Trip at a Glance
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Trip Code: EBANAMSW11-DR
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Trip Duration: 11 Days
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Trip difficulty Easy
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Trip Starts at: Windhoek
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Trip Ends at: Windhoek
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Best time to travel: Year Round
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Accommodations: Lodges, Hotels
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Highlights: Etosha, Sossusvlei, Himba Tribes, skeleton coast, Wildlife safari, Swakopmund
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
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Transfer to the airport for the flight home. (B)
Gallery
Featured Hotels
We at Earthbound Adventures carefully choose hotels that are safe, clean and ideally located, we stay in charming locally owned 3 stars hotels with great and friendly service. We go to great length to make sure the hotel are up to our high standard, we personally visited each and every hotel on our list and we are constantly evaluating the hotels we stay in.
We are listing 4 and 5 stars hotels, if you choose to upgrade your hotel an additional fee will apply to the tours according to the hotels you choose.
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Etosha Safari Camp
Down to earth, relaxed, innovative and charming are Etosha Safari Camp’s alluring qualities – and of course, its proximity to Etosha National Park. This friendly safari camp has cosyaccommodation set between the mopane trees, an inviting circular swimming pool, a lush green campsite and ample character. Extending the theme of Etosha as being a ‘Place of Legends’, Etosha Safari Camp takes it one step further by bringing home the story and spirit of Africa. And the result is – legendary! Here, the typical informal bar or shebeen, well-known and beloved throughout southern Africa, is given expression in the Okambashu (‘Our home’) restaurant and Oshebeena bar with local colour and country bric-a-brac.
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FransIndongo Lodge
FransIndongo Lodge is situated in the proximity of Waterberg Plateau Park, 44kms from Otjiwarongo. This is an ideal stopover between Etosha National Park, and Windhoek, and one of the most popular lodges in the viciinty of the Waterberg. The lodge is situated on a large 17,000ha game farm which boasts an abundance of wild animals, including white and black rhino, black wildebeest and hartebeest. Walking trails have been laid out through the bush savannah several of these lead onto a hill with a magnificent look-out point. The lodge complex has been modeled on traditional Ovambo homes, and inside the complex a palisade separates the restaurant and swimming pool area, from the guest chalets. A variety of local building materials, such as natural stone, wood and reed were used for the houses. Items of daily use – earthen pots, large storage baskets, and original wooden figures – serve as a reminder of the decoration used in the traditional Ovambo home, emphasizing the African theme. Guests are welcome to enjoy an after dinner drink in the restaurant or thatched lounge where they will find comfortable armchairs and plump cushions. The inviting fireplace also doubles up as a meeting place, to share many a Namibian bush experience. The FransIndongo Lodge terrace is a perfect place to quench your thirst or watch the game coming to drink at the waterhole. It’s wooden flooring and railings blend into the natural environment, and as it borders directly on the lodge’s game area, oryx, black springbok, black wildebeest, eland and nyala are frequent visitors. The large wooden verandah at the bar, and the small observation tower are both fabulous places for watching the sun set and for observing the spotlit waterhole. Guests can take a dip, sunbathe, or relax in and around the large swimming pool, complete with shady umbrella’s and sun loungers.
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Hansa Hotel
The four starHansa Hotel is nestled in the centre of Swakopmund and offers easy access to everything the town has to offer. This classical building dates from 1905, and it is an integral part of the architectural heritage of the area. The Hansa has twice received the Best Hotel in Namibia Award. It is also a 5 time winner of the Award of Excellence, a Golden Award of Excellence and a HAN Gold Award winner. The hotel has also been awarded the prestigious Diners Club Wine List Platinum Award, for outstanding selection and quality of it’s wines. Expect a formal atmosphere with hard working professional staff at the Hansa Hotel. They have proved to be a reliable choice for guests who prefer the facilities of a larger hotel as opposed to a smaller guesthouse. The restaurant is among the most popular in Swakopmund. The Terrace is a perfect venue for a leisurely lunch, and it overlooks the inner gardens. Breakfast and dinner are served in the main dining room. The ‘a la carte’ menu includes soups, cold and warm starters, main courses of seafood, game and grilled meats, vegetarian dishes, and a huge selection of mouthwatering desserts for afters. If you’ve had enough to eat, then why not retire to the residents bar? It features a large fireplace, a welcome relief from the cool Swakop night, as the fog rolls in, not to mention a wide variety of spirits, beer, wines and after-dinner drinks. There is also a secluded garden courtyard, where guests will be well-protected from any inclement weather. Other services available at the Hansa Hotel include a laundry service, dry cleaning, mail / message /postage facility, safety deposit, foreign exchange, secretarial service, baby sitting, house library, car wash, lunch packs, lost and found, courtesy transport, secure parking and a medical service. The Hansa Hotel pride themselves on providing the finest and most luxurious accommodation that Swakopmundhas to offer. Each room is individually decorated and are fitted with under tile and/or under carpet heating. There are • Rooms: Some of the rooms have twin beds others double beds. En-suite bath/showers, 15 channel television stations, radio, high speed internet access, direct dialling telephones, hair dryer, in-room safes and a tea/coffee station are standard. Air-conditioning is in some of the rooms. • Luxury Suites: The Suites are equipped with similar facilities as the Double Rooms. Air-conditioning, a comfortable lounge area and daily freshly cut flowers are standard extras. Meanwhile, the Terrace is perfect for dinners and banquets for up to 60 people. The Private Lounge on the other hand, is the venue for the more intimate cocktail party, meeting or dinner night. Swakopmund has always been the ‘jewel of Namibia’s coastline.’ It has built itself a reputation as an adrenaline-filled destination, and there is something for everybody here. The Namib dunes, beach walks, swimming and sightseeing through this historical town, and a trip to the craft market are very popular here.
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Hobatere Lodge
Hobatere Lodge is set in a 32,000ha concession area 65km north of Kamanjab, only 1km past the Galton Gate (Otjovasandu) entrance to Etosha Park. This is an ideal stopover for a couple of days for individual travellers, families and self-drive tourists on their way to Namibia’s major tourist attraction, especially those heading to Dolomite Camp. Palmwag is to the west and to the north Opuwo, the gateway to the solace, beauty and wonders of Kaokoland. Once considered the jewel in Namibia’s lodge crown before closing and falling into disrepair Hobatere Lodge was reopened in 2015. Now owned by the local members of the #Khoadi //Hoas Conservancy. It is managed by the same people that manage the very popular Fish River Lodge & Grootberg Lodge. Etosha Park teems with wildlife and is home to large varieties of mammals, birds, reptiles, invertebrates and amphibians. A network of gravel roads lead you to nearly 60 waterholes many close to or not far from the main feature of the park, Etosha Pan. The best months for game viewing tend to be in the drier, winter months from May to September, although the wet, hot summer months from October to April also offer it’s own wildlife excitement and attractions. At Hobatere Lodge the main building has a restaurant, bar, lounge and a curio shop. Guests can relax and unwind around the swimming pool. Set around 300m from the pool is the waterhole where elephant, antelope and birds visit.
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Mount Etjo Safari Lodge
Mount Etjo Safari Lodge, is set in the Okonjati Wildlife Sanctuary, 225kms north of Windhoek. It was founded by the world-renowned conservationist, Jan Oelofse. Etjo means ‘A place of refuge.’ The camp is a perfect destination for small groups and managerial gatherings, and for self-drive tourists travelling to Etosha National Park, and further north on to the Caprivi. The new independent republic of Namibia was born at Mount Etjo Lodge, where the historic 1989 Mount Etjo Declaration was signed under the supervision of the United Nations. The swimming pool and garden at the main lodge overlook a waterhole, where hippo, nyala and porcupine visit on a regular basis. It is an ideal opportunity for guests to observe animals quenching their thirst, whilst enjoying a drink at the bar themselves. It goes without saying that the closeness of the animals here, offer an excellent opportunity for nature lover and photographer alike. Ornithologists should head to the dam at the lodge, a bird watchers’ paradise. Dinners are served in a rustic African-furnished Lapa, around a campfire. Guests can also choose to share a drink around the inviting campfire, under the open sky, whilst a braai is being prepared. There is a variety of accommodation available at Mount Etjo, guests can choose from the following: • The Villa – Partially located on an island, with an extraordinary 180 degree view of the lake where animals come to quench their thirst. The Villa is the pearl of Mount Etjo Safari Lodge – offering privacy, exclusivity and luxury, with a private swimming pool and garden, a Jacuzzi, a mini-bar, DSTV, a large lounge with a fire-place, two king-size beds, private dining facilities and a personal butler (only by request). The Villa offers an exceptional opportunity for all-day game viewing from the comfort of your accommodation. • Suites – Accommodation is spacious and contain a large lounge, an exquisite bedroom and a fire-place or Jacuzzi, a mini-fridge, safe, ceiling fan, air-conditioner and a tea/coffee station. The suites are not suitable for children. • Luxury Rooms – either a king-size bed or two double beds, suitable for accommodating families with children. All luxury rooms are equipped with a tea/coffee station, an air-conditioner and heater, a ceiling fan, a safe and a small fridge. Some rooms offer the use of a Jacuzzi. • Wheelchair-friendly Rooms – Mount Etjo Safari Lodge is built to be wheelchair-friendly, and two rooms are furnished to accommodate the needs of those in wheel-chairs Game drives in open vehicles, are all under the guidance of experienced game rangers. It is an ideal chance to enjoy the sanctuary’s fauna and flora, as well as elephant, black and white rhino, zebra, hippo, and the many different species of antelope that can be viewed on these trips. Lion, leopard and cheetah are also at home in the reserve. Lion feeds after sunset, is an exciting attraction, where visitors will have the opportunity to observe these big cats feeding from a close distance. Due to their black rhino breeding program, the lions are kept on a large, but separate region of the sanctuary, mainly by luring them to a specific spot for feeding. This minimizes predation on black rhino calves, and other rare species roaming the Sanctuary. Other activities include game walks to see the famous Dinosaur Footprints, dating back to 230 million years, described as Saurichnians. 4 different tracks have been found, but with too little evidence to to confirm the exact species. Shorter guided walks, concentrate on the fossilized buffalo tracks, which give the sanctuary it’s name ‘Okonjati’. Another guided game drive, is to visit the Rare Species Game Sanctuary, in an area of 4,000ha, which offers a protected refuge for the indigenous black-faced impala, the roan and sable antelope, red lechwe and bushbuck.
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Okaukuejo Rest Camp
Famous for its floodlit waterhole Okaukuejo Rest Camp is also the administrative centre of Etosha. Most visitors travel though this camp with its characteristic stone tower and EtoshaEcological Institute is also situated within the camp. The rest camp was formerly a military outpost founded in 1901 and the tower was added in 1963. Located in the south of Etosha National Park, Okaukuejo is only 17 km from Anderson Gate. Okaukuejo offers a wide range of accommodation as well as all the necessities such as a petrol station and a shop. The restaurant and bar offer refreshments and delicious meals, while the swimming pool offers relief on hot days. The waterhole is a hub of animal activity starting in the early hours of the morning. Especially during winter diversity of game congregate in close proximity to the camp to quench their thirst. After sunset floodlights illuminate the waterhole. This is the best time and place to see the endangered black rhino. This archaic mammal can often be seen drinking alongside lion and elephant. The number and interaction of the animals is the major drawcard of Okaukuejo Rest Camp in Namibia.
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Onguma Bush Camp
Onguma Bush Camp is located within the Onguma Game Reserve which borders on the eastern side of the Etosha National Park at Fisher`s Pan. Onguma Bush Camp offers 18 rooms of which 7 rooms can accommodate families. The main area of the lodge overlooks an active waterhole where guests can view the game coming for a drink from the comfort of the lounge or swimming pool. Onguma Bush Camp is the only camp on Onguma Game Reserve which is fenced and so a safe place for a family safari where the children can explore in safety. Onguma Bush Camp offers game drives in the Onguma Game Reserve as well as into the Etosha National Park. Being a private game reserve night drives as well as interpretive bush walks are offered as additional activities. Onguma offers an unforgettable experience in the wild that has been combined with the luxury comforts needed during your Etosha National park safari.
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Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
Surrounded by the mountains and sand dunes of the Namib Desert, Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is an escape to the world as it should be. Sheer silence, total tranquility and romantic luxury. From stargazing to intimate picnics in the desert, this is an extraordinary desert wilderness. Nestled deep in the heart of Namibia’s ancient Namib Desert in Southern Africa, the lodge is a secluded and serene oasis that overlooks awe-inspiring dunes and stony outcrops. A world of vast spaces, endless horizons and rugged mountain heights, the utter tranquility and extraordinary clarity of light make this area one of Africa’s most compelling landscapes. In this spectacularly beautiful location, spacious and serene suites envelope guests in pure indulgence, complete with an outdoor shower and a dramatic skylight over the bed for late night star gazing.
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Twyfelfontein Country Lodge
The large Twyfelfontein Country Lodge enjoys a mountainous backdrop. It offers a value for money stopover for those interested in viewing rock engravings close by, as the UNESCO World Heritage Site is only 4kms away. The location and picturesque setting is in an area that boasts some of the best examples of bushman engravings in Southern Africa. Other attractions of Damaraland can be viewed on day trips from the lodge. The lodge is a joint venture with the Twyfelfontein-Uibasen Conservancy, an undertaking with the local community, who benefit from tourism in the area. At the same time, they become more accustomed and aware of the importance of protecting both wildlife and the immediate environment. The deliberate use of thatch for the rooms, natural stone and paint colours, that blend in with the surrounding rock formations, minimize the visual impact on the setting. It has been built right into the rocks. Although quite a large camp, it still manages to exude a certain amount of rustic charm and charisma. The central thatched building houses a reception, restaurant, dining room, bar, curio shop and lounge, a decent choice of areas for guests to relax and unwind in. A buffet breakfast and dinner are served in the elevated dining area, with some amazing views of the immediate scenery. It is not uncommon for some after-dinner entertainment either, provided by the staff, still in uniform, who perform local songs. The swimming pool offers a welcome relief from the hot Namibian sun, and the shaded, rocky areas, are ideal for a spot of relaxation. Accommodation are either double rooms or a suite. They are all painted outside in a similar reddish-brown colour of the surrounding boulders. The walls of the interiors are painted white. Rooms are in blocks of 8, with 4 front and 4 rear facing. • Double rooms: There are 56 x rooms with twin beds, en-suite bathrooms and a shower, wooden furniture, wall or ceiling fans and a tea/coffee station. Some of the double rooms have inter-leading doors and are ideal for families. • VIP Suite: The VIP Suite is located further away from the main building for additional privacy. It has 2 x bathrooms (one with a bath, the only one in the lodge), private pool and bar, spacious bedroom and a kitchen. Boulders have been integrated into the suite and there is also a TV and exercise bike. Guided tours to search and view the desert adapted elephant, rhinoceros, giraffe, springbok, and ostrich, can be organized here. These animals can be found living in total harmony with the community and it’s communal farming activities. Activities at Twyfelfontein Lodge include a walk to Seven Plates, named for the surfaces where engravings are located, and a visit to the impressive engravings at Twyfelfontein. Other interesting rock formations and the remains of prehistoric volcanic action, can be seen in the Organ Pipes, Burnt Mountain, Doros Crater and the Petrified Forest. The fauna and flora near the lodge include the Welwitschia, Moringa and a variety of the Commiphora species.