NAMIBIA SAFARI

Namibia Safari - "Land of Contrasts and Beauty"

Day 1: Windhoek
On entering the arrivals hall at Windhoek International Airport, you will be met by your guide who will show you where to convert traveller's cheques and bills to local currency at the best rate. Afterwards you will be taken to your Windhoek lodgings to book in. Once settled, take a guided tour of the City and shop for the necessities you might need during the next few days. You might need an early night after dinner to sleep off the effects of the aircraft trip.

Day 2: Windhoek to Keetmanshoop.
"The longest day". You need to leave early so as to arrive at your destination before nightfall. Travel southwards on the Khomas Hochland plateau and then descend past Rehoboth, Kalkrand, Mariental with the Hardap Dam nearby, to arrive in Keetmanshoop in the late afternoon. Dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 3: Keetmanshoop to Ais-Ais.
Travel further southwards through Seeheim to the Fish River Canyon. We head for Ai-Ais, where we will be staying for the night, taking detours to the various view sites en-route. Explore the area and wonder at the majesty of the Fish River Canyon, one of the largest on earth. An extremely popular but gruelling 4-day hike can be booked well in advance. One has to be reasonably fit and determined to hike this canyon, because once you commence, there is no turning back. Dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 4: Ai-Ais to Luderitz. Travel back to Seeheim and then turn westwards past Goageb and Aus to the port of Luderitz. Book in at your accommodation before exploring Luderitz and the desrted town of Kolmanskop with it's remaining sandblasted buildings. Visit the beach near Luderitz to marvel at the variety of Agate which this area is so well-known for.

Day 5: Luderitz to Sossusvlei.
From Luderitz you have to retrace your steps to Aus and then to Helmeringhausen. From there the road leads northwards to Maltehohe and then westwards to Sesriem, where you will see why it is so called. From here to Sossusvlei, only camels and 4x4 vehicles can reach this remote spot. The vegetation can vary quite considerably, depending on the amount of rain that has fallen in Namibia. The one thing that you are really obliged to do having come so far is to climb one of the highest sand dunes in the world - a really worthwhile view awaits. Dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 6: Sossusvlei - Walvis Bay - Swakopmund
Back over the dunes after breakfast for the next leg of your journey to Solitaire, and then on to Namibia's main port of Walvis Bay. The wide protected bay is a favourite for a variety of wading birds and thousands of Flamingo's are to be seen feeding in the shallow waters. A fantastic sight to see as great flocks of Flamingo's fly over the town to their nesting grounds at sunset. First-time visitors gaze upwards in awe, while the people of Walvis Bay run for cover! The beautiful sunsets along the Namibian coast are something never to be forgotten. Continue another 30 kilometers to Swakopmund - our base for two nights. Dinner and stay overnight in Swakopmund.

Day 7: Swakopmund vicinity
After breakfast we explore the vicinity which includes the unique and age-old Welwitchia desert plants. These living fossils can attain ages of more than a thousand years. Visit Goanicontas, a lush valley in the bed of Swakop river before returning to Swakopmund. Plentry of interesting shops to explore, especially the jewellers with an amazing variety of tumbled and polished semi-precious gemstones like garnets, tourmaline, topaz and many more. Enjoy a locally brewed beer in one of the bars and listen to the local gossip. Dinner in one of the fine rsetaurants. Stay overnight in Swakopmund.

Day 8: Swakopmund to Khorixas.
Follow the coastal road northwards to the fishing Mecca of Hentie's Bay. We take the road via Cape Cross to the "Brandberg" monument area to see the puzzling age-old "White Lady " rock painting. From there to Uis and Khorixas for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 9: Khorixas to Etosha National Park.
Leave Khorixas past Outjo to arrive at Okaukueju - the western end of the Etosha National Park. From here on in, keep an eye open for game, with binoculars and cameras at the ready. You will have a detailed map of the Etosha at this stage which will aid your navigation through the park. We take our time travelling to our night stop camp at Halali. When we arrive it will be to book in and find out where the game has been spotted. Return to Halali in the late afternoon to prepare for dinner and an early night.

Day 10: Etosha National Park.
Up early to look for game and return for a late breakfast. Work your way eastwards to exit the Etosha at the Namutoni gate and arrive at your accommodation in the late afternoon. At Namatoni, the water hole attracts many animals making this a good spot for game early morning and late afternoon. Dinner and an overnight stay in a selected lodge outside the park.

Day 11: Etosha National Park to Windhoek.
Depart early for the mining town of Tsumeb and visit the Otjikoto Lake. Continue to Grootfontein to see the Horab meteor on the outskirts of the town. Proceed via Otavi, Otjiwarongo and Okahandja to arrive in Windhoek in the late afternoon. Dinner and stay overnight in Windhoek.

Day 12: Windhoek to following destination.
Spend the morning in Windhoek or visit the art and craft shops in Okahandja ensuring that you arrive at Windhoek International Airport in plenty of time to finalise all the arrangements before saying goodbye to your guide and boarding your aircraft to the next destination.

Note : Since day 11 schedule is very tight, you are strongly advised to include day 12 in your planning to cater for any unforeseen hitches.

    

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