Experience Namibia

Arrival at Hosea Kutako (Windhoek International) Airport, where you will be met by your guide. Subsequent transfer to the capital of Namibia for check-in at Galton House.

After check-in at the accommodation establishment, you will be taken on a city tour.

Windhoek is a city of many contrasts. Modern skyscrapers blend with historic buildings dating from the turn of the century. Several buildings from the German colonial era have been preserved and restored to fulfil useful functions in the community today. Some of the sights you will see on your tour are the Parliament Building – also known as the “Ink Place”-, the Lutheran Church and the Railway Station.

Overnight stay at Galton House (or similar) (on Breakfast basis)

After breakfast we depart from Windhoek and drive via Rehoboth to the red dunes of the Kalahari Desert to the Bagatelle Kalahari Game Lodge.

Late afternoon, you participate in a guided game drive to learn about the flora and fauna of the Kalahari Desert.

This activity includes a game drive in the reserve, viewing a variety of game such as giraffe, kudu, zebra, oryx, blue wildebeest and eland. Guests are able to experience breathtaking views of the reserve that has some of the highest dunes in the region, with views over the pan.

The Kalahari has more than 150 bird species for guests who are bird enthusiasts. The well-known suricate, more commonly known as a meerkat, can also to be seen. As the day draws to a close, guests are treated to a sundowner on the dune, complemented by refreshments and a Namibian snack, while enjoying a breathtaking sunset over the Kalahari.

Overnight stay at Bagatelle Kalahari Game Lodge (or similar) (on Dinner & Breakfast basis)

A full day’s journey takes you south through the desert-dominated landscapes to a picturesque Quiver Tree Forest.

This prehistoric tree reaches skyward with graphically forked branches, their trunks peel and form intricate patterns as the tree matures and these are rewarding subjects to photograph.

Giant’s Playground is an impressive jumble of massive boulders; a virtual maze where time can be spent wandering through the extensive rocky labyrinth. We proceed to Keetmanshoop and thereafter continue via the Naute Dam, to the Fish River Canyon, which is the second largest canyon in the world.

Overnight stay at Canyon Lodge (or similar) (on Dinner & Breakfast basis)

Today you can view the spectacular northern fringes of the Fish River Canyon from various vantage points.

Carving out an epic rocky wonderland in the south of Namibia, the Fish River has created Africa’s largest and the world’s second largest canyon. Hot, dry and stony, it measures a whopping 160 kilometres in length, at times 27 kilometres in width and 550 metres in depth.

Overnight on Dinner & Breakfast basis

The next leg of the journey takes us via the small historic village of Aus and through the vast barren expanse of the Prohibited Diamond Area, to Lüderitz.

Lüderitz is renowned for its old-world charm and distinctly German colonial architecture. Set around the bay, with their original gables, winding stairwells, verandas, turrets and bay- and bow windows still intact, these buildings have a unique character.

Overnight stay at The Nest Hotel (or similar) (on Breakfast basis)

After breakfast we visit Kolmanskop, a ghost town that was abandoned over 40 years ago and now gives a fascinating insight into the area’s great diamond boom.

A few of the buildings have been restored, but many are left exactly as they were, and now the surrounding dunes are gradually burying them. Return to Lüderitz in the afternoon. After a short sightseeing tour of Lüderitz, we are going on an afternoon excursion to the Diaz cross where the daring Portuguese sailors erected a stone pillar in the 1480’s.

Overnight on Breakfast basis

The journey leads once more through the Diamond Prohibited Area via Aus and Helmeringhausen to Farm Namtib. Experience the daily life of a farmer in the south.

Overnight stay at Farm Namtib (or similar) (on Dinner & Breakfast basis)

Today we travel through some of Namibia’s most spectacular sceneries.

Vast expanses of yellow savannah are dotted with bushes and solitary camelthorn trees. Distant mountain ranges take on different nuances of purple and blue as the day progresses.

En route you visit the Duwisib Castle, which was built by Baron von Wolff for his American wife Jayta in 1909. Replete with history and romance Duwisib castle is an ideal stopover for visitors’ en route to the South of Namibia. Apart from being a gift of love, Duwisib Castle was a dream turned into reality for Baron von Wolf, who had planned on breeding horses in this semi-desert environment. Sadly, he was killed during the First World War. His wife left for America, never to return, leaving the castle and all of its contents and dreams behind.

Our destination is The Desert Homestead & Horsetrails, situated south of the Sesriem gate at Sossusvlei.

Overnight stay at Desert Homestead (or similar) (on Dinner & Breakfast basis)

Very early departure today into the Namib Naukluft Park to witness one of Namibia’s most scenic attractions – the Sossusvlei and the highest dunes of the world. Visit the nearby Deadvlei, a dried out natural water pan with its dead acacia tree trunks rising to the blue sky.

The Sesriem Canyon is another attraction worthwhile seeing en route back to the lodge. A relaxing sundowner on top of the nearby ridge ends off an unforgettable day in the desert.

Overnight on Dinner & Breakfast basis

The route takes us north via the Kuiseb Canyon to Swakopmund. Highlights en route include a drive to the “Moon Landscape” and the ancient desert plant, “Welwitschia mirabilis”. This quaint desert town with its old-world charm and relaxed atmosphere hedged by desert and sea, is enhanced by lush green lawns and palm trees.

Overnight stay at Namib Guesthouse (or similar) (on Breakfast basis)

A dolphin cruise has been booked for you today. You will be picked up at your accommodation and driven to the nearby town of Walvis Bay, from where your boat cruise with Laramon Tours (or similar) departs. Please ensure that you have had breakfast and are ready to leave Swakopmund by approx. 08h00, as you are requested to be at the check-in at the Walvis Bay Waterfront by approx. 08h45.

The scenic drive from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay takes about 45 minutes. Don’t forget to take a hat, sunscreen and a warm jacket along. After 3 exciting hours the catamaran will dock and your guide will return you to the Guesthouse.

Your cruise today departs the Walvis Bay Yacht club at approx. 09h00 and takes you through the harbour, passing moored Russian trawlers en route and on to Pelican Point, where inquisitive seals will swim up to the boats looking for something to eat, all whilst pods of Heaviside and Bottlenose Dolphins swim alongside the boat. For bird lovers, apart from seeing flamingos, cormorants and pelicans, there are common sightings of the White Chinned Petrel, Wilson’s Storm Petrel, Black Oystercatcher and even the Jackass Penguin. With a bit of luck you might see a Sunfish (Mola Mola) and the Leatherback Turtles. In season, the larger mammals like the Southern Right Whale and the Humpback Whales may be spotted and occasionally the Killer Whales (Orcas).

To round the trip off you will be spoilt with fresh Walvis Bay oysters, snacks and cold sparkling wine on board as you make your way back to the docking station.

Overnight on Breakfast basis

Depart from Swakopmund along the Atlantic Coast towards the North.

Visit the lichen fields near Wlotzka’s Baken before continuing to Henties Bay, a small holiday resort.

Onwards to the seal colony at Cape Cross. After visiting the seals, the journey continues via Ugabmund to the southern Skeleton Coast Park to inspect a shipwreck.

You leave the Skeleton Coast Park in the early afternoon via Springbok Water and can experience the harsh transition from the Namib Desert to the Damaraland highlands with its impressive landscape and ragged valleys.

Overnight stay at Grootberg Lodge (or similar) (on Dinner & Breakfast basis)

A highlight today: the rhino tracking excursion. This activity takes guests on an unforgettable exploration on foot amidst the cliffs of the Klip River Valley and rising plateau of volcanic basalt ridges, by dedicated guides and local trackers. The tracking is managed, and the number of guests participating is restricted to a maximum of 10 people per day, to ensure that it is both natural and non-obtrusive for the animals.

Overnight on Dinner & Breakfast basis

We travel via the Grootberg Pass to Kamanjab and further on the tarred road to the Etosha National Park.

Afternoon arrival at the Okaukuejo Restcamp in the Etosha National Park. At the heart of this National Park is the Etosha Pan, a vast dry shallow depression. Perennial springs feed the waterholes along the southern verge, which attract a myriad of animal species.

Overnight stay at Okaukuejo Restcamp (or similar) (on Breakfast basis)

While driving to the east side of the park, to today’s destination, we will spend the whole day discovering the mysteries of the African bush in Etosha National Park.

We visit the numerous waterholes that attract a large diversity of animal and bird species, many of these being endemic to the country.

Overnight stay at Mushara Bush Camp (or similar) (on Dinner & Breakfast basis)

Another full day will be spend by driving around the National Park in search of the Big 5.

Overnight on Dinner & Breakfast basis

The journey continues to the Okonjima Lodge, home of the AfriCat Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation and protection of Namibian wild cats, in particular leopard and cheetah. Enjoy the opportunity to admire and photograph these predators.

2x activities are included.

The AfriCat Foundation was founded in the early 90’s and formally registered as a non-profit organisation in August 1993. The Foundation has since grown significantly and what started out primarily as a welfare organisation, has over the years, identified the need to focus on education and research, as being essential to accomplishing our mission – the long-term conservation of Namibia’s large carnivores. The Foundation has since grown significantly and what started out primarily as a welfare organisation, has over the years, identified the need to focus on education and research, as being essential to accomplishing our mission – the long-term conservation of Namibia’s large carnivores.

Overnight stay at Okonjima Plains Camp (or similar) (on Dinner & Breakfast basis)

Return journey via Okahandja to Windhoek. Okahandja is an important centre for woodcarvers from the north. They practice their ancient skills at the Woodcarvers Market next to the main road. This is a good place to pick a last souvenir.

Arrival in Windhoek with transfer to Hosea Kutako Airport for check-in on your outbound flight.

Bid farewell to Namibia, we wish you a safe journey home.

• Travelling costs as per itinerary; activities, entrance- and park fees as specified;
• Accommodation on a shared basis;
• Meals as per itinerary;
• Mineral water en route;
• Experienced guiding in English or German;
• VAT and bed levy.

• Expenses of a personal nature, i.e. laundry, telephone, gratuities, souvenirs, etc.;
• Personal-, medical- and evacuation insurances;
• Additional activities;
• Alcoholic beverages and all drinks.

• Minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 participants are required for this guided tour;
• For 2 and 3 participants an extra surcharge applies;
• Services and accommodations are subject to availability at the time of booking;
• It is compulsory for all guests to have comprehensive cancellation-, default-, baggage-, emergency evacuation- and medical insurance for the duration of the trip;
• The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary;
• All relevant booking conditions of Namibia Tracks & Trails and/or any other booked services will apply to your travel arrangements;
• The relevant cancellation policy applies should you fail to join or start your safari/journey for any reason, including airline delays or missed connection. Please ensure you have adequate travel insurance for this purpose. You become liable for cancellation penalties immediately on confirmation of booking services;
• Passports must be valid (usually for at least 6 months after date of travel) and still have at least 3 blank visa (not endorsement) pages;
• All visa requirements must be fulfilled and these are your responsibility.