Safari & Discovery Tour In Namibia Staying In Characterful Accommodation

Today you will have some free time to explore the capital city of Windhoek.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) in Safari Court Hotel

This morning we head towards the rich expanse of the Namib Desert and the Namib- Naukluft National Park. Travelling across the plains of the Khomas Hochland to the western edge of the Naukluft Mountain Range overlooking the vast Namib Desert, we watch the sun cast its shadows over the red dunes of some of the most spectacular desert landscapes on earth. Covering some 50,000 sq km this is one of the largest national parks on the continent, encompassing an area of truly magnificent desert scenery that represents some of the oldest desert on the planet.

Overnight Chalet (H++) in Sossusvlei Lodge Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

With an early start this morning we head past Sesriem to the Tsauchab River and spend the day exploring this majestic landscape in all its glory, firstly the towering dunes of Sossusvlei, some of the highest on earth. The area itself is a vast depression or clay pan, dominated by sand dunes that can reach up to 300m in height. In the early morning the first rays of the rising Sun turn these towering sand giants a deep orange, presenting us with a landscape of overwhelming grandeur that is truly a photographer’s dream. It is a wild, beautiful and romantic spot, with sparse vegetation edging the few watercourses that flow in from the Tsauchab River. Here springbok and ostrich are often seen and the occasional acacia tree stands out in stark contrast against the golden sands. Lying amidst this harsh and barren world we come across the surreal landscapes of the Dead Vlei, an ancient salt pan of dazzling white, filled with the skeletons of long dead acacia trees, their gnarled and twisted carcasses presenting an incredible spectacle against the softer tones of the surrounding desert. This afternoon our tour takes in the cooler confines of the Sesriem Canyon, which we will explore on foot. Small, but very picturesque, the canyon presents a marked contrast from this morning, with numerous plants growing in the shade and shelter offered by the canyon walls and water pools attracting several species of birds and animals. Sesriem translates as ‘six thongs’, referring to the six lengths of rawhide rope (from a wagon) needed to haul a bucket of water up to the canyon rim from the stream below.

Overnight Chalet (H++) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An optional early morning balloon ride is an excellent way of gaining a unique perspective of the vast desert landscapes of this stunning region of Namibia. Drifting silently over the dunes, keep your eyes open for desert wildlife foraging for food. Travelling via Solitaire and through the Kuiseb Canyon, we then pass more awe-inspiring landscapes as we head across the Namib gravel flats to Walvis Bay. Here a large spit forms a natural deep-sea harbour, which attracted the first navigators in the late 1400’s. The shallows located where the spit joins the mainland are home to a diverse collection of birds, the most spectacular being the flamingos and pelicans that feed here seasonally (May to November usually). From here it is a short drive to our final destination for the day, the coastal town of Swakopmund.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) in Hotel Europa Hof Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Initially founded by German settlers at the end of the 19th century, Swakopmund was intended to serve as the main harbour for German Southwest Africa. Over the next few years it saw a steady increase in maritime traffic, eventually handling all the export and import traffic for the entire territory and this importance is reflected in the incredible array of German architecture that still makes up a large percentage of the old town. Swakopmund is a fascinating mix of Bavarian grandeur, Herero traditional and African colour, all set between the pounding waters of the Atlantic and the vast expanses of one of the largest areas of unspoilt wilderness on the planet. Today has been left free to enjoy this eclectic hotchpotch of cultural mores. You may like to pay a visit to the town’s excellent museum, or take a wander through the stately grandeur of its colonial architecture. The town is also a popular resort area and there are a number of optional activities available to make the most of its natural delights. This evening you may like to round off the day watching the sunset across the coastal dunes of the infamous Skeleton Coast.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) Included meals: Breakfast

Travelling north towards the Namibian ‘Skeleton Coast’ we visit the memorable Cape Cross Seal Colony where between 80- 100,000 Cape fur seals bask in the sun or swim playfully in the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. These seals grow to a fairly substantial size, an average male weighing-in at anything up to 187kg, so the sight (and smell) of many thousands of these aquatic mammals enjoying the delights of these craggy coasts is certainly one you will not foget in a hurry. From here we continue on towards the culturally important area around Twyfelfontein, where we will be spending the night. Translating as ‘the doubtful fountain’ Twyfelfontein is one of the richest areas of rock engravings in Namibia. The massif contains a spectacular record of the rock art of the Khoisan people, painted and incised into the sandstone of the mountain over a thousand years and, to date, more than 2500 engravings have been recorded. The barren surroundings and rock-strewn slopes seem a most unlikely place for any human habitation, but there is a small spring near the base of the hill and this has been providing water to animals for millennia. The water and abundance of game also attracted Stone Age people and indications are that they inhabited the area for centuries.

Overnight Lodge (H++) in Twyfelfontein Country Lodge Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The ‘Great White Place’, Etosha National Park is ranked as one of Africa’s great game parks, offering some of the best game viewing on the continent. An immense, saline desert, covering over 12,400 square miles, and offering a haven for 114 species of animals and some 340 species of birds, Etosha has been described as the best game reserve in Africa. Travelling via Outjo we enter the park and make initially to Okaukuejo in the south of the park for our first night before heading east to Halali for our second and third nights in this stunning area. At the very heart of Etosha is the Etosha Pan, which geologists believe was formed some 12 million years ago from an inland lake about the size of Holland. Shrunk to its present dried-up size, it is now a gigantic depression in the ground – flat, saline and silvery, a mysterious place of mirages and dust-laden images, that after heavy rainfall converts back to a lake again. The next two days sees us exploring the area along the southern and eastern edge of the Pan, where we should see elephant, rhino and hopefully lion. The terrain ranges from dense bush to large open plains where animals roam freely and we will drive along a network of gravel roads that criss-cross the park, visiting the various viewpoints and the permanent waterholes around which animals congregate. There is something enigmatic about the vast silent grey-white pans that cover this remarkable reserve. Numerous waterholes and underground springs attract large herds of animals including springbok, zebra, wildebeest and giraffe, making for some exceptional encounters. July to October generally produces the best months for game viewing, during Etosha’s dry season.

Overnight Rest Camp (H++) in Okaukuejo Resort Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 At the very heart of Etosha is the Etosha Pan, which geologists believe was formed some 12 million years ago from an inland lake about the size of Holland. Shrunk to its present dried-up size, it is now a gigantic depression in the ground – flat, saline and silvery, a mysterious place of mirages and dust-laden images, that after heavy rainfall converts back to a lake again. The next two days sees us exploring the area along the southern and eastern edge of the Pan, where we should see elephant, rhino and hopefully lion. The terrain ranges from dense bush to large open plains where animals roam freely and we will drive along a network of gravel roads that criss-cross the park, visiting the various viewpoints and the permanent waterholes around which animals congregate. There is something enigmatic about the vast silent grey-white pans that cover this remarkable reserve. Numerous waterholes and underground springs attract large herds of animals including springbok, zebra, wildebeest and giraffe, making for some exceptional encounters. July to October generally produces the best months for game viewing, during Etosha’s dry season. Today we have a full day's game drive in the southern area of Etosha National Park and make our way to the Halali for our overnight stop

Overnight Rest Camp (H++) in Halali Resort Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we head south out of Etosha to Mount Etjo and Okonjati Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sanctuary has been built up over 30 years to its current size of 30 000 hectares and provides a unique environment for hundreds of different species of wildlife and birds. White rhino were introduced in 1975 and more recently, elephant in 1985, as well as many other species including the rare Roan and Sable Antelope, who found a place of refuge in the sanctuary. This afternoon we take a game drive to discover the fauna and flora. Animals, which may be observed range include elephant, black and white rhino, zebra,hippo, and many different species of antelope.

Overnight Lodge (H++) in Mount Etjo Safari Lodge Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we head back to Windhoek, travelling via the Okanhandja craft market There will be day facilities on arrival in Windhoek in order to freshen up before leaving for the airport.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch