2024 - SCH 6 days Around the campfire (Schedule Sat departure)

Day 1 - Saturday
Route:                                  Windhoek to Taleni Etosha Village (outer border of Etosha National Park)

Distance:                            440 km

Collection time:            08h00 – 08h30 from any accommodation within the City of Windhoek

Journey:  leaving Windhoek we travel via the town of Okahandja, founded around 1800 by two local groups, the Herero and the Nama it is known as the Garden town of Namibia.  The road north to Otjiwarongo passes through commercial farming area – and on a clear day the Waterberg may be seen off in the distance, an area of historical importance to the Herero People.  Heading north west we pass through Outjo, our intention is to arrive at our campsite mid-afternoon, after setting up camp we head into the National Park for some late afternoon game viewing. 

Day 2 - Sunday

Route:                                 Through Etosha Okaukuejo to Namutoni Area (Taleni to Onguma)

Journey:  Up before dawn, we need to be at the Andersson Gate for sunrise which is when the entrance gates open, one of the best times for game viewing is the cooler morning hours and late afternoon.  We make use of today on an extensive game drive in search of black and white rhino, elephants, lion, cheetah and the numerous species of plains game.  The drive will give you an overview of the National Park including its birdlife, flora and geology. A stop will be made at Halali, the most central of the resorts. 

Day 3 - Monday

Route:                                     Onguma Game Reserve to Windhoek

Distance:                              545 km

Arrival in Windhoek:     Between 15h00 – 17h00

Journey:  Today we start our return journey to Windhoek with a stop in Tsumeb, the town is notable for being the site of a deep mine and is renowned amongst mineral collectors. A straight drive back to Otjiwarongo and Okahandja, where we will stop at one of the craft markets, this is an important centre for woodcarvers from the north who sell their carvings on a co-operative basis. Arrival back in Windhoek will be late afternoon, accommodation tonight is included at Windhoek Gardens Guest House / similar.  Dinner for own account tonight.

Day 4 - Tuesday
Route:                                Windhoek to Namib Naukluft Park

Distance:                            310 km

Collection time:            08h00 – 08h30 from any accommodation within the City of Windhoek

Journey:  we leave Windhoek travelling via the gravel roads and the Khomas Hochland mountain range, this area is one of farming communities till we reach the end of the escarpment (crossing the Tropic of Capricorn) where we descend via the Remhoogte Pass to the settlement of Solitaire.  The terrain varies dramatically as we travel to our campsite where arrival is due mid to late afternoon.  Set up camp and visit Elim dune – a great place for sundowners with the dunes behind us and the Naukluft Mountains in the distance.

Day 5 - Wednesday

Route:                                 Sesriem – Sossusvlei - Sesriem

Journey:  We’ll need to be on the move an hour before dawn as we make our way through a dry riverbed and across the gravel plains towards the Namib Dunes.  We’ll stop at Dune 45 before making our way to Sossusvlei with age old sands said to be around five million years old.  Dead Vlei with its white pan and contrasting black scorched trees is also on our visit list.  Whilst this region appears to be lifeless there are a variety of animal species that have adapted to these conditions and if we’re lucky may see Oryx antelope, ostrich, springbok and don’t forget about the birdlife and reptiles that inhabit the area.  Return to our campsite for lunch, late afternoon visit to the Sesriem Canyon where the ephemeral Tsauchab River has shaped the area over millions of years.

Day 6 - Thursday

Route:                                 Sesriem to Windhoek

Distance:                            335 km

Arrival in Windhoek:   15h00 – 17h00

Journey:  Our route today takes us back towards Solitaire from where we travel to the town of Rehoboth, an area of natural hot water springs, before arriving back into the city of Windhoek, this will be late afternoon, please do not book any outbound flights for this afternoon.