Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
The Weinberg Windhoek, Windhoek
The Weinberg Windhoek, Windhoek
Upon arrival, your guide from Bluecrane Safaris will meet you at the airport, located approximately 42 km outside of Windhoek. After a brief meet and greet, you’ll be transferred to your accommodation in Windhoek.
Later today, around 15:00, your guide will pick you up for a three-hour afternoon city tour of Windhoek and the Katutura township.
Please note that dinner tonight is not included. However, you may ask your guide or the hotel reception to reserve a table for you at one of the two nearby restaurants.
- Main Destination:
- Windhoek (City)
- Accommodation:
- The Weinberg
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Windhoek - Kalahari Region
Windhoek - Kalahari Region
You will be collected from your accommodation in Windhoek between 08:00 and 08:45. From there, we will travel south to the Kalahari Desert.
The Kalahari is known as a fossil desert, as it receives more rainfall than a true desert. Its captivating landscape features small red dunes, golden grasses, and deep blue skies. The Kalahari stretches across seven countries, including Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana.
Our lodge is ideally located in the heart of the Kalahari, surrounded by iconic Camelthorn trees.
Later in the day, you will enjoy a shared sundowner drive on the Kalahari dunes—a perfect way to experience the desert’s beauty as the sun sets.
- Main Destination:
- Kalahari Region
- Accommodation:
- Zebra Kalahari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3-4
Kalahari Desert- Canyon Lodge - Fish River Canyon
Kalahari Desert- Canyon Lodge - Fish River Canyon
This morning, we continue our journey southwards to Namibia’s Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world.
Along the way, we will stop at the Quiver Tree Forest, a unique site home to thousands of striking quiver trees. Nearby, you’ll also have the opportunity to see a fascinating area where many Mesosaurus fossils have been discovered, as well as a picturesque dolerite rock field. We will pause for lunch during our journey.
Afterwards, we’ll proceed to the Fish River Canyon, where we will spend the next two nights.
Early this morning, we will visit the breathtaking Fish River Canyon. Far below, the river sparkles in the sunlight, and it is awe-inspiring to imagine how many millennia it took for the forces of nature to carve out such a magnificent vista. The canyon stretches 160 km in length and plunges to depths of up to 550 meters.
- Main Destination:
- Fish River Canyon (|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld TP)
- Accommodation:
- Canyon Lodge
Wildlife in |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld TP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Fish River Canyon – Luderitz
Fish River Canyon – Luderitz
After an early start and breakfast, we set off for Lüderitz on Namibia’s south coast. Along the way, we’ll keep an eye out for the wild horses of the Namib—beautiful, feral horses that roam the sparsely vegetated plains in small groups, having remarkably adapted to the harsh desert environment. Their origins remain a mystery, with several intriguing theories in circulation.
We aim to arrive in Lüderitz by late afternoon. This charming town is nestled between the sands of the Namib and the wild South Atlantic Ocean. Renowned for its old-world charm and distinctly German colonial architecture, Lüderitz is also home to a wide variety of aquatic birds. Large numbers of flamingos, cormorants, and seagulls inhabit the shallow lagoon here. During our visit, we’ll learn more about the town’s fascinating history and the broader southern region.
Dinner this evening will be at our award-winning accommodation, the Lüderitz Nest Hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Lüderitz (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Luderitz Nest Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6-7
Namib Desert - Desert Homestead Lodge
Namib Desert - Desert Homestead Lodge
Before leaving Lüderitz, we will visit Diaz Point. The Diaz Cross, one of Namibia’s oldest landmarks, marks the spot where Portuguese explorers first set foot on the coast near Lüderitz in 1488—just a year after Diogo Cão erected a similar structure at Cape Cross.
Next, we will explore the famous ghost town of Kolmanskop.
Tonight, we stay at the remarkable Desert Homestead Lodge, which offers panoramic views over vast, open plains. With a bit of luck, you may even spot cheetahs roaming through the grasslands.
We begin our day with an early start to catch the soft, golden light of sunrise over the desert.
Our morning will be spent exploring the remarkable landscapes in and around Sossusvlei. We’ll also stop at the renowned Dune 45, a beautiful star dune rising over 170 metres. Adventurous travelers can climb to the top for breathtaking panoramic views of the Namib Desert.
- Main Destination:
- Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)
- Accommodation:
- Desert Homestead Lodge
Wildlife in Namib-Naukluft NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8-9
Namib Desert – Strand Hotel, Swakopmund
Namib Desert – Strand Hotel, Swakopmund
Namibia is truly a land of contrasts. Today, our journey takes us from the stark beauty of the desert to the refreshing breezes of the sea. We’ll cross the iconic Tropic of Capricorn and traverse the dramatic Gaub and Kuiseb passes. As we ascend from the dry riverbed at the base of Kuiseb Canyon, a breathtaking desert panorama unfolds before us.
Our first stop is Walvis Bay, where we’ll visit the renowned lagoon—one of the richest and most important wetlands in southern Africa. This vibrant ecosystem is home to a dazzling array of water birds, including Great and Lesser flamingos, Damara terns, pelicans, and avocets. We’ll also take time to visit the impressive salt works nearby.
From Walvis Bay, we continue along the scenic coastal road to Swakopmund, with rolling dunes on one side and the chilly Atlantic Ocean on the other. We’ll end the day with dinner at a local restaurant, savoring the flavors of the coast.
- Main Destination:
- Swakopmund (City)
- Accommodation:
- Strand Hotel Swakopmund
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Swakopmund – Damaraland- Twyfelfontein Country Lodge
Swakopmund – Damaraland- Twyfelfontein Country Lodge
Today, our journey takes us north along the legendary Skeleton Coast, renowned for its dramatic landscapes and shipwreck-strewn shores. Our first stop is Cape Cross, home to one of the world’s largest Cape fur seal colonies. Here, you’ll have the unique opportunity to get up close to thousands of wild seals and observe their fascinating behavior in their natural habitat.
We then continue inland to the small town of Uis, an old mining settlement and one of the best places in Namibia to purchase semi-precious stones. Here, you’ll find rough amethyst, tourmaline, and other gems at excellent prices—a treasure hunter’s delight.
As we travel on, we pass the imposing Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain, before arriving at the Twyfelfontein UNESCO World Heritage Site. Twyfelfontein boasts one of Africa’s largest and most significant concentrations of ancient rock art, with around 2,500 Stone Age engravings spread across 17 sites, as well as 13 sites featuring remarkable rock paintings.
- Main Destination:
- Damaraland
- Accommodation:
- Twyfelfontein Country Lodge
Wildlife in Damaraland
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Damaraland – Palmwag Lodge Gondwana Collection, Palmwag
Damaraland – Palmwag Lodge Gondwana Collection, Palmwag
This morning, we embark on an exciting search for the elusive desert-adapted elephants. Damaraland is renowned as one of the best places to encounter these remarkable animals, specially adapted to survive in the region’s arid conditions. With a bit of luck, we may also spot other wildlife, as both elephants and rhinos roam freely throughout the Twyfelfontein and Palmwag concession areas.
The region teems with wildlife, including mountain zebra, kudu, springbok, giraffe, lion, desert-adapted elephant, and the endangered black rhino, among many other species.
This afternoon, we’ll set out on a thrilling rhino trekking experience in the Palmwag area, near the Bersig community. This is a unique opportunity to track and observe the rare black rhino in its natural habitat, guided by experienced trackers who share their knowledge of the land and its wildlife.
We return to the lodge in the evening, where you can unwind and reflect on the day’s unforgettable encounters.
- Main Destination:
- Palmwag (Damaraland)
- Accommodation:
- Palmwag Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Palmwag – Etosha National Park
Palmwag – Etosha National Park
Today, we journey deeper into the desert mountains of Damaraland, one of southern Africa’s last true wilderness areas and home to the Himba people. The landscape here is stark and beautiful, defined by rugged mountains and vast open spaces.
During the morning or just after lunch, we will visit a traditional Himba village. We’ll learn about their fascinating marriage customs, traditional foods, and daily life, and we’ll also visit the sacred “holy fire,” an integral part of Himba spiritual life.
After this enriching cultural encounter, we continue to our private lodge just outside the southern gate of Etosha National Park.
If time permits, we’ll embark on an afternoon game drive inside Etosha National Park, returning to the lodge just before sunset. This is a wonderful chance to spot some of the park’s abundant wildlife as the day draws to a close.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Etosha Safari Lodge
Wildlife in Etosha NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 13
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park
Today is dedicated to exploring the wonders of Etosha National Park with a full day of game driving. We’ll visit several of the park’s renowned waterholes, where wildlife congregates to drink, offering excellent opportunities for close-up viewing and photography.
A highlight of our day is a visit to the iconic Etosha Pan—the “place of dry water.” This vast, flat salt pan stretches over 5,000 square kilometres and creates a surreal landscape of shimmering mirages.
We’ll likely pause at Halali, the park’s central rest camp, for a relaxing lunch break before continuing our afternoon game drive. Throughout the day, we can expect to see a wealth of wildlife, with a bit of luck, we may also enjoy memorable encounters with elephants and lions.
As the sun sets, we return to our lodge, where you can unwind with a glass of wine and savor a delicious dinner, reflecting on the day’s incredible wildlife sightings.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Etosha Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 14
Etosha - Okonjima Nature Reserve
Etosha - Okonjima Nature Reserve
Today, we journey south towards Okonjima, a beautiful reserve nestled in the foothills of the Omboroko Mountains. Our destination is the renowned Okonjima Lodge, home to the AfriCat Foundation—a non-profit organization dedicated to the long-term conservation of Namibia’s large carnivores, especially cheetahs and leopards.
Okonjima is also a haven for bird enthusiasts, with over 250 recorded species, including Namibian endemics such as Carp’s Black Tit, Hartlaub’s Francolin, and the Damara Rockrunner. The combination of abundant wildlife, rich birdlife, and breathtaking scenery makes Okonjima a true photographer’s paradise.
Afternoon you will go on a leopard tracking activity with the lodge.
After a day of exploration and learning, relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings of the lodge, reflecting on the inspiring conservation efforts you’ve witnessed.
- Main Destination:
- Okonjima Nature Reserve
- Accommodation:
- Okonjima Plains Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 15
Okonjima - Windhoek
Okonjima - Windhoek
This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we begin our journey back to Windhoek. Along the way, we’ll make a stop in the small town of Okahandja, home to Namibia’s largest craft market. Here, you’ll have the chance to browse a vibrant array of locally made crafts and perhaps pick up some last-minute souvenirs to remember your Namibian adventure.
The market is operated by the local community on a co-operative basis, making it an excellent place to find authentic, handcrafted items while supporting local artisans.
After exploring the market, we continue our drive to Windhoek, aiming to arrive in good time for your onward flight. As we say farewell to Namibia, we hope you leave with wonderful memories and a few special treasures from your journey.
- Main Destination:
- Hosea Kutako International Airport (Windhoek)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
_788_5bf87502b7ac8.744x372-27.jpg)
