„Namibia – at a Trot“ - 3 weeks safari

Amount of days: 22 days / 21 nights

Min / Max persons: 2 / 6

Category: Silver

Single supplement on request

Vehicle: Land Rover or similar

Language: German / English

Day 01

Arrival Windhoek

Windhoek – Hotel Casa Blanca

Upon your arrival at Windhoek International airport, your tour guide will pick you up and will take you to Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia. The 45km drive to your guest house/hotel is followed by a short city tour to give you the chance to gather first impressions. It will also give you a chance to find out more about the itinerary. The afternoon is open at your leisure. You may take a nap after the long flight, go to town or just relax at the swimming pool.

Day 02

Kalahari Desert

Kalahari – Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge

From Windhoek you drive south towards the Kalahari region with its wonderful red sand dunes. A variety of animals such as oryx, springbok, ostrich, zebra, blue wildebeest and a diversity of smaller species which are perfectly adapted to their environment can be observed here. In the afternoon you will go on a nature drive where you can enjoy a drink while watching the sun set.

Day 03

Mesosaurus fossils - Keetmanshoop

Keetmanshoop – Pension Gessert

Drive to Keetmanshoop – the city was founded in 1860 by Rhenish missionaries. The South of Namibia is known as the home to the Karakul sheep, which found the perfect habitat there. The quality of the sheep’s wool became famous worldwide for its hard-wearing properties; the wool is mostly used for the production of carpets, and furriers are always in search of the precious pelts of the karakul lambs . In the late afternoon you will visit the 250 million year-old mesosaurus fossils. The fossils are a proof of the drifting apart of the continents. A sundowner in the Quiver tree forest will round off the day.

Day 04

Fish River Canyon

Fish River Canyon – Cañon Lodge

The Cañon Lodge is located near the Fish River Canyon. The landscape is characterized by the euphorbia, Camelthorn trees as well as a variety of rock formations.

After the Grand Canyon in the US, the Fish River Canyon is the second longest canyon in the world. A hike on foot takes you around the edges of this stunning natural monument, where you will discover the astonishing characteristics of the landscape. An afternoon game drive is optional.

Day 05

Aus

Aus – Klein Aus Vista

From the Fish River Canyon, the tour proceeds towards Aus. We visit the water-hole of Garub in search of the legendary wild horses which have graced many a Namibian post card. A short walking-tour through the spectacular landscape near Aus is also on the cards.

Day 06

Lüderitz

Lüderitz – Zur Waterkant

We start with a drive through the dry Namib Desert, which is home to the restricted diamond area (Sperrgebiet) and newly-proclaimed Dorob National Park, towards Lüderitz. You will be able to see the old buildings dating back to the German colonial era from 1884 to 1915, such as the „Felsenkirche“ or the „Goerkehaus“. An excursion to Agate Beach gives you the opportunity to see the amazing surroundings of Lüderitz. A visit to the museum or other attractions of Lüderitz is also possible.

Day 07

Farm Tiras

Tiras Mountains – Farm Tiras

After breakfast you will visit the ghost town of Kolmanskop ten kilometres east ofLüderitz. In 1908 a railway worker found a sparkling stone in the sand at Kolmanskop. In the events which followed, Lüderitz became a place where soldiers of fortune became immensely rich, only to gamble away their wealth in the shortest possible time. In 1930, diamond mining in Kolmanskop was halted, and slowly, the town was left to itself and reconquered by the dunes. Hear and see more on the history of Kolmanskop on a guided tour through the partially renovated remains of the ghost town.

Via Aus you will proceed to Farm Tiras, which is one of the farms that belong to the Tiras Mountains Conservancy. The Koch family will await you with coffee/tea and cake whereafter the unique flora/fauna and the different forms of landscapes will be shown and explained to you. A breath-taking sundowner at the edges of the Namib Desert will roundoff the day.

Day 08

Farm Tiras

Tiras Mountains – Farm Tiras

You will become better acquainted with farm life in the south of Namibia. Another day on the farm makes it possible to experience the fascinating nature that surrounds you.

Day 09

Central Namib

Naukluft – Namib Naukluft Lodge

After breakfast, the tour proceeds through the wide open spaces of the southern Namib Desert – past bizarre mountain formations and seemingly endless plains. At around 3pm we arrive at the Namib Naukluft Lodge, where coffee or tea and cake await you. Alternatively, you can go on a sundowner drive to see the Marble Mountains.

Day 10

Sesriem/ Sossusvlei

Naukluft – Namib Naukluft Lodge

Long before sunrise, a 4x4 vehicle takes you to the highest dunes in the world – the Sossusvlei. Breakfast is enjoyed in the middle of this awe-inspiring landscape. Of course, there is ample time to explore thenature surrounding you.

Our day trip then takes us to other attraction such as the Dead Vlei, an accumulation of weather-beaten tree skeletons in a pan which must have received regular natural inflows of water before drying up hundreds of years ago, as well as the Sesriem Canyon. The latter evolved through millions of years of erosion and is one kilometer long and 30 metres deep. Around 12am you will be returning to the lodge. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 11

Swakopmund

Swakopmund – Pension Rapmund

The safari continues through the Namib Desert, past the captivating valleys of the Ghaub and Kuisebrivers and the legendary „Vogelfederberg“, through Walvis Bay to Swakopmund. Swakopmund is a smalltown on the Atlantic coast. It is characterized by a strong German influence. With its colonial buildings and German flair, it invites you to sightsee and shop. A sundowner at the Atlantic coast makes your visit here an unforgettable one. In the evening locally caught fresh seafood is on offer in one of the many restaurants in town.

Day 12

Swakopmund

Swakopmund – Pension Rapmund

Today’s highlight is a boat trip with Mola Mola Safaris. In the lagoon of Walvis Bay you will witness the striking contrast between the ocean and the dunes. Experienced skippers show you the diversity of marine life, including the variety of seabirds that live there. Whilst you are finding out about the local history, oysters and other snacks, as well as some wine or beer, can be enjoyed. All boats are half canopied, and are equipped with seats, as well as an on-board toilet. After the outing, you will return again to Swakopmund where you spend the afternoon at your own leisure.

Day 13

Cape Cross – Seal colony

Cape Cross – Cape Cross Lodge

Your tour proceeds north, along the Atlantic coastline, passing charmingly romantic holiday resorts, salt-mines and interesting biotopes of lichen. The lichen of Namibia are the rarest and most interesting in the world. The day’s highlight is a visit to the seal colony at Cape Cross.

Day 14

Damaraland

Damaraland – Etendeka Mountain Camp

Our tour carries on through the Skeleton Coast Park, with its white dunes, a variety of rock formations, fauna and flora including the well-known Welwitschia mirabilis. The Damaraland with its fascinating landscape is home to animals such as the black rhino, desert adapted elephant, springbok, etc. Furthermore, it is home for other endemic plants, such as the bottle tree.

Day 15

Damaraland

Damaraland – Etendeka Mountain Camp

Today you are guaranteed to experience one of the highlights of your tour through Namibia: rhino tracking. Namibia is one of the few countries on the African continent where a growth in the population of the Black Rhinoceros is recorded. In the Etendeka Conservancy you are very likely to spot a few specimens of this reclusive species.

Day 16

Damaraland

Damaraland –Gelbingen Guest Farm

We are visiting a traditional Ovahimba village. The Himba are one of the last remaining nomadic people in Africa. Until this day, many Himbas have resisted to adapt to the Western lifestyle. Instead, they continue to live as nomadic pastoralists, roaming the wide-open spaces of north-western Namibia. The visit to their traditional village will give you an insight into their everyday routine.

Day 17

Western Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park – Dolomite Camp

After breakfast you enter the Etosha National Park through the western gate and proceed to the newly-built Dolomite Camp. In this area of the parkthe landscape, as well as the flora and fauna, arequite different from the other parts of Etosha.

Day 18

Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park – Okaukuejo Camp

Another thrilling game drive awaits you. Today you might just see the animals that you didn’t see yesterday. Every day is a new experience in Etosha. Shortly before sunset you arrive at your camp, which lies in the eastern part of the Etosha. At the illuminated waterhole, you will be able to observe the activities of the nocturnal animals. Especially in the dry season, a lot of different species gather at the waterhole, even black rhino!

Day 19

Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park – Namutoni Camp or Onguma Bush Camp

The central parts of park are dominated by the huge Etosha Pan with its fascinating mirages. On your day-long game drive you will once again be flabbergasted by the multitude of wildlife in the park. Many species of plains game such as zebra, elephant, giraffe, eland, oryx, springbok and kudu, inhabit Etosha National Park in large numbers. With a bit of luck you might also spot reclusive species such as lion, cheetah, leopard and black rhino. Hundreds of bird species inhabit the park. In summer, they are joined by a number of migratory birds.

Day 20

Mt Etjo

Central Northern Namibia – Mount Etjo Safari Lodge

In the early morning the tour proceeds towards Tsumeb.  On your way there you will visit Lake Otjikoto, where in 1915 the “German Schutztruppe” disposed their weapons to hide them from the South African army. Some of the weapons were recovered, and these can be viewed in the museum.

Around 2pm you arrive at Mount Etjo Safari Lodge. The lodge was built in the Moorish style and will welcome you with coffee and cake. The game drive which follows gives you the chance to look at the fascinating fauna and flora.  Back at the lodge, you have ample time to shower before moving on to dinner. As an option after dinner you can watch the lions being fed.

Day 21

Windhoek

Windhoek – Hotel Casa Blanca

After breakfast we depart for Windhoek. We will stop at the woodcarvers’ market in Okahandja, where you have a chance to buy some last-minute souvenirs. Arrival in Windhoek will be approximately at 3pm.

Day 22

Transfer to airport