Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei
Just after arrival in Windhoek, the guide will pick you up from the airport or accommodation in Windhoek. Meet and greet is the first activity as we get to know each other before the trip. We will drive southwards to the desert through scenic landscapes that may include mountain passes depending on the used road. You will have a lunch stop along the way to Sossusvlei. We will be in the Sossusvlei area before sunset and enjoy a sundowner drive in the desert.
- Main Destination:
- Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)
- Accommodation:
- Namib Desert Lodge
Wildlife in Namib-Naukluft NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Namib Naukluft Park
Namib Naukluft Park
An early morning start will see us getting into the Namib Naukluft Park. The Namib Naukluft Park is the third-largest national park in Africa, covering an area of 50,000km². The Namib Desert has been arid for about 80 million years, with true desert conditions predominating the last 15 to 20 million years. Wildlife thriving in this area includes gemsbok, springbok, brown hyena, and black-backed jackal, among others. We will visit the most photographed sand dune in the area, Dune 45.
Depending on your energy levels, climbing one of the highest sand dunes in the area, the Big Daddy, is quite fun! A visit to Deadvlei is worthwhile. After a visit to Sossusvlei, we will then visit the Sesriem Canyon. After lunch, we will make our way to the coast past scenic Gaub and Kuiseb Passes.
We will go past Walvis Bay Lagoon for interesting waterbird sightings, including flamingoes. We will then overnight in Swakopmund and enjoy dinner in some of the best restaurants.
- Main Destination:
- Swakopmund (City)
- Accommodation:
- The Delight Swakopmund
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Namibian Atlantic Coast
Namibian Atlantic Coast
After breakfast, we will go for the Living Desert Tour excursion. Dry bone, without a trace of moisture, and as dry as a weathered bone are some terms used to describe this unique biome. Sneaky creatures that have adapted to living in harsh environments. For these little creatures, camouflage or agility to fake deaths helps serve food on the table or avoid being someone’s meal.
This is a 4 to 5-hour tour conducted by passionate and experienced desert specialists who are desert conservationists as well. If lucky, you might see the desert Little Five (shovel-nosed lizard, Namib sand gecko, Namaqua chameleon, Namib Desert sidewinding adder, and the cartwheeling spider, also known as the dancing white lady). Birds of interest include Gray’s lark, tractrix chat, and Damara tern. You should be back around lunchtime and enjoy a stroll around Swakopmund city or take any optional activities we can arrange for you in advance.
- Main Destination:
- Swakopmund (City)
- Accommodation:
- The Delight Swakopmund
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Damaraland
Damaraland
We will leave the coastal environment and drive inland and The major attractions are the sacred Spitzkoppe, the Brandberg, Twyfelfontein, Vingerklip and the otherworldly Petrified Forest. Damaraland is an exceptionally scenic landscape featuring open plains, ancient valleys and spectacular rock formations.
- Main Destination:
- Twyfelfontein (Rock Art)
- Accommodation:
- Twyfelfontein Country Lodge
Wildlife in Damaraland
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Rock Engravings and Petrified Forest
Rock Engravings and Petrified Forest
This morning, we will visit the Bushmen rock engravings around Twyfelfontein before making our way to Etosha National Park. This area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 and consists of over 40,000 rock engravings done by the San (Bushmen) people 2,000 years ago. It is a 45-minute walk conducted by local guides.
We will then proceed to the Petrified Forest. This is a geological formation that happened 280 million years ago. Giant trees were carried by a river and buried here. The sand was deposited around them, creating ideal conditions for the wood cells to be replaced by silica and thus become petrified. These trees are considered Dadoxylon arberi, the same tree responsible for European coal fields. This is a 30-minute walk led by knowledgeable local guides.
We will proceed to Etosha and should be in time for an afternoon game drive.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Etosha Safari Lodge
Wildlife in Etosha NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park
We will do a morning and an afternoon game drive in the park. We will return to the lodge around midday and go back to the park in the late afternoon. Enjoy a siesta or cool off in the swimming pool and the tranquillity of the lodge. Etosha is a 22,270km² park with 114 mammal species and over 350 bird species. Etosha means great white place in the local Oshindonga language, referring to the 4,800km² salt pan that covers 23% of the park’s surface area.
The mammals include black and white rhinoceros, lion, leopard, cheetah, African elephant, plains and Hartmann’s mountain zebra, Angolan giraffe, eland, gemsbok, African wild cat, and spotted and brown hyaena, among other animals. It is pretty unique in its own way as the concentration and diversity around waterholes in the dry season is magnificent, giving one a chance to see animal dramas unfolding as they take turns to quench their thirst.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Etosha Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Return to Windhoek
Return to Windhoek
As the last day together, the time for the departure will be determined by the time you depart at the airport. Soon after breakfast, we will leave Etosha National Park and drive to Windhoek. This day marks the end of our trip.
- Main Destination:
- Windhoek (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
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