gallery of 11 photos

Namibian Kaleidoscope

$3,025 per person, 11 Days
Departs: This itinerary is a set departure from Windhoek, Namibia. It departs three times in 2007 (June 18, July 23, October 9) with a minimum of four people.

Days 1 & 2

Sesriem, Namibia

Meet your guide and depart Windhoek at around 8:30am. Driving through the rugged Khomas Hochland mountain range you descend to the desert floor via the Gamsberg Pass, an imposing flat topped mountain and one of the highest points in Namibia, which provides a dramatic back drop for our roadside lunch. After a short stop at Solitaire, you arrive at camp mid afternoon and you can relax on the verandah outside your permanent tent or by the swimming pool before you visit the nearby Sesriem Canyon, one of the few places in the region with a permanent water source. You return to camp just after sunset to enjoy dinner prepared by your guide.

Desert Camp nestles under centuries old camel thorn trees and has an unsurpassed 360 degree view over the desert landscape and surrounding mountains.

Accommodation consists of twenty luxury safari tents with double roofing, high standard en-suite bathrooms, twin beds and granite tiled floors. Tasteful interior decorating reflects the special hues of the Namib Desert.

The next morning you have a dawn departure from camp to drive to the Sesriem gate then onto Sossusvlei, a 65kms drive witnessing first light and shadows on the sand dunes before arriving at the heart of the famous sand dune sea of Namibia. You can watch the colors change on the sand dunes from this spectacular and unique area. You can climb a dune close to Sossusvlei then walk to Dead Vlei with its large expanse of bleached cracked clay and skeletal camel thorn trees scattered around, contrasting with a backdrop of huge orange-red dunes that make for superb photographic opportunities.

You enjoy a mid morning brunch after exploring this dramatic and desolate landscape before returning to camp for a swim. This afternoon you take a guided walk across the desert to Elim's Dune on the edge of the famous sand dune sea with views across to the nearby mountains. Enjoy another spectacular sunset surrounded by this colorful desert and sleep under the bright stars of the southern hemisphere. Dinner prepared by your guide.

Desert Camp — Includes:

Days 3 & 4

Swakopmund, Namibia

Early morning departure from camp stopping at the quaint town of Solitaire before continuing through the desert with its endless views across the pastel colored gravel plains to the port town of Walvis Bay. You visit the lagoon, which is a protected wetland site, where you may see the many species of birds including greater and lesser flamingos, pelicans, avocets, plovers and the endemic damara tern before a short stop at the salt farm. You continue onto Swakopmund, full of historic buildings and where your guide will assist those wishing to book optional adventure activities such as sand boarding, quad biking, scenic flights, parachuting, dolphin cruises to name but a few, which you have time for this afternoon and tomorrow. Laundry facilities are available here. This evening's meal is a group dinner in a restaurant settled direct.

Located in the beautiful German colonial town of Swakopmund on Namibia's Atlantic coast, Dunedin Star is the perfect alternative to hotel accommodation. Named after the Blue Star liner Dunedin Star, that was famously shipwrecked on Namibia's Skeleton Coast during World War II, the Guest House has a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere whilst still only a short 5 minute walk from the centre of Swakopmund.

Accommodation is provided in clean, en-suite single, double and triple rooms with hot water, linen and towels provided.

Dunedin Star Guesthouse — Includes: Bed & breakfast

Day 5

Twyfelfontein, Namibia

You leave after breakfast and head north along the Skeleton Coast seeing the gravel plains and desert opening up around us with the ocean crashing down onto the shore. You visit Cape Cross, home of thousands of Cape Fur Seals, during the breeding season over 100,000 are crammed onto the beach fighting for space. Next you turn inland and drive past Brandberg, the highest point in Namibia and a huge massif rising up over the plains to Twyfelfontein.

The Twyfelfontein area, a very vulnerable and delicate ecosystem, is renowned for some of the best examples of rock paintings and engravings in Southern Africa. Interesting rock formations and the remainder of prehistoric volcanic action can be seen in the Organ Pipes and Burnt Mountain, among the most prominent geographic features.

You will visit the rock etchings with a local guide who will explain the history and importance of these etchings. You arrive at Twyfelfontein Country Lodge in the early evening where you will have dinner in the restaurant.

The Twyfelfontein Lodge is situated in the heart of the Twyfelfontein Uibasen Conservancy and boasts 56 en-suite double rooms, reception, lounge, curio shop, open dining room, bar and swimming pool.

Twyfelfontein Lodge — Includes: All meals

Day 6

Opuwo, Namibia

You drive north crossing a mountain pass keeping your eyes open for the desert elephant that roam freely in this area and also stop to gaze at the mighty baobab forest before arriving at Opuwo. This town is a real mixture of modern and old, dusty streets, goats and cattle wander on the road yet modern life has also reached here.

You will check in at Opuwo Country Hotel and spend the afternoon with a local guide and head out to visit a local Himba village. (Should time not permit this afternoon you will visit the village the following morning.) You will be able to witness how this tribe still survive off the land tending their cattle and goats and see the women prepare food as well as prepare the ochre and butter fat that they put on their skin to protect it from the harsh environment. You return to our lodge later in the afternoon. Dinner at your hotel.

Opuwo Country Hotel was officially opened by His Excellency, Hifikipunyu Pohamba on 25 August 2005. The hotel provides comfortable luxury accommodation with air conditioning and will be ideal base from where to explore Kaokoland. Accommodation includes 28 Luxury rooms, 12 standard rooms, dining room, bar, lounge, wine cellar, curio shop, patio and swimming pool.

Opuwo Country Hotel — Includes: All meals

Days 7 — 9

Etosha National Park, Namibia

Your destination today is Etosha and we follow the road south before entering the Park from the Western Gate. You will spend the next few days enjoying game drives in this premier park, one of the largest and best reserves in Africa. Etosha is over 22,000 sq km and home to many species of game including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, hyena, giraffe as well as antelope and over 340 species of birds so should keep you amused.

You will spend nights at Okaukeujo Rest Camp in twin room shared accommodation. Dinner is prepared by your guide. The camps has a swimming pool, bar, restaurant and small shop.

Okaukeujo was the first rest camp opened to tourists and a special attraction of the camp is the waterhole just outside the perimeter. This is a true theater of Africa. An incredible array of animals come to drink at the permanent water hole throughout an African night. You can sit with a cup of hot chocolate or glass of wine and see what develops. Guests have seen black rhino, many lions and even elephants mating here.

During your time in Etosha, you may also stay at Halali Rest Camp or Namutoni Rest Camp depending on the season and game concentrations within the park.

Okaukeujo Rest Camp — Includes:

Day 10

Otjiwarongo, Namibia

After a short game drive this morning you leave Etosha behind you stopping at Lake Otjikoto briefly before continuing your way back south. You will arrive at Frans Indongo Lodge around lunchtime and this afternoon can enjoy a trip to Cheetah Conservation Fund to their educational centre, maybe if you are lucky you will also see the cheetah feeding.

This international conservation program promotes the protection of these great predators to ensure their ongoing survival. Namibia has the largest wild population of cheetah as many live on farmlands where there is conflict between them and humans. This project helps to educate the people to the benefits of not killing the cheetah and trains dogs to protect the livestock from predator attack. After your visit at CCF, you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Frans Indongo Lodge exudes the sense for life of northern Namibia's people in a most charming way. The complex is modeled on traditional Ovambo homesteads: palisades of tall pointed stakes embrace the lodge and convey a feeling of the warmth and security of home right in the middle of the African bush.

Frans Indongo Lodge — Includes: Bed & breakfast

Day 11

Depart

You return to Windhoek today after stopping at the craft markets in Okahandja where you can watch the various crafts being carved in wood. You will then be dropped in Windhoek at your accommodation or at the airport for you departure flight.

Before you go to Namibia
Mango booking conditions