Namibia
12 Day Namibia Ideal Tour
Enjoy a little more luxury with this 12 day, fully
accommodated tour, with the following highlights:
* Namib
Desert
* Sossusvlei
Dunes
*
Skeleton Coast
*
Cape Cross Seal Colony
*
Twyfelfontain Rockart
*
Himba People
*
Etosha National Park
Day
1:
We leave Windhoek and straight away join the small desert roads
that connect the whole of rural Namibia. Windhoek is in a mountain
valley and we have to climb out, first over the Eros Mountains
and then the Khomas Hochland Range. The mountain passes are
spectacular, we pass by several desert homesteads and we often
see wild game along the road.
As
we come through the mountains we drop down from the central
plateau by way of the impressive Remhoogte Pass and emerge to
find grassy desert savanna.
We stop at Solitaire, Namibia's second smallest town, for afternoon
tea before driving on to our accommodation near the sand dune
sea.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Driving time: approx. 5 hrs (350 km)
Overnight: Sesriem. Guest farm accommodation/en-suite facilities.
Lunch and Dinner.
Day 2:
A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch
the soft light of the sunrise on the desert. We drive the short
distance to Sesriem, the entrance to the Namib Naukluft National
Park and gateway to the world's highest dunes.
From here we drive another 60 km to Sossusvlei itself, transferring
to special desert vehicles for the last 5 km through the dunes.
The drive is like nothing else, in the cool of the morning,
with soft sunlight just beginning to play over the dunes creating
a sharp light and shadow contrast across the whole desert. Ancient
mineral pans, stunted camelthorn trees and the chance of seeing
a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect.
We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting
"dune 45", and as the day wears on we return to Sesriem
for lunch and to escape the heat of the afternoon. As the day
cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion
to the Sesriem Canyon.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Driving time: approx. 3 hrs (260 km)
Overnight: Sesriem.Guest farm accommodation/en-suite facilities.Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day
3:
An early start today, we are heading north-west to the seaside
town of Swakopmund located on the Skeleton Coast. Leaving the
dune fields far behind us we are soon back into the mountain
desert. We cross the Tropic of Capricorn and traverse both the
Gaub and the Kuiseb pass, driving down to the dry river bed
at the bottom of the canyon before climbing up the other side,
watching the spectacular desert landscape unfold before us.
From the mountains we cross the desolate "Namib gravel
plains" before reaching the coastal sand dunes at the port
town of Walvis Bay. We will stop for a picnic lunch beside the
ocean and there will be time to see the flamingos and other
bird life in the Walvis Bay lagoon before continuing the now
short drive into Swakopmund.
Driving time: approx. 6 hrs (280 km)
Overnight: Swakopmund. Hotel or pension/en-suite facilities.Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day
4:
Today is a free day. The idea is to allow time for everybody
to do their own thing. Swakopmund is a very pleasant seaside
town with lots of shops, a good stretch of beach (although the
Atlantic here is quite cold) and an open-air curio market. There
is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine
Aquarium is located in Swakopmund.
Alternatively, there are various optional activities that can
be arranged. These include aeroplane and microlight flights
over the desert, scenic drives, fishing trips (both from the
beach or in a boat), four-wheel motorcycle (quad bike) trips
into the desert and over the sand dunes around Swakopmund, sand
boarding trips (also in the dunes), skydiving, surfing, bird-watching
and many other activities are available. Your tour guide will
discuss all the possible options with you before you reach Swakopmund
and will offer to make bookings in advance of your arrival.
In addition to this, if you have decided not to join any of
the optional afternoon activities, your guide will take you
on an excursion into the Swakopmund River Valley. Traveling
through the ancient, long dried up Swakopmund Delta, we first
stop at the "Moon Landscape" an unusual example of
water erosion in the desert.
From here we continue to the Swakopmund Valley itself to hunt
the giant Welwitchia Mirabilis plants. This plant is in fact
a species of tree and is one of the rarest fauna species in
the world. We will see examples that are reported to be in excess
of 1500 years old.
(N.B. All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are
subject to availability and are made at the clients' own risk
and expense).
Dinner tonight is for the clients own account in a local restaurant.
Overnight: Swakopmund.Hotel or pension/en-suite facilities.Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5:
A long drive today, leaving early and heading north along the
coast, we will first visit the seal colony at Cape Cross where
it is possible to see thousands of Cape Fur Seals in the water
and on the surrounding rocks and beaches.
From here we will turn east, back into the desert and the beautiful
area known as Damaraland and the next stop will be at the small
town of Uis, located in the remote desert. Uis is an old mining
town and one of the best places to buy semi-precious stones
for which Namibia is famous. Here, rough Amethyst, Tourmaline
etc can be found at bargain prices.
We will pass the Namibia's highest mountain, The Brandberg,
(2573 m) as we travel deeper into Damaraland and our accommodation
will be at a desert lodge in the vicinity of Twyfelfontien.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Driving time: approx. 6 hrs (300 km)
Overnight: Twyfelfontein.Lodge accommodation/en-suite facilities.Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day
6:
We leave early to visit the ancient site of Twyfelfontein. Here
is an impressive collection of rock engravings created by the
talented artisans of ancient peoples. Twyfelfontien is one of
the most important archeological sites in southern Africa and
we will have a local guide to take us around and introduce us
to the petroglyphs.
From here we drive to the small town of Kamanjab where we will
make a short stop here before continuing on to find the Himba
Tribesmen at Oase. Oase is the only traditionally functioning
Himba community outside the far north Kaokoland region of Namibia
These tribes-people have migrated here, lifestyle and customs
intact, and are following their traditional way-of-life in their
village on a farm. Oase Village is located about 15 to 20 km
outside Kamanjab, the exact location of the site varies as the
Himba occasionally roam to a new location.
During the afternoon we will be invited into Oase Village and
will meet with the locals. We will have a specialist guide for
the time we are there, who will be able to translate for us
and will introduce us to this "alternative lifestyle".
We will learn about marriage customs, traditional food and the
mysteries of the local religion, "Holy Fire".
Dinner
tonight will be in the restaurant at the guest-house.
Dinner is at the lodge.Driving time: approx. 6 hrs (440 km)
Overnight: Kaokoland.Lodge accommodation/en-suite facilities.Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day 7:
Heading further north, the Damaraland scenery stays with us
today. We follow the western border of Etosha National Park
for some way, heading into the far northern regions of Namibia,
turning off to our destination on a small game reserve.
We aim to arrive in the early afternoon.
There are some self guided bush walks available for those who
are feeling energetic, but otherwise the rest of the day is
designed to allow you to relax by the pool and re-charge you
energy.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Overnight: Kaokoland.Lodge accommodation/en-suite facilities.Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day
8:
Traveling with special permission through the western side of
Etosha National Park, we transit through this restricted area
that is set aside for research and breeding. We have the chance
to see some species not normally seen in the main tourist areas
of the park.
As we drive into the Okaukuejo region of Etosha where our main
game drive really begins, and we travel slowly down to Etosha's
main camp, Okaukuejo where we aim to arrive in time for a late
lunch.
Time to relax in the afternoon and then sundowners at Okaukuejo's
floodlit waterhole. Situated on the boundary of the camp and
easily reachable on foot from your bungalow, the Okaukuejo waterhole
is famous One of the "best game viewing opportunities in
Southern Africa". Perfectly placed for sunset, black rhino,
elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope are often seen.
Dinner tonight is prepared by your guide over an open fire.
Travel and game driving: approx. 5 hrs (200 km)
Overnight: Okaukuejo Rest Camp.Two-roomed chalets with shared
facilities.Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day
9:
We go straight out on an early morning game drive. We visit
some of the numerous waterholes in the area hoping to catch
some of Etosha's big game out for an early morning drink. The
game drives around the Okaukuejo area are some of the best in
the park. We cover several different terrains this morning,
from wooded areas to open savannah and in the rainy season,
wetland.
Back to Okaukuejo in the late morning and after lunch there
is time once again to relax during the heat of the day. The
pool area here is great, shaded by palm trees and close to the
waterhole. We take a shorter game drive in the late afternoon,
often driving out to one of the waterholes popular with game
and waiting for the animals to come to us.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the Okaukuejo.
Overnight: Okaukuejo Rest Camp.Two-roomed chalets with shared
facilities.Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day
10:
A full day's game driving and we leave early to enjoy the cool
morning air. We game drive our way through Etosha to Halali
camp, situated in the middle of the park. Along the way we visit
several waterholes and are afforded splendid views of the massive
Etosha Pan. The game viewing is usually excellent and we have
the chance to tick off a few new species that are usually only
seen on the eastern side of the park.
We stop at Halali for a rest and a leisurely lunch and there
is also time to visit the Halali waterhole and to make use of
the swimming pool and bar facilities before continuing on our
way and game driving down to Namutoni. A short stop here to
check the camp waterhole for game and then we leave the park,
checking into a lodge located on the eastern boundary of Etosha.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Overnight: Onguma Game Ranch.Lodge accommodation/ en-suite facilities.Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day
11:
First stop this morning will be to visit a local community of
Bushman or San people. Before Namibian independence in 1990,
the Namibian people were engaged in a liberation struggle with
South Africa. During this time Namibia had a large South African
military presence and the South African army incorporated local
Bushmen into their ranks because of their natural talent for
tracking.
The Ombili village is located on the site of an old South African
military base where, during the war years, many Bushmen had
been in uniform. When the South African army withdrew, the local
Bushmen trackers remained behind and were in danger of becoming
displaced people, being so long away from their own villages.
The local farming community in the Ombili area invited the Bushmen
to stay and make their homes. Over the last 15 years or so a
thriving bushman community has developed.
The Bushmen at Ombili are not living the traditional hunter
gatherer lifestyle, that harsh but romanticized way of life
has disappeared for ever, but the language and many of the customs
remain alive. We make a stop at Ombili and we have the chance
to meet the local inhabitants and learn something of their ancient
and modern culture.
From Ombili, we are heading predominantly south. We pass through
the Otavi mountains and our accommodation for the night is in
the foothills of this small but picturesque range.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Driving time: approx. 3hrs (300 km)
Overnight: Otavi Mountains.Lodge accommodation/ en-suite facilities.Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day
12:
Our last day on the road, the drive down to Windhoek is on a
good road and we have time to stop in Okahandja, home to Namibia's
largest woodcarving market. The stalls are operated on a co-operative
basis by the local community and the market is a perfect place
to do last minute shopping for truly Namibian souvenirs.
We aim to arrive back in the Capital in the middle afternoon
and you will be dropped off at your accommodation.
Driving time: approx. 4 hrs (350 km)
Eco Camping Safari's (to view tours click on tour below)
3
Day Etosha Link
3
Day Sossusvlei Link
6
Day Taste of Namibia, (3 days north & 3 days south)
7
Day Northern Adventure
7
Day Southern Swing
8
Day Delta and Vic Falls
10
Day Namibian Explorer
12
Day Namibia Ideal
13
Day Culture and Nature
13
Day Family Adventure
14
Day Namibian Experience
14
Day Delta and Dunes
Combination
Tours:
10
Day Combination, (3 days south + 7 days north)
18
Day Combination, (3 days Sossusvlei link + 7 day Northern Adventure
+ 8 day Delta and Falls)
22 Day combination, (14 day Namibian Experience + 8 day Delta
& Falls)
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