Day 1
Arrival in Windhoek
You’ll be picked up at the airport and driven to “The Weinberg” hotel in Windhoek where you can take advantage of the outdoor pool and wellness area. There are several restaurants on the premises offering both outdoor and indoor seating options, while from the Sky Bar you can take in a beautiful panoramic view of the Klein Windhoek district.
(approx. 40 km, travel time approx. 40 min.)
The Weinberg Hotel, Superior Room (BB)
Day 2
Drive to the Kalahari semi-desert
After breakfast you’ll be picked up at the hotel and taken to pick up your rental car. You then drive via Rehoboth and Kalkrand to Intu Afrika’s Suricate Camp in the Kalahari Desert. The small, tented lodge is built on a majestic red dune on the edge of a huge clay pan, offering a wonderful view. At sunset you’ll join a nature tour on an open-top off-road vehicle, driving through the up to 30m high red longitudinal dunes, and getting to see the typical flora and fauna of the Kalahari Desert.
(approx. 260 km from Windhoek, driving time approx. 3 hours)
Intu Afrika Suricate Camp (FB + sundowner drive)
Day 3
To the Fish River Canyon
Today you drive through an arid area with many succulents, stopping off at the quiver tree forest to take in these strange looking trees, whose dead branches were used by the Bushmen as quivers for their arrows. Not far from the quiver tree forest is the “Giant's Playground”, where ancient volcanic rock formations transport the observer to a fascinating fantasy world. The bungalows of Canyon Lodge, your atmospheric stop tonight, are built from natural stone, and hidden between huge granite rocks.
(approx. 450 km, travel time approx. 6 hours)
Canyon Lodge (HB)
Day 4
Fish River Canyon
You have the whole day to explore the area and a visit to the Fish River Canyon is a must. At 160 km long, up to 27 km wide in places, and 550 m deep, this is considered the second largest canyon in the world. Like a snake, it winds its way through a gray-brown rocky landscape towards the Orange River, Namibia’s natural border with South Africa. There are many hiking opportunities both at the lodge and along the canyon.
(approx. 50 km, travel time approx. 1 hour)
Canyon Lodge (HB)
Day 5
On to Aus
The route to Aus, and your accommodation to the west of the town at the foot of the Aus mountains, is impressive in its barrenness and loneliness. Built in the style of an old farmhouse, Klein Aus Vista radiates incredible tranquillity, and offers an indescribable view over the endless expanses of desert. In the afternoon you have the chance to visit the famous and fascinating wild “Horses of Garub”, whose origin has been a mystery, and the subject of much debate, for decades.
(approx. 300 km, driving time approx. 3-4 hours)
Klein-Aus Vista, Desert Horse Inn (HB)
Day 6
Sesriem/Sossusvlei
Driving north along the edge of the Namib Desert (one of the most spectacular landscapes in Namibia) you’ll be accompanied by the unbelievable vastness of the desert and its isolated inselbergs and dune landscapes. Your accommodation today, Sossusvlei Lodge, is situated directly in front of the park entrance to Sossusvlei. The bungalows are comfortably furnished and offer a wonderful view of the dunes and the vast plains of the Namib. A visit to the nearby Sesriem Canyon is possible in the afternoon.
(approx. 350 km, driving time approx. 6 hours)
Sossusvlei Lodge near the park entrance (HB)
Day 7
Sossusvlei
You’ll want an early start today, as on your drive to Sossusvlei, you’ll see some of the highest dunes in the world shimmering golden, yellow, and reddish in the early morning sunlight, contrasted in razor-sharp focus by the deep, dark shadows on the other side. This makes the dune ridge stand out and is a photographer’s dream. Take a short hike through thick sand to Deadvlei, to witness the bizarrely shaped trunks and branches of the trees that died hundreds of years ago. Back at the lodge, you have the chance to relax and let the day sink in.
(approx. 130 km, driving time approx. 2.5 hours)
Sossusvlei Lodge near the park entrance (HB)
Day 8
To Swakopmund
You continue north to Solitaire (where you can sample the famous apple pie) and then pass through the central Namib Desert. On the way to the coastal town of Swakopmund, where you spend the night in a guesthouse overlooking the sea, you’re sure to see ostriches, and perhaps also springboks, zebras, and oryx antelopes. The town centre, with its numerous cafés and restaurants is within walking distance, and a reservation can be made at a restaurant with an ocean view (optional).
(approx. 350 km, travel time approx. 6 hours)
At the Sea Guesthouse, Luxury Room (BB)
Day 9
Swakopmund
You take a very interesting boat trip in the lagoon of Walvis Bay today, where you’ll get to experience seals, dolphins, flamingos, pelicans, and, if you’re lucky, a whale or two. Many activities, including quad biking in the dunes, or a scenic flight along the coast, are possible in the afternoon (optional). Or you can enjoy the beach, visit the museum, the aquarium or the crystal gallery, or just explore the quaint town centre on foot.
(approx. 40 km to Walvis Bay, travel time approx. 30 min.)
At the Sea Guesthouse (BB) + catamaran trip incl.
Day 10
Erongo Mountains
Bid farewell to the sea and drive to the Erongo Mountains. Along the way, if you look to the north, you’ll see the majestic Spitzkoppe, also known as the Matterhorn of Namibia, which rises 600 meters above the surrounding plain. Your lodge offers luxurious suites with a magnificent panoramic view of the Erongo Mountains. You can relax by the pool and enjoy the view in the afternoon but be sure not to miss the guided sunset walk.
(approx. 190 km, travel time approx. 2.5-3 hours)
Ai Aiba Lodge (HB + hike incl.)
Day 11
Drive via Uis to Twyfelfontein
Today you drive past the 2,573 m high Brandberg massif (Namibia’s highest point) to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein. The name Twyfelfontein is Afrikaans and means “dubious source”. The sandstone in the area is the fossilized remains of a primeval desert that covered large areas of present-day Namibia around 180 million years ago. You can visit the rock engravings on a guided tour (optional).
(approx. 240 km, driving time approx. 4 hours)
Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp (HB)
Day 12
Twyfelfontein
You have a special excursion awaiting you today as you take a drive in the lodge's open safari vehicle through the dry riverbed of the Huab and Aba-Huab. Passing between tall camelthorn and ana trees in the deep river sand, perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to encounter the famous desert elephants on this very scenic tour.
Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp (HB + Huab River Scenic Drive)
Day 13
Drive through Damaraland
Continue via Khorixas to Damaraland. On the way, it is possible to visit the “Petrified Forest”, a collection of fossilized tree trunks up to 30 m long, which were formed 280 million years ago and were uncovered by erosion. The small and cozy Huab Lodge is located off the beaten track on the banks of the dry Huab River and has its own thermal spring. The bungalows offer a wonderful and private view of the Huab river valley.
(approx. 190 km, driving time approx. 3-4 hours)
Huab Lodge (HB)
Day 14
To Etosha National Park
Today you head to the Etosha National Park, one of the largest game reserves in the world at just under 23,000 km2 and considered one of the most outstanding game parks in Africa. The park is home to over 110 species of mammals, including elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, twelve different species of antelope, and lions. Your lodge, built on a hill and offering a beautiful view of the surrounding savannah, is located just a few kilometers from the park gate.
(approx. 200 km, driving time approx. 3 hours)
Etosha Safari Lodge at the southern park gate (HB)
Day 15
Drive through the eastern Etosha National Park
Exciting game viewing awaits you today in the Etosha National Park where you have the whole day to visit the various waterholes and spot animals such as giraffe, kudu, zebra, oryx antelope, black-nosed impala, wildebeest, springbok, ostrich and, with a bit of luck, even lion and elephant. In the evening, you leave the park in an easterly direction and reach Onguma Bush Camp just a few kilometers from the exit. The grass-roofed buildings of this cozy camp convey a real “bush feeling” and you’ll have the chance to treat yourself to a delicious dinner.
(approx. 190 km, travel time approx. 3 hours plus drives in the park)
Onguma Bush Camp at the eastern park entrance (HB)
Day 16
Etosha National Park
Another chance to enjoy the abundance of animals in the park and see many wild animals quenching their thirst at the waterholes, or to just relax in the beautiful camp. In the evening, you can indulge in the delicacies from the kitchen once again.
Onguma Bush Camp at the eastern entrance to the park (HB)
Day 17
Otjiwarongo / Okonjima
Leave the wildlife of Etosha National Park and drive via Tsumeb to Otjiwarongo. Near Tsumeb you can visit Lake Otjikoto, where in 1915 German World War I forces sank their cannons and weapons while fleeing from the South Africans. Then drive to Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation, where projects with leopards and hyenas are carried out, and will be explained during an afternoon game drive.
(approx. 360 km, driving time approx. 4 hours)
Okonjima Plains Camp (VP + leopard tracking incl.)
Tag 18
Drive towards Windhoek
Today you drive to a private game reserve just outside Windhoek, where you can relax by the pool and think back on your memorable holiday. It isn’t over yet though, as in the afternoon you’ll get to go on one last game drive.
(approx. 200 km, driving time approx. 2.5 hours)
Okapuka Safari Lodge (HB + game drive)
Day 19
Departure
Your Namibia safari ends today with a short drive to Windhoek, where you’ll return your rental car. You’ll be taken to the airport via transfer, where you depart for home later that afternoon or evening.
(approx. 80 km, travel time approx. 1.5 hours)
