Namibia never fails to enthrall its visitors, to charge the fantasies and imaginations of narrators in their efforts to aptly describe the many-facetted grandeur and harsh splendor of this desert country. So many words have been written and told, and still poets do not tire to invent attributes to do justice to its unique, ever-varying magnificence.
Namibia is a multicolor dream scape, a land of swirling apricot dunes and shimmering white flats, mirages and dust devils, black-faced impala and crimson-breasted shrike. Its major game park, which centers on the Great Etosha Pan, offers an exceptional range and abundance of wildlife and a landscape that could not provide a more striking backdrop for it.
The coastal region is one of the World's most captivating desert regions, and in the south lies a canyon second in magnificence only to the Grand Canyon itself.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Windhoek
Upon arrival at Windhoek International Airport we will be met by our local representative and transferred to the hotel with a short city orientation tour. Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia, is an attractive, small but bustling city, surrounded by clusters of hills the impressive Auas Mountains to the south-east and Eros Mountains to the north-east as well as the rolling hills of the Khomas Hochland to the west. We will enjoy dinner at the Hotel. Overnight: Safari Court Hotel, Windhoek (1 night). Included: D.
Day 2: Windhoek/ Keetmanshoop (drive)
After breakfast we depart via Rehoboth to Keetmanshoop. En route we visit the Quiver tree & the Giants Playground, a massive collection of balancing rock formations. Round boulders are piled up on top of each other in the most precarious fashion and we would think that one breath of wind would bring the whole lot crashing down to earth.
Not so, these boulders have been in place for millennia, exposed and shaped as they stand today, primarily by wind erosion. The Giants Playground is well named as one can just imagine giants playing with these massive stone toys. Picnic lunch will be enjoyed at the Hardap Dam. Overnight: Central Lodge (1 night). Included: B, L, D.
Day 3: Keetmanshoop / Canon Village (drive)
Depart this morning for Canon Village and visit first the Fish River Canyon. This is the second largest natural gorge in Africa. The Canyon is a spectacular natural phenomenon, which took hundreds of million of years to evolve into its current shape.
The full length of this Canyon is 160 km the width is up to 27 km and depth to 500 m. Because the River flows intermittently, there is always water in some of the pools, except in very dry years. In the afternoon we spend some time at leisure, to relax at our Lodge and around the pool. Overnight: Canon Lodge (1 night). Included: B, D.
Day 4: Canon Village / Sesriem (drive)
We start on our journey towards Sesriem, the entrance of Sossusvlie via Helmeringhausen and Duwiseb, where we will stop for lunch. Later we’ll visit the Duwisib Castle on the edge of the Namib, built in 1908 by the legendary Baron Hans-Heinrich von Wolf for his American bride Jayta.
The castle was constructed by Italian stonemasons with hewn, quarried stone and was completed by 1909. We will arrive late afternoon at our lodge, where we will also enjoy dinner. Overnight: Namib Desert Lodge, Sesriem (2 nights). Included: B, L, D.
Day 5: The Sossusvlei Desert
Early in the morning we leave for an excursions into the heart of Sossusvlei Desert, by 4x4 vehicles. This is a dune wonderland with towering dunes up to 300 m high, surrounding a huge, dried up pan. The warm tints of the sand, ranging from pale apricot to brick orange and deep red, contrasts vividly with the dazzling white surfaces of the large deflationary clay pans at some of their bases.
We’ll enjoy the incredible view of the highest sand dunes in the world, before we return to our lodge around lunchtime and have the afternoon at leisure. Tonight we will have the opportunity to do our own, real Namibian BBQ (with the assistance of the guide and chef of course!), as we will “braai” our own meat, all the ingredients and the salad are provided by the lodge. Included: B, D.
Day 6: Sesriem / Swakopmund (drive)
After breakfast and with our lunch packed, we will be leaving Sesriem and driving through Solitaire and the edge of the desert towards the Moon Landscape, a lookout point over the valley. Soft overlaying levels of earth deposited some 450 million years ago were eroded over millenniums to create this eerie landscape.
The Welwitschia Trail, a popular feature of the Namib-Naukluft Park lies east of Swakopmund. The route is marked with stone beacons and offers a close look at the Welwitschia mirabilis, a botanical curiosity endemic to the Namib Desert.
It is one of the most intriguing and bizarre plants on earth. Arriving in Swakopmund in the late afternoon, a set dinner will be enjoyed at the Hotel. Overnight: Hotel Pension A la Mer (2 nights). Included: B, L, D.
Day 7: Swakopmund
We will drive this morning to Walvis Bay, where we will participate in a Dolphin Boat tour. The tour leaves at 08.30 am from the Walvis Bay Yacht Club and passes through the harbor, by the fishing factories, while a comprehensive presentation of the local history will be offered.
From here we also cruise the Bird Island, the Russian Trawlers, the Pelican Point and returning back via the Lagoon. A large variety of birds such as Pelicans, Cormorans and more can be spotted and wild seals can be fed by hand from the boat.
Fresh oysters, champagne and snacks are enjoyed at the seal colony, where Dolphins join in the fun. This unique enjoyment of dolphins leaping out of the water alongside the boat and seals fed by hand, are a Namibian experience not to be missed. In the afternoon we return to Swakopmund. Tonight we will enjoy dinner at local restaurant. Included: B, D.
Day 8: Swakopmund / Khorixas (drive)
We will depart from Swakopmund today and travel northeastwards to Khorixas, where we will be spending the night. Lunch will be enjoyed at the White Lady Restaurant in Uis. From here we’ll visit Twyfelfontein, which resembles a large open-air gallery.
This treasure house of rock engravings left by stone-age artists is regarded as one of the richest collections in Africa. We will also visit the Organ Pipes and the Burnt Mountain. Overnight: Twyfelfontein Lodge (1 night). Included: B, L, D.
Day 9: Khorixas / Etosha National Park (drive)
This morning we’ll visit the Petrified Forest, where a cataclysmic event deposited giant tree trunks, which subsequently turned to stone millions of years ago. We continue with a visit to Vingerklip from where we drive northwards towards the Etosha National Park.
The park consisting of 22 270 sq km of saline desert, savannah and woodlands, is one of the largest parks in Africa. Its definite feature is the Etosha Pan, a vast, shallow depression of approx. 5000 sq km. Overnight: Etosha Safari Camp (1 night). Included: B, L, D.
Day 10: Etosha National Park
After breakfast we enjoy a full day game drive in the Park. The best places to spot game are at the various waterholes where some 114 mammal species including predators such as the lion, cheetah, leopard and several other wild cat species can be seen. There are also various species of antelope and prolific bird life.
Of the mammal species found in the park, several are rare and endangered, such as black rhino and black-faced impala. Etosha’s elephants are reputed to be the largest in Africa, the tallest ones measuring up to 4m at the shoulder. Their tusks, on the other hand, are relatively small.
For the greater part of the year the Etosha Pan is a bleak expanse of white cracked mud, which shimmers with mirages on most days. Seeing vast herds of game against this eerie backdrop makes the Etosha game-viewing experience unique. From here we drive to the Mokuti Lodge, situated just outside the Park’s Eastern Border. Overnight: Mokuti Lodge (1 night). Included: B, L, D.
Day 11: Etosha National Park / Rundu (drive)
We start today with a visit Lake Otjikoto. Shaped as something like an upside down mushroom, it was formed when the roof of a huge dolomite cave collapsed. Stalactite samples taken from an underwater cave have been estimated to be about 80 000 years old. In 1915 during the South West African campaign, retreating German forces dumped their military equipment into the Lake.
These armaments lay on a ledge on a depth of 55 m under the water. From here we continue with our drive and observe the Hoba Meteorite. The largest known meteorite in the world, the Hoba Meteorite, lies in a shallow depression on the farm Hoba-West, about 20 km west of Grootfontein.
The 50-ton rock-mass of nickel and iron, which is estimated to be over 100 million years old, crashed to earth some 30,000 to 80,000 years ago. We arrive later to Rundu, where our Lodge is situated. Overnight: Omashere Lodge (1 night). Included: B, L, D.
Day 12: Rundu / Okavango River (drive)
After a leisurely breakfast we drive via Bagani to Divava Lodge, situated on the Banks of the Okavango River. In the afternoon we will enjoy a cruise on the River to see the Popa Falls and later to enjoy a very nice sundowner over the floodplains. In terms of habitat, game and bird species, the Mahango Game Reserve on the Western banks of the Okavango River is one of Namibia's most captivating and species-rich conservation areas.
Main features of the Mahango are the enormous Baobab trees, the flood plains and the large herds of elephants and buffalos. We can also spot hippo, crocodile, sable and roan antilope, kudu, impala, reedbuck, bushbuck, as well as more than 400 bird species. Overnight: Mahangu Safari Lodge (1 night). Included: B, L, D.
Day 13: Okavango River / Frans Indongo Lodge (drive)
We return this morning via Rundu and Grootfontein to a lovely Mt. Etjo Lodge, situated 26 km before Otijowarongo on a 17 000 ha farm, which is home to a large number of animals, including the Black Rhino, Roan and Sable Antilopes as well as Lechwe and Nyala.
Hundreds of species of birds can also be observed, while enjoying well-marked hiking trail. Overnight: Frans Ingongo Lodge (1 night). Included; B, L, D.
Day 14: Frans Indongo / Windhoek (drive)
After a leisurely breakfast we drive via Okahandja back to Windhoek. Okahandja, a town of great significance to the Herero people, was once the seat of Chief Samuel Maharero. Every year on August 26, referred to as Herero’s Day, thousands of Hereros gather here for a pilgrimage to pay homage at the graves of their great chiefs.
The town is also an important centre for woodcarvers from the north. This is a good place to pick a hand-carved hippo, giraffe or rhino, as each piece is carved individually and the standard is generally high. Returning to Windhoek we will enjoy an informative tour of Katutura, situated on the northwestern outskirts of Windhoek.
The township was established in 1959 when Windhoek’s black residents were forcefully removed from the Old Location (an area today known as Hochland Park) under South Africa’s apartheid laws. The name appropriately means ‘the place where we do not wish to go’.
Today it is a sprawling residential area ranging from modest dwellings dating back to the 1970’s and luxury houses to large informal settlement on the fringes. We will visit here historical sites like the Christus Kirche, Alt Feste and Reiter Denkmal. Later we will have a special farewell Dinner on top of a hill overlooking Windhoek. Overnight: Safari Court (1 night). Included: B, D.
Day 15: Windhoek / Homebound
We’ll spend the morning at leisure, exploring Windhoek on foot and doing last minute shopping. We’ll have then our transfer to the International Airport for our outbound flight. Included: B.
Tour highlights & World Heritage Sites (WHS)
- The township of Katutura
- Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playground
- Fish River Canyon
- Duwiseb Castle
- Sossusvlei & Sesriem Canyon
- Welwitschia Plain and the Moon Landscape
- Dolphin & Seal watch Cruise
- Twyfelfontein Bushmen engravings, Organ Pipes, Burnt Mountain
- Petrified Forest, Vingerklip, Etosha National Park
- Lake Otjikoto & Hoba Meteorite
- Cruise on the Okavango River
- Game Drive at Mount Etjo
- Woodcarvers in Okahandja
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Land Prices for 2007 / 2008.
USD: 3,565.00 / CAD: 3,925.00 per person in double occupancy.
Single supplement is USD: 480.00 / CAD: 530.00.
Price includes:
- Meet and greet service at Windhoek International Airport.
- Transfers in AC minivan/car with English speaking driver/guide
- Accommodation as per itinerary
- Meals as specified (B=breakfast, L=Lunch, D=dinner)
- Entrance fees as per specifications above
- Porterage at airports and hotels
- Activities as stated in the itinerary
- Tourism Levies
- Information Pack upon arrival
Price does not include:
- All flights and airport taxes
- Meals and drinks that are not specified in the itinerary
- Activities that are not specified on the above itinerary
- Visa fees
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Tips / Gratuities and other such costs
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Namibia
Self Drive
National Parks
|
