2950.00

Explore the magnificent highlights of Namibia’s ancient desert and Safari parks in this 10 day scheduled group tour. Home to the San people and a variety of wildlife, experience one of the worlds most ancient wilderness regions. Pass through the famous Skeleton Coast , on to the treasures of Damaraland and the plentiful “Big 5” game sightings in Etosha National Park. A tour for those wanting a unique and awe-inspiring African experience!

• English speaking guide: his/her accommodation, meals and costs
• Accommodation, meals & activities as specified in the itinerary
• Vehicle and fuel for specified itinerary
• Entry fees: Sossusvlei, Namib, Cape Cross, Twyfelfontein, Petrified Forest and Etosha
• Passenger liability insurance
• Bottled water on board the vehicle on travel days
• Porterage

Day 1 - Kalahari Desert | Collection after breakfast from your Windhoek hotel and travel south to reach the small town of Rehoboth, the traditional home of the Baster people. The Basters migrated north from the Cape and settled in this fertile area in the 1870’s. Their name derives from the word “bastard” and refers to their “mixed blood” (European and Khoikhoi). Far from being insulted by such a reference the Baster people are very proud of their heritage.We continue south, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn en route. Turning west we enter the magical world of the Kalahari Desert. Rolling red linear dunes stretch for hundreds of kilometers. The deep red sands are dotted with yellow grasses and in the dune corridors ancient Camelthorn trees are decorated with the giant nests of the Sociable Weaver. Desert adapted species such as oryx, springbok and ostrich are often encountered. After lunch there is time for a siesta or a swim before we take to 4x4 vehicles to explore the Kalahari. We watch the sun drop silently behind the dunes and may be lucky to hear the strange bark of the bat-eared fox or the evocative call of the black-backed jackal as the first stars become visible. We return to the lodge shortly after sunset. Located in the rolling red dunes of the Kalahari Desert. Bagatelle offers 10 luxury air-conditioned rooms. All rooms are en suite with air-conditioning, tea/coffee facilities, bar fridge and a scenic view of the Kalahari. Activities include guided nature walks, nature drives and sundowner drives to experience the beauty of the Kalahari. Other facilities available include a swimming pool, extensive library and a bird/game viewing hide at the waterhole.

Overnight at Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch: all meals & sun downer drive included

Day 2 - Namib Desert | This morning we discover more about the ecology of the Kalahari as we undertake an early morning walk in the dunes. Despite being a desert the Kalahari is home to a great variety of desert adapted plants, insects and animals. The myriad of trails criss-crossing the desert sands are evidence of a busy night. These ancient sands were once the home of the San, and they developed ingenious methods of survival. Sadly the San are few and far between now and few adhere to the traditional ways. Bidding farewell to Bagatelle we turn west and head towards the Namib. We travel across plains and over mountains, through areas where there are less than two people per square kilometer – in fact, there are more sheep and goats in southern Namibia than there are people. Lunch en route. We reach our overnight accommodation on the border of the Namib Naukluft Park this afternoon. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

Sossusvlei Lodge is located in the Namib Desert, at the entrance to Sossusvlei and Sesriem canyon. The lodge is surrounded by the orange sands of the Namib and the towering Naukluft Mountains. Accommodation consists of 45 canvas-covered bungalows reminiscent of Bedouin tents. Each unit has en suite facilities and double beds. The lodge is powered by generator – electronic equipment can re-charged at reception. Other facilities at the lodge include a swimming pool, flood lit waterhole, bar and restaurant on the terrace to take advantage of the spectacular southern African skies. Activities include guided 4x4 excursions into the Sossusvlei dunes, walking trails, nature drives, hot-air ballooning and scenic flights over the dune fields.

Overnight at Sossusvlei Lodge: all meals included

Day 3 - Namib Desert | A pre-dawn wake up call as we head into the dune fields of the Namib. As the park gate opens at sunrise we drive deep into the dune fields. What appear to be mountains in the pre-dawn light are revealed by the suns rays as towering dunes. Rising 1000 feet above the plains the dunes of the Namib are spectacular. Early morning is the best time to explore the dunes, the soft light offers excellent photographic conditions while the rising sun creates depth and contrast. When the road ends we continue our exploration of the dunes by foot. We explore stark white pans, dotted with ancient dead Camelthorn trees surrounded by towering orange dunes. The Namib abounds with life. Reputedly the oldest desert in the world the level of animal, insect and plant adaptation lends credence to this claim. Your guide will introduce you to the wonders of the Namib, from dancing lizards to head-standing beetles and blind moles. We return to the lodge for lunch and a siesta or swim during the heat of the day. This afternoon we explore Sesriem canyon and then watch the setting sun paint the mountains, plains and dunes an incredible array of pastel colors. We return to the lodge at sunset.

Overnight at Sossusvlei Lodge: all meals included

Day 4 - Swakopmund | The Namib is a desert of great contrast, offering dunes, rocky canyons and vast gravel plains. Traveling north we descend into the Kuiseb Canyon and once again cross the Tropic of Capricorn. But there is no lush vegetation out here – only shimmering plains and brooding mountains. We travel across the Namib stopping at water holes where we may encounter hardy desert species. Oryx, springbok and ostrich shimmer and distend in the heat haze appearing much larger than they are! For the lucky few we sometimes encounter Hartmanns mountain zebra. Curious little ground squirrels dash out of their burrows with tails flared and raised above their bodies like an umbrella, while Lappet-faced vultures circle on thermals high above the desert, their brilliant eyes constantly searching the plains. Lunch en route. As we near the coast the temperature begins to drop. The cold Benguela current moderates the coastal temperatures and creates the life-sustaining fogs that drift inland. On the plains we find vast fields of amazing lichens and the weird and wonderful Welwitchia Mirabilis, a dwarf tree unique to the Namib Desert and which has a lifespan of up to 1500 years. After a day out in the desert we reach the coastal town of Swakopmund late this afternoon. Founded in 1892 during the period of German colonial rule, Swakopmund served as the territory’s main harbor for many years. Today this historical desert town, surrounded by desert and sea, is a popular holiday destination with a Bavarian flare! Restaurants and coffee shops sell traditional German Eisbien, schnitzel, breads, cakes and pastries while the Hansa Breweries supply excellent beer.

Located in the coastal town of Swakopmund, this luxurious four star hotel is built in and around the beautifully restored Old Station Building that date back to 1901. The hotel is a three minute walk from the town centre. Accommodation consists of 44 twin rooms, 30 family rooms, 14 luxury rooms and 2 suites. All rooms are en suite and have air-conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities, telephone, TV, electronic safe, room service and mini bar. Other facilities available include two restaurants, a swimming pool, tennis courts, gymnasium and casino.

Overnight at Swakopmund Hotel: all meals included

Day 5 - Swakopmund | The morning is at leisure to explore the quaint town of Swakopmund, do some shopping, browse through the museum and art galleries or undertake some optional extra activities (eg: scenic flights over the dunes; quad biking in the dunes etc). This afternoon we head across to the neighboring town of Walvis Bay, the only deep-water harbor along the Namibian coastline and an important export processing zone for the SADEC region. The British viewed the increasing involvement of the Germans in south west Africa as a threat to their interests and the Walvis Bay enclave was formally annexed in 1878. In 1910 Walvis Bay became park of the Union of South Africa and was only returned to Namibia in 1994. Despite the industry on the outskirts of the town is the lagoon area, a proclaimed Ramsar site home. It is home to 42% of southern Africa’s greater flamingo and 60% of the subcontinent’s lesser flamingo. A great variety of wetland birds can be found. These include greater and lesser flamingos (numbers vary depending on season), pelicans, cormorants, plovers, sandpipers, grebes and a host of other waders. We return to Swakopmund and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Swakopmund Hotel: all meals included

Day 6 - Damaraland | This morning we travel up the desolate Skeleton Coast to reach Cape Cross, home to a large colony of Cape Fur Seals. It is an incredible sight to see hundreds of thousands of seals lolling on the beach and frolicking in the water. The sound is quite incredible too, as females and cubs locate each other in the masses by sound … the smell, well that too has to be experienced to be believed. Cape Cross is also of historical importance as it was here that the first European explorers set foot on the coast of Namibia. In 1486 the Portuguese explorer Diego Cao landed at Cape Cross. We turn inland and head across the plains entering an area locally referred to as Damaraland. The scenery changes and the temperature once again increases as we move inland. Lunch en route. We reach the red valley of Twyfelfontein this afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

Twyfelfontein Lodge is located five kilometers from the historic Twyfelfontein rock engravings. Other attractions in the area include the Burnt Mountain, Organ Pipes and the Petrified Forest. The main building houses the restaurant, lounge, bar and curio shop and a swimming pool. Accommodation consists of 56 twin-bedded rooms with en suite facilities. Activities include hot air balloon rides, scenic flights, nature walks, and guided excursions.

Overnight at Twyfelfontein Lodge: all meals included

Day 7 - Damaraland | This morning we visit Twyfelfontein. This site is one of the largest collections of rock engravings in southern Africa – with over 2 500 engravings recorded. The name Twyfelfontein is Afrikaans for “doubtful fountain” a reference to the small fountain located in the area. The farmer who purchased this land doubted that the fountain could produce enough water to support the variety of game depicted in the engravings. We return to the lodge for lunch & a siesta or swim. In the cooler afternoon hours we visit the geological formations of the burnt mountain and the organ pipes.

Overnight at Twyfelfontein Lodge: all meals included

Day 8 - Etosha National Park | Bidding farewell to Damaraland we head east towards Etosha. We stop en route to visit the Petrified Forest before reaching the endless plains of Etosha. This great park is home to 114 species of mammals including the rare and endangered black rhino and black-faced Impala. Predators include lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena. The antelope species vary from the giant Eland to the diminutive Damara Dik Dik, while herds of dainty springbok, comical wildebeest and stately kudu are found throughout the park. A great variety of birds, insects and reptiles are also to be found. We reach the park shortly after lunch and spend the remainder of the afternoon game viewing. There is the opportunity for night viewing at the camps flood-lit waterholes after dinner.

The park has three rest camps. Located on the western side of the park is Okaukeujo camp, the largest of the three camps and home to the parks environmental research center and its scientists. Located in the middle of the park is Halali camp, the smallest camp. Guarding the eastern entrance of the park is Fort Namutoni.

Overnight preferably at a camp in Etosha National Park: all meals & game drives included
note: game drives are in closed vehicles)

Day 9 - Etosha National Park | A full day for game viewing. With vast areas of Etosha being classified as semi-desert the park cannot support the massive herds of game found in east Africa but it has a great diversity of species and a haunting quality that few parks can match. Etosha, or “the great white place” owes its unique landscape to the Etosha pan, a vast shallow depression of approximately 5000 square kilometers. A series of waterholes along the southern edge of the pan attract game into the area. The dry season (May to December) is a particularly rewarding time for game viewing as the rain water has dried up and the game is forced to rely on the life supporting waterholes. Long lines of zebra, wildebeest, kudu, oryx and springbok plod along ancient paths from distant grazing areas to the waterholes. Herds of elephant drinking copious amounts and extended wallowing in the water often mean the thirsty antelope have to wait patiently till the pachyderms have finished! Then they still face the challenge of reaching the water without becoming prey to predators such as lion and leopard that wait at the waterholes knowing the antelope have to drink!

Overnight preferably at a camp in Etosha National Park: all meals & game drives included
note: game drives are in closed vehicles)

Day 10 - Windhoek | We bid farewell to the park and head south to reach Windhoek. En route we stop at the small town of Okahandja. This town is of important significance to the Herero people. In 1904 the Herero nation rebelled against the German colonial forces, an uprising that led to many bloody battles in which the Herero suffered great loss of life. Many of the great Herero chiefs are buried in Okahandja and, every year, the Herero nation gathers here to pay homage to their chiefs. On the outskirts of the town is a bustling market where woodcarvers from northern Namibia practice their skills. We spend time wandering around the market, browsing through the stalls with their wooden carvings, baskets and pots. Arrival back in Windhoek in the late afternoon. Your guide will drop your off at your accommodation. Breakfast included

• All flights
• Additional excursions (quad biking, marine cruises etc)
• Any drinks at meals or on excursions
• Any item of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, curios etc)
• Personal insurance (medi-vac; medical, lost luggage, cancellation & curtailment)
• Tips/gratuities