WD10 tour: 14-Day Namibian Experience

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Destinations

Africat Foundation

Etosha – Namutoni

Etosha - Okaukuejo

Ova-Himba Camp

Damaraland

Swakopmund

Windhoek

Quiver Tree Forest

Orange River via Fish River Canyon

Aus

Aus/Luderitz

Sesriem/Sossusvlei

Sesriem/Sossusvlei

Return Windhoek

Accommodation

Camping

Camping

Camping

Camping

Bush Camping

Chalets

Accommodation

Camping

Bush Camping

Camping

Camping

Camping

Camping

Meals

   L, D

B, L, D

B, L, D

B, L, D

B, L, D

B, L

B, L

B, L, D

B, L, D

B, L, D

B,     D

B, L, D

B, L, D

B, L

Day

Route

Overnight

1

We are collected from our accommodation between 08:15 and 08:30.  Final packing is done at the Wild Dog Safaris base before we journey out of Windhoek and head north through Okahandja, where there will be a short break to see the wood carvers. We continue on to the Okonjima Farm, home of the Africat Foundation, where we will set up our camp and have lunch. The afternoon will be spent learning about and seeing the work of Africat in re-introducing cheetah and leopard to the wild. This is a great opportunity to see these magnificent animals at very close quarters.

Driving time: approx.  3.5hrs  (250 km).
 

Africat Foundation.

Communal ablutions / camping.

Lunch and Dinner.

2

We get up for an early morning bush walk and, after breakfast, we pack up camp and head on to Etosha National Park, where we will arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon we will head out for our first game drive in order to spot some of the hundreds of species of animals and birds, which inhabit the Park. We return to camp by sunset, and after dinner we can spend an evening game viewing at the floodlit waterhole.

Driving time: approx. 4hrs (350 km).
 

Etosha National Park – Namutoni.

Communal ablutions / camping.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

3

After breaking camp, we game drive west across the park.  We stop en route for lunch and a short rest before proceeding to Okaukuejo, our camp for the next night.  The floodlit waterhole at this camp is renowned for the sightings of black rhino and elephant and is a fitting end to another exciting day in Etosha.

Game drives for the day.
 

Etosha National Park – Okaukuejo.

Communal ablutions / camping.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

4

Today we continue our game driving across Etosha.  We enter the western half of the Park, which is only accessible to Namibian operators.  There is quite a different feel to this part of Etosha as there are virtually no other vehicles and the vast spaces are accentuated.  It is here that we may see the elusive Hartmanns mountain zebra.

We leave Etosha, and head south to Kamanjab and then to our camp at an Ova–Himba community project.  There is time to walk and enjoy the area before settling down for the night.   

Driving time: approx. 6 hrs  (270 km)
 

Ova-Himba community camp.

Communal ablutions /camping.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

5

In the morning we visit a Himba village and learn something of the lives of these proud, semi-nomadic people.  It is a fascinating glimpse into their culture and history.

After lunch we pack up and head across Damaraland. In the afternoon we visit the ancient site of Twyfelfontein to see the Bushman paintings and rock engravings carved into the sandstone. It is an interesting area, made even more spectacular by the amazing rock formations. Then a short drive takes us to our bush camp.  Experience the peace and gaze at the stars.

Driving time: approx. 3.5hrs  (250 km)
 

Damaraland bush camp.

Rustic ablutions – no shower facilities.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

6

Our day starts by travelling through the Namib Desert to the Skeleton Coast National Park and the South Atlantic Ocean.  Our first stop is the Cape Cross seal colony, where thousands of fur seals congregate on a rocky point. It is an incredible sight to see so many of these animals at such close quarters. From here we go straight down the coastal road to Swakopmund - Namibia’s premier holiday resort, nestling between the Namib Desert and the Atlantic Ocean. You may explore the town on your own and either dine together, or on your own, at one of the very good restaurants in town.

Driving time: approx. 6hrs  (380 km)
 

Swakopmund.

Chalet Accommodation /communal ablutions.

Breakfast and Lunch. 

(Dinner at own expense.)

7

There are many activities available in Swakopmund:  dune-boarding, quad-biking, flights over the desert, skydiving or simply enjoying the sights of the city. There is also a very good museum and an aquarium in town.

After the morning in Swakopmund, we have lunch and drive back to Windhoek, arriving about 17:30.  You are taken to your accommodation in Windhoek.  Dinner is at your own expense. There are some good restaurants in town, which your guide will organise.

Driving time: approx. 5hrs  (350 km)
 

Windhoek.

Guesthouse accommodation.

Breakfast and Lunch.

(Dinner at own expense.)

8

You are collected from your accommodation between 08:15 and 08:30.  Final packing is done at the Wild Dog Safaris base before your journey takes you out of Windhoek and on to the southern highway.  The Kalahari Desert is on one side with the central escarpment on the other. We pass through Rehoboth, the capital of the Baster people and stop for lunch en route before reaching our camp at the Quiver Tree forest.  These are fascinating ‘tree aloes’ and quite unique to this part of the world.  This is a lovely setting to watch the sunset.

Driving time: approx. 6.5hrs  (500 km)
 

Quiver Tree forest.

Communal ablutions / camping.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

9

After packing up camp, we continue our journey south through the town of Keetmanshoop, past the Naute Dam and down to the Fish River Canyon.  Here we have lunch overlooking the Canyon and marvelling at the awesome views.  Our route then continues south all the way to the Orange River, Namibia’s southern border. It is an amazing sight to see green vegetation and flowing water !  We set up camp on the banks of the river and enjoy an evening completely by ourselves in a very tranquil setting.

Driving time: approx. 4.5hrs  (380 km)
 

Orange River.

Rustic ablutions / camping.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

10

After a very pleasant morning on the Orange River, we  head north into the desert again.  Our route takes us past the zinc mines of Rosh Pinah and Skorpion and up to the small town of Aus.  Our camp for the next two nights is right on the edge of the escarpment overlooking the Namib Desert.  There is time for an afternoon walk up some of the surrounding hills to watch the sunset before dinner around the campfire.

Driving time: approx. 3.5hrs  (150 km) 

Klein Aus.

Communal ablutions / camping.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

11

An early start is required so as to make the most of our day in and around Luderitz. We travel across the diamond “forbidden zone”, where we may see the wild horses of the Namib. Once in Luderitz, there is the option of a boat cruise to see the Jackass penguins and Heavysides dolphins. Later in the morning we visit Kolmanskop Ghost Town, a totally deserted diamond-mining town that is being slowly swallowed up by the encroaching sand dunes. Lunch is at your own expense in town or at Kolmanskop. In the afternoon we have the chance to go to Diaz Point and explore some of the rugged coastline around Luderitz. We return to our desert camp by late afternoon, for supper and a relaxing evening.

Driving time: approx. 3hrs  (240 km)
 

Klein Aus.

Communal ablutions / camping.

Breakfast and Dinner.

(Lunch at own expense.)

12

Today we head north along the edge of the Namib Desert.  It is a lovely drive with fabulous views at every turn.  Lunch is en route and there will be plenty of photo stops.  We arrive at Sesriem mid-afternoon in time for a swim before heading out to Elim Dune. The campsites are under ancient camel thorn trees and the setting is spectacular.

Driving time: approx. 5hrs.  (350 km)
 

Sesriem.

Communal ablutions / camping.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

13

We are up well before dawn so that we can drive out to the dune fields to watch the sun come up. After some breakfast, we move on to Sossusvlei and some of the world’s highest sand dunes.  There is time to spend the morning walking among the dunes: they are spectacular, with their endlessly changing colours and contrasting shadows.  You can walk back to the Wild Dog vehicle or your guide will pay for the return shuttle service, which runs throughout the day. After lunch, we spend the afternoon relaxing back at camp, where there is a swimming pool. Later in the afternoon we visit Sesriem Gorge.

Driving time: approx. 2hrs  (120 km)
 

Sesriem.

Communal ablutions /camping.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

14

Unfortunately, this is our last day on safari, but there is an interesting drive back to Windhoek.  We travel up the Remshooghte Pass on to the Central Highlands of Namibia and continue to the Kupferberg Pass overlooking Windhoek.  Our arrival in Windhoek will be between 15:00 and 16:00.

Driving time: approx. 5.5hrs  (350 km)

Breakfast and Lunch.