On arrival you are met by your guide and taken straight to the SAFARI COURT hotel, ****, near WINDHOEK to relax,or perhaps take a trip into Windhoek for sightseeing or shopping. The hotel has a courtesy shuttle bus. The next day you set out on your journey of discovery.
Our spectacular tour of NAMIBIA will give you the opportunity to experience some of the most breathtakingly beautiful, dramatic scenery in the world. A high plateau runs down the length of Namibia. Descent from this brings you to the open plains of the mighty NAMIB, where the apricot colour dunes mirror magnificent sunrises and sunsets. Our journey also includes visits to SOSSUSVLEI, SWAKOPMUND, WALVIS BAY, with ist prolific birdlife and finally the incomparable ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK.
The next day you travel through a slowly unfolding panorama of changing landscapes, bringing you to the edge of the mighty NAMIB DESERT where you will stay for 2 nights at the Namib Desert Lodge**. This lodge, with simply furnished bungalows, is spread out along the edge of the fossilised dunes of the ancient NAMIB and looks out across open plains to the distant mountains.
A spectacular day in the Namib includes excursions to SOSSUSVLEI AND SESRIEM CANYON, driving through some of the highest dunes in the world. The lodge's swimming pool will be a welcome sight after your day trips into the desert.
The tour continues through the NAMIB NAUKLUFT PARK to SWAKOPMUND and a stay of 3 nights at the elegant, colonial style Hansa Hotel***. On a day of leisure here you might like to join a scenic flight (optional) over SOSSUSVLEIi, with stunning views of the Namib and the diamond restricted area.
Along the coast from Swakopmund is WALVIS BAY, a most important wetland for coastal birds in southern Africa, including lesser and greater flamingos and rare white pelicans. A boat trip is included where you may see large colonies of seals and dolphins.
A really fascinating desert experience, led by our professional guide, will uncover the amazing secrets of the desert, revealing 'life' beneath the dunes, with an abundance of spiders, lizards, snakes, chameleons and many more desert-living creatures.
Leaving Swakopmund our journey continues inland, past the highest mountains in Namibia to reach Twyfelfontein Country Lodge*** for one night's stay.
Twyfelfontein is ideally situated to visit the ancient Bushmen Rock Paintings for which this area is famous and is now a World Heritage Site. Most of the 3,000 red rock engravings are estimated to be 6000 years old, the newer ones being 2000 years old.
Your tour will now take you to the ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK for a stay of 4 nights. Ranked as one of the world's greatest game parks, and covering 22,270 sq. km., the Etosha is one of the major sanctuaries for wildlife in Africa and is home to a huge amount of game including elephant, black rhino, giraffe, wildebeest, lion, leopard, jackal, many antelope species and countless others.
Your next stay for 3 nights will be at Hobatere Game Lodge*** which is situated in a Concession Area and is managed by Steve Braine, one of Namibia's leading ornithologists.
A further one night at Halali Lodge** to explore the eastern side of the park. Set among shady Mopane trees, this lodge has a superb waterhole with elevated vantage point for excellent game viewing.
At ONGUMA PLAINS your home for 3 nights will be at The Fort. This truly unique lodge with elaborate decor overlooks the beautiful scarceness of the ETOSHA and FISHERS PANS where a superb variety of wildlife and birds will accompany you during your stay.
On to Okahandja Lodge***, for a perfect one night stay at this welcoming rustic lodge set in tranquil gardens. Returning to Windhoek, your last night will be at Auas Game Lodge, where you will have a final chance for game drives, bird watching, walking trails, or maybe just relaxing by the pool overlooking the peaceful African bush before you journey home.
TRANSPORT & JOURNEY TIMES
Much of the wonder of Namibia can be attributed to its size, yet its varied scenery will make the longest journey go quickly.
The roads are well-maintained, mostly straight and usually have dirt and gravel surfaces. Your friendly, knowledgeable guide will meet you at the airport and drive you for the duration of your tour.
Dependent on numbers you will travel in an air-conditioned 9-seater Sprinter, or a 7-seater Combi, with water on board. The journey times will depend on how often you stop and how many short diversions you wish to take (there is plenty to see).
