DAY 2

Day 2: Windhoek
Windhoek - a visit to the markets, Katatura township and various women's handcraft projects, dinner in a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Guest house – (B&B, lunch, dinner, drinks extra)

Location: Windhoek

DAY 3

Day 3: Drive to Swakopmund
After breakfast we head for Swakopmund. As the British had already laid claim to Walvis Bay, the Germans established the port of Swakopmund in 1884 to provide access to the interior of the German protectorate of Deutsch-Südwestafrika. The town has a strong German colonial feel – the old buildings have been carefully restored and German bakeries abound where you can sample delicious pastries and other delicacies. Take a walk to the old lighthouse, built in 1903. Or visit the new aquarium with its glimpse into the Benguela Current marine fauna and flora. Or how about the natural history museum, which also makes fascinating visiting.

Accommodation: guesthouse, (B & B, dinner, drinks extra)

Location: Swakopmund

DAY 4

Day 4: Kayaking on the Walvis Bay Lagoon
Bird lovers grab your books! At the Walvis Bay lagoon you’re almost certain to see greater and lesser flamingos and a huge variety of waders. During our morning's kayak on the lagoon, dolphins and seals often join us, these natural comedians giving us an impromptu water show. Laugh at their antics, feel the wind tangle your hair and blow roses into your cheeks – at times like this, you can’t imagine why anyone chooses to live in a city!

Accommodation: guesthouse, (B & B, lunch, dinner, drinks extra)
Location: Swakopmund

DAY 1

Day 1: Arrival in Windhoek
Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, is an excellent introduction to Africa. Safe, small and friendly, the city is a melting pot of cultures and peoples. We make our way to the craft market, which offers beautiful hand-made artworks – and the best cup of coffee and lunch in town.
Today you will also make a new friend as you meet the guide who will be with you throughout your stay, teaching you how to see beyond the obvious to the extraordinary, how to identify and appreciate the subtle beauty of all you are about to experience. Welcome to Africa!

Accommodation: Guesthouse (B & B, dinner, drinks extra)

Location: Windhoek

 

DAY 5

Day 5: Namib Dunes

After breakfast we make our way to our exclusive site in the Central Namib Sand Sea. We should arrive in time for brunch below the towering sand dunes of the Namib Sand Sea. The rest of the afternoon is spent exploring on foot. In the afternoon light, the surreal colours of the ochre-red dunes contrast with the vivid blue sky. A photographer's paradise! Some of the highest dunes in the world occur in this area, and the proximity of these towering dunes can take your breath away (especially after climbing to the top). Getting down is much easier – you can slide down the dune on your stomach, roll down like tumbleweed, or make up your own weird and wonderful way to get down!
We spend the day exploring the dunes on foot and in our vehicle; your guide will open your eyes to how the fascinating flora and fauna is adapted to survive in this harsh environment. Other activities include dune boarding and a visit to the local Topnaar village to meet Ouma Lydia - one of the grandmothers. Late afternoon we head back to Swakopmund. It feels strange to be back in civilisation after the immense silence of the desert. You may find yourself falling quiet as your mind strays back to the mighty Namib. You’ll have left a bit of your heart there – we all do.

Accommodation: Guesthouse, (B & B, dinner, drinks extra)
Location: Swakopmund

DAY 6

Day 6: Drive to Damaraland
We leave Swakopmund after breakfast. Then we take to the road again: this time north to the southern Damaraland and the Twyfelfontein Conservancy.
Lunch is enjoyed al fresco under a tree along the way.
Along the way we explore one of the largest collections of rock engravings discovered of the ancient San-people as yet. Interesting rock formations and the remainder of prehistoric volcanic action can be seen. The barren surroundings and rock-strewn slopes seem a most unlikely place for any human habitation, but there is a small spring near the base of the hill and this has been providing water to animals for thousands of years. The well-preserved engravings and paintings (more than 2,500 of them!) are more than 10 000 years old, going back to the early Stone Age. The well-preserved engravings executed by cutting into the sandstone, show-hunting scenes and depict different animals such as rhino, antelope, ostrich, giraffe, lion and elephants. Be prepared to spend a good couple of hours here, for some good photographic opportunities go in the late afternoon to this U-shaped valley of unusual reddish sandstone formations and terraces.
The fauna and flora of Damaraland is typical of the pro-Namib region and plant species include the magnificent Welwitschia, Moringa and a variety of the Commiphora species. The desert adapted elephant, rhinoceros, giraffe, springbok, endemic Damara chat and ostrich are some of the wildlife which can be found living in total harmony with the community and the communal farming activities of the Twyfelfontein Conservancy.

Accommodation: lodge (full board, drinks extra)

Location: Twyfelfontein Conservacy

DAY 7

Day 7 & 8: Himba Village
After breakfast, we continue our journey north as we set up camp next to the homes of the Himba ethnic group, who have kept their ethnic individuality and culture in the seclusion of Kaokoland.

Accommodation: Camping (full board, drinks extra)
Location: Kaokoland

DAY 8

Day 7 & 8: Himba Village
After breakfast, we continue our journey north as we set up camp next to the homes of the Himba ethnic group, who have kept their ethnic individuality and culture in the seclusion of Kaokoland.

Accommodation: Camping (full board, drinks extra)
Location: Kaokoland

DAY 9

Day 9, 10 & 11: Etosha National Park

Our final destination today is Etosha National Park. We enjoy a picnic lunch along the way and should arrive in camp for late afternoon tea.
World-famous for its remarkable wildlife, the park centres on the Etosha Pan – a vast saline pan stretching 120 km from east to west, and 55 km wide. If the land has been lucky, the pan will be filled with water from the rainfall in the catchment areas of the Ekuma and Oshigambo rivers. Large numbers of zebra, wildebeest, elephant, giraffe and an assortment of other antelope can be seen on the open saltpans, while lion, cheetah, hyena and jackal are the most commonly seen predators.
Breakfast is early these mornings: there’s a lot to see and do in the Etosha National Park. There’s no time to miss your daily soap opera: Opportunities to watch exciting dramas unfold around the waterholes forms an integral part of our visit to Etosha, and our days will include both early morning and late afternoon game drives. After a sumptuous brunch there is time to laze around, while we wait for the worst of the heat to pass.

Accommodation: Tented Camp (full board, drinks extra)

Location: Etosha National Park

DAY 10

Day 9, 10 & 11: Etosha National Park

Our final destination today is Etosha National Park. We enjoy a picnic lunch along the way and should arrive in camp for late afternoon tea.
World-famous for its remarkable wildlife, the park centres on the Etosha Pan – a vast saline pan stretching 120 km from east to west, and 55 km wide. If the land has been lucky, the pan will be filled with water from the rainfall in the catchment areas of the Ekuma and Oshigambo rivers. Large numbers of zebra, wildebeest, elephant, giraffe and an assortment of other antelope can be seen on the open saltpans, while lion, cheetah, hyena and jackal are the most commonly seen predators.
Breakfast is early these mornings: there’s a lot to see and do in the Etosha National Park. There’s no time to miss your daily soap opera: Opportunities to watch exciting dramas unfold around the waterholes forms an integral part of our visit to Etosha, and our days will include both early morning and late afternoon game drives. After a sumptuous brunch there is time to laze around, while we wait for the worst of the heat to pass.

Accommodation: Tented Camp (full board, drinks extra)

Location: Etosha National Park

 

DAY 11

Day 9, 10 & 11: Etosha National Park

Our final destination today is Etosha National Park. We enjoy a picnic lunch along the way and should arrive in camp for late afternoon tea.
World-famous for its remarkable wildlife, the park centres on the Etosha Pan – a vast saline pan stretching 120 km from east to west, and 55 km wide. If the land has been lucky, the pan will be filled with water from the rainfall in the catchment areas of the Ekuma and Oshigambo rivers. Large numbers of zebra, wildebeest, elephant, giraffe and an assortment of other antelope can be seen on the open saltpans, while lion, cheetah, hyena and jackal are the most commonly seen predators.
Breakfast is early these mornings: there’s a lot to see and do in the Etosha National Park. There’s no time to miss your daily soap opera: Opportunities to watch exciting dramas unfold around the waterholes forms an integral part of our visit to Etosha, and our days will include both early morning and late afternoon game drives. After a sumptuous brunch there is time to laze around, while we wait for the worst of the heat to pass.

Accommodation: Tented Camp (full board, drinks extra)

Location: Etosha National Park

 

DAY 12

Day 12 & 13: Phantom

We set off together for Phantom – one of the few successful dual game and cattle farms in Namibia. Also home to Monteiro's hornbill and other endemic bird species.
When the afternoon shadows fall across the grass, we set off on a scenic game drive to try and capture on film some of the classic scenes of Africa - open savannah, scattered with flat-topped Acacia trees. Opportunities for photographing some of the many antelope (kudu, steenbok, gemsbok and hartebeest), on the farm is good. After sunset we return to the farmhouse for a delicious dinner.

Accommodation: Farmhouse rooms with en-suite facilities (full board, drinks xtra)

Location: Phantom

 

DAY 13

Day 12 & 13: Phantom

We set off together for Phantom – one of the few successful dual game and cattle farms in Namibia. Also home to Monteiro's hornbill and other endemic bird species.
When the afternoon shadows fall across the grass, we set off on a scenic game drive to try and capture on film some of the classic scenes of Africa - open savannah, scattered with flat-topped Acacia trees. Opportunities for photographing some of the many antelope (kudu, steenbok, gemsbok and hartebeest), on the farm is good. After sunset we return to the farmhouse for a delicious dinner.

Accommodation: Farmhouse rooms with en-suite facilities (full board, drinks xtra)

Location: Phantom

 

DAY 14

Day 14: Departure

After breakfast at the guesthouse, a transfer to Windhoek airport is arranged, where a flight takes you to Windhoek in time for your connecting flight home, or on to your next destination. This concludes your Namibian safari. We hope to leave you with Africa resonating in your soul – and a longing in your heart to return to its desolate beauty, its night skies, its rich sounds and scents.

INCLUDED IN THE COST
· All accommodation
· Most meals, unless otherwise specified in certain hotels on a bed and breakfast basis.
· Tea, coffee and snacks are provided throughout the safari.
· All bedding and towels.
· Most activities including boat rides and game drives.
· All park fees.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST
· Drinks and meals in bars and hotels that are specified on bed and breakfast basis.
· Items of a personal nature.
· Curios.
· Personal and medical insurance.