In the morning, we will pick you up from any hotel in Windhoek & on the way to Sossusvlei, one of the most amazing and fascinating places on Earth, situated in the very heart of the sandy dunes. The Namib is considered to be the oldest desert in the World and recently the ‚ Sand Sea’ was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Traveling through the surreal, diverse and changing regions, from bare desert-land, through African bush, grassy savanna to sandy dunes. Experiencing thrill of being surrounded by the world of mountains, rocks and sand. Sheer feast for passionate photographers – capturing nature with the eye of camera! Good chance of spotting ostriches, antelopes, baboons and zebras. Break for lunch at the small oasis Solitaire. Opportunity to taste famous Solitaire apple pie, served at the desert bakery. Arrival at the lodge late afternoon, rest and relaxation after the trip.
Meals: as selected.
Distance: around 350 km (gravel road).
Accommodation: 2 nights in Namib Desert at Agama Lodge or similar.
Early morning before sunrise, drive towards Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei – a place of the highest dunes in the World, set in the midst of the World’s oldest desert. Unique chance for spectacular landscape photography! Climbing scenic Dune 45, while enjoying incredible desert vistas and ever changing scenery of the Namib. Off-road trail takes us to Dead Vlei where ancient, dried up acacias stand amidst the orange dunes creating surreal landscape. Optional hiking the ‚Big Daddy’ dune and afterwards visit to Sossusvlei with optional hiking the ‚Big Mama’ dune. After lunch, hike through spectacular rock formations of the Sesriem Canyon.
Optional Activities:
Helicopter flight over the dunes
Meals: as selected.
Distance: around 150 km on tar, gravel and sand roads.
After breakfast, we are travelling through the Namib Desert and Namib-Naukluft Park – venturing north-west to small town-oasis Swakopmund, set on the Atlantic coast. En route, crossing Kuiseb River dry bed, traveling through vast regions of Savannah and desert. Good chance of sighting ostriches, springboks, mountain zebras and oryx grazing in their natural habitat. While crossing iconic Tropic of Capricorn, time for break, stretching legs and short photo-moment. On arrival at the coast, short visit to Walvis Bay Lagoon to observe flocks of Greater & Lesser Flamingos,
After arrival at the coast short visit to Walvis Bay Lagoon to meet Lesser & Greater Flamingoes.
Recommended optional activity:
Scenic flight from Sossusvlei to Swakopmund over the Namib Desert & Skeleton Coast.
Meals: as selected.
Accommodation: 2 night in Swakopmund at Royal Sea Star Guesthouse or similar.
Duration: around 5 hours.
Today is time of rest & exploring Swakopmund and the coast on your own.
Optional activities:
Visit to the ‚lunar landscape’ and Welwitchia Mirabilis trails – botanic attraction, known as the ‚living fossil’; considered to be one of the oldest and most original plants on Earth.
Quadbike ride into the dunes and rolling hills of the Namib.
City tour of Swakopmund and visit to the Crystal Gallery.
Visit to National Marine Aquarium.
Snake Park.
Street-craft-market.
Bicycle tour of the Mondesa township.
Skydiving
Fishing offshore.
Early morning dolphin cruise can be combined with Sandwich Harbor Excursion making it full day activity.
Travelling along the Atlantic coast, on the salt road to Twyfelfontein in scenic Damaraland. En-route visit to Cape Cross and seal colony, then admiring mountainous Brandberg Massif, one of the most magnificent and majestic places in Namibia while passing by Damara villages in the communal areas; chance to spot ostriches, jackals, hyenas and springboks. Ethnic experience with the Damara tribe and their disappearing culture at the ‚Living Museum’. You are treated to traditional dances, village presentation and can try fire-making with just two sticks. We are surrounded by fascinating nature, wildlife, rock formations and magnificent, scenic landscape of Damaraland.
Meals: as selected.
Accommodation: 1 night at Twyfelfontein Lodge or similar.
Distance: 360 km (gravel road, including 110 km salt road).
Duration: around 8 hrs including lunch break.
Discovering beauty of Twyfelfontein rock engravings, UNESCO World Heritage site – one of the largest concentration of petroglyphs in Africa. You can admire most interesting petroglyphs, out of over 2000 works, created centuries ago in the rusty-orange rocks by San people, Bushmen inhabitants of these regions. The site forms a coherent, extensive and high-quality record of ritual practices relating to hunter-gatherer communities in this part of southern Africa and eloquently illustrates the links between the ritual and economic practices of hunter-gatherers.
After visit, venturing further north-west, into magnificent Kaokoland, region inhabited by semi-nomadic Himba people. Himba are one of the few, remaining tribes in the World, continuing to live as they did centuries ago and nearly completely separated from the civilization. After arrival in Opuwo if time permitting visit to Himba Village for unforgettable cultural experience
Meeting Himba people and unforgettable visit to the village, learning about ancient, nomadic way of life. Unique opportunity to observe exotic culture and customs as well as chance for ethnic photography. Himba people are a tribe of nomadic pastoralists who inhabit the Kaokoland area of Namibia. The Himba have clung to their ancient traditions. Beautiful Himba women are noted for their intricate hairstyles and traditional jewellery. Both Himba men and woman wear few clothes apart from a loin cloth or goat skinned mini-skirt, they rub their bodies with red ochre and animal fat to protect themselves from the sun that gives their appearance a rich red colour. Himba jewellery is made from iron or shell, and due to their intricate designs have become very popular amongst tourists.Meals: as selected.
Distance: around 300 km on gravel road.
Duration: 6 hrs with visiting and stop-overs.
Accommodation: 1 night at Opuwo Country Lodge, featuring exceptional sunsets and scenic landscape viewed from the large deck of the lodge, you can relax at the water-edge pool overlooking the mountains.
After breakfast, on the way to Etosha National Park – wildlife sanctuary and treasure of Namibia, considered to be one of the most loved and most visited game parks of Africa! Entrance through Galton’s Gate on the western border of Etosha. Driving through the park to Okaukuejo camp: admiring variety of magnificent animals: antelopes, giraffes, zebras, lions, elephants (largest in Africa), rhino, leopards, cheetah and hyenas roaming through the bush. In the evening, relaxing dinner served in the thrilling atmosphere of the wild. At the camp’s waterhole, thirsty animals gather for the drink of water, while you are invited to watch the ever-changing ‘theater of nature’ till late!
Meals: as selected.
Accommodation: 1 night at Okaukuejo Resort or similar.
Distance: around 380 km on tar and gravel roads.
Duration: 5 hrs.
Wildlife adventure while visiting waterholes, natural springs and view points of the park. Nighttime game viewing at the waterhole.
(Optional activity, can be booked the same day at camp’s reception: park organizes night time game drives in an open vehicle, only with park rangers.)
Meals: as selected.
Distance: 100 km, gravel roads.
Duration: full day game drive
Accommodation: 1 night at Namutoni Resort or similar.
Today traveling north-east to Divundu in the Caprivi Region.
On the way to Divundu, you will be passing by villages in the rural areas. In the late afternoon arrival at the lodge situated on the banks of the Okavango River.
Optional activities:
Sunset Cruise on the Okavango River
Meals: as selected.
Accommodation: 1 night in the Caprivi region at Nunda Lodge or similar.
Distance: around 560 km, tar road.
In the morning 3 hour game drive in Buffalo Core Area of Bwabwata National Park, famous for it’s healthy population of Buffalos & Elephants. Wonderful opportunity for birding on the Okavango River with around 500 different birds species found in this area.
After game drive moving along the Caprivi Strip inside Bwabwata NP, with occasional wildlife sighting, this is very smooth drive.
Meals: as selected.
Accommodation: 2 night at Namushasha Lodge or similar.
Distance: around 230 km, tar roads.