Day 1: Kalahari Desert
After arrival in Windhoek you collect your 4x4 rental vehicle with ample advice and instructions for a safe tour. Head south to the Kalahari Desert with its infinite chain of red sand dunes alternated with green valleys. This classic Kalahari scenery is dotted with large groups of springbok, gemsbok and ostrich; lone jackals, hares and porcupines roam the grassy valleys.
Accommodation suggestion: Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge
Day 2: Fish River Canyon
Via Keetmanshoop you enter the Fish River Canyon Park. One of the largest in the world, the canyon proper is about 60km long, up to 8km wide, and 550m at its deepest. Around the canyon there are many lodges and game parks featuring spectacular scenery and endemic plants and animals. Explore these reserves on horseback, on foot, by air, or in an open safari vehicle. A scenic flight will complement your ground-based exploration with a dramatic view that gives you an inkling of the canyon's scale.
Accommodation suggestion: Canyon Lodge
Day 3 & 4: Luderitz/Ghost Town
Lüderitz is a remote frontier at the very end of everything located at the only rocky part of the 1,500km Namib coastline. Explore the old buildings in town, take a boat cruise to see seals and penguins or visit the ghost town of Kolmanskop, a spooky remnant of the diamond era at the beginning of the 20th century.
Accommodation suggestion: Klein Aus Vista or Luderitz Nest Hotel
Day 5 & 6: Namib Desert
The Namib Naukluft Park is synonymous with Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon although there's a lot more to see and do that rewards a slow meander from one end to the other. Sossusvlei is one of the most spectacular sights in Namibia with red sand dunes rising 300m into the air. Climb a sand dune, explore the Dead Vlei or balloon over the great Sand Sea.
Accommodation suggestion: Hoodia Desert Lodge
Day 7 & 8: Swakopmund
Cross the Tropic of Capricorn to Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. Swakopmund is surrounded by the ancient Namib Dessert on the one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other and is alive with activities. The town has many German influenced old buildings and offers a lot to adventure seekers such as sand-boarding and sea-kayaking. It is also the starting point for a spectacular scenic flight over the Skeleton coast, named for the shipwrecks and whale-skeletons left on the beach.
Accommodation suggestion: Sandfields Guesthouse
Day 9: Damaraland
Southern Damaraland, from Swakopmund up to the Huab River, has many geological and historical attractions. Damaraland features vast khaki plains, sheer rocky mountains and incredible desert-adapted wildlife. Track rhino and desert elephant, explore the rugged land or sit back and enjoy the dramatic scenery.
Accommodation suggestion: Mowani Mountain Camp
Day 10: Opuwo
Kaokoland is a succession of hills and mountains punctuated by endless plains. This isolated rugged region is home to the nomadic Himba pastoralists who have remained unchanged for many generations. Travel over Joubert Pass to Opuwo, the centre of Kaokoland, a small typical Africa town where a range of different people live from the traditional Himba tribes to Herero, Damara and Owambo cultures.
Accommodation suggestion: Opuwo Country Hotel
Day 11 & 12: Epupa Falls
Today takes you way north to the border with Angola, to the beautiful Epupa Falls, one of only a few waterfalls in Namibia. Water cascades into a spectacular chute and there are several natural rock pools where you can take a refreshing dip. Enjoy a visit to some traditional Himba villages (not touristic, they live there permanently), view the falls and hike along the Kunene River.
Accommodation suggestion: Epupa Falls Lodge
Day 13-16: Etosha National Park
Explore this famous reserve from west to east over four days, staying in 2 or 3 different places. Etosha is one of Africa's great game parks. With 114 species of mammal and 340 species of bird you are sure to see a great variety of wildlife on your safari. As vegetation in most areas is sparse, the animals have learnt to drink during the day when predators are inactive and it is the safest time to be out in the open. It is not uncommon to see up to 7 different species of game at any waterhole. It is easy to get around; the roads are excellent and the waterholes clearly marked.
Accommodation suggestion: Hobatere Camp, Ongava Lodge & Mushara Outpost
Day 17: Central Namibia
Head south via Otavi and Otjiwarongo to Okonjima Lodge which is home to the AfriCat Foundation; an organisation that assists with the long term conservation of Namibia’s large carnivores. This afternoon you join the cheetah and leopard tracking on foot.
Accommodation suggestion: Okonjima Plains Camp
Day 18
After a morning activity it is time to head further south to Windhoek. Hand your car in at the airport and board your flight home. |
