2024 Namibia Highlights 19-Day Guided Tour (Silver)

Day 1

Arrival in Windhoek

Our guide fetches us from the airport and drives us to Windhoek. Our hotel has an outdoor pool and a wellness area. The view from the hotel’s Sky Bar offers a beautiful panorama of the Klein Windhoek district. In the afternoon, we take a short city tour before having a game roast in the evening.

(approx. 40 km, driving time +-40 min.)

The Weinberg Hotel, Courtyard Upper-level Room

Day 2

Journey to the Kalahari semi-desert

We celebrate our first morning in Namibia with a hearty breakfast and then drive via Rehoboth and Kalkrand into the Kalahari. Our rustic tented lodge is built on a majestic red dune at the edge of a huge clay pan. At sunset, we’ll take a nature tour in an open Jeep in the up-to-30m-high red dunes surrounded by typical Kalahari flora and fauna.

(approx. 260 km from Windhoek, driving time +-3 hours)

Intu Afrika Suricate Camp (+ sundowner drive)

Day 3

Journey to the Fish River Canyon

We drive through arid country populated with many succulents such as quiver trees. The dead branches of these trees were used by the Bushmen as quivers for their arrows, hence the name. We can take a closer look at this striking aloe species on the way, at the quiver tree forest. The nearby "Playground of the Giants", a landscape of ancient volcanic rock formations, is also worth a visit. The bungalows at our accommodation were built from natural stone and are hidden between huge granite rocks which offers a special overnight atmosphere.

 (approx. 450 km, driving time +- 5.5 hours)

Canyon Lodge

Day 4

Fish River Canyon

We have the whole day to explore the area. A visit to the Fish River Canyon is a must. It is considered the second largest canyon in the world, measuring about 160 km long, up to 27 km wide in places and 550 m deep. There are many hiking opportunities both at the lodge and at the canyon.

(approx. 50 km, driving time +-1 hour)

Canyon Lodge

Day 5

Journey to Aus

The route on to Aus is extraordinary due to its barrenness and remoteness. Our farmhouse-style accommodation is located west of Aus at the foot of the Aus Mountains. The view over the endless expanses of desert is indescribable.

In the afternoon, we have the opportunity to visit the famous and fascinating "Wild Horses of Garub", whose origin and ability to survive their harsh environment has been puzzled over for decades.

(approx. 300 km, driving time +- 3 - 4 hours)

Klein-Aus Vista, Desert Horse Inn

Day 6

Sesriem/Sossusvlei

We drive northwards along the NamibRand, one of the most spectacular landscapes in Namibia. The fantastic landscapes at the edge of the Namib give us an idea of what to expect in the next few days: boundless expanses of desert, scattered mountain islands and breathtaking dune landscapes. Our accommodation for today is located at the park entrance to Sossusvlei. The bungalows offer a wonderful view of the dunes and the vast plains of the Namib. We could take a tour into the Sesriem Canyon in the afternoon.

(approx. 350 km, driving time +- 6 hours)

Sossusvlei Lodge, near park entrance

Day 7

Sossusvlei

This morning, we take a drive to one of the highest dunes in the world at Sossusvlei. We enjoy a short hike through the thick sand to Deadvlei – a striking clay pan of bizarrely-shaped dead trees. The contrasting colours of the red dunes, the deep blue sky, white pan floor and dark camelthorn trees make for fantastic photography.

(approx. 130 km, driving time +- 2.5 hours)

Sossusvlei Lodge, near park entrance

Day 8

Drive to Swakopmund

We continue north to Solitaire, where we could stop over for a taste of the town’s famous apple pie. We then pass through the central Namib Desert. On the way, we are sure to see ostriches and perhaps also springbok, zebra and oryx antelope. We arrive at the coastal town of Swakopmund, where we stay at a guesthouse with an ocean view. The beach and town centre with its numerous cafés and restaurants, are within walking distance. Tonight, we have a table reservation at a nearby restaurant with a sea view.

(approx. 350 km, driving time +- 6 hours)

At the Sea Guesthouse, Luxury Room

Day 9

Swakopmund

Today, we take a remarkable boat trip in the lagoon of Walvis Bay. We will see hundreds of seals as well as dolphins, flamingos, and pelicans.

In the afternoon, we have the opportunity to partake in various other activities such as shopping, visiting the Museum, Aquarium or Kristall Galerie, strolling along the beach or quad biking in the dunes. A scenic flight along the coast can also be booked (optional).

(approx. 40 km to Walvis Bay, driving time +- 30 min.)

At the Sea Guesthouse (+ catamaran trip)

Day 10

Erongo Mountains

We bid the coast adieu and drive to the Erongo Mountains. To the north, we see the majestic Spitzkoppe, also called the Matterhorn of Namibia, which rises 600 metres above the plain. Our lodge is nestled between huge granite boulders in the wildly beautiful landscape at the foot of the Erongo Mountains. From our bungalow, we can enjoy marvellous views of the savannah. We can also relax by the pool and simply absorb the tranquil atmosphere. In the afternoon, we go on a guided hike in this unique area. The sunsets over the plains here are spectacular.

(approx. 190 km, driving time +- 2.5 - 3 hours)

Ai Aiba Lodge (+ guided hike)

Day 11

Drive via Uis to Twyfelfontein

We drive past the 2573m-high Brandberg massif to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Twyfelfontein. The sandstones in the area are the fossilised remains of a primeval desert that covered large areas of present-day Namibia with its masses of sand about 180 million years ago. We go on a guided tour to view the rock engravings in the area.

(approx. 240 km, driving time +- 4 hours)

Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp

Day 12

Twyfelfontein

Today, we have a special excursion planned. We will take a particularly scenic drive along the dry riverbed of the Huab and Aba-Huab. We drive through the deep river sand amidst tall camelthorn and ana trees, in the hope that we will be lucky today and encounter the famous desert elephants during our drive.

Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp (+ Huab River scenic drive)

Day 13

Drive through Damaraland

Via Khorixas we drive to the Ugab Terrace. On the way, we can visit the "Petrified Forest", a collection of fossilised tree trunks up to 30 m long, which were formed about 280 million years ago and have been exposed by erosion. The small and cosy Huab Lodge is off the beaten track on the banks of the dry Huab River and has its own hot spring. The bungalows offer a magnificent and private view of the Huab River Valley.

(approx. 190 km, driving time +- 3 - 4 hours)

Huab Lodge

Day 14

Journey to Etosha National Park

Via Outjo, we reach Etosha National Park. Covering an area of almost 23 000 km2, it is one of the largest game reserves in the world and is considered one of the most outstanding game parks in Africa. More than 110 mammal species inhabit the park, including elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebra, twelve different antelope species and lions.

Our lodge is located just a few kilometres from the park gate. It is built on a hill and offers a beautiful view of the bush savannah. In the afternoon, we can go on our first game drives in the park with our guide. (approx. 200 km, driving time +- 3 hours)

Etosha Safari Lodge, near the southern park gate

Day 15

Drive through eastern part of Etosha National Park

Exciting game viewing awaits us for the next two days in the Etosha National Park. We can use this time to visit the various waterholes and observe the many animals there. At sunset at the latest, we leave the park through the eastern park gate. Our beautiful accommodation at Onguma Bush Camp is located a few kilometres past the park exit. The thatch-roofed buildings here exude a true bush feeling. Tonight, we will be treated to a delicious dinner.

(approx. 190 km, driving time +- 3 hours + game drives in the park)

Onguma Bush Camp near the eastern park entrance

Day 16

Etosha National Park

Once again, we have the opportunity to enjoy the abundance of animals in the park and observe the many wild animals quenching their thirst at the waterholes. We could also spend the day or part of it, relaxing at our beautiful camp. In the evening, we are treated with the delicacies from the kitchen again.

Onguma Bush Camp, near the eastern park entrance

Day 17

Otjiwarongo

We leave behind the wildlife of Etosha National Park and drive via Tsumeb to Otjiwarongo. Before we reach Tsumeb, we could visit Lake Otjikoto. In 1915, the Germans sank their cannons and weapons in this lake while fleeing from the South Africans. After our visit to the lake, we drive on to Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation, where we will have the opportunity to learn about the projects with leopards and hyenas carried out here. An afternoon game drive is booked for us.

(approx. 360 km, driving time +- 4 hours)

Okonjima Plains Camp (+ leopard tracking)

Day 18

Drive toward Windhoek

Today, we drive via Okahandja, where we can visit the woodcarving market of the locals. Thereafter, we drive onward to Okapuka Ranch, a private game reserve situated close to Windhoek. We can relax by the pool and rest in the tranquil atmosphere before our long flight tomorrow. In the afternoon, we go on a final game drive, where we will see various species of bird and antelope, giraffes and importantly, white rhino.

(approx. 200 km, driving time +- 2.5 hours)

Okapuka Safari Lodge (+ game drive)

Day 19

Departure

Today, our Namibian safari ends. We drive to Windhoek and depending on our flight time, we might have time for a last stroll through the capital city. We then head to the airport to catch our flight home.

(approx. 80 km, driving time +- 1.5 hours)