Welcome to Namibia
The Journey begins!
“The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa – for he has so much to look forward to.” - Hemmingway
Heading south you will be experiencing the vast wide open spaces offered by Namibias south. That feeling that you are the only person on the planet, that is what can be expected on the drive to your Lodge.
- Sundowner Drive
Your journey continues through the endless nature of Namibia.
Would you like to know more about the oldest Love Story of Namibia. The Duwisib Castle is not far away.
Afternoon at leisure.
Stop at the Duwisib Castle for Lunch
Start the day before Sunrise.
The sand dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert are often referred to as the highest dunes in the world. Various arguments are laid out to support this claim, but all miss the point, which is that Sossusvlei is surely one of the most spectacular sights in Namibia. Located in the Namib Naukluft park, the largest conservation area in Africa, and fourth largest in the world - the sand dunes at Sossusvlei are just one excellent reason to visit Namibia.
The best time to view Sossusvlei is close to sunrise and sunset; the colours are strong and constantly changing, allowing for wonderful photographic opportunities. The midday heat is intense and best spent in the shade.
'Vlei' is the Afrikaans word for a shallow depression filled with water (well, a depression that might sometimes be filled with water!), and the name 'Sossusvlei' should strictly only be applied to the pan that lies at the place where the dunes close in, preventing the waters of the Tsauchab River from flowing any further - that is, on the rare occasions that the river does flow as far as this. During exceptional rainy seasons, Sossusvlei may fill with water, causing Namibians to flock there to witness the grand sight, but normally it is bone dry. This particular 'vlei' is actually a more-or-less circular, hard-surfaced depression that is almost entirely surrounded by sharp-edged dunes, beyond which lies a formidable sea of rolling sand, stretching in unbroken immensity all the way to the coast. However, the name 'Sossusvlei' nowdays applies to the whole area - an area that encompasses the great plain of the Tsauchab River together with the red dunes that march along like giant sentinels to south and north of the plain.
Afternoon at leisure.
Balloon Flight at Sossusvlei (on request)
- Entrance Fees Sossusvlei
After a good breakfast you continue your journey.
Pass the Kuiseb Canyon and Walvis Bay on your way to Swakopmund.
Sandwiched between Atlantic rollers and the Namib Desert, Swakopmund is one of those great traveller way stations along the African road. At once Namibia's adventure capital and a surreal colonial remnant, part destination in its own right and part launch pad for an exploration of the Skeleton Coast and Namib Desert, this is a city with as much personality as it has sea frontage.
Dinner at the TUG Restaurant
Today, the Atlantic Ocean calls you.
Experience Dolphins swimming alongside our sailing catamaran, Seals playing around, Sunfish sharing the secrets of the depths and shy Leatherback Turtles surfacing.
In season we also have Humpback Whales and Southern Right Whales breaching about. Cruising Back - Lunch is served! How better to round off a perfect morning with Oysters and Sparkling Wine, followed by our trademark platters with savoury snacks, coffee/tea and cakes.
Afternoon at leisure.
Dinner at Altstadt Restaurant
- Catamaran Cruise
Today you can enjoy the coast on your own.
Swakopmund has a variate of activities. Shop for some souvenirs at the local wood marked, experience the Namib Desert out of a plane or just Enjoy the weather at the beach.
Need some help with activities, the About Africa Team will help you with your wishes
Sossusvlei Scenic Flight
We take off from Swakopmund and fly along the dry river bed of the Kuiseb river inland to the picturesque Kuiseb Canyon. We get to see the Tsondab Valley and the impressive Dead Vlei and Sossusvlei with the highest sand dunes worldwide. Further west we cross over the mystic diamond restricted are (Sperrgebiet) with its abandoned diamond ghost towns. We continue via Conception Bay and its seal colony to the shipwrecks of Eduard Bohlen (1909) and Shawnee (1976). Finally we arrive at Sandwich Habour, a protected area where the rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean hit the mighty sand dunes of the Namib Desert. Via the colorful salt mines of Walvis Bay we fly back to Swakopmund.
After a delicious breakfast you will exit the cold town of Swakopmund and make your way towards the warmer areas of the east.
Your first stop will be the legendary Welwitchia plant.
The Welwitschia Mirabilis is a plant which is endemic to the Namib desert in Namibia and Southern Angola. Named after Friedrich Welwitsch who "discovered" the plant in 1859, some of the specimen are estimated to be between 1000 and 1500 years old.
Next stop is the small yet famous stone market at Usakos. After a few souvenirs we’ll continue to head towards our destination at the Omaruru Game Lodge.
In Omaruru you can visiting the Kristall Kellerei a local winery. Undertaking a half an hour walking tour along the vineyards and prickly pear fields, you’ll also be able to see the distillery and their wine cellar. The winery of an area of estimated 12.5 ha is described by the owners as their "Wine garden". After the tour, you are invited to taste some of the local wines produced at the Kristall Kellerei. A possibility of a snack or light lunch is also available. (Optional)
Afternoon: Opportunity to an optional Game Driver on the Lodge ca. 300.00 N$ per Person.
Today you start your excursion towards the northern part of Namibia. The first stop will be at Outjo where you have the ability to have a quick Lunch break at Spar or the Outjo Bakery (not inclusive.)
The next destination for today is the wonderful Etosha Taleni Lodge. At your arrival you can relax at the Bar or at the Pool side with a nice book.
Enjoy your afternoon to regenerate and relax.
In the early morning the wilderness awaits, leading us to an excursion through the well-known Etosha National Park. Through the day you will be able to witness different varieties of animals, birds and trees. With luck we might even see some Rhinos, Lions and Gerard’s.
Stop and Lunch at Halali (not inclusive.)
Your destination is the Mokuti Lodge, located at the far end of the park. At arrival, enjoy the large swimming pool or exchange stories with your fellow companions with a nice glass of wine.
- Etosha Entrance Fees
Second Day Etosha Safari
The Etosha National Park is one of the prettiest Nature parks in Africa, having one of the largest game counts. The centre of the Park forms a white sparkling area know as the Etosha pan. Massive animal herds wander through the open areas of the pan and collect in the dry season at the watering holes. Springbucks, Kudus, Elands, Impalas, Gnus, Ostrich’s, Giraffes, Elephants, Rhinos, Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Warthogs und Hyenas live in the Etosha Park.
- Entrance Fees Etosha
Today say goodbye to Etosha and drive into the centre of this enormous country. On the way you cross the Otjikoto lake. The almost circular and 100-meter-deep lake was once a cave, when its ceiling collapsed. Close to the Guinas Lake is the Otjikoto lake the only natural lake in Namibia. In the year 1915 the German Schutztruppe sunk most of their weapons and munition before their surrender. (Visit of the lake is optional)
Continue your drive tour towards the beautiful Ghaub Lodge.
An idyllic oasis in the rugged Otavi mountains: rustic farm walls, tall palm trees, thick bush and a lush lawn surround the lovingly restored historic buildings of the Ghaub Lodge.
The 120 km² area of Ghaub houses a game-rich nature reserve with extraordinary rock engravings, a limestone cave as well as a farm with cattle and maize fields.
Afternoon at Leisure
The Ghaub Experience:
- Rhino drive (rhino, eland, blesbok etc; rock engravings)
- Rhino tracking (encounter rhinos on eye level)
- Cave excursion (third largest cave in Namibia)
- Farm tour (cultivation, livestock farming)
- Nature trails (pleasant mountain landscape, more than 250 bird species)
Today it is a short drive to your next destination.
Welcome to Erindi.
Namibias biggest private Game Reserve.
Erindi Private Game Reserve is a protected reserve in central Namibia. Erindi, meaning “place of water”, is a sustainable natural wonderland.
Good morning Erindi.
Your day starts early, experience the Namibian wild life in an open vehicle.
After an exciting Game Drive you can relax at the wooden deck and enjoy the view over the waterhole where you can see Hippos and Elephants in their natural habitat.
Afternoon at Leisure
Erindi offers more than 18 different activities.
Maybe you would like to go on a Bushman walk and learn more about the life and hunting skills.
Leave at sunrise in a game viewer and head out in the crisp morning air across the open plains to the base of the magnificent “Big Bushman” Mountain in the centre of Erindi Private Game Reserve. You will walk among the plains game while making your way towards where bushmen left their engravings etched in the stone. Your informative guide will share stories about the wildlife and the engravings of the area.
Erindi Game Drive
Goodbye Namibia.
An old Namibian song states:
"When the Namibian sun once burned your heart, you never really can leave Namibia. "
We hope you will visit again.
