Day 1: Windhoek

Arrive Windhoek International Airport, pick up your rental car and drive to Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city. The charm of the city lies in the harmonious blend of African and European cultures and the friendliness of its people. It is a small bustling city in an airy central highlands basin surrounded by mountains at an average altitude of 1720 metres (5,590 feet). (BB Windhoek) approx 40 km.

 

Day 2: Windhoek City

Windhoek has a pleasant ambience of tranquility and leisure with its continental-style sidewalk cafes and beer gardens. The city is considerably enhanced by stately historic buildings in the German architectural style of the turn of the century. Old buildings which lend a singular charm to the city include the historic seat of government, known as the “Tintenpalast” and the “Christuskirche” with its graceful spire. The white-walled “Alte Feste” which was once a fort and now a museum reflects the history of the country. (BB Windhoek).

 

Day 3: Drive south

Depart for Mariental, situated approximately 260 kilometres south from Windhoek. It is surrounded by a sheep farming area and is near to the Hardap irrigation scheme and the Hardap Dam Resort. Ostrich farms are also found nearby. It has services such as shopping, banking and medical facilities available. Discover the mystique of one of the most unusual landscapes of Namibia – the Kalahari: parallel ridges of red sand dunes covered with golden grass, centuries old camelthorn trees which act as pillars to huge social weaver nests, herds of graceful springbok and proud oryx and an abundance of varied birdlife. (BB outside Mariental) approx. 290 km.

 

Day 4: Drive along the Auob River to the Fish River Canyon

Today your journey takes you to the Fish River Canyon. The Fish River Canyon is situated in the far south of Namibia, almost on the border with South Africa. The Canyon is approximately 160 km long, 500 m deep in places and 27 km across at its widest. It is the largest canyon system in Africa and the second largest in the world after the Grand Canyon in Colorado. In early times the Fish River Canyon was a haven for the local inhabitants of Namibia. The area is extremely arid with virtually no rainfall. For centuries the river provided food and water for humans and animals alike. (BB Fish River Canyon) approx. 530 km.

 

Day 5: Fish River Canyon & Luderitz

Enjoy a morning visit to the edge of the Fish River Canyon with its magnificent views of the surrounds. From here proceed to the small town of Luderitz, named after a German merchant, Adolf Luderitz (from Bremen), who began trading operations in the harbour in 1883. Built on rocks in a small enclave within the Sperrgebiet (restricted Diamond Area) is the quaint harbour town of Luderitz with its curious array of historical German–style buildings built during the diamond rush. (BB Luderitz).approx. 410 km.

 

Day 6: Ghost Town Kolmanskop

Namibia's most famous ghost town, Kolmanskop, is situated in the Sperrgebiet about 10 km inland from Luderitz and was built in 1908. However, when richer diamond deposits were discovered further south, operations were moved. Within a span of 40 years, Kolmanskop lived, flourished and died. Today the ghost town's crumbling ruins bear little resemblance to its former glory. The stately homes, their grandeur now scoured and demolished by the wind, are gradually becoming enveloped by encroaching sand dunes. (BB Luderitz)

 

 

Day 7: Travel on to Sossusvlei

Depart for Sossusvlei. This area offers fantastic photographic opportunities not only of the majestic and pristine dunes but also the unique animal and plant life. On the way you can visit the historical “Fort Duwisib”, about 170 km north of Aus. (BB Sossusvlei) approx. 520 km.

 

Day 8: Sossusvlei & Sesriem Canyon

Today’s journey takes you to famous Sossusvlei with its star shaped dunes, some of which measures up to 325 metres. Visit Sesriem Canyon, the name derives from the time of the first settlers when six thongs made of ox leather (Afrikaans: riem) were required to pull up buckets of water from the pool in the gorge. The Tsauchab River has cut a 50m deep gorge into the schist layers of metamorphic rock. Optional guided nature drives in comfortable all-terrain game viewing vehicles are offered. (BB Sossusvlei)

 

Day 9: Kuiseb Canyon & Swakopmund

Continue to Swakopmund, Highlights on the way are the Kuiseb Canyon and the lagoon at Walvis Bay. (BB Swakopmund) approx. 300 km.

 

Day 10: Namib Desert

Enjoy a day trip into the Namib Desert. Visit the vast gravel plains of the Namib and Namibia’s most celebrated plant, the Welwitschia mirabilis and Moon Valley, an unusual view overlooking the landscape formed by the valleys of the Swakop River.

(BB Swakopmund)

 

Day 11: Swakopmund

Day at leisure to explore the town of Swakopmund which was founded in 1892. The appearance of this charming little town is characterised by numerous colonial buildings and has a rich history. Or drive to Walvis Bay and cruise the harbour through to Bird Island (own account). (BB Swakopmund)

 

Day 12: Cape Cross

Travel northwards along the coastline to Cape Cross. The Cape Cross Seal Colony is the breeding place of the Cape Fur Seals. About 80 000 to 100 000 seals inhabit Cape Cross. Continue to Damaraland. (BB Khorixas) approx.320 km

 

Day 13: Twyfelfontein, Petrified Forest & Vingerklip

Visit the Petrified Forest, which is over millions of years old. Here you will find some antediluvian flood deposited giant tree-trunks, some up to 30 m long. The age of these fossil trunks is an estimated 200 million years old. The Vingerklip (finger rock) is a towering finger of limestone and rises 35m above its base. This is a remnant of a plateau formed over 15 million years ago. Continue to your lodge near Outjo. (BB Outjo).approx. 140 km

 

Day 14: Etosha

Enter the world famous Etosha National Park. The Etosha National Park consists of almost 23 000sq.km saline desert, savannah and woodlands in one of the largest parks in Africa. A total of 114 species of mammals are found in the park including the “Big Five” and rare and endangered species like the black-rhino and black-faced impala. (BB Etosha National Park) approx. 120 km to Okakuejo.

 

Day 15: Etosha

Full day game viewing in the park. Other large game includes blue wildebeest, mountain and plains zebra, hyena and lion. Cheetah and leopard complete the trio of "big cats". About 300 bird species occur in the park, of which about one third are migratory, including the European bee-eater and several species of waders. (BB Etosha National Park) approx 145 km.

 

Day 16: Etosha

Etosha's definitive feature is the Etosha pan, a vast, shallow depression of approximately 5000 sq.km. For the greater part of the year the pan is a bleak expanse of white cracked mud which shimmers with mirages on most days. It is seeing vast herds of game with this eerie "great white place of dry water" as a backdrop, which makes the Etosha experience unique.

(BB Etosha National Park)

 

Day 17: Travel to the Waterberg Plateau Park

On your way to Otjiwarongo you can visit the Otjikoto Lake and the mining town of Tsumeb. Continue to the Waterberg Plateau Park. The Waterberg Plateau Park rises some 200m above the surroundings sea of African bush and savannah in an island of vibrant colour of flamboyant brick red sandstone formatives and lush green vegetation which changes dramatically from acacia savannah to lush green subtropical woodlands. (BB Waterberg Plateau Park) approx. 375 km.

 

Day 18: Waterberg

Waterberg Plateau and 41000 hectares of surrounding land was declared a Nature Reserve in 1972. The plateau is largely inaccessible and several of Namibia's endangered species were soon translocated here to protect them from predators and poaching. The program was very successful and Waterberg now supplies the other Namibian parks with rare animals. The plateau was first envisaged as a reserve for eland, Africa’s largest species of antelope. (BB Waterberg Plateau Park)

 

Day 19: Return to Windhoek

Travel via Okahandja to Windhoek. Okahandja is the cultural centre of the Herero community of Namibia. The woodcarver’s market has a variety of interesting handmade objects to offer. The carvers mainly use the indigenous wood. Arrive at Windhoek Airport, drop off your rental car and depart. Approx. 300 km.

 

Self-drive Tours: (Prices are calculated for 2 participants. Prices for more or fewer participants are available on request)

 

TOUR DURATION BUDGET (pp sharing) STANDARD

 Meals B=Breakfast D=Dinner

  19 days off R10 435.00   

18 x Breakfast

Included Accommodation, breakfast, Car rental (Gr.B) Tourism Levy, VAT

Not Included  All Flight costs, all Entrance fees & meals other than those specified above, Park Entrance fees, all Gratuities, Medical Aid or Travel Insurance

 

Guided Tours: (Prices are calculated for 4 participants. Prices for more or fewer participants are available on request)

 

TOUR DURATION PRICE (pp sharing) 

 Meals B=Breakfast D=Dinner

  19 days  off R22 540.00  

18 x Breakfast,

10 x Dinner 

Included Park Entrance fees, Tourism Levy,  Value Added Tax 

Not Included  All flight costs, Entrance fees and meals not specified above all gratuities, drinks, Medical aid or Travel insurance

 

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