Africa’s unknown gem – desert scenery, coastal wilderness and wonderful game-viewing. The scenic beauty of Namibia is only matched by its diversity. Deep canyons, towering sand dunes, otherworldly rock formations and vast salt pans merge seamlessly in an endlessly shifting landscape. The sky seems particularly big here with spectacular sunsets and, at night, the sight of billions of stars twinkling overhead. This is the backdrop for healthy wildlife populations which congregate around Etosha’s watering holes and a melting pot of different communities from traditional tribes to the descendants of German colonialists.
13 Days with prices from $3,799 CAD per person
Windhoek, Namibia
Windhoek, Namibia
Transport is in a specially modified safari truck with ten to twelve seats for clients. There is plenty of legroom and packing space as well as a reference library, fridge and/or icebox. Smaller groups may be in a Hilux/Land Cruiser. By keeping the group size deliberately small we are able to maximise the exposure to the great African wilderness.
80% of Namibian roads are good gravel roads. However, the road conditions are completely dependent on how they are being maintained at the time and on occasion conditions can be poor. This can have an impact on journey times as well as comfort, and can be punishing on the vehicles. Drive times on this trip are moderate and we will normally arrive at our destination in the afternoon. The total distance covered on the trip is about 2,800kms. Drive times below are only approximations and do vary with road conditions and the number of stops. We will rarely exceed 6 hours driving in one day.
All activities done on tour are moderate, such as climbing Dune 45 and visiting the White Lady rock painting at Brandberg. The walks on the Waterberg Plateau can be classified as moderate to strenuous as it can get a bit steep and rocky.
There are some days where we will have to get up before sunrise but this will allow us to get the most from our activities (for example, the game drives in Etosha where we are more likely to see wildlife in the early mornings before it gets too hot).
As this is a fully supported camping trip, all cooking and other camp chores are done for you. We will be camping everywhere except in Swakopmund and Windhoek, in the very good and well-equipped campsites that are common to Namibia. Please note that due to the limited amount of accommodation within Etosha National Park, it may be necessary to sleep outside the park on some or all of the nights that we are there. This will not impact on the number of game drives that we have within the park.
The tour starts at the Arebbusch Lodge in Windhoek. Those on group flights will be picked up at the airport and we will drive into town for an hour or so. In town everyone will have a chance to change money and pick up any supplies they may need; this is also an opportunity for our guides to buy fresh food. We will then drive to our lodge. The afternoon can be spent exploring or relaxing.
Arebbusch Lodge or similar
Today we head southwest through the spectacular scenery of the Namib-Naukluft Park to Sesriem. This national park, one of the largest in the world, is home to one of the driest and oldest deserts on earth. It contains the finest desert scenery in Africa, if not in the world, with towering jagged rock formations and an incredible lunar landscape so be prepared for some great photo stops. (driving 300-350kms/7hrs)
Sesriem Campsite or similar
Meals included: breakfast lunch
Today we spend much of today in the Namib Desert. Rising early we catch the tallest sand dunes in the world in the best light and have the opportunity to climb one of the dunes as the sun rises, truly one of Africa’s greatest sights. We can either walk to Hiddenvlei or catch a transfer (optional extra) to Deadvlei where ancient acacia trees in the desert form an eerie scene. If we’re lucky we may see gemsbok or ostrich among the sand dunes. In the afternoon we visit Sesriem Canyon before joining a guide to see the cheetahs at the Namib Carnivore Conservation Centre (please see Responsible Travel section) – depending on time, we may go tomorrow morning. We then continue on to our next camp which is approximately 1 hour away. (driving 200kms/ 3hrs).
Solitaire Guest Farm Campsite or similar
Meals included: breakfast dinner
A long but very scenic drive through the Namib-Naukluft Park to Swakopmund. En route we visit Walvis Bay for lunch and to see local flamingos. Swakopmund is a small German colonial resort town with quaint cake shops and coffee houses and a centre for adrenaline activities. (driving 300kms /5.5hrs).
Prost Hotel or similar
Meals included: breakfast
Today is a free day to enjoy one of the many optional activities on offer in and around town. At sea you can go deep-sea fishing, in the desert you can go sand-boarding and quad-biking and in the sky you can fly over the skeleton coast. Or if none of these appeal you can spend the day enjoying the fantastic Viennese style cakes, walk along the beach or in the nearby dunes or just enjoy watching the world go-by in this town which seems strangely out of place in Africa.
Prost Hotel or similar
Meals included: breakfast
After a relaxing start we leave the cool breeze of the Atlantic Ocean behind and head inland towards Namibia’s highest mountain, Brandberg, in Damaraland. The Damaraland area is famous for the desert elephants which roam in the Ugab River. Star gazing is normally spectacular from this remote area (240kms / 3.5hrs).
Brandberg Whilte Lady Lodge or similar
Meals included: breakfast lunch dinner
We begin our day with a short drive to Brandberg, where we will enjoy a walk through valley 45 for approximately 1.5 hours. Along the way we will view beautiful, granite rock formations and a variety of birdlife. The valley takes us to the famous ‘White Lady’ rock painting which, along with a number of other small paintings and engravings, are thought to have been left by Bushmen at least 2000 years ago. Afterwards we will drive towards the Khorixas area where we should pass various Himba and Herero women selling crafts from the roadside. There is also the possibility of spotting Desert elephants and meerkats on the way. In the afternoon we can view Vingerklip, a striking pinnacle of rock balancing vertically on its own (driving 250kms / 4.5hrs).
Sophienhof Camp or similar
Meals included: breakfast lunch dinner
Today we begin with a short drive to Etosha. We should arrive at Etosha in time for a late afternoon game drive before setting up camp. Our itinerary allows plenty of time to really enjoy this fabulous game park. (driving 150kms / 2hrs)
Okaukuejo or similar
Meals included: breakfast dinner
Etosha is a huge park of mixed forest and grassland centred around a large salt pan. Etosha is home to a great variety species, which are generally easy to find as the animals congregate at different times around the waterholes. Wildebeest, zebra, impala, springbuck, kudu, elephant, giraffe, lion and even rhino are all common sights here. Take plenty of camera memory and lots of patience and you will be rewarded by one of the greatest game spectacles in Southern Africa. Etosha is also a good place for birds, with plenty of water birds on the lakes (when filled with water), and weaverbirds and hornbills in the trees. While in Etosha we typically stay within the park on some or all of the nights (subject to availability) and some of these are located next to waterholes. These camps also offer optional night drives which you can book and pay for on arrival.
Namutoni or similar
Meals included: Breakfast (x2), Lunch (x1), Dinner (x1)
Leaving Etosha behind, we head towards the Waterberg Plateau. This 200 metre high gigantic flat-topped plateau with bushveld on top is one of Namibia’s most fertile areas. There are several walking trails, including one leading to a spectacular viewpoint near the top of the plateau offering a great view of the surrounding area. It is also possible to do an optional 4×4 game drive. (driving 300kms / 5hrs)
Waterberg or similar
Meals included: breakfast
We have some free time this morning to relax or explore the Waterberg Plateau a little further. Later we head back to Windhoek stopping at a crafts market on the way. (driving 320kms / 4.5hrs).
Utopia Boutique Hotel or similar
Meals included: breakfast
The trip ends after breakfast. Those on the group flights will be taken to the airport in time for their flight home. Free time can be spent relaxing at the accommodation or exploring Windhoek where there are museum and shopping opportunities. Alternatively, a township tour of Windhoek can be arranged and Okapuka and Daan Viljoen game reserves are close by (see Optional Excursions section).
Meals included: breakfast
