Classic Namibia 12 Days (All rates are listed in USD.)

Arrival in Windhoek and subsequent transfer to your accommodation.  Your guide will meet you this afternoon and will conduct an orientation city tour of Namibia’s capital.

• Windhoek
  Situated in Central Namibia, the cosmopolitan city of Windhoek serves as the capital of the country. It is home to an international airport and a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and accommodation options. The city is clean, safe and well-organised, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, many of which are worth a look, including the Alte Feste an old fort, the 1896 Christuskirche Christ Church, and the more contemporary Supreme Court. Some of the sights you will see on your tour are the Parliament Building – also known as the “Ink Place”-, the Lutheran Church and the Railway Station.

• Villa Violet Guesthouse
  Villa Violet is a smart and attractive guesthouse tucked away in a quiet neighborhood of northern Windhoek and is a great place to start or end your safari or self-drive holiday in Namibia. You will easily find Villa Violet coming from the airport; it is close to the central areas of Windhoek.

Meals Included: None
Activities Included: Orientation City Tour
Accommodation: Villa Violet Guesthouse (or similar)
Special Interests: None

Depart for the Kalahari semi-desert, where you arrive in the early afternoon.  Later today we enjoy a sundowner drive on the lodge property. In the late afternoon you will participate in a guided game drive to learn about the flora and fauna of the Kalahari Desert.

• Kalahari Namibia
  Spreading across Botswana, South Africa and Namibia, the Kalahari meaning ‘the great thirst’ is an exceptionally beautiful living desert. The landscape is characterised by a large semi-arid sandy savannah draped over a gently rolling inland sea of sand covering most of Botswana and large parts of Namibia and South Africa. It is also the last bastion of the indigenous San people with the modern world having enveloped all the other areas they once roamed. The Namibian portion is made up of red sands covered in thin, wispy, mostly golden grass and dotted with acacia trees and wide-ranging wildlife including gemsbok, impala, jackals and cheetah.

• Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
  Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch is located on the fringe of the Southern Kalahari, surrounded by a mix of tree and scrub savannah. The reserve itself is crisscrossed by rolling, vegetated dunes, typical of the Kalahari. It inspires a sense of the traditional safari and the pioneering spirit of Africa all rolled into one unique experience. It is also an old rambling farmhouse, renovated as a reception area, comfortable lounge, dining room, bar, wine cellar, office, wellness centre and well-stocked library.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Activities Included: Sundowner Drive
Accommodation: Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch (or similar)
Special Interests: Adventure, Flora, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife

The routing takes you further south via Maltahöhe into the low plains of the Namib Desert to Desert Camp, which is located nearby the entrance gate to the Sossusvlei dunes.

• Sesriem
  As there is no accommodation at Sossusvlei, visitors to this desert wilderness are likely to end up staying at Sesriem, 65 kilometres away, where camps and lodges serve as a base from which to explore the dunes. Sesriem Canyon, a deep chasm carved through the rocks by water, is a striking natural feature of the area that is best explored on foot. Stony walls rise up sharply on both sides of the canyon, while birds roost in its crags and lizards dart along the ledges. The canyon’s name was coined when early settlers used it as a water source, using six lengths of leather (‘ses riem – six thongs) tied together to lower buckets into the water at the base of canyon.)

• Desert Camp
  Self-catering at its Best amidst unparalleled Desert Beauty… Desert Camp is situated just 5 km from the entrance gate to Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon in the Namib Nauklauft Park. Nestled under centuries old camel thorn trees, Desert Camp offers unsurpassed views over the Desert landscapes and surrounding mountains – An absolute must for the nature lover and photographer!

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Activities Included: None
Accommodation: Desert Camp (or similar)
Special Interests: Adventure, Nature, Relaxation, Wildlife

Very early departure today into the Namib Naukluft Park to witness one of Namibia’s most scenic attractions – the Sossusvlei and the highest dunes of the world. Visit the nearby Deadvlei, a dried out natural water pan with its dead acacia tree trunks rising to the blue sky. The Sesriem Canyon is another attraction worthwhile seeing en route back to the lodge. A relaxing sundowner on top of the nearby ridge ends off an unforgettable day in the desert.

• Sossusvlei
  Located in the scenic Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red dunes to make this one of the most scenic natural wonders of Africa and a photographer’s heaven. This awe-inspiring destination is possibly Namibia’s premier attraction, with its unique dunes rising to almost 400 metres – making them some of the highest in the world. These iconic dunes come alive in morning and evening light and draw photography enthusiasts from around the globe. Sossusvlei is home to a variety of desert wildlife including oryx, springbok, ostrich and a variety of reptiles. Visitors can climb ‘Big Daddy’, one of Sossusvlei’s tallest dunes; explore Deadvlei, a white, salt, claypan dotted with ancient trees; or for the more extravagant, scenic flights and hot air ballooning are on offer, followed by a once-in-a-lifetime champagne breakfast amidst these majestic dunes.

• Dead Vlei
  This ancient clay pan was once an oasis, studded with acacias and fed by a river that suddenly changed course, leaving the earth to dry up along with the trees it previously supported. So dry were the climatic conditions that the trees never decomposed – instead they were entirely leached of moisture so that today, 900 years later, they remain as desiccated, blackened sentinels dotting the pan’s cracked surface. Surrounded by the red-pink dunes of the Namibia Desert, they create a surreal spectacle that is a photographer’s dream.

• Sesriem Canyon
  Sesriem Canyon is a captivating natural wonder located in the heart of the Namib Desert in Namibia. Carved over millions of years by the Tsauchab River, this narrow gorge is a testament to the power of erosion. The name Sesriem comes from the Afrikaans and Dutch words for six leather straps, which early pioneers used tied together to draw water from the deep pools within the canyon. Sesriem Canyon is not only a geological marvel but also a haven for unique desert flora and fauna, making it a popular stop for tourists exploring the surreal landscapes of the Namib Desert.

• Desert Camp
  Self-catering at its Best amidst unparalleled Desert Beauty… Desert Camp is situated just 5 km from the entrance gate to Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon in the Namib Nauklauft Park. Nestled under centuries old camel thorn trees, Desert Camp offers unsurpassed views over the Desert landscapes and surrounding mountains – An absolute must for the nature lover and photographer!

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Activities Included: Visit to Sossuvlei, Dead Vlei & Sesriem Canyon
Accommodation: Desert Camp (or similar)
Special Interests: Adventure, Nature, Relaxation, Wildlife

The route takes you north via the Kuiseb Canyon to Swakopmund. This quaint desert town with its old-world charm and relaxed atmosphere hedged by desert and sea, is enhanced by lush green lawns and palm trees.

• Swakopmund
  Set along Namibia’s spectacularly scenic coast, the seaside town of Swakopmund is known for its wide-open avenues, colonial architecture, and its surrounding otherworldly desert terrain. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South-West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more German than Germany. Now a seaside resort town, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, adventure options, laid-back atmosphere and cool sea breeze make it a very popular Namibian destination. Visitors can look forward to a number of exciting activities including: quad biking, horse riding, paragliding, fishing, sightseeing and fascinating desert tours.

• Swakopmund Guesthouse
  Situated in the town centre, a mere five-minute walk from the beach and main shopping area, Swakopmund Guesthouse is owned and run by the Borg family. We provide excellent ambiance and service for guests wanting to indulge in a comfortable stay-over close to the ocean. The guesthouse offers five standard rooms, six luxury rooms, and three suites. We are a bed & breakfast facility, offering more than just the usual by providing guests with a scrumptious breakfast buffet, catering for the more upmarket traveller, with facilities ranging from laundry services to “anything else that guests might ask for”. This includes a shuttle service and wheelchair-friendly accommodation. The Swakopmund Guesthouse is run with an eco-friendly approach, making use of solar energy. We are an owner-run property, with top management being close by at all times making sure the service level is at its best throughout your stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Activities Included: Desert Elephant Sighting
Accommodation: Swakopmund Guesthouse (or similar)
Special Interests: Beach / Coastal, Birding, Cycling, Fishing, Flora, Golf, Hiking, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Shopping, Watersports

A marine cruise has been booked for you today. You will be picked up at your accommodation and driven to the nearby town of Walvis Bay, from where your marine cruise departs.  To round the trip off you will be spoilt with fresh Walvis Bay oysters, snacks and cold sparkling wine on board as you make your way back to the docking station and then back to Swakopmund.

• Laramon Tours Dolphin Cruise
  Laramon Tours Dolphin Cruise offers guests the chance of seeing Benguela dolphins, Cape fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, and even humpback whales and leatherback turtles when in season. The tour’s route changes daily as marine life moves around the bay, going as far as 6 kilometres off the coast. At the end of the tour guests can enjoy light snacks, sparkling wine and soft drinks on the boat.
  

• Swakopmund
  Set along Namibia’s spectacularly scenic coast, the seaside town of Swakopmund is known for its wide-open avenues, colonial architecture, and its surrounding otherworldly desert terrain. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South-West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more German than Germany. Now a seaside resort town, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, adventure options, laid-back atmosphere and cool sea breeze make it a very popular Namibian destination. Visitors can look forward to a number of exciting activities including: quad biking, horse riding, paragliding, fishing, sightseeing and fascinating desert tours.

• Swakopmund Guesthouse
  Situated in the town centre, a mere five-minute walk from the beach and main shopping area, Swakopmund Guesthouse is owned and run by the Borg family. We provide excellent ambiance and service for guests wanting to indulge in a comfortable stay-over close to the ocean. The guesthouse offers five standard rooms, six luxury rooms, and three suites. We are a bed & breakfast facility, offering more than just the usual by providing guests with a scrumptious breakfast buffet, catering for the more upmarket traveller, with facilities ranging from laundry services to “anything else that guests might ask for”. This includes a shuttle service and wheelchair-friendly accommodation. The Swakopmund Guesthouse is run with an eco-friendly approach, making use of solar energy. We are an owner-run property, with top management being close by at all times making sure the service level is at its best throughout your stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Activities Included: Marine Cruise
Accommodation: Swakopmund Guesthouse (or similar)
Special Interests: Beach / Coastal, Birding, Cycling, Fishing, Flora, Golf, Hiking, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Shopping, Watersports

Departure from Swakopmund along the Atlantic Coast towards the North. Visit the lichen fields near Wlotzka’s Baken before continuing to Henties Bay, a small holiday resort. Onwards to the seal colony at Cape Cross. After visiting the seals, the journey continues via Uis towards Twyfelfontein.

• Twyfelfontein
  Set in the Kunene Region of northwestern Namibia, Twyfelfontein is a spectacularly scenic area, featuring one of the largest and most important concentrations of rock art in Africa. The name ‘Twyfelfontein’ translates to ‘Fountain of Doubt’, which refers to the perennial spring situated in the impressive Huab Valley flanked by the slopes of a sandstone table mountain. It was this spring that attracted Stone Age hunters over six thousand years ago, and it was during this time that the extensive group of rock engravings and paintings were produced. Visitors can look forward to basing themselves at some wonderfully shady campsites along the Aba-Huab riverbed, while exploring over thirty different sacred ritual sites of the traditional hunter-gatherer communities.

• Cape Cross Seal Colony
  This colony of Cape Fur Seals is one of the largest in the world, home to approximately 80 000 to 100 000 of these so-called ‘seals’, which are in fact a species of sea lion. Day trips to the colony are offered and the seals can be viewed from a walkway at a distance of roughly 200 metres.

• Malansrus Tented Camp
  The Malansrus Tented Camp is located on the banks of a sidearm of the Aba Huab River, offering easy access to the main sites and highlights of the Twyfelfontein area and is accessible by all kinds of vehicles. The 10 en-suite guest tents and main tented area are built under shady Mopane trees, typical of the Damaraland region, with spectacular views onto a set of granite “koppies” close by. This all new bespoke spacious tented accommodation provides the ideal overnight facility for the guests seeking the adventure of a tented camp without sacrificing luxury.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Activities Included: Cape Cross Seal Colony
Accommodation: Malansrus Tented Camp (or similar)
Special Interests: None

Experience the desert-adapted elephants in the Huab and Aba-Huab dry riverbeds this morning with your guide.  In the afternoon pay a visit to the Twyfelfontein Rock engraving, a world heritage site.

• Palmwag Rhino Tracking
  Palmwag Lodge, in a joint venture with the Torra Conservancy, Anabeb Conservancy, and Sesfontein Conservancy offers rhino tracking in the Palmwag Concession and in the Torra Conservancy. The communities and conservancies directly benefit from these excursions since part of the income generated through rhino tracking is paid to the conservancies. Rhino tracking excursions are guided by a qualified guide from Palmwag Lodge and a qualified tracker from the Rhino Rangers or Save the Rhino Trust. Full-day and half-day tracking excursions are available and both options include breakfast. Lunch is included in the full-day tracking package.

• Twyfelfontein
  Set in the Kunene Region of northwestern Namibia, Twyfelfontein is a spectacularly scenic area, featuring one of the largest and most important concentrations of rock art in Africa. The name ‘Twyfelfontein’ translates to ‘Fountain of Doubt’, which refers to the perennial spring situated in the impressive Huab Valley flanked by the slopes of a sandstone table mountain. It was this spring that attracted Stone Age hunters over six thousand years ago, and it was during this time that the extensive group of rock engravings and paintings were produced. Visitors can look forward to basing themselves at some wonderfully shady campsites along the Aba-Huab riverbed, while exploring over thirty different sacred ritual sites of the traditional hunter-gatherer communities.

• Malansrus Tented Camp
  The Malansrus Tented Camp is located on the banks of a sidearm of the Aba Huab River, offering easy access to the main sites and highlights of the Twyfelfontein area and is accessible by all kinds of vehicles. The 10 en-suite guest tents and main tented area are built under shady Mopane trees, typical of the Damaraland region, with spectacular views onto a set of granite “koppies” close by. This all new bespoke spacious tented accommodation provides the ideal overnight facility for the guests seeking the adventure of a tented camp without sacrificing luxury.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Activities Included: Elephant drive in touring vehicle & Twyfelfontein Rock Engraving
Accommodation: Namtib Desert Lodge (or similar)
Special Interests: None

Leaving Malansrus we travel to Kamanjab and further to the Etosha National Park. The Etosha National Park presents to its guests a wilderness experience that is unmatched in terms of privacy and landscape viewing.  If time permits, your guide will drive into the National Park with you already this afternoon for a game drive.

• Etosha South
  Located just south of the boundary of Etosha National Park in northwestern Namibia, Etosha South makes up the southern region of this wild paradise. The area is comprised of a collection of world class private game reserves. The national park can be accessed via the southern entrance at Andersson’s Gate. Visitors can catch a glimpse of a variety of wildlife including: lion, giraffe, elephant, white and black rhino, and a multitude of plains game. Popular activities include: enjoying an open 4×4 safari with an expert guide, half day or full day drives with the option of a picnic lunch with wine on the full day game drive.

• Taleni Etosha Village
  Affordable comfort at Etosha National Park near Okaukuejo. Situated only 2km from the Andersson entrance gate to Etosha National Park, Etosha Village uniquely combines affordability with comfort, style and exquisite cuisine. The 45 individual suites offer a fully air-conditioned bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and a patio to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. Two small children (under 12) can be accommodated with their parents on a fold-out sleeper couch in the unit. Explore Namibia’s animal kingdom with a morning or full day Guided Game Drives to Etosha National Park.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Activities Included: Excursion to Etosha National Park in touring vehicle (time-permitting)
Accommodation: Taleni Etosha Village (or similar)
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife

Discover the mysteries of the African bush in Etosha National Park whilst travelling in an eastern direction through the park. We spend the day doing game drives in the park and visit the numerous waterholes that attract a large diversity of animal and bird species, many of these being endemic to the country.

• Etosha National Park
  Situated in northwestern Namibia, the Etosha National Park offers a premier game viewing experience. The park’s diverse vegetation ranges from dense bush to open plains attracting a variety of wildlife. Located in the heart of the park is the Etosha Pan – a shallow depression that covers an area of 5000 square kilometres. Dry and shimmering for most of the year, the pans fill up with water after seasonal rains, making it the perfect habitat for wildlife. In the dry season, the wildlife is attracted to the perennial springs and waterholes that makes for excellent game viewing. Visitors can look forward to world-class game viewing including a variety of large mammals such as lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, zebra, giraffe, a diversity of birdlife such as flamingoes and pelicans.

• Etosha South
  Etosha is Namibia’s flagship national park.  The park’s main characteristic is a salt pan so large and can be seen from space.  Yet there is abundant wildlife that congregates around the waterholes so we would recommend a self-drive to one of the many, giving you almost guaranteed game sightings.  At the same time Etosha National Park is one of the most accessible game reserves in Namibia and Southern Africa. 

• Taleni Etosha Village
  Affordable comfort at Etosha National Park near Okaukuejo. Situated only 2km from the Andersson entrance gate to Etosha National Park, Etosha Village uniquely combines affordability with comfort, style and exquisite cuisine. The 45 individual suites offer a fully air-conditioned bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and a patio to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. Two small children (under 12) can be accommodated with their parents on a fold-out sleeper couch in the unit. Explore Namibia’s animal kingdom with a morning or full day Guided Game Drives to Etosha National Park.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Activities Included: Excursion to Etosha National Park in touring vehicle
Accommodation: Taleni Etosha Village (or similar)
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife

Another day to discover the mysteries of the African bush in Etosha National Park whilst travel in an easterly direction via Halali and Namutoni to Onguma Bushcamp.

• Onguma Nature Reserve
  Situated east of Etosha, bordering Fisher’s Pan, Onguma Game Reserve is one of Namibia’s best-kept secrets. The reserve offers visitors the opportunity to experience Africa in all her beauty and diversity. Onguma Game Reserve features over 35 480 hectares of protected land scattered with a variety of wildlife including plains game, black rhino, kudu, giraffe, zebra, lion, cheetah, leopard and more than 300 bird species. The seasonal rains attract thousands of migrating birds to the Fisher’s Pan wetland area. The neighbouring Etosha National Park is home to a rich array of wildlife, including 4 of the Big 5. Visitors can enjoy game drives, guided walks and rhino research drives within the private reserve as well as wildlife safaris into Etosha National Park to view abundant game in the largest national park in Namibia.

• Onguma Bush Camp
  Onguma Bush Camp is ideal for families who would like to have a base from which they can explore Etosha National Park. Upon your return, relax and cool off around the swimming pool while watching a spectacular sunset… and the children can run around on the lawns as this is an enclosed camp. Onguma Nature Reserve now offers an opportunity to start a safari from the moment guests touch down at the private airstrip!

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Activities Included: Excursion to Etosha National Park in touring vehicle
Accommodation: Onguma Bush Camp (or similar)
Special Interests: Adventure, Birding, Gourmet, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine

Return journey via Okahandja to Windhoek. Okahandja is an important centre for woodcarvers from the north. This is a good place to pick a last souvenir. Arrival in Windhoek will be around 17h00 with transfer to Hosea Kutako Airport for check-in on your outbound flight.

Meals Included: Breakfast