Desert, Parks and the Falls

Day 1

On arrival at the Windhoek Airport you will be met by your guide and transferred to Namibia’s Capital City, Windhoek. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure to visit the city centre. Overnight accommodation will be at the NAANKUSE@ UTOPIA BOUTIQUE HOTEL or similar on a bed and breakfast basis. (Lunch and dinner today are for the clients own account.)

Day 2

Departing from Windhoek, today’s journey continues over the “Khomas Hochland” highland region in a westerly direction towards the great escarpment. Descend the escarpment via Namibia’s highest mountain pass, Spreetshoogte, to enter the central Namib Region. Late afternoon arrival at the Desert Camp. Overnight accommodation will be at the DESERT CAMP or similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis only. Picnic lunch included on route.

Day 3

Conduct an early morning excursion along the path of the ancient Tschaub River into the Namib Sand Sea including a visit to the famed Sossusvlei, Dune 45 and Deadvlei. 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 Tschaub River. Overnight accommodation will be at the DESERT CAMP or similar on a full board basis.

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 “Welwitshia mirabilis”. Lunch will be included on route. Late afternoon arrival and overnight accommodation at the ROYAL SEA STAR GUESTHOUSE or similar on a bed & breakfast basis only. (Dinner this evening will be at a local restaurant and is for the clients own account.)

Day 5

While in Swakopmund an excursion will be conducted to Namibia’s largest commercial harbor, 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. The remainder of the day will be at leisure to explore Namibia’s premier coastal resort town, Swakopmund. Today this quaint town nestled between desert and ocean is enhanced by lush green lawns, palm trees and carefully tended gardens. 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 ROYAL SEA STAR GUESTHOUSE or similar on a half board basis only. (Dinner this evening will be at a local restaurant and will be for the clients own account.)

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 honor 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 (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus). 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”. Lunch is included on route. Late afternoon arrival and overnight accommodation at the TWYFELFONTEIN COUNTRY LODGE or similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis only.

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”.

Day 7

Departing from Twyfelfontein continue towards the small town of Khorixas. An excursion on route will be conducted to the Petrified Forest, with approximately 50 examples of petrified trees dating back some 260 million years. From Khorixas continue on route towards the small town of Outjo. This small farming centre has its origins as a hunting and trading centre and was first inhabited by the early European explorer Tom Lambert in 1880. An excursion on route includes a visit to the Vingerklip or “Rock Finger” formation in the Ugab River Valley, which was formed approximately 30 million years ago by water erosion. From Outjo continue in a northerly direction for a late afternoon arrival in the Etosha National Park. Lunch will be included on route. During the afternoon game viewing drives will be conducted to the numerous waterholes in the Okaukuejo area. Overnight accommodation will be at the TALENI ETOSHA VILLAGE or similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis only. Late evenings can be spent game viewing at the floodlit waterhole.

Day 8

Today will be spent conducting game viewing drives as we cross the Etosha National Park from the central Okaukuejo Region to the eastern Namutoni Region. 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”. Overnight accommodation will be at the MOKUTI ETOSHA LODGE or similar on a full board basis. Evenings can be spent game viewing at the floodlit waterholes

Day 9

Departing from the Etosha National Park today’s journey follows the main route toward the northern town of Rundu via the towns of Tsumeb and Grootfontein. Excursions on route will be included to the large sink-hole type lake, Lake Otjikoto and the Hoba Meteorite, the worlds largest known meteorite. Lunch will be included on Route. Afternoon arrival for overnight accommodation at the HAKUSEMBE LODGE or similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis only.

Day 10

Todays journey continues in a eastern direction towards the Mahango Game Park. Arrival at the Nunda Safari Lodge in time for lunch. Excursions for today include a visit to the Popa Falls and the Mahango Game Reserve. The Mahango Game Reserve boarders the Okavango River. Characterised by riverine forests, a board flood plain, magnificent baobabs and large herds of elephant and red lechwe, the Mahango is one of Namibia’s most diverse and interesting conservation area.  Other species encountered in the Mahango Game Reserve include: buffalo, sable and roan antelope, Chobe bushbuck, reedbuck, tsessebe and sitatunga.The reserve is home to over 400 bird species, conspicuous examples being kingfishers, herons, cormorants, African skimmers, wattled cranes, pygmy geese and Africa Fish Eagle. Overnight accommodation will be at the NUNDA RIVER LODGE or similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis only.

Day 11 & Day 12

After breakfast depart from the Lodge continuing in an eastern direction towards the Mudumu National Park. The rest of the today and tomorrow will be spent on game drives in the Mudumu and Mamili National Parks, aswell as a boat cruise on the river. This vast expanse of dense savannah and Mopane woodlands, with the Kwando River as its western border, was proclaimed in 1990. The park is home to small population of sitatunga and red lechwe, while spotted-necked otter, hippo and crocodile inhabit the waterways. Overnight accommodation will be at the NKASA LUPALA or similar on a full board basis.

Day 13

Today you will leave Namibia and enter into Botswana. Botswana means “land of the Batswana” and, indeed, the Batswana character is clearly evident in the peaceful, pragmatic attitude to political and social life of the country. Botswana has a size of 581 730 square kilometres and bounded by South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia. Lunch today will be included on Route. This afternoon, participate in a game viewing activity offered by the Lodge. Overnight accommodation will be at the CHOBE SAFARI LODGE or similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis, including a game drive.

Day 14

Today will be spent game viewing in the Chobe Area. Chobe National Park, the third largest of the parks, is situated in the far north-eastern corner of the country. It is well known for its great elephant and buffalo herds, although a wide diversity of other mammals is also found here. Chobe has habitat ranging from woodland forests to the dry Savuti marsh.

Overnight accommodation will be at the CHOBE SAFARI LODGE or similar on a full board basis including 2 game viewing activities.

Day 15

Early morning safari before you head to your final destination, Victoria Falls, were you will arrive at Ilala Lodge.Afternoon at leisure to visit the town of Victoria Falls. Overnight accommodation will be at ILALA LODGE or similar on a bed & breakfast basis.

Day 16

This morning participate in a scheduled visit of the Falls, one of the most popular attractions in southern Africa. Time & lunch at leisure. This afternoon enjoy a sundowner cruise on the Zambesi River
Overnight accommodation will be at ILALA LODGE or similar on a bed & breakfast basis.

Day 17

This morning you will have some time at leisure before you will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your scheduled departure flight.