1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Etosha - Okaukuejo

Etosha – Namutoni

Etosha – Namutoni

San Project and Owambo Museum

Owamboland Kraal

Kunene River Lodge, Kaokoland

Kunene River Lodge, Kaokoland

Community camp, Damaraland

Damaraland

Swakopmund

Namib Desert/Sossusvlei

Namib Desert/Sossusvlei

Return to Windhoek

Chalets

Chalets

Chalets

Camping

Camping

Lodge

Lodge

Camping

Guest House

Hotel

Camping

Camping

    L, D

B, L, D

B, L, D

B, L, D

B, L, D

B, L, D

B, L, D

B, L, D

B, L, D

B, L

B, L, D

B, L, D

B, L

Day

Route

Overnight

 1

We start the tour at Windhoek International Airport where we rendezvous with our group leader.  We leave immediately, heading due north on a flat, well-surfaced road to Okaukuejo, the western camp of Etosha National Park. Namibia’s highly renowned, premier game park is huge – almost the size of Belgium. We arrive at Etosha in time for a short game drive.  Okaukuejo also has a floodlit waterhole that allows us to view game during the evening and late into the night if we choose.

Driving time: approx. 5 hrs  (450 km)

Okaukuejo Rest Camp.

Chalet style accommodation.

Shared facilities with twin rooms.

Lunch and dinner.

2

After breakfast we travel through the Park spending the morning game driving to the next rest camp. At the centre of the park is the enormous Etosha Pan, a shallow, salty depression which once may have been a lake-bed, but now only fills with shallow water in exceptionally wet years.  Around its perimeter numerous perennial waterholes attract great concentrations of wildlife.  We have lunch at Halali Rest Camp and then in the afternoon we move further east to Namutoni Rest Camp.  It is always a treat to watch sunset from the tower of the old fort and enjoy supper under the stars.

Game drives for the day.

Namutoni Rest Camp.

Chalet style accommodation.

Shared facilities with twin rooms.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

3

Early in the morning, after a quick breakfast, we’ll go in search of a multitude of animals and birds.  Returning to camp, we spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool or at the waterhole during the heat of the day. As it begins to cool off we head out again to add to our growing list of species spotted.  In the evening we can have a hot shower, supper and then relax at the floodlit waterhole.

Game drives for the day.

Namutoni Rest Camp.

Chalet style accommodation.

Shared facilities with twin rooms.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

4

We leave Etosha today, and drive to the Ombili Bushman Project.  Here we see the San (Bushman) people living their traditional village life, but with opportunities to learn skills on the farm or in the vegetable garden.  They also have an outlet to sell traditional wood carvings, craft work and basket work.  There is a school for the children.

From here we continue north into Owamboland where we start to see a more rural side of Namibia.  We camp at Olukonda where we have the chance to sleep in a traditional hut or a basic missionary cottage.  Dinner is cooked by our guide over the open fire.

Driving time: approx. 4 hrs  (350 km)

Olukonda.

Traditional huts/

communal ablutions.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

5

In the morning we visit an interesting museum which shows a great deal about the Owambo history and culture.  Then we head further north and into the heart of Owamboland.  We visit the thriving town of Ondangwa with its busy market, and then continue north to the Ombulantu area, where we camp at a traditional kraal with an Owambo family.  The majority of Namibias’ population live in this way in Owamboland.

Driving time: approx. 5 hrs  (250 km)

Owamboland kraal.

Camping/basic ablutions, including bush shower.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

6

This morning we head further north to the border with Angola.  We take a break at the Ruacana Dam before continuing west along the Kunene River to our accommodation for the next two nights.  The Kunene River Lodge is a haven on the banks of the river.  The vegetation is lush and the birdlife prolific.  There are some lovely walks and the option of mountain biking in the surrounding hills.  The atmosphere is very relaxing.  You can hear the sounds of the river as you enjoy your meal in the dining room.

Driving time: approx. 4 hrs (250 km)
 

Kunene River Lodge.

Lodge accommodation/
en-suite facilities.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

7

We have a full day to enjoy the delightful surroundings.There is the option of river rafting, which is very popular and good fun, or you may want to relax with some walking or mountain biking.  It is a perfect time to ‘re-charge your batteries’.

Kunene River Lodge.

Lodge accommodation/
en-suite facilities.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

8

We make an early start to head out to one of the many Ovahimba villages in the region.  The Himba people are one of the most traditional of African people with a semi-nomadic lifestyle - raising sheep, goats and some cattle.  They also maintain their distinctive traditional dress of goat-leather, ochre painted skin and leather, iron and shell jewellery.

After a fascinating morning with these stunning people we travel south to Damaraland.  Tonight we will camp close to some natural pools and enjoy another night out under the stars.  There is also a village nearby where we can meet with some of the local Damara people.

Driving time: approx. 4 hrs  (350 km)
 

Damaraland, Kaokoland.

Community campsite.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

9

We travel further south through Damaraland,  keeping an eye open for the elusive desert elephant – they can sometimes be glimpsed in one of the dry river beds.  We stop at Twyfelfontein to see the petroglyphs and Bushman paintings and have lunch.  We then drive through spectacular countryside with numerous granite outcrops and the Brandberg massif looming on the horizon.  After a couple of hours, we  arrive at the small mining town of Uis where we stay at a very quaint little guest house.  Uis was once a thriving community but, since the closure of the principal tin mine, it is now a sleepy village on the edge of the Namib Desert.

Driving time: approx. 6 hrs  (450 km)
 

Uis.

Guesthouse accommodation/

en-suite facilities.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

10

After skirting the Brandberg, we cross the gravel plains of the Namib Desert. Soon, we see the Atlantic Ocean and our first stop is Cape Cross.  This is a breeding site for Cape fur seals and the number of seals can reach up to 100,000 - which is an incredible sight. We then head south along the Skeleton Coast to Swakopmund. Tonight we have the opportunity to dine in a restaurant where we can savour fresh seafood from the Atlantic, and Black Forest gateau!

Driving time: approx. 4 hrs  (400 km)
 

Swakopmund.

Hotel accommodation/

en-suite facilities.

Breakfast and Lunch.

(Dinner at own expense.)

11

Leaving Swakopmund, we head back into the Namib Desert and through a variety of different desert scenery. We start in the lunar landscape of the Namib Desert, then enter an area of mountain desert and lastly reach the famous dunes. Unbelievably, this beautiful but waterless environment is home to many different animals and birds. Although no rain falls here, thick sea mists, which can penetrate over 100 kilometres inland, help to sustain a remarkable variety of life. Our destination is Sesriem, gateway to some of the highest sand dunes in the world. Our campsite is situated between the escarpment and the desert, and has a swimming pool, shop and bar. Sunsets bring the emergence of a billion stars in the clear skies of the desert.

Driving time: approx. 5 hrs  (420 km)

Namib Desert.

Camping with communal ablutions.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

12

We rise well before dawn to drive into the heart of the dunes.  As the pre-dawn light brushes the dunes, the full impact of this incredible scene unfolds.  We walk into Sossusvlei and Deadvlei and, if you have the energy, it’s worth climbing to the top of one of the 300 metre high dunes (reputedly the highest on earth) for the view.  As the desert heats up, we head back to our camp where we can rest and relax by the pool. A sunset drink on the nearby Elim Dune, finishes off a perfect day. Your guide will cook dinner over the open fire.

Driving time: approx. 2 hrs  (120 km)
 

Namib Desert.

Camping with communal ablutions.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

13

It is possible to take a pleasure flight over the dunes for those that choose, or visit the nearby Sesriem Gorge which is a small but fascinating area where the desert has been cut by the force of floodwaters.  We then travel back up to Windhoek and have the afternoon for last minute souvenir shopping. Our trip finishes in Windhoek.

Accommodation or airport transfers can be arranged.

Driving time: approx. 5 hrs  (350 km)

Breakfast and lunch.