Ron Cook Safaris - Highlights of Namibia - Standard Program

These drives are the perfect way to getting acquainted with the Kalahari Desert. The approx. 3 hour morning or sunset drive with panoramic views across the Kalahari dunes is something to remember forever.

Join a 2-hour morning drive with a dedicated tour guide. After a leisurely drive guests will arrive at one of the red dunes. The red sand of the dunes invites all children to play. The family will spend some relaxed time on the dunes with coffee and hot chocolate. The guide will share some interesting facts on fauna and flora with the children (and their parents). Morning only. Subject to availability. Rate enquiries directly at the Lodge.

Explore the Kalahari on foot and on your own initiative. A trail map is available at the reception.

Explore the Kalahari on electric fat-bikes. Pedal through the Gondwana Kalahari Park on selected routes. Self-guided, subject to availability.

Explore the Kalahari on foot with a guide. May only be booked directly at the lodge.

Ready for a thrilling but safe experience? Join our guided night walk (3km) with UV light and a laser pointer after dinner. May only be booked directly at the lodge.

Experience the wild expanse of the Gondwana Canyon Park where the fences of ten farms were dismantled to recreate a Namibian Eden. Take a guided drive to the Fish River Canyon to be inspired by new perspectives. Celebrate sunrise amidst the quiver trees and sunset from a hillock, overlooking spectacular scenery. The Canyon lodges are comfortable havens to take a break from the road. Explore and discover the ancient wonderland, or simply luxuriate in the peace, lounging at the poolside, snoozing in the coolness of your chalet or sitting on the terrace dipping into a book.

This hike (about 6 km) takes you right into Gondwana Canyon Park. You are accompanied by a guide who will gladly share his knowledge about the fascinating desert landscape around the canyon. This tour does not include the Fish River Canyon. (Approx. 3 hours)

We drive you to a spot with a grand view. Watch the sunrise while enjoying coffee and tea. Then we walk back the short distance to the lodge. This tour does not include the Fish River Canyon. (Approx. 1 hour)

Especially for guests who want a break from the wheel or those on a fly-in safari. You are taken to the two major lookout points along the Fish River Canyon. Our guide will tell you all about the canyon's fascinating geology. (Approx. 3 hours)

The 3 hour drive is the perfect opportunity for you to acquaint yourself with the geology, flora and fauna of the Gondwana Canyon Park. This tour does not include the Fish River Canyon. It starts at Canyon Lodge or Canyon Village. Approx. 3 hours

All guests are invited to wrap up the day with a short excursion to our very own ‘local’ mountain. Have a drink and watch the sun go down.

Day trip to Tsau//Khaeb Park & Roter Kamm Crater

Departure will be at 8h00 from the Bahnhof Hotel in Aus on asphalt road C 13 towards Rosh Pinah in a closed game viewing vehicle. After about 60 km we head west over private farmland/along with river courses through barren but always varied landscapes to the Tsau//Khaeb Park border. In the park, we move along predefined routes through vast desert landscapes, which always offer something interesting and new due to their endless horizons and changing wildlife. Claypans, overgrown dunes, gravel plains are some of the impressions this part of the Namib has to offer. Since this landscape has been a restricted area for almost one hundred years, nature is still very much in its original state.

At noon we will have a small snack, which will be taken somewhere outdoors, depending on the time or the landscape.

After about 60 km we approach the highlight of the trip: the Aurus Mountains. Here a 90-minute hike has to be done, between endemic plants and other rare plants, some of which require a trained eye to be discovered. At the highest point, there is an upright stone, through whose Africa-shaped “peephole” you can get an impressive view of the Roter Kamm Crater, which still lies about 20 km away.

From here it takes about an hour and a half drive to the Roter Kamm itself, where you can trudge or climb up to the crater rim. For the return trip eastward which starts here, it also takes just under 90 minutes to get back to the C13 tar road to Aus at Witpütz, a former police station. On the 120 km long stretch to Aus, you have enough time to reflect on what you have seen and muse over your experience.

A piece of landscape, whose impressions not many people have been privileged to see and experience ... !

The intended arrival at the Bahnhof Hotel is at 16h00, which could possibly be prolonged a bit because of intermediate stops along the route.

Aus & Surrounds

Get a vivid introduction to the origins of Aus and to many of the

history - laden points of interest surrounding the little town

Duration: 1 to 1 ½ hours

Sundowner Tour

A little bit of the past, a little bit of the present and a lot of “take home” impressions, photos and

reminiscence of the moment the day comes to an impressive and enchanting end.

Duration: 2 to 3 hours, Drinks included

Departure times: 15 h 45 (Winter) 17 h 15 (Summer)

Discover the fossilised dunes, the red dunes above the plateau and the many wonders of the Namib Desert on this guides drive around Gondwana Namib Park.

Experience the Namib Desert on foot.

Ready for a thrilling but safe experience? Join our guided night walk (3km) with UV light and a laser pointer after dinner. May only be booked directly at the lodge.

Enjoy a guided half-day excursion to highest dunes on Earth at Sossusvlei. They form part of the spectacular Namib Sand Sea, which was declared a World Heritage site in 2013. Including brunch, prebooking is essential.

Activities to be advised at the Hotel. We gladly assist you with bookings for activities or dinner.

Marvel at the rich vegetation with the possibility to encounter desert adapted elephants in the dry Aba-Huab River valley. Our experienced field guides will take you on an exciting nature drive, filled with interesting facts pertaining to the area, its history and wildlife. Be on the lookout to spot birds of prey, antelope, fairy circles, Welwitchia Mirabilis and many other interesting geological formations. Our guides have an excellent record for tracking down herds of free roaming desert adapted elephants and will do their best to meet up with these magnificent giants. Ample time is allowed to take pictures and exchange information about endemic fauna and flora.

The nature drive returns over valleys of savannah, small dunes, the dry river bed and interesting geological formations. A stop at Welwitchia Hill allows guests to disembark the vehicle and enjoy a lovely sundowner in an unspoilt nature setting. Take as many pictures as you like of the sun setting across the desert-like savannah plains and distant mountains. This is Africa at its best.

After the sundowner, guests return to the lodge to freshen up and enjoy a delicious buffet dinner.

Guests are required to meet their guide at Reception 15 minutes prior to departure time for a meet and greet session. The guide will give a general introduction of the tour and highlight specific safety and environmental regulations that need to be adhered to. Guests are encouraged to make use of this opportunity to inform their guide of specific fields of interest such as photography, birding, animal behaviour, etc. The guide will structure the tour to focus on these areas of interest.

Departure time:15h00

Included:Mineral water, soft drinks, beers and sparkling wine.
Duration:3.5 – 4.0 hours

Guests are advised to have sufficient protection against the sun and to take warms clothes along during winter times.

Bookings can be made in advance, or at reception.

A trip to the Rock engravings & paintings, The Burnt Mountain and The Organ Pipes accompanied by a resident guide. Many of the rock formations are the products of prehistoric volcanic action. Fascinating plants in the area include the Welwitschia Mirabilis, the Moringa and a variety of Commiphora species.

Rock engravings: The engravings have very few depictions of humans; by far the majority of the engravings at Twyfelfontein depict animals and their spoor. The rock engravings at Twyfelfontein revealed a deeper understanding of the world to the hunters and the gatherers that lived there in the past.

Organ Pipes: These masses of perpendicular dolerite pillars are located down the riverbed and formed by the intrusion of volcanic rock dolerite about 120 million years ago.

Burnt Mountain: Located a couple of kilometers from the Organ Pipes and visible from the road. The Karoo limestones which formed the mountain were deposited around 200 million years ago. About 120 million years ago, the same period the Organ Pipes were formed, volcanic lava intruded the limestones and metamorphism giving the mountain its distinctive colour.

Departure time: 08h00 (after breakfast)
Included:Mineral water & soft drinks
Duration:Approximately 3 hours

1. Traditional Life in the village:
Experience the daily routine in a traditional museum, including traditional blacksmith (making of weapons and tools), tanning of leather (production of traditional clothes), jewellery and crafts, dancing, singing and traditional games, Holy Fire and fire making and more.

2. Bushwalk:
Follow us on a bushwalk where the women collect plants from the bush for food, perfume and medicine and where the men show you how to set up traps, snares and how they used to hunt in the old times.

3. Traditional Life & Bushwalk:
Combines programs 1 & 2 for the complete traditional Damara experience.

Children policy
0 - 2 yrs free of charge
3 - 12 yrs half price

Guided morning and afternoon hiking trails are available. During these trails you can encounter fascinating plants in the area, including the Welwitschia mirabilis, the Moringa and a variety of Commiphora species.

Morning trails will start 30 minutes before sunrise. Afternoon trails start approximately 1 hour before sunset to allow guests time to get back to the Lodge before dark.The duration of the walk will be determined by the guide, considering the speed and capabilities of each guest.

A minimum 2 guests & maximum 10 guests per guide.

This is a drive to the Adam & Eve Rock to view engravings and a small bushman painting before continuing to the Real Adam & Eve painting. The story behind the paintings & engravings will be explained by the guide.

Departure time: Mornings only - Please enquire at reception for the departure time.
Included:Mineral water & soft drinks
Duration:Approximately 1.5 hours
Distance:20km & then a 10 minute walk to the site & again 10 minute walk to the parking
Elevation: 12 meters

Meet the Himba people of Kaokoland with our guide / interpreter on an excursion to a traditional Himba village. Interact and photograph one of the last remaining nomadic tribes of Africa. You will have time to ask questions while your guide answers and explains the Himba`s intricate traditions, customs and beliefs.

- Morning departure is at: 8h00.
- Afternoon departure is at: 14h00 during summer and winter.
- Mineral water is included.
- Duration is approximately 3 - 4hrs.
- Private Himba excursions have to be booked in advance to ensure vehicles and guide availability.

Epupa Falls Excursion
(The road might become inaccessible during parts of the rainy season between Dec to April)
This is a full day excursion, which departs at 08h00 from the lodge after breakfast. The excursion is conducted in a 4x4 vehicle. Driving time is approximately three hour to reach Chief Kapika’s village. After visiting the village you will continue for another 35 km to Epupa Falls where you will enjoy your picnic lunch packs on the bank of the Kunene River while marvelling at the white water rushing over the Falls. Return to the lodge just before sunsets.

- The activity includes bottled water and picnic lunch packs.
- Not included – are extra soft or alcoholic drinks. Please request the lodge to pack extra if you wish to have a larger choice.
- Minimum number of guests per tour are 4 x full paying adults.
- Maximum number of guests per tour per day are 6 per vehicle.

Baobab Tree - Africa’s Tree of Life
This succulent absorbs and stores water during the rainy season to be able to produce a nutrient-dense fruit in dry seasons.
This mystical tree, believed to predate even mankind, is a symbol of life, hope and positivity during tough times, as it proves that it can withstand any harsh seasons while baring flowers and fruits.
They live up to around 3000 years, grow tall up to 25m and can have an impressive circumference stretching up to 40m.

- Est. 3 to 4 hours trip
- Mornings & Afternoons
- Guided & Self drive options
- Mineral Water included

Pick-up at Opuwo run way at +/- 11h00 by Lodge transfer.
Arrive at Opuwo Country Lodge for a welcome drink and toilet stop. Depending on your time of arrival, lunch can be served before or after the Himba village excursion, which normally takes +/- 1 to 2 hours. The lodge will provide the pilot with a complimentary day room whilst clients are on the excursion, alternatively he/she may join the excursion at no extra charge. Transfer back to the Opuwo airstrip between 14h30 and 15h00 for your return flight.

- Light lunch is included in the price
- Duration of Himba drive will depend on your time of arrival. Departure time should not be later than 15h00. Late arrival will result in a shorter excursion.
- The excursion is based on a minimum of 2 guests per excursion.

Explore the national park with our guides who are familiar with the waterholes and the animals that visit them. Let them introduce you to African wildlife from the elevated seat of a game vehicle. Early mornings or late afternoons provide the best game viewing times. And, after Etosha enchantment return to the lodge to dive into the cool waters of the pools. Dine on the veranda under a dome of stars, sit next to a blazing fire or watch the ruby sun sink gracefully into the landscape. Be at peace.

This guided drive with an open vehicle will take you into Etosha National Park.

This guided drive with an open vehicle will take you into Etosha National Park, departure in the morning or afternoon.

Hire our 7-seater VW Kombi for your private game drive in Etosha National Park, equipped with opening side windows, skylight, fridge, drinks and snacks. An unparalleled, social safari experience! (Guide on request at an additional cost)

Guests can make the most of the landscaped gardens — relaxing in the shade under the trees or at the pool; or visit the exciting reptile park, play a game of tennis, explore the reserve by following one of the marked walking trails, be pampered in the spa or workout at the gym. For the slightly more adventurous, there’s the option of accompanying one of Mokuti’s experienced game guides in an open safari vehicle into Etosha National Park. With its vast number of wildlife species, guests will be sighting and photographing ‘til the sun sets.

The early morning hours promise breathtaking moments in Etosha National Park. A morning bush walk brings you up close and personal with nature. Allow our experienced guides to take you on a journey of discovery filled with entertainment, awakening all your five senses. Afterwards, enjoy a scrumptious breakfast and nature's sweet serenade especially for you

Experience a game drive on our 4300 hectar reserve. A sundowner leads you into the starry night and an opportunity to discover the thrill of nocturnal life and splendour not seen during the day. Sit down to a boma fire, enjoy a traditional meal alive with flavour and authenticity. Sink into the call of the wild, owls hooting and the 'sawing' of the ever elusive leopard

Join our Conservation Team on a visit to the Ontouka Reptile Park and learn fascinating facts about African reptiles. Book your front row seat at a spectacular crocodiles feeding session! Inhabitants of the park include some of the world’s most dangerous snakes, crocodiles, turtles, goanna, chameleons and many more