Namibia Highlights

While on this guided safari guests will have the opportunity to experience the diversity of Namibia’s habitats and landscapes. Despite being considered a desert country the occurrence and sometimes seasonal abundance of game in certain of these desert environments only serves to prove how adaptable the flora and fauna in these regions are. Namibia has been referred to as “the land between two deserts.” This safari includes visits to both the Namib and Kalahari Deserts. In addition to viewing game in “wilderness” areas, this safari includes visits to the Etosha National Park, the Skeleton Coast Park and the Namib Naukluft Park.

Safari Highlights

• Kalahari Desert
• Sossusvlei
• Namib Naukluft Park
• Walvis Bay & Swakopmund
• Cape Fur Seal Colony
• famous work of bushmen art, “the White Lady”
• Kaokoland & Desert Adapted Elephant
• Etosha National Park

Included Services:

• The tours are quoted on half board basis or as per program except for Windhoek and Swakopmund.
• Services of a qualified driver / guide
• Fuel & Transportation in an air-conditioned VW Micro-bus / similar
• Bottled water on board of vehicle while in transit only
• Excursions as described in above itinerary
• Entrance & Admission Fees were applicable
• Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance
• Namibian Bed Levy
• 15% VAT (Value Added Tax)

Day 1

On arrival at the Windhoek Airport you will be met by your guide and transferred to Namibia’s Capital City, Windhoek.  We depart from Windhoek in a southerly direction towards the Kalahari. On route pass through the small settlement of Rehoboth before arriving at the western boundary of the Kalahari Desert.  Overnight accommodation will be at the Intu Afrika Game Ranch / similar on a lunch, dinner, bed & breakfast basis.  Afternoon drive included.

Day 2

After the Bushman walk you depart with your guide to the Sossusvlei area.  Overnight accommodation will be at LE MIRAGE/ similar on a lunch, dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Day 3

Conduct an early morning excursion along the path of the ancient Tsauchab River into the Namib Sand Sea including a visit to the famed Sossusvlei, Dune 45 and Dead Vlei. Many visitors to Namibia say that no part of the desert is more stunning than Sossusvlei, with its monumentally high dunes, the shadows of their sinuous crests continually changing as the day waxes and wanes. Gigantic star-shaped mountains of sand, the highest estimated at 325 m. The warm tints of the sand, ranging from pale apricot to brick orange and deep red, contrast vividly with the dazzling white surfaces of the deflationary clay pans at some of their bases. An afternoon excursion will be conducted to the Sesriem Canyon, a small yet picturesque canyon carved over millions of years into the Tsauchab River. Overnight accommodation will be at LE MIRAGE / similar on a lunch, dinner, bed & breakfast basis only.

Day 4

Departing from the central Namib Region today’s route continues in a northerly direction along the eastern boundary of the Namib Naukluft Park passing through the small settlement of Solitaire on route to the Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons. Continue across the “gravel plains” of the Namib Desert on route towards Namibia’s premier coastal resort town, Swakopmund. Excursions on route will be included to the erosional feature of the “Moon Valley” and to Namibia’s ancient plant species, the “Welwitschia mirabilis”. Late afternoon arrival and overnight at the HANSA HOTEL / similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis only. Lunch will be included on route.

Day 5

While in Swakopmund an excursion will be conducted to Namibia’s largest commercial harbour, Walvis Bay and the Walvis Bay Lagoon, protected under the RAMSAR Convention as an important wetland. The lagoon is renowned for its seasonal abundance of both the Greater and Lesser Flamingo species. In the afternoon you depart on a 4 x 4 Sandwich harbour tour.   There is a good selection of restaurants and coffee shops selling traditional German cakes and pastries, while the coastline and the desert respectively offer many options for adventure or relaxation. Overnight accommodation will be at the HANSA HOTEL / similar on a lunch, dinner, bed & breakfast basis.  PM drive included

Day 6

Early morning departure from Swakopmund in a northerly direction on route through the National West Coast Recreational Area towards the small fishing town of Henties Bay. An excursion included on route is a visit to the Cape Fur Seal Colony at Cape Cross. In 1486, the first European to set foot on the coast of Namibia, Diago Ciao, erected a cross in honour of John 1 of Portugal at a site now known as Cape Cross 115 km north of Swakopmund. In addition to being of historical interest, Cape Cross has a breeding colony of Cape Fur seals. Leaving the coast continue in an easterly direction crossing the “gravel plains” towards the abandoned mining town of Uis, and Namibia’s highest Mountain Range. The Brandberg is 2573m at its highest point and renowned for the famous work of bushmen art, “the White Lady”. Late afternoon arrival and overnight accommodation at the TWYFELFONTEIN COUNTRY LODGE / similar on a lunch, dinner, bed & breakfast basis only.

Day 7

Twyfelfontein is one of the richest areas of rock engravings and Bushmen paintings in Namibia. A guided walking excursion will be conducted to some of the engraving sites. Interesting geological features in the area include the Burnt Mountain and the dolomite columns known as the “Organ Pipes”.

In the afternoon you depart on a PM river drive.  Overnight accommodation at the TWYFELFONTEIN COUNTRY LODGE/ similar on a lunch, dinner, bed and breakfast basis.  PM drive included

Day 8

Today we continue with our discovery of the region as we continue via Palmwag and Sesfontein on route to the Kunene Region. Formerly known as “Kaokoland”, this region is situated in Namibia’s remote northwest, hosting the inhospitable Skeleton Coast and bordering Angola. The Kunene River, forming the border between these two countries, has given its name to the area. Many of Namibia’s primary attractions are found here. The famous “Desert Adapted Elephant”, the ancient culture of the semi-nomadic Himba People, the rare black rhino as well as beautiful landscapes and interesting geological formations. Inhabitants of this are divided among three dominant ethnic groups, the Damara, Herero and the Himba. Picnic Lunch is included on route. Overnight accommodation will be at the OPUWO COUNTRY LODGE / similar on a lunch, dinner, bed & breakfast basis only.   PM activity included

Day 9

Departing Opuwo we travel southwards following the outer boundary of Etosha National Park, arriving via the Andersson Gate during the afternoon.  Overnight will be at EAGLE TENTED CAMP on a lunch, dinner, bed & breakfast basis.  PM activity included

Day 10

The day will be spent with a full day’s worth of game viewing in the Etosha National Park.  The park has recorded over 114 mammal species, 350 bird species and 21 different vegetation types. The most common plains game species encountered include; Burchell’s Zebra, Springbok, Black– Faced Impala, Blue Wildebeest, Gemsbok / Oryx antelope, Giraffe and Red Hartebeest. The Etosha National Park also boasts healthy populations of Lion, Elephant and Black Rhino. While in the park a visit will be included to the Etosha Pan or the “Great White Place”. Exit the National Park for overnight accommodation at EAGLE TENTED CAMP / similar on a lunch, dinner, bed & breakfast basis.  PM activity included

Day 11

Departing from the Etosha National Park today’s journey follows the main route south through the country via the towns of Outjo and on to Otjiwarongo which provides a convenient stop over on route to the north of the country. As, with most towns in central Namibia the name Otjiwarongo originates from the Herero language, which translated means “place of the fat cattle” or “beautiful place”. Given the central role that cattle play in the Herero culture, both meanings are appropriate.

Overnight ERINDI NATURE RESERVE / similar on a full board basis including afternoon game drive.

Day 12

Continue to the town of Okahandja where we will stop at the craft market travelling to Windhoek and the International airport in time for your outbound flight.  (Lunch today is for clients own account).