluft Park | Swakopmund | Visit The Museum | Leisure In The Afternoon
Namibia is a desert of great contrast offering dunes, rocky canyons, and vast gravel plains. Travelling north, we'll cross the Namib Naukluft Park stopping at a water hole where we may encounter hardy desert species. Oryx, springbok, and ostrich shimmer and distend in the heat haze appearing much larger than they are.
We will cross the Tropic of Capricorn and descend into the smaller Gaub Canyon and then descend into the Kuiseb Canyon. After a day out in the desert, we'll reach the coastal town of Swakopmund. It is a historical desert town, surrounded by desert and the sea. It is a popular holiday destination with a Bavarian flare!
Leisure afternoon is free for shopping and/or optional extra activities such as quad biking on the dunes, sky-diving, para-gliding, horse & camel riding, etc. Visit the museum, the cristal gallery, or art galleries.
In the evening, we'll go to one of the best restaurants in Swakopmund for dinner.
You'll overnight at Swakopmund Luxury Suites.
- Main Destination:
- Namib-Naukluft National Park (Namib Desert)
- Accommodation:
-
Swakopmund Luxury Suites
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Visit Walvis Bay | Marine Cruise | An Exhilarating Dune Drive In Sandwich Harbour Area | Birding
Visit Walvis Bay | Marine Cruise | An Exhilarating Dune Drive In Sandwich Harbour Area | Birding
Go to Walvis Bay which has been a haven for sea vessels because of its natural deepwater harbour. Being rich in plankton and marine life, these waters draw large numbers of whales attracting whalers and fishing vessels.
From the Walvis Bay Yacht Club, board the catamaran and spend the morning exploring the bay area which is home to a great variety of birdlife, seals and three different types of dolphins may be encountered. These are the heavyside dolphins which are the most prolific in being endemic to the coast of Namibia, dusky dolphins and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.
The larger mammals like the Southern right whale and the humpback whales may be spotted with a bit of extra special luck. There are rare sightings of sunfish and leatherback turtles.
Depart for an exhilarating dune drive in the Sandwich Harbour area for breathtaking panoramic views of the picturesque dunes engulfed by the sea. The area hosts upwards of 70 000 birds.
Dinner and overnight at Swakopmund Luxury Suites.
- Main Destination:
- Swakopmund (City)
- Accommodation:
- Swakopmund Luxury Suites
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Travel To Twyfelfontein | Visit The Organ Pipes | Visit Burnt Mountain
Travel To Twyfelfontein | Visit The Organ Pipes | Visit Burnt Mountain
After breakfast, you will leave for Twyfelfontein into Damaraland (Kunene Region), a sparsely populated part of Namibia, an area of stunning scenic beauty and home to the desert-adapted elephant. Twyfelfontein is home to one of the largest collections of rock-art engravings found in Southern Africa. In 2007 UNESCO declared Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes as Namibia's first World Heritage.
We turn inland and head across the plains entering an area locally referred to as Damaraland. We'll travel across the rugged expanse of Damaraland, passing the Brandberg mountain complex and the highest peak in Namibia (the Konigstein at 2573 meters above sea level). The scenery changes and the temperature once again increases as we move inland. Lunch en route.
We'll also visit the Organ Pipes located in a small ravine. Close by is the Burnt Mountain which appears to have been literally burnt by fire.
Dinner and your overnight stay are at Twyfelfontein Country Lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Twyfelfontein (Rock Art)
- Accommodation:
- Twyfelfontein Country Lodge
Wildlife in Damaraland
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Nature Drive In Aba-Huab River Bed | Explore Wildlife Of Damaraland |Explore The Rock Engravings
Nature Drive In Aba-Huab River Bed | Explore Wildlife Of Damaraland |Explore The Rock Engravings
After breakfast, we explore the beauty and wildlife of Damaraland on a nature drive in the dry Aba-Huab River Valley with the possibility to encounter desert-adapted wildlife such as springbok, oryx, elephants, etc."Desert" elephants migrate long distances in search of food and water. They are one of only two populations of “desert” elephants in the world (the other is in Mali).
After lunch, explore the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein where Bushman communities engraved and painted over 2500 pictures some 6000 years ago. The name Twyfelfontein is Afrikaans for “doubtful fountain” a reference to the small fountain located in the area. The farmer who purchased this land doubted that the fountain could produce enough water to support the variety of games depicted in the engravings.
Dinner will be at Twyfelfontein Country Lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Damaraland
- Accommodation:
- Twyfelfontein Country Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Travel To Opuwo (Kunene region)| Game Drive In Etendeka Plateau Area
Travel To Opuwo (Kunene region)| Game Drive In Etendeka Plateau Area
Departing Twyfelfontein we'll head north to Opuwo. Opuwo is situated in the northwest of Namibia and is the capital of Kunene region. In Opuwo ancient traditions and modern times meet, as Opuwo is the centre of the Himba culture. Opuwo, meaning "finished" or "up to here and no further", is a true frontier town and is a crazy, dusty, noisy, colourful and chaotic blend of cultures.
We'll cross northern Damaraland, which is stunningly beautiful with flat-top mountains and rock-strewn valleys. In the Etendeka Plateau area, one finds the desert-adapted elephant as well as mountain zebra, giraffe, kudu, springbok, oryx, and ostrich. With the break-up of the supercontinent, Gondwanaland—150 million years ago—masses of lava poured out over this area. Subsequent erosion has resulted in this striking landscape—strewn with red boulders and dotted with strange, desert-adapted plants. We may encounter Herero and Himba settlements. Lunch en route.
Dinner and overnight are at Opuwo Country Hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Kunene Region
- Accommodation:
- Opuwo Country Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Travel To Epupa Falls And Himba Village Visit
Travel To Epupa Falls And Himba Village Visit
Travel to Epupa Falls, created by the Kunene River in the Kaokoland area of the Kunene Region. The name "Epupa" is a Herero word for "foam", in reference to the foam created by the falling water. This beautiful valley has been home to Himba families for centuries, visit the falls to explore the spectacular scenery. A few baobabs cling precariously to the rocks above the gorge, belying the peaceful atmosphere, mountains, and makhani palm forest surrounding the Kunene River.
After lunch, we'll visit a Himba village to learn more about the culture of the Himba and Herero people. The Himba are nomadic herdsmen so you may find some of the villages empty as they move depending on the availability of grazing for their cattle. The Himba are proud, beautiful people with aristocratic features. The women rub a mixture of animal fat and ochre (the powder from a crushed, red stone) onto their skin and braid their hair into ceremonial styles.
Dinner and your overnight stay are at Epupa Camp.
- Main Destination:
- Epupa Falls (Kaokoland)
- Accommodation:
- Epupa Camp
Wildlife in Kaokoland
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Travel To Western Etosha National Park | Game Drive
Travel To Western Etosha National Park | Game Drive
Have an early morning breakfast, then travel to Etosha National Park. The park offers abundant game viewing opportunities.
You'll have lunch en route to Hobatere Lodge. Time permitting we'll undertake the first game drive in Etosha, one of the largest national parks in Africa, going to the lodge at sunset. The park cannot support the large herds of game found in East Africa but it has a diversity and haunting quality few parks can match. Etosha National Park covers an area of approximately 22270sq km and is home to around 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptiles, 16 amphibians, and even a fish.
Dinner and your overnight stay are at Hobatere Lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Western Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Hobatere Lodge
Wildlife in Etosha NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Travel To Southern Etosha National Park | Game Drive
Travel To Southern Etosha National Park | Game Drive
Enjoy an early morning wake-up call followed by breakfast before we head into the park (via the Galton Gate) for a full day of game viewing, as we move across the park to reach Okaukuejo camp. A packed lunch will be enjoyed along the road. The park is home to 4 of the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, and black rhino). Its waterholes support a rich diversity of birds and mammals, including rare species such as black-faced impala, cheetah, and Namibia’s smallest antelope, the Damara dik-dik.
The dry season (May to Oct) is a particularly rewarding month for game viewing as the rainwater has dried up and the game is forced to rely on the life-supporting waterholes.
But the rainy season (Nov to April) has its delights as it is the peak calving season in the park. Young springbok, zebra, and wildebeest gambol across the plains trying to get their legs under control while flocks of flamingoes, ducks, and waders arrive to breed in the nutrient-rich saline pans.
Dinner at Okaukuejo Resort.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Okaukuejo Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Travel To Eastern Etosha National Park | Game Drives
Travel To Eastern Etosha National Park | Game Drives
Today we'll again have a game drive in the Etosha National Park for a full-day safari, enjoy the wonderful opportunity to explore the Etosha National Park with its abundance of wildlife. We may encounter animal species we have not seen in the previous days and look forward to any new surprises at the different waterholes visited. The day is devoted purely to the abundant wildlife found in the Etosha National Park, which surrounds a parched salt desert known as the Etosha Pan.
Dinner and your overnight are at Mokuti Etosha Lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Eastern Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
-
Mokuti Etosha Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 13
Travel To Erindi Private Game Reserve
Travel To Erindi Private Game Reserve
After breakfast, we'll continue southwards to Erindi, halfway between Etosha and Windhoek lies the well-known Erindi Private Game Reserve. It is a protected reserve in central Namibia with 70,700 hectares of pristine wildlife wilderness. Erindi in the Otjiherero language means “place of water”. After lunch at the lodge, we'll enjoy an afternoon game drives.
The game drive (which takes about 3 hours on average) also includes an elephant encounter, multiple giraffe sightings, and an abundance of different antelopes.
Dinner and your overnight stay are at Mount Etjo Lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Erindi Private Game Reserve
- Accommodation:
- Mount Etjo Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 14
Final Day In Namibia | Travel To Hosea Kutako International Airport
Final Day In Namibia | Travel To Hosea Kutako International Airport
After breakfast, you will return to Windhoek and transfer to Hosea Kutako International Airport to check in for your outbound flight back home.
Expert tips:
Please note no outbound flights before 1:00 pm.
If you would love to extend your trip to Botswana, this can be arranged too.
- Main Destination:
- Hosea Kutako International Airport (Windhoek)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
