In the Midst of Tribes and Desert

Day 1

On arrival at the Windhoek International Airport you will be welcomed by a company representative who will present you with your travel vouchers and assist you with the collection of your rental vehicle. Continue to the capital city, Windhoek. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure in Windhoek to view the historical landmarks of this cosmopolitan city or do some shopping.

Windhoek is often described as a city with a “continental” atmosphere due to its architecture (historical buildings dating back to the German colonial rule), cuisine, culture, dress and educational institutions. Windhoek portrays the colour, sounds and tempo of a modern African city with its displays of African drums and woodcarvings on the pavements, which contrast with the elegant shops offering sophisticated Swakara garments and Namibian gemstones. Sidewalk cafes offering Namibian style breakfasts (Fruhschoppen), which can be enjoyed with a glass of sparkling wine or locally brewed draught beer. In addition to steak houses and coffee bars serving snacks, the city has a wide range of a la carte restaurants offering German, French, Taiwanese, Portuguese, Italian, African and Chinese cuisine.

Your overnight accommodation will be at the VILLA VIOLET or similar on a bed and breakfast basis only. (Lunch and dinner today will be for your own account.)

Day 2

After breakfast depart Windhoek and continue south through the Khomas Region towards the town of Rehoboth.

Rehoboth is home to the “Baster Community” a fiercely independent group of people who are the descendants of a group of farmers of mixed European and Khoisan blood. These people first migrated to the area from the Cape in 1870 where they established a settlement at the site of an abandoned Rhenish Mission Station.

Continue south towards the small settlement of Kalkrand before heading in an easterly direction, towards the western Kalahari Basin and the Intu Afrika Game Reserve.

Overnight accommodation will be at INTU AFRIKA ZEBRA LODGE or similar on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis, including a Sundowner Drive on the property.  (Lunch today will be for your own account).

Day 3

After a leisurely breakfast depart towards the central Hardap Region and the town of Mariental.

Despite Mariental’s quiet success, it is not however the most exciting or interesting place in Namibia. Wind-swept and dusty in spring and autumn, ferociously hot in summer and bitterly cold in winter, Mariental is home to a large number of Nama-speaking people, descendants of the early Khoi inhabitants of Namibia. The town, however, does provide essential services in the area, including fuel stations, grocery stores and banks.

 From Mariental continue west past the southern edge of Namibia’s largest Dam, the Hardap Dam, towards the small town of Maltahohe. From Maltahohe your journey continues on a gravel road descending the spectacular Tsarishoogte Pass into the Namib Desert, before reaching the Namib Naukluft Park.

Your overnight accommodation will be at DESERT CAMP or similar on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis only.  (Lunch today will be for your own account).

Day 4

This morning we suggest a visit into the Namib Desert to the Namib “Sand Sea” and the Sossusvlei Dune Belt.

Sossusvlei is a word from Nama descent, which directly translated means a place with many endings. 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, with 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.

In the afternoon visit Sesriem Canyon, where the erosion of centuries has incised a narrow gorge about 1km in length.  At the foot of the gorge, which plunges down 30-40 metres, are pools that become replenished after good rains.  Sesriem derives its name from the time when early pioneers tied six lengths of rawhide thongs (‘Ses Rieme’) together to draw water from these pools.

Your overnight accommodation will be at DESERT CAMP or similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis only.  (Lunch today will be for your own account).

Day 5

After a leisurely breakfast depart in a northerly direction towards the settlement of Solitaire. From Solitaire travel north to the Namib Naukluft Park. This route follows the gravel plains of the Namib Desert through the spectacular Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons before crossing the Namib Desert and on to the commercial harbour town of Walvis Bay. The drive from Walvis Bay to Swakopmund leads you between the dramatic coastal dunes and the ocean. Alternatively, you may wish to travel via the erosional feature of ‘Moon Valley’ and to Namibia’s ancient plant species, the ‘Welwitschia Mirabilis’.

Swakopmund is considered as Namibia’s premier coastal resort and is a popular destination with Namibian’s as a welcome respite from the heat of the interior. The town is also noted for its Old World charm and relaxed atmosphere. Founded in 1892 during the period of German colonial rule it served as the territory’s main harbor for years. 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.

Your overnight accommodation will be at the ROYAL SEA STAR or similar on a bed & breakfast basis only.

(Lunch and dinner will be for your own account).

Day 6

Today can be spent exploring the picturesque coastal towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, or taking part in some of the interesting activities on offer.

An optional extra “Dolphin Cruise” excursion may be conducted from the Walvis Bay Harbour. Highlights of the excursion include close encounters with Cape Fur Seals and bow riding Dolphins, as well as seeing the lagoon and flamingo colonies. Additional excursions into the desert include quad biking, dune boarding, visits into the Namib Naukluft Park to the Moon Valley formation and the “Welwitschia Plains”, or a Living Desert Tour where a guide will introduce you to a variety of weird and wonderful creatures which call the desert their home.

Your overnight accommodation will be at the ROYAL SEA STAR or similar  on a bed & breakfast basis only. (Lunch and dinner will be for your own account).

Day 7

Early departure from Swakopmund in a northerly direction through the National West Coast Recreational Area towards the small fishing town of Henties Bay. An optional visit to the Cape Fur Seal Colony at Cape Cross can be done today.

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.

Shortly after Henties Bay continue in an easterly direction, crossing the “Gravel Plains” onwards to the abandoned mining town of Uis. Continue heading north towards the Damaraland Region. This route passes 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”.

While in the Twyfelfontein area optional excursions can be done to the Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings, one of the richest areas of rock engravings and Bushmen paintings in Namibia, and the geological formations of the “Burnt Mountain” and the dolomite columns known as the “Organ Pipes”.

Your overnight accommodation will be at the TWYFELFONTEIN COUNTRY LODGE or similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis only. (Lunch today will be for your own account).

Day 8

After breakfast depart in a northerly direction through the town of Kamanjab towards Opuwo.

The Kunene or Kaokoland region is situated in the northwestern corner of Namibia and is bordered by Angola in the north, by Owamboland and the Etosha National Park in the east, Damaraland in the south and the Atlantic Ocean (the Skeleton Coast Park forms part of Kaokoland) to the west. The landscape is extremely contrasting and varies from dry dolomite hills in the south, to towering peaks with deep gorges and chasms in the central region. To the east, the sandy, flat plains of Owamboland reach into the Kunene Region.

Surrounded by low-lying hills, Opuwo, which means “the end” in Oshiherero, is a small and uninspiring town in the middle of the bush. The town grew into a permanent settlement and administrative centre for the region during the bush war prior to Independence. Opuwo’s name is indeed appropriate, as it is both the first and last place offering supplies, accommodation and tele-communication in the region.

Your overnight accommodation will be at the OPUWO COUNTRY LODGE or similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis only.  (Lunch today will be for your own account). 

Day 9

Today you continue further north to Epupa, to arrive in time for the lodge’s afternoon activity.

Epupa is home to the Epupa Falls, which with its scenically beautiful surroundings is one of Namibia’s prime tourist destinations. The falls are a series of cascades where the Kunene River drops a total of 60m over a distance of about 1.5km, dividing into a multitude of channels and forming a myriad of rock pools. With its richly-coloured rock walls, variety of trees including wild fig, baobabs and waving makalani palms, spectacular sunsets and perennially flowing waters, the Epupa area offers much to see and experience.  Bird watching is rewarding especially for the rare Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush.  Scattered settlements of Himba are another interesting feature of the area.

Your overnight accommodation will be at OMARUNGA CAMP or similar including meals and scheduled activities only. 

Day 10

This morning a Himba Safari with a guide from the lodge is included. On this excursion you can learn about the traditions and customs of the Himba people.  You’ll also find out more about the extraordinary landscape of Kaokoland. In the afternoon a sundowner drive with the lodge’s guide and vehicle is included.

Kaokoland has an area of some 50,000km2 between Hoanib and the Kunene, the frontier river to Angola. This area is home to the Himba, a nomadic tribe with a way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries. They can be seen wandering from watering hole to watering hole with their goats and cattle. The animals have a symbolic role in the Himba society as they are used for sacrifices at funerals and weddings. Clad only with a loincloth, the Himba paint their bodies with an ochre-red pigment, which protects their skin from the sun and makes a picturesque decoration.

Overnight at OMARUNGA CAMP or similar including meals and scheduled activities only.

Day 11

After breakfast you will head east to Owamboland.

Owamboland has a population of nearly 650,000 people and is the most densely populated area in the country. It has been nicknamed the indigenous and cultural heart of Namibia.  The landscape is characterized by sandy plains, covered with trees and Mopane, Makalani and bush. The major cities of this area are  Oshakati, Ondangwa and Ongwediva.  The flea markets, historic sites and typical Cuca shops are interesting places to visit.

Overnight at OSHAKATI COUNTRY LODGE or similar on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Day 12

Today you continue south towards Etosha National Park, entering the park on the northern side at King Nehale Gate. The entrance gates to the park and the resorts are open strictly between sunrise and sunset, so please plan your day’s activities accordingly and ensure that you return to the restort before the gates close.

Your overnight accommodation will be at NAMUTONI RESORT or similar on a bed & breakfast basis.  Meals are available from the camps restaurant while late evenings can be spent game viewing at the adjacent floodlit waterhole.  (Lunch and dinner today are for your own account). 

Day 13

Spend the day self driving through the Etosha National Park visiting the numerous waterholes and the edge of the majestic Etosha Pan, slowly making your way to Okaukuejo Resort. Each resort’s office has an “animal sightings” book. This should be consulted to determine the current movement of the game in the area and to optimize your game viewing experience. Detailed maps of the park are also available at each resort’s curio shop or filling station.

In the heart of the park is the Etosha Pan, meaning “place of dry water”, an extensive, flat depression of about 5 000 sq km. This great, white expanse is a place of shimmering mirages, and seeing large herds of game in this setting makes Etosha a unique experience in Africa. The Etosha National Park has over 114 mammal species, 350 bird species and 21 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.

Your overnight accommodation will be at OKAUKUEJO RESORT or similar on a bed & breakfast basis only.  (Lunches and dinners are for your own account).

Day 14

After a leisurely breakfast depart Okaukuejo Resort and head south exiting the park at Anderson’s Gate. Your journey today takes you to Erindi Nature Reserve, a conservation area of 71 000 ha of pristine wilderness, right in the heart of Namibia. Erindi is situated in the triangle between Okahandja, Otjiwarongo and Omaruru.

Overnight at OKONJIMA LAINS CAMP or similar including all meals and scheduled activities.

 Day 15

Today you travel south towards the town of Okahandja.

Okahandja is one of Namibia’s oldest established settlements and is the administrative centre of the Herero-speaking people. Many of the former Herero leaders are buried here and an annual procession through the town to the Herero graves commemorate those who died during the wars against the Nama and Germans. At Okahandja, you can visit the open-air wood carving market and the Herero Graves.

Continue on to the Windhoek International Airport for your scheduled departure flight. Please note that check-in times for departures is two hours prior to the flight departure time.

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