Fascinating Namibia

Arrival at Windhoek International Airport no later than midday. You will be picked up by a driver and taken to the Elegant Guesthouse. After check-in you will have some time to freshen up before meeting your guide and leaving on a short city tour through Windhoek. There is plenty to see and explore such as the Christ Church and Tintenpalast (House of Parliament). In the evening, you will go for dinner at Joe’s Beerhouse (own expense) before returning to the Elegant Guesthouse where you will spend the night.

After a quick safari briefing and after your luggage has been stored safely in the vehicle, your 13-day Namibia safari begins. You will leave Windhoek and travel southwards in the direction of Mariental. The destination for the day is Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch, a farm situated in the imposing red sand dunes of the southern Kalahari. Enjoy the peace of the desert, relax and take in the endless views of the dunes.

An early start to the day awaits those who wish to go on a sunrise drive. On this optional activity, you can watch as the desert awakens and admire the beauty of your surroundings as the first rays of sunshine fall on the red sand dunes. A local guide will accompany you on this scenic drive and give you insights into the fascinating nature and wildlife of the Kalahari. Then you head in the direction of Sesriem, via Mariental and Maltahöhe, the gateway of the giant star dunes of the Namib Desert at Sossusvlei. Once arrived at your accommodation, you can take some time out to relax. Those who slept in this morning, might want to go on an optional scenic drive with sundowner in the afternoon. Alternatively, you could also simply lie by the pool and enjoy your beautiful surroundings. Dinner is a 3-course affair and you overnight at the Elegant Desert Camp.

At sunrise the gates of the Namib Naukluft Park open and you make your way into the Sossusvlei area. If you are early and fit enough you can even climb one of the dunes and enjoy the impressive view of the entire landscape. You will drive with the 4×4 vehicle to the Sossusvlei, which is a dry clay pan that only fills with water in years with a lot of rain. Thereafter you will continue to the Sesriem Canyon, formed by the Tsauchab River over millions of years. After an eventful morning, you return to the Elegant Desert Camp. Relax and enjoy your beautiful surroundings. When the day draws to a close, it is well worth to lean back and enjoy the view above you: Millions of stars, twinkling against the dark night sky. And if you can’t get enough of this mesmerising sight, you can roll your bed out onto your private terrace and spend the night under the open sky.

Today’s journey takes you to the Atlantic Ocean. However, first you travel past the Bloedkoppie and along the Welwitschia Drive. Eventually you will reach several lookout points which will provide you with amazing views of the Moon Landscape. You are invited to step out of the car and gaze over this strange and fascinating landscape of rugged and rocky peaks. It is an almost haunting, but at the same time also beautiful sight. Thereafter, you will reach the town of Swakopmund, nestled between the ocean and the Namib Desert. A small city tour will help familiarise you with this heavily German influenced town. In the evening, you can try one of the many restaurants Swakopmund has to offer (own expense) – do not miss the seafood! You will stay for two nights at Organic Stay Guesthouse, just five minutes’ walk from the Atlantic Ocean.

After breakfast you have the whole day free. Take a stroll through town and along the promenade or browse the shops. Book a scenic flight in a small aircraft, a visit to Cape Cross, a catamaran cruise, or a desert safari to follow the footsteps of the “Little Five” (all optional). At night, join your fellow travellers for dinner (own expense), the choice of restaurants is plenty. Overnight at Organic Stay Guesthouse.

In the early morning, you leave Swakopmund and start your journey back to the inland. You visit the 700 million years old Spitzkoppe; its granite dome-like peaks (1,730 metres) can be seen already from a distance. Together with your guide you explore this impressive landscape and the fascinating granite rock formations found here. Afterwards, you continue to the Erongo Mountains region and journey further to your next destination, a San Living Museum. Here you will gain an insight into the ancient way of life and traditions of one of the oldest tribes in Namibia. On a bush walk with the San, you will learn more about their hunter-gatherer culture and you can admire their ancient and authentic rock paintings. From there it is only a short drive to your accommodation, the Otjohotozu Guest Farm. Once checked in, you will have some time to freshen up, before going on a guided sundowner drive to soak in the beautiful scenery and learn more about the region’s fauna and ecosystem. Enjoy a delicious dinner and spend the night at the guest farm.

Another exciting day lies ahead. You will travel in a north-westerly direction today. Your first stop is at Twyfelfontein to see the famous rock engravings. Look forward to discovering these valuable cultural treasures of Namibia which are estimated to be at least 2.000 years old. Afterwards, you visit the Damara Living Museum. You will learn more about the way of life of the Damara hundreds of years ago, learn about their craftmanship, their dances and their songs. In the course of the afternoon, you continue to the beautifully located Malansrus Tented Camp. Relax and feel right at home!

After an early morning breakfast, you will make your way to the dry Huab riverbed in search of the rare desert elephants. During the drive you can enjoy the unique landscape of Damaraland and learn more about the local people and their way of life. With a bit of luck, you might see desert-adapted elephants which are slightly smaller than their counterparts in Etosha National Park. Afterwards, you return to Malansrus Tented Camp. You can look forward to another delicious dinner and fall asleep to the sounds of the wilderness.

Today’s journey takes you to the Etosha National Park, which was founded in 1907 and is one of the most famous national parks in Southern Africa. You will spend most of your time game viewing around the waterholes where elephants, rhinos, giraffes and different species of antelope come to drink. With a bit of luck, you might even be able to spot lions and leopards. After many exciting sightings, you leave Etosha in the late afternoon at the Anderson Gate and after only a few minutes, you reach your home for the night, Etosha Village. End the day with a cool drink at the bar and a tasty dinner and look forward to more safari adventures ahead.

After sunrise and a hearty breakfast, you get ready for more game viewing. Look out for herds of impalas, gnus, oryx and zebras that roam the plains of Etosha. You drive along the vast salt pan that covers almost a quarter of the entire park and is Etosha’s most distinctive and dramatic feature. At the various waterholes along the way, more exciting wildlife encounters await. In the evening you exit the park at the Von Lindequist Gate and make your way to the Mushara Bush Camp where you will overnight in a permanent luxury tent with en-suite bathroom.

Your day starts early once again and after breakfast, you embark on your last game drive in Etosha National Park. You can look out for animals you might not have seen over the past days – every day on safari is different and full of surprises. It is now time to leave the Etosha region and your journey takes you further south.The Waterberg and its steep, red cliffs will be visible from afar. At the foot of the Small Waterberg Mountain lies your accommodation, the Waterberg Guest Farm. Depending on your arrival time, you can go on a hike and explore the beautiful surroundings, or make yourself comfortable by the pool, relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. You spend the night at the Waterberg Guest Farm.

Today’s journey takes you back to the starting point of your 13-day Namibia Safari. You arrive back in Windhoek between 2pm and 3pm. Time permitting, you can visit the Namibian Craft Centre in Windhoek to buy some hand-carved souvenirs, baskets, accessories and jewellery. Those who have all the souvenirs they need can take a seat at the nearby café and watch as the Windhoek locals go about their business. Depending on your individual travel plans, your guide will then either bring you to the airport or to a lodge of your choice in Windhoek. Here it will be time to say your goodbyes and hopefully, until next time!