Important Information
Namibia is a destination unlike any other in Africa. With its almost otherworldly dune landscapes, ancient deserts and incredible game viewing opportunities, Namibia is the ultimate African road trip destination for intrepid explorers.
| COST & VALIDITY | From ZAR 86 790,00 1st May 2021 – 31st October 2022 |
| WHAT TO BRING | Comfortable shoes Warm jackets Sunhat and sunglasses Sun cream Cameras Personal belongings Personal medication |
| IMPORTANT NOTE | Namibia emergency number: +264 81 127 0564 |
| INCLUDED | Accommodation and board as per itinerary Sightseeing Sossuvlei, Dead Vlei and Sesriem Canyon (entrance fee included) Fuel, insurance and fees for the vehicle Game drives in Etosha National Park from the vehicle as per program Qualified Professional English Speaking Driver guide Porterage’s Transfer from the International Airport to the accommodation Day 1 Transfer from the Accommodation to the International Airport Day 12 Levo Boatcruise in Walvis Bay Organ pipes, Petrified Forest and Burnt Mountain Visit. Endangered Species Game Drive Okonjima Lodge AfriCat Day Centre Visit Tourism Levy 15% VAT |
| NOT INCLUDED | Flights Travel insurance Optional and recommended Excursions Expenses of a personal nature Visa fees (where applicable) Airport taxes Souvenirs Restaurant, Guide and any other Tip moneys |
Please note
Our proposal is subject to availability of the relevant accommodation establishments, pilot and aircraft.
Day 1
Windhoek
After you check-in at Hotel Heinitzburg, join your guide on a city tour.
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.
Day 2
Windhoek to NamibRand Nature Reserve
After a hearty breakfast, you will travel to the Namib Rand Nature Reserve.
Wolwedans Dune Camp is positioned on the edge of a 250 metre high dune and offers magnificent views of the surrounding environment. With only eight tents, an intimate dining area and an inviting fire pit, the Camp exudes an uncharacteristic warmth. Guests can enjoy fine cuisine, helpful service and the beauty of the Namibian sunset.
The Camp’s unpretentious set-up is rather endearing and attracts visitors year after year after year. Its appeal goes beyond the mere beauty. There is an almost rustic feel to this camp, and it appears to attract the slightly younger, more adventurous traveller. It is a small camp with a great atmosphere. What’s more, every visitor plays a role in contributing towards conservation efforts in the area. Situated on the NamibRand Private Nature Reserve, this incredible area is a model for private conservation in Southern Africa. The main objective is the conservation of the land on a self-sustainable basis.
Travel distance: 382.6 km
Day 3
NamibRand Nature Reserve
Today can be spent at your leisure. You can optionally take part in one of the many activities offered by the Lodge (that are not already included in your package).
Day 4
NamibRand Nature Reserve to Sossusvlei
After breakfast we drive to Kulala Desert Lodge, where you will stay for the night.
Kulala Desert Lodge lies at the foot of the majestic Sossusvlei dunes, allowing for stunning views in all directions while its private entrance to the Namib Naukluft National Park makes it the closest location to Sossusvlei.
Twenty-three thatched and canvas tents (including two family units), each built on raised wooden platforms make for airy, comfortable accommodation, with a rooftop area for sleep-outs under the stars. Afternoons around the pool provide relief from the heat, while the wraparound veranda at the main area overlooks a waterhole, while private tours of the dunes provide the ultimate Sossusvlei experience.
Travel distance: 83.1 km
Day 5
Sossusvlei to Swakopmund
Early morning breakfast and then you will be on you way to the Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon.
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 – 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 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.
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.)
Our journey takes us further via Solitaire to Swakopmund. Situated in the Khomas region of Central Namibia, the desert town of Solitaire serves as an oasis in the Namib Desert. There is not much to do or see in the small village of Solitaire, other than a petrol station, small general store and post office and a small bar. Solitaire is renowned for its famous apple pie, said to be the best in Namibia.
Travel distance: 380.4 km
Day 6
Swakopmund
Today can be spent at your leisure. You can optionally participate in one of the many activities offered in and around Swakopmund and Walvis Bay (not included,) or explore the city on your own, stroll through the woodcarving market or along the beach and enjoy a cup of coffee at the Beachfront.
Set along Namibia’s spectacularly scenic coast, the seaside town of Swakopmund is known for its wide-open avenues, colonial architecture and it is surrounded by otherworldly desert terrain. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South West Africa, it 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 much to offer. The cool sea breeze makes it a popular Namibian destination and visitors can enjoy a number of exciting activities including quad biking, horse riding, paragliding, fishing, sightseeing and fascinating desert tours.
Included: Levo Dolphin & Seal Tour The dolphin and seal cruise departs at 08:30 am from the Walvis Bay Tanker Jetty and lasts for approximately four hours. The trip begins with a tour of the Walvis Bay Harbour, past the fish factories and then on to Bird Island. It continues past the Russian Trawlers to Pelican Point where guests can view the Cape Fur Seal Colony. A variety of birds such as pelicans, flamingos, cormorants, and more can be seen en-route. Guests can snack on fresh oysters and sparkling wine while watching the seals and hopefully dolphins play in the tranquil waters. The boat returns to Walvis Bay Tanker Jetty at around 12:30. No afternoon trips are offered due to possible wind.
Day 7
Swakopmund to Twyfelfontein
Today after breakfast we travel into Damaraland.
Situated approximately 50 kilometers west of the town of Khorixas, in an area of open veld lies the Petrified Forest – a large deposit of massive tree trunks that have “turned to stone” through a process of diagenesis. These petrified tree trunks are up to 34metres long, 6 metres in circumference and are approximately 260 million years old. Due to the lack of root or branch remains, it’s believed that the trees were washed down an ancient river to the site in a massive flood.
Burnt Mountain is a small hill located near Twyfelfontein and just a kilometre from the Organ Pipes in Damaraland, Namibia. This national monument displays an intense variety of colours formed by volcanic activity interacting with organic material that transformed into a sedimentary bed over 125 million years ago.
The Organ Pipes, a mass of basalt slabs in a ravine gouged out by a river, is another geological curiosity which we will visit in this area.
Travel distance: 325.5 km
Day 8
Twyfelfontein
After a hearty breakfast we drive on to Damaraland Camp. Relax at the pool or take part in the optional activities the Lodge has on offer (activities not included).
This vast desert landscape is known as one of the most beautiful regions in Namibia. Huge, untamed and ruggedly beautiful, Damaraland is an exceptionally scenic landscape featuring open plains, ancient valleys and spectacular rock formations. The major attractions are the sacred Spitzkoppe, the Brandberg, Twyfelfontein, Vingerklip and the otherworldly Petrified Forest. Visitors can take in the dramatic vistas, catch a glimpse of the rare desert-adapted elephant, and enjoy spectacular stargazing in crystal-clear night skies from one of the many safari camps dotting Damaraland. Other popular activities include: guided drives, nature walks and visiting the local communities. Don’t miss the opportunity to view the Damaraland’s world-famous ancient rock art.
Travel distance: 55.1 km
Day 9
Twyfelfontein to Ongava Private Game Reserve
Today your journey takes you to the vicinity of the famous Etosha National Park. Drive through Khorixas and Outjo to reach your lodge on the southern side of the Etosha National Park. In the afternoon we will drive into the Etosha National Park for our first game drive.
Khorixas is a small town in the Southern Kunene Region of Namibia was once the capital of Damaraland and is home to around 6000 inhabitants, most of whom are from the Damara ethnic group. Khorixas and its surroundings boast a variety of accommodation options ranging from basic campsites to upmarket luxury lodges making it an excellent base for exploring the wonders of Damaraland. While the tiny town itself provides travel necessity at the local supermarket, bank and petrol station, the surrounding area is a nature lover’s paradise with a variety of tourist attractions including the bizarre Welwitschia mirabilis at Burnt Mountain, rare stone formations, the petrified forest, ancient rock engravings and as well as many fascinating geological phenomena. Khorixas is the epitome of a small Namibian rural town. It marches to a slow African rhythm and its wonderfully friendly locals offer a warm welcome to to all guests visiting the town.
Located in Namibia’s Kunene region, the city of Outjo is known as the gateway to Etosha. Outjo’s central position also makes it an excellent stopover en route to the Skeleton Coast and Damaraland, but that’s not the only reason to visit this small town. Set amidst rolling hills, Outjo is a charming getaway boasting attractive forest and savannah surrounds, friendly locals and several historical sites. Roughly an hour’s drive to the west you will find the Ugab Rock Finger, a 35-metre high stone monolith, while slightly further on is a 250-million-year-old petrified forest. Visitors can look forward to a variety of interesting sights including the local Franke Haus Museum, for a historical account of the area.
Travel distance: 337.1 km
Day 10
Ongava Private Game Reserve
Today is a full day of game viewing in the park with your guide. Depart at dawn and witness the morning colors in the plains of Etosha and discover numerous waterholes where you can observe surprising gatherings of many different animal and bird species. Situated in northwestern Namibia, the Park offers a premier game viewing experience.
The Etosha National 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.
Day 11
Ongava Private Game Reserve to Okonjima Nature Reserve
After breakfast we will drive via Outjo and Otjiwarongo to the famous Okonjima Lodge. In the afternoon we will enjoy a game drive on the reserve.
Otjiwarongo – meaning ‘the place of fat cattle’ – is a tranquil, German-influenced town with numerous lodging options, shops and other amenities, making it ideal for a stopover en route to Windhoek, Etosha National Park and the Waterberg Plateau. Points of interest include a good craft market, the Cheetah Conservation Fund and the Crocodile Ranch, where visitors can view these fascinating reptiles and, if they fancy, sample a selection of crocodile meat dishes at the ranch restaurant.
Situated halfway between Namibia’s quaint capital city, Windhoek, and the Etosha National Park is the private Okonjima Nature Reserve. Nestled over 200 square kilometres amongst the imposing Omboroko Mountains, it boasts some of the most exceptional accommodation in Namibia, but the unequivocal highlights are the cheetah and leopard safaris. Okonjima guarantees a unique African safari to remember.
Travel distance: 239.3 km
Day 12
Departure
In the morning we will visit the AfriCat Foundation. The AfriCat Foundation was founded in the early ’90s and formally registered as a non-profit organisation in August 1993. The Foundation has since grown significantly and what started out primarily as a welfare organisation, has over the years, identified the need to focus on education and research, as being essential to accomplishing our mission – the long-term conservation of Namibia’s large carnivores.
Thereafter it is time to pack our bags. The day is at our disposal until the airport transfer. Bid farewell to the tour guide, we wish you a safe flight home and we look forward to welcoming you back to Namibia!
Hotel Heinitzburg
The Heinitzburg offers 16 spacious generously appointed en-suite rooms, each individually decorated, leaving no two rooms looking the same. Each room has individual air-conditioning / heating unit, direct telephone, electronic safe, mini bar, flat screen TV with satellite channels. The superior deluxe rooms have a bath with integrated showers, whilst the deluxe rooms all have a walk in shower.
In the hotel’s serene garden, guests are welcome to relax in a private atmosphere whilst enjoying the refreshing swimming pool (heated in winter).
Hotel Heinitzburg has a variety of dining outlets. The gourmet restaurant overlooks the skyline of the city while serving varied cuisine ranging from local to international dishes. The Garden Terrace provides a superb view over the city and the surrounding mountains. On the Garden Terrace, meals, coffee and cakes from the patisserie are served throughout the day while snacks and sundowner cocktails are served at the viewpoint with marvelous vistas of spectacular sunsets. There is also a Wine Cellar built into the mountain rock and housing a large collection of carefully selected South African vintages.
Wolwedans Dune Camp
Wolwedans Dune Camp is positioned on the edge of a 250 metre high dune, and offers magnificent views of the surrounding environment. With only eight tents, an intimate dining area and an inviting fire pit, the Camp exudes an uncharacteristic warmth. Guests can enjoy fine cuisine, helpful service and the beauty of the Namibian sunset.
The Camp’s unpretentious set-up is rather endearing and attracts visitors year after year after year. Its appeal goes beyond the mere beauty. There is an almost rustic feel to this camp, and it appears to attract the slightly younger, more adventurous traveller. It is a small camp with a great atmosphere. What’s more, every visitor plays a role in contributing towards conservation efforts in the area. Situated on the NamibRand Private Nature Reserve, this incredible area is a model for private conservation in Southern Africa. It’s main objective is the conservation of the land on a self-sustainable basis.
Kulala Desert Lodge
Kulala Desert Lodge’s location at the foot of the majestic Sossusvlei dunes allows for stunning views in every direction, while its private entrance to the Namib Naukluft National Park makes it the closest location to Sossusvlei. The camp is ideal for self-drives and groups.
Twenty-three thatched and canvas tents (including two family units), each built on raised wooden platforms make for airy, comfortable accommodation, with a rooftop area for sleep-outs under the stars. Afternoons around the pool provide relief from the heat, while the wraparound veranda at the main area overlooks a waterhole, and private tours of the dunes provide the ultimate Sossusvlei experience.
Strand Hotel Swakopmund
With its extensive, unique and creatively entertaining Restaurants, Bars, Deli, Lobby-Lounge, Sea Facing Terraces, Beach Kiosk and state of the art Conference & Banqueting Center, the hotel is set on the Mole. The Mole is a historic and iconic site surrounded by Ocean on three sides, and the Strand Hotel Swakopmund is a social epicenter and destination in itself for visitors to and residents of Swakopmund. Its architectural inspiration finds its roots deep in Namibian-German history and reflects this in a tasteful contemporary manner. The interiors are residential in nature, and the brief to all designers involved was to create a non-hotel, hotel. One as charming and welcoming as the town it is located in. Simply very warm and comfortable, and as they say in German: “gemütlich” providing a genuine “sense-of-place” atmosphere adding to any Namibian visit. Arriving at the Strand is a dramatic experience as one passes through its 13m high and 9m wide Ocean View Atrium which stretches right through the Hotel, offering sea views at either end. Off this Atrium Lobby is the Reception, consisting of individual desks and an inviting open fireplace to round off the residential feel and warm welcome.
Mowani Mountain Camp
Mowani Mountain Camp offers luxury tented accommodation with magnificent desert views. Open air en-suite bathrooms and private decks give you great views of Damaraland and the reliability of nearby Twyfelfontein with its San engravings and paintings is contrasted by the elusive desert adapted elephants.
The Twyfelfontein conservancy has been protecting the southern most roaming ground of the black rhino and elusive desert elephant. Sustainable eco-tourism and community upliftment is of the utmost importance at Mowani. Guides from the local tribes compliment day-time game drives to track mountain zebra, kudu, springbok, klipspringer and if you are fortunate enough… the leopard! The adventurer in me took over at Mowani. Days were filled with game drives, hot air balloon trips over the Aba-Huab Valley, champagne breakfasts and al fresco meals amidst the dusky landscape beneath Mopani trees.
Damaraland Camp
In the Huab River Valley lies in one of the best wilderness areas in Namibia, offering endless vistas of plains, valleys and mountains. Damaraland Camp is run in partnership with the Torra Conservancy and visits to the local farmstead reveal the fruits of this very positive relationship.
Each of the ten large en-suite, adobe-style thatched units (including a family unit) has a large private viewing deck. New technology and ancient knowledge makes for an ultra-light footprint, and nature drives and walks offer sights of desert-adapted wildlife, ancient rock-art and striking geological formations. Astonishing night skies round out each day’s experiences.
Ongava Lodge
Ongava Lodge is one of Namibia’s premier lodges on one of the country’s most important private game reserves.
The well-established Ongava Lodge is situated in the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park. Placed as it is close to the top of a hill in the foothills of the Ondundozonanandana range, the vantage point is beautiful and overlooks a well-frequented waterhole and the plains beyond.
Ongava Lodge offers luxury accommodation in 14 rock-and-thatch en-suite chalets. There are impressive views over the camp’s waterhole from the main lounge and dining areas and there is also an inviting pool to cool off in the heat of the day. Meals are either served in the main dining area under thatch or on the dining deck under the stars. Activities include game drives into Etosha, spending time in the camp hide, and nature drives and walks on the reserve. Ongava has resident white and black rhino, giving guests staying at Ongava the opportunity to see both species.
Okonjima Lodge
Situated halfway between Namibia’s quaint capital city, Windhoek, and the Etosha National Park, the private Okonjima Nature Reserve, nestled over 200 square kilometres amongst the imposing Omboroko Mountains, boasts some of the most exceptional accommodation in Namibia, but the unequivocal highlights are the cheetah and leopard safaris.
Okonjima offers a wide spectrum of accommodation options, ranging from well-appointed private camp sites to breathtaking safari lodges. The award-winning Villa and Bush Suite offer an unparalleled luxury safari experience, indulging guests with a private chef, guide, and safari vehicle. Okonjima guarantees a unique African safari to remember.
Banking Details
Account holder: Africa Focus Tours Namibia (Pty) ltd
Bank: Nedbank Namibia
Account number: 1100 0070 752
Branch code: 461 696
Swift code: NEDSNANX
Payment Terms
- 20% Prepayment at time of booking.
- Balance to be paid 60 days prior to travel.
Cancellation Terms
- 90 – 45 days prior to travel: 20% (forfeit the deposit paid)
- 44 – 30 days prior to travel: 30%
- 29 – 15 days prior to travel: 40%
- 14 – 08 days prior to travel: 60%
- 07 days to No Show prior to travel: 100%
Special cancellation terms may apply for certain products and services.
Terms & Conditions
General Terms
- The hotels mentioned in the itinerary will depend on availability at the time of making the booking. Should alternatives be used it would be of similar standard.
Health
See your doctor for advice in regards to vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis.
Travelling with Children
- Parents travelling with children will be requested to provide an unabridged birth certificate (including the details of the child’s father as well as the mother) of all travelling children. This applies even when both parents are travelling with their children.
- When children are travelling with guardians, these adults are required to produce affidavits from parents proving permission for the children to travel.
- The above applies to foreigners and South Africans travelling to or from South Africa as well as travelers in transit.
- Please note that the child must be the appropriate age (according to accommodation stipulated) at the time of travel
- Unless otherwise specified, children under 12 years of age qualify as a child rate and over 12 years of age as an adult rate.
Disclaimer
Travel and safety information and advice is based on information received from the various Southern African tourism boards of the countries we trade and operate in, and is deemed as correct and up to date at the time of publish. A guarantee of accurate and complete information, as well as a liability for any occurring damages and / or changes cannot be applied.
