15 Day Namibia Deserts And Wildlife

Day 1:

On arrival at the Windhoek Airport you will be met by your guide and transferred to Namibia’s Capital City, Windhoek. Overnight accommodation will be at the Safari Court Hotel / similar on a bed and breakfast basis. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure to visit the city centre. Lunch and dinner today are for your own account.

Day 2:

This morning you will depart from Windhoek in a southerly direction towards the Kalahari. You pass through the small settlement of Rehoboth before arriving at the western boundary of the Kalahari Desert. Rehoboth is home to the “Baster Community” a fiercely independent people who are the descendants of a group of farmers of mixed European and Khoisan blood. These people first migrated to the area from the Cape in 1870 where they established a settlement at the site of an abandoned Rhenish Mission Station. Mid-day arrival at the Anib Kalahari Lodge. Your stay includes a late afternoon nature drive activity in open safari vehicles. Overnight accommodation will be at the Anib Kalahari Lodge / similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis only. Lunch today is for your own account.

Day 3:

After breakfast travel towards the central Hardap Region and the town of Mariental. From Mariental continue in a westerly direction past the southern edge of Namibia’s largest Dam, the Hardap, towards the small town of Maltahohe. This town, nestled on the edge of the Namib Desert, was founded in 1900 and was once an important agricultural centre. The nearby farm Nomtsas was established as a sheep farm of some 10 000ha. Later Maltahohe became the centre of the karakul trade but years of drought and the collapse of the karakul price brought hard times to the town. The town remains as a small support town providing all the necessary services and infrastructure for the local farming community.

From Maltahohe your journey continues on a gravel road descending the spectacular Tsarishoogte Pass into the Namib Desert, before reaching the Namib Naukluft Park. Late afternoon arrival for overnight accommodation at the Sossusvlei Lodge / similar on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis only. Lunch today is for your own account.

Day 4:

Enjoy an early morning excursion along the path of the ancient Tsauchab River into the Namib Sand Sea including a visit to the famed Sossusvlei, Dune 45 and Deadvlei. Many visitors to Namibia say that no part of the desert is more stunning than Sossusvlei, with its monumentally high dunes, the shadows of their sinuous crests continually changing as the day waxes and wanes. Gigantic star-shaped mountains of sand – the highest estimated at 325 metres. The warm tints of the sand, ranging from pale apricot to brick orange and deep red, contrast vividly with the dazzling white surfaces of the clay pans at some of their bases. An afternoon excursion will be conducted to the Sesriem Canyon, a small yet picturesque canyon carved over millions of years into the Tsauchab River. Overnight accommodation will be at the Sossusvlei Lodge / similar on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis only. Lunch today is for your own account.

Day 5:

Departing from the central Namib Region today’s route continues in a northerly direction along the eastern boundary of the Namib Naukluft Park passing through the small settlement of Solitaire on route to the Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons. Continue across the gravel plains of the Namib Desert en route to Namibia’s premier coastal resort town, Swakopmund. Excursions included: to the erosion feature of the “Moon Valley” and to Namibia’s ancient plant species, the Welwitschia mirabilis. Late afternoon arrival and overnight at the Swakopmund Hotel / similar on a bed and breakfast basis only. Picnic Lunch will be included on route. Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant and is for your own account.

Day 6:

While in Swakopmund an excursion will be conducted to Namibia’s largest commercial harbour, Walvis Bay and the Walvis Bay Lagoon, protected under the RAMSAR Convention as an important wetland. The lagoon is renowned for its seasonal abundance of both the Greater and Lesser Flamingo species. The remainder of the day will be at leisure to explore Swakopmund. Today this quaint town nestled between desert and ocean is enhanced by lush green lawns, palm trees and carefully tended gardens. There is a good selection of restaurants and coffee shops selling traditional German cakes and pastries, while the coastline and the desert respectively offer many options for adventure or relaxation. Overnight accommodation will be at the Swakopmund Hotel / similar on a bed and breakfast basis only. Lunch and Dinner is for your own account.

Day 7:

Early morning departure from Swakopmund in a northerly direction through the National West Coast Recreational Area towards the small fishing town of Henties Bay. An excursion included on route is a visit to the Cape Fur Seal Colony at Cape Cross. In 1486, the first European to set foot on the coast of Namibia, Diego Cao, erected a cross in honor of John 1 of Portugal at a site now known as Cape Cross, some 115 kilometres north of Swakopmund. In addition to being of historical interest, Cape Cross has a breeding colony of Cape Fur seals. Leaving the coast continue in an easterly direction crossing the gravel plains towards the abandoned mining town of Uis, and Namibia’s highest Mountain Range. The Brandberg is 2 573 metres at its highest point and renowned for the famous work of bushmen art, the “White Lady”.

Twyfelfontein is one of the richest areas of rock engravings and bushmen paintings in Namibia. A guided walking excursion will be conducted to some of the engraving sites. Interesting geological features in the area include the Burnt Mountain and the dolomite columns known as the Organ Pipes.

Late afternoon arrival and overnight accommodation at the Twyfelfontein Country Lodge / similar on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis only. Lunch is for your own account.

Day 8:

Today we continue with our discovery of the region as we continue via Palmwag and Sesfontein to the Kunene Region. Formerly known as Kaokoland, this region is situated in Namibia’s remote northwest, hosting the inhospitable Skeleton Coast and bordering Angola. The Kunene River, forming the border between these two countries, has given its name to the area. Many of Namibia’s primary attractions are found here. The famous desert-adapted elephant, the ancient culture of the semi-nomadic Himba, the rare black rhino as well as beautiful landscapes and interesting geological formations. Inhabitants of this are divided among three dominant ethnic groups, the Damara, Herero and the Himba. Picnic Lunch is included en route. Overnight accommodation will be at the Opuwo Country Lodge / similar on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis only.

Day 9-10:

Depart Opuwo and drive in a northerly direction to Epupa Camp. In the afternoon participate in a sun downer on a hill, overlooking the Epupa Waterfalls. A highlight of any visit to Namibia is a chance to interact with one of the countries most traditional ethnic groups. This area is home to the Ova-Himba people, a nomadic tribe with a way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries. They can be seen wandering with their herds of goats and cattle from watering hole to watering hole. Clad only with a loincloth, the Himba paint their bodies with an ochre pigment, which protects their skin from the sun, and makes a picturesque decoration. An excursion will be conducted to some of the local Himba homesteads. Overnight accommodation will be at the Epupa Camp / similar on a full board basis, including scheduled activities.

Day 11:

Head in a southerly direction towards Hobatere Lodge, via Opuwo. During the afternoon participate in a game drive at Hobatere Lodge. Overnight accommodation will be at the Hobatere Lodge / similar on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis only. Picnic lunch will be included en route.

Day 12:

After breakfast leave Hobatere Lodge and drive to Eagle Tented Camp, which borders Etosha National Park. The remainder of the day will be at leisure at Eagle Tented Camp. Overnight accommodation will be at the Eagle Tented Camp / similar on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis only. Picnic lunch included en route.

Day 13:

Enjoy a whole day of game viewing at the numerous waterholes in Etosha National Park.

The park has recorded over 114 mammal species, 350 bird species and 21 different vegetation types. The most common plains game species encountered include; plains zebra, springbok, black-faced Impala, blue wildebeest, oryx, giraffe and red hartebeest. The Park also boasts healthy populations of lion, elephant and black rhino. While in the park a visit will be included to the Etosha Pan or the “Great White Place”.

Overnight accommodation will be at the Mokuti Lodge / similar on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis only. Lunch is for your own account.

Day 14:

Today’s journey follows the main route south through the country via the towns of Tsumeb, Otavi and Otjiwarongo. Excursions on route will be included to the large sink-hole type lake, Lake Otjikoto and the Hoba Meteorite, the world’s largest known meteorite. Arrival at the Mount Etjo Safari Lodge in time to participate in an afternoon activity. Overnight accommodation will be at the Mount Etjo Safari Lodge / similar on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis including 1 activity. Lunch today is for your own account.

Day 15:

After an optional early morning activity depart from Mount Etjo Safari Lodge returning to Windhoek via the small town of Okahandja including an excursion to the local wood carving market. Afternoon arrival in Windhoek for some time at leisure exploring Namibia’s Capital City before being transferred to the Windhoek Airport for your scheduled regional or international departure. Lunch today is for your own account.