Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Windhoek - Kalahari Desert
Windhoek - Kalahari Desert
On arrival, you will be met by the car rental company representative and transferred to their offices in Windhoek to complete the rental procedures. Once done, we'll arrange for you to meet with our representative to hand over your travel documents and travel package, including your map.
Our whirlwind safari starts with the long linear dunes of the Kalahari Desert. Undulating inter-dune valleys are dotted with camelthorn trees, golden grasses and hardy desert game. Fiery sunsets are a prelude to a star-studded display of the southern skies. It's an easy drive of roughly three hours, almost all on good tar roads. This gives you the chance to get used to your vehicle before you reach the gravel roads.
- Main Destination:
- Kalahari Region
- Accommodation:
- Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Kalahari - Sossusvlei
Kalahari - Sossusvlei
After a hearty breakfast you continue your journey south west to the Namib Desert. You travel via Mariental to Maltahohe, a small farming settlement on the edge of the escarpment. Heading down the escarpment mountains you reach your overnight accommodation on the edge of the Namib dune sea later this afternoon.
Arrive in time for a sundowner and enjoy dinner under the dark night sky. The drive takes about 5 to 6 hours with stops along the way.
- Main Destination:
- Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)
- Accommodation:
- The Elegant Desert Lodge
Wildlife in Namib-Naukluft NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Sossusvlei and Sesriem
Sossusvlei and Sesriem
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 toward 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 riverbed 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:
- The Elegant Desert Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Sossusvlei - Swakopmund
Sossusvlei - Swakopmund
A fairly long but interesting drive today.
The fascinating drive 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 (where the bakery is pretty good too).
Skirting around the edge of the Namib Dune Sea (a World Heritage Site) to reach the Atlantic Ocean, you witness the many faces of the Namib, petrified dunes, deep canyons, wind-sculptured outcrops and desert plains that stretch into infinity. The cool mists of the coastal desert offer a respite from the inland heat while the dunes and calm waters of the bay offer a superb variety of sand and water-based activities.
- Main Destination:
- Swakopmund (City)
- Accommodation:
- Namib Guesthouse
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Swakopmund
Swakopmund
A full day to relax and explore this quaint desert town. Swakopmund has made a name for itself as the activity center of Namibia, but the town offers so much more than just something for adrenaline junkies. Sandwiched between the hot, arid desert and the cold waters of the Atlantic, Swakop is one of the most fascinating colonial towns in Africa. It is an eclectic mix of South African, Namibian and German cultures, architecture, languages and cuisine. Both locals and foreigners love the laid-back atmosphere, good restaurants, many activities and the temperate climate. A great variety of activities are available to explore the coastal dune fields, the rocky desert and the rich Atlantic waters. Activities range from seal and dolphin cruises, kayaking with the seals, exploring the coastal dunes and meeting the desert adapted creatures that live here, scenic flights, desert walks, quad biking. The list is long.
We can advise you on some excellent excursions to pre-book.
- Main Destination:
- Swakopmund (City)
- Accommodation:
- Namib Guesthouse
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Swakopmund - Twyfelfontein
Swakopmund - Twyfelfontein
History and art combine to offer an incredible outdoor museum at Twyfelfontein (another World Heritage Site). 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 and where the elephants were spotted last.
- Main Destination:
- Twyfelfontein (Rock Art)
- Accommodation:
- Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp
Wildlife in Damaraland
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Twyfelfontein - Etosha National Park
Twyfelfontein - 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. Continue east to Outjo where you might want to stock up on some snacks and drinks for the coming days in Etosha.
The game-rich plains of Etosha offer some of the best game viewing available. By day, visit the waterholes and artesian springs scattered along the edge of a pan so large it is visible from space. By night, sit quietly at the floodlit waterhole and witness the interactions between different game species, mere meters away.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Okaukuejo Resort
Wildlife in Etosha NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
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 and 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 the shade and lunch at one of the park's 3 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 9
Etosha National Park - Okonjima AfriCat
Etosha National Park - Okonjima AfriCat
Sadly, its time to bid farewell to Etosha and begin your journey back towards Windhoek.
Our last night offers a chance to wind down and meet some of our shyer, seldom-seen game species before winging your way back home.
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 10
Okonjima - Windhoek
Okonjima - Windhoek
Depart from Okonjima and drive via Okahandja to Windhoek. In Okahandja, you can stop at the Kavango Woodcarvers Market, have a look around or buy some last souvenirs. You will arrive in Windhoek at around noon.
Head back to the car rental agency for the vehicle drop-off. One of our drivers will take you to the airport.
Thank you for booking with us.
- Main Destination:
- Windhoek (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
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