Explore Namibia Safari – NES12
Indulge in a private guided Namibian safari in the company of a dedicated and experienced safari guide, who will ensure that you enjoy a fascinating and stress-free journey of discovery amidst dramatic scenery. Climb some of the world’s highest free-standing sand dunes, enjoy close encounters with seals, dolphins, marine birds and possibly even whales, walk amongst pre-historic rock art at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein, embark on exciting game drives within Etosha National Park, visit the world renowned AfriCat Foundation with big cat encounters.
Itinerary
Day 1 Windhoek
Upon arrival at Hosea Kutako (Windhoek) International Airport you will be warmly welcomed by your private guide. Kick-start your adventure with approximately an hours’ drive to your accommodation in Windhoek. The rest of the afternoon is available for you to relax and settle into your accommodation. Explore Windhoek’s shops and craft market if desired. That evening, enjoy dinner with your guide as you discuss the itinerary for your upcoming safari.
Namibia’s capital, Windhoek is a bustling metropolis that is unexpectedly neat and orderly. This is the main port of call for most tourists. Situated in a pretty valley, Windhoek boasts buildings very much in the German architectural style. The German presence can be strongly felt in the food, restaurants – and, of course, the beer. The Namibian beer is said to be the best in Africa and is brewed in Windhoek.
Meals included: Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel
Day 2 Sossusvlei
This morning you will leave Windhoek in your safari vehicle. Accompanied by your guide, travel southwest through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands before you head down the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert. A picnic lunch will be served at a scenic location on route. You will arrive at your accommodation in the late afternoon. Subsequently, stay for two nights while you explore the remarkable sights of the Namib Desert with your guide. If there is still time today, your guide will take you to visit Sesriem Canyon, a scenic nearby attraction. Of course, you can choose instead to relax and soak in the scenic and tranquil surroundings.
Sossusvlei, situated at the heart of the enormous Namib-Naukluft Park, is one of the highlights of any trip to Namibia. Sossusvlei is a clay pan that is only rarely filled by water but is nevertheless a place of awe-inspiring beauty. Visitors to the region will be left spellbound by the magnificent ochre-coloured sand dunes, which rise over 300m (985 feet) into the sky – among the highest sand dunes in the world.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations: Lodge
Day 3 Sossusvlei
This morning, rise early for a magical excursion into the Namib Naukluft National Park. You will enter the park gates at sunrise to capture the dunes while the light is soft and shadows accentuate their towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world. Your guide will give you an insight into the formation of the Namib Desert and the fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive in these harsh environs. After you have explored the area to your heart’s content, enjoy a relaxing picnic breakfast in the shade of a camel thorn tree. Return to your accommodation in the early afternoon, stopping off to view Sesriem Canyon, if you haven’t already done so the day before. Consequently, the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.
Optional hot air balloon rides, helicopter flips and scenic flights over the majestic desert landscape, as well as horse riding adventures, are also available nearby.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations: Lodge
Day 4 Swakopmund
Today’s drive through the awe-inspiring and ever-changing landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park will fascinate you. View the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons. Next, reach the coast at the port town of Walvis Bay and its lagoon. Observe the interesting mix of pelicans, flamingos and other sea-birds before continuing north to Swakopmund. Once there, you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location and cooler coastal air for the next two nights. Later, in the afternoon, there will be time to wander around town and along the waterfront on foot. Follow this by heading off to dinner at the popular Tug Restaurant by the jetty, specializing in fresh seafood.
NOTE: As an alternative to the drive from Sossusvlei to Swakopmund you may like to take a scenic light aircraft flight over Sossusvlei and along the Diamond Coast (optional at additional cost). This will give you a bird’s eye view over the dune sea, abandoned mining camps, shipwrecks, Sandwich Harbour and salt pans before you land at Swakopmund Airport. Your guide will drive to meet up with you in Swakopmund later in the day.
The charming little coastal retreat of Swakopmund on Namibia’s western coast retains a strong German flavour, from its cobbled streets and picturesque buildings down to its typical German restaurants and pubs. This town is traditionally a holiday spot for locals and foreigners alike, with many opportunities for adventure sports and some good old-fashioned fun. Swakopmund is an ideal place to relax after a few days in the desert. Wash off the sand and sample some of the finely-brewed local beer and seafood, including fish, lobster and the utterly delicious oysters.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations: Guest House
Day 5 Swakopmund
After an early breakfast, your guide will drive you along the scenic coastal road to Walvis Bay. Next will be a memorable seal and dolphin cruise within the outer lagoon and harbour. This is an ideal way of seeing Cape fur seals, dolphins, pelicans, flamingos and a wide variety of other sea birds. If you are lucky, there is also the chance of seeing whales, leatherback turtles and sunfish. Snacks, including local sparkling wine and fresh oysters, will be served during the course of the cruise. Then, return to the jetty at roughly 12:30 pm. Afterwards, you may like to explore Walvis Bay further before returning to Swakopmund for an afternoon at leisure. You may also like to partake in some of the many other optional activities that Swakopmund has to offer. These include camel rides, scenic flights, quad-biking in the dunes, sky diving or vibrant township visits. Optionally, you may wish to set off to meet a local doctor and find out about the herbal medicines used by the Nama people, visit a local kindergarten or spend the evening enjoying the lively vibe of an informal shebeen.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations: Guest House
Day 6 Damaraland
After breakfast, leave Swakopmund and head into the Damaraland of north-western Namibia. You will head inland, passing Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg, and make your way towards Twyfelfontein. Typified by displays of colour, magnificent table-topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation, Damaraland offers some of the most breath-taking scenery on your safari.
The present day landscape has been formed by the erosion of wind and water. Additionally, geological forces have formed rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains and ancient river terraces. It is the variety and loneliness of the area, as well as its scenic splendor, that will reward and astound you. If time allows this afternoon, your guide will take you to visit the nearby attractions of the Twyfelfontein rock engravings. This has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also view Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes. There should be the opportunity to include this in the activities planned for tomorrow if you do not have sufficient time today. Return to your accommodation in time for a sunset walk in the area.
The breathtaking mountain region of Damaraland is situated on the eastern side of the Skeleton Coast National Park and southwest of Etosha National Park. An assortment of desert-adapted wildlife such as elephant, rhino, zebra and lion live in this near-barren landscape. A not-to-be-missed attraction is the picturesque Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain. It is home to thousands of ancient rock paintings, most notably The White Lady. The rocky outcrops of Twyfelfontein feature exceptional Bushmen engravings, which are considered to be some of the best preserved etchings on the continent. Visitors to Damaraland can view one of its more unusual habitats, the Petrified Forest. It dates back millions of years and offers a haunting landscape of gigantic fossilized trees, some up to 30 metres (100ft) in length.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations: Bungalow
Day 7 Damaraland
After an early breakfast you will be treated to an exciting 4×4 excursion along the ephemeral Aba Huab River valley. Hence, you will explore this remarkable region to search for game, including the elusive desert adapted elephants, if they are in the area. Damaraland is home to a variety of desert adapted wildlife and hidden desert treasures. Next, return to your camp for lunch. Follow that with a visit to Twyfelfontein and other nearby attractions if you haven’t already done so. Take a walk with your guide in the area surrounding the camp or simply relax and enjoy some well-deserved leisure time.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations: Bungalow
Day 8 Etosha National Park
Today’s Explore Namibia route takes you northeast towards Etosha National Park. Travel via the farming centres of Khorixas and Outjo, with a stop at the fascinating Petrified Forest along the way. Just south of Etosha National Park you will enter the private Ongava Game Reserve and enjoy wildlife sightings as you drive to your accommodation. If time allows, your guide will take you into on your first game drive this afternoon. Return to camp just before the park gates close at sunset.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations: Lodge
Day 9 Etosha National Park
Today is spent game-viewing in Etosha National Park from your private safari vehicle. Etosha is one of Africa’s great wildlife parks and Namibia’s prime wildlife conservation area. Spanning a vast 22,300 km² (8 610 square miles), it consists mostly of grassy plains around a huge salt pan, which becomes a beautiful lake after heavy rains and attracts large flocks of pink candy-floss coloured flamingos. Etosha hosts a vast array of animals, including the Big Five, as well as giraffes and rare and unusual species like the black-faced impala, Hartmann’s mountain zebra and the smallest antelope in the world, the Damara dik-dik. Large herds of elephant can also be seen, while predators range from lion to black-backed jackal. The wildlife in Etosha congregates around the watering holes, making for exciting and productive game viewing. Apart from its wildlife, Etosha is also known for its immense salt pans at the heart of the park. Formed by a massive lake that gradually evaporated, this vast stretch of shimmering salt forms a picturesque contrast to the rich range of wildlife found in the park.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations: Tented Camp
Day 10 Etosha National Park
Today will be a full day of exciting game viewing within the eastern section of Etosha National Park. After discussion with your guide, you can opt to take morning and afternoon game drives. Optionally, you can head back west to spend more time in the area around Halali or you can head north past Fischer’s Pan and up into the Andoni Plains. Either way, you will return to the comforts of your accommodation before sunset.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations: Tented Camp
Day 11 Okonjima Reserve
After breakfast you make your way to the AfriCat Foundation, visiting Lake Otjikoto en route. You will arrive in time to enjoy lunch at Okonjima, located at the base of the Omboroko Mountains. Here you can enjoy the welcoming atmosphere, superb accommodation and fantastic activities, starting with a guided afternoon excursion.
Okonjima Reserve is situated just west of the renowned Waterberg Plateau Park. It sits amidst the vast plains, scattered with remnants of ancient sandstone outcrops that skirt the Omboroko Mountains. This spectacular area is home to the world-famous AFRICAT Foundation, which supports the conservation of the world’s largest free-ranging population of cheetah and Namibia’s large wildcat population. Originally, it was created as a refuge for rehabilitated predators. The reserve is now a haven for cheetah, leopard, spotted hyena and African wild dog, as well as several species of antelope.
Among the carnivores being researched and rehabilitated at AFRICAT are cheetah, leopard, lion, caracal, wild dog and hyena. Visitors to the area can embark on interpretive tours of the Foundation as well as enjoy breathtaking nature drives. Adventures include tracking cheetah and leopard on foot or bird watching. In addition, you may embark on the Bushmen Trail, in order to experience a day in the life of a San Bushman. Night drives set off after dinner. Specifically, catch a glimpse into the nocturnal life of the predators, as well as magnificent viewing of the star-studded skies. Keen hikers can set off into the majestic solitude of the desert on a selection of nature trails. Meanwhile, bird watchers will be sure to spot and photograph a number of colourful species.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations: Okonjima Plains Camp
Day 12 Depart
After a leisurely breakfast, you will depart for Windhoek. The drive will take you through the town of Okahandja, where you can stop at the craft market. You will be driven to Windhoek International Airport to check in for your flight home. Departure flight must be no earlier than 1600 hrs to allow for driving time. Finally, time to bid farewell as this is the end of your Explore Namibia Safari.
Meals included: Breakfast
