DAY 2: NAMIB DESERT GUEST FARM

A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert as we drive in. We will arrive at the entrance to the dunes on sunrise and then travel through the dune field as the sun is coming up. The light casts strong contrasts of color on the edges of the dunes and offers stunning views from the dry river bed you travel through.

From here we drive another 60 km to Sossusvlei itself, transferring to special desert vehicles for the last 5 km through the dunes. The drive is like nothing else, enjoying the changing light and coolness of the morning. Ancient mineral pans, stunted camel thorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect.

 

We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting "dune 45", and as the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch and to escape the heat of the afternoon. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon.

 

Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.

Driving time: approx. 3 hrs (260 km)

Overnight: Namib Desert .Guest farm accommodation/en-suite facilities.Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 3: SWAKOPMUND

An early start today, we are heading north-west to the seaside town of Swakopmund located on the Skeleton Coast. Leaving the dune fields far behind us we are soon back into the mountain desert. We cross the Tropic of Capricorn and traverse both the Gaub and the Kuiseb pass, driving down to the dry river bed at the bottom of the canyon before climbing up the other side, watching the spectacular desert landscape unfold before us.

 

From the mountains we cross the desolate "Namib gravel plains" before reaching the coastal sand dunes at the port town of Walvis Bay. We will stop for a picnic lunch beside the ocean and there will be time to see the flamingos and other bird life in the Walvis Bay lagoon before continuing the now short drive into Swakopmund.

 

Driving time: approx. 6 hrs (280 km)

Overnight: Swakopmund. Hotel or pension/en-suite facilities. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 4: SWAKOPMUND

Today is a free day. The idea is to allow time for everybody to do their own thing. Swakopmund is a very pleasant seaside town with lots of shops, a good stretch of beach (although the Atlantic here is quite cold) and an open-air curio market. There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium is located in Swakopmund.

Alternatively, there are various optional activities that can be arranged. These include airplane and microlight flights over the desert, scenic drives, fishing trips (both from the beach or in a boat), four-wheel motorcycle (quad bike) trips into the desert and over the sand dunes around Swakopmund, sand boarding trips (also in the dunes), skydiving, surfing, bird-watching and many other activities are available. Your tour guide will discuss all the possible options with you before you reach Swakopmund and will offer to make bookings in advance of your arrival.

 

In addition to this, if you have decided not to join any of the optional afternoon activities, your guide will take you on an excursion into the Swakopmund River Valley. Traveling through the ancient, long dried up Swakopmund Delta, we first stop at the "Moon Landscape" an unusual example of water erosion in the desert.

From here we continue to the Swakopmund Valley itself to hunt the giant Welwitchia Mirabilis plants. This plant is in fact a species of tree and is one of the rarest fauna species in the world. We will see examples that are reported to be in excess of 1500 years old.

 

(N.B. All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are made at the clients' own risk and expense).

 

Dinner tonight is for the clients own account in a local restaurant.

Overnight: Swakopmund. Hotel or pension/en-suite facilities. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 6: KAOKOLAND

We leave early to visit the ancient site of Twyfelfontein. Here is an impressive collection of rock engravings created by the talented artisans of ancient peoples. Twyfelfontien is one of the most important archaeological sites in southern Africa and we will have a local guide to take us around and introduce us to the petroglyph's.

 

From here we drive to the small town of Kamanjab where we will make a short stop here before continuing on to find the Himba Tribesmen at Oase.

 

Oase is the only traditionally functioning Himba community outside the far north Kaokoland region of Namibia These tribes-people have migrated here, lifestyle and customs intact, and are following their traditional way-of-life in their village on a farm. Oase Village is located about 15 to 20 km outside Kamanjab, the exact location of the site varies as the Himba occasionally roam to a new location.

 

During the afternoon we will be invited into Oase Village and will meet with the locals. We will have a specialist guide for the time we are there, who will be able to translate for us and will introduce us to this "alternative lifestyle". We will learn about marriage customs, traditional food and the mysteries of the local religion, "Holy Fire".

 

Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the guest-house.

Dinner is at the lodge.Driving time: approx. 6 hrs (440 km)

Overnight: Kaokoland. Lodge accommodation/en-suite facilities. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 7: KAOKOLAND

Heading further north, the Damaraland scenery stays with us today. We follow the western border of Etosha National Park for some way, heading into the far northern regions of Namibia, turning off to our destination on a small game reserve.

 

We aim to arrive in the early afternoon. There are some self guided bush walks available for those who are feeling energetic, but otherwise the rest of the day is designed to allow you to relax by the pool and re-charge you energy.

 

Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.

Overnight: Kaokoland. Lodge accommodation/en-suite facilities. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 8: OKAUKUEJO REST CAMP

Traveling with special permission through the western side of Etosha National Park, we transit through this restricted area that is set aside for research and breeding. We have the chance to see some species not normally seen in the main tourist areas of the park.

 

As we drive into the Okaukuejo region of Etosha where our main game drive really begins, and we travel slowly down to Etosha's main camp, Okaukuejo where we aim to arrive in time for a late lunch.

Time to relax in the afternoon and then sundowners at Okaukuejo's floodlit waterhole. Situated on the boundary of the camp and easily reachable on foot from your bungalow, the Okaukuejo waterhole is famous One of the "best game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa". Perfectly placed for sunset, black rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope are often seen.

 

Dinner tonight is prepared by your guide over an open fire.

Travel and game driving: approx. 5 hrs (200 km)

Overnight: Okaukuejo Rest Camp. Two-roomed chalets with shared facilities. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 9: OKAUKUEJO REST CAMP

We go straight out on an early morning game drive. We visit some of the numerous waterholes in the area hoping to catch some of Etosha's big game out for an early morning drink. The game drives around the Okaukuejo area are some of the best in the park. We cover several different terrains this morning, from wooded areas to open savannah and in the rainy season, wetland. Back to Okaukuejo in the late morning and after lunch there is time once again to relax during the heat of the day. The pool area here is great, shaded by palm trees and close to the waterhole.

 

We take a shorter game drive in the late afternoon, often driving out to one of the waterholes popular with game and waiting for the animals to come to us.

 

Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the Okaukuejo.

Overnight: Okaukuejo Rest Camp. Two-roomed chalets with shared facilities. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 10: ONGUMA GAME RANCH

A full day's game driving and we leave early to enjoy the cool morning air. We game drive our way through Etosha to Halali camp, situated in the middle of the park. Along the way we visit several waterholes and are afforded splendid views of the massive Etosha Pan. The game viewing is usually excellent and we have the chance to tick off a few new species that are usually only seen on the eastern side of the park.

 

We stop at Halali for a rest and a leisurely lunch and there is also time to visit the Halali waterhole and to make use of the swimming pool and bar facilities before continuing on our way and game driving down to Namutoni. A short stop here to check the camp waterhole for game and then we leave the park, checking into a lodge located on the eastern boundary of Etosha.

 

Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.

Overnight: Onguma Game Ranch. Lodge accommodation/ en-suite facilities. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 11: OTAVI MOUNTAINS

First stop this morning will be to visit a local community of Bushman or San people. Before Namibian independence in 1990, the Namibian people were engaged in a liberation struggle with South Africa.

 

During this time Namibia had a large South African military presence and the South African army incorporated local Bushmen into their ranks because of their natural talent for tracking.

 

The Ombili village is located on the site of an old South African military base where, during the war years, many Bushmen had been in uniform. When the South African army withdrew, the local Bushmen trackers remained behind and were in danger of becoming displaced people, being so long away from their own villages. The local farming community in the Ombili area invited the Bushmen to stay and make their homes. Over the last 15 years or so a thriving bushman community has developed.

 

From Ombili, we are heading predominantly south. We pass through the Otavi mountains and our accommodation for the night is in the foothills of this small but picturesque range.

 

Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.

Driving time: approx. 3hrs (300 km)

Overnight: Otavi Mountains. Lodge accommodation/ en-suite facilities. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.