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An 11 Day Introductory Visit to Namibia
offered by supplier M09212 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 11
day(s)
Group Size: 1
- 4
people
Destination(s):
Namibia
Specialty Categories:
Cultural Journey
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 2299 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2299 US Dollar (USD)
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Join the thousands of customers who chose us as their travel expert and experience your trip of a lifetime.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1 - USA Depart from JFK or your home city and start your Namibian Journey!
Day 2 – Windhoek
On arrival at Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport you will be met by a tour representative who will brief you on your routing and assist with any queries. The airport is located approximately 45 km. from Windhok. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the capital city, representative of the many cultures and history of Namibia. Even though it is the capital the city is home to less than 300 000 people. Bustling curio and informal markets trade in the shadow of modern high-rise buildings; historic forts and castles overlook the city while the elegant Tintenpalest nestles amongst well kept gardens. The past merges with the present as stately Herero woman, wearing traditional missionary dress, and stroll along the streets with their thoroughly modern daughters clad in the latest fashions. A five minute walk from the centre of Windhoek, Villa Verdi is a beautiful combination of European elegance and African décor. The lush green garden creates a peaceful atmosphere while the sparkling pool is inviting after a hot day exploring the capital city. The restaurant offers a variety of national and international cuisine. Accommodation consists of 13 standard rooms and one suite. All rooms are en suite with mini-bars, telephones and TV. Overnight: Villa Verdi Guest House – bed & breakfast included. Distance: 45 km. Road conditions: good quality tar road.
Day 3 – Namib Desert
Departing from Windhoek you head south towards the pro-Namib. There are several options to reach the desert. You can travel south via Rehoboth, the traditional home of the Baster people, or travel south-west over the Gamsberg, Remshoogte or Spreetzhoogte passes. The Spreetzhoogte pass offers an amazing view from the top of the escarpment across the desert plains below. Which ever route you chose you will immediately experience some of the defining features of Namibia: endless horizons, a vast seemingly uninhabited land and hauntingly beautiful landscapes. You travel across immense tracks of land utilized predominantly by cattle and sheep farmers. The isolated homesteads are seldom visible from the road and this adds to the feeling that the land is uninhabited! In a country of less than two million people the average population density is less than two people per square km. Dropping down the escarpment you reach the plains of the Namib. The horizon shimmers orange indicating the edge of the massive Namib dune sea. You reach your overnight accommodation on the edge of the Namib Naukluft Park this afternoon. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. The newly rebuilt Desert Homestead has been designed to incorporate all the features that guests loved about the original lodge, whilst enjoying the benefit of a pristine location on 32 km. from Sesriem. The twenty thatched chalets ensure our guests a comfortable stay and the little touches that characterize Homestead hospitality are evident. Meals can be taken in the indoor dining room complete with candles and fireplace, or alternatively on our traditional wide farm verandah, with lanterns and stars adding to the ambience. Activities include sundowner drives, guided walks, Sossusvlei and Naukluft excursions. The Homestead has become a popular destination for horse riders with more lively horses for experienced riders and a selection of peaceful mounts for beginners. Overnight: Desert Homestead – bed & breakfast included. Distance: 360 km. Road conditions: good quality gravel roads.
Day 4 – Namib Desert
A pre-dawn wake up call is recommended to get an early start into the dune fields of the Namib. Rising 1000 feet above the plains the dunes of the Namib are spectacular. Early morning is the best time to explore the dunes; the soft light offers excellent photographic conditions while the rising sun creates depth and contrast. Explore the stark white pans of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, dotted with ancient Camelthorn trees and surrounded by towering orange dunes. The Namib abounds with life. Reputedly the oldest desert in the world the level of animal, insect and plant adaptation lends credence to this claim. The desert is home to an incredible variety of life, from dancing lizards to head-standing beetles, blind moles and noble Oryx gazelle. The hike to the top of one of the highest dunes in the world is rewarded with stunning views and it’s great fun running, jumping or rolling back down the dune face! This afternoon you can explore the nearby Sesriem canyon, a small but beautiful canyon where the history of the ancient Tsauchab River is visible in the high canyon walls. This afternoon watch the setting sun paint the landscape an incredible array of pastel colours as the first stars begin sparkling in the velvet sky. As darkness descends it reveals the incredible southern night skies with constellations like the Southern Cross, Taurus, Orion, Scorpio and the incredible Milky Way, clearly visible in the crisp clear skies. Overnight: Desert Homestead – bed & breakfast included. Distance: 120 km. Road conditions: good quality gravel road.
Day 5 – Namib Desert
The Namib is a desert of great contrast, offering dunes, rocky canyons and vast gravel plains. Today you travel north descending through the rugged Kuiseb Canyon and crossing the Tropic of Capricorn. Hardy desert species such as Oryx, springbok and ostrich are found out on the gravel plains and for the lucky few the endangered Hartmanns mountain zebra is sometimes encountered. The cold Benguela current moderates the coastal temperatures and creates the life-sustaining fogs that drift inland. On the plains before Swakopmund you find vast fields of intriguing lichens and the weird and wonderful Welwitchia Mirabilis, a dwarf tree unique to the Namib Desert. The plant has a life span of up to 1500 years. After a day out in the desert you reach Swakopmund, founded in 1892 during the period of German colonial rule. Today this historical desert town, surrounded by sand and sea, is a popular destination with a Bavarian flare! Restaurants and coffee shops offer Eisbien, schnitzel, breads, cakes and pastries while Hansa Breweries supply excellent beer. Situated a few moments from the beach in a quiet residential suburb in historic Swakopmund, Seabreeze Guest House offers 10 elegantly furnished en suite rooms. The guest house is within 20 minutes walk of the city centre and a short drive to a variety of excellent restaurants. After a day exploring the town and surrounding desert watch the sunset from the balcony while enjoying a sundowner or relax in the lounge, snuggle up in front of the roaring log fire and enjoy the company of your hosts. Facilities such as telephone, fax and laundry are available as well as off road parking and indoor braai facilities. Sea Breeze is owner managed and is well known in Namibia for its warm hospitality. Overnight: Seabreeze Guest House – bed & breakfast included. Distance: 360 km. Road conditions: good quality gravel roads.
Day 6 – Swakopmund
A full day to explore Swakopmund and the surrounding areas. The town offers good opportunities for shopping (such opportunities are rare in Namibia!) and we suggest a stroll around the town, a visit to the semi-precious stone shops, the art galleries, bookshops and the tannery which makes our very own brand of leather shoes, locally called vellies. The small museum concentrates on the Namib Desert and the history of Swakopmund. The two coastal towns (Walvis Bay and Swakopmund) are also the adrenaline centres of Namibia with a variety of activities on offer. Pleasure flights along the coast offer a bird’s eye view of the desert and are the only way to view the shipwrecks in this area. Marine cruises in the quiet waters of Walvis Bay offer sightings of dolphins, seals, turtles and a great variety of birdlife. After being hunted to the brink of extinction the whales are slowly returning to the area too! Sipping sparking wine and sampling fresh Atlantic oysters while watching Cape Fur Seals frolicking in the water around the boat is a delight. It really is a case of who exactly is watching whom … curiosity often gets the best of the seals and they jump onto the boats! The Walvis Bay lagoon is a proclaimed Ramsar site and home to 42% of southern Africa’s greater flamingo and 60% of the subcontinent’s lesser flamingo. A great variety of wetland birds can be found feeding in the nutrient rich waters of the lagoon, a birdwatchers paradise! A host of other activities are available, from quad biking, kite surfing, dune boarding, dune skiing, sky-diving, paragliding, horse & camel riding and the longest cable slide in the world. After a day exploring enjoy a fresh seafood dinner at one of the towns excellent restaurants. Overnight: Seabreeze Guest House – bed & breakfast included.
Day 07 – southern Damaraland
This morning you travel up the desolate Skeleton Coast. You have the option to visit Cape Cross, home to a large colony of Cape Fur Seals. It is an incredible sight to see hundreds of thousands of seals lolling on the beach and frolicking in the water. The sound is quite incredible too, as females and cubs locate each other in the masses by sound … the smell, well that’s quite an experience as well. The population of the colony varies according to season between 60 000 to 120 000 seals! Cape Cross is also of historical importance as it was here that the first European explorers set foot on the coast of Namibia. In 1486 the Portuguese explorer Diego Cao landed at Cape Cross. Turning inland you head across the plains entering an area locally referred to as Damaraland ( Kunene region). The scenery changes and the temperature once again increase as you move inland. Travel via Uis and Brandberg Mountain to reach the red valley of Twyfelfontein this afternoon. Time permitting this afternoon visit the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein and the geological formations called the Organ Pipes and the Burnt Mountain. The Twyfelfontein site is one of the largest collections of rock engravings in southern Africa – with over 2 500 engravings recorded. At some time in the past this red rocky valley supported both man and animals. Follow the history of these ancient people as you explore the rock art they left behind. Twyfelfontein Lodge is located five km. from the historic Twyfelfontein rock engravings. Other attractions in the area include the Burnt Mountain, Organ Pipes and the Petrified Forest. The main building houses the restaurant, lounge, bar and curio shop and a swimming pool. Accommodation consists of 56 twin-bedded rooms with en suite facilities. Activities include hot air balloon rides, scenic flights, nature walks, and guided excursions. Overnight: Twyfelfontein Lodge – dinner, bed & breakfast included. Distance: 420 km. (via Cape Cross) direct 330 km. (excluding Cape Cross), Road conditions: good quality gravel roads.
Day 8 - Day 9 - Etosha National Park
Bidding farewell to Damaraland you head across to the plains and savannahs of Etosha National Park. You spend the following two days game viewing in Etosha. Stretching across 22 275 square km. the park encompasses stark white pans, ancient rivers, endless plains, acacia thickets, mopane woodlands, an enchanted forest and the delightfully named Ondundozananandana hills. Home to more than 114 mammals (including several rare and endangered species) and 340 bird species the park offers brilliant opportunities for game viewing, bird watching and photography. The scarcity of water and the dependence of the parks diverse herds of game on a limited number of drinking points is partly what make Etosha a remarkable experience. The definitive feature of the park is the vast white pan. In summer the glaring pan teases the eye, convincing all that this is the mythical inland lake the great explorers spent searched for. In winter, whirling winds race across the pan, whipping up dust devils and leaving a fine white layer of dust over everything. Hanging in the air the dust layer acts as a natural filter in front of the setting sun, creating amazing sunsets. The stark white pan with its shimmering mirages, dancing dust devils and dreamlike quality creates a backdrop unequalled amongst parks in Africa. The diversity of species and the ethereal quality of the park combine to make Etosha an incredible experience. The park has three rest camps. Located on the western side of the park is Okaukeujo camp, the largest of the three camps and home to the parks environmental research centre and its scientists. Located in the middle of the park is Halali camp, the smallest camp; and guarding the eastern entrance of the park is Fort Namutoni. Accommodation within the park is government run and consists of a variety of accommodation types ranging from two to four bed en suite bungalows. Each camp has a restaurant (offering buffet meals), swimming pool, flood-lit waterhole, shop and petrol station. Please note: although accommodation within the park is not of the same standard as private establishments located outside the park, we recommend at least one night in the park to take advantage of early gate opening hours and access to flood lit waterholes at night.Overnight: Etosha Naitional Park (rest camp) – room only included. Distance: 365 km., Road conditions: 120 km. on gravel roads; 245 km. on tar roads
Day 10 – Omaheke region
Bidding farewell to Etosha you head south to Okahandja. This town is of important significance to the Herero people. In 1904 the Herero nation rebelled against the German colonial forces, an uprising that led to many bloody battles in which the Herero suffered great loss of life. Many of the great Herero chiefs are buried in Okahandja and every year the Herero nation gathers to pay homage to their chiefs. On the outskirts of the town is a bustling market where woodcarvers from northern Namibia practice their skills. Spend time wandering around the market, browsing through the stalls with their wooden carvings, baskets and pots before continuing to reach Otjisazu. Otjisazu Guest Farm is located 28 km. east of Okahandja (about 90 km. north of Windhoek ). The name means “red cattle” and derives from the distinct red cattle of the Herero that inhabited this area. Originally established as a mission station in 1871 today Otjisazu is a comfortable guest farm offering peace, relaxation and good Namibian hospitality. Accommodation consists of 11 double rooms and two family rooms (4 beds). In summer time meals are served at the swimming pool, beneath the thatched lapa. In winter meals are served in the historic farm house. A variety of activities are available such as guided walks, game drives, horse riding and mountain biking. For those staying a few days excursions can be arranged to Von Bach Dam, the Herero settlement at Ovitoto or to Okahandja with its cultural sights and wood markets. This is the perfect stop over at the start or end of your visit to Namibia Overnight: Otjisazu Guest Farm – dinner, bed & breakfast included. Distance: 320 km., Road conditions: 30 km. on gravel roads; 290 km. on tar roads.
Day 11 – Fly out
This morning you travel south to reach Windhoek and on to Hosea Kutako International Airport to connect with your outbound flight (no outbound flights before 14h00). Fly out: breakfast included. Distance: 160 km., Road conditions: good quality tar roads. Visit the Namib Desert, Swakopmund, Damaraland and Etosha starting at $2299 for an 11 day Exploration of this incredible land.
Accommodation:
-1 night Windhoek: Villa Verdi one of the most popular accommodation establishments in Windhoek. Comfortable rooms are individually decorated in ethnic styles. Secluded gardens, a large swimming pool and views of the Auas mountains offer the opportunity to relax after the rigours of travel or a day's shopping in the city. A five minute stroll will take you into the city centre with its international banking institutions, top class restaurants and excellent shops.
-2 nights Desert Homestead, Namib Desert: simple but stylish accommodation in thatched chalets which were designed with the fragile beauty of this remarkable environment in mind.
-2 nights Swakopmund: Seabreeze Guest House -The guest rooms and communal areas are show taste and an attention to detail which is seldom found in Namibia. The Sea Breeze Guest House is situated directly on the beach and offers spectacular views of the ocean.
- 1 night Kunene region (Damaraland): Twyfelfontein Lodge. The Lodge is situated in the heart of the Twyfelfontein Uibasen Conservancy and boast 56 en-suite double rooms, reception, lounge, curio shop, open dining room, bar and swimming pool. In construction utmost care was taken to reduce the visual impact on the environment and to blend into the mountainside with the use of thatch roofs, natural stone and paint colors toning in with the surrounding rock formations.
-2 nights Etosha: rest camp in the park. The Etosha National Park in Northern Namibia is one of the world’s finest game parks. Covering 22 270 square km., Etosha is famed for its numerous waterholes where a wide diversity of game can be seen. The most spectacular feature of the park is the vast, shallow salt pan, which lies its centre, filling with water during the rainy season attracting a variety of wildlife and numerous species of birdlife.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Included:
- RT air from JFK
- Add-on fares are available starting at: $120 Boston / Wash Dulles; $ 175 Atlanta; $ 189 Chicago/ Miami
- $ 295 LAX and San Francisco.
- Fuel Surcharge
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Namibia
Cultural Journey
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