A Namibian Adventure

What's Included

Return flights from Heathrow with South African Airways
11 nights in lodges of a good standard, plus 2 nights in flight
18 meals: 11 breakfasts, 7 dinners
Specialist Local Guide
Overseas transfers and other transportation
Porterage

• • Tour of Windhoek
  • Rehoboth – home of Namibia's Baster community
  • Dinner under the Namibian sky
  • The red dunes of Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon
  • Namib Naukluft Park, and stunning 'Moon Landscape'
  • Coastal town of Swakopmund at the start of the Skeleton Coast
  • Burnt Mountain, the Organ Pipes and Twyfelfontein rock carvings
  • Petrified Forest
  • Game viewing in the Etosha National Park

Not Included

Itinerary

• Day 1 UK/Windhoek
• Today you'll depart on your flight to Windhoek, Namibia. On arrival we'll transfer you to your accommodation for an overnight stay.
• Day 2 Windhoek
• ​Windhoek, Namibia's capital city, is an oasis in the desert – it's clean, modern and organised, perhaps a legacy of its German colonial roots. It is also distinctly, undeniably African, and it's this mix of cultures that makes it such a fascinating city to explore. Today, you'll be met by a Local Guide who will introduce you to the city with a short orientation tour. Look out for the Christuskirche, Windhoek's best recognised landmark – a German Lutherian church constructed from local sandstone in 1907. Its mix of architectural styles gives it a sweet, somewhat 'fairytale' look, and it's even been compared to a gingerbread house.
• Day 3 Rehoboth & Sossusvlei
• ​We head south through the mountains today, via the town of Rehoboth, which has been home to a fascinating community – the Basters – for more than 140 years. The Basters are a Namibian ethnic group descended from Afrikaners and indigenous tribes, which has been concentrated around the town of Rehoboth since the second half of the 19^th century. Later, we'll head for the Namib Desert and the stunning red dunes of Sossuvlei, and arrive at our lodge. This afternoon, you might wish to join an optional nature drive in the grounds of the lodge. Dinner this evening is served under the Namibian sky.
• Day 4 Sossusvlei dunes/Sesriem Canyon
• ​We set off early for an exciting morning exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Sossusvlei. You'll understand why this destination is so popular with photographers and artists when you are greeted by the sight of some of the tallest dunes in the world, rising to more than 200 metres high. Surpassing even the heights of the dunes in the Sahara, these unique star-shaped sandbanks shimmer in multiple tones of red. You'll get the chance to observe them close-up as the changing angles of the sun colour them from warm apricot to deep red and all shades in between.  Board a 4x4 shuttle for a closer look, where you'll have the chance to climb these awesome dunes and explore the dazzling white surface of the Deadvlei – the clay pans that offer such a sharp and spectacular contrast to the nearby dunes. Continue towards the stunning, other-worldly landscape of Sesreim Canyon, which was shaped by the once-mighty Tsauchab River over millions of years. Up to 30 metres deep at points, this majestic gorge features some stunning rock formations.
• Day 5 Swakopmund
• ​Head towards Namibia's cool, refreshing coast this morning, on a journey that will take you through the northern edges of the stunning Namib Naukluft Park. Here, you'll be able to view the incredible Welwitschia Mirabilis, a plant said to grow for 2,000 years and yet only produces two leaves in its entire lifespan. It's somewhat alien in appearance – so it's a good warm-up for the 'lunar landscape' you'll visit next on your tour – a series of eroded hills and valleys that are now a firm favourite with the film industry. This stark, bare and inhospitable-looking area was once a high mountain range, eroded downwards over time, to leave this eerie but fascinating landscape. Later, we visit Swakopmund, a delightful coastal town nestled between desert and sea, where lush green lawns, palm trees and carefully-maintained gardens are the order of the day. Established by German colonists in 1892, there's a unique charm to Swakopmund's faded elegance, as demonstrated by graceful buildings like the Swakopmund Railway Station, now a hotel. Spend some time soaking up the atmosphere in preparation for further exploring tomorrow.

• Day 6 Swakopmund
• Don't be surprised to wake up this morning to find quaint, colonial Swakopmund covered in desert fog – but this should soon melt away, revealing the town's pretty, palm tree-fringed promenade and well-preserved buildings. Perhaps you'll visit the museum at the base of the lighthouse to learn more about Namibian history, and look out for the prominent tower of the German-style Woermannhaus, declared a national monument in 1976. Alternatively, you might like to join a morning cruise from nearby Walvis Bay, where you could see anything from flamingos and pelicans to dolphins and seals. There's also the chance to join a Living Desert tour, a unique 4x4 adventure that highlights the variety of perfectly adapted wildlife that makes its home here.
• Day 7 Twyfelfontein
• ​Today we'll move inland towards Damaraland – home to the desert adapted rhino and elephant. This is one of Namibia's most scenic areas, with open plains, granite hills and deep gorges. Our next stop is the UNESCO-listed  site of Twyfelfontein, which has one of the largest collections of rock paintings and engravings in all of Africa.
• Day 8 Twyfelfontein
• Today is a leisurely day at Twyfelfontein, where you can marvel at the rock carvings, thought to have been created by the ancient San people to indicate good hunting grounds nearby. You'll also get the chance to visit the nearby geological phenomenon that is Burnt Mountain, a ridge of volcanic rock that really does appear burned. Nearby, the Organ Pipes are not to be missed – an impressive series of basalt rock columns gouged out by a river. There's also the chance to join an optional excursion to the Damara Living Museum if you wish, where you can learn about the traditional culture of the Damara, originally hunter-gatherers and one of the oldest nations in Namibia.
• Day 9 Etosha region
• ​Your first stop this morning is the eerie, but unmissable, Petrified Forest, a national monument which was first discovered by two farmers in the 1940s. Featuring fossilised tree trunks estimated to be at least 200 million years old, the trees – now exposed – were once covered in sand and mud, which prevented them from decomposing. We then head to your next base – Etosha National Park, a vast game reserve, which is home to an array of exotic animals, reptiles and birds.
• Day 10 Etosha National Park
• Enjoy a full day of game viewing at Etosha National Park today, where your air-conditioned touring bus will provide both comfort and a spectacular view as you visit different waterholes to observe the animals in their natural habitat. The park, which was proclaimed a game reserve in 1907, is home to 114 species of mammal and four of the so-called Big Five – elephants, lions, rhinoceros and the elusive leopard. Spanning an area of 8,600 square miles, the park gets its name from the huge Etosha pan, a 75-mile-long dry lakebed almost entirely contained within the reserve. It is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds and reptiles, including several threatened and endangered species such as the black rhinoceros.
• Day 11 Etosha National Park
• ​Explore Etosha further today – perhaps you'll see giraffe rising high above the dry vegetation, flamingos gathering at water-holes and the world's largest bird, the ostrich. Later in the day, we'll leave the park and arrive at our overnight lodge in time to spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool.
• Day 12 Midgard Estate
• As we head back in the direction of Windhoek, there's a chance to visit the museum at Tsumeb en route today, to learn about the history of the Tsumeb mine, renowned for its rare and unusual minerals. We'll then arrive at our overnight stop on the Midgard Estate, where there's plenty of time to relax, or join an optional game drive in the grounds.
• Day 13 Windhoek
• Spend the morning relaxing before transferring to the airport for your return flight to the UK.                                                                                                                                       
• Day 14 UK
• You'll arrive back in the UK today.

Accommodation

• • Safari Court Hotel Windhoek
  • Safari Court Hotel, a family-friendly hotel that brings the best of Windhoek to your doorstep. During your stay, take advantage of some of the amenities offered, including free wifi, air conditioning, and a pool
• • Sossusvlei Lodge
  • The Sossusvlei Lodge is situated at the entrance gate to the Namib Naukluft Park with views over the surrounding landscape and the nearby flood lit waterhole. Facilities include a swimming pool, bar, beer garden, restaurant with outdoor terrace and sundowner deck - designed to make the most of the inspiring views of the ridges of the Nauluft Mountains.
• • Strand Hotel Swakopmund
  • The Strand Hotel Swakopmund is located just a short walk from the beach, on the promenade, with beautiful ocean views. Facilities include a choice of restaurants and bars, fitness centre, garden and private beach. Hotel rooms are equipped with air conditioning, minibar, hairdryer and TV.
• • Twyfelfontein Country Lodge
  • Located in the Huab Valley, Twyfelfontein has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for the rock engravings and paintings, a testimony to the first hunter-gathers and inhabitants of 6000 years ago. Facilities include a popular restaurant, lounge and bar with views of your surroundings, and it is possible to enjoy a cocktail by the poolside. It is not unheard of to spot elephants and giraffe roaming past the lodge. Rooms have en-suite facilities, a fan and benefit from views of either the mountain or the plains.
• • Etosha Safari Lodge
  • Etosha Village is a prime destination for nature lovers combined with excellent service and cuisine. Etosha Village uniquely combines affordability with comfort and delivers the perfect safari style experience in a private and protected reserve directly adjacent to the Etosha National Park near Okaukuejo.
    
    At Etosha Village nature and luxury are in perfect harmony through design and comfort. The individual luxurious units offer a spacious air-conditioned bedroom and a modern en-suite bathroom with shower. The patio and outside seating area create an ideal space to sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.
• • Mokuti Etosha Lodge
  • As the closest lodge to Etosha National Park, Mokuti is only 4 minutes’ drive from the eastern Von Lindequist Gate near the historical Namutoni Fort and is located on its own private 4.000 hectare nature reserve, which shares a common border with this fascinating wildlife reserve. Our rooms are available as standard, luxury and luxury family rooms.
    This intimate lodge has 82 rooms, 8 luxury rooms and 8 luxury family rooms. Recently refurbished, they are all air-conditioned and come equipped with satellite TV, minifridge, safe, free Wi-Fi, tea/coffee-making facilities and en-suite bathrooms with showers.
• • Midgard Country Estate
  • The Midguard Country Estate is situated at the foot of the Otjihavera Mountains and set in lush gardens. Facilities include a gym, sauna, skittle alley, tennis courts, dining room and bar, and an outdoor pool. Guest rooms are spacious with en-suite, TV, tea and coffee making facilities and hair dryer.

Optional Excursions

• • Sossusvlei nature drive
  • Dolphin & seal cruise from Walvis Bay
  • Living Desert tour
  • Damara Living Museum
  • Game drive at the Midgard Estate

Further Information