Day 1: Central Namibia
Meet your guide at the airport or upon collection at your pre-booked hotel in Windhoek. he will be your first contact during the forthcoming safari and unforgettable vacation to some of the most spectacular places in Namibia.
Leaving Windhoek we head north through Okahandja and through one of the biggest private game reserves Namibia offers, traveling through beautiful farmland and scenic mountain bush land. Before reaching your hosts for the first night in Namibia your guide stops along the scenic road and welcomes you in typical Namibian fashion with refreshment and some snacks while taking you through the adventures lying ahead. You immediately feel free and welcome in the country we call home. Arriving at the Guestfarm located directly on the banks of the Omaruru River, you have the afternoon at leisure to engulf the serene atmosphere, sitting around the evening campfire getting to know the fellow travelers.
Day 2: Etosha National Park
Your first Safari is awaiting you today! We travel to the border of the famous and well-renowned wildlife haven - Etosha National Park. The afternoon is devoted to the abundant wildlife found in the National Park, which surrounds a parched salt desert known as the Etosha Pan. Despite the size of the Etosha National Park, only the edges of the pan are accessible to visitors. Game viewing in the park is primarily focused around the waterholes, some of which are spring fed and some supplied from a borehole, ideal places to sit and watch over 114 different game species, or for an avid birder, more than 340 bird species. Popular game species such as giraffe, blue wildebeest, plains and mountain zebra, hyena, lion, leopard, antelopes such as kudu, oryx, eland, as well as some of the endangered species such as Black rhino, cheetah and the black-faced impala are all found here. An extensive network of roads link the over 30 water holes allowing the visitor an opportunity to do a real game viewing safari throughout the park as each different area will provide various encounters. Late afternoon we will exit the park for our accommodation located outside the Park.
Day 3: Etosha National Park
Today your guide takes you on a game drive exploring the Etosha National Park. We may encounter wildlife we have not seen the previous day. Dominating the Etosha National Park is the endless salt pan desert, which is nearly completely enclosed by the park. It is roughly 130 km long and as wide as 50 km in places. During Etosha’s notorious dry spells the pan is an eerie place, lying parched and cracked under the unforgiving African sun. It is claimed that game viewing is best during the dry periods as animals will then congregate closer to water. But even in the rainy season, the park remains an abundant wildlife haven. You then have the pleasure of experiencing the rebirth of life as the young foals, cubs and chicks are seen frolicking with their parents, and the sprouting new green shrubs and grasses create a pleasing green oasis. In the afternoon we travel back to our camp, where we enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure recalling the sightings of the last two days.
It is possible to optionally book a game drive with an open game drive, your guide will be of assistance to you with making a booking.
Day 4: Kaokoland
We cross the park towards the Galton Gate to explore the northwestern parts of the park. We continue travelling north towards the Kaokoland, where we reach our country lodge situated on a hilltop just outside of Opuwo, the bustling capital of Kaokoland, providing comfortable accommodation and endless views across the mountainous bush land of northern Namibia. Enjoy the vista from the terrace of your room or from the edge of the refreshing pool.
Day 5: Kaokoland
After waking up to the sounds of untouched nature the day will take you exploring the local Himba culture. Your Hotel is in exclusive agreement with the Local Authority and Himba Chief to visit his traditional homestead. There are about 11 traditional villages in the vicinity of Opuwo. Here you are able to meet and greet the Himba people with your guide / interpreter. You will have ample time to ask questions; interact and photograph one of the last remaining nomadic tribes of Africa, while our guide answers and explains the Himbas intricate traditions, customs and beliefs. The Himba have managed to maintain much of their traditional lifestyle, perhaps since the land they inhabit is extraordinarily harsh and unyielding that the colonialists and commercial farmers have rarely covered it. Today the Himba live as they have for centuries. We then proceed back to modern comforts at our hotel to enjoy the remaining day cooling of in the sparkling swimming pool.
Day 6: Damarland
After an early breakfast and the cultural highlight we travel further south past the western border of the Etosha National Park and through Kamanjab to the Clay Terraces of the Ugab River in Damaraland, one of the least populated areas on earth. From the elevated terrace of our lodge we enjoy endless views onto the Ugab terrace and Mopane savannah.
Day 7: Damaraland
We depart the clay terraces lining the Ugab River, which we will meet again further downstream in a complete different setting later in the afternoon. On route, our stops today include the Petrified Forest and a stop at the Twyfelfontein UNESCO Heritage sight, before visiting the Living Museum of the Damara. After a short journey we arrive on the banks of the Ugab River, which is home to the elusive desert elephant and our accommodation for the night. We recommend the participation in an optional nature drive in the striking Ugab river bed in search of desert elephants that reside in this fragile eco-system. Returning to the lodge enjoy a sundowner on your terrace or from the lounge offering unmatched views of the Brandberg.
Day 8: Spitzkoppe
Today we continue south into the heart of the Namib Desert, the seas of sand of which have also been While enjoying a steaming cup of coffee relax and enjoy the nature waking up to the rising sun and enjoying a delightful breakfast we have the option to stretch our legs walking on one of the walking trails taking us to the White Lady Bushman painting before continuing through Uis, past the Erongo Mountain range and towards the Matterhorn of Namibia - the Spitzkoppe. Here we spend the night in a unique and local Damara community run Tented Camp at the foot of the Spitzkoppe. This allows us easy access to walk along the Spitzkoppe and its magnificent boulders, setting the perfect scenery for an unforgettable Namibian sundowner.
Day 9 - 10: Swakopmund
Today you have the option of starting a bit later and after breakfast explore Bushmans paradise on a walking trail taking you into the Spitzkoppe mountains or depart early to the coastal town of Swakopmund and stop at a local laid back café too enjoy a relaxed brunch before checking into your hotel. Departing the greater Erongo region you continue traveling towards the Atlantic Ocean. Reaching the coast, we arrive in Swakopmund where the rest of the day is spent at leisure. With palm-lined streets and seaside promenades, Swakopmund is a popular holiday destination in Namibia. Its pleasant climate and long stretched beaches attract anglers and surfers from all over. For the international guest, Swakopmund is a bohemian mix of German architecture and African rhythms, a laid back attitude with adrenalin activities, misty mornings and desert heat. It is colorful, it is vibrant, but most of all, it is fun.
Swakopmund is often fondly referred to as the "playground of Namibia", as it has numerous activities ranging from adventure to exploring the fascinating features of the Namib Desert and the animals and plants that occur and survive here. Embrace the relaxed pace of this idyllic coastal town while enjoying coffee and freshly baked pastries in one of the many café's. Alternatively, explore the undulating dunes and expanse of the desert on a living desert tour, or view this excellent, environment from the air on a scenic flight. Find your inner child and push adrenaline to its limits with extreme adventures such as skydiving over the desert or quad biking and sand boarding on the dunes. Take time to get the feel of this quaint town with its historic buildings, museums, shopping arcades and beach bar that has transformed into its personality by the vibrant use of natural materials used.
Day 11: Namib Desert
Today we continue south into the heart of the Namib Desert, the seas of sand of which have also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Our journey takes us via two geologically interesting canyons (Kuiseb and Ghaub) and endless desert plains into the vicinity of Sossusvlei. Our Eco Camp, in harmony with its surroundings, is located close to Sesriem, the gateway to Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei and Sesriem Canyon, offering genuine Namibian hospitality within the magnificent desert vistas.
Day 12: Sossusvlei
The morning demands an early start. Entering the Namib Naukluft National Park with sunrise, the first rays of sunlight paint the mountains of sand into a variety of apricot, red and orange, contrasted against a crisp blue skyline, enrapturing our senses, and providing an opportunity to capture this awesome landscape on film. You will be captivated by the surreal Deadvlei surrounded by some of the highest dunes on earth and Sossusvlei, where the dry Tsauchab River ends abruptly amongst dunes. Take the opportunity to walk up one of these majestic dunes to admire the desert landscape beneath. Enjoying our breakfast snack in the shade of one of the ancient camelthorn trees we visit the Sesriem Canyon, a life-sustaining natural phenomenon in the heart of the Namib Desert. We then return to our desert hideaway and enjoy stunning views of the wide-open plains during sunset. The evening and tour is concluded with an exceptional dinner experience. Set not far from the lodge we meet for dinner under the open starlit sky and enjoy a traditional “Namibian braai dinner”
Day 13: Departure
After breakfast, we travel back through an ever-changing landscape of the Naukluft Mountain range, from white gravel plains to shrub bush vegetation to bushland savannah, until we reach the capital in the center of the country. Windhoek is a cosmopolitan melting pot of European architecture with African culture, with a variety of excellent restaurants to choose from. You will be dropped off at your accommodation of choice, or transferred to the airport for your outward flight.
