In the morning departure from Windhoek in northerly direction via Okahandja, a former mission station and the tribal centre of the Herero people, Otjiwarongo, Otavi and Tsumeb to Mokuti Etosha Lodge at the border of the Etosha National Park.
After breakfast depart to Farm Hedwigslust, home of the Ombili foundation. The aim of the foundation is to teach the 350 Bushmen living on the farm to become self-sufficient as “farmers”, to sow, produce
and harvest crops as an alternative to hunting game, which has become extinct. The Ombili Foundation relies on donations to finance this project. A gratuity of approximately N$ 50.00 is much appreciated. Drive back to Mokuti Etosha Lodge.
Driving through a small part of the Etosha National Park continue further north to 4-O region, the most densely populated region of Namibia (approximately 600 000 people). The Ovambo in Namibia consist of 8 sub-tribes.
The Nakambale Museum at Olukondo is the first stop, depicting the past and present role of the Finnish Mission, the church and the local cultures.Visit the Ngonga homestead and observe the different demon-strations on wheat crushing, basket weaving, hair braiding, possibly traditional dancing and music etc. A traditional lunch will be served. Proceed to Oshakati via Ondangwa.
Travel through the Omusati region. Flat, sandy plains dotted with makalani palms, savannah and mopane woodlands characterize the landscape. Stop at different attractions. Continue to Opuwo via Ruacana.
Early departure in direction of Epupa Falls.
The Epupa Falls (also known as Monte Negro Falls in Angola) are created by the Kunene River on the border of Angola and Namibia, in the Kaokoland area of the Kunene Region.
The river is 0.5 km wide and drops in a series of waterfalls spread over 1.5 km, with the greatest single drop being 37 m. The name "Epupa" is a Herero word for "foam", in reference to the foam created by the falling water. The falls are a major visitor attraction in Namibia, because of the largely unspoiled environment, with fig trees, baobabs, makalani palms, and colored rock walls framing the falls.
Lunchpacks en route.
After breakfast we visit a typical Himba settlement.
The Himba are a sub-tribe of the Herero people. They are the only tribe still practicing their ancient tradition and culture. They are nomads who roam the area in search of grazing for their cattle.
A number of deserted settlements will be seen along the way. A local guide will accompany the group in order to negotiate a visit to a “Kraal” with the headman of the tribe and will explain the lifestyle and the culture of the Himba people. Return to the Lodge. In the afternoon take part in a guided excursion to the Falls. Enjoy a nice sundowner afterwards.
Very early in the morning we are heading southwards. We drive back to Opuwo and proceed to the Hobatere Lodge, which is opposite the western entrance of the Etosha National Park. First game viewing on the way to the lodge.
Lunchpacks en route.
Travel through the western part of the Etosha National Park. The oryx and other antelopes favour this region. West of Okaukuejo is the well-known “Sprokieswoud”, Phantom or Fairy Forest, the only place where the African Moringa tree grows in a flat area. Game viewing continues till late afternoon before you leave the park and arrive at your lodge.
Return to Windhoek via Outjo, Otjiwarongo and Okahandja. Arrive in Windhoek during the afternoon.
Drive from Windhoek via Dordabis, Uhlenhorst and Stampriet through the beautiful scenery of the Kalahari outskirts to Gochas. Afternoon nature drive.
Drive to the Kokerboom forest (quiver tree), explore the area, continue to Keetmanshoop and proceed past the Naute Dam to the Fish River Canyon.
Visit the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world. This gigantic ravine, in places almost 500 metres deep, has been gorged out of vast undulating plain in the course of thousands of years. Proceed to Lüderitz via Seeheim and Aus. This drive takes you through intriguing “moon” landscape of endless desert vistas and bizarre rock formations.
Lüderitz, the first German settlement in Namibia, named after the merchant Adolf Lüderitz from Bremen, who bought this area from the Hottentots in 1883. The small harbour town is perched on rugged black rock, offset by the deep blue waters of the bay, and is surrounded by bays, coves and fjords. During the morning visit to the “ghost town” of Kolmanskop where diamonds were first discovered in Namibia. Afterwards sightseeing in and around Lüderitz and drive to Klein Aus Vista.
Continue through the scenic Neisip Plain and drive along the edge of the Namib Desert, the Tiras Mountains and the Nubib Mountains to the lodge.
In the early morning depart on an excursion to the Sesriem Canyon and Sossusvlei, a large clay pan in the centre to the Namib Desert, surrounded by the highest sand dunes in the world. Arrive back at the lodge round about lunch time. In the afternoon take part in a nature drive through the private reserve.
Drive via Remhoogte Pass to Rehoboth and visit the Oanob Dam. Return to Windhoek. Arrival in the late afternoon.
