Classic Namibia Escorted Tour
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Fast Facts
Travelling to:
Windhoek - Kalahari Namibia - Sossusvlei - Sesriem - Swakopmund - Palmwag - Etosha South - Etosha East
duration:
15 Days - 14 Nights
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Explore the bare plains of the Namib Desert on this tremendous Safari itinerary
Along with the stunning scenes of the Namib, this tour takes in the apricot coloured dunes of Sossusvlei, the romantic coastal town of Swakopmund nestled between the Ocean and the Desert, the rough terrain of Damaraland and the abundant wildlife in the world renowned Etosha National Park on this classic Namibia tour.
This small escorted tour will run on a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 8 participants per departure
2023 dates available: 09 Jun, 30 Jun, 14 Jul, 28 Jul, 11 Aug, 25 Aug , 08 Sep, 29 Sep, 13 Oct
Highlights
Outline Itinerary
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Day 1 - Travelling
Depart London Heathrow for your overnight flight.
Day 2 - Windhoek
Staying at: Villa Violet Guesthouse
Arrival at Hosea Kutako (Windhoek International) Airport, where you will be met by your guide. Subsequent transfer to the capital of Namibia for check-in at a guesthouse.
After check-in at the accommodation establishment, you will be taken on a city tour.
Windhoek is a city of many contrasts. Modern skyscrapers blend with historic buildings dating from the turn of the century. Several buildings from the German colonial era have been preserved and restored to fulfil useful functions in the community today. Some of the sights you will see on your tour are the Parliament Building, also known as the “Ink Place”, the Lutheran Church and the Railway Station.
Day 3 - Kalahari
Staying at: Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
After breakfast departure from Windhoek and drive via Rehoboth into the red dunes of the Kalahari Desert.
In the late afternoon you will participate in a guided game drive to learn about the flora and fauna of the Kalahari Desert.
Day 4 - Sossusvlei
Staying at: Desert Camp, Sossusvlei
The routing takes you further south via Maltahöhe into the low plains of the Namib Desert to Desert Camp, which is located nearby the entrance gate to the Sossusvlei dunes.
Spend the afternoon at leisure.
Day 5 - Sossusvlei
Staying at: Desert Camp, Sossusvlei
Very early departure today into the Namib Naukluft Park to witness one of Namibia’s most scenic attractions - the Sossusvlei and the highest dunes of the world. Visit the nearby Deadvlei, a dried out natural water pan with its dead acacia tree trunks rising to the blue sky.
The Sesriem Canyon is another attraction worthwhile seeing en route back to the lodge. A relaxing sundowner on top of the nearby ridge ends off an unforgettable day in the desert.
Day 6 - Swakopmund
Staying at: Swakopmund Guesthouse
The route takes you north via the Kuiseb Canyon to Swakopmund. Highlights en route include a drive to the “Moon Landscape” and the ancient desert plant, “Welwitschia mirabilis”.
This quaint desert town with its old-world charm and relaxed atmosphere hedged by desert and sea, is enhanced by lush green lawns and palm trees.
Spend the afternoon at leisure.
Day 7 - Swakopmund
Staying at: Swakopmund Guesthouse
A dolphin cruise has been booked for you today. You will be picked up at your accommodation and driven to the nearby town of Walvis Bay, from where your boat cruise with Laramon Tours (or similar) departs. Please ensure that you have had breakfast and are ready to leave Swakopmund by approx. 08h00, as you are requested to be at the check-in at the Walvis Bay Waterfront by approx. 08h45.
The scenic drive from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay takes about 45 minutes. Don’t forget to take a hat, sunscreen and a warm jacket along. After 3 exciting hours the catamaran will dock and your guide will return you to the Guesthouse.
Your cruise today departs the Walvis Bay Yacht club at approx. 09h00 and takes you through the harbour, passing moored Russian trawlers en route and on to Pelican Point, where inquisitive seals will swim up to the boats looking for something to eat, all whilst pods of Heaviside and Bottlenose Dolphins swim alongside the boat. For bird lovers, apart from seeing flamingos, cormorants and pelicans, there are common sightings of the White Chinned Petrel, Wilson’s Storm Petrel, Black Oystercatcher and even the Jackass Penguin. With a bit of luck you might see a Sunfish (Mola Mola) and the Leatherback Turtles. In season, the larger mammals like the Southern Right Whale and the Humpback Whales may be spotted and occasionally the Killer Whales (Orcas).
To round the trip off you will be spoilt with fresh Walvis Bay oysters, snacks and cold sparkling wine on board as you make your way back to the docking station.
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Day 8 - Palmwag
Staying at: Palmwag Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia
Departure from Swakopmund along the Atlantic Coast towards the North.
Visit the lichen fields near Wlotzka’s Baken before continuing to Henties Bay, a small holiday resort.
Onwards to the seal colony at Cape Cross. After visiting the seals, the journey continues via Ugabmund to the southern Skeleton Coast Park to inspect a shipwreck.
You leave the Skeleton Coast Park in the early afternoon via Springbok Water and can experience the harsh transition from the Namib Desert to the Damaraland highlands with its impressive landscape and ragged valleys.
Day 9 - Palmwag
Staying at: Palmwag Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia
A highlight today will be the rhino tracking excursion with the lodge.
Palmwag Rhino Tracking
Palmwag Lodge, in a joint venture with the Torra Conservancy, Anabeb Conservancy, and Sesfontein Conservancy offers rhino tracking in the Palmwag Concession and in the Torra Conservancy. The communities and conservancies directly benefit from these excursions since part of the income generated through rhino tracking is paid to the conservancies.
Rhino tracking excursions are guided by a qualified guide from Palmwag Lodge and a qualified tracker from the Rhino Rangers or Save the Rhino Trust. Full-day and half-day tracking excursions are available and both options include breakfast. Lunch is included in the full-day tracking package.
Day 10 - Etosha South
Staying at: Taleni Etosha Village
Leaving Palmwag Lodge, we travel via the Grootberg Pass to Kamanjab and further to the Etosha National Park. The Etosha National Park presents to its guests a wilderness experience that is unmatched in terms of privacy and landscape viewing.
If time permits, your guide will drive into the National Park with you already this afternoon for a game drive.
Day 11 - Etosha South
Staying at: Taleni Etosha Village
Discover the mysteries of the African bush in Etosha National Park whilst travelling in an eastern direction through the park. We spend the day doing game drives in the park and visit the numerous waterholes that attract a large diversity of animal and bird species, many of these being endemic to the country.
Day 12 - Etosha East
Staying at: Mushara Bush Camp
Another day to discover the mysteries of the African bush in Etosha National Park whilst travel in an easterly direction via Halali and Namutoni to Mushara Bushcamp.
Day 13 - Windhoek
Staying at: Villa Violet
Return journey via Okahandja to Windhoek. Okahandja is an important centre for woodcarvers from the north. They practice their ancient skills at the Woodcarvers Market next to the main road.
This is a good place to pick a last souvenir. Arrival in Windhoek will be around 17h00 with transfer to your guest house for your final night in Namibia.
Day 13 - Overnight Travel
Morning at leisure - perhaps why not consider a City tour to explore this tiny capital city before you are transferred to the airport in time to check in for the flights back to the UK.