Namibia Discovery Tour (14 Days) Overview
Namibia is a truly exquisite country with wonderful hotels and lodges that exude their own unique culture, whether English or German. The Etosha National Park is the main tourist attraction, containing the Etosha Pan, which is a vast, barren and open expanse, the largest salt pan in Africa. This is what distinguishes Etosha from any park around the world and the salt pan can even be seen from space… Welcome to Namibia Discovery Tour (14 Days).
Itinerary
Day 1: Windhoek > Kalahari Desert
On the first day, we shall depart from Windhoek and travel all the way to the Kalahari Desert, passing a small town called Rehoboth. The Kalahari Desert is not a desert per say. Unlike other deserts that rarely receive any rainfall, the Kalahari receives ‘too much’. It is known as the ‘thirstland’ because its surface is made up of sand, so any rainfall received immediately sips into the ground. During this drive, we shall enjoy the scenic, nature drive.
Accommodation: Kalahari Anib Lodge
Day 2: the Kalahari Desert > Fish River Canyon
After breakfast at the overnight stop, we shall continue the drive through the Kalahari region and visit the Quiver Tree Forest near Keetmanshoop. Namibia declared this Forest a national monument and is home to about 250 specimens of Aloe dichotoma. The shortstop at Keetmanshoop will allow you to purchase your own lunch. This will also allow us to visit Naute Dam, the third largest dam in Namibia.
Accommodation: Canon Roadhouse
Day 3: Fish River Canyon > Aus
This morning we travel to the spectacular Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa. It features a gigantic ravine, in total about 160km long, up to 27km wide and in some places 550m deep. Our journey continues to Aus with lunch en route (for own account). En route you might see the desert-adapted Wild Horses of the Namib. These horses hold an irresistible fascination, as they managed to adapt to the harsh conditions of the desert. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Aus Mountains on an unguided walk and a scenic sundowner drive in the afternoon (optional and for own account).
Accommodation: Klein Aus Vista – Desert Horse Inn
Day 4: Aus > Maltahoehe
Today you’ll be spoilt with ever-changing vistas of the desert landscapes when driving along the most beautiful district road in Namibia, the D707 (road conditions permitting). Visit Duwiseb Castle, a grand medieval fortress, built in the hills of the semi-arid Southern Namib region. Learn more about the Castle’s fascinating history, before continuing to your lodge, arriving in the early afternoon.
Hammerstein Rest Camp or similar
Day 5: Maltahoehe > Namib Naukluft Park
Today will be an early start to explore the spectacular towering dunes of Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei, another pan where water once flowed, but all that remains today are the skeletons of trees that reach up out of the cracked earth. Enjoy a drive in 4×4 vehicles into the heart of the Namib Desert. Visit the rugged Sesriem Canyon where you can view millions of years of sedimentary layers in the ravine walls. Views from the top are breathtaking while walks through the canyon reveal distinct geographical layers which were laid down over centuries. Travel past the impressive Namib Naukluft Mountains to your lodge.
Namib Naukluft Lodge or similar
Day 6: Namib Naukluft Park > Swakopmund
After breakfast, drive through Kuiseb Canyon and continue towards Walvis Bay, Namibia’s largest commercial port. Enjoy an opportunity for lunch in Walvis Bay (for own account). The Walvis Bay Lagoon is considered one of the richest and most important wetlands in southern Africa, with prolific birdlife and diverse species. Our journey continues to Swakopmund, a city that resembles a small German town, with seaside promenades, restaurants, cafes, and museums. Enjoy a sundowner drive to the Moon Landscape, a barren, undulating rocky desert which was formed by the valleys of the Swakop River. Enjoy a complimentary sundowner, whilst absorbing the rugged beauty of this lunar landscape.
Brigadoon Guesthouse or similar
Day 7: Swakopmund – Unguided
Explore the quaint town of Swakopmund. You may wish to book an optional day tour (for own account) in Swakopmund (guided tour through the Mondesa township, quad-biking, sand-boarding; a scenic flight over the Skeleton coast or a catamaran cruise in Walvis Bay). Many optional activities are on offer (for own account), visit the aquarium, various museums or the crystal gallery.
Brigadoon Guesthouse or similar
Day 8: Swakopmund – Unguided
Enjoy the splendors and many attractions of Swakopmund. There is a possibility of meeting fellow travelers at dinner that will be joining the tour in Swakopmund.
Brigadoon Guesthouse or similar
Day 9: Swakopmund > Damaraland
Depart early morning and travel on the salt road towards Henties Bay, past salt pans and an array of bird life, to Damaraland, one of the most scenic areas in Namibia. Visit Twyfelfontein, a site of ancient rock engravings and the Organ Pipes, a distinctive series of dolerite pillars that have been exposed by erosion. Arrive at your lodge during the late afternoon.
Twyfelfontein Lodge or similar
Day 10: Damaraland
The morning is at leisure, to relax at the lodge until lunchtime. In the afternoon, join a sundowner drive in the Aba Huab River and possibly encounter the desert-dwelling elephants (seasonal). These elephants are not a distinct species but are African bush elephants that have made their homes in the Namib and Sahara deserts. They were once more widespread in Africa, but are currently found only in Namibia and Mali.
Twyfelfontein Lodge or similar
Day 11: Damaraland > Etosha National Park
After breakfast, depart Damaraland and journey to the Etosha National Park. Visit a Damara village near Twyfelfontein and learn more about the culture and tradition of this half-nomadic people. Continue via the little town of Outjo. Lunch stop en route (lunch will be for own account) – possibly meet fellow guests joining the Etosha tour. From there continue to Etosha National Park. Arrive in the early afternoon and undertake your first game drive, in your closed touring vehicle, into the park.
Etosha Safari Camp or similar
Day 12: Etosha National Park
The morning will be spent in the Etosha National Park, exploring the waterholes along this enormous saltpan, in your closed touring vehicle. Return to the lodge for lunch (lunch for own account). There will be another opportunity in the afternoon for a game drive (in the closed touring vehicle) in the Etosha National park. There are close to 114 species of mammal in Etosha, including the black-faced impala and the threatened black and white rhino. The Etosha Pan (a flat calcrete depression), contains water only after very good rains and sometimes only for a few days each year, but is enough to stimulate the growth of blue-green algae which lures thousands of flamingos.
Etosha Safari Camp or similar
Day 13: Etosha National Park
Enjoy a full day exploring this world famous National Park, in your closed touring vehicle. Your guide will introduce you to the complex subject of managing such an enormous reserve, that’s considered to be one of the world’s great wildlife sanctuaries. There will be an opportunity to buy a takeaway lunch at one of the rest camps inside the Etosha National Park (lunch for own account).
Mokuti Etosha Lodge or similar
Day 14: Departure Etosha National Park > Windhoek
After breakfast, travel south towards Otjiwarongo. Continue towards Windhoek via Okahandja where we will visit a local handicraft market. Tour ends on arrival in Windhoek late afternoon.
