19 Days Namibia South and North Luxury Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Windhoek (D)

Depending on what time your flight lands, a guide from Bluecrane Safaris will pick you up from the airport which is about 42 km outside of Windhoek. Once in Windhoek after a brief meet and greet you will be dropped at your accommodation for the night. You can use the time to relax after long hours of flying. Tonight’s dinner is not included, but you can ask your driver or at the reception to book your shuttle and dinner.

🏚️ Accommodation: Olive Grove Guesthouse.

Day 2: Mariental (B, L, D)

Pick up time is between 08:00 and 08:30 am from Windhoek. Take the B1 road that goes to Rehoboth. After a few kilometers turn to the left into the C21 and head towards the Camelthorn Lodge which is situated on the D1268 road. The lodge is strategically situated in the center of the Kalahari Desert. The Lodge is built with thatch and blessed with a staggering stone pool. The ambiance of Camelthorn Lodge is distinctly Bushman, enhanced with indigenous décor, and home to a fine collection of San artifacts, one of the oldest cultures in the world. Later in the day, there will be a Bushman walk and sundowner on the red dunes.

🏚️ Accommodation: Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge.

Day 3: Fish River Canyon (B, L, D)

This morning we will continue towards Fish river canyon further south of Namibia. Arriving at Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world, in the early afternoon, we drive to the main view where you have to see for yourself one of nature’s wonders to believe. We can see the river sparkling in the sunlight far below us, and can barely imagine how many millennia it took for the forces of erosion to carve such a magnificent vista. We will be staying here for two nights.

🏚️ Accommodation: Canyon Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia.

Day 4: Fish River Canyon (B, L, D)

This morning we will visit Canyon again. Canyon Lodge is situated on the 520 square km, privately owned Gondwana Canyon Park. It is only 20kms from the main viewpoint of Fish River Canyon and is built from natural materials, including local rock and thatch roofs. The lodge is an ideal starting point for visits to the Fish River Canyon. There is a hiking trail that you can hike in the morning for 2-4 hours or a sundowner walk. Watch the sun go down with a drink to end off the lovely day.

🏚️ Accommodation: Canyon Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia.

Day 5: Luderitz – Wild Horses of the Namib (B, L, D)

Just after breakfast, you have an early start as you head for Luderitz. The aim is to arrive early afternoon in Luderitz. Dinner will be at the hotel as we learn more about the south and Luderitz in general. Luderitz is renowned for its old-world charm and distinctly German colonial architecture. Luderitz is home to a wide variety of aquatic birds. Large numbers of flamingos, cormorants, and seagulls inhabit the shallow lagoon.

🏚️ Accommodation: Luderitz Nest Hotel.

Day 6: Sesriem – Kolmanskop (B, L, D)

Just before you leave Luderitz you will visit the famous Kolmanskop better known as the Ghost Town, which has been abundant for years. You will learn about the history of the town and how the first diamond was found by a railway worker. After your visit to the Ghost town, you will proceed to the Namib Desert. On our way, we will stop for lunch in Helmeringhausen.  After lunch, you will continue north into the Namib desert where we will arrive in the afternoon. After check-in at our lodge, you can enjoy the sunset from the lodge.

🏚️ Accommodation: Desert Homestead Outpost.

Day 7: Sossusvlei – Dead Vlei – Dune 45 – Sesriem Canyon (B, L, D)

We start early to catch the soft light of the sunrise over the desert. In the cool of the morning, we take a walk through the desert, with a good chance to see gemsboks, springboks, and ostriches. We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei and drive to Sesriem Camp for lunch, passing by the famous “Dune 45”. As the day cools in the late afternoon we make a short excursion to Sesriem Canyon before returning to our lodge.

🏚️ Accommodation: Desert Homestead Outpost.

Day 8: Sesriem – Namib Sky Balloon Safaris (B, L, D)

Situated in the heart of Namib Naukluft Park, Sossusvlei, one of the most fascinating landscapes in Namibia, is a photographer’s dream. Gigantic orange dunes, dramatic shadows, undulating plains, and the Rocky Mountains create a magical kaleidoscope of colors and shapes. To the east, Namib Rand Nature Reserve’s vast sandy plains are surrounded by towering granite mountains and rolling dunes. Here, in the oldest desert on the planet, amazingly adapted animals and plants come together to form one of the most visually stunning ecosystems in the world. And truly the best way to experience the heart of the Namib Desert is with a hot air balloon safari. Watching the spectacular sunrise over this magnificent landscape from a silent hot air balloon is the experience of a lifetime, never to be forgotten. Having completed the activity for the day, return to the lodge, freshen up and relax by the pool.

🏚️ Accommodation: Desert Homestead Outpost.

Day 9: Swakopmund – Walvis Bay Lagoon (B, D)

Namibia is a country of contrasts. Today we barter the desert for the sea. We shall cross the Tropic of Capricorn and transverse both Gaub and Kuiseb passes, driving down to the dry river bed at the bottom of the Kuiseb Canyon before climbing up the other side, watching the spectacular desert landscape unfold before us. Having arrived at the coast, we make a stop in Walvis Bay to enjoy the view of flamingos and other birds in the lagoons and to visit the salt works. Dinner tonight will be at one of the local restaurants in Swakopmund.

🏚️ Accommodation: Strand Hotel Swakopmund.

Day 10: Swakopmund – Walvis Bay Dolphin & Seal Cruise (B, D)

Free day with 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 is quite cold here), 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 optional activities that can be arranged. These include a boat tour (with 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. The boat tour (Dolphin cruise will be included in the tour) Lunch will be on own cost. For dinner, we will eat out at a different restaurant in Swakopmund.

🏚️ Accommodation: Strand Hotel Swakopmund.

Day 11: Twyfelfontein – Cape Cross Seal Colony (B, L, D)

Heading for Damaraland along the Skeleton Coast we stop at the seal colony of Cape Cross where we may have a close encounter with thousands of fur seals. We continue to the small town of Uis for supplies. Uis is an old mining town and a good place to buy semi-precious stones. We pass by the Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia, and arrive in Twyfelfontein in time for sunset. On the way, we will spend some time experiencing the old rock engravings that may be found in the area.

🏚️ Accommodation: Mowani Mountain Camp.

Day 12: Elephant and Dune Drives – Damara Living Museum (B, L, D)

This morning we will go on the desert elephant tour. The Desert elephant tour is special as these animals live in harsh conditions and they have been surviving for years. This tour starts early and returns in time for lunch. Later in the day, we will visit the Damara living museum.

🏚️ Accommodation: Mowani Mountain Camp.

Day 13: Etosha South – Otjikandera Himba Village (B, L, D)

We drive into the Desert Mountains of the Kaokoveld, one of the last true wildernesses of Southern Africa and home of the Himba people. During the afternoon we pay the Otjikandera Himba Village a visit to meet the locals. There will be a special guide for the time we are there, who will be able to translate for us and introduce us to the Ovahimba people. We learn about marriage customs, traditional food, and also visit the “holy fire”. After the Himba visit, we continue to our lodge.  This afternoon we will have an afternoon drive or just relax at the lodge.

🏚️ Accommodation: Etosha Safari Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia.

Day 14: Etosha National Park (B, L, D)

Today we will spend most of the day game driving. We will visit a number of waterholes and 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 being able to see large herds of game in this setting makes Etosha a unique experience in Africa. We may stop at Halali middle camp to have lunch before we continue our game drive back to our lodge. 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. In the evening we may enjoy a glass of wine and experience a fabulous dinner at our lodge.

🏚️ Accommodation: Etosha Safari Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia.

Day 15: Etosha East (B, L, D)

We will be driving through the park making a stop at Okuakuejo waterhole to view as the animals come to drink water. We may have lunch at Halali and then proceed to Mushara bushcamp where we will spend 2 nights. The Mushara bushcamp is an exclusive, low-impact environmentally friendly semi-permanent, up-market lodge on the eastern edge of the Etosha National Park.

🏚️ Accommodation: Mushara Bush Camp.

Day 16: Etosha East (B, L, D)

Morning and afternoon game drive visiting different waterholes with your guide.

🏚️ Accommodation: Mushara Bush Camp.

Day 17: Okonjima Nature Reserve – Otjikoto Lake (B, L, D)

Today we will depart Etosha. On our way, we will make a quick turn to the famous Lake Otjikoto and learn about the history of the lake and what makes it special. We will proceed towards Okonjima passing by the town Tsumeb, Otavi, and Otjiwarango where we will stop for some essentials. Our plan is to arrive early afternoon at Okonjima. The home of the AfriCat Foundation.

🏚️ Accommodation: Okonjima Plains Camp.

Day 18: Okonjima Nature Reserve – The AfriCat Foundation (B, L, D)

The lodge is home to The AfriCat Foundation, a non-profit organization, committed to the long-term conservation of Namibia’s large carnivores, notably cheetahs and leopards. The more secluded and luxurious Okonjima Bush Camp, The Bush Suite, and The Villa are all affiliated to the main camp. We shall visit the AfriCat Project area and meet some of the cheetahs or accompany our guides as they monitor the progress of the cheetahs in the Tusk Rehabilitation camp. Okonjima is home to over forty cheetahs, many of whom were separated from their mothers before they learned how to survive on their own. The Rehabilitation Camp will give these cheetahs an opportunity to learn survival skills such as hunting in a closely monitored environment. Successful cheetahs will be relocated to parks and game farms. There are over 250 species of birdlife to be found around the property, including Namibian endemics such as carps black tit, Hartlaub’s francolin, and the Damara rock runner. With the abundance of animal and birdlife and spectacular scenery, Okonjima is a photographer’s dream. Today we will have 2 x activities with the lodge to see and learn what Okonjima does at the AfriCat Foundation.

🏚️ Accommodation: Okonjima Plains Camp.

Day 19: End of Itinerary (B, L)

This morning after breakfast we will depart back to Windhoek through the small town of Okahandja with the biggest craft market in Namibia. We stop to explore the market and perhaps buy some souvenirs before heading back to Windhoek. The local community operates the stalls on a cooperative basis and the market is a good place to do last-minute shopping for truly Namibian souvenirs. The aim is to arrive back in the city just in time for your flight. At the airport, the guide will assist you in checking in for your flight.

Notes:
All game drives and all activities mentioned above are included.
Pickup and drop of points (Windhoek City) are included.