WD07 tour: 12-Day Namibia Ideal
This safari has a fully
accommodated itinerary using a selection of bungalows, guest-houses and lodges
throughout Namibia. The accommodation is a combination of guest-houses, lodges
and bungalows and there are guaranteed departure nearly every Monday of the
year, there are no minimum numbers and we will operate the trip with only one
booking if necessary. Collection time is between 08:30 & 09:00 from anywhere
within the Windhoek city limits.
This itinerary can also be combined with our 8 day Delta and Falls Safari which
will take you to visit two of the world’s natural wonders, the Okavango Delta
and the mighty Victoria Falls.
Day one
Windhoek – Namib Desert (350 km) (lodge accommodation) (LD)
We leave Windhoek and straight away join the small desert roads that connect the
whole of rural Namibia. Windhoek is in a mountain valley and we have to climb
out, first over the Eros Mountains and then the Khomas Hochland Range. The
mountain passes are spectacular, we pass by several desert homesteads and we
often see wild game along the road. As we come through the mountains we drop
down from the central plateau by way of the impressive Remhoogte Pass and emerge
to find grassy desert savanna.
We stop at Solitaire, Namibia’s second smallest town, for afternoon tea before
driving on to our accommodation near the sand dune sea.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Day two
Lodge – Sesriem – Sossusvlei – Lodge (250 km) (lodge accommodation) (BLD)
A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of
the sunrise on the desert. We drive the short distance to Sesriem, the entrance
to the Namib Naukluft National Park and gateway to the world’s highest dunes.
From here we drive another 60 km to Sossusvlei itself, transferring to special
desert vehicles for the last 5 km through the dunes. The drive is like nothing
else, in the cool of the morning, with soft sunlight just beginning to play over
the dunes creating a sharp light and shadow contrast across the whole desert.
Ancient mineral pans, stunted camelthorn trees and the chance of seeing a
gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect.
We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting “dune 45”, and as
the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch and to escape the heat of the
afternoon. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short
excursion to the Sesriem Canyon.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Day three
Sand dune desert – Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast (300 km) (Hotel accommodation)
(BLD)
An early start today, we are heading north-west to the seaside town of
Swakopmund located on the Skeleton Coast. Leaving the dune fields far behind us
we are soon back into the mountain desert. We cross the Tropic of Capricorn and
traverse both the Gaub and the Kuiseb pass, driving down to the dry river bed at
the bottom of the canyon before climbing up the other side, watching the
spectacular desert landscape unfold before us.
From the mountains we cross the desolate “Namib gravel plains” before reaching
the coastal sand dunes at the port town of Walvis Bay. We will stop for a picnic
lunch beside the ocean and there will be time to see the flamingos and other
bird life in the Walvis Bay lagoon before continuing the now short drive into
Swakopmund.
Day four
Swakopmund (hotel accommodation) (BL)
Today is a free day. The idea is to allow time for everybody to do their own
thing. Swakopmund is a very pleasant seaside town with lots of shops, a good
stretch of beach (although the Atlantic here is quite cold) and an open-air
curio market. There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine
Aquarium is located in Swakopmund.
Alternatively, there are various optional activities that can be arranged. These
include aeroplane and microlight flights over the desert, scenic drives, fishing
trips (both from the beach or in a boat), four-wheel motorcycle (quad bike)
trips into the desert and over the sand dunes around Swakopmund, sand boarding
trips (also in the dunes), skydiving, surfing, bird-watching and many other
activities are available. Your tour guide will discuss all the possible options
with you before you reach Swakopmund and will offer to make bookings in advance
of your arrival.
In addition to this, if you have decided not to join any of the optional
afternoon activities, your guide will take you on an excursion into the
Swakopmund River Valley. Traveling through the ancient, long dried up Swakopmund
Delta, we first stop at the “Moon Landscape” an unusual example of water erosion
in the desert.
From here we continue to the Swakopmund Valley itself to hunt the giant
Welwitchia Mirabilis plants. This plant is in fact a species of tree and is one
of the rarest fauna species in the world. We will see examples that are reported
to be in excess of 1500 years old.
(N.B. All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are subject to
availability and are made at the clients’ own risk and expense).
Dinner tonight is for the clients own account in a local restaurant.
Day five
Swakopmund – Damaraland (300 km) (lodge accommodation) (BLD)
A long drive today, leaving early and heading north along the coast, we will
first visit the seal colony at Cape Cross where it is possible to see thousands
of Cape Fur Seals in the water and on the surrounding rocks and beaches.
From here we will turn east, back into the desert and the beautiful area known
as Damaraland and the next stop will be at the small town of Uis, located in the
remote desert. Uis is an old mining town and one of the best places to buy
semi-precious stones for which Namibia is famous. Here, rough Amethyst,
Tourmaline etc can be found at bargain prices.
We will pass the Namibia’s highest mountain, The Brandberg, (2573 m) as we
travel deeper into Damaraland and our accommodation will be at a desert lodge in
the vicinity of Twyfelfontien.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Day six
Damaraland – Oase Himba Village, Kamanjab (450 km) (BLD) (guest-house
accommodation)
We leave early to visit the ancient site of Twyfelfontein. Here is an impressive
collection of rock engravings created by the talented artisans of ancient
peoples. Twyfelfontien is one of the most important archeological sites in
southern Africa and we will have a local guide to take us around and introduce
us to the petroglyphs.
From here we drive to the small town of Kamanjab where we will make a short stop
here before continuing on to find the Himba Tribesmen at Oase.
Oase is the only traditionally functioning Himba community outside the far north
Kaokoland region of Namibia These tribes-people have migrated here, lifestyle
and customs intact, and are following their traditional way-of-life in their
village on a farm. Oase Village is located about 15 to 20 km outside Kamanjab,
the exact location of the site varies as the Himba occasionally roam to a new
location.
During the afternoon we will be invited into Oase Village and will meet with the
locals. We will have a specialist guide for the time we are there, who will be
able to translate for us and will introduce us to this “alternative lifestyle”.
We will learn about marriage customs, traditional food and the mysteries of the
local religion, “Holy Fire”.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the guest-house.
Day seven
Kamanjab – northern Damaraland (200 km) (BLD) (lodge accommodation)
Heading further north, the Damaraland scenery stays with us today. We follow the
western border of Etosha National Park for some way, heading into the far
northern regions of Namibia, turning off to our destination on a small game
reserve.
We aim to arrive in the early afternoon. There are some self guided bush walks
available for those who are feeling energetic, but otherwise the rest of the day
is designed to allow you to relax by the pool and re-charge you energy.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Day eight
Northern Damaraland – Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park (200 km) (BLD) (bungalow
accommodation)
Traveling with special permission through the western side of Etosha National
Park, we transit through this restricted area that is set aside for research and
breeding. We have the chance to see some species not normally seen in the main
tourist areas of the park.
As we drive into the Okaukuejo region of Etosha where our main game drive really
begins, and we travel slowly down to Etosha’s main camp, Okaukuejo where we aim
to arrive in time for a late lunch.
Time to relax in the afternoon and then sundowners at Okaukuejo’s floodlit
waterhole. Situated on the boundary of the camp and easily reachable on foot
from your bungalow, the Okaukuejo waterhole is famous One of the "best game
viewing opportunities in Southern Africa". Perfectly placed for sunset, black
rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope are often seen.
Dinner tonight is prepared by your guide over an open fire.
Day nine
Okaukuejo, Etosha (BLD) (bungalow accommodation)
We go straight out on an early morning game drive. We visit some of the numerous
waterholes in the area hoping to catch some of Etosha's big game out for an
early morning drink. The game drives around the Okaukuejo area are some of the
best in the park. We cover several different terrains this morning, from wooded
areas to open savannah and in the rainy season, wetland. Back to Okaukuejo in
the late morning and after lunch there is time once again to relax during the
heat of the day. The pool area here is great, shaded by palm trees and close to
the waterhole.
We take a shorter game drive in the late afternoon, often driving out to one of
the waterholes popular with game and waiting for the animals to come to us.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the Okaukuejo.
Day ten
Okaukuejo camp – Namutoni Etosha (BLD) (lodge accommodation)
A full day's game driving and we leave early to enjoy the cool morning air. We
game drive our way through Etosha to Halali camp, situated in the middle of the
park. Along the way we visit several waterholes and are afforded splendid views
of the massive Etosha Pan. The game viewing is usually excellent and we have the
chance to tick off a few new species that are usually only seen on the eastern
side of the park.
We stop at Halali for a rest and a leisurely lunch and there is also time to
visit the Halali waterhole and to make use of the swimming pool and bar
facilities before continuing on our way and game driving down to Namutoni. A
short stop here to check the camp waterhole for game and then we leave the park,
checking into a lodge located on the eastern boundary of Etosha.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Day eleven
Etosha – Otavi Mountains (300 km) (BLD) (lodge accommodation)
First stop this morning will be to visit a local community of Bushman or San
people. Before Namibian independence in 1990, the Namibian people were engaged
in a liberation struggle with South Africa.
During this time Namibia had a large South African military presence and the
South African army incorporated local Bushmen into their ranks because of their
natural talent for tracking.
The Ombili village is located on the site of an old South African military base
where, during the war years, many Bushmen had been in uniform. When the South
African army withdrew, the local Bushmen trackers remained behind and were in
danger of becoming displaced people, being so long away from their own villages.
The local farming community in the Ombili area invited the Bushmen to stay and
make their homes. Over the last 15 years or so a thriving bushman community has
developed.
The Bushmen at Ombili are not living the traditional hunter gatherer lifestyle,
that harsh but romanticized way of life has disappeared for ever, but the
language and many of the customs remain alive. We make a stop at Ombili and we
have the chance to meet the local inhabitants and learn something of their
ancient and modern culture.
From Ombili, we are heading predominantly south. We pass through the Otavi
mountains and our accommodation for the night is in the foothills of this small
but picturesque range.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Day twelve
Otavi – Windhoek (350km) (BL)
Our last day on the road, the drive down to Windhoek is on a good road and we
have time to stop in Okahandja, home to Namibia’s largest woodcarving market.
The stalls are operated on a co-operative basis by the local community and the
market is a perfect place to do last minute shopping for truly Namibian
souvenirs.
We aim to arrive back in the Capital in the middle afternoon and you will be
dropped off at your accommodation.
Rates and dates: on request
Contact & reservations:
E-mail:
info@namibweb.com
Reservations are only accepted in writing: by fax or via e-mail.
Final availability confirmation: in writing: by fax or via e-mail.
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