Namibia Highlights: Namib Desert, Swakopmund, Damaraland & More
- Duration
- 9 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,088
MODERATE | SMALL GROUP: This fascinating country is full of wide horizons, endless stretches of golden desert dunes and unusual rocky plains. Begin in Windhoek and spend time discovering Namibia’s many highlights.
Namibia is perhaps Africa’s most unique wilderness, offering both the world’s highest desert dunes, and a staggering variety of wildlife. Experience its contrasts on this 9 day tour, combining the best of sand and safari.
Sossusvlei is a section of the Namib Desert marked by towering red dunes surrounding a salt and clay pan. For most visitors, this is Namibia’s star attraction. The area’s surreal landscapes and dazzling colours offer an Africa like no other. Visit nearby Sesriem Canyon, a 35 metre deep gauge eroded into the desert floor.
Nestled at the southern end of the Skeleton Coast, Swakopmund is a wetland area blessed with one of the continent’s most incredible sights, as hundreds of thousands of flamingoes descend on Walvis Bay’s lagoon to feed. Enjoy a day at leisure in Swakopmund with the option of a marine cruise, desert tour, scenic flight, quad biking and much more.
Go in search of the rare Desert Elephant in Damaraland. Hardy plants also thrive in this remote region, which you can explore by mountain bike, 4x4 or on foot. Plenty more game awaits your camera at Etosha National Park, including cheetah, lions and giraffes. You’ll also explore Burnt Mountain, Organ Pipes and the Petrified Forest, along with Twyfelfontein, home to Bushman artwork over 600 years old.
- Duration
- 9 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,088
Itinerary View Trip Map
Namib Desert
Departing Windhoek, we travel to our lodge in the Namib Desert. This is the gateway to Sesriem Canyon and Sossusvlei, where some of the highest dunes on Earth stand towering over the white desert plains. The afternoon can be spent relaxing at the pool or taking part in optional activities offered at our lodge.
Duration | 2 Nights |
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Accommodation |
The Elegant Desert Lodge |
Location | View map |
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The Elegant Desert Lodge
The fusion of old and new at the Elegant Desert Lodge allows you to indulge in a refreshingly different experience. From the outside it has the typical old lodge look and feel. As for the inside the thoughtful touches and elegant interior give it a …
The fusion of old and new at the Elegant Desert Lodge allows you to indulge in a refreshingly different experience. From the outside it has the typical old lodge look and feel. As for the inside the thoughtful touches and elegant interior give it a modern and stylish twist.
Facilities
- Restaurant
- Swimming Pool
- Transfer Service
- WiFi
Photo gallery
Photo 1 of 1
Sossusvlei / Namib Desert
The morning demands an early start. Entering the Namib Naukluft National Park shortly after sunrise, the first rays of sunlight paint the mountains of sand into a variety of apricot, red and orange, contrasted against a crisp blue skyline, enrapturing our senses, and providing an opportunity to capture this impressive landscape on film. You will be captivated by the surreal Deadvlei surrounded by some of the highest dunes on earth and Sossusvlei, where the dry Tsauchab River ends abruptly amongst dunes. Take the opportunity to walk up one of these majestic dunes to admire the desert landscape beneath. After this thrilling experience we visit the Sesriem Canyon, a life-sustaining natural phenomenon in the heart of the Namib Desert before returning back to our lodge and cooling off along the swimming pool or with a refreshing drink at one of the quiet retreats located all around the lodge.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Swakopmund
After breakfast we continue our journey approaching the little settlement of Solitaire on the edge of the Namib Naukluft National Park, feeling like you have arrived in the middle of nowhere. Here it is worthwhile to enjoy a cup of coffee with the delightful apple-pie written about in so many travel books before travelling via the desolate, rolling hills of the Kuiseb Valley towards the Atlantic Ocean. Reaching the coastal harbour town of Walvis Bay, we visit the shallow lagoon, one of the most important wetland areas on the African continent and a RAMSAR World Heritage Site. Over 80% of Africa's lesser flamingos breed in this lagoon and present a breath-taking picture when they appear in groups. Continuing along the scenic route between the dune belt and the Atlantic Ocean we reach Swakopmund, where the rest of the day is spent at leisure. With palm-lined streets and seaside promenades, Swakopmund is a popular holiday destination in Namibia. Its pleasant summer climate and long stretched beaches attract anglers and surfers from all over Southern Africa. For the international guest, Swakopmund is a bohemian mix of German architecture and African rhythms, a laid back attitude with adrenalin activities, misty mornings and desert heat. It is colourful, it is vibrant, but most of all, it is pure fun.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 2 Nights |
Accommodation |
Hansa Hotel |
Location | View map |
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Hansa Hotel
Nestled in the centre of Swakopmund, the hotel is constructed around a garden area and close to the sea (a 3-minute walk). With the town having been built during a German Colonial the hotel which originally dates back to 1905 (one of the first in …
Nestled in the centre of Swakopmund, the hotel is constructed around a garden area and close to the sea (a 3-minute walk). With the town having been built during a German Colonial the hotel which originally dates back to 1905 (one of the first in the area) forms part of period, the area resembles a Bavarian village. With a timeless quality the towns culture. Located close by are a golf course, tennis courts, and horse/camel riding. The hotel boasts 58 rooms with underfloor heating.
Facilities
- Bar(s)
- Currency Exchange
- Daycare/Babysitting Service
- Internet Access
- Laundry/Dry Cleaning Service
- Library
- Mail and Postal Facilities
- Medical Services
- Restaurant(s)
- Secretarial Service
Photo gallery
Photo 1 of 5
Swakopmund
Swakopmund is often fondly referred to as the "playground of Namibia", it has numerous activities ranging from, adventure to exploring the fascinating features of the Namib Desert and the animals and plants that occur and survive here. Embrace the relaxed pace of this idyllic coastal town while enjoying coffee and freshly baked pastries in one of the many cafes. Alternatively explore the rugged, sweltering desert on a day tour, or view this excellent, environment from the air on a scenic flight. Find your inner child and push adrenaline to its limits with extreme adventures such as skydiving over the desert or quad biking and sand boarding on the dunes. Take time to get the feel of this quaint town with its historic buildings, museums, shopping arcades and beach bar that has transformed into its personality by the vibrant use of colour and the bohemian lifestyle.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Damaraland
Today we first head east into the Erongo Mountain range to stretch our legs on a short informative bush walk with local Bushmen, whereby we listen to stories of the bushman culture, traditions and see some of their desert survival skills. Returning from the walk our journey continues through Uis past the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain (2.579m), into the Damaraland, one of the least populated and most geologically diverse areas in Africa. This harsh, rocky environment is home to the elusive desert elephant, the black rhino and free-roaming antelope species. We arrive at our lodge in the afternoon, where we have the remaining day at leisure.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 1 Night |
Accommodation |
Damara Mopane Lodge |
Location | View map |
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Damara Mopane Lodge
Built in the wattle and daub style under Mopane trees and connected by a labyrinth of paths, the main building and chalets of the lodge look like an African village. The walls are adorned by copies of the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein. Each of the …
Built in the wattle and daub style under Mopane trees and connected by a labyrinth of paths, the main building and chalets of the lodge look like an African village. The walls are adorned by copies of the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein. Each of the 60 double room chalets sits in a vegetable and herb garden surrounded by a low wall. The gardens supply fresh ingredients for supper, which consists of a starter followed by a delicious buffet. There is a swimming pool for chilling out and a viewing point for relishing sunsets. The lodge at the gates of Damaraland is ideally suited for excursions to Twyfelfontein (130 km), the Petrified Forest (70 km) and the Vingerklip rock pillar (50 km).
Facilities
- Pool (s)
- Restaurant(s)
Photo gallery
Photo 1 of 1
Etosha National Park
During the cooler hours of the morning we start our adventure filled day in the company of a local Damara guide, who takes us to Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO heritage site where Bushman communities engraved and painted over 2.500 pictures some 6.000 years ago! After a visit to the nearby Living Museum of the Damara, we proceed to the Petrified Forest - a geological phenomenon depicting the creation and metamorphosis of wood into stone amongst some of the oldest landmasses on Earth. Here we also see the Welwitschia mirabilis plant - the oldest living desert plant on Earth. Our onward journey takes us to the wildlife heaven of Namibia - the Etosha National Park. We check into our lodge located on the border of the Etosha National Park and can unwind after the adventure filled day alongside the pool.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 2 Nights |
Accommodation |
Eldorado Lodge |
Location | View map |
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Eldorado Lodge
Eldorado Lodge is located on a family run farm located approximately 8 kms from Etosha Natioanl Park's Anderson Gate. Passed down through generations for around 66 years, the farm is populate with gemsbok, eland, impala, springbok, steenbuck, duiker, zebra, blue and black wildebeest, ostriches and …
Eldorado Lodge is located on a family run farm located approximately 8 kms from Etosha Natioanl Park's Anderson Gate. Passed down through generations for around 66 years, the farm is populate with gemsbok, eland, impala, springbok, steenbuck, duiker, zebra, blue and black wildebeest, ostriches and a variety of indigenous birds. With 11 twin and 3 triple guests rooms at the lodge and a campground, there is a multitude of choices of accommodation. Come experience true Namibian farm life, hospitality and food.
Facilities
- Bird Watching
- Farm
- Game Viewing
- Garden
- Housekeeping Service
- Laundry Service
- Swimming Pool
Photo gallery
Photo 1 of 1
Etosha National Park
The day is devoted purely to the abundant wildlife found in the Etosha National Park, which surrounds a parched salt desert known as the Etosha Pan. The park is home to 4 of the Big Five - elephant, lion, leopard and rhino. The Park was proclaimed as Namibia's first conservation area in 1907 by the then Governor, von Lindequist. Despite the size of the Etosha National Park, only the southern edge of the pan is accessible to visitors. Game viewing in the park is primarily focussed around the waterholes, some of which are spring fed and some supplied from a borehole, ideal places to sit and watch over 114 different game species, or for an avid birder, more than 340 bird species. Popular game species such as giraffe, blue wildebeest, plains and mountain zebra, hyena, lion, leopard, antelopes such as kudu, oryx, eland, as well as some of the endangered species such as Black rhino, cheetah and the black-faced impala are all found here. An extensive network of roads link the over 30 water holes allowing visitors the opportunity of a comprehensive game viewing safari throughout the park as each different area will provide various encounters.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Etosha National Park
Today your guide again takes you on a game drive in the Etosha National Park. We may encounter animal species we have not seen the previous day and look forward to any new surprises at the different waterholes visited. The Etosha Pan dominates the park. This salt pan desert, which is nearly completely enclosed by the park and is lined by numerous watering holes, is roughly 130 km long and as wide as 50 km in places. During Etosha's notorious dry spells the pan is a deathly place, lying parched and cracked under the molten African sun. It is claimed that game viewing is best during the dry periods as animals will then congregate closer to water. But even in the rainy season, the park remains an abundant wildlife haven. You then have the pleasure of experiencing the rebirth of life as the young foals, cubs and chicks are seen frolicking with their parents, and the sprouting new green shrubs and grasses create a pleasing green oasis. In the afternoon we onwards to our lodge, where we enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 1 Night |
Accommodation |
La Rochelle Lodge |
Location | View map |
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La Rochelle Lodge
At La Rochelle's Lodge, you'll can find Makalani palms towering above the plains and thickets of Acacia wrapped by endless grasslands. A variety of bird life and game can be viewed in nearby Etosha National Park, allowing for photographic game drives and waterhole observations. The …
At La Rochelle's Lodge, you'll can find Makalani palms towering above the plains and thickets of Acacia wrapped by endless grasslands. A variety of bird life and game can be viewed in nearby Etosha National Park, allowing for photographic game drives and waterhole observations. The lodge boasts a variety of accommodations from chalets, family units, guest house and a luxury villa. Enjoy a meal in the onsite restaurant or simply relax in your surroundings.
Facilities
- Fitness Rooms
- Game Drives
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Restaurant
- Spa Services
- Swimming Pool
Photo gallery
Photo 1 of 1
Departure
After breakfast, we travel back through the centre of the country exposing bush land savannah to the capital in the centre of the country. Time permitting, en-route we may stop at the famous wood carvers market in Okahandja or the craft market in the main street in Windhoek to pick up the last few souvenirs. Windhoek is a cosmopolitan melting pot of European architecture with African culture, with a variety of excellent restaurants to choose from. You will be dropped off at your accommodation of choice, or transferred to the airport for your outward flight.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Other Information
DEPARTURES:
2022: Aug 10; Sep 7; Oct 5; Nov 16
2023: Mar 8; Apr 5; May 31; Jun 28; Aug 9; Sep 6; Oct 4, 18
Note: These are English-only departures. Other multi-lingual departures are available please inquire.
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Shared departure transfer to Windhoek Hosea Kutako Airport
- 2 nights first-class accommodation in Namib Desert
- 2 nights moderate accommodation in Swakopmund
- 1 night moderate accommodation in Damaraland
- 1 night moderate accommodation near Etosha National Park
- 2 nights first-class accommodation near Etosha National Park
- Transportation in an air-conditioned coach (max 20 guests per vehicle)
- Shared services of a registered driver/guide (max 20 guests)
- Included shared sightseeing with entrance fees (max 20 guests):
- Excursion to Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, and Sesriem Canyon
- Visit of Walvis Bay lagoon
- Excursion to Twyfelfontein and Petrified Forest
- Visit a Living Museum of the Damara tribe
- Afternoon game drive in Etosha National Park
- 2 full day game drives in Etosha National Park
- Still mineral water on bus
- Tourism levy and taxes
- 24hrs medical evacuation insurance
- 8 breakfasts
* Upgrades available. Please enquire for details
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Travel insurance
- International airfare & airfare taxes
- Meals and beverages not explicitly listed as included
- Gratuities
- Optional excursions
- Items of a personal nature
- Visa fees if applicable
OTHER INFORMATION:
Maximum of 20 guests per departure. The tour departs around 8:00am on day one, therefore a pre night is required. It's suggested to add a post night too.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please enquire.
4 Oct 2023