Magnificent Namibia

Upon arrival at Windhoek International Airport, your transfer driver welcomes you to Namibia and takes you to your guesthouse. Here, you can relax and slowly arrive in the country where you will spend the next three weeks. In the afternoon, you meet your guide and together go on a city tour around Windhoek – your first activity on this 22-day Namibia tour from Windhoek: visit the Christ Church, the parliament known as ink palace and Independence Avenue. End the day with dinner at Joe’s Beerhouse (own expense) together with your fellow travellers. You spend the night at the Vondelhof Guesthouse.

After breakfast, you head out to explore Namibia. Leaving Windhoek to the south, you drive to the Kalahari. This crossing-border desert forms the largest continuous sand surface on earth. The dunes of the Kalahari are covered in different vegetation such as grass, bushes and acacias. During the course of the afternoon, you reach your accommodation for the night, beautifully situated amongst the red dunes. Enjoy the play of colours at sunset across the Kalahari. You overnight at Gondwana Kalahari Anib Lodge.

In the morning, you can take a walk on your own or join a guided walk, accompanied by a local guide (optional). Afterwards, you continue to Keetmanshoop. Take a rest at the guesthouse, before you visit the Giants’ Playground and the Quiver Tree Forest in the afternoon. The more than 3,000 prehistoric quiver trees with their golden bark and yellow blossoms shimmer in the setting sun. For dinner, visit a restaurant in Keetmanshoop (own expense). You overnight at Quiver Inn Guesthouse.

After breakfast, your journey continues to the Fish River Canyon. At 160 kilometres long and 27 kilometres wide, it is second largest canyon in the world, You first visit the viewpoints in the Gondwana Canyon Park on the eastern side of the canyon. Enjoy the breathtaking views from different perspectives. Afterwards, you drive back to Naute Dam and take a lunch break at the Naute Kristall Distillery. Here, you learn about the distillery and can join a gin or brandy tasting (optional). In the early afternoon, you make your way to the western side of the canyon. Your home for the night is Fish River Lodge, nestled up to the rim of the canyon. Be enchanted by the magnificent views and enjoy this impressive natural scenery.

Enjoy once more the unique views across the canyon, before you make your way on rough roads towards Aus. With a little luck, you may be able to spot wild horses at Garub in the afternoon – until this day, no one is certain about their origin. You spend the next two nights at Desert Horse Inn on the farm Klein Aus Vista. On a day trip, learn about the colonial history and visit the coastal town of Luderitz with its monolithic church and Goerke House. Another excursion takes you to Kolmanskop, former home and place of work to about 400 people during the diamond rush. Today, it is an open-air museum with a mystique flair, slowly being covered by desert sand.

Today takes you across the picturesque region of the Tiras Mountains along the road D707, known as one of the most beautiful roads in the country. The fascinating desert landscapes invite for multiple photo stops. In the course of the afternoon, you will reach the Greenfire Desert Lodge. Enjoy the peaceful and secluded ambience. When the shadows grow longer, you head out on a nature drive through the stunning scenery. Enjoy a magical sunset before returning to the lodge. After dinner, make yourself comfortable on the terrace, tilt you head back and marvel at the incredible night sky.

In the early morning, the rising sun colours your surroundings in its magical golden light. Your journey today takes you north to the Naukluft Mountains. The scenery chances dramatically; rugged cliffs, deep gorges and mountain peaks up to 2000 metres now dominate the landscape. Get ready for a walk! The path winds along a small river and leads you to a natural crystal-clear rock pool – a perfect spot to have a picnic and to take a refreshing plunge! Back at the vehicle, treat yourself to an ice-cold drink before heading to the Elegant Desert Camp. Here, between the Naukluft Mountains and the dunes of the Namib Desert, your day full of contrasts slowly comes to an end.

Look forward to visiting the oldest desert in the world. A magical highlight on your 22-day Namibia tour from Windhoek. It’s an early start to the day, heading to the Namib Naukluft Park, where you can hike up one of the great dunes. The somewhat tough ascend on soft sand is rewarded with magnificent views across a sea of dunes. You visit the Sossusvlei, a clay pan circled by dunes, as well as the Deadvlei. The contrast between the white clay ground, dark camel thorn trees, rust-red dunes, and the clear blue sky is impressive. You also explore the Sesriem Canyon. This roughly one kilometre long and 30-metre wide canyon was formed millions of years ago by the Tsauchab River. During the dry season, you can take a walk through the canyon, watching the sunlight reflect between the steep canyon walls. In the afternoon, you return to the Elegant Desert Camp. Take the rest of the day to just relax and enjoy the beautiful views.

Today your 21-day Namibia tour from Windhoek takes you north-west across the rugged landscapes of the Gaub Pass and Kuiseb Pass. Take a turn off the main road and onto a lesser frequented road across the remote northern part of the Namib Naukluft Park. You reach the Welwitschia Drive, lined by ancient plants of the same name. Take in the bizarre looking Moon Landscape with its rugged rocks, before you stop for a break at the Goanikontes Oasis at the Swakop River. In the afternoon, you reach Swakopmund. On a city tour, you get to know this charming coastal town. You can spend the following day at your leisure: stroll through town or participate in one of the many activities (optional), such as boat tours or desert safaris tracking the Little Five. There are many restaurants in town you can choose from and give a try over dinner together with your fellow travellers (own expense). You spend two nights at the Organic Stay Guesthouse.

Along the coast, you make your way to the Zeila wreck this morning – one of the many shipwrecks at this stretch of Atlantic coast. After a photo stop, you leave the ocean behind, continuing inland. Your next destination: Spitzkoppe. Explore and experience these impressive and gigantic formations of granite rocks, covered in ancient rock art. Your journey now continues along the foot of the impressive Erongo Mountains to the Omandumba Bush Camp. Look forward to a cosy stay close to nature in wild and romantic surroundings.

Look forward to exploring the beautiful Erongo Mountains today. Thousands of prehistoric rock paintings show that a long time ago the San people, who are among the indigenous population of Namibia, called this area their home. The Living Museum at the Omandumba Farm gives you an interesting insight into their original way of life and their ancient traditions. Accompanied by the San, you go on a walk to see fascinating rock art and learn about their hunter-gatherer culture. Don’t forget about the beautiful scenery during your walk, magnificent views are guaranteed. Back at the camp, there is time to relax and unwind. You spend one more night at the Omandumba Bush Camp.

The morning starts with a tasty breakfast before you head north. Your guide takes you through vast farmland, off the normal tourist routes. You will hardly meet other tourists on your way. Instead, animals will occasionally cross your path. You get to the Ugab Valley with its high terraces. Discover and visit the Vingerklip, a curious rock formation resembling a finger. During the afternoon, you finally reach the beautiful Vingerklip Lodge.

After an early departure, you drive west west. You visit the UNESCO world heritage site Twyfelfontein with its numerous rock engravings. These are true cultural treasures of Namibia. Afterwards, you visit the Damara Living Museum. Here you will learn about the way of life of the Damara hundreds of years ago and get an insight into their craftsmanship, traditional dances, and songs. You will then travel to  the Grootberg Lodge, spectacularly situated on top of a high plateau. Settle in and enjoy the incredible views across the Klip River Valley.

Accompanied by an experienced tracker, you search for the rare desert elephants. Experience an exciting safari through unique landscapes and find out more about flora and fauna of the Damaraland. With a little luck and patience, your tracker will find the comparably smaller desert elephants. Afterwards, you return to your lodge where you can spend the afternoon at your leisure. You spend another night at Grootberg Lodge.

Have a gentle start to the day for a change! As you are on holidays, you should use this opportunity to have a lie-in and enjoy the stunning views from your room. Early birds can join a guided walk (optional). Your local guide will help you to spot the shy inhabitants of the plateau and discover the local flora. Late in the morning, it’s time to move on. You make a quick shopping stop at Kamanjab before heading towards your next accommodation located in the middle of the private Hobatere Concession. This wildlife reserve is more than 8,000 hectares large, borders the Etosha National Park and is home to many large game species. With a bit of luck, you can spot wildlife while driving to the lodge – a great start to your stay in the Etosha area. You have dinner and stay the night at Hobatere Lodge.

Your morning starts early as you enter the famous Etosha National Park through the Galton Gate today – the wildlife highlight of your 22-day Namibia tour from Windhoek. It’s all about ‘safari’ in the coming days in one of Southern Africa’s most popular national parks. Slowly you make your way east. Along the way, stop to look for elephants, rhinos, giraffes, antelopes, lions, and leopards. Your guide will share their in-depth knowledge about the fascinating world of wildlife with you. When the sun begins to set, you make your way to the Anderson Gate in the South of the national park. Not far from the gate, you will reach your accommodation. Take your time settling in and enjoy a hot shower. Dinner and overnight stay at Etosha Village.

Today starts with a hearty breakfast, followed by another game drive. No day on safari is the same so you can look forward to unique moments in nature. Watch out for herds of impalas, wildebeest, oryx, and zebras that roam the plains and marvel at the vast Etosha Pan which stretches east for kilometres on end. Make a stop at some of the waterholes to watch animals drinking from up close. In the late afternoon, you leave Etosha National Park and after only a short drive, you reach the Mushara Bush Camp, your home for the night.

After rising early these past two days, you can look forward to a more relaxed morning. Enjoy your tasty breakfast and the morning at camp. Today, your journey continues South. You can spot the Waterberg and its steep, red cliffs from afar. In the course of the afternoon, you will arrive at the private conservation area Waterberg Wilderness. Explore the area on foot along one of the marked hiking trails, join the Rhino Drive (optional) or enjoy the breathtaking views across the green valley to the red sandstone cliffs of the Waterberg. You spend the night at the Waterberg Valley Lodge.

After breakfast, you can hike up the plateau (optional) – your efforts will be rewarded with breathtakingly beautiful views! It is now time to return to Windhoek, where your exciting journey comes to an end. Between 3pm and 4pm, your guide will take you directly to the airport or an accommodation of your choice in Windhoek where you will say your goodbyes. Totsiens – see you again soon!