Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival in Windhoek
Arrival in Windhoek
On arrival, you will be met by the car rental company representative and transferred to their offices in Windhoek to complete all rental procedures. Once done, we'll arrange for you to meet with our meet and greet representative to hand over your travel documents and travel package including your map.
You might want to spend some time exploring our small but attractive capital. Windhoek city centre is quite compact. Most attractions are within easy walking distance of each other. You might want to visit the historic parliament buildings at Tintenpalest (palace of ink) and wander through the Independence Museum to learn more of the history of Namibia. Right next door to this very modern structure is one of the oldest buildings in Windhoek, the Alte Feste (old fort).
- Main Destination:
- Windhoek (City)
- Accommodation:
- Casa Piccolo Guesthouse
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Windhoek to Kalahari Desert
Windhoek to Kalahari Desert
We recommend stocking up on some essentials before leaving town. Always carry water & snacks (fresh & dried fruit, nuts, biscuits and maybe try our biltong & droewors) on board your vehicle as distances can be long and facilities few and far between.
The first day takes you southwards for 250 kilometers, out of the Windhoek hills and past the town of Rehoboth towards Mariental. Before reaching the town, a turnoff will take you east and into the red sands of the Kalahari.
- Main Destination:
- Kalahari Region
- Accommodation:
- Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Kalahari Desert - Sossusvlei
Kalahari Desert - Sossusvlei
After a hearty breakfast you continue your journey southwest to the Namib Desert. You travel back to Mariental and on to Maltahohe, a small farming settlement on the edge of the escarpment. Heading down the escarpment mountains you need to be alert sections of the road are steep with some sharp beds. Drive slowly and carefully. You will reach your overnight accommodation on the edge of the Namib dune sea later this afternoon. Relax at the swimming pool and enjoy the late afternoon light on the mountains.
- Main Destination:
- Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)
- Accommodation:
- Desert Quiver Camp
Wildlife in Namib-Naukluft NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Sesriem and Dead Vlei area
Sesriem and Dead Vlei area
Wake up early and leave your lodge, heading for the Sesriem entrance gate to the Namib Naukluft Park. This gate only opens at sunrise, so there is no point arriving earlier. Driving the 60 kilometres from Sesriem through the dunes towards Sossusvlei while the sun rises is a real pleasure. The first major dune you will encounter goes by the imaginative name of Dune 45—many people choose to stop and climb this dune but we suggest you continue onwards towards Sossusvlei. Park at the 2x4 car park (unless you have a 4x4 vehicle this is as far as you can drive), Sossusvlei is a further 4km from here but you are already amongst fairly large dunes. The walk along the dry river bed into Sossusvlei is lovely but for the very unfit or terminally lazy, there are 4x4 shuttles from the car park to Sossusvlei. Deadvlei, so named because it is a large pan with sculptural dead trees, is close by and definitely worth a visit.
- Main Destination:
- Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)
- Accommodation:
- Desert Quiver Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Sossusvlei to Swakopmund
Sossusvlei to Swakopmund
The fascinating drive today takes you northwest through the awesome and ever-changing desert landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park, including the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons.
Stop in Solitaire to refuel. The bakery is pretty good too.
There are a host of adventure activities to participate in while in Swakopmund. These range from sandboarding through quad biking to sky-diving. No activities are included in this package but they can be pre-arranged when you book this itinerary or left for you to arrange on arrival in Swakopmund. Being a German-inspired town, good food and beer are never hard to find. We are sure you will find something productive to do!
- Main Destination:
- Swakopmund (City)
- Accommodation:
- Namib Guesthouse
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Swakopmund and surroundings
Swakopmund and surroundings
When you're there: there are plenty of shops and attractions in Swakopmund. Curios and good food on every corner. Enjoy the beach. There are loads of activities on offer, this is Namibia's activity centre. Visit the Walvis Bay Lagoon, where you can see flamingoes, pelicans and numerous waders.
- Main Destination:
- Swakopmund (City)
- Accommodation:
- Namib Guesthouse
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Swakopmund to Twyfelfontein
Swakopmund to Twyfelfontein
Continuing on your safari today, the road takes you north and east into the wonderful and diverse region of Damaraland. You'll pass Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg which peaks at 2,573m above sea level. Take time to view the game and absorb the vastness of the scenery along the way. Damaraland is typified by displays of colour, magnificent table-topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation.
Book an activity with the lodge to search for the elephants. They know the area well and when last the elephants were spotted and where.
- Main Destination:
- Twyfelfontein (Rock Art)
- Accommodation:
- Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp
Wildlife in Damaraland
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Twyfelfontein to Northern Damaraland
Twyfelfontein to Northern Damaraland
Today, you'll have the choice of exploring the sites of Damaraland on your own vehicle to your next destination Palmwag Lodge. Your lodge for tonight, where the flat-topped Etendeka Mountains and the carpet of rich red rock greet the tributaries of the Uniab River.
- Main Destination:
- Palmwag Concession (Damaraland)
- Accommodation:
- Palmwag Camping2Go
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park
Bidding farewell to Damaraland you head east to the game filled plains of Etosha. En route you can visit the petrified forest, with its ancient stone logs lying alongside Welwitchia plants. Local guides will show you around the area and explain the origin of the trees.
Undoubtedly one of the great parks of Africa, Etosha covers more than 22,300 square kilometres and is synonymous with big game and wide open spaces. The name Etosha means “great white place” referring to the massive (130km long and 50km wide) dry saline pan in the middle of the park, believed to have been formed over 100 million years ago.
Etosha is home to a staggering amount of wildlife, both common and rare, including several threatened and endangered species.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Okaukuejo Resort
Wildlife in Etosha NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park
You have a full day for game viewing in Etosha today as you cross the park from south to east. As the crow flies it is a distance of 200 kilometres. But this journey will take most of the day as you will be game viewing en route. The park speed limit is 40 kilometres per hour but at times you will be driving even slower as you search for game. The park gates are open from sunrise to sunset. Plan your day to allow enough time to exit the park at least one hour before sunset that you can settle in at Onguma Bush Camp before it gets dark.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Onguma Bush Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park
Undoubtedly one of the great parks of Africa, Etosha covers more than 22,300 square kilometres and is synonymous with big game and wide open spaces. The name Etosha means “great white place” referring to the massive (130km long and 50km wide) dry saline pan in the middle of the park, believed to have been formed over 100 million years ago. Etosha is home to a staggering amount of wildlife, both common and rare, including several threatened and endangered species. The mammal list is at over 110 species, including four of Africa’s Big Five, cheetah, giraffe, spotted hyaena, zebra, greater kudu, springbok, gemsbok/oryx (Namibia’s national animal), warthog, honey badger and many more. Etosha also has a bird list of more than 350 species. The park is also home to smaller mammals like banded and yellow mongoose, scrub hare and springhare, as well as rare ones like pangolin, aardvark, aardwolf and Cape porcupine.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Onguma Bush Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Otjwarongo
Otjwarongo
Sadly, its time to bid farewell to Etosha and begin your journey back towards Windhoek. Heading south you travel via the mining town of Tsumeb and on to Otjiwarongo, the place of the fat cows, an appropriate name for this farming community. Just south of Otjiwarongo you turn off the main road and into the bush again
Your destination is Okonjima and the AfriCat Foundation. Apart from the beautiful location, stunning accommodations and wonderful meals, the main reason for visiting Okonjima is to view cats. Activities here centre around viewing leopards and cheetahs, visiting a night hide and generally learning about what the AfriCat Foundation is doing to preserve these wonderful animals.
Activities are not included in the package.
- Main Destination:
- Okonjima Private Nature Reserve
- Accommodation:
- Okonjima Plains Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 13
Windhoek
Windhoek
Depart Okonjima drive via Okahandja to Windhoek. In Okahandja, you can stop over at the Kavango woodcarvers market, have a look around or buy some last souvenirs.
One must just re-adjust to the faster paced city traffic as you get closer to Windhoek.
- Main Destination:
- Okapuka Ranch
- Accommodation:
- River Crossing Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 14
End of Tour
End of Tour
After breakfast at the guesthouse, you will still have time to do some shopping before heading to the Hosea Kutako International Airport, where you'll check-in for the onward or homeward flight.
Sadly, your time in Namibia has come to an end. But we know you will have many wonderful memories to keep you company on your journey home.
And maybe we can welcome you back in the future.
Thank you for travelling with Great Explorations Namibia. We wish you a safe journey home.
- Main Destination:
- Windhoek Airport (Windhoek)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
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