Namibia has the oldest desert and the only desert in the world where you can find large mammals like elephants, rhinos, lions and giraffes. The national park can be accessed via the southern entrance at Andersson’s Gate. Visitors can catch a glimpse of a variety of wildlife including: lion, giraffe, elephant, white and black rhino, and a multitude of plains game. The Erongo Mountain Range spectacularly scenic landscapes, magnificent caves and rock painting sites. A guided excursion to the Sossusvlei in the early morning will take you to some of the highest sand dunes in the world (300m). Observe the Dead Vlei where red dunes provide a breathtaking backdrop to centuries old dry Acacia trees standing in the desert, hopefully highlighted by a sighting of game
**** Meals included as per daily Itinerary
Day 1: Hotel Thule, Windhoek (20 June)
Windhoek
Situated in Central Namibia, the cosmopolitan city of Windhoek serves as the capital of the country. It is home to an international airport and a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and accommodation options. The city is clean, safe and well-organised, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language..
- Transfer from your home to the Airport for your flight to Windhoek.
- On Arrival at the Windhoek airport you will be met by your Guide and transferred to your Hotel.
- Check in and relax until dinner time
- Dinner at the Hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Thule
Hotel Thule is an upmarket, 25 room hotel, located 5 minutes from the city centre of Windhoek. Hotel Thule is renowned for its sundowners, being perched on a hilltop, thus offering stunning views over the city of Windhoek. Dinner included
Day 2: Etosha Safari Camp Namibia (21 June)
Etosha South
Located just south of the boundary of Etosha National Park in northwestern Namibia, Etosha South makes up the southern region of this wild paradise. The area is comprised of a collection of world class private game reserves. The national park can be accessed via the southern entrance at Andersson’s Gate. Visitors can catch a glimpse of a variety of wildlife including: lion, giraffe, elephant, white and black rhino, and a multitude of plains game.
Your personal guide will meet you at Hotel Thule at 09h00 am. The tour begins right away and the route is leading via the central part of Namibia to the Etosha National park, where you will stay for 2 nights.
The Etosha Safari Camp is 8 km before the Anderson Gate. 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 cosy accommodation 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.It's the place to open doors to the mystery and magic of Etosha, 'Place of Legends'.
The Etosha national park is covering an area of 22’270 km², the habitat for 114 species of animals and 340 species of birds. It has been described as one of the best game reserves on the African continent. Game drives will be undertaken with your own guide and vehicle. But the lodge also offers AM and PM game drives inside the park in open vehicles. (not included in tour price) Dinner & Breakfast included
Overnight: Etosha Safari Camp Namibia
Tap toes to an African beat in the novel Oshebeena Bar and relax at this friendly Camp, 10 kilometres from Etosha.
Day 3: Etosha Safari Camp Namibia (22 June)
Depart very early for your safari into Etosha with packed breakfasts
Game viewing until late afternoon before we return back to Etosha safari camp
Dinner & Breakfast included
Day 4: Ai Aiba Rock Painting Lodge, Erongo Mountains (23 June)
At 09h00 am depart after breakfast via Outjo and Omaruru to the Erongo Mountain area.
Ai-Aiba -The Rock Painting Lodge is dramatically set against imposing granite boulders in the foothills of the Erongo Mountain range. Steeped in history these ancient rock formations are the eroded remains of a volcanic complex about 130 million years old. Famous for its countless rock painting sites, Ai-Aiba is a mystical exploration of nature. Admire the magic of the breath taking landscape, gently touched by the mystic colours of the setting sun, while enjoying a guided walking trail in the late afternoon. Dinner at the Lodge. Dinner & Breakfast included
Erongo Mountains
Conveniently located only a few hour’s drive from Namibia’s capital city of Windhoek, the Erongo Mountain Range stretches across the plains between the towns of Omaruru and Karibib, and is home to a remarkably rich natural heritage. This expanse of rugged wilderness serves as one of Namibia’s most popular tourist drawcards, attracting visitors with its spectacularly scenic landscapes, magnificent caves and rock painting sites, and its impressive array of wildlife species. These include, among others: rhino, elephant, cheetah, leopard, giraffe, wildebeest, impala, blesbok, waterbuck, kudu, warthog, mountain zebra, oryx, eland, springbok and over 200 species of bird.
Overnight: Ai Aiba Rock Painting Lodge
Famous for its countless rock painting sites Ai-Aiba is a mystical exploration of nature. The lodge with its high thatched roof restaurant, lounge and pool is an oasis surrounded by tall palms and scenic vistas of magnificent rocky outcrops and bush savannah. Towering boulders form the backdrop to the mountain facing chalets with views that incorporate this rugged landscape.
Day 5: Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund (24 June)
Swakopmund
Set along Namibia's spectacularly scenic coast, the seaside town of Swakopmund is known for its wide-open avenues, colonial architecture, and its surrounding otherworldly desert terrain. 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 town, 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, adventure options, laid-back atmosphere and cool sea breeze make it a very popular Namibian destination.
In the morning visit the living Museum of the SAN at Omandumba Guestfarm, before you travel to the Spitzkoppe Mountain, the third highest mountain in Namibia. Due to the rock formation, it is also known as the “Namibian Matterhorn”. The granite is more than 120 million years old and the highest outcrop rises about 1,728 metres (5,669 ft) above sea level. During a walking trail one can explore the beautiful landscape, visit the “Bushmen Paradise” and take great photos of stunning rock formations.
From here you travel to Swakopmund the lovely town at the Atlantic. The town has many small shops and some good restaurants. Visit the Light house and the Old Jetty in the afternoon and enjoy the sunset at the beach front. Dinner at one of the local restaurants. Breakfast included
Overnight: Hansa Hotel
Centrally situated, the hotel serves as the perfect getaway to all tourists amenities which Swakopmund and surrounding areas have to offer, from sand-boarding some of the highest dunes in the world to big game viewing in one of our country's world-known game parks. Surrounded by local tour operators, aviation and safari offices and five minutes from the beach, the Hansa Hotel is perfect for the discerning traveler looking for an adrenaline filled holiday or merely a bit of relaxation.
Day 6: Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund (25 June)
You will be transferred at 07h45 to Walvis Bay for a catamaran boat cruise. Experience Dolphins swimming alongside our sailing catamaran, Seals playing around, Sunfish sharing the secrets of the depths and shy Leatherback Turtles surfacing. In season Humpback and Southern Right Whales breach about. How better to round off a perfect morning with Oysters and Sparkling Wine, followed by our trademark platters with savoury snacks, coffee/tea and cakes while we leisurely sail the South-Atlantic Namibian coastline.
Return to Swakopmund and enjoy a stroll through in town and sit down at one of the coffee shops
Breakfast included
Day 7: Desert Quiver Camp, Sesriem (26 June)
Sesriem
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 (‘ses riem – six thongs) tied together to lower buckets into the water at the base of canyon.)
Departure at 09h00 via Walvis Bay and the Kuiseb Pass to the Namib Naukluft Park, where you will spend 1 nights at a camp, only 4 km from Sesriem, the entrance to the Namib Naukluft park and the famous Sossusvlei. En route stop at the various view points .
Desert Quiver Camp uniquely combines modern self-catering accommodation with comfort and style. Conveniently located a mere 5km from the entrance gate to Sossusvlei, the inspiring scenery characterised by granite outcrops, spectacular views and roaming wildlife will captivate your senses. Dinner & Breakfast included
Overnight: Desert Quiver Camp
Desert Quiver Camp uniquely combines modern self-catering accommodation with comfort and style. Conveniently located a mere 5km from the entrance gate to Sossusvlei, the inspiring scenery characterised by granite outcrops, spectacular views and roaming wildlife will captivate your senses.
Meals can be enjoyed at the nearby Sossusvlei Lodge restaurant
Day 8: Barkhan Dune Retreat, Naukluft Mountains (27 June)
Naukluft Mountains
Located in Central Namibia, the Naukluft Mountains cut a fine silhouette against the vast open skies of this incredibly beautiful country. Private farms occupy the northern reaches and to the south, the range falls within the spectacular Namib-Naukluft National Park. Rising steeply from the vast plains of Central Namibia, the rugged landscape holds a fascinating history, interesting geology and a boasts a variety of deep gorges, caves, small streams and beautiful waterfalls. These mountains support an array of wildlife including over 50 mammal species such as leopard, mountain zebra; various antelope species and almost 200 species of bird.
A guided excursion to the Sossusvlei in the early morning will take you to some of the highest sand dunes in the world (300m). Observe the Dead Vlei where red dunes provide a breathtaking backdrop to centuries old dry Acacia trees standing in the desert, hopefully highlighted by a sighting of game. Your guide will also show you how much life is in the dunes and you may see spider, side winder, Chameleon and other small creatures of the desert. Return to the lode around 10h30. this is when the outside temperatures start to increase.
Visit the 18 million years Sesriem Canyon, in the later afternoon. The canyon is small but very picturesque – many plants grow in the shade and shelter offered by the canyon, and water pools attract several species of birds and animals.
Travel via Solitaire towards the Spreetshoogte Pass and a small, intimate lodge, where you spend the last night. Situated in the peaceful solitude of an idyllic valley, in the heart of the desert, Barkhan Dune Retreat is the ideal place for travelers who seek tranquility and intimacy. Nestled in a Barkhan dune, the Retreat makes it possible for its occupants to live in harmony with nature, at the same time offering them comfort, luxury, adventure and relaxation.
The natural materials used for the construction of Barkhan Dune Retreat blend perfectly with the surrounding landscape. Combinations of vibrant earth tones and raw materials such as canvas, wood, stones, logs and sand in an essential wilderness mix to keep a sense of the old safaris, transcending the ephemeral nature of modern decor fashions to harmonize with the natural world. Dinner & Breakfast included
Overnight: Barkhan Dune Retreat
Located between Windhoek and Walvis Bay, Barkhan Dune Retreat is the ideal safari getaway.
The resort is home to eight beautifully decorated rooms, of which two are located in the main building while the others are self-catering units. Each room is elegant and modern in design and fully equipt with amenities such as Wi-Fi. Guests can enjoy a hearty full English breakfast served daily, as well as a 3-course dinner.
Day 9: End of Itinerary (28 June)
After breakfast travel via the scenic Spreetshoogte Pass back to Windhoek. After a short city tour an airport transfer will followed in time for your return flight to SA. End of service!
