Namibia South to North

Description: Namibia is a hidden gem, a land of real contrast, open spaces and rugged beauty. This 9 day tour takes us on an adventure from Cape Town into the heart of Namibia’s under-explored areas and back. From oceans to deserts, open plains and wildlife and ancient local cultures, join us and lose yourself in this land lost in time.

Highlights:  

Watch the sunrise over the red dunes of the oldest desert in the world | Visit the mind-blowing great Fish River Canyon | Spend time in search of big game and predators in Etosha  National Park | See ancient rock art paintings in the highest mountain in Namibia | Adventure into the rugged backlands of Damaraland where there is the chance to see the rare desert elephants | View thousands of wading birds in the old whaling port of Walvis bay|  Paddle down the mighty Orange River | Visit one of the biggest Cape Fur seal colonies in the world | Marvel at the German architecture in Swakopmond and choose from a variety of adventure activities on offer in the seaside town.

Price:

€1 150  per person

*based on 10 people travelling

Optional Windhoek – Cape Town transit R1100 pp.

R 11 500 pp.

Day 1

Leave Cape Town for the Orange River and Namibia

After breakfast we meet, load up the truck and begin our journey north towards the river. En route we will stop for lunch and then again in Springbok where we shop for supplies before crossing the Orange River and border into Namibia. We arrive at our lodge on the river in the late afternoon with enough time to enjoy the swimming pool and watch the sunset.

(BLD)

Day 2

Fish River Canyon

Relaxed breakfast and an optional adventure down the river in a canoe before we set off for the great Fish River Canyon. We lunch en route and arrive in time to check in and relax before heading to the canyon to watch the sunset over this magnificent example of geological time. (BLD)

Day 3

Namib Desert

After a simple breakfast we are on the road with the sunrise through an enchanting landscape of mountains and plains. We lunch en route. We will then continue on to our camp at Sesriem, the aim being to arrive in time for a swim and relax before dinner with a sundowner. Tonight we cook over the fire under the stars. (BLD)

Day 4

Sesriem and Sossusvlei

We are up early this morning as we want to get into the Namib Desert with enough time to explore before the heat of the day sets in. We spend the morning exploring the extremely photographic Deadvlei and Sossusvlei. We have a light snack at the dunes before heading back to camp for lunch and a dip in the swimming pool. Free time to siesta or explore. This afternoon we visit Sesreim canyon, a place that saved the lives of many of the early “thirst-land explorers”. Back to camp for sundowners and another dinner under the desert night skies. (BLD)

Day 5

Walvis Bay and Swakopmund

This morning we are up early, a quick breakfast and on the road with the sunrise, we head back past Solitaire and through the Naukluft Mountains and on to the flat gravel plains before reaching the coast at Walvis Bay, Southern Africa’s single most important coastal wetland for migratory birds. After lunch we move on to the pleasant seaside town of Swakopmond. There will be time to explore the town and do shopping before having dinner at a local restaurant. (BL)

Day 6

Cape Fur Seals and Spitzkoppe

After breakfast at the lodge we head north up the coast past the barren salt works to Cape Cross, home to a colony of more than 100 000 Cape Fur seals, a sight and sound to behold.

En-route we will have a chance to collect some natural salt crystal formation which have been blown into to shape by the wind. We then head inland to what is referred to as the “Matterhorn of Africa” or Spitzkoppe. These massive granite extrusions were not only sacred to the early inhabitants of the area but are truly striking and a lot of fun to climb. Our campsite will be at the base of this holy mountain from where we will be free to explore its intricacies. Once again we will enjoy dinner around the fire and beneath desert night sky. (BLD)

Day 7

Etosha

After breakfast and packing up camp  we continue our journey through Damaraland towards Etosha National Park, we lunch en route. It is a long drive and we will arrive at our camp in the park in the late afternoon. After setting up camp and a swim we can make our way into the park for an afternoon game drive before returning to camp to freshen up and enjoy dinner beneath the stars. (BLD)

Day 8

Etosha

We are up early and enter the park as the gates open, today it is all about the wildlife. We spend the morning on game drive, lunch poolside at one of the park camps. The afternoon is spent searching for animals en route to our camp for the night. After dinner we head down to the camp waterhole for the chance to see some of the parks nocturnal inhabitants. (BLD)

Day 9

Windhoek

A final search for wildlife on the early morning game drive before exiting the park and making our way back to Windhoek, lunch en route. After checking in to our accommodation we head in to explore the city before having dinner at one of the city’s most interesting restaurants. (BL)

Day 10

Tour Ends

Breakfast at the lodge. Tour ends. (B)

Day 10

(Optional)

Transit

After breakfast and faring the rest of the team safe travels we begin our transit back to South Africa. We should make it across the border in the late afternoon giving us time to enjoy the pool, camp and bar before dinner at the camp restaurant.

Day 11

(Optional)

Transit

We are up early to complete our transit to Cape Town. We will have lunch en-route and should arrive back in Cape Town in the late afternoon.

Tour Ends in Cape Town