Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Airport - Discovery Guest House
Airport - Discovery Guest House
As soon as you land, Discovery Transfer and Tours will pick you up from the Hosea Kutako International Airport. The airport is 45 km outside Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia. As it has been a long journey, you will be dropped off at Discovery Guest House. After you have rested, a free township tour will be arranged for the afternoon. Dinner will be at your own expense at the restaurant of your choice.
- Main Destination:
- Windhoek (City)
- Accommodation:
- Discovery Guest House
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Windhoek - Keetmanshoop
Windhoek - Keetmanshoop
We will pick you up from your hotel or guesthouse between 7 and 8 am and depart at 9 am. We travel through the Kalahari Desert, stopping at small towns along the way including Rehoboth, which is a town in Central Namibia just north of the Tropic of Capricorn. It is located 90 km south of the Namibian capital Windhoek. Rehoboth is the traditional home of the Baster people. Later in the afternoon, we check in at the hotel in Keetmanshoop and rest for the day.
- Main Destination:
- Keetmanshoop (City)
- Accommodation:
- Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Windhoek - Keetmanshoop
Windhoek - Keetmanshoop
This morning, we continue our journey to the Fish River Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the world. On the way, just outside of the town, you will have the opportunity to visit the Mesosaurus Fossil Site. Here, you have the opportunity of seeing the quiver tree. Quiver trees are the world's rarest flora species.
Next on our agenda is the mighty Fish River Canyon. The canyon's landscape and views are amazing. This will be the ideal opportunity for memorable photos during your excursion.
- Main Destination:
- Fish River Canyon (|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld TP)
- Accommodation:
- Canyon Roadhouse
Wildlife in |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld TP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Fish River Canyon - Lüderitz
Fish River Canyon - Lüderitz
This morning, we head to the main view where we can see how impressive this canyon actually is (optional). This is an ideal opportunity for photos and to spend some time experiencing this amazing sight.
After our activities, our next destination is Lüderitz, a coastal town in southwestern Namibia. It’s known for its German colonial buildings. Along the way, we pass through small towns. Depending on the day, we might spot some desert horses. We aim to arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner will be at your own expense tonight.
- Main Destination:
- Lüderitz (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Luderitz Nest Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Lüderitz - Aus
Lüderitz - Aus
Today after breakfast, you will have time to join optional excursions such as a boat cruise and many others. These activities are subject to availability and are at your own expense. Our tour continues to Diaz Point to see birds and seals. Straight after the marine trip, we drive out to Kolmanskop, a desert ghost town about 20 km out of Lüderitz. It was built in the 1920s during the diamond rush and was abandoned when bigger and better diamonds were found further along the coast. The area is still abandoned and the desert has encroached over the entire town, giving an eerie feeling and real meaning to the word “ghost”.
Tonight, we overnight at Aus. The settlement is small but has a number of amenities including a hotel, police station, shop, and garage. It is located in the Aus Mountains above the plains of the Namib Desert. The climate is usually hot and arid but snow has been recorded in the winter of 1963. This area features the coldest winters recorded in Namibia.
- Main Destination:
- Aus (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Bahnhof Hotel Aus
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Aus - Sossusvlei
Aus - Sossusvlei
This morning after breakfast, we proceed on our journey to Sossusvlei, travelling on a dusty road passing through small rural communities along the way. We will arrive at the lodge or campsite in the afternoon. This time of the day is extremely hot, we recommend that you spend the day cooling off by the pool. Early rest is required as tomorrow you are expected to wake up very early.
- Main Destination:
- Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)
- Accommodation:
- Moon Mountain Lodge
Wildlife in Namib-Naukluft NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Sossusvlei Area
Sossusvlei Area
Early in the morning, we will visit the Sesriem Gate to the remarkable Sossusvlei. We start off with climbing the picturesque Dune 45, experiencing the beauty and vastness of the orange-coloured landscape. We proceed on an off-road drive to Dead Vlei, a vast desert pan where dried-up, ancient acacias stand silently in the impressive, open-air gallery. If you have enough energy, you can climb one of the highest dunes on earth, the "Big Daddy" or "Big Mama".
After the morning excursion, we will return to Sesriem for lunch. We will take a break for 1 to 2 hours. Once the heat subsides, we will take a short excursion to Sesriem Canyon. This will be our last activity for the day.
- Main Destination:
- Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)
- Accommodation:
- Moon Mountain Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Sossusvlei - Walvis Bay - Swakopmund
Sossusvlei - Walvis Bay - Swakopmund
Namibia is a country of contrasts. Today, we will move from the desert to the sea. On our way, we will cross the Tropic of Capricorn and traverse the Gaub and the Kuiseb passes, driving down to the dry riverbed at the bottom of the Kuiseb Canyon before climbing up the other side and watching the spectacular desert landscape unfold before us. On arrival at the coast, we will make a stop in Walvis Bay to enjoy the view of flamingos and other birds in the lagoons. We will take a short break for lunch.
We overnight in Swakopmund. Dinner tonight is at your own expense in a local restaurant.
- Main Destination:
- Swakopmund (City)
- Accommodation:
- Hotel Pension A la Mer
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Swakopmund area
Swakopmund area
Explore the quaint town of Swakopmund. You may wish to book an optional day tour (for your own account) in Swakopmund. Other activities include a guided tour through the Mondesa township, quad-biking, sand-boarding, a scenic flight over the Skeleton Coast, or a catamaran cruise in Walvis Bay. Many other optional activities are also on offer like visiting the aquarium, various museums, or the crystal gallery (for your own account).
- Main Destination:
- Swakopmund (City)
- Accommodation:
- Hotel Pension A la Mer
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Swakopmund - Cape Cross - Twyfelfontein
Swakopmund - Cape Cross - Twyfelfontein
In the morning, we depart from the coastal town of Swakopmund to Cape Cross to visit the Cape fur seal colony. After visiting the seals, we will turn east into the desert toward Brandberg Damaraland, one of the most magnificent and majestic places in Namibia. In this area, you can find elephants, giraffes, ostriches, and a variety of antelopes!
Optional activities such as visiting the museum, a Damara cultural tour, and visiting the Petrified Forest are on the cards. These activities can be conducted on the same day of arrival or the following morning before departing to Opuwo.
- Main Destination:
- Twyfelfontein (Rock Art)
- Accommodation:
- Twyfelfontein Country Lodge
Wildlife in Damaraland
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Twyfelfontein - Opuwo
Twyfelfontein - Opuwo
After breakfast, we proceed further to Opuwo, the capital of the Kunene Region in northwestern Namibia. The town is situated about 720 km north-northwest of the capital Windhoek. Opuwo is the town where you will find the Himba People, semi-nomadic, pastoral people who breed cattle and goats. Traditionally, the Himba women tend to perform more labour-intensive work than men do, such as carrying water to the village, building homes, and milking cows. Men handle political tasks and legal trials. Their homes are simple, cone-shaped structures of saplings, bound together with palm leaves, mud, and dung. Interestingly, in the Himba culture, a sign of wealth is not the beauty or quality of a tombstone, but rather the cattle you had owned during your lifetime.
We will check in at our lodge or guest house and rest for the day.
- Main Destination:
- Opuwo (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Opuwo Country Hotel
Wildlife in Kaokoland
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Opuwo - Epupa Falls
Opuwo - Epupa Falls
After breakfast, we travel through Northern Kaokoveld to Epupa Falls for a day visit. Epupa Falls is one of the most spectacular and picturesque regions in Namibia. The landscape in this region varies but is mostly mountainous. It is in this region where you mostly find the Ovahimba people.
The Kunene River is one of the perennial rivers in Namibia. This river has been and still is the main water source for the Himba people for years. We will visit the Himba people before returning back to our lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Epupa Falls (Kaokoland)
- Accommodation:
- Opuwo Country Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 13
Opuwo - Etosha National Park
Opuwo - Etosha National Park
After breakfast, depart from Opuwo and drive to Etosha National Park. We will pass through small villages along the way to Etosha. We are expected to arrive in Etosha in the afternoon. We will drive through some parts of the national park in search of various game. We will arrive at our accommodation just before sunset. Dinner will sum up the adventure and rest will be required so that we wake up early and fresh for the full-day game drive tomorrow.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Toshari Lodge
Wildlife in Etosha NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 14
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park
An early rise will be encouraged to have a feel of nature and the fresh breeze. Soon after breakfast, we will start our game drive to allow us to have a magnificent exploration of the park. We will visit the waterholes and the Etosha Pan (salt pan) before game driving across the park in the expectation of coming across the Big 4 and other animal species. A light lunch will allow us to rest, gathering energy for our next adventure.
After a short relaxation, we will visit our last waterhole which will be the last appreciation of Namibia’s beauty. Before sunset, we will head back to our accommodation for dinner as we share stories of our experiences of the day and also share and compare beautiful photos.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Toshari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 15
Etosha - Meator - San People
Etosha - Meator - San People
After breakfast, we will visit the Bushman land and Hoba Meteor. The main mass of the meteor is estimated at more than 60 tons. It is the largest known intact meteorite as a single piece. The San or Saan people, also known as the "Bushmen", are members of various Khoisan-speaking indigenous hunter-gatherer groups that are the first nations of Southern Africa. Their territories span Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and South Africa. We will learn more about their way of life, traditions, and cultural dances.
- Main Destination:
- Grootfontein (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Peace Garden Lodge Namibia
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 16
Grootfontein - Windhoek
Grootfontein - Windhoek
Be prepared for the long, scenic transit back to Windhoek. We pass through towns and rural areas, stopping in the small town of Okahandja, the home of Namibia’s largest wood-carving market. The stalls operate on a local co-operative basis and offer a vast array of truly Namibian souvenirs. We are due back in Windhoek in the afternoon before 4 pm unless prior arrangements are made. You will be dropped off at your accommodation.
- Main Destination:
- Windhoek (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
