Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Pick up from Hosea Kutako and Transfer to Windhoek Accommodation
Pick up from Hosea Kutako and Transfer to Windhoek Accommodation
Bokmakierie Villas, Windhoek.
You'll arrive at Hosea Kutako (Windhoek) International Airport, where your guide will meet you. You'll subsequently transfer to the capital of Namibia for check-in at a guesthouse. After check-in at the accommodation, you will be taken on a city tour.
Windhoek is a city of many contrasts. Modern skyscrapers blend with historic buildings dating from the turn of the century. Several German colonial-era buildings have been preserved and restored to fulfill useful functions in the community today. On your tour, you will see the Parliament Building, also known as the Ink Place, the Lutheran Church, and the railway station. Walking around the city is very pleasant. The city's cleanliness is astounding in Windhoek—the streets are spotless! The remarkable church in the center of town is stunning. The last visit you will make is to the Katutura market, where you can try the local style. You will love the atmosphere.
- Main Destination:
- Windhoek (City)
- Accommodation:
- Bokmakierie Villas
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Transfer to the Kalahari Desert via Rehoboth
Transfer to the Kalahari Desert via Rehoboth
After breakfast, you'll depart from Windhoek and drive via Rehoboth to the red dunes of the Kalahari Desert. In the late afternoon, you will participate in a guided game drive to learn about the flora and fauna of the Kalahari Desert. Kalahari Anib Lodge, situated 20km (12 mi) from Mariental, offers you an afternoon game drive. During this game drive, you can expect sights of various game such as giraffe, kudu, zebras, oryx, blue wildebeest, and elands. You can experience breathtaking views of the reserve, which has some of the highest dunes in the region, with views over the pan. The Kalahari has more than 150 bird species for guests who are bird enthusiasts. The well-known suricate, more commonly known as a meerkat, can also be seen. As the day draws to a close, you'll treated to a sundowner on the dune, complemented by refreshments and Namibian snacks, while enjoying a breathtaking sunset over the Kalahari.
- Main Destination:
- Mariental (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Kalahari Anib Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Kalahari Anib Lodge to Sossusvlei
Kalahari Anib Lodge to Sossusvlei
You'll travel further south via Maltahöhe onto the low plains of the Namib Desert to Desert Camp, near the Sossusvlei dunes' entrance gate. You'll spend the afternoon leisurely, with an overnight stay at Desert Camp, with dinner and breakfast the following day.
Situated in a private nature reserve spanning 25,000ha (15,500km²) from the Namib Desert to the Naukluft Mountains. This lodge offers you a desert feel. It is a nature lover's dream. The game wanders freely here. Kudu, oryx, antelopes, springbok, and klipspringers are a common sight. You'll arrive here after a long drive from Mariental to be welcomed by lovely staff, and they will show us the beautiful air-conditioned rooms. There is a definite need to dive into the pool to cool off! Later in the day, you can go to the viewpoint about 10 minutes away and see more game. Alternatively, you can take a self-guided walk around the trails to enjoy this beautiful natural landscape. You'll come back and enjoy dinner around 7:30 pm.
- Main Destination:
- Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)
- Accommodation:
- Desert Camp
Wildlife in Namib-Naukluft NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Early Departure for Namib-Naukluft National Park
Early Departure for Namib-Naukluft National Park
This day is very exciting! It is the one we have been waiting to see! You'll depart very early, around 5:00 am, into Namib-Naukluft National Park to witness one of Namibia’s most scenic attractions—Sossusvlei and the highest dunes in the world. You'll visit the nearby Deadvlei, a dried-out natural water pan with dead acacia tree trunks rising to the blue sky.
Sesriem and Deadvlei are about 80km (50 mi) from your lodge. Here, you'll first see and climb Dune 40, a massive and exciting climb. A few kilometers away, you will find Dune 45, the most popular dune to climb (there are usually many people, and it can get crowded). Then, your journey continues to Deadvlei, where you will see the picturesque desert formations. The Sesriem Canyon is another attraction worthwhile seeing en route back to the lodge. A relaxing sundowner on the nearby ridge ends an unforgettable day in the desert.
- Main Destination:
- Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)
- Accommodation:
- Desert Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Depart Sossusvlei
Depart Sossusvlei
The route takes you north via the Kuiseb Canyon to Swakopmund. Highlights en route include a drive to the Moon Landscape and the ancient desert plant, Welwitschia mirabilis. You will enjoy the seemingly endless drive to this town, a rugged, extraordinary landscape with fantastic rock formations. The numerous land types of rocks and the start of the desert white sands will lead miles and miles to the desert, kissing the oceans. This quaint desert town, with its old-world charm and relaxed atmosphere, hedged by desert and sea, is enhanced by lush green lawns and palm trees. You'll spend the afternoon at leisure. You will find a massive influence of German culture in this town from food, language, and architecture. You will spend the rest of the day leisurely and try seafood and German dishes later in the evening. Exploring the town on foot is lovely since it has a long beach.
- Main Destination:
- Swakopmund (City)
- Accommodation:
- @ The Sea Boutique Guesthouse
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Dolphin Cruise
Dolphin Cruise
A dolphin cruise has been booked for you today. You will be picked up at your accommodation and driven to the nearby town of Walvis Bay, where your boat cruise with Laramon Tours (or similar) departs. Please ensure you have had breakfast and are ready to leave Swakopmund by approximately 8:00 am, as you are requested to be at the check-in counter at the Walvis Bay Waterfront by approximately 8:45 am. Your cruise today departs from the Walvis Bay Yacht Club at approximately 9:00 am. It takes you through the harbor, passing moored Russian trawlers en route and on to Pelican Point, where inquisitive seals will swim up to the boats looking for something to eat, all while pods of bottlenose dolphins swim alongside the boat.
The scenic drive from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay takes about 30 minutes. Remember to bring a hat, sunscreen, and a warm jacket. After three exciting hours, the catamaran will dock, and your guide will return you to the guesthouse.
- Main Destination:
- Walvis Bay (City)
- Accommodation:
- @ The Sea Boutique Guesthouse
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Departure from Swakopmud
Departure from Swakopmud
You'll depart from Swakopmund along the Atlantic Coast towards the north. You'll visit the Lichen Fields near Wlotzka's Baken before continuing to Henties Bay, a small holiday resort, and onwards to the seal colony at Cape Cross.
After visiting the seals, the journey continues via Ugabmund to the southern Skeleton Coast National Park to inspect a shipwreck. Though there is not much left of the shipwrecks, there are still a couple of them that you will see and a few skulls of the sea animals. You will have your packed lunches while enjoying the views. You will leave the Skeleton Coast National Park in the early afternoon and travel via Springbok Water. You will experience the harsh transition from the Namib Desert to the Damaraland Highlands with its impressive landscape and rugged valleys. This is your last scenic drive on your way to Palmwag Lodge. The journey to Palmwag Lodge is long, a total of 5 hours. You will settle in for two nights as you explore this region.
- Main Destination:
- Palmwag (Damaraland)
- Accommodation:
- Palmwag Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Leave the Damaraland Highlands
Leave the Damaraland Highlands
A highlight today will be the rhino tracking excursion with the lodge. Palmwag Lodge, in a joint venture with the Torra Conservancy, Anabeb Conservancy, and Sesfontein Conservancy offers rhino tracking in the Palmwag Concession and in the Torra Conservancy. The communities and conservancies directly benefit from these excursions since part of the income generated through rhino tracking is paid to the conservancies. Rhino tracking excursions are guided by a qualified guide from Palmwag Lodge and a qualified tracker from the Rhino Rangers or Save the Rhino Trust. Full-day and half-day tracking excursions are available and both options include breakfast. Lunch is included in the full-day tracking package. This is our last activity, you will go back to your lodge. Rhino tracking is not on foot is by car.
You will join the rhino-guided tour with qualified guides for the day. There is an opportunity for a self-drive in our vehicle if you feel like you need to enjoy the scenery.
- Main Destination:
- Palmwag (Damaraland)
- Accommodation:
- Palmwag Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Leaving Palmwag Lodge via the Grootberg Pass to Kamanjab and further to Etosha National Park
Leaving Palmwag Lodge via the Grootberg Pass to Kamanjab and further to Etosha National Park
The drive route to the national park is very interesting since it drives through small goat farming communities which is not very common in this part of the country, sit back and enjoy this amazing landscape as you head to the park.
Leaving Palmwag Lodge, you'll travel via the Grootberg Pass to Kamanjab and further to the Etosha National Park. The Etosha National Park presents you with a wilderness experience that is unmatched in terms of privacy and landscape viewing.
If time permits, your guide will drive into the National Park with you this afternoon for a game drive.
Your overnight stay will be at Mondjilla Safari Lodge which is 20km away from the gate (or similar) (on a dinner and breakfast basis) Etosha South. After leaving Palmwag Lodge, you'll travel via the Grootberg Pass to Kamanjab and further to the Etosha National Park. You will check in and then head off to the park for an afternoon drive with a guided safari tour vehicle with a knowledgeable guide.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Etosha Village
Wildlife in Etosha NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Palmwag Departure
Palmwag Departure
You'll discover the mysteries of the African bush in Etosha National Park whilst traveling in an eastern direction through the park. You'll spend the day doing game drives in the park and visiting the numerous waterholes that attract a large diversity of animal and bird species, many of these being endemic to the country.
Your overnight stay will be on a dinner and breakfast basis.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Mondjila Safari Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Leave Mondjila Safaris Camp while Exploring Etosha National Park
Leave Mondjila Safaris Camp while Exploring Etosha National Park
Mushara Bush Lodge to Etosha East
This is another day to discover the mysteries of the African bush in Etosha National Park whilst traveling in an easterly direction via Halali and Namutoni to your overnight lodge.
Your overnight stay will be at Mushara Bush Camp or similar (on a dinner and breakfast basis).
- Main Destination:
- Eastern Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Mushara Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Mushara Bush Lodge Departure
Mushara Bush Lodge Departure
Your return journey via Okahandja to Windhoek
Okahandja is an important center for woodcarvers from the north. They practice their ancient skills at the Woodcarvers Market next to the main road. This is a good place to pick a last souvenir. Your arrival in Windhoek will be around 5:00 pm with a transfer to Hosea Kutako Airport for check-in on your outbound flight.
You will bid farewell to Namibia, we wish you a safe journey home.
- Main Destination:
- Windhoek (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
