Namibia Kaleidoscope Safari - Dunes of Sossusvlei - Swakopmund - Damaraland - Himba People - Etosha National Park - Cheetah Conservation Fund

You will be collected from your accommodation by your guide and depart from Windhoek at around 08h30am.  Driving through the rugged Khomas Hochland mountain range we descend to the desert floor.   After a short stop at Solitaire, we arrive at camp mid afternoon and you can relax on the verandah outside your permanent tent or by the swimming pool before we visit the nearby Sesriem Canyon, one of the few places in the region with a permanent water source or perhaps take a walk for sun set.  We return to camp to enjoy dinner prepared by your guide. Overnight twin bed adobe style tent chalet with en suite facilities and views across the desert (BLD) Approx distance 320kms

Day 3  Desert Camp, Sesriem/Namib Naukluft area

Dawn departure from Desert Camp and drive to the Sesriem gate then it’s another 65km onto Sossusvlei witnessing first light and shadows on the sand dunes before arriving at the heart of the famous dune sea of Namibia where we watch the colours change from this spectacular and unique area (depending on opening time of inner park gate).   We can climb a dune close to Sossusvlei then walk to Dead Vlei with its large expanse of bleached cracked clay and skeletal camel thorn trees, contrasting with a backdrop of huge orange-red dunes.  We’ll enjoy a mid morning brunch after exploring this dramatic and desolate landscape before returning to camp for a swim and this afternoon take a late afternoon walk across the desert to Elim’s Dune with views across to the nearby mountains. Enjoy another spectacular sunset surrounded by this colourful desert and sleep under the bright stars of the southern hemisphere. Overnight twin bed adobe style tent chalet and dinner prepared by guide (BLD) Approx distance 140kms

 

Early morning departure from camp stopping at the quaint town of Solitaire before continuing through the desert with its endless views across the pastel-coloured gravel plains to the port town of Walvis Bay.  We visit the lagoon, a protected RAMSAR wetland site where we may see the many species of birds including greater and lesser flamingos, pelicans, avocets, plovers and the endemic Damara tern before a short stop at the salt farm. From here continue onto Swakopmund, full of historic buildings and where your guide will assist those wishing to book optional adventure activities such as sand boarding, quad biking, scenic flights, parachuting, marine cruises to name but a few, which you have time for this afternoon and tomorrow. Overnight is based in comfortable twin/double rooms with en-suite bathroom close to the town centre.  Laundry facilities are available here.  This evening’s meal is in a restaurant at client’s own expense (BL) Approx distance 300kms                                                 

 

Day 5  Brigadoon Cottages, Swakopmund

A chance for you to relax today or you may wish to enjoy optional activities such as a kayaking or perhaps a highly recommended day trip to Sandwich Harbour.  Alternatively you can walk along the beach or visit the museum and aquarium, enjoy coffee and cake at one or the many cafes or wander along the beach listening to the roar of the waves of the mighty Atlantic Ocean - the choice is yours.  Overnight is in twin room with en-suite facilities.  Lunch and dinner own expense (B) 

 

Day 6   Twyfelfontein Country Lodge, Damaraland

We leave after breakfast and head north along the Skeleton Coast past the gravel plains and desert opening up around us with the ocean crashing down onto the shore.  A visit Cape Cross is included and is home of thousands of Cape Fur Seals where during the breeding season over 100,000 are crammed onto the beach fighting for space, from here turn inland and drive past Brandberg, the highest point in Namibia and a huge massif rising up over the plains to Twyfelfontein.  A visit the rock etchings with a local guide is included and who will explain the history and importance of these etchings.  Dinner in the restaurant (BLD) Approx distance 310kms

Our Destination today is the dusty town of Opuwo, the gateway to the Kaokoveld region in the north western part of Namibia. Surrounded by low lying hills, Opuwo which means "the end" in the native Herero language, 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. While here we will collect a local guide and visit the Himba, Kaokoland is home to some 6000 Himba, these friendly people are closely related to the Herero and speak the same language. The Himba are herdsmen, breeding mainly cattle and goats while leading a semi-nomadic life. They migrate with their herds to the different waterholes from season to season. For the Himba, clothes, hair and jewellery hold a special meaning and form an important part of their tradition and culture. Overnight based in a twin and single room with dinner in the restaurant. (BD)

Day 8 & 9 Halali, Etosha National Park

Our destination today is Etosha National Park and we enter via Anderssons Gate in the south. After a game drive to the lodge we will have time to relax by the swimming pool or the waterhole.  This afternoon your guide will take you out on a game drive to visit some of the nearby waterholes and following day we enjoy game drives early morning and late afternoon. After dinner perhaps sit by the floodlight lit waterhole that attracts various species of game such as black rhino, elephant and leopard. Etosha is recognised as one of the best game parks in Southern Africa for the numbers and various species of game as well as the interesting geology. Overnight in twin bedded standard room with en-suite facilities (BLD)

 

Day 10  Frans Indongo Lodge, near Otjiwarongo

It’s an early departure from our overnight base to take advantage of searching for the animals that are generally more active around first light and then game drive to the gate.  From here it’s onto to the Cheetah Conservation Fund and their educational centre – this international and highly recognised conservation programme promotes the protection of these great predators to ensure their ongoing survival.  Namibia has the largest wild population of cheetah and many live on farmland where there is conflict between them and humans; CCF aims to educate people to the benefits of not killing cheetah and train dogs to help protect the livestock from predator attack.  From here we continue to our lodge where we overnight in twin room with en-suite facilities with dinner in the restaurant (BLD) Approx distance 290kms plus game drive in Etosha

 

We return to Windhoek today after stopping at the craft markets in Okahandja where you can watch the various crafts being carved in wood.  You will be dropped in Windhoek at your accommodation or at the airport for you ongoing flight (BL) Approx distance 260kms

 

Approx total distance 2340 kms plus additional game driving