Overview
Namibia is a vast wilderness comprising diverse landscapes of desert and arid savanna where a geological history has produced fascinating formations. Survival in the desert is hugely challenging for all forms of life that have adapted to these harsh conditions, each in their own fascinating way. This is another world !
You will be intrigued by the diversity of life in a seemingly barren world and will relish the sunrises and sunsets in the most unusual landscapes on our planet, the warmth of the Namibian people and the tranquillity of vast open spaces – the result is an unforgettable experience.
Namibia is a photographer’s dream, from the ochre colours of the wind-sculpted sand dunes and bare mountains that glow in the morning sun to the unusual landscapes, ethnic cultures and desert life.
Although most roads are gravel, they are well maintained, allowing tourism to move freely between the many weird and wonderful areas of the country. Namibia’s infrastructure is reasonably good and much of the accommodation is highly original and aesthetically pleasing.
Your Namibia Tour is designed to give you a taste of this country’s highlights including the red dunes, wildlife and Bushman culture of the Kalahari, magnificent dunes and vistas of the Namib Desert and Sossusvlei, charm of Swakopmund, landscapes and Rock Art of Damaraland, abundant wildlife of Etosha National Park, diverse peoples of Namibia and an array of wonderful lodges and guesthouses that blend into their natural surroundings.
Your stay in Windhoek will give you an impression of the variety of indigenous cultures that make up Namibia’s small population and get a feel of the capital city which lies at an altitude of 1,650 metres above sea level.
Bagatelle Kalahari Lodge is located in the red sands of the Kalahari, a beautiful dry savanna region quite different from the Namib Desert in the west. Discover more about this area on a Sundowner Game Drive, witness Cheetah feeding and learn about the unique culture of the Bushmen on a morning walk.
Sossusvlei Lodge is beautifully located in Sesriem, the gateway to the Namib Naukluft Park, a massive conservation area in the Namib Desert. Sossusvlei, a normally dry lake caked with mud and set amongst some of the highest sand dunes in the world, lies 65 kms from Sesriem inside the Namib Naukluft Park.
Swakopmund is a quaint German town on the Atlantic Ocean with good restaurants, markets and shops, a breath of fresh air after the desert dust of the Namib. Here too you will find a cross section of Namibia’s peoples. Swakopmund Luxury Suites are centrally located allowing you the freedom to explore on foot. Discover the secrets of the desert on the Living Desert Experience and enjoy the many activities on offer.
Damaraland is Namibia’s most scenic region and quite different to what you have seen so far. The wonderful ochre-coloured rocky and mountainous setting of Twyfelfontein is sometimes frequented by desert elephants and where thousands of rock engravings speak of previous cultures. Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp is beautifully located amongst the rocks and boulders with a tranquil atmosphere. Explore the area and visit the Rock Engravings on a guided tour.
Etosha Village is located just outside the central part of Etosha National Park. Visit Okaukuejo Camp’s waterhole that attracts an abundance of wildlife day and night and explore the Park on guided game drives. The terrain of the Park comprises dry savanna and a series of saline pans which include the massive Etosha Pan. There are many springs and waterholes throughout the Park that sustain animals’ needs.
Your last night is spent at Okonjima Lodge, located in another beautiful part of Namibia. Here you will do a Leopard Tracking activity to learn more about one of Africa’s big cats.
Highlights
- Guided tour of Windhoek and Katatura Township
- Kalahari Sundowner Game Drive & Cheetah Feeding
- Learn about the traditional Bushman Hunter Gatherer traditions
- Experience some of the world’s highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei
- Charming seaside oasis of Swakopmund
- Discover desert fauna and flora on the Living Dunes Experience
- Scenic Damaraland
- Rock Engravings & Petroglyphs of Twyfelfontein
- Etosha Game Drives
- Leopard Tracking at Okonjima Game Reserve
Itinerary
DAY 1
WINDHOEK LUXURY SUITES, WINDHOEK
Luz – Bed & Breakfast
On arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport you will be met by your guide from Namibia Tours & Safaris and transferred to The Windhoek Luxury Suites, a smart and stylish boutique guesthouse in Klein Windhoek.
You’re a short stroll away from a bunch of interesting restaurant and wine bar options and the botanical gardens are just down the road if you’ve got time during your stay in Namibia‘s capital.
The all-suite accommodation is spacious, neat and modern with elegant palettes, subtle lighting, super-comfy beds and all the mod-cons you’d find in any city hotel.
The 40 rooms (including 4 family inter-leading options) have an air of sophisticated simplicity, offering a luxurious feel without being over the top or dramatic.
Breakfast is served across the street at the Stellenbosch Market Restaurant. You’ll get a breakfast voucher on check-in. Pick from their menu. Everything is wholesome and delicious.
After lunch you will have a 2 to 3 hour guided tour of Windhoek and Katatura Township to learn about the people and history of Namibia. You will visit the Christ Church, the Tintenpalast (House of Parliament) and the Kaiserstrasse (main shopping street). You also have the option of visiting 3 museums. One is the Railway Museum, another is dedicated to the history of Namibia and the other is the Minerals Museum.
From the city centre your tour takes you to Katatura Township, an informal settlement housing more than two thirds of Windhoek’s 325,000 people. The township is a vibrant and exciting place giving you an insight into some of the more traditional Namibian cultures. Your guide will show you the different styles of housing (from bungalows to shacks) and explain when, how and why the township started. He will also explain what different cultural groups live in Katatura and point them out when you see them on the side of the road.
Included : Bed and Breakfast, Guided Tour of Windhoek & Katatura Township
DAY 2
BAGATELLE KALAHARI GAME RANCH, MARIENTAL REGION
Dune Chalets – Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Departing Windhoek after breakfast, your Namibian journey takes you south into the Kalahari Region where the red sands, savanna scrub and wildlife contrast greatly from other areas of Namibia. Here too you will find Bushmen people, the original inhabitants of Southern Africa whose knowledge of plants and animals has enabled them to survive in the most extreme of climates and habitats.
Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch is located near the town of Mariental in the Kalahari region of Namibia. The terrain includes mixed tree and shrub savanna with red sand dunes and wildlife such as springbok, oryx, eland, kudu, giraffe, zebra, ostrich, meerkat and cheetah. There is also a Bushman community living here affording you the opportunity to have a unique cultural experience and learn more about Southern Africa’s original inhabitants.
The main lodge is a comfortable and stylish focal point with a library, lounge, cellar, bar, open-air dining area and a swimming pool. The whole lodge looks out over a waterhole and the ridges of red dunes that form grass-covered streets in the desert.
The Boutique Farmhouse is on the other side of the lodge and looks out over the stark pans. It’s a separate “lodge” away from the Game Ranch with it’s own swimming pool, terrace and dining room. Rooms are spacious and more modern. The Farmhouse is a more intimate offering on the same reserve.
Lodge facilities include a swimming pool, upstairs restaurant, lounge, bar and a boma area where large fires are lit and barbecues can be enjoyed at night. Nearby is a waterhole that attracts game such as oryx, springbok, giraffe, ostrich, jackal, hare, mongoose and other smaller antelope.
Included : Dinner, Bed & Breakfast, Cheetah Feeding & Sundowner Game Drive, Morning Bushman Walk
Activities
On the afternoon of arrival you are booked on a Cheetah Feeding & Sundowner Game Drive. First you will have a safari through the reserve where a variety of game species can be seen such as giraffe, kudu, zebra, oryx, blue deer, eland and much more. Afterwards you will be in close contact with the fastest land animal on earth. During the cheetah feeding, you will learn everything about this fascinating predator and have the opportunity for great close-up photos. Experience the breathtaking sunset on one of the highest dunes with refreshments and Namibian snacks, while enjoying the silence of the desert and an incredible view into the landscape.
The next morning you will take a walk with the indigenous people of the Kalahari. Walk with the Bushmen (San) to their village and learn about the ancient traditions and secrets of their ancestors. Get to know their survival skills and bring the past alive with them. In the village you will be shown how to collect water in ostrch eggs, how to set animal traps, which plants are suitable for medecine and how to make pearl and ostrich jewellery. This is a truly memorable cultural experience.
Kalahari
The Kalahari Region forms part of the 2.5 million sq km Kalahari Basin, one of the largest coherent sand expanses worldwide. The central part of the Kalahari Basin consists of the Kalahari Savanna also known as the Kalahari Desert though it is arid savannna and not desert.
The Kalahari is one of the few places where you will find Bushmen, the true indigenous people of Southern Africa. For centuries they have lived undisturbed and in harmony with the environment. Their lifestyle was that of nomadic hunter-gatherer groups where leadership was undefined and tribal fights unknown. History has not always been kind to these peaceful people. As other African tribes moved down from the north and the early white settlers moved up from the Cape, they encountered the Bushmen who inhabited almost the whole of Southern Africa. Soon the Bushmen were displaced by the more dominant alien cultures in the region, so much so that today the Bushmen live only in the most harsh and remote parts of Southern Africa.
DAYS 3 & 4
SOSSUSVLEI LODGE, SESRIEM, NAMIB DESERT
Superior Units – Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Your journey today will take you into the awesome expanse of the Namib Desert along gravel roads travelling through open plains before reaching the dunes of the Namib Naukuft Park. You will arrive around midday and check into Sossusvlei Lodge, located in Sesriem, just outside the entrance to the Namib Naukluft Park.
Sossusvlei Lodge is a luxurious eco-friendly retreat shaded by camel thorn trees that blends in perfectly with the spectacular desert surrounds.
The 44 superior chalets and 6 standard chalets (inter-leading as family rooms) have interesting stretched canvas roofs and inside, an elegant, slight African theme with wooden finishes. Neat and comfortable with tiled floors, rustic and neutral elements to tie in with the desert surrounds and at the back an en-suite bathroom.
Each chalet has a private patio that looks out over a floodlit waterhole and the 44,000 hectares of private desert reserve. The rooms fan out sideways from the main complex, which is a maze of bars, dining areas, terraces, and a large swimming pool area.
On the furthest end, a junior suite, a step up from the rest and in complete privacy. A view out over the endless desert plains. Scenery. Tranquility. Silence.
Lodge facilities include a sparkling pool and a restaurant with an al fresco terrace that has magnificent views of the floodlit waterhole, attracting oryx, springbok, jackal, ground squirrel and hyena.
Included : Dinner, Bed & Breakfast, Namib Naukluft Park Excursions
Activities
After checking into Sossusvlei Lodge, enjoy a relaxed lunch and a swim.
The next morning you will rise very early to enter the Namib Naukluft Park at sunrise. Your guide will have your packed breakfasts ready and after entering the Park, you will drive to Dune 45 where you can trudge up the sandy slope to capture the awesome sight of the first rays of sun that light up the dune wonderland all around. Then drive another 15 kms to the car park from where you travel along very sandy tracks to vist the renowned areas of Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei and Big Daddy Dune. After enjoying walks through these areas you will drive back to Sossusvlei Lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon your guide will take you to Sesriem Canyon and another sundowner drive.
Sossusvlei
The highlights of the Namib Naukluft Park include Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei, Big Daddy Dune, Dune 45, Sesriem Canyon and Elim Dune. These are located inside the Park except for Sesriem Canyon which is just outside the park about 3 kms from Sossusvlei Lodge.
Namib Naukluft Park is almost 50,000 sq. kms and one of the largest Parks in Africa. It stretches from near Luderitz in the south to Swakopmund in the north and includes well known areas such as Sossusvlei, Namibrand Nature Reserve, Naukluft Mountains, Sandwich Harbour, Swakop River Valley and Kuiseb Canyon.
Sossusvlei, a dry lake that sometimes fills with water after heavy rains in the interior, is located inside the Namib Naukluft Park and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Namib Desert as it is here that some of the highest sand dunes in the world are found, some of which are over 300 metres high. The first and last light of day blends with the ochre red and brown hues of the dunes to create a visual spectacle that holds visitors in awe. And to climb a dune before sunrise has become a religion to most who flock to this area.
Deadvlei, close to Sossusvlei, is a clay pan characterized by dark, dead camel thorn trees contrasted against the white pan floor. The pan was formed when the Tsauchab River flooded and the abundance of water allowed camel thorn trees to grow. However, the climate changed and the sand dunes encroached on the pan, blocking the river from reaching the area. The trees are estimated to be approximately 900 years old, though they have not decomposed due to the dry climate. Deadvlei is a paradise for photographers as the contrast between the pitch-black trees and bleached-white pans, and the rusty-red dunes and deep blue sky make for incredible images.
Big Daddy is the tallest dune in the Sossusvlei area. This magnificent dune is situated between Sossusvlei and Deadvlei and at 325 meters, it dwarfs the other dunes.
Dune 45 is situated 45 kms from the entrance gate along a paved road. It’s fascinating shape and accessibility makes it the most photographed dune in the world. Visitors are allowed to climb Dune 45, so be sure to visit early in the morning to watch the sunrise over the vlei from the top of the Dune. The Dune is 85 meters high and the climb is well worth the effort as from the top you will be spoilt with the incredible panoramic view of Dune Valley. In the morning and evening light the floor of the pan has been described as a “moonscape” and is truly a sight to behold.
Sesriem Canyon is located near the Namib Naukluft Park Gate. Here the Tsauchab River carved the conglomerate rock of the Canyon to a depth of 30 metres. The Canyon is about a kilometre long and was named after the six leather thongs used by settlers to lower a bucket into the canyon to get water. There is normally always water at the deepest part of the canyon. The normally dry Tsauchab River runs through the Namib Naukluft Park and ends at Sossusvlei about 50 kms from the Atlantic Ocean.
Apart from the ephemeral sustenance provided by the river, the living desert is primarily sustained by fog from the Atlantic Ocean and wind-blown detritus.
Elim Dune is located inside the Park and is only 5 kms from the Namib Naukluft Park Gate. It is a good place to visit before sunset. Take note that the Park entrance gate opens at sunrise and closes at sunset.
DAYS 5 & 6
SWAKOPMUND LUXURY SUITES, SWAKOPMUND
Ensuite Luxury Rooms – Bed & Breakfast
Today you travel through the Namib Desert to Swakopmund, a 4 to 5 hour journey via the spectacular formations of Gaub Pass, Grammadoelas and Kuiseb Canyon. Close to Walvis Bay you will find Vogelfederberg, a lovely rocky niche with great views over the desert landscape. In Walvis Bay there is a lagoon where abundant waterbirds gather at certain times of the year to feed in the shallow waters. Continue to the charming oasis of Swakopmund on the Atlantic Ocean and check into Swakopmund Luxury Suites. In Swakopmund you have the freedom to explore and eat at restaurants of your choice. Lunches and dinners are not included in your package and your guide will recommend some good options. Don’t leave Swakopmund without a meal at The Tug.
Swakopmund Luxury Suites pack comfort and convenience into an elegant apartment-style accommodation option in the belly of Swakopmund’s restaurant quarter. The suites are elegant with neutral décor that is easy on the senses and top quality linen with quite possibly the most comfortable bed you’ll encounter on your tour of Namibia. Attention to detail includes Nespresso machines with complimentary pods, bath robes, extra thick towels, wi-fi that actually works, climate control, mini-bar and that general air of purpose and cleanliness of a professional outfit.
For convenience you are a few minutes’ walk to the beach, restaurants, cafes and main attractions of central Swakopmund – a feature you will welcome after many hours’ in the car on Namibia’s long and dusty roads. And the day reception is staffed with the friendliest of friendly Namibians who add that personal touch and valuable insider’s information for making the most of your visit.
A secluded upper deck lined with comfortable recliners and deck chairs is a wonderful place to catch up with your digital life. Or escape it entirely with a good book and a glass of chardonnay. Parking out front is secure with 24-hour watch and CCTV and, occupying the first storey down a pedestrianised side street, the location is quiet and safe.
Breakfast at the Swakopmund Luxury Suites is a delight. The breakfast room is stunning and the food is delicious. A great way to start your day before you head off to explore where the dunes meet the sea. You are just a short walk to the main beach and the main streets of town.
Included : Bed & Breakfast, Half Day Living Dunes Experience
Activities
After checking into your accommodation, take a short stroll into town and have lunch in one of the many restaurants. Your guide will recommend some places. Then explore the markets, shops and streets with their quaint German architecture. You may want to book a scenic flight over the Skeleton Coast where shipwrecks on a rugged coastline can be seen from the air.
On the morning of Day 6 you are booked on a Half Day Living Desert Excursion with Charly’s Desert Tours. This is a memorable 4×4 adventure through the dunes outside Swakopmund. Your guide will search for life in this apparently barren landscape: Sidewinders, Palmato Geckoes, Namaqua Chameleons, Fitzsimmons Burrowing Skinks, Sand-diving Lizards, Scorpions, etc. He will also tell you about the plant-life, insects and minerals and you will experience a ‘roaring’ dune. The scenic drive through the dunes takes you from the life-rich eastern side through to the Atlantic Ocean on the west. Eco-aware, informative and fun. Plenty to see, experience and photograph.
After lunch your guide can take you on the Welwitschia Trail outside Swakopmund where some fascinating things can be seen including ancient welwitschia plants that can live for thousands of years, many different species of lichen that depend on the mist from the sea, weird and wonderful desert plants and incredible moonscapes.
Other optional activities on offer in and around Swakopmund include marine cruises, desert tours, sand boarding, quad biking and scenic flights along the notorious Skeleton Coast.
Swakopmund
Swakopmund is the capital of the Erongo Region with a population of about 34,000 inhabitants and is located amidst dunes and desert close to the mouth of the Swakop River. During the colonial period it was an important harbour, although the conditions were not really favourable: the coastal waters were far too shallow, a sheltered lagoon was missing and the surf was much too strong.
Today Swakopmund serves mainly as a holiday resort and is thus of touristic importance. Due to its mild climatic condition, especially during the high season of December and January, the town is an attraction to many tourists, especially from the inland areas. Some of the many touristic attractions include splendid buildings typical of the German colonial period, a wonderful town promenade, the aquarium and many more. The nearby surroundings are also of touristic importance. The coastal road which is flanked by dunes on the one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other is very impressive. Excursions can be made 30 kms south to Walvis Bay as well as up north to the fishing paradise of Henties Bay or Cape Cross, one of the world’s largest seal colonies.
DAY 7
TWYFELFONTEIN ADVENTURE CAMP, DAMARALAND
Ensuite Standard Tents – Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
More intriguing scenic sights today as you travel along gravel roads through the very scenic areas of Damaraland to Twyfelfontein, a journey of 4 to 5 hours. A huge, untamed and ruggedly beautiful region that offers the traveller a more adventurous challenge. The geography changes dramatically with endless sandy wastes that are able to sustain small, but wide-ranging, populations of desert-adapted elephant, black rhino, giraffe, ostrich and springbok. These animals have adapted their lifestyles to survive the harshness of the sun-blistered, almost waterless desert spaces.
You will pass the Brandberg Massif where Namibia’s highest mountain, Konigstein, stands at 2,574 metres above sea level and where a wealth of Bushman Rock Art can be found.
Located amongst the granite boulders, Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp has prime location for visiting the highlights of the area. From here you can easily explore the heart of Damaraland, the sights of Twyfelfontein and track desert-adapted elephants. Within walking distance of the Damara Living Museum, Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp is a 10-minute drive from the Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings, Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes. Situated in the Huab River Valley, there’s a chance the elephants could stroll past your tent at any moment or at the least, you won’t have to venture very far to find them.
It’s been a long day’s drive from any direction to get here, so once you’ve arrived, it’s great knowing you won’t have to spend much time in the car to explore the area. Less time on the road means more time for adventure and to laze at the glistening pool with a drink in hand. Of equal importance when on holiday.
The eco-friendly camp has both standard and premium tents. The standard tents are just that, they are small and basic but tasteful and charming. The premium tents are more luxurious, both in the decor and the space. You have some added extras, a bigger room, a bigger bathroom, comfortable inside seating and a small fridge.
The main lodge area is rather lavish and quite ornate, shared by all guests for meals and to relax. There is a second more relaxed ‘chill’ area too and two swimming pools, one at each.
Jumbled sandstone hills, platinum-blonde savannahs and olive-green shrublands make this landscape of incredible scale, colour and silence – so much silence – a marvel. See the many wildlife species that thrive here and learn how humans and wildlife including elephant, lion, rhino, antelope varieties and smaller predators have adapted to life in a land so hot and dry that it becomes ever more a wonder.
Included : Dinner, Bed & Breakfast, Guided Rock Engravings & Petroglyphs Tour
Activities
After lunch you will have a guided tour of the Rock Engravings and Twyfelfontein. The multitude of engravings tell a story of an ancient past and lend a mystical quality to the surrounding landscapes. Your guide will take you on a choice of different tours to view the rock engravings. The early morning and late afternoon are the best time to see the engravings as the sunlight accentuates the beautiful brown, orange and ochre colours of the rocks but photographic results are generally better achieved when the sun is overhead.
Later you will visit the interesting Organ Pipes rock formations and Burnt Mountain as well as the Namibia Open Air Museum and the Damara Living Museum.
You will also visit The Petrified Forest enroute to Etosha the next morning.
Twyfelfontein
Twyfelfontein is a beautiful mountainous area with a tranquil atmosphere. Shades of yellow, orange and ochre coloured rocks blend to create rich hues that are accentuated by the morning and afternoon sunlight. Twyfelfontein is known for its rock engravings, paintings and associated Late Stone Age material dating between 6,000 and 2,000 years ago. The site has one of the largest known concentrations of engravings in Africa executed on flat and upright slabs of rock, depicting a diversity of wildlife including rhino, elephant, giraffe, oryx, ostrich, flamingo, zebra and many more – and footprints. Over 5,000 individual figures have been recorded to date. They were probably made over a period of 2,000 years by local San hunter-gatherer people and represent an important aspect of San ritual and belief systems.
DAYS 8 & 9
ETOSHA VILLAGE, BORDERING ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Luxury Canvas Suites – Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Your journey today (4 to 5 hours) takes you further through Damaraland and past the Petrified Forest where you have the option of stopping for a short visit. Here you will find 200 million year old fossils of very large trees that got washed downriver and were buried under the right climatic conditions for fossilisation to take place. You will also see Welwitschias here, ancient plants that can live for thousands of years.
Continue to Etosha Village which is located 2 kms before the Anderson Gate entrance into Etosha National Park.
Etosha Village had a major refurbishment in mid-2016 and what an upgrade. Brick has replaced canvas, sleek tiles have replaced creaky wood decking and the en suite bathrooms are smart, shiny and functional. From the outside, the chalets are full of life and texture with gabion foundations, balustrades filled with pebbles, a gravelled forecourt and woven latte poles covering the roof. Inside the rooms are spacious, practical and well-appointed with air conditioning, en suite bathroom, sofa bed good for two under-12s (the Village is one of a few child-friendly safari lodges in Etosha), fridge, tea/coffee, safe, balcony and a large gazebo to the side. Comfortable twin beds with soft cotton are a given.
The living areas have also retained their charm and casual comfort with a large swimming pool surrounded by loungers and parasols and a smaller pool adjacent to a third toddler-friendly pool. The food at Etosha Village is fresh and the staff here, recruited from the nearby village and trained in-house, are famous for their friendly and enthusiastic service.
Breakfast and dinner are sizeable buffet spreads and lunch is a small a la carte menu with local venison specialities. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and juice are on the house all day and the open-air bar is a convivial spot to share a drink and a tale or just gaze into the night sky as is your want.
Being just minutes from the southern gate is ideal for daily access to Etosha National Park.
Included : Dinner, Bed & Breakfast, Game Drives in Etosha National Park
Activities
After checking into Etosha Village and enjoying a relaxed lunch, your guide will take you into Etosha National Park for an afternoon game drive. You will stop at Okaukuejo Camp which is located 17 kms from Anderson Gate and has a waterhole that attracts an abundance of animals coming to slake their thirst after a long dry day.
The next day you can spend a full day exploring Etosha National Park with your guide.
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park is located in northern Namibia and covers an area of nearly 22,912 sq kms. Within the eastern part of the park an approximately 5,000 sq km salt pan can be found which was formed about 2 million years ago when the Kunene Delta dried up and its riverbed shifted. The name Etosha is derived from Oshiwambo and means “big, white place”.
Due to the fencing of the Park the animals living in the park depend on the water and food resources found within the fence. Thus the water is provided in water holes, some of natural origin some artificial. In the western part of the park, 5 natural and 27 artificial water holes are found, whereas 29 natural and 12 artificial water holes are found in the eastern part of the park. These form the livelihood for the animals and also serve tourists for game viewing.
Etosha National Park is a wonderful game reserve and quite different from most other African parks. The varied savanna habitats include massive salt pans, a variety of dry savanna grasslands and woodlands, dune veld and rocky areas all interspersed with many springs and waterholes. These habitats allow for a diversity of game and bird species. There are 114 species of mammals and 340 species of birds in the Park, but no buffalo, hippo, crocodile or monkeys. The sweet grassveld that occurs along the southern edge of Etosha Pan attracts a lot of grazers and is a good area for gameviewing.
The early mornings and late afternoons are the best times of day when the wildlife is more active and the angle of the sun’s rays allows for better pictures and more scenic landscapes. Yet it is an experience at midday to see the shimmering figures of zebra, wildebeest, springbok, oryx and ostrich on the pans creating a surreal world of mirage effects.
All entrance gates open at sunrise and close at sunset.
DAY 10
OKONJIMA PLAINS CAMP, OTJIWARONGO
Classic Rooms – Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Your route today takes you through part of the savanna regions of eastern Namibia before reaching Okonjima Plains Camp situated near the town of Otjiwarongo, a 3 hour journey. The tranquil atmosphere, scenic setting and unique game activities afford you a pleasant way to spend your last full day in Namibia.
Situated 2 hours from Windhoek, the 55,000 acre Okonjima Game Reserve has a wonderful range of accommodation, but the highlight is the leopard safari. The AfriCat Foundation rehabilitates wild dogs, hyenas and leopards and there are opportunities to see these beautiful carnivores in their natural environment.
Plains Camp has two accommodation options (classic rooms and view rooms) to suit a range of budgets and of course the big draw, the AfriCat Foundation, continues to thrive. The lodge consists of 14 classic rooms which do have wonderful views of the waterhole and across the mountain-framed plains and 10 view rooms, spaced further apart and furnished to a noticeably higher level, which have the same plains views as the classic rooms. The accommodation is stone under thatch with screed or tile floors and each room has two double beds that look right out onto the pristine bush.
The main living area, or ‘The Barn’ as they call it, is a large and equally stylish space under a thatch roof looking out over the plains. The barn houses the dining area, lounge, bar, curio shop, swimming pool and viewing deck.
Included : Dinner, Bed & Breakfast, Afternoon Leopard Activity
Activities
After lunch you will enjoy an afternoon Leopard Tracking activity which takes you into the ONR (Okonjima Nature Reserve) and will allow you to spend more time with experienced guides and participate in the research data collection for a long-standing leopard project and newly introduced brown hyena programme. Some of the adult leopards are radio collared which
enables the guides to track them with a specialised telemetry device contributing to frequent viewing, giving visitors an opportunity to observe these magnificent predators in their natural habitat and experience the fascinating behaviour and interactions between these two species while they compete for food. Although this significantly increases the chance of an excellent sighting, it cannot ever be guaranteed as they are wild free-living predators.
Other activities offered by Okonjima include a visit to the Africat Foundation, Bush walks and the Bushman Trail.
Details of these activities can be found on https://okonjima.com/the-okonjima-experience/
DAY 11
END OF SAFARI
This morning you will visit the Africat Foundation before travelling back to Windhoek (3 hours) and your guide will then transfer you to Hosea Kutako Airport for your onward flight. Enroute you can visit the craft centre in Okahandja.
We wish you a safe and thrilling journey that will leave lasting memories and a desire to return.
Rates 2022 & 2023
- 8 Pax – ZAR 48,550 per person sharing
- 6 Pax – ZAR 53,585 per person sharing
- 4 Pax – ZAR 62,450 per person sharing
- 2 Pax – ZAR 87,450 per person sharing
Single Supplement – ZAR 10,360 per person
HIGH SEASON – 1 JULY – 31 OCT 2024
- 8 Pax – ZAR 52,750 per person sharing
- 6 Pax – ZAR 58,350 per person sharing
- 4 Pax – ZAR 68,050 per person sharing
- 2 Pax – ZAR 94,500 per person sharing
Single Supplement – ZAR 11,480 per person
Accommodation subject to availability
Inclusions
Transport in 4×4 Toyota Landcruiser (6 – 8 pax),Toyota Hilux (4 pax) & Toyota Fortuner SUV (2 pax) – 10 days
All vehicle costs
Guide & guide costs – 10 days
10 night’s accommodation as indicated above
Meals as indicated above
Water in the vehicle at all times
National Park Entry fees
Activities
– Windhoek City & Katatura Township Tour – 5 hours
– Cheetah Feeding & Sundowner Game Drive – Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
– Bushman Morning Walk – Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
– Sossusvlei excursions
– Living Desert Excursion – Swakopmund
– Guided Tours of Rock Engravings, Organ Pipes & Burnt Mountain – Twyfelfontein
– Huab River Drive, Namibia Open Air Museum, Damara Living Museum – Twyfelfontein
– Petrified Forest Tour – Twyfelfontein
– Game Drives with guide – Etosha National Park
– Leopard Tracking activity & visit Africat Fondation – Okonjima
Airport pick up on day 1
Airport drop off on day 11
