After landing at Windhoek’s International Hosea Kutako Airport, located about 40 km outside of Windhoek, you proceed through customs & immigration. At the arrivals terminal you will be welcomed by your guest liaison who will assist you upon arrival in Namibia and you will be provided with everything you will need for your self-drive safari, from your accommodation vouchers to a map marked with your route.
Your journey takes you south to the Sossusvlei region in the Namib Desert. In Solitaire you can stop and stretch your legs. If there is still time today, you may want to visit Sesriem Canyon, a nearby geological attraction. After your arrival at the lodge, the rest of the afternoon can be spent at leisure, or should time allow, you may prefer to join in on a shared activity as offered by the lodge (which will be for your own cost).
The following morning, you need to rise early to enter the Namib Naukluft Park at sunrise to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows accentuate the towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world. Dune 45 is the most easily accessible dune in the dune belt, but you do require a 4x4 to reach the Dead Vlei parking area, as it is about 3km of thick sand you will need to traverse from the 2x4 parking to the Dead Vlei parking area. We recommend you order a lunch pack the evening before from the lodge and take along plenty of water.
The fascinating drive today takes you northwest through the ever changing desert landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park, including the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons. You will meet the coast at the port town of Walvis Bay, where you have the option to visit the lagoon to see the interesting mix of pelicans, flamingos and other sea-birds, before continuing north to Swakopmund where you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location and cooler coastal air.
You have this afternoon and the following day to explore Swakpmund, Walvis Bay and surrounding areas. You may like to climb the coastal dunes at Langstrand or Dune 7, explore Swakopmund’s shops, cafe's, museums and waterfront, or partake in any of the adventure activities on offer such as sand-boarding, boat cruises, kayaking, and scenic flights (all at extra cost). We recommend joining a morning dolphin and seal catamaran cruise or kayaking excursion on the Walvis Bay harbour and lagoon this morning, where you will see seals, pelicans, and enjoy seafood at the local restaurants. Please note that on weekends the shops have limited opening hours. Lunch and dinner in Swakopmund is for your own account.
Today you continue your self-drive journey, passing Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg which peaks at 2,573 m above sea level, and take time to view game and absorb the vastness of the scenery along the way.
Damaraland is typified by displays of colour, magnificent table topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation. The present day landscape has been formed by the erosion of wind, water and geological forces which have formed rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains and ancient river terraces. It is the variety and loneliness of the area as well as the scenic splendour which will reward and astound you, giving one an authentic understanding of the word 'wilderness'.
You arrive at the Camp Kipwe where you are staying for the next two nights on a full board and activity basis - meaning you join scheduled activities. If you arrive on time, you can join a scheduled afternoon activity to visit the nearby attractions and geological sites of the prehistoric Twyfelfontein rock engravings (recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site) - if not there is the option to do this tour the following afternoon. The morning activity is a visit to the Aba Huab River valley to search for the elusive desert adapted elephants and other wildlife, returning to camp for lunch and then a possible afternoon activity.
You set off on your journey to southern Etosha National Park. After your arrival, the rest of the afternoon can be spent at leisure game viewing at the camp’s waterhole, or should time allow, you may prefer to enjoy some game viewing in your hired vehicle before returning to the camp to arrive before sunset. Lunch and dinner are for your own account.
Please note:
• Etosha National Park gates open at sunrise and close at sunset (including the camp gates). The camps have a small shop for basic supplies, a fuel station, and a post office.
• The speed limit whilst driving in Etosha is 60km per hour.
• Do not get out of your vehicle whilst in Etosha unless you are safely within a designated area.
• The daily entrance fee for Etosha National Park (payable at Dolomite, Okaukuejo, Halali or Namutoni reception by cash or credit card) is N$250 per person and extra costs for the vehicle. You will fill in a registration form upon entry into Etosha, please keep this form as well as your park fees payment receipt to present at the gate upon departure.
Today is dedicated to a full day of exciting game viewing within the Etosha National Park from your rental vehicle as you make your way from the southern Okaukuejo Camp to Halali (where you may stop for lunch) and then on across via selected waterholes such as Goas, which are normally particularly good for game viewing, to Namutoni in the east, where you exit the park through the Von Lindequist gate. (you have to exit the park by sunset.)
The following day you can enter the Etosha National Park in your hired vehicle for some exciting game viewing, exiting the park again at sunset to return to your camp in time for dinner, or alternatively join a game drive in the park as offered by the camp (which will be for your own cost).
Returning to the Hosea Kutako Windhoek International Airport you will be met by your guest liaison who will assist you with your check-in for your departure flight and to bid you farewell.
