ITINERARY
Day 1  Bed and Breakfast, Windhoek - Upon arrival at the airport you will be collected and transferred to a Guesthouse in Windhoek. We will ensure that it is based within easy distance of the centre of the city. Depending on the time of arrival you may have the chance to wander the shops or city sights. Overnight in twin bedded rooms with en-suite facilities. Dinner at own expense

 

Day 2  Sesriem / Namib Naukluft area - You will be collected from you accommodation and depart from Windhoek at around 08h30am. Driving through the rugged Khomas Hochland mountain range we descend to the desert floor via the Gamsberg Pass, an imposing flat topped mountain and one of the highest points in Namibia, which provides a dramatic back drop for our roadside lunch. 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. We return to camp just after sunset to enjoy dinner prepared by your guide. Overnight twin bed adobe style tent chalet with en suite facilities and views across the desert (LD) Approx distance 320kms

 

Day 3   Sesriem / Namib Naukluft area - Dawn departure from our camp and drive to the Sesriem gate then onto Sossusvlei, a 65kms drive witnessing first light and shadows on the sand dunes before arriving at the heart of the famous sand dune sea of Namibia. We watch the colours change on the sand dunes from this spectacular and unique area (dependent 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 scattered around, contrasting with a backdrop of huge orange-red dunes that make for superb photographic opportunities. We enjoy a mid morning brunch after exploring this dramatic and desolate landscape before returning to camp for a swim and this afternoon we take a late afternoon walk across the desert to Elim’s Dune on the edge of the famous sand dune sea 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

 

Day 4  Bed and Breakfast, Swakopmund - 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, which is 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. We 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, dolphin cruises to name but a few, which you have time for this afternoon and tomorrow. Overnight in comfortable twin/double rooms with en-suite bathroom close to the town centre. Laundry facilities are available here. This evening’s meal is a group dinner in a restaurant at client’s own expense (BL) Approx distance 300kms   
                                                   
Day 5  Bed and Breakfast, Swakopmund - A chance for you to relax today or you may wish to enjoy optional activities such as dolphin cruising, maybe sandboarding or quadbiking. 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 ensuite facilities. Lunch and dinner own expense (B)

 

Day 6   Twyfelfontein - Damaraland - We leave after breakfast and head north along the Skeleton Coast seeing the gravel plains and desert opening up around us with the ocean crashing down onto the shore. We visit Cape Cross, home of thousands of Cape Fur Seals, during the breeding season over 100,000 are crammed onto the beach fighting for space. We turn inland and drive past Brandberg, the highest point in Namibia and a huge massif rising up over the plains to Twyfelfontein.

The Twyfelfontein area, a very vulnerable and delicate ecosystem, is renowned for some of the best examples of Rock Paintings and Engravings in Southern Africa. Interesting rock formations and the remainder of prehistoric volcanic action can be seen in the Organ Pipes and Burnt Mountain, among the most prominent geographic features. The fauna and flora of Damaraland include; plants such as Welwitschia, Moringa and a variety of Commiphora species and animals such as the Desert Elephant, Rhinoceros, Giraffe, Springbok, Oryx and Ostrich living in total harmony with the community and the communal farming activities of the Uibasen Twyfelfontein Conservancy. The lodge, situated in the heart of the Twyfelfontein Uibasen Conservancy has en suite double rooms, reception, lounge, curio shop, dining room (open), bar and swimming pool. The development was done to minimise the visual impact on the environment and blends into the mountainside with the use of thatch roofs, natural stone and paint colours blending with the surrounding rock formations. We visit the rock etchings with a local guide who will explain the history and importance of these etchings. Dinner in the restaurant (BLD) Approx distance 310kms

Day 7 Opuwo - We drive north crossing a mountain pass keeping our eyes open for the desert elephant that roam freely in this area and also stop to gaze at the mighty boabab forest before arriving at Opuwo. This town is a real mixture of modern and old, dusty streets, goats and cattle wander on the road yet modern life has also reached here. This afternoon we will take a local guide and head out to visit a local himba village. (Should time not permit this afternoon we will visit the village tomorrow morning.) We will be able to witness how this tribe still survive off the land tending their cattle and goats and see the women prepare food as well as prepare the ochre and butter fat that they put on their skin to protect it from the harsh environment. The local guide will be able to translate all of your questions and the kids normally play together happily teaching and sharing things with each other. We return to our lodge later this afternoon. Overnight twin share accommodation, dinner in the restaurant (BLD) Approx distance 320kms

 Day 8 Etosha - This morning we will enjoy some time wandering around the town of Opuwo and meet some of the locals. From here we drive south along the border fence of Etosha to a private concession area on the western side of the National Park. After a game drive to the lodge you will have time to relax by the swimming pool or the waterhole. You can enjoy an optional game drive in the afternoon, bird watching, game walk or a night drive after dinner. It also has a hide overlooking a waterhole and a lookout deck. Animals on the concesion include elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard and many more. Overnight in twin bedded room with en suite facilities, dinner is served al fresco or in the restaurant. (BLD) Approx distance 200kms

 

Day 9 Etosha - This morning we enter Etosha National Park via the Western Gate, this is only open to Namibian tour operators with a special permit and the western section of the park is set aside for research. It also attracts other species you will not see in other areas of Etosha such as Hartmanns Mountain Zebra and baboon. We game drive across the park stopping at waterholes en route, to Okaukuejo, where we will enjoy lunch and relax around the swimming pool or sit by the waterhole and then continue our drive to Halali Rest camp based in the centre of the park where we will be based for the night. The active waterhole attracts various species of game such as black rhino, elephant and leopard. Etosha is over 22,000 sq kms and home to many species of game including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, hyaena, giraffe as well as antelope and over 340 species of birds so there is something for every animal and bird lover. We will spend in twin room share accommodation. After dinner you can sit by the floodlit waterhole watching the game come to quench their thirst. This park 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 (BLD) Approx distance 5kms to Etosha gate, 200kms to Okaukuejo plus game drives to Halali from Okaukuejo (route varies)

Day 10  Lodge, nr Otjiwarongo - An early departure from our rest camp to take advantage of searching for the animals that is generally more active around first light. We game drive across the park, enjoying a visit to the famous Etosha Pan where you can view endless vistas and skies, with the occasional shimmering shadow of a distant animal crossing the pan. From here we continue onto Namutoni where we will stop to enjoy brunch. From here we leave Etosha behind us driving to the Cheetah Conservation Fund and their educational centre, maybe if we are lucky we will also see the cheetah feeding. 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 as many live on farmlands where there is conflict between them and humans. This project helps to educate the people to the benefits of not killing the cheetah and trains dogs to protect the livestock from predator attack. From here we continue to our lodge. Overnight in twin room with en-suite facilities with dinner in the restaurant (BLD) Approx distance 290kms plus game drive in Etosha

 

Day 11  Windhoek - 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 then be dropped in Windhoek at your accommodation or at the airport for you ongoing flight (BL) Approx distance 260kms

 

Approx total distance 2400kms