Trip at a Glance

  •  Trip Code:
    Trip Code: EBANAMSW11-DR
  • Trip Duration
    Trip Duration: 11 Days
  • Trip Difficulty
    Trip difficulty Easy
  •  Trip Starts at:
    Trip Starts at: Windhoek
  •  Trip Ends at:
    Trip Ends at: Windhoek
  •  Best time to travel:
    Best time to travel: Year Round
  •  Accommodations:
    Accommodations: Lodges, Hotels
  •  Highlights:
    Highlights: Etosha, Sossusvlei, Himba Tribes, skeleton coast, Wildlife safari, Swakopmund

Cost Details

$3450

Price Per Person (High season)

$389

Single Suppliment

Overview

The 11-day Namibian tour been designed to give you a short but comprehensive safari around the main highlights of Northern and central western Namibia. You will visit a private game reserve, experience the amazing wildlife in Etosha National Park and have first-hand experience of the Stone Age culture of the Himba Tribes. Namibia’s UNESCO Heritage Site in beautiful desert Damaraland is next and then on to Namibia’s premier seaside town, Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast, before returning to Windhoek. From here we then depart on our three day Sossusvlei tour which gives you a quick snapshot of Namibia’s iconic landscapes. You’ll visit the world’s highest sand dunes, and step foot in the world’s oldest desert at Sesriem & Sossusvlei.

Itinerary

Day 01

Windhoek – Mount Etjo Safari Lodge (300 km)

Pick up at the airport, stopping at small towns along the way including Okahandja, where we have time to visit Namibia’s largest wood carving market. The market is operated on a local co-operative basis and is one of the best places to shop for truly Namibian souvenirs. Continuing north, passing through farmland, we aim to arrive at Mount Etjo Safari Lodge during the middle afternoon.

‘Etjo’ means a place of refuge. Since 1975 Mount Etjo Safari Lodge has been the heart of the Okonjati wildlife sanctuary, offering African wildlife and guests from around the world more than just a place to stay, but a safe haven, tranquil surroundings and the opportunity to engage in the pristine beauty of African wilderness. At Mount Etjo Safari Lodge, the African traveller will leave with his heart and mind enriched and his soul set at ease by having found peace and harmony in the African natural world.

The vibrant bird life at the Lodge is testimony to the beautiful gardens at the Lodge. Enormous palm trees, endless grass fields and a flamingo pond invite you to take a walk and a look around. The Lodge is built to face a large lake where animals regularly quench their thirst and hippos come to visit. Further in the distance lingers the magnificent Mount Etjo mountain, completing the picturesque scenery.

The unique architecture of our rooms, furnished and beautifully decorated in a splendid combination of luxury and African style will contribute to the exceptional experience of staying at Mount Etjo Safari Lodge. The Lodge is furnished with 22 luxury rooms, each with en-suite bathroom. Most of the rooms are situated next to the swimming pool which overlooks the watering hole where numerous animals come to drink during the day and night, while others overlook the spacious garden where the flamingos frolic. Various types of accommodation is available to suit the personal needs of young and old. The Lodge is fully wheelchair-friendly. (B, D)

Day 02

Mount Etnjo – Namutoni / East Etosha region (300 km)

An early start and continuing north we pass through some small towns, making short stops for fresh supplies and fuel.

Continuing on to our East Etosha, Namutoni region camp we again aim to arrive in time for lunch, giving us time to relax before heading into the park during the cool of the late afternoon for our first game drive.

The lodge centres on an old German Fort overlooking the King Nehale waterhole; an elevated decked walkway provides excellent opportunities for enjoying the surrounding scenery, wildlife and the spectacular sunsets. The Fort has been developed into a hub of activity, offering two restaurants, a relaxation lounge, a bar, crafts boutique, curio shop, jewellers and bookstore. Accommodation is provided in comfortable double rooms or bush chalets. (B, L, D)

Day 03

East Etosha region – Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park.

A full day’s game driving. We again leave early to enjoy the cool morning air as 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 not normally seen on the Namutoni side of the park.

We stop at Halali for a rest and a leisurely lunch. There is 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 Okaukuejo, Etosha’s main rest camp and resort where we will check in and set up camp. Originally the site of a German fort built in 1901, Okaukuejo now houses the Etosha Ecological Institute, founded in 1974; the round watchtower is a remnant of the fort.

After your evening meal there are still more chances to see Etosha’s big game at a floodlit waterhole, situated on the boundary of our camp and easily reachable within a minute or two on foot.

The waterhole has been described as one of the “best game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa” and the ideal venue to witness peculiar animal politics. Black rhino, Africa’s tallest elephants, lion and numerous species of antelope are regular visitors during the cool, dry season.

(B, L, D)

Day 04

Okaukuejo – Hobatere (210 km).

Today we travel through the previously restricted area of Western Etosha National Park, exiting via the Otjovasandu Gate. Overnight at the Hobatere Lodge.

The name Hobatere means “Find me”, and once you do, you will enjoy a warm welcome and personalized service.
Hobatere Lodge is located 80 km north of Kamanjab on the western border of the Etosha National park, situated in a concession area of 32 000 ha, which is home to a wide selection of game including Lion, Leopard, Oryx, Eland, Cheetah, Giraffe, Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra and Elephant. The activities centre around day or night game drives, bird watching and guided walks, affording guests ample opportunity to view the abundance of wildlife and endemic species in the area. (Activities are optional and not included) The Lodge also have a hide overlooking a nearby waterhole and a sundeck with panoramic views, which is floodlit for part of the night. (B, L, D)

Day 05

Hobatere – Twyfelfontein (340 km).

Within this area you have the opportunity of visiting a Himba Village – 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, the exact location of the site varies as the Himba occasionally roam to a new location. We will learn about marriage customs, traditional food and the mysteries of the “Holy Fire” religion.

Our journey today takes us into one of the most beautiful desert regions in Namibia, Damaraland. We drive west via the Grootberg Pass and then take a detour to visit the ancient Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontein. At this location we will have a local guide to conduct us on a short guided tour. Twyfelfontein is a World Heritage Site boasting one of the richest rock art concentrations in Africa. Thousands of tourists come to this site each year to view some 2, 500 Stone Age rock engravings. The area is home to 17 rock art sites, which collectively encompass 212 engraved stone slabs. There are an additional 13 sites displaying rock paintings.

Overnight at Twyfelfontein Lodge. The Lodge is situated in the heart of the TwyfelfonteinUibasen Conservancy and boast 56 en-suite twin 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 colours toning in with the surrounding rock formations. (B, L, D)

Day 06

Twyfelfontein – Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast (420 km).

From here we head deeper into the desert and pass Namibia’s highest mountain, The Brandberg, (2573 m) and more beautiful Damaraland scenery. We make a stop in the small town of Uis, 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.

From here we turn directly west and cross the gravel plains on our way to the Atlantic Ocean and the Skeleton Coast. Meeting the ocean at Henties Bay, we first head north along the coast to visit the seal colony at Cape Cross. At certain times of the year as many as 100,000 Cape Fur seals congregate. The seals can be viewed from a walkway at a distance of roughly 200 metres

The next destination is Swakopmund, following the Skeleton Coast into Namibia’s premier seaside town. We aim to arrive in the late afternoon giving us time to explore the town on foot before sunset. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more German than Germany. Now a seaside resort, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, colonial-era buildings and the cool sea breeze make it very popular.

Tonight we take the chance to sample one of the excellent restaurants. The seafood in Swakopmund is superb. Your guide will offer to organise a group meal in a local restaurant for this evening. Participation is recommended but by no means required.

(B, L)

Day 07

Swakopmund – Windhoek (350 km)

The drive back to Windhoek today will take about 4 and a half hours. We will depart around lunch-time, giving us time to spend the morning relaxing in Swakopmund. It has many superb 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 inSwakopmund.

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. (N.B. All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are made at the client’s own risk and expense).

This is the last day of our trip and after lunch we will transfer back to the capital city where you will be dropped off at your accommodation in the late afternoon / early evening. (B, L)

Day 08

Windhoek – Sesriem area (350 km)

We travel out over the Eros Mountains and along scenic roads on our way south-west to the desert. We also pass over part of the Naukluft Mountains, which are of particular interest for the ancient geological history of this part of the country. Heading down from Namibia’s central plateau by way of the beautiful Remhoogte Pass, we reach open plains and the tiny settlement of Solitaire.

We cross some open grass savannah and farmlands before the terrain gives way to the immense red sand dune desert of the Namib. (B, L)

Day 09

Sesriem area– Sossusvlei – Sesriem area.

A pre-dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert. After passing through Sesriem, the gateway to the dunes, we head into the heart of the dune field, reaching Sossusvlei on foot, trekking the last 5 km through the dunes. Landscape photo opportunities abound in the cool of the morning, with dawn’s soft light first illuminating the dunes from crest down the back slope, then blazing orange everywhere, creating a powerful contrasting vista across the whole desert. Ancient mineral pans, stunted camel thorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or ostrich makes it essential to remember your camera!

We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, also visiting dune 45. Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red sand dunes to make this one of the natural wonders of Africa and a photographers heaven.

The ancient clay pan at Deadvlei was once an oasis, studded with acacias and fed by a river that suddenly changed course, leaving the earth to dry up along with the trees it previously supported. So dry were the climatic conditions that the trees never decomposed – instead they were entirely leached of moisture so that today, 900 years later, they remain as desiccated, blackened sentinels dotting the pan’s cracked surface. Surrounded by the red-pink dunes of the Namibia Desert, they create a surreal spectacle that is a photographer’s dream.

Dune 45 is renowned for its elegant shape, which – along with its position close to the road – have earned it the distinction of ‘most photographed dune in the world’. If you’re not keen for the strenuous hike to the top of Big Daddy, Dune 45 is a more forgiving alternative, standing at only 80 metres and featuring a much gentler gradient.

As the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch, escaping the heat of the afternoon. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon. Sesriem Canyon, a deep chasm carved through the rocks by water, is a striking natural feature of the area that is best explored on foot. Stony walls rise up sharply on both sides of the canyon, while birds roost in its crags and lizards dart along the ledges. The canyon’s name was coined when early settlers used it as a water source, using six lengths of leather (‘sesriem – six thongs) tied together to lower buckets into the water at the base of canyon. (B, L)

Day 10

Sesriem area – Windhoek (450 km)

After breakfast we begin our journey back to Windhoek following a different route, ascending the massive Gamsberg Pass in the KhomasHochland Mountain Range on our way back to civilization.

We are due back in Windhoek late afternoon / early evening and you will be dropped off at your accommodation on our return. (B, L)

Day 11

Transfer to the airport for the flight home. (B)

$3450

Per Person

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