11 Days Namibia Experience Accommodated Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Day 1: Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge, Mariental

Stop At: Mariental, Mariental, Hardap Region
Day Itinerary
Pick up time is between 08:00 and 08:45 from Windhoek. Take the B1 road that goes to Rehoboth. After some few kilometers turn to the left into the C21 and head towards the Camel thorn 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. In the afternoon you will have afternoon sun-downer drive with the lodge.

Duration: 15 hours

Stop At: Mariental, Mariental, Hardap Region
Mariental
Situated in south central Namibia, fringing the Kalahari Desert, the city of Mariental lies along the TransNamib railway and serves as the Hardap Region’s commercial and administrative capital. It provides an important petrol stop before heading west to Sesriem to view the red-orange dunes of Sossusvlei. Mariental is located close to magnificent the Hardap Dam, which is the largest reservoir in Namibia. The Hardap Irrigation Scheme has breathed life into this arid terrain, which is now fertile with farmlands covered in citrus, melons, lucerne, wine and maize, and dotted with ostrich farms. The dam is a popular holiday resort which draws city slickers from Windhoek and offers an array of watersports, scenic walks, and abundant wildlife in a 20000-hectare nature reserve set on its western bank; where visitors can spot rhino, ostrich, antelope, springbok and a variety of bird species.

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Basis
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Tea, Coffee and Soft Drinks Included

Accommodation included: Kalahari Camelthorn Lodge

Day 2: Day 2: Namib Desert Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia, Sossusvlei

Stop At: Namib-Naukluft Park, Namib-Naukluft Park
Day Itinerary
Today we proceed with the D1268 road and later join the C20. Later join the B1 road as we make our way into the gravel road that will take us past small villages and spectacular scenery. Lunch is to be served somewhere along the road. We aim to arrive at our Lodge early afternoon. Dinner will be served at the lodge

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Basis
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Tea, Coffee and Soft Drinks Included

Accommodation included: Namib Desert Lodge

Day 3: Day 3: Namib Desert Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia, Sossusvlei

Stop At: Sossusvlei, Sossusvlei, Namib-Naukluft Park
Day Itinerary
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 good chance to see gemsboks, springboks and ostriches. We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei and drive to Sossusvlei lodge 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.

Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Deadvlei, Sossusvlei, Namib-Naukluft Park Namibia
Dead Vlei
This ancient clay pan was once an oasis, studded with acacias and fed by a river that suddenly changed course, leaving the earth to dry up along with the trees it previously supported. So dry were the climatic conditions that the trees never decomposed – instead they were entirely leached of moisture so that today, 900 years later, they remain as desiccated, blackened sentinels dotting the pan’s cracked surface. Surrounded by the red-pink dunes of the Namibia Desert, they create a surreal spectacle that is a photographer's dream.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Dune 45, 45 kilometers From the Park Entrance Gate, Sossusvlei, Namib-Naukluft Park Namibia
Dune 45
Named for its location 45 kilometres past the town of Sesriem, Dune 45 is renowned for its elegant shape, which – along with its position close to the road – have earned it the distinction of ‘most photographed dune in the world’. If you’re not keen for the strenuous hike to the top of Big Daddy, Dune 45 is a more forgiving alternative, standing at only 80 metres and featuring a much gentler gradient.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Sesriem Canyon, 4.5km from the entrance gate of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei, Namib-Naukluft Park Namibia
Sesriem Canyon Hike
Sesriem Canyon, a deep chasm carved through the rocks by water, is a striking natural feature of the area that is best explored on foot. Stony walls rise up sharply on both sides of the canyon, while birds roost in its crags and lizards dart along the ledges. The canyon’s name was coined when early settlers used it as a water source, using six lengths of leather (‘ses riem – six thongs) tied together to lower buckets into the water at the base of canyon.)

Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Basis
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Tea, Coffee and Soft Drinks Included

Accommodation included: Namib Desert Lodge

Day 4: Day 4: Atlantic Villa, Swakopmund

Stop At: Swakopmund, Swakopmund, Erongo Region
Day Itinerary
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 is at the client´s own expense in a local restaurant

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Basis
Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Tea, Coffee and Soft Drinks Included

Accommodation included: Atlantic Villa Guesthouse

Day 5: Day 5: Atlantic Villa, Swakopmund

Stop At: Walvis Bay, Walvis Bay, Erongo Region
Day Itinerary
“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, sand boarding, 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). Dinner is at the client´s own expense today.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Swakopmund, Swakopmund, Erongo Region
Swakopmund
Set along Namibia's spectacularly scenic coast, the seaside town of Swakopmund is known for its wide-open avenues, colonial architecture, and its surrounding otherworldly desert terrain. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more German than Germany. Now a seaside resort town, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, adventure options, laid-back atmosphere and cool sea breeze make it a very popular Namibian destination. Visitors can look forward to a number of exciting activities including: quad biking, horse riding, paragliding, fishing, sightseeing and fascinating desert tours.

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Basis
Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Tea, Coffee and Soft Drinks Included

Accommodation included: Atlantic Villa Guesthouse

Day 6: Day 6: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge, Twyfelfontein

Stop At: Damaraland, Damaraland
Day Itinerary
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 to experience the old rock engravings that may be found in the area.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Skeleton Coast, 60km north of Henties Bay Cape Cross Seal Reserve Namibia
Cape Cross Seal Colony
This colony of Cape Fur Seals is one of the largest in the world, home to approximately 80 000 to 100 000 of these so-called 'seals', which are in fact a species of sea lion. Day trips to the colony are offered and the seals can be viewed from a walkway at a distance of roughly 200 metres.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Twyfelfontein, Namibia
Twyfelfontein
Set in the Kunene Region of northwestern Namibia, Twylfelfontein is a spectacularly scenic area, featuring one of the largest and most important concentrations of rock art in Africa. The name ‘Twyfelfontein’ translates to ‘Fountain of Doubt’, which refers to the perennial spring situated in the impressive Huab valley flanked by the slopes of a sandstone table mountain. It was this spring that attracted Stone Age hunters over six thousand years ago, and it was during this time that the extensive group of rock engravings and paintings were produced. Visitors can look forward to basing themselves at some wonderfully shady campsites along the Aba-Huab riverbed, while exploring over thirty different sites of these sacred records of ritual practices relating to traditional hunter-gatherer communities.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Basis
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Tea, Coffee and Soft Drinks Included

Accommodation included: Twyfelfontein Lodge

Day 7: Day 7: Palmwag Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia, Palmwag

Stop At: Palmwag, Palmwag, Damaraland
Day Itinerary
Before heading to Palmwag we do some excursions at Twyfelfontein (UNESCO Bushman rock paintings, we then hit the gravel that so much connects any places in the Kunene region heading towards Palmwag, we pass by the village of Bergsig and proceed for another 45 kilometers to Palmwag Lodge. This part of the world is blessed with Table Mountains and the spectacular scenery. Dinner to be served at the Lodge.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Palmwag, Palmwag, Damaraland
Palmwag
Palmwag is a nature reserve idyllically located along a palm-lined tributary of the Uniab River. Water is scarce in this area, so the river’s presence often lures elephants closer to the camps. Palmwag is situated halfway between Swakopmund and Etosha, and is the ideal base from which to see the sights of the Kunene region or embark on one of the many local hiking trails. The reserve is notable for its unusual species of palm tree, the hyphaena pertesiana, and for being home to the largest population of south-western black rhinos in Africa. Animal lovers can also get a peek at leopard, lion, cheetah, mountain zebra, Angolan giraffe, springbok, kudu, and African bush elephant.

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Basis
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Tea, Coffee and Soft Drinks Included

Accommodation included: Palmwag Lodge

Day 8: Day 8: Etosha Safari Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia, Etosha South

Stop At: Etosha National Park, Etosha National Park, Oshikoto Region
Day Itinerary
Today we will continue towards Etosha national park where we will drive pass kamanjab. On our way we will stop at the local ovahimba tribe and learn the way of life from the himba people.We will then continue to our lodge just outside the gate of the south gate of Etosha national park. We will stay at 2 nights at this lodge. Depending on the time we will have a afternoon game drive inside the park and return back just before sunset with your guide.

Duration: 1 day

Stop At: Otjikandero Himba Orphan Village, Road C40, Kamanjab Namibia
Otjikandero Himba Orphanage Village
Otjikandero Himba Orphanage Village is located close to the local Kamanjab cattle farm in Himba Village. The village is inhabited by Himba kids, who are taken care of by volunteer mothers. All the children are raised in the traditional way, although a few of them have been slightly westernised because of the school they attend. Otjikandero Himba Orphanage Village is funded by the money received from tours to the village. Funds are used for medical purposes, food and other basic needs. Tourists will have the opportunity to see the Himba people in their natural environment as well as observe their culture. Excellent photo opportunities are also available.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Basis
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Tea, Coffee and Soft Drinks Included

Accommodation included: Etosha Safaris Lodge

Day 9: Day 9: Etosha Safari Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia, Etosha South

Stop At: Etosha National Park, Etosha National Park, Oshikoto Region
Day Itinerary
today you will have a early morning as the best time to visit the park is in the mornings and in the afternoon. You will enter the park and then your game drive start by visiting different waterholes around Etosha. Your guide will try to find you the best sightings in Etosha. You might have lunch inside the park and only return back to the lodge in the late afternoon.

Duration: 8 hours

Stop At: Etosha National Park, Etosha National Park, Oshikoto Region
Etosha Pan
Aeons ago, Etosha Pan was the bed of a vast lake; today what remains is a glittering, silvery-green salt pan that stretches across roughly 5000 square kilometres. Etosha is protected by the Etosha Pan National Park surrounded by savannah plains and woodlands supporting large herds of elephants. When dry, the pan sustains little life except for the algae that gives it its distinctive colour, and migratory birds that use it as a pit stop, but with heavy rain it becomes a shallow lake where flamingos breed, pelicans wade and feed, and a variety of mammal species come to quench their thirst, including leopards, lions, white rhinos, hunting dogs and antelopes.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Basis
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Tea, Coffee and Soft Drinks Included

Accommodation included: Etosha Safari Lodge

Day 10: Day 10: Okonjima Plains Camp, Okonjima Nature Reserve

Stop At: Okonjima Game Reserve, Waterberg Plateau Park Namibia
Day Itinerary
Morning game drive before we depart the park. We will continue further south towards the south closer to Windhoek. On our way back to Windhoek we will pass smaller towns. We will arrive in time at Okonjima africat cheetah farm for lunch. Later in the afternoon you will do a africat activity.

Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Okonjima Game Reserve, Waterberg Plateau Park Namibia
Okonjima - The AfriCat Foundation
Okonjima Nature Reserve in central Namibia is home to The AfriCat Foundation. It has grown significantly since it was established as a welfare organisation in the early 1990s and registered as a non-profit organisation in 1993. Today, AfriCat’s mission is the long-term conservation of some of Namibia’s large carnivores – such as brown hyaena, leopard and cheetah, all of which can be seen during an environmental education visit to Okonjima.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Basis
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities

Accommodation included: Okonjima Plains Camp

Day 11: Day 11: End of Itinerary

Stop At: Windhoek, Windhoek, Khomas Region
Day Itinerary
This morning you will depart Okonjima and head towards Windhoek.You will also drive 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 stalls are operated on a cooperative basis by the local community and the market is a good place to do last-minute-shopping for truly Namibian souvenirs. You will arrive in Windhoek in time for lunch.
Distance: 250km ( Driving time 3-4 hours)

Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Included
Breakfast and Lunch

No accommodation included on this day.