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Tour Information
- Luggage is RESTRICTED TO 20 KG PER PERSON PREFERABLY IN SOFT BAGS.
- All vehicles are NON SMOKING. Guides will make regular smoke stops en route.
- We recommend guests carry a change of clothing, a jacket/jersey and ANY ESSENTIAL MEDICATION (or a certified prescription from their doctor) on board the aircraft as cabin luggage. We will endeavour to assist guests in tracing lost luggage but this can take several days – facilities for purchasing clothing are extremely limited outside of Windhoek and Swakopmund. We accept no responsibility for lost luggage.
- Game viewing in Etosha is NOT in open vehicles.
- This tour is NOT RECOMMENDED for children younger than 12
Day 1 Kalahari Desert
Collection after breakfast from your Windhoek hotel and travel south to reach the small town of Rehoboth, the traditional home of the Baster people. We continue south, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn en route. Turning west we enter the magical world of the Kalahari Desert. Rolling red linear dunes stretch for hundreds of kilometres. The deep red sands are dotted with yellow grasses and in the dune corridors ancient Camelthorn trees are decorated with the giant nests of the Sociable Weaver. Desert adapted species such as oryx, springbok and ostrich are often encountered. After lunch there is time for a siesta or a swim before we take to 4x4 vehicles to explore the Kalahari. We return to the lodge shortly after sunset.
Located in the rolling red dunes of the Kalahari Desert. Bagatelle offers 10 luxury air-conditioned rooms. All rooms are en suite with air-conditioning, tea/coffee facilities, bar fridge and a scenic view of the Kalahari. Activities include guided nature walks, nature drives and sundowner drives to experience the beauty of the Kalahari. Other facilities available include a swimming pool, extensive library and a bird/game viewing hide at the waterhole.
Overnight at Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch: all meals & sundowner drive included
Day 2 Namib Desert
This morning we discover more about the ecology of the Kalahari as we undertake an early morning walk in the dunes. Bidding farewell to Bagatelle we turn west and head towards the Namib. We travel across plains and over mountains, through areas where there are less than two people per square kilometre – Lunch en route. We reach our overnight accommodation on the border of the Namib Naukluft Park this afternoon. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Sossusvlei Lodge is located in the Namib Desert, at the entrance to Sossusvlei and Sesriem canyon. The lodge is surrounded by the orange sands of the Namib and the towering Naukluft Mountains. Accommodation consists of 45 canvas-covered bungalows reminiscent of Bedouin tents. Each unit has en suite facilities and double beds. The lodge is powered by generator – electronic equipment can re-charged at reception. Other facilities at the lodge include a swimming pool, flood lit waterhole, bar and restaurant on the terrace to take advantage of the spectacular southern African skies. Activities include guided 4x4 excursions into the Sossusvlei dunes, walking trails, nature drives, hot-air ballooning and scenic flights over the dune fields.
Overnight at Sossusvlei Lodge: all meals included
Day 3 Namib Desert
A pre-dawn wake up call as we head into the dune fields of the Namib. When the road ends we continue our exploration of the dunes by foot. We explore stark white pans, dotted with ancient dead Camelthorn trees surrounded by towering orange dunes. Your guide will introduce you to the wonders of the Namib. We return to the lodge for lunch and a siesta or swim during the heat of the day. This afternoon we explore Sesriem canyon and then watch the setting sun paint the mountains, plains and dunes an incredible array of pastel colours. We return to the lodge at sunset.
Overnight at Sossusvlei Lodge: all meals included
Day 4 Swakopmund
Travelling north we descend into the Kuiseb Canyon and once again cross the Tropic of Capricorn. We travel across the Namib stopping at water holes where we may encounter hardy desert species. Lunch en route. As we near the coast the temperature begins to drop. The cold Benguela current moderates the coastal temperatures and creates the life-sustaining fogs that drift inland. On the plains we find vast fields of amazing lichens and the weird and wonderful Welwitchia Mirabilis, a dwarf tree unique to the Namib Desert and which has a lifespan of up to 1500 years. We reach the coastal town of Swakopmund late this afternoon. Today this historical desert town, surrounded by desert and sea, is a popular holiday destination with a Bavarian flare! Restaurants and coffee shops sell traditional German Eisbien, schnitzel, breads, cakes and pastries while the Hansa Breweries supply excellent beer.
Located in the coastal town of Swakopmund, this luxurious four star hotel is built in and around the beautifully restored Old Station Building that date back to 1901. The hotel is a three minute walk from the town centre. Accommodation consists of 44 twin rooms, 30 family rooms, 14 luxury rooms and 2 suites. All rooms are en suite and have air-conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities, telephone, TV, electronic safe, room service and mini bar. Other facilities available include two restaurants, a swimming pool, tennis courts, gymnasium and casino.
Overnight at Swakopmund Hotel: all meals included
Day 5 Swakopmund
The morning is at leisure to explore the quaint town of Swakopmund, do some shopping, browse through the museum and art galleries or undertake some optional extra activities (eg: scenic flights over the dunes; quad biking in the dunes etc). This afternoon we head across to the neighbouring town of Walvis Bay. It is home to 42% of southern Africa’s greater flamingo and 60% of the subcontinent’s lesser flamingo. A great variety of wetland birds can be found. These include greater and lesser flamingoes (numbers vary depending on season), pelicans, cormorants, plovers, sandpipers, grebes and a host of other waders. We return to Swakopmund and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at Swakopmund Hotel: all meals included
Day 6 Damaraland
This morning we travel up the desolate Skeleton Coast to reach Cape Cross, home to a large colony of Cape Fur Seals. Cape Cross is also of historical importance as it was here that the first European explorers set foot on the coast of Namibia. We turn inland and head across the plains entering an area locally referred to as Damaraland. The scenery changes and the temperature once again increases as we move inland. Lunch en route. We reach the red valley of Twyfelfontein this afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.
Twyfelfontein Lodge is located five kilometres from the historic Twyfelfontein rock engravings. Other attractions in the area include the Burnt Mountain, Organ Pipes and the Petrified Forest. The main building houses the restaurant, lounge, bar and curio shop and a swimming pool. Accommodation consists of 56 twin-bedded rooms with en suite facilities. Activities include hot air balloon rides, scenic flights, nature walks, and guided excursions.
Overnight at Twyfelfontein Lodge: all meals included
Day 7 Damaraland
This morning we visit Twyfelfontein. This site is one of the largest collections of rock engravings in southern Africa – with over 2 500 engravings recorded. We return to the lodge for lunch & a siesta or swim. In the cooler afternoon hours we visit the geological formations of the burnt mountain and the organ pipes.
Overnight at Twyfelfontein Lodge: all meals included
Day 8 Etosha National Park
Bidding farewell to Damaraland we head east towards Etosha. We stop en route to visit the Petrified Forest before reaching the endless plains of Etosha. We reach the park shortly after lunch and spend the remainder of the afternoon game viewing. There is the opportunity for night viewing at the camps flood-lit waterholes after dinner.
The park has three rest camps. Located on the western side of the park is Okaukeujo camp, the largest of the three camps and home to the parks environmental research centre and its scientists. Located in the middle of the park is Halali camp, the smallest camp. Guarding the eastern entrance of the park is Fort Namutoni.
Overnight preferably at a camp in Etosha National Park: all meals & game drives included
(note: game drives are in closed vehicles)
Day 9 Etosha National Park
A full day for game viewing. A series of waterholes along the southern edge of the pan attract game into the area. The dry season (May to December) is a particularly rewarding time for game viewing as the rain water has dried up and the game is forced to rely on the life supporting waterholes.
Overnight preferably at a camp in Etosha National Park: all meals & game drives included
(note: game drives are in closed vehicles)
Day 10 Windhoek
We bid farewell to the park and head south to reach Windhoek. En route we stop at the small town of Okahandja. On the outskirts of the town is a bustling market where woodcarvers from northern Namibia practice their skills. We spend time wandering around the market, browsing through the stalls with their wooden carvings, baskets and pots. Arrival back in Windhoek in the late afternoon. Your guide will drop your off at your accommodation.
Breakfast included (lunch and dinner excluded)
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