The Versatile And wide Landscape Of Namibia-Starry Skies And Deserts
16 Day Tour
Booking Reference: SWAS 16
We cross dune valleys and limestone plains and experience the Kalahari with its illuminating red colours. The ever-changing, colourful and fascinating landscapes of the southern and northern Namib leave us impressed. The stars look like they are within arm’s reach as they appear on the clear night sky, far away from big cities. A journey between old and new history, nature in its purest form and a diversity of people can all be found in this versatile and friendly country.
Itinerary
Day 1: A warm welcome to Namibia!
Upon your arrival at the Hosea Kutako International Airport, you will be met by our experienced local tour guide, who will take you to your accommodation in Windhoek. After check-in at the accommodation and if time permits, you will be taken on a city tour which is rounded off by a visit to our township, Katutura.
Accommodation / Breakfast at Windhoek Luxury Suites. Incl. Airport Transfer / City Tour
Day 2: Windhoek - Gochas
After a hearty breakfast in a small coffee shop, which reminds us of a farmstall in Stellenbosch, Cape Town. The journey leads us through many little villages, across commercial farmland, all the way to the edge of the Kalahari Basin. Seemingly endless landscapes or camelthorn forests lead us to the first impressions of the beautiful Kalahari. In the afternoon, we enjoy a comfortable drive across the magnificent landscape and might even spot some game. Fascinated by the remarkable silence and the incredible colours, we return to our comfortable accommodation.
Dinner/ Accommodation/ Breakfast at Africa Safari Lodge. Incl. Nature Drive
Day 3: Gochas – Region Fish River Canyon
Today we are impressed by vast barren plains, incredible rock formations and a minimal population density. Our route takes us through Keetmanshoop, an important city in the South, past the Naute Dam, to the breath-taking landscape that surrounds the Fish River Canyon. Our accommodation is in one of the lovingly designed Gondwana Lodges.
Dinner/ Accommodation/ Breakfast at the Canyon Lodge.
Day 4: Fish River – Lüderitz
Today we drive to the Fish River Canyon, the second largest Canyon in the world. It has a sudden drop of 550m from the mountain landscape. After we have immersed ourselves in these impressions, our route continues via Seeheim and Aus until we reach Lüderitz. Our path leads us across a fascinating moon landscape and an endless desert with strange rock formations and a fantastic play of colors. In the afternoon we arrive in Lüderitz, a small and interesting town in the middle of the barren landscape that borders onto the cold Atlantic Ocean.
Accommodation/ Breakfast at Lüderitz Nest Hotel. Incl. Canyon View
Day 5: Lüderitz
Lüderitz is the oldest German settlement in Namibia, named after the German businessman Adolf Lüderitz, who bought this area from the Hottentots in 1883. This small harbour city is built on a rock and is surrounded by bays and fiords. In the morning we pay a visit to the “ghost town” Kolmanskop – a once prosperous city, as the first diamonds in Namibia were found here. The old tales and pictures are just incredible! In the afternoon we take a sightseeing tour in and around Lüderitz.
Accommodation/ Breakfast at Lüderitz Nest Hotel. Incl. Kolmanskop and Diaz Cross.
Day 6: Lüderitz – Namib Desert
Once again our drive takes us through diverse and incredible landscapes, such as the Neisip plain, the Tiras Mountains, alongside the red dunes of the edge of the Namib, through the Nubib Mountains until we reach our accommodation.
Dinner/ Accommodation/ Breakfast at We Kebi Safari Lodge or similar.
Day 7: Sossusvlei – Sesriem Canyon
An old saying goes: The early bird catches the worm. In line with this we start our day while the stars are still out. We aim to absorb and enjoy the great mood of the early morning among the unique dune landscape around Sossusvlei. Sossusvlei is a large clay pan in the middle of the Namib Desert, surrounded by the highest sand dunes in the world in Namibia’s largest nature reserve, the Namib Naukluft Park. We recommend hiking up one of the dunes to enjoy the sand between your toes, while it’s still cold, and enjoy the view across the endless ocean of sand. In the late morning we visit the small, but interesting Sesriem Canyon that almost seems artificial. Our heart is rich with impressions and we close our day off with a 4x 4 drive across the private reserve of our accommodation in the late afternoon.
Dinner/ Accommodation/ Breakfast at the Namib Naukluft Lodge. Incl. Sossusvlei / Sesriem Canyon / Nature Drive
Day 8: Namib Desert – Walvis Bay
We drive through Solitaire, the Gaub- and the Kuisebpass and come across impressive rock formations. The Namib-Naukluft Park is the largest game park in Africa and was founded in 1907. The park’s present boundaries were established in 1978 by the merging of the Namib Desert Park, the Naukluft Mountain Zebra Park and parts of Diamond Area 1 and some other bits of surrounding government land. We travel through seemingly lifeless gravel plains that are full of interesting plant life and home to a rich world of small animals. Our destination is the Welwitschia plain. This extraordinary plant can only be found here in the northern Namib and in southern Angola. It is also referred to as a living fossil. we reach the important port of Walvis Bay to our night’s accommodation.
Accommodation/ Breakfast at the Oyster Box Guesthouse.
Day 9: Walvis Bay – Kayak Tour - Swakopmund
In the morning we all climb aboard for a 3-hour boat or catamaran cruise. We learn all about the rich and cold Benguela Current, which contributes to the economy through its abundant fish population. We meet the large fur seal colony up close on the headland of the large lagoon. Sometimes different types of dolphins appear and play in the water around the boat. Walvis Bay is one of the well-known Ramsar Site, which contributes to the protection of the migratory birds. On board fresh Atlantic Oysters, sandwiches, South African sparkling wine and light drinks are provided. Then we drive to Swakopmund, a colourful, very friendly, old and yet modern small town that serves as a holiday resort.
The afternoon is at leisure. Optional sightseeing flights or other activities can be arranged. Accommodation/ Breakfast at the Hansa Hotel. Incl. Marine Cruise
Day 10: Swakopmund - Erongo
Today we are heading land inwards, past the Spitzkoppe, the Namibian “Matterhorn”, until we reach the Erongo Mountains. In the afternoon we visit the San Bushmen, which gives us an interesting insight into the ancient hunter-gatherer culture and the original way of life of the San.
Dinner/ Accommodation/ Breakfast at the Omandumba Lodge. Incl. Visit to the San bushmen
Day 11: Erongo – Twyfelfontein
Departure towards Twyfelfontein, a world heritage site that offers a wide variety of rock art and engravings that we will try to read and interpret. Then the journey continues to our accommodation. In the afternoon we enjoy the quiet, either at the swimming pool or at the viewpoint.
Dinner/ Accommodation/ Breakfast at the Damara Mopane Lodge. Incl. Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings
Day 12: Twyfelfontein – Etosha National Park
We continue our trip to the world-famous Etosha National Park. We spend our first hours game watching and getting our eyes used to spotting game in the distance or in the bush.
Dinner/ Accommodation/ Breakfast at the Toshari Lodge or similar. Incl. Game Drive
Day 13: Etosha National Park
At the Etosha National Park two full days are available to us for game viewing. This park is one of the oldest game reserves in the world. In 1907 this region was placed under nature conservation and still today covers an area of about 22.270 km², consisting for the most part of grass and bush savannah. Thus there are ideal conditions for game viewing, either at one of the many watering holes, or out in the open plain. The actual Etosha Pan, after which the park has been named is approximately 6.000 km² in size. ”Etosha“ stems from the Ovambo language and means “place of dry water” or „great white place“.
Dinner/ Accommodation/ Breakfast at the Toshari Lodge or similar. Incl. Game Drive
Day 14: Etosha National Park
This day, too, is dedicated to watching game in the Etosha National Park. Larger and smaller herds of springbuck, zebra, wildebeest or even elephants move around here. It pays off to listen attentively. The animals are communicating with each other constantly, whilst their hooves crunch on the ground.
Dinner/ Accommodation/ Breakfast at King Nehale Lodge or similar. Incl. Game Drive
Day 15: Etosha National Park – Region Otavi
After breakfast we travel to the Frans Indongo Lodge via Tsumeb and Otavi. En route we visit the old mining town, Tsumeb. In the afternoon we are taken a nature drive across the lodge premises where we can once more enjoy the sight of some wildlife. Our trip ends with a sundowner.
Dinner/ Accommodation/ Breakfast at the Frans Indongo Lodge. Incl. Nature Drive
Day 16: Otavi - Windhoek
With hearts full of the impressions of the past days and after a good breakfast, we make our way back to Windhoek, via Otjiwarongo and Okahandja. Arrival in the afternoon.
Incl. Airport Transfer
Route
Highlights
- Kalahari Desert
- Fish River Canyon
- Kolmanskop “Ghost Town”
- Red Dunes
- Game Drive
- Sossusvlei
- Sesriem Canyon
- Namib -Naukluft Park
- Welwitschia plain
- Pelican Point Peninsula
- Kajaking
- Erongo mountains
- San Bushmen
- Rock Engravings
- Etosha National Park
- Etosha Pan
- Tsumeb
Included services:
Transfer from and to Hosea Kutako International Airport
Overland trips and all sightseeing / activities according to the itinerary.
Accommodation in double rooms with bath and/ or shower and toilet in lodges.
Daily breakfast
Daily dinner (exception day 1, 4, 5, 8 & 9)
English speaking tour guide (Possibly bilingual tour guide)
not included:
Personal expenses, such as lunch, drinks, laundry service, tip in restaurants, as well as for the tour guide.
Departure:
07.45 AM from SWA Safaris office. Trift Street 12
By prior arrangements, collection from your accommodation
Pricing:
| Per Person Price | SWAS 16 |
|---|---|
|
2 travelers |
124 100 |
|
4 travelers |
80 200 |
|
6 travelers |
71 300 |
|
8 travelers |
62 500 |
Single Supplement: NAD 9 300-
Please note: * The remaining prices are available on the separate price sheet.
Dates
| DATES | SWAS 16 |
|---|---|
|
Nov 22 |
/ |
|
Dec 22 |
/ |
|
Jan 23 |
28 |
|
Feb 23 |
/ |
|
Mar 23 |
/ |
|
Apr 23 |
01 |
|
May 23 |
18 |
|
Jun 23 |
/ |
|
Jul 23 |
17 |
|
Aug 23 |
07 |
|
Sep 23 |
/ |
|
Oct 23 |
21 |