Day 1: The Elegant Guesthouse, Windhoek
After arrival in Windhoek our representative greets you, hands over a welcome pack, and assist you to the camper rental station. You collect the safari vehicle and get an extensive instruction how everything works. Then you drive to Windhoek for your overnight and rest after the flight.
Windhoek
Situated in Central Namibia, the cosmopolitan city of Windhoek serves as the capital of the country. It is home to an international airport and a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and accommodation options. The city is clean, safe and well-organised, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, many of which are worth a look, including the Alte Feste an old fort, the 1896 Christuskirche Christ Church, and the more contemporary Supreme Court.
Overnight: The Elegant Guesthouse
Situated in the up-market residential area of Klein Windhoek, corner of “von Eckenbrecher – Ziegler Street” in Klein Windhoek, 5 minutes walk to Joe’s Beerhouse (Africa’s most famous Pub/Restaurant. This modern, up-market Guesthouse consists of 6 luxurious en-suite double rooms and a fully equipped boardroom. Guests can indulge in the contemporary flair and stylish surroundings of The Elegant Guesthouse
Day 2: Hardap Dam, Mariental
Situated about 260 km south of Windhoek, the Hardap Resort encompasses Namibia’s largest dam, Hardap, which is on the Fish River. Although first investigations were carried as early as 1897, construction commenced in 1960 and the dam was completed in 1963.
Besides camping sites, other amenities and facilities include a swimming pool, conference facility, restaurant and shop. Enjoy picturesque views of the dam, some light game viewing, exciting water sports and excellent birding.
Mariental
Situated in south central Namibia, fringing the Kalahari Desert, the city of Mariental lies along the TransNamib railway and serves as the Hardap Region’s commercial and administrative capital. It provides an important petrol stop before heading west to Sesriem to view the red-orange dunes of Sossusvlei. Mariental is located close to magnificent the Hardap Dam, which is the largest reservoir in Namibia. The Hardap Irrigation Scheme has breathed life into this arid terrain, which is now fertile with farmlands covered in citrus, melons, lucerne, wine and maize, and dotted with ostrich farms. The dam is a popular holiday resort which draws city slickers from Windhoek and offers an array of watersports, scenic walks, and abundant wildlife in a 20000-hectare nature reserve set on its western bank; where visitors can spot rhino, ostrich, antelope, springbok and a variety of bird species
Day 3: Sesriem Campsite, Sossusvlei
Today to one of the highlights of Namibia, is a visit to the Namib desert with its red sand dunes. Your Campsite in the National Park is included.
Sossusvlei
Located in the scenic Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red dunes to make this one of the most scenic natural wonders of Africa and a photographer’s heaven. This awe-inspiring destination is possibly Namibia’s premier attraction, with its unique dunes rising to almost 400 metres-some of the highest in the world. These iconic dunes come alive in morning and evening light and draw photography enthusiasts from around the globe. Sossusvlei is home to a variety desert wildlife including oryx, springbok, ostrich and a variety of reptiles. Visitors can climb ‘Big Daddy’, one of Sossusvlei’s tallest dunes; explore Deadvlei, a white, salt, claypan dotted with ancient trees; or for the more extravagant, scenic flights and hot air ballooning are on offer, followed by a once-in-a-lifetime champagne breakfast amidst these majestic dunes.
Day 4: Sesriem Campsite, Sossusvlei
Early in the morning you can watch the sunrise at Dune 45 (only if you stay in the National Park) and then visit Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. The last 5km is a sandy track. If you prefer you can take the 4×4 shuttle from the parking area.
Day 5: Organic Square Guesthouse, Swakopmund
You drive to Swakopmund via the port city Walvisbaai, known for its flamingos. For the coming days a guesthouse is included, but you can also opt for a campsite near the beach.
Swakopmund
Set along Namibia’s spectacularly scenic coast, the seaside town of Swakopmund is known for its wide-open avenues, colonial architecture, and is surrounded by otherworldly desert terrain. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more German than Germany. Now a seaside resort town, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, adventure options, laidback atmosphere and cool sea breeze make it very popular Namibian destination. Visitors can look forward to a number of exciting activities including: quad biking, horse riding, paragliding, fishing, sightseeing and fascinating desert tours.
Day 6: Organic Square Guesthouse, Swakopmund
Today there’s time to visit and explore Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. For action activity see one of the local organisors to participate in sandboarding or quad biking in the dunes?
Optional
Desert Explorers Living Desert Tour
Walvis Bay Boat Cruises
Desert Explorers Living Desert Tour
Desert Explorers Living Desert Tour is a half day tour and an excellent photographic opportunity. The tour concentrates on exploring the local dune-belt between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. Guests will explore the Namib Desert and discover its wealth of fauna and flora. Visitors can expect sightings of sidewinder snakes, white lady spiders, Namaqua chameleons, dancing lizards and much more.
Day 7: Organic Square Guesthouse, Swakopmund
A day to relax, or to explore the region further. You can opt for a tour of the historical buildings, or explore the ocean by kayak.
Optional
Namibia Kayak Tours
Namibia Kayak Tours
Considered as one of the richest wetlands in Southern Africa, the Walvis Bay Lagoon is a mecca for nature lovers, photographers and the more adventurous traveller. Namibia Kayak Tours offer daylight kayak tours to Pelican Point and also the opportunity to experience a once in a lifetime adventure. The Walvis Bay Lagoon is home to a huge variety of birds, plankton species, fish life, dolphins and every so often whales can be spotted. For the lucky few, perhaps a glimpse of a mother whale and her calf, the Humpback and Southern Right Whales are known to frequent the wetland. We will visit the Pelican Point seal colony with a population between 15’000 and 20’000 Cape Fur Seals. These seals have no natural predators in the water and are keen to approach the kayaks. Perh
Day 8: Cape Cross Lodge, Skeleton Coast
The Skeleton Coast is known for its shipwrecks and sandy dunes. Cape Cross is the home to thousands of seals.
Some of the excursions that can be done in a day include . . .
• Excursions to Cape Cross Seal Colony and Lichen Fields
• Museum and Art Gallery visit
• Excursions to Shipwrecks
• Messum Volcanic Crater
• Eco friendly tours into the Namib Desert, the world’s oldest desert.
Skeleton Coast
Stretching from the Swakop River to southern Angola, the Skeleton Coast is known as the ‘Land God Made in Anger’ and is remoteness at its best. Thousands of miles of sandy desert dotted with shipwrecks meet with the cold waters of the Atlantic and somehow an amazing array of wildlife and flora manages to survive in this harsh but beautiful environment. Ocean fog creeps over the shoreline caused by the warm dry air of the Namib Desert colliding with the cold Benguela current. This otherworldly area is home to a diversity of wildlife including seabird colonies, Cape fur seals, zebra, gemsbok, desert-adapted elephant, lion and much more. Surfing enthusiasts are drawn to these powerful waves and photographers flock from around the globe to snap a shot of this eerie shipwreck graveyard and for the unrivalled maritime photographic opportunities. This coast is desolate but breathtakingly beautiful.
Day 9: Spitzkoppe Campsites, Spitzkoppe
Forget lush forests with bird song, if you are a climber, a geologist, a rock hound, or a star gazer, Spitzkoppe is Eden. The diverse and breath-taking landscapes will force your mind to think in vast stretches of time. The Sociable weaver birds build tenement style nests that are occupied for up to a century. The Welwitschia mirabilis plants of the Namib Desert can survive for two thousand years. The Spitzkoppe (“Matterhorn of Namibia”) is nearly 700 million years old.
It is a group of bald granite peaks or bornhardts located between Usakos and Swakopmund in the Namib desert of Namibia. The highest outcrop rises about 1784 meters (5857 feet) above sea level. The peaks stand out dramatically from the flat surrounding plains.
Spitzkoppe
Situated in Namibia’s spectacularly scenic Namib Desert, between Usakos and Swakopmund, the Spitzkoppe are a group of bald granite peaks forming one of Namibia’s most recognizable and dramatic landmarks. These enormous towering domes provide a paradise for hikers and mountaineers, from beginners interested in guided historic walks to professional climbers eager to ascend some challenging slopes. Other popular activities include exploring the many bushmen rock paintings and camping in some of the area’s scenic secluded campsites or rustic tented camps.
Day 10: Spitzkoppe Campsites, Spitzkoppe
Activities you can undertake are climbing, guided hiking trails which include rock art sites, birding and stargazing
Day 11: Brandberg White Lady Camping, Brandberg
Today is just a short drive to the highest peak in the country, the Brandberg. You can hike to the famous White Lady Painting. You can also join in a guided scenic drive, sunset drive or a 4×4 adventure.
In season, depending of the rainfall, also a desert elephant drive can be booked at the lodge.
Brandberg
Situated in northwestern Namibia, the Brandberg (Fire Mountain) Massif is Namibia’s highest peak, at its zenith, the Königstein (King’s Stone), standing at a whopping 2573 metres above sea level. Named for the vivid shade of orange it sometimes turns at sunset, this is undoubtedly the main highlight of the region. The Brandberg has been sacred to the San people for centuries. The Tsisab Ravine at its base is permeated with over 45 000 ancient San rock paintings, including the famous ‘White Lady’. Visitors flock here to view this unique bushman painting, said to be over 2000 years old. Other popular drawcards include its untouched natural beauty and its free roaming wildlife such as mountain zebra, kudu, springbok, and desert elephant.
Day 12: Hoada Campsite, Palmwag
This area, which is home to a variety of animals, offers spectacular views and a number of hiking trails and 4×4 tracks to explore. This sensational landscape is home to Namibia’s uniquely adapted desert elephant, with its longer legs and smaller tusks, which are frequent visitors to the area. These and a number of larger plains game, reptiles and invertebrates are abundant on the Grootberg Plateau and river valleys that carve deep furrows into the landscape, waiting to be discovered by those passing through.
#Khoadi //Hoas conservancy (Damara-Nama for corner of the elephant). The name of the campsite, Hoada, is a Damara-Nama term for “everybody”. This embodies the spirit of the entire conservancy, benefiting the community, the environment and tired, dusty travellers alike.
Palmwag
Palmwag is a nature reserve idyllically located along a palm-lined tributary of the Uniab River. Water is scarce in this area, so the river’s presence often lures elephants closer to the camps. Palmwag is situated halfway between Swakopmund and Etosha, and is the ideal base from which to see the sights of the Kunene region or embark on one of the many local hiking trails. The reserve is notable for its unusual species of palm tree, the hyphaena pertesiana, and for being home to the largest population of south-western black rhinos in Africa. Animal lovers can also get a peek at leopard, lion, cheetah, mountain zebra, Angolan giraffe, springbok, kudu, and African bush elephant.
Activities
Desert Elephant Drive
Uis White Lady Guesthouse
Uis White Lady Guesthouse and Camp is situated on the C36 and 35Km from the Brandberg and the “white lady” painting.The little “oasis” is en route to the Etosha pan and to the coast. A Halfway house for guests who do not want to drive through in one day.A quiet atmosphere and a safe stay is offered. Uis can be reached with a Sedan car.
Uis is an old mine town. The old mine area and water hole can be visited, with a 4×4 vehicle.
Self driving trips can be made to the “white lady” painting at the Brandberg.
Day 13: Hoada Campsite, Palmwag
Damara Cultural Tour (optional)
Guests will be guided through surrounding conservancy farms visiting a couple of authentic homesteads of the Damara people which allows them with the exclusive opportunity to spend time with their hosts understanding their origins, cultures, traditions and their approach to human wildlife conflict farming within the harsh desert conditions.
The tour includes a visit to the #Khoadi //Hoas Conservancy office to meet their staff and then on to the Erwee Primary School. This provides the guest with the unique experience of understanding and gaining insight into the positive impacts and benefits that the Conservancy enjoys directly as a result of its ownership of the Grootberg Lodge.
The tour concludes with a cultural performance by the Erwee school pupils, followed by a lunch under the trees in a remote spot in the wilderness of Damaraland.
You can also participate in Rhino tracking, which needs to be pre-booked though.
Optional
Damara Cultural Tour
Grootberg Lodge
14 Twin and 2 family rock and thatch chalets gaze out over the Klip River Valley, where Black Eagles hunt just below your private deck. Two family units provide enough space for parents and two children to share comfortably
Day 14: Opuwo Country Lodge, Opuwo
The Kaokoveld, Kunene Region: Rugged mountains, dry river courses and solid 4×4 country associated with names like van Zyl’s Pass, Hartmann Mountains, Marienfluss, Epupa, Ruacana and Swartboois Drift. A land vast and uninhabited, a wilderness in its own right where pockets of wildlife roam freely. This is also home to Namibia’s last remaining nomadic tribe, the Ovahimba. Dictated by seasonal rainfall and constantly in search of new grazing for their cattle, the Himba remain nomadic and primitive. Their unique lifestyle and adaptability to survive the harsh Kaokoland environment has earned them their ethnic individuality.
Opuwo
Opuwo, meaning ‘the end’ in Herero, lies in the north western Kunene region of Namibia. It serves as the capital of the region and is known as the gateway to the magnificent Epupa Falls. The surrounding landscape is characterised by low-lying hills, and vast dry desert plains inhabited by a wealth of desert-adapted wildlife. It serves as the central hub for the Himba culture. The town provides a perfect base for visitors wishing to explore the Kaokoland area and visit the local villages of the itinerant Himba people. The town and the Opuwo surrounding area is known as one of the cultural highlights of a trip to Namibia as it features an incredibly rich cultural heritage. Don’t miss an opportunity to learn about the fascinating Himba community within this starkly beautiful landscape.
Day 15: Opuwo Country Lodge, Opuwo
Opuwo Country Hotel/Campsite ‘s location lend itself as the ideal gateway to explore the area’s attractions and offer the visitor / traveler the opportunity to plan excursions to Epupa Falls, Ruacana Falls, Swartbooisdrift, Cunene River, not forgetting the Ovahimba villages in the area, to give you a glimpse into the lives of these fascinating people. Excursions can be pre-booked.
Day 16: Oppi-Koppi Restcamp, Etosha West
Take another route along the western boundary of Etosha to your half way stop in Kamanjab.
Here you can visit rock engravings and follow a walking path.
At night the area behind the pool in the Oppi-Koppi yard is lighted so you can admire the wild nocturnal animals such as porcupines and the genet cat, who are fed by us every evening.
Etosha West
Situated in the western part of Etosha National park, Etosha West is a new addition to this world-famous wildlife sanctuary. Formerly a restricted area the wilder western region accessed through Galton Gate, has previously had limited access, today it is open to all visitors who wish to discover the secluded reaches of this spectacular park. Visitors to Etosha West can look forward to exploring the magnificent scenery of this remote north Namibian landscape characterised by lush undulating terrain and a reddish brown soil, which is a stark contrast to the white dusty clay soil of Etosha East’s flat expansive plains. The area boasts numerous waterholes attracting elephant, rhino, leopard, lion, and a variety of buck. Don’t miss the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the rare Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra and black-faced impala.
Day 17: Okaukuejo Campsite, Etosha South
You may drive today to the western entrance gate (Galton) but you can also take the faster route via Outjo.
Okaukuejo Camp has situated only 17 km from the southern entrance of the Etosha Park from the Andersson Gate.
The Camp is the oldest tourist camp in Etosha and the administrative centre of the park. Okaukuejo is also home to the Etosha Ecological Institute.
The main attraction of this camp is that it overlooks a permanent waterhole which is floodlit at night. A wide diversity of wildlife surrounds Okaukuejo camps. The wildlife congregates and interacts from lion to rhino to elephant and antelope.
The spectacle starts at dawn, with animals coming in large numbers to quench their thirst. The activity continues throughout the day until late at night. In the early evenings, it is not uncommon to have black rhino, elephant, and lion all drinking at the same time.
Just note that there is limited availability in the high season.
Etosha South
Located just south of the boundary of Etosha National Park in northwestern Namibia, Etosha South makes up the southern region of this wild paradise. Ogava Private Game Reserve shares the southern boundary with Etosha National Park and offers an array of luxury lodges overlooking picturesque landscapes dotted with abundant wildlife. The national park can be accessed via the southern entrance at Andersson’s Gate. Visitors can catch a glimpse of a variety of wildlife including: lion, giraffe, elephant, white and black rhino, and a multitude of plains game. Popular activities include: game drives, tracking rhinos on foot, guided nature walks, or watch the sunset over this magnificent landscape.
Day 18: Okaukuejo Campsite, Etosha South
Optional
Etosha Game Drive
Etosha Game Drive
Game drive through Etosha National Park searching for predators, plains game, reptiles & birds.
Game drives are conducted in custom built safari vehicles with a pop-up roof and large opening windows to maximize photographic opportunities.
Depending on the time of year, these game drives take many different routes, but most often focus around the waterholes where you are most likely to see a variety of wildlife taking the chance to get a drink and swim.
Day 19: Halali Campsite, Etosha National Park
Halali Camp and the word Halali refers to the sound of a bugle or horn announcing the end of a day’s hunting. The German soldiers posted here enjoyed the hunting. This era was until Governor Von Lindequist wisely declared the Etosha a game park and reserve.
Halali Camp is strategically located halfway between Okaukuejo and Namutoni. Halali is at the base of a dolomite hill, amongst shady Mopane trees. There is a floodlit waterhole. The elevated seating arrangements allow for excellent viewing of the watering hole at Halali. The waterhole provides exceptional wildlife viewing throughout the day and into the night.
Etosha National Park
Situated in northwestern Namibia, the Etosha National Park offers a premier game viewing experience. The park’s diverse vegetation ranges from dense bush to open plains attracting a variety of wildlife. Located in the heart of the park is the Etosha Pan – a shallow depression that covers an area of 5000 square kilometres. Dry and shimmering for most of the year, the pans fill up with water after seasonal rains, making it the perfect habitat for wildlife. In the dry season, the wildlife is attracted to the perennial springs and waterholes that makes for excellent game viewing. Visitors can look forward to world-class game viewing including a variety of large mammals such as lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, zebra, giraffe, a diversity of birdlife such as flamingoes and pelicans.
Day 20: Namutoni Campsite, Etosha East
Namutoni camp is on the eastern side of Etosha and derives its name from the old German fort. The presence of the fort gives Namutoni more character than the other rest camps in Etosha. Namutoni is the closest to Fisher’s Pan. The pan is a renown wonderland of water birds in the wet season including breeding flamingos.
The Fort overlooks the King Nehale waterhole. It is the hub of activity in Namutoni.
An elevated decked walkway along the water-hole provides views of the surrounding scenery, wildlife, and spectacular sunsets.
Etosha East
Located in Northwestern Namibia, Etosha East is a protected sanctuary in the eastern part of the world-renowned Etosha National Park, known as one of the most accessible game reserves in Southern Africa. Etosha East boasts vast open plains scattered with semi-arid savannah grasslands dotted with watering holes and secluded bush camps. An impressive 5000-square-kilometre Etosha salt pan makes up a large area of the eastern side of the park and can even be seen from space. This remote area teems with abundant wildlife such as lions, elephants, black rhinos and giraffes, as well as a variety of birdlife featuring flamingos, ostriches, eagles, hornbills, and owls.
Day 21: Waterberg Plateau Campsite, Waterberg Plateau National Park
Waterberg Plateau Park is a national park in central Namibia encompassing the Waterberg Plateau, 68 km east of the town of Otjiwarongo. The Waterberg Plateau is a particularly prominent feature, elevated high above the plains of the Kalahari of Eastern Namibia. The plateau and some 405 km² of surrounding land were declared a Nature Reserve in 1972. The plateau is largely inaccessible so in the early 1970s several of Namibia’s endangered species were translocated there to protect them from predators and poaching to extinction. The programme was very successful and Waterberg now supplies other Namibian parks with rare species. In 1989, Black Rhino were reintroduced to the area from Damaraland, sparking a successful breeding programme of national and international significance for the species.
Waterberg Plateau National Park
Situated in north central Namibia and named for the springs that emanate from its foothills, the Waterberg Plateau National Park is a fascinating geological site featuring compressed sandstone crags, 200 million-year-old dinosaur footprints, and petrified sand dunes. The area’s natural water sources make it far more fertile than its environs, and the park is blessed with a plethora of plant and animal species, including leopards, rhinoceros, vultures, cheetahs, bush babies, ferns and fig trees. Visitors can enjoy a wide selection of activities including: learning about the local Herero culture on an informative village tour, tracking rhino on a guided safari, exploring the Waterberg’s 50-kilometre-long and 16-kilometre-wide sandstone plateau, dubbed ‘table mountain’, and catching a glimpse of the rare and endangered sable and roan antelope.
Day 22: Waterberg Plateau Campsite, Waterberg Plateau National Park
Discover the Plateau today or opt for a visit to the nearby Africat Foundation today.
Day 23: Midgard Country Estate, Central Namibia
In the African bush, not far from Namibia’s capital, lies a tranquil farmstead oasis. A perfect retreat from city life, and a perfect last stop to unwind this Namibian adventure.
Midgard Country Estate offers many activities perfectly suited for those in search of relaxation or adventure. Laze by the pool or in one of our various lounge areas and let the simple pleasure of doing nothing revive you.
There’s something for everyone at Midgard Country Estate and all the activities can be enjoyed by lodge guests.
Central Namibia
Encompassing the bustling capital city of Windhoek, and the laidback seaside towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, Central Namibia features an array of towns, deserts and wildlife reserves. The landscape of this region is characterised by a plateau scattered with clusters of acacia and grasslands sandwiched between the arid Namib Desert to the west and the lush Kalahari to the east. Visitors can soak in the steaming waters of the Cross Barmen Hot Springs, viewing a wide variety of wildlife at the spectacularly scenic reserves and explore the discover the untouched beauty of the beautiful Erongo Mountains with the breathtakingly beautiful Spitzkoppe, which offers some of the best stargazing opportunities in Namibia.
Day 24: End of Itinerary
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