Namibia Highlights Tour

Windhoek

Arrival at the Windhoek International Airport. Here you will be met by your personal Guide/Driver for your Namibian Safari. Your guide will welcome you and assist with your luggage before you proceed to Windhoek, the Capital of Namibia.

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.

Arrival and check-in at the Hotel.

Thereafter enjoy an afternoon tour through the City of Windhoek.

Overnight and Breakfast at Utopia Boutique

Travel distance: 42.0 km

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Windhoek to Gochas

Today you travel south, passing through Rehoboth and Mariental to Gochas where your lodge is situated.

Located in Hardap, Namibia, about 90 kilometres south of Windhoek, Rehoboth is surrounded by camel thorn, sweet-thorn and candle-pod acacia and dotted with several natural hot springs. This territory is not only known for its striking natural beauty, but also for its rich history – the old Baster community which came across the river in 1870. Plant lovers will find that some of the trees of Acacia dated about 2000 years ago.

Situated in south central Namibia, fringing the Kalahari Desert, the city of Mariental lies along the TransNamib railway and serves as the Hardap Region’s commercial and administrative capital. It provides an important petrol stop before heading west to Sesriem to view the red-orange dunes of Sossusvlei. Mariental is located close to magnificent the Hardap Dam, which is the largest reservoir in Namibia. The Hardap Irrigation Scheme has breathed life into this arid terrain, which is now fertile with farmlands covered in citrus, melons, lucerne, wine and maize, and dotted with ostrich farms. The dam is a popular holiday resort which draws city slickers from Windhoek and offers an array of watersports, scenic walks, and abundant wildlife in a 20000-hectare nature reserve set on its western bank; where visitors can spot rhino, ostrich, antelope, springbok and a variety of bird species.

Arrive and check-in at the lodge in the afternoon.

Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast at Stoney’s Country Lodge

Travel distance: 383.9 km

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Gochas to Keetmanshoop

Following a hearty breakfast, your journey continues south to Keetmanshoop.

You stop by the Quiver Tree Forrest and the Giants Playground on the way.

Situated along the Trans-Namib Railway, in the ǁKaras region of southern Namibia, the town of Keetmanshoop is known as the capital of southern Namibia. Founded in 1860, this southern Namibian town is a living slice of history. German colonial architecture is dotted around the town and the local museum, housed in an old church, provides interesting insight into the town’s heritage. Just a short drive out of town, the Quiver Tree Forest is a sea of spikes and twisted trunks, while the neighbouring ‘Giant’s Playground’ is an evocative expanse of strange rock formations. Both offer superb opportunities for photography, particularly at sunset. Visitors can look forward to exploring the scenic and historic attractions of this amazing place and enjoy an array of wonderful activities.

About 14km north-west of Keetmanshoop on the farm Gariganus is the Quiver Tree Forest, a dense stand of quiver trees, some of which reach a height of 7m. The Quiver Tree’s name is derived from the Bushman practice of hollowing out the pithy insides of the branches and using the tough, outer casings of bark as quivers in which to keep their arrows.

The Giant’s playground gets its name from the way in which the massive dolerite boulders appear to have been purposefully placed on top of one another by a gigantic hand. The manner in which the boulders are stacked creates fascinating rock formations and a series or mazes where one can easily lose one’s bearings one is not careful. Hiking between these rock formations will entertain visitors for a couple of hours and is guaranteed to present great photo opportunities.

Arrive and check-in at the lodge late in the afternoon.

Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast at Maritz Country Lodge

Travel distance: 234.4 km

• Included: Entrance fee into Quiver Tree Forrest and the Giants playground.

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Keetmanshoop-Fish River Canyon

After a delicious breakfast, you depart for the Fish River Canyon. Take a stroll along the canyon’s rim, which is adorned with magnificent photo motifs. It’s one-of-a-kind and will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your trip!

Carving out an epic rocky wonderland in the south of Namibia, the Fish River has created Africa’s largest and the world’s second largest canyon. Hot, dry and stony, the Fish River Canyon measures a whopping 160 kilometres in length, at times 27 kilometres in width and 550 metres in depth. The awe-inspiring natural beauty of this ancient geological marvel draws visitors from around the globe. For those looking for adventure, the intense 85 kilometre Fish River Hiking Trail through1.5 billion years of geological history will definitely thrill avid adventure enthusiasts, and for visitors looking to relax, head over to the canyon’s southern end to enjoy a soak in the mineral waters of the renowned hot springs of Ai-Ais, or take in the spectacularly scenic views from Hobas Rest camp as well as numerous other viewpoints along its rim. Other popular activities include: scenic chartered flights, horse riding, nature drives and seasonal kayaking.

Return to your lodge and spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.

Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast at Maritz Country Lodge

• Included: Entrance fee into National Park

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Keetmanshoop to Luderitz

Your journey today will take you to the coastal city of Luderitz.

Sandwiched between the rugged and stark Atlantic Coast and the arid Namib Desert, the town of Luderitz is set in an incredibly unique geographical setting. This seaside town is something of an anomaly frozen in time – a piece of 19th-century Bavaria bordering the pinkish sand dunes of the Namib Desert. Lutheran churches, German bakeries, and colonial buildings boasting German art nouveau architecture are dotted about the settlement, while its windswept beaches are home to flamingos, ostriches, seals and penguins. The nearby ghost town of Kolmanskop, which has been taken over by the desert dunes, is one of the most fascinating area attractions, located approximately 10 kilometres from Luderitz central.

Arrival at the guesthouse and check-in.

After that, take an afternoon tour through town.

Overnight, and Breakfast at Obelix Guesthouse

Travel distance: 337.0 km

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Luderitz

Today can be spent at leisure. You can optionally take part in one of the many activities offered in and around Luderitz.

Optional Activities:

Kolmanskop

Amongst the sands of the Namib, the crumbling buildings of a small, once-luxurious town emerge from the drifting dunes. This ghost town is Kolmanskop, a reminder of the wealth of a time when diamonds could be picked by hand from the desert, and a remarkable photographic opportunity with few equals anywhere on earth.

Luderitz Nest Halifax Island Catamaran Tour

Luderitz Nest Halifax Island Catamaran Tour features an insight into one of Africa’s largest Marine Protected Areas. Halifax Island is home to Namibia’s second largest African Penguin colony and the only spot in Namibia to see penguins in the wild.

Coastway Safaris Pomona/Bogenfels Tour

Bogenfels is a famous rock arch that is about 60m high, standing with one foot in the sea and the other on land.

The Pomona/Bogenfels Tour is a day tour in the Sperrgebiet area where De Beers are still mining. The tour includes the old ghost towns of Pomona and Bogenfels where visitors will see old mining equipment from the 1910-30’s when the Germans discovered the first diamonds in the area

Overnight, and Breakfast at Obelix Guesthouse

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Luderitz to Sossusvlei

After an early breakfast, you will depart for the southwestern part of Namibia, where you will see the Dune Wonderland landscapes.

You arrive at your destination via Aus, Helmeringhausen, and Maltahöhe.

The small village of Aus is located in the Karas Region of southern Namibia, perched above the plains of the Namib Desert and tucked away in the rocky Aus Mountains. The surrounding arid landscape is known for its diverse botanical diversity. Aus is an excellent base from which to explore the area and see the main attraction: the Namib Desert’s feral horses, which roam free in the sparsely vegetated plains. Catch a glimpse of these wild desert-adapted creatures at Garub’s water trough, which is only twenty kilometers from the village.

Although the Namib Desert stretches the entire length of Namibia’s coastline into southern Angola and even the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, the Namib is most commonly used to refer to the vast sea of sand extending from Luderitz to Swakopmund. The massive red dunes of the world-renowned Sossusvlei, the moonscapes of the Namib-Naukluft Park, the stark beauty of the Atlantic Coast, and a diversity of fauna and flora make up this vast expanse of breathtakingly beautiful sandy desert. This windswept, arid, ancient landscape is teeming with desert-adapted wildlife like endemic chameleons, brown hyenas, gemsbok, jackals, and seals along the coastline, as well as a variety of plant life like the famous Welwitschia plant, a unique living fossil.

Check-in at the Lodge, then spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.

Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast at the Hammerstein Lodge

Travel distance: 429.7 km

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Sossusvlei

Today, you have an early departure to Sossusvlei and the opportunity to climb one of the world’s highest sand dunes. The unique colour example of the dune landscape will inarguably impress you, and you will undoubtedly be able to take beautiful photographs here.

Sossusvlei is a dune wonderland, with towering dunes up to 300m high encircling a massive dried-up pan. Dunes stretch as far as the eye can see, with rich hues ranging from pale apricot to vivid reds and oranges. The Tsauchab River flows into the pan during a good rainy season, creating a haven for water birds. Oryx, springbok, and ostriches can be seen feeding on the sparse vegetation along the watercourses even during the dry season.

This is the Vlei itself, where at the moment the waters of the Tsauchab River are disappearing into the red sand of the Namib.

Before leaving the dunes, you hike through the Sesriem Canyon. The Sesriem Canyon, a deep ravine, is an impressive natural feature of the area that is best explored on foot. The canyon’s name means “six belts” because early settlers used it as a source of water, drawing water with six lengths of leather. It’s where centuries of erosion have carved a 1 km-long narrow gorge. Deep pools of water at the bottom of the gorge, which drops 30m to 40m, are replenished after heavy rains.

Return to your lodge and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.

Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast at the Hammerstein Lodge

• Included: Entrance fee into National Park

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Sossusvlei to Swakopmund

After breakfast, drive through the Namib Desert’s endless boulders, passing through Solitaire, the Gaub Pass, and the Kuiseb Pass, until you arrive in Walvis Bay.

Solitaire derives its name from two meanings: one refers to a single solitaire diamond, and the other refers to the area’s solitude or loneliness. The two meanings combined to form the definition of a distinct, valuable, and solitary location. The small settlement in the middle of the Namib Desert has a gas station, post office, general dealer, and a restaurant/bar known for its delicious apple pie. It’s the ideal place to stop on the way between Sesriem and Sossusvlei and Swakopmund or Windhoek.

Walvis Bay is Namibia’s main harbor town, and it is quickly becoming a popular destination for spending a holiday at the coast. Attractions include the lagoon, which has a thriving birdlife, with an estimated 80 000 wading birds, including flamingos and rare white pelicans. On March 1, 1994, the Republic of Namibia incorporated Walvis Bay and the offshore islands, a former South African enclave. The town has a well-developed and efficient port, and its fishing harbor serves as the focal point of Namibia’s rapidly growing fishing industry..

Drive to Swakopmund from there. The road to Swakopmund follows a coastal road, with the sea on the left and dunes that almost reach the sea on the right.

Arrive in Swakopmund in the late afternoon and check into your hotel.

Overnight and Breakfast at the Prost Hotel

Travel distance: 391.4 km

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Swakopmund

Namibians adore Swakopmund as a welcome respite from the inland heat. It is also popular amongst visitors due to its old-world charm and relaxed atmosphere. It was founded in 1892 during the German colonial period and served as the territory’s main harbour for many years. The distinct German colonial character has been well preserved, and many of the old buildings now serve a practical purpose. The Woermann House (1905) is now a gallery. Previously, the Woermann Tower was used to monitor ships entering the harbour. Other historic buildings worth seeing include “Die Alte Kaserne,” “Hohenzollern Haus,” and the Railway Station Building.

This idyllic town, also known as Namibia’s playground, is nestled between the Namib Desert and the frigid Atlantic Ocean.

The day can be spend at leisure. You can participate in one of the many activities available in and around Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, or you can explore the city on your own, such as strolling through the woodcarving market or simply strolling along the beach and enjoying a cup of coffee right on the beach.

Optional Activities:

Levo Dolphin & Seal Tour

This 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 and past the fish factories, and then on to Bird Island 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.

Charly’s Desert Tours Living Dunes Experience

Charly’s Desert Tours Living Dunes Experience is an extraordinary exploration of the coastal dune belt just outside Swakopmund. To the untrained eye the dunes are just a pile of sand, however, the skilled and experienced guides will introduce visitors to a wealth of desert life. Often referred to a “Living Desert Tour”, you will track Palmetto geckos, sand diving lizards, the famous fog-basking tok-tokkie beetle, sidewinder snakes, spiders, scorpions, and chameleons.

Namib Sky Balloon Safaris

Situated in the heart of the Namib Naukluft Park, Sossusvlei, one of the most fascinating landscapes in Namibia, is a photographer’s dream. Gigantic orange dunes, dramatic shadows, undulating plains and rocky mountains create a magical kaleidoscope of colours and shapes. To the east, Namib Rand Nature Reserve vast sandy plains are surrounded by towering granite mountains and rolling dunes. Here, in the oldest desert on the planet, amazingly adapted animals and plants come together to form one of the most visually stunning ecosystems in the world. And truly the best way to experience the heart of the Namib desert is with a hot air balloon safari. Watching the spectacular sunrise over this magnificent landscape from a silent hot air balloon is the experience of a lifetime, never to be forgotten At landing, you come back to earth with an “Out Of Africa” style Champagne breakfast set up in the middle of nowhere. Your pilot will present you with a flight certificate before you take a leisurely nature drive back to the pick-up point.

Overnight and Breakfast at the Prost Hotel

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Swakopmund to Twyfelfontein

Today, you leave the coast and drive into Damaraland, with its unique and often bizarre landscapes.

This vast desert landscape is regarded as one of Namibia’s most beautiful. Damaraland is a huge, untamed, and ruggedly beautiful landscape with open plains, ancient valleys, and spectacular rock formations. The sacred Spitzkoppe, the Brandberg, Twyfelfontein, Vingerklip, and the otherworldly Petrified Forest are the main attractions. Visitors can enjoy spectacular stargazing in crystal-clear night skies from one of the many safari camps that dot Damaraland, as well as take in the dramatic vistas and spot the rare desert-adapted elephant.

Included: Brandberg

Situated in northwestern Namibia, the Brandberg (Fire Mountain) Massif is Namibia’s highest peak, at its zenith, the Königstein (King’s Stone), standing at a whopping 2573 metres above sea level. Named for the vivid shade of orange it sometimes turns at sunset, this is undoubtedly the main highlight of the region. The Brandberg has been sacred to the San people for centuries. The Tsisab Ravine at its base is permeated with over 45 000 ancient San rock paintings, including the famous ‘White Lady’. Visitors flock here to view this unique bushman painting, said to be over 2000 years old. Other popular drawcards include its untouched natural beauty and its free roaming wildlife such as mountain zebra, kudu, springbok, and desert elephant.

Included: Twyfelfontein

Set in the Kunene Region of North-Western Namibia, Twylfelfontein 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 sites of these sacred records of ritual practices relating to traditional hunter-gatherer communities.

Included: Petrified Forest

Situated approximately 50 kilometers west of the town of Khorixas, in an area of open veld, lies 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.

Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast at Twyfelfontein Country Lodge

Travel distance: 332.7 km

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Twyfelfontein to Opuwo

Today’s journey will take you further north. You drive through Palmwag on your way to Opuwo.

Palmwag is an idyllic nature reserve located along a palm-lined tributary of the Uniab River. Because water is scarce in this area, the presence of the river often draws elephants closer to the camps. Palmwag is located halfway between Swakopmund and Etosha and is an ideal base for exploring the Kunene region or embarking on one of the many local hiking trails. The reserve is notable for its unusual palm tree, the hyphaena pertesiana, as well as housing Africa’s largest population of south-western black rhinos. Animal enthusiasts can also see leopards, lions, cheetahs, mountain zebras, Angolan giraffes, springbok, kudus, and African bush elephants.

Opuwo, which means “the end” in Herero, is located in Namibia’s northwestern Kunene region. It is the region’s capital and is known as the gateway to the magnificent Epupa Falls. The surrounding landscape is marked by low-lying hills and vast dry desert plains teeming with desert-adapted wildlife. It serves as the Himba culture’s central hub. The town is an ideal starting point for visitors who want to explore the Kaokoland region and visit the local villages of the itinerant Himba people. The town and surrounding area of Opuwo are known as one of the cultural highlights of a trip to Namibia due to their incredibly rich cultural heritage.

Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast at Opuwo Country Lodge

Travel distance: 345.2 km

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Opuwo

After breakfast today, you will go on a Himba Village Excursion.

The Himba are one of Namibia’s last tribes still attempting to preserve and live their customs and traditions. The task of allowing a Bronze Age culture to survive in our modern world without people living in museums is not an easy one. This proud nation, particularly the regal women, may be up to the task. Their appearance is not coincidental; each aspect serves a practical purpose or represents age or status.

The explanation of daily life during your visit is fascinating, with each facet reflected in their striking appearance. But be aware that your visit may not be a one-sided affair; you may be asked questions, and your responses, as well as their reactions, will provide you with a better understanding of who the Himba are.

Return to your lodge and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.

Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast at Opuwo Country Lodge

• Included: Entrance fee for Himba Village Excursion

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Opuwo to Etosha South

You will travel to the outer borders of the renowned Etosha National Park following a hearty breakfast.

Etosha National Park, located in North-Western Namibia, provides a premier game viewing experience. The park’s diverse vegetation, which ranges from dense bush to open plains, attracts a wide range of wildlife. The Etosha Pan, located in the heart of the park, is a shallow depression covering 5000 square kilometers. The pans are dry and shimmering for most of the year, but they fill up with water after seasonal rains, making it an ideal habitat for wildlife. During the dry season, wildlife is drawn to the perennial springs and waterholes, providing excellent game viewing. You can expect to see a variety of large mammals such as lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, zebras, and giraffes, as well as a variety of birdlife such as flamingos and pelicans.

Check in at the Lodge, which is located just outside of Etosha National Park.

In the afternoon, you’ll have the first chance to drive into Etosha National Park in your tour bus to see the wildlife. It is a requirement of the National Park that you leave before sunset.

Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast at the Toshari Lodge

Travel distance: 414.3 km

• Included: Entrance fee into National Park

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Etosha South

Today begins with an early breakfast at the lodge, followed by a full day of game viewing in the world-renowned Etosha National Park aboard your vehicle.

Return to your lodge before the park closes at sunset.

Etosha is derived from the Oshiwambo language and means “big, white place.” The park is home to more than 100 mammal species and 340 bird species. Because of the Etosha National Park’s fencing, the park’s animals were reliant on the water and food resources found within the fence. Thus, water is supplied by water holes, some of which are natural and some of which are artificial.

The Etosha National Park is home to a network of waterholes. In the western part of the park, 5 natural and 27 artificial water holes are found, compared to 29 natural and 12 artificial ones in the eastern part. These form the livelihood for the animals in the park and also serve as viewing points for tourists.

Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast at the Toshari Lodge

• Included: Entrance fee into National Park

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Etosha South to Okahandja

After a leisurely breakfast, you travel to your final destination, Okahandja.

To get to your destination, you pass through Outjo and Otjiwarongo.

Outjo, located in Namibia’s Kunene region, is known as the “Gateway to Etosha.” Outjo’s central location makes it an ideal stopover on the way to the Skeleton Coast and Damaraland, but that’s not the only reason to visit this small town. Outjo is a charming getaway set among rolling hills, with attractive forest and savannah surroundings, friendly locals, and several historical sites. A 35-metre-high stone monolith, the Ugab Rock Finger, can be found about an hour’s drive to the west, while a 250-million-year-old petrified forest can be found slightly further on.

Otjiwarongo, which translates as “the place of fat cattle,” is a peaceful, German-influenced town with a variety of lodging options, shops, and other amenities, making it an ideal stopover on the way to Windhoek, Etosha National Park, and the Waterberg Plateau. A good craft market, the Cheetah Conservation Fund, and the Crocodile Ranch, where visitors can view these fascinating reptiles and, if they wish, sample a selection of crocodile meat dishes at the ranch restaurant, are all worthwhile stops.

Arrival at the hotel and check-in.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure.

Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast at the Okahandja Country Hotel

Travel distance: 314.4 km

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Departure

Today you have at leisure until your transfer to the airport.

The bustling town of Okahandja in north of Windhoek serves as a principal commercial hub and as an important cultural center for the local Herero population, on the central part of the Namibian Otjozondjupa region. The name ‘Okahandja’ means ‘the place where two rivers flow into one another to form one broad one.’ Okahandja is known as Namibia’s Garden Town and has a rich cultural heritage, many historical sites and excellent birdwatching in the surrounding areas.

Unfortunately, your African adventure has come to an end and your guide will transfer you to Hosea Kutako International Airport.

Bid farewell to your guide and board your onward flight back home.

Travel distance: 119.0 km