11 Day / 10 Night Namibia Lodge Safari
HIGHLIGHTS
Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland, Cape Cross Seal Colony, Twyfelfontein, Petrified Forest, Game Drives in Etosha National Park, Visit to the Cheetah Conservation Foundation & Waterberg Plateau National Park.
DAY 1: WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA
On arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation for the night. Your guide will meet you at the lodge and we then embark on a short orientation city tour of Windhoek. The evening is spent at leisure. Accommodation: Terra Africa Guest House or similar (rooms with en-suite bath-rooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
DAY 2/3: WINDHOEK – SOSSUSVLEI, NAMIBIA
Today we make our way to the Namib Naukluft National Park, which contains what is considered to be the oldest desert in the world. The next morning we need to wake up early to visit the world’s highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. At sunrise and sunset these dunes, which can reach heights of over 300 m, are absolutely spectacular and provide for a fantastic photo opportunity. With luck, there may even be water in the vlei (lake). We also stop to view the Sesriem Canyon, which was carved millions of years ago by the Tsauchab River. Accommodation: Agama River Camp or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, sunset deck & bar / restaurant area) [BLD][BLD]
DAY 4&5: SOSSUSVLEI – SWAKOPMUND, NAMIBIA
The day is spent driving through the Namib Naukluft National Park on our way to Swakopmund. The Namib-Naukluft Desert is an ancient land with an ageless spirit.
It is home to some of the rarest plant and animal species in the world. Sightings of these unique fauna and flora are a must on a Namibian safari. The animals of this harsh landscape include the oryx, springbok and Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra. We can also spot the Welwitschia Mirabilis, an odd-looking desert shrub of which one is a large, protected specimen estimated at over 1 500 years in age. We arrive at the charming coastal town of Swakopmund in the afternoon, where you will have the opportunity to partake in a few of the many optional activities this afternoon and the following day. Alternatively, just soak up the atmosphere of this quaint, little German town and enjoy its beauty and beaches.
Accommodation: Alte Brücke or similar (chalets with en-suite bathrooms & restaurant) [BL][B]
DAY 6: SWAKOPMUND TO CAPE CROSS SEAL COLONY, TWYFELFONTEIN AND PETRIFIED FOREST
We travel along the barren Atlantic coast on our way out of Swakopmund to visit Cape Cross – the largest breeding site of the Cape Fur Seal. Leaving the coastline behind, we head inland across the desert plains for Twyfelfontein and view the ancient Bushmen paintings and engravings. Twyfelfontein was named a World Heritage site in 2007, the first Namibian location to receive this honour. The next morning we make a stop at the
Petrified Forest, the trees of which are estimated to be 250 million years old. Accommodation: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, restaurant and swimming pool)[BLD]
DAY 7&8: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK, NAMIBIA
Today we travel to Namibia’s best-known highlight of the north – Etosha National Park. We will fill the next 2 days with game drives in the hopes of spotting some of the Big Four as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra and the numerous different types of antelope the park has to offer. Etosha was declared a National Park in 1907 and it is home to approx. 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and, surprisingly, one species of fish. Our nights are spent at the lodge’s flood-lit waterhole encountering the various nocturnal animals that come to drink. Accommodation: Toshari Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, waterhole, bar & restaurant)[BLD][BLD]
DAY 9: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK – WATERBERG PLATEAU PARK, NAMIBIA
This morning we bid farewell to the wild animals of Etosha and travel via the Cheetah Conservation Foundation at Otjiwarongo to the Waterberg Plateau National Park.
The CCF is an internationally recognised centre for research and education on cheetahs and their eco-systems. It boasts an extensive visitor’s centre, which encourages
tourists to learn more about these beautiful cats and the efforts being made to save them. The Waterberg is a sandstone plateau which rises over 200 m from the surrounding plains
and gives name to Namibia’s only mountain game park. Waterberg now supplies other Namibian parks with rare species. In 1989, black rhino were reintroduced to the area from
Damaraland, sparking a successful breeding programme of national and international significance for the species. There are various trails to walk along searching for the elusive
Damara dik-dik as well as a good variety of birds. Accommodation: Waterberg Camp or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, shop, bar & restaurant)[BLD]
DAY 10: RETURN TO WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA
We leave the Waterberg Plateau behind us and travel back to Windhoek through the beautiful countryside, making short stops en-route. Once we arrive, the rest of the afternoon can be spent at leisure, and dinner can be enjoyed in one of the many fabulous restaurants in the city. Accommodation: Terra Africa Guest House or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)[BL]
DAY 11: END OF TOUR
Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Windhoek Airport in time for your departure flight. We hope to welcome you again one day on another of our African adventures.
GROUP SIZE: 4-12 clients.
ACCOMMODATION: On your safari we make use of mid-range typical African standard lodge accommodation. Accommodation is situated either in National Parks, on the banks of a river, or in other places of interest. The accommodation will be a mix of lodges, chalets and tented camps. Most of them have a private bathroom with a shower and toilet, whilst others have shared ablutions available. Some properties are equipped with swimming pools and/or bar areas.
FOOD & DRINKS: Where included, most breakfasts and dinners will be enjoyed in the restaurants of the various accommodation establishments. Lunch packs are provided for driving days and excursions. Alternatively, the guide will prepare lunch en-route. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements in advance
VEHICLES: Fully equipped Toyota Land Cruisers, 12-seater 4×4 safari vehicles or other appropriate vehicles with comfortable seating, large windows for game viewing, a music and PA system and air-conditioning. All luggage, besides hand luggage and photo equipment, is carried on the vehicle or trailer roof racks to ensure maximum comfort in the vehicle.
STAFF: Guide
