Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival in Windhoek
Arrival in Windhoek
On arrival, you will be met by the car rental company representative and transferred to their offices in Windhoek to complete all rental procedures. Once done, we'll arrange for you to meet with our meet and greet representative to hand over your travel documents and travel package including your map.
- Main Destination:
- Windhoek (City)
- Accommodation:
- Olive Grove Guesthouse
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Windhoek to Kalahari Desert
Windhoek to Kalahari Desert
The first day takes you southwards for 250 kilometers, out of the Windhoek hills and past the town of Rehoboth towards Mariental. Before reaching the town, a turnoff will take you east and into the red sands of the Kalahari.
The majority of which is on a good tarred road to Kalahari Anib Lodge in one their lovely Camping2Go Tents.
- Main Destination:
- Kalahari Region
- Accommodation:
- Kalahari Anib Camping2Go
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Kalahari Desert - Sossusvlei
Kalahari Desert - Sossusvlei
After a hearty breakfast you continue your journey southwest to the Namib Desert. You travel back to Mariental and on to Maltahohe, a small farming settlement on the edge of the escarpment. Heading down the escarpment mountains you need to be alert sections of the road are steep with some sharp beds. Drive slowly and carefully. You will reach your overnight accommodation on the edge of the Namib dune sea later this afternoon. Relax at the swimming pool and enjoy the late afternoon light on the mountains.
- Main Destination:
- Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)
- Accommodation:
- Desert Quiver Camp
Wildlife in Namib-Naukluft NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Sesriem and Dead Vlei area
Sesriem and Dead Vlei area
Wake up early and leave your lodge, heading for the Sesriem entrance gate to the Namib Naukluft Park. This gate only opens at sunrise, so there is no point arriving earlier. Driving the 60 kilometres from Sesriem through the dunes towards Sossusvlei while the sun rises is a real pleasure. The first major dune you will encounter goes by the imaginative name of Dune 45—many people choose to stop and climb this dune but we suggest you continue onwards towards Sossusvlei. Park at the 2x4 car park (unless you have a 4x4 vehicle this is as far as you can drive), Sossusvlei is a further 4km from here but you are already amongst fairly large dunes. The walk along the dry river bed into Sossusvlei is lovely but for the very unfit or terminally lazy, there are 4x4 shuttles from the car park to Sossusvlei. Deadvlei, so named because it is a large pan with sculptural dead trees, is close by and definitely worth a visit.
- Main Destination:
- Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)
- Accommodation:
- Desert Quiver Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Sossusvlei to Swakopmund
Sossusvlei to Swakopmund
The fascinating drive today takes you northwest through the awesome and ever-changing desert landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park, including the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons.
Stop in Solitaire to refuel. The bakery is pretty good too.
There are a host of adventure activities to participate in while in Swakopmund. These range from sandboarding through quad biking to sky-diving. No activities are included in this package but they can be pre-arranged when you book this itinerary or left for you to arrange on arrival in Swakopmund. Being a German-inspired town, good food and beer are never hard to find. We are sure you will find something productive to do!
- Main Destination:
- Swakopmund (City)
- Accommodation:
- Cornerstone Guesthouse
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Swakopmund and surroundings
Swakopmund and surroundings
When you're there: there are plenty of shops and attractions in Swakopmund. Curios and good food on every corner. Enjoy the beach. There are loads of activities on offer, this is Namibia's activity centre. Visit the Walvis Bay Lagoon, where you can see flamingoes, pelicans and numerous waders.
- Main Destination:
- Swakopmund (City)
- Accommodation:
- Cornerstone Guesthouse
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Swakopmund to Twyfelfontein
Swakopmund to Twyfelfontein
Continuing on your safari today, the road takes you north and east into the wonderful and diverse region of Damaraland. You'll pass Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg which peaks at 2,573m above sea level. Take time to view the game and absorb the vastness of the scenery along the way. Damaraland is typified by displays of colour, magnificent table-topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation.
Book an activity with the lodge to search for the elephants. They know the area well and when last the elephants were spotted and where.
- Main Destination:
- Twyfelfontein (Rock Art)
- Accommodation:
- Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp
Wildlife in Damaraland
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Twyfelfontein to Northern Damaraland
Twyfelfontein to Northern Damaraland
Today, you'll have the choice of exploring the sites of Damaraland on your own vehicle to your next destination Palmwag Lodge. Your lodge for tonight, where the flat-topped Etendeka Mountains and the carpet of rich red rock greet the tributaries of the Uniab River.
- Main Destination:
- Palmwag Concession (Damaraland)
- Accommodation:
- Palmwag Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park
Bidding farewell to Damaraland you head east to the game filled plains of Etosha. En route you can visit the petrified forest, with its ancient stone logs lying alongside Welwitchia plants. Local guides will show you around the area and explain the origin of the trees.
Undoubtedly one of the great parks of Africa, Etosha covers more than 22,300 square kilometres and is synonymous with big game and wide open spaces. The name Etosha means “great white place” referring to the massive (130km long and 50km wide) dry saline pan in the middle of the park, believed to have been formed over 100 million years ago.
Etosha is home to a staggering amount of wildlife, both common and rare, including several threatened and endangered species.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Okaukuejo Resort
Wildlife in Etosha NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park
It is really worth waking up early and heading out on your game drive as soon as the gates open at sunrise. Animals are most active in the cool of the day (early morning & late afternoon). In order to maximise your chances of good viewings, it is worth imitating their behaviour. The roads in Etosha have unsealed gravel but are in reasonable condition—and the general tourist behaviour is to drive between various waterholes searching for animals. As the day gets hotter, head for shade, and lunch, at one of the park's three camps, Okaukuejo, Namutoni or Halali.
When things start to cool down again, head out for another game drive.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Okaukuejo Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park
Hopefully, by now you will have seen everything the park has to offer and are ready to move on to Mushara Lodge for a relaxing and pampering afternoon around the pool and sip a cocktail.
The name Mushara is derived from the purple-pod Terminalia tree which grows abundantly on the lodge grounds and in the surroundings. The thatched public area includes a small library with a selection of good books, a bar with an extensive wine cellar, an airy lounge complete with a welcoming fireplace for winter evenings, a dining area and a well-stocked curio shop. Great attention has been paid to the décor, which is an eclectic blend of traditional African and modern works of art mixed with original older paintings.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Mushara Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Otjwarongo
Otjwarongo
Your destination is Okonjima and the AfriCat Foundation. Apart from the beautiful location, stunning accommodations and wonderful meals, the main reason for visiting Okonjima is to view cats. Activities here centre around viewing leopards and cheetahs, visiting a night hide and generally learning about what the AfriCat Foundation is doing to preserve these wonderful animals.
Activities are not included in the package.
- Main Destination:
- Okonjima Private Nature Reserve
- Accommodation:
- Okonjima Plains Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 13
Windhoek
Windhoek
Depart Okonjima drive via Okahandja to Windhoek. In Okahandja, you can stop over at the Kavango woodcarvers market, have a look around or buy some last souvenirs.
One must just re-adjust to the faster paced city traffic as you get closer to Windhoek.
- Main Destination:
- Okapuka Ranch
- Accommodation:
- Okapuka Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 14
End of Tour
End of Tour
After breakfast at the guesthouse, you will still have time to do some shopping before heading to the Hosea Kutako International Airport, where you'll check-in for the onward or homeward flight.
Sadly, your time in Namibia has come to an end. But we know you will have many wonderful memories to keep you company on your journey home.
And maybe we can welcome you back in the future.
Thank you for travelling with Great Explorations Namibia. We wish you a safe journey home.
- Main Destination:
- Windhoek Airport (Windhoek)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
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