Northern Namibia, Damaraland, Coast & Sossusvlei Camping Safari

Day 1: Okonjima Nature Reserve – The AfriCat Foundation (L, D)

Pick-up is between 08:00 and 08:45 within Windhoek city. The first day will take us to Okonjima. You first pass by the town of Okahandja, a town well known for its prodigious craft Centre. We then proceed with the B1 road and turn left into the road that goes to Okonjima. Okonjima is the home of the AfriCat Foundation, a conservation operation that focuses on the African big cats, particularly the cheetah. This afternoon you will be taken on a tour during which you will meet some of the cheetahs that are in the African rehabilitation program.

🏚️ Accommodation: Desert Hills Lodge.

Day 2: Etosha East – Otjikoto Lake (B, L, D)

This morning we have an early start, heading towards the Etosha National Park. We travel via Lake Otjikoto, which is in fact Namibia’s largest permanent natural lake. Enough time here to rest a little and learn something about the history of this unusual landmark. Having arrived in Namutoni and set camp and familiarized with the surroundings, we make our first game drive during the cool of the afternoon. The game viewing is usually excellent with close views of springboks, zebras, impalas, giraffes, gemsboks, and plenty of birds. If we are lucky we may also have some close encounters with elephants and lions. Back at the camp we may enjoy a glass of wine and experience a fabulous sunset from the tower of the old German fort before dinner around the campfire.

🏚️ Accommodation: Namutoni Campsite.

Day 3: Etosha South – Etosha Pan – Okaukuejo Water Hole (B, L, D)

This day we spend most of it watching wildlife. A visit to a number of waterholes is high on the cards and we make a stop at the Etosha Pan, the “place of dry water”. The Pan is an extensive flat depression of about 5,000 km2. This great, white expanse is a place of shimmering mirages, and seeing large herds of game in this setting makes Etosha a unique experience in Africa. We may stop at Halali middle camp to have lunch and relax before we continue to the southern side of the park and our night camp at Okaukuejo. After dinner, a visit to the floodlit waterhole is strongly recommended as there are good chances to see rhinos and lions come to drink.

🏚️ Accommodation: Okaukuejo Campsite.

Day 4: Palmwag – Otjikandera Himba Village (B, L, D)

We make an early start and begin our day with a game drive before we leave the park and drive into the Desert Mountains of the Kaokoveld, one of the last true wildernesses of Southern Africa and home of the Himba people. In the afternoon we pay a visit to Oases village where we are going to meet the locals. A special guide is going to be available for the time we are there, the guide is going to translate for us and introduce us to this “tribe”. We are going to learn about marriage customs, traditional food and we will visit the “holy fire”.

🏚️ Accommodation: Hoada Campsite.

Day 5: Brandberg Mountain – Damaraland – Twyfelfontein Rock Art (B, L, D)

Today we again have an early start, heading into one of the most beautiful desert regions in Namibia – Damaraland. Visit the Organ pipes and Twyfelfontein rock engravings on our way to Brandberg. The Brandberg Mountain is an ancient Bushman spiritual site and we spend the night in the shadow of this giant granite monolith.

🏚️ Accommodation: Brandberg White Lady Camping.

Day 6: Swakopmund – Cape Cross Seal Colony (B, L)

“We go again”. Our first stop is in the small town of Uis, an old mining town and one of the best places to buy semi-precious stones, for which Namibia is famous. Here rough amethyst, tourmaline, and other stones can be found at bargain prices. Having arrived at the coast we drive to Cape Cross and the seal colony with close views of thousands of fur seals. Tonight we may take the chance to sample one of the excellent restaurants in Swakopmund. The seafood in Swakopmund is superb. Your guide will offer to organize a group meal in a local restaurant for this evening. Participation is recommended but by no means required. Dinner is not included in the price of the safari and will be on the client’s own account.

🏚️ Accommodation: Amanpuri Travellers Lodge.

Day 7: Swakopmund – Walvis Bay Lagoon (B)

“Coast to coast day” as we drive to Walvis Bay where we stop at the lagoon area to see flamingoes and lots of other birds. If we are lucky we may even spot some dolphins. We pay a visit to the salt works before we return back to Swakopmund. During the rest of the day, there is plenty of time to explore the town. Swakopmund is a very pleasant seaside town with lots of shops, a good stretch of beach (although the Atlantic here is quite cold), and an open-air curio market. There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium is located in Swakopmund. Alternatively, there are various activities that can be arranged. These include a half-day boat tour with chances to see seals and dolphins (and indulge in oysters and champagne!), scenic flights and micro-light flights over the desert, fishing trips (either from the beach or in a boat), quad-bike trips into the desert, and over the sand dunes around Swakopmund, sandboarding, skydiving and many other activities. Your guide will discuss all possible optional activities with you and offer to make pre-booking in advance, (N.B. All extra activities and in Swakopmund are made at the client’s own risk and expense). Lunch and dinner are at the client´s own expense today.

🏚️ Accommodation: Amanpuri Travellers Lodge.

Day 8: Sesriem – Namib Desert – Elim Dune (B, L, D)

Today we will continue inland again. On our way, we may make a last short stop in Walvis Bay to say farewell to the flamingoes. Climbing up the mountains across the Gaub and Kuiseb passes and a spectacular, almost moon-like landscape we aim to arrive at our camp in the desert during the late afternoon. As we aim to end the day on a high, we make a short excursion to the nearby sand dunes to enjoy the sunset over the dunes and watch the colors glow and change on the mountains before going back for dinner around the campfire.

🏚️ Accommodation: Sesriem Campsite.

Day 9: Dune 45 – Dead Vlei – Sossusvlei – The Vlei – Sesriem Canyon (B, L, D)

An early start, to catch the soft light of the sunrise over the desert. We pass through the gate into the Namib Naukluft Park and continue towards Sossusvlei along distant sand dunes on both sides of the road. If resting is not your thing, worry less as we stop at the famous Dune 45. Those who feel fit may climb the dune and get a breathtaking view of the surrounding desert and dunes. After breakfast, we will take a desert walk in the cool of the morning, with a chance to see gemsboks, springboks, black-backed jackals, and ostriches. As the day cools off in the afternoon we make a short excursion to Sesriem Canyon.

🏚️ Accommodation: Sesriem Campsite.

Day 10: End of Itinerary (B, L)

After breakfast, we begin our journey back to civilization on scenic roads through the Khomas Hochland Mountain Range. On the way back there will be time for a nice last lunch together as a group on tour. We are likely to arrive back in the city in the afternoon and you will be dropped off at your accommodation on our return. You will arrive at around 14h30 pm.

Notes:
All Camping equipment included except the sleeping bag. The sleeping bag can be rented at $1.3 per night.
All game drives and all activities mentioned above are included.
Pickup and drop of points (Windhoek City) are included.