Etosha National Park<\/strong><\/p>\nToday\u2019s Etosha National Park was proclaimed as Namibia\u2019s first conservation area in 1907 by the then German government and is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. Consisting of saline desert, savannah and woodlands, its definitive feature is the Etosha Pan, a vast shallow depression.<\/p>\n
For the greater part of the year the pan is a bleak expanse of white, cracked mud which, on most days shimmers with mirages. Seeing vast herds of game against this eerie backdrop, referred to in the local vernacular as the \u2018great white place of dry water\u2019, makes the Etosha game-viewing a unique experience.<\/p>\n
Of the 114 mammal species found in the park, several are rare and endangered, such as black rhino, cheetah and black-faced impala. Etosha\u2019s current population of more than 700 black rhino represents one of the few growing populations of black rhino in the world.<\/p>\n
About 340 bird species occur in Etosha, about one third being migratory. For the greater part of the year (the dry season) Etosha\u2019s animals and birds are dependent on about 30 springs and waterholes. These provide excellent game viewing and photographic opportunities. During the rainy season, especially the bird life at the main pan and Fischer\u2019s Pan is worth viewing<\/p>\n
Day 3: Etosha National Park<\/h4>\n
Today you depart on a game drive through to the western side of the park, where you overnight at the new resort, the Dolomite Resort.<\/p>\n
Overnight accommodation at Dolomite Camp or similar<\/strong> on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. (Lunch for your own account.)<\/p>\nDolomite Camp<\/strong><\/p>\nThis is the first camp to be built in the far west side of Etosha National Park, opening up an area that few people have accessed before.
\nLocated near the Dolomietpunt waterhole, this exciting new camp will give access to a whole new section of the park which up until now has been off limits to those without a permit. This western side of Etosha National Park has different vegetation to the rest of the park, being made up of a mixture of scrub mopane woodland and sandy acacia shrubland.
\nGame viewing is also very good in this area \u2013 and this hilly western area of Etosha is used by the wildlife as something of a retreat during the wet season.<\/p>\n
Day 4: Opuwo<\/h4>\n
After an early breakfast you exit the Etosha National park through the Galton\/Otjivasando Gate and continue north to the small town of Opuwo. In the afternoon you will visit a Himba settlement in the area.<\/p>\n
Overnight accommodation at Opuwo Country Lodge or similar<\/strong> on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. (Lunch for your own account.)<\/p>\nOpuwo Country Lodge<\/strong><\/p>\nOpuwo is the gateway to the Kaokoveld region in the northwestern part of Namibia or also known as the Kunene region. The remote area south of the Kunene river is the home of the Himba people, who have kept their ethnic individuality and culture in the seclusion of Kaokoland.
\nThe hotel provides comfortable luxury accommodation with air conditioning and is your ideal base from where to explore Kaokoland.<\/p>\n
The Himba<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Himba are a tribe of nomadic pastoralists who inhabit the Kaokoland area of Namibia. The Himba are actually descendants of a group of Herero herders who fled into the remote north-west after been displaced by the Nama. The Himba have clung to their traditions and the beautiful Himba women are noted for their intricate hairstyles which and traditional jewellery.<\/p>\n
Day 5: Twyfelfontein<\/h4>\n
After an early breakfast you depart south to the beautiful area of Damaraland. A visit to the Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings, the Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes is included.<\/p>\n
Overnight accommodation at Twyfelfontein Lodge or similar<\/strong> on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. (Lunch for your own account.)<\/p>\nTwyfelfontein Country Lodge<\/strong><\/p>\nThe lode is situated in the heart of the Twyfelfontein Uibasen Conservancy and boast 56 en suite twin rooms, reception, lounge, curio shop, open dining room, bar and swimming pool. In construction utmost care were taken to reduce the visual impact on the environment and to blend into the mountainside with tuse of thatch roofs, natural stone and paint colors toning in with the surrounding rock formations.<\/p>\n
Damaraland <\/strong>is one of the most scenic areas in Namibia, a huge, untamed, ruggedly beautiful region that offers the traveller a more adventurous challenge. Here there are prehistoric water courses with open plains and grassland, massive granite koppies and deep gorges. Towards the west, the geography changes dramatically with endless sandy wastes, that incredibly are able to sustain small, but wide-ranging, populations of desert-adapted elephant, black rhino, giraffe, ostrich and springbok.<\/p>\nThe name Damaraland is still commonly used in tourism circles, although the entire region has now been renamed; the southern section now lies in the Erongo region while the north forms part of the Kunene region<\/p>\n
Day 6 & 7: Swakopmund<\/h4>\n
Today you depart with your guide via Cape Cross to Swakopmund. A visit to the seal colony at Cape Cross is included.<\/p>\n
On your second day in Swakopmund you will visit Walvis Bay and its Lagoon, rich in birdlife.<\/p>\n
Overnight accommodation at La Sireneta B&B<\/strong> or similar <\/strong>on a bed and breakfast basis. ( Lunch and Dinner NOT included)<\/p>\nLa Sireneta B&B
\n<\/strong><\/p>\nLa Sirenetta B&B is located in a very quiet part of Vineta. We are a \u201cstone throw\u201d away from the beach and at night you can fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing onto the beach. Unique d\u00e9cor and personal service are the hallmarks of this airy and friendly house that welcomes you to Swakopmund.<\/p>\n
Swakopmund<\/strong><\/p>\nFounded in 1892 during German colonial rule, it served as the territory\u2019s main harbour for many years. Today this quaint desert town, hedged by desert and sea, is enhanced by lush green lawns, palm trees and carefully tended public gardens.<\/p>\n
Quaint architecture from a bygone era adds to the time-out-of-place atmosphere of Swakopmund. Much of the distinct German colonial architecture has been preserved and today many of the town\u2019s old buildings house shops, offices and other utility services. The Swakopmund museum is small but comprehensive with displays ranging from natural history, mineralogy and botany to historical and ethnological dioramas.<\/p>\n
The coast with is desert hinterland offers many options both for adventure and relaxation.<\/p>\n
Day 8 & 9: Namib Desert<\/h4>\n
Today you depart by road to the Namib Desert. The route will take you via the Welwitschia Plains.<\/p>\n
On your second day you will visit Sossusvlei and the Sesriem Canyon.<\/p>\n
Overnight accommodation at Desert Camp or similar <\/strong>on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.<\/p>\nDesert Camp<\/strong><\/p>\nDesert Camp\u2019s affordable luxury accommodation comprises twenty units, each with en-suite bathroom, twin beds, fold-out sleeper couch for children and shaded verandah with kitchenette.<\/p>\n
Each accommodation unit sleeps a maximum of 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 12 years. No other persons are permitted without prior arrangement and approval.<\/p>\n
Tasteful interior decorating reflects the special hues of the Namib Desert. Each accommodation unit has power points for hairdryers and shavers (220V) in the room as well as an external power point, own barbecue facility and vehicle parking.<\/p>\n
All meals will be at the nearby Sossusvlei Lodge.<\/p>\n
Sossusvlei <\/strong><\/p>\nThe sand dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert are often referred to as the highest dunes in the world. Various arguments are laid out to support this claim, but all miss the point, which is that Sossusvlei is surely one of the most spectacular sights in Namibia. Located in the Namib Naukluft Park, the largest conservation area in Africa, and fourth largest in the world \u2013 the sand dunes at Sossusvlei are just one excellent reason to visit Namibia.<\/p>\n
The second attraction of the area is Sesriem Canyon, which is only a few kilometres from the campsite, the entrance gate, and main Nature Conservation office. The canyon derives its name from the fact that early Afrikaner trekkers had to use six (\u2018ses\u2019) leather thongs (a thong is a \u2018riem\u2019) so that their buckets could reach the water far below. The canyon begins as an almost imperceptible but nevertheless deep cleft in level, stony ground, and then widens until it finally flattens out onto the plain. Because it is so deep and sheltered, it often holds water well into the dry season \u2013 an invigorating sight in such a barren and stark environment.<\/p>\n
Day 10: Departure<\/h4>\n
Today marks the end of your visit to Namibia. Your guide will transfer you to the Windhoek International Airport to meet your departure flight. ( Flights need to depart after 14h00)<\/p>\n<\/div>
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