Itinerary - 14 Day Namibian Highlights Safaris
Day 1 Windhoek - Quiver Tree forest (LD) (camping)
We start our long journey south on the main B1 highway, traveling through the thin strip of
Kalahari Desert that protrudes onto the eastern side of Namibia.
Stopping at small towns along the way including Rehoboth,
traditional home of the Baster people, we aim to arrive at
the Quiver Tree Forest in the middle afternoon. Located just
north of the southern centre of Keetmanshoop, (officially
the sunniest town in the world), we make camp and have time
to explore the area on foot. Quiver trees are not in fact trees, they are a type of aloe,
(Aloe Dictoma), so called because the branches fork "dictomously".
These weird looking plants dot the landscape in this part
of the world and are locally common, however they are one
of the world's rarest flora species.
Day
2 Quiver Tree Forest - Orange River Oasis (BLD) (camping)
Before leaving the Keetmanshoop area we visit another
local site of interest this morning, the Giants Playground",
an area filled with massively eroded granite rocks that are
precariously balanced in tottering towers. After a short stop
in Keetmanshoop itself we continue south, leaving the main
road far behind us and join the extensive network of gravel
roads that unite rural Namibia. Arriving at Fish River Canyon in the early afternoon, we
drive to the main look out where the views of need to be seen
to be believed. We can see the river sparkling in the sunlight
far below us, and can barely imagine how many millennia it
took for the forces of erosion to carve such a magnificent
vista. Driving still further south, we travel all the way to the
southern border with South Africa, the mighty Orange River.
Coming from the arid desert regions that have formed the landscape
for most of our journey, it is an amazing sight to see green
vegetation and bright ribbon of flowing water appear out of
seemingly no-where.
Day
3 .Orange River - Klein Aus Vista, southern Namib, (200 km)
(BLD) (camping)
An easy drive this morning so we have a leisurely start.
There is time for a dip in the cool waters of the Orange,
(very cold waters in the winter time). Our road follows the
scenic course of the river for the first part of the day's
journey before heading back into the desert and the beautiful
landscapes that Namibian has to offer. Our route takes us past the zinc mines of Rosh Pinah where
we will take a short break before arriving at our destination,
the tiny town of Aus in the middle to late afternoon. We sleep
tonight at Kline Aus Vista, a private reserve, beautifully
located in the Aus Mountain Range, (Huib-Hoch-Plateau region).There is time to explore this stunning area on foot and to
find a lofty perch in the mountains to watch the sun slip
over the western horizon
Day 4 Klein Aus Vista - Luderitz - Klein Aus Vista (BD)
(camping
We are up with the dawn this morning for the short drive
to Luderitz, we travel on the main road and keep a sharp look
out for the unique Namib wild horses. These horses are the
only wild horses in Namibia and have, very unusually, become
adapted to an existence with very limited water. Where they
originated from is un-clear, some people think they are the
descendants of the horses used by the German cavalry during
the First World War. Another theory is that they originally
came from a horse farm that used to be run by a German Barron,
(von Wolff), in the very early colonial days.
We arrive in Luderitz in time to join an optional extra excursion,
a trip on an old wooden sailing ship, "The Sedina".
We take a cruise around Luderitz bay and, weather permitting,
to Halifax Island to see the Jackass Penguins. If the weather
conditions are suitable we turn off the engines come back
to Luderitz under sail. Straight after the Sedina trip we drive out to Kolmanskop,
a desert ghost town about 20 km out of Luderitz. It was built
in the 1920's during the diamond rush and was abandoned when
bigger and better diamonds were found further along the coast.
The area is still abandoned and the desert has encroached
over the entire town, giving an eerie feeling and real meaning
to the word "ghost".
Lunch today is not included in the programme, this is to
allow everybody as much flexibility with their time as possible
and to give us the opportunity to sample some of the excellent
local cafes.
During the middle of the day there is time to explore Luderitz
Town with its traditional German architecture and later we
will take a drive out to Diaz Point to see the bird life,
hopefully a few seals and the stone cross replica, originally
erected by the Portuguese mariner Bartholomew Diaz.
Returning to Klein Aus Vista in the late afternoon, the road
takes us through the "forbidden Zone" so named because
in years gone by, the alluvial diamonds found in Namibia were
simply scattered across the desert and we again have time
to enjoy sunset over the mountains.
N.B: The "Sedina" excursion is subject to availability
and, if undertaken, will be for the clients own risk and expense.
Day
5
Klein Aus Vista - Sesriem (BLD) (camping)
Turning north, we once again head deep into the ancient
southern Namib, travelling on small gravel roads and passing
some tiny rural communities along the way. The scenery is
harsh, and sometimes forbidding. The process of erosion in
these areas is well advanced and we pass time rounded "koppies"
arid terrain and outcrops of tortured rock. Our destination is Sesriem, the gateway to the sand dune
see and one of the most remarkable landscapes on Planet Earth.
Tonight we are guarded by the massive sand dunes of the Namib
to our west and the towering Naukluft Mountains to the east.
We arrive in time to drive the short distance to one of the
close by dunes to watch the colours on the distant mountains
to the east, glow and change in the sunset.
Day
6 Sesriem - Sossusvlei - Sesriem (BLD) (camping
A pre-dawn start to see the sunrise in the dunes. We drive
a further 60 km into the desert and have our breakfast as
the colours grow across the landscape. To reach Sossusvlei itself we walk for the last 5 km through
the dunes. The walk is like nothing else, in the cool of the
morning, with soft sunlight just beginning to play over the
dunes creating a sharp light and shadow contrast across the
whole desert. Ancient mineral pans, stunted camel horn trees
and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make
the photo opportunities perfect. We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting
"dune 45", and as the day wears on we return to
Sesriem for lunch and to escape the heat of the afternoon.
As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a
short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon.
Day 7 Sesriem - Windhoek (BL)
After breakfast we begin our journey, over the mountains
and along scenic roads, back to Windhoek. We will travel over
the Naukluft Mountains and also the Khomas Hochland Range,
through beautiful mountain passes on our way back to civilization. We are due back into the city around 16:00 and you will be
dropped off at your accommodation on our return. This night's
accommodation is included in the price of the safari but dinner
tonight will be for the client's own account in a local restaurant.
Day 8 Windhoek - Okonjima) (LD) (camping)
You will be collected from your accommodation between
08:30 & 09:00. We will travel north, stopping at small
towns along the way including Okahandja, where we have time
to visit Namibia's largest wood carving market. The market
is operated on a local co-operative basis and is one of the
best places to shop for truly Namibian souvenirs. Continuing north, passing through farmland, we aim to arrive
at Okonjima during the middle afternoon, giving us time to
set up our camp and to relax in the shade for a while before
heading out on to the property to take part in the afternoon's
activities.
Okonjima is the home of the Africat Foundation, a specialist
conservation concern that centres its operations around the
African Big Cats, particularly cheetah. This afternoon you
will be taken on a tour during which you will be able to meet,
close-up-and-personal, some of the cheetah that are going
through the Africat rehabilitation programme. Most of the
animals currently living at Okonjima have been rescued from
various desperate situations, being orphaned or caught in
a trap, and the aim of rehabilitation process is to attempt
to re-introduce them into the wild. After our educational tour we will return our accommodation
and prepare for dinner under the African stars.
Day
9 Okonjima - Namutoni, Etosha National Park (BLD)
(camping)
An early start and continuing north we pass through some
small towns, making short stops for fresh supplies and fuel.
Our first main port of call today is the mysterious Lake Otjikoto. Otjikoto is in fact Namibia's largest permanent natural lake
and we take time here to rest a little and learn something
about the history of this unusual landmark. Continuing on to Namutoni camp in Etosha National Park we
again aim to arrive in time for lunch, giving us time to relax
before heading out into the park during the cool of the late
afternoon for our first game drive.
After your evening meal there are still more chances to see
Etosha's big game at Namutoni's floodlit waterhole. Situated
on the boundary of Namutoni and easily reachable on foot,
elephants are regular visitors here and there is a good chance
of seeing other species of game as well.
Day
10 Namutoni - Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park (BLD) (camping)
A full day's game driving. We again leave early to enjoy
the cool morning air as we game drive our way through Etosha
to Halali camp, situated in the middle of the park. Along
the way we visit several waterholes and are afforded splendid
views of the massive Etosha Pan. The game viewing is usually
excellent and we have the chance to tick off a few new species
that are not normally seen on the Namutoni side of the park. We stop at Halali for a rest and a leisurely lunch. There
is time to visit the Halali waterhole and to make use of the
swimming pool and bar facilities before continuing on our
way and game driving down to Okaukuejo. Okaukuejo is famous for its waterhole, which has been described
as one of the "best game viewing opportunities in Southern
Africa". Situated on the doorstep of our accommodation,
black rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope
are usually seen.
Day 11 Okaukuejo - Oase Himba Village, Kamanjab (BLD) (camping)
Leaving Etosha we begin our journey south with a relatively
short drive to the small town of Kamanjab where we will make
a short stop here before continuing on to find the Himba Tribesmen. This is the only traditionally functioning Himba community
outside the far north Kaokoland region of Namibia These tribes-people
have migrated here, lifestyle and customs intact, and are
following their traditional way-of-life in their village on
a farm. Oase Village is located about 15 to 20 km outside
Kamanjab, the exact location of the site varies as the Himba
occasionally roam to a new location. During the afternoon
we will be invited into Oase Village and will meet with the
locals. We will have a specialist guide for the time we are there,
who will be able to translate for us and will introduce us
to this "alternative lifestyle". We will learn about
marriage customs, traditional food and the mysteries of the
local religion, "Holy Fire".
Day 12 Oase Village - Brandberg Mountain (BLD) (camping)
Today we head into one of the most beautiful desert regions
in Namibia, Damaraland. We drive south to the capital of this
region, the small town of Khorixas, and then take a detour
to the west, travelling via the Petrified Forest geological
site, to visit the ancient Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontien.
At both these locations we will have local guides to conduct
us on a short guided tour. From here we head deeper into the desert to Namibia's highest
mountain, The Brandberg, (2573 m). Brandberg Mountain is an
ancient Bushman spiritual site and tonight we will sleep under
the shadow of this giant granite monolith.
Day
13 Brandberg Mountain - Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast
(BL) (chalet accommodation)
Starting early to enjoy the cool of the morning we will
hike, "into" the mountain with our guide to see
the world famous "White Lady" rock painting. Attributed
to the Bushman artists, the white lady panel is believed by
some to be in excess of 20 000 years old. Back on the road for more beautiful Damaraland scenery. We
make our first stop in the small town of Uis, an old mining
town, and one of the best places to buy semi-precious stones,
for which Namibia is famous. Here, rough Amethyst, Tourmaline
etc can be found at bargain prices. From here we turn directly west and cross the "gravel
plains" on our way to the Atlantic Ocean and the Skeleton
Coast. Meeting the ocean at Henties Bay, we first head north
along the coast to visit the seal colony at Cape Cross. Here
at certain times of the year there can be as many as 100,000
Cape Fur seals in attendance. The next destination is Swakopmund,
following the Skeleton Coast into Namibia's premier seaside
town. We aim to arrive in the late afternoon giving us time
to explore the town on foot before sunset. Tonight we take the chance to sample one of the excellent
restaurants. The seafood in Swakopmund is superb. Your guide
will offer to organise a group meal in a local restaurant
for this evening. Participation is recommended but by no means
required.
Dinner this evening in not included in the price of the safari
and will be for the client's own account
Day 14 Swakopmund - Windhoek (B,L)
The drive back to Windhoek today will take about 4 and
a half hours. We will only depart after lunch,
giving us time to spend the morning relaxing in Swakopmund.
Swakopmund is a very pleasant seaside town with lots of shops,
a good stretch of beach (although the Atlantic here is quite
cold) and an open-air curio market. There is also a very good
museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium is located
in Swakopmund.
Alternatively, there are various optional activities that
can be arranged. These include plane and microlight flights
over the desert, scenic drives, fishing trips (both from the
beach or in a boat), four-wheel motorcycle (quad bike) trips
into the desert and over the sand dunes around Swakopmund,
sand boarding trips (also in the dunes), skydiving, surfing,
bird-watching and many other activities are available.
Your tour guide will discuss all the possible options with
you before you reach Swakopmund and will offer to make bookings
in advance of your arrival. (N.B. All extra activities and
excursions in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are
made at the clients' own risk and expense).
This is the last day of our trip and after lunch we will
transfer back to the capital city where you will be dropped
off at your accommodation. Tonight the accommodation is not
included in the price of the safari
