Namibia Experience Safari
14-day Windhoek to Windhoek Safari
This is a combination of the two 7 day trips:
7 Day Northern and Southern Namibia safaris, that offers you a great
opportunity to visit just about all of Namibia's highlights. One
night's
accommodation at a guesthouse in Windhoek between the two tours is also
included in the price.
Price
on request
no single supplement
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Maximum group size is 16 people,
with no minimum number.
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Transport for up to 8 people will
be in a minibus or a land-cruiser. For numbers 9 to16 people,
transport will be in a 16-seater safari vehicle.
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Assisted camping, participation
limited to helping with tents only.
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Please note that this trip may
start with either the south or north section first.
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Guaranteed
departures every Friday of the year, all year
Safari Tour Details
Day 1
We start our long journey south on the main B1 highway,
traveling through the thin strip of Kalahari Desert that protrudes
onto the eastern side of Namibia. Stopping at small towns along the
way including Rehoboth, traditional home of the Baster people, we
aim to arrive at the Quiver Tree Forest in the middle afternoon.
Located just north of the southern center of Keetmanshoop,
(officially the sunniest town in the world), we make camp and have
time to explore the area on foot.
Windhoek - Quiver Tree forest (500 km) (LD) (camping)
Day 2
Arriving at Fish River Canyon in the
early afternoon, we drive to the main look out where the views of
need to be seen to be believed. We can see the river sparkling in
the sunlight far below us, and can barely imagine how many millennia
it took for the forces of erosion to carve such a magnificent vista.
Driving still further south, we
travel all the way to the southern border with South Africa, the
mighty Orange River. Coming from the arid desert regions that have
formed the landscape for most of our journey, it is an amazing sight
to see green vegetation and bright ribbon of flowing water appear
out of seemingly no-where.
Quiver Tree Forest - Orange River Oasis (400 km) (BLD) (camping)
Day 3
An easy drive this morning so we have a leisurely start. There
is time for a dip in the cool waters of the Orange, (very cold
waters in the winter time). Our road follows the scenic course of
the river for the first part of the day's journey before heading
back into the desert and the beautiful landscapes that Namibian has
to offer.
There is time to explore this
stunning area on foot and to find a lofty perch in the mountains to
watch the sun slip over the western horizon.
Orange River - Klein Aus Vista, southern Namib. (200 km) (BLD)
(camping)
Day 4
We are up with the dawn this
morning for the short drive to Luderitz, we travel on the main road
and keep a sharp look out for the unique Namib wild horses. These
horses are the only wild horses in Namibia and have, very unusually,
become adapted to an existence with very limited water. Where they
originated from is un-clear, some people think they are the
descendants of the horses used by the German cavalry during the
First World War. Another theory is that they originally came from a
horse farm that used to be run by a German Barron, (von Wolff), in
the very early colonial days.
During the middle of the day there is
time to explore Luderitz Town with its traditional German
architecture and later we will take a drive out to Diaz Point to see
the bird life, hopefully a few seals and the stone cross replica,
originally erected by the Portuguese mariner Bartholomew Diaz.
Returning to Klein Aus Vista in the
late afternoon, the road takes us through the "forbidden
Zone" so named because in years gone by, the alluvial diamonds
found in Namibia were simply scattered across the desert and we
again have time to enjoy sunset over the mountains.
N.B: The "Sedina" excursion
is subject to availability and, if undertaken, will be for the
clients own risk and expense.
Klein Aus Vista - Luderitz - Klein Aus Vista (250km) (BD) (camping)
Day 5
Turning north, we once again head deep into the ancient southern
Namib, traveling on small gravel roads and passing some tiny rural
communities along the way. The scenery is harsh, and sometimes
forbidding. The process of erosion in these areas is well advanced
and we pass time rounded "koppies" arid terrain and
outcrops of tortured rock.
We arrive in time to drive the short
distance to one of the close by dunes to watch the colors on the
distant mountains to the east, glow and change in the sunset.
Klein Aus Vista - Sesriem (350km) (BLD) (camping)
Day 6
A pre-dawn start to see the sunrise in the dunes. We drive a
further 60 km into the desert and have our breakfast as the colors
grow across the landscape.
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.
Sesriem - Sossusvlei - Sesriem (150 km) (BLD) (camping)
Day 7
After breakfast we begin our journey, over the mountains and
along scenic roads, back to Windhoek. We will travel over the
Naukluft Mountains and also the Khomas Hochland Range, through
beautiful mountain passes on our way back to civilization.
We are due back into the city around
16:00 and you will be dropped off at your accommodation on our
return. This night's accommodation is included in the price of the
safari but dinner tonight will be for the client's own account in a
local restaurant.
Sesriem - Windhoek (450 km) (BL)
Day 8
You will be collected from your accommodation between 08:30
& 09:00. We will travel north, stopping at small towns along the
way including Okahandja, where we have time to visit Namibia's
largest wood carving market. The market is operated on a local
co-operative basis and is one of the best places to shop for truly
Namibian souvenirs.
After our educational tour we will
return our accommodation and prepare for dinner under the African
stars.
Windhoek - Okonjima (300 km) (LD) (camping)
Day 9
An early start and continuing north we pass through some small
towns, making short stops for fresh supplies and fuel. Our first
main port of call today is the mysterious Lake Otjikoto.
After your evening meal there are
still more chances to see Etosha big game at Namutoni's floodlit
waterhole. Situated on the boundary of Namutoni and easily reachable
on foot, elephants are regular visitors here and there is a good
chance of seeing other species of game as well.
Okonjima - Namutoni, Etosha National Park (300 km) (BLD) (camping)
Day 10
A full day's game driving. We again leave early to enjoy the
cool morning air as 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 not normally seen on
the Namutoni side of the park.
Okaukuejo is famous for its
waterhole, which has been described as one of the "best game
viewing opportunities in Southern Africa". Situated on the
doorstep of our accommodation, black rhino, elephant, lion and
numerous species of antelope are usually seen.
Namutoni - Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park (BLD) (camping)
Day 11
Leaving Etosha we begin our
journey south with a relatively short drive to the small town of
Kamanjab where we will make a short stop here before continuing on
to find the Himba Tribesmen.
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".
Okaukuejo - Oase Himba Village, Kamanjab (300 km) (BLD) (camping)
Day 12
Today we head into one of the
most beautiful desert regions in Namibia, Damaraland. We drive south
to the capital of this region, the small town of Khorixas, and then
take a detour to the west, traveling via the Petrified Forest
geological site, to visit the ancient Bushman rock engravings at
Twyfelfontien. At both these locations we will have local guides to
conduct us on a short guided tour.
From here we head deeper into the
desert to Namibia's highest mountain, The Brandberg, (2573 m).
Brandberg Mountain is an ancient Bushman spiritual site and tonight
we will sleep under the shadow of this giant granite monolith.
Oase Village - Brandberg Mountain (400 km) (BLD) (camping)
Day 13
Starting early to enjoy the cool of the morning we will hike,
"into" the mountain with our guide to see the world famous
"White Lady" rock painting. Attributed to the Bushman
artists, the white lady panel is believed by some to be in excess of
20 000 years old.
Dinner this evening in not included
in the price of the safari and will be for the client's own account
Brandberg Mountain - Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast (250 km) (BL)
(chalet accommodation)
Day
14
The drive back to Windhoek
today will take about 4 and a half hours. We will only depart after
lunch,
giving us time to spend the morning relaxing in Swakopmund.
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.
This is the last day of our trip and
after lunch we will transfer back to the capital city where you will
be dropped off at your accommodation. Tonight the accommodation is
not included in the price of the safari
Swakopmund - Windhoek (BL) (350 km)
