8 Days / 7 Nights - Sand, Sea & Big Cats Tour

Routing Highlights: Windhoek – Namib Naukluft Park - Sossusvlei – Swakopmund – Otjiwarongo – AFRICAT Foundation – Windhoek Tour Information: Departure Date:                 Any date of your choice Departure Location:         Windhoek – Airport or City Tour Ends:                          Windhoek – Airport or City Car Rental: The type of vehicle rented will depend on your group size and amount of luggage and personal preference.

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Tour Summary:

Itinerary:

Day 1
Windhoek
Upon your scheduled arrival at Windhoek, Hosea Kutako International Airport you will be welcomed by a company representative and transferred to Namibia's capital city, Windhoek. The remainder of your afternoon will be at leisure to view the historical landmarks of this cosmopolitan city or to do any last minute shopping for your safari.

Windhoek is often described as a city with a “continental” atmosphere due to its architecture (historical buildings dating back to the German colonial rule), cuisine, culture, dress and educational institutions. Windhoek portrays the colour, sounds and tempo of a modern African city with its displays of African drums and woodcarvings on the pavements, which contrast with the elegant shops offering sophisticated Swakara garments and Namibian gemstones. Sidewalk cafes, which offer Namibian style breakfasts (Frühschoppen) can be enjoyed with a glass of sparkling wine or locally brewed draught beer. In addition to steak houses and coffee bars serving snacks, the city has a wide range of a la carte restaurants offering German, French, Taiwanese, Portuguese, Italian, African and Chinese cuisine.

Accommodation: Olive Grove Guest House
Olive Grove is an up market establishment situated close to the city centre in a quiet, peaceful area. Whilst each room caters for the every need of the most discerning traveller, the atmosphere remains one of simplicity and elegance – after all luxury should be subtle. One of Olive Grove’s main features is the large veranda in front of every room, with tables and chairs for alfresco dining. The open air lounge, spa bath, plunge pool and tranquil garden all invite the visitor to unwind and relax under Namibia’s open skies.

Day 2
Namib Naukluft Park
Leaving Windhoek today’s route climbs the Kupferberg Pass with spectacular views back over the city before crossing the Khomas Hochland Highland Region towards the western escarpment. Descending the escarpment enter the Namib Desert Region on route to the small town of Solitaire before continuing to the entrance to the Namib Naukluft Park. Late afternoon arrival.
Accommodation: Sossusvlei Lodge

Day 3
Namib Naukluft Park
Conduct an early morning optional excursion along the path of the ancient Tschaub River into the Namib Sand Sea including a visit to the famed Sossusvlei, Dune 45 and Deadvlei. Many visitors to Namibia say that no part of the desert is more stunning than Sossusvlei, with its monumentally high dunes, the shadows of their sinuous crests continually changing as the day waxes and wanes. Gigantic star-shaped mountains of sand, the highest estimated at 325 m. The warm tints of the sand, ranging from pale apricot to brick orange and deep red, contrast vividly with the dazzling white surfaces of the deflationary clay pans at some of their bases. An afternoon optional excursion can be conducted to the Sesriem Canyon, a small yet picturesque canyon carved over millions of years into the Tschaub River.
Accommodation: Sossusvlei Lodge

Day 4
Swakopmund
Departing from the central Namib Region today’s route continues in a northerly direction along the eastern boundary of the Namib Naukluft Park passing through the small settlement of Solitaire on route to the Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons. Continue across the “gravel plains” of the Namib Desert on route towards Namibia’s premier coastal resort town, Swakopmund. Excursions on route should be included to the erosion feature of the “Moon Valley” and to Namibia’s ancient plant species, the “Welwitschia mirabilis”. Late afternoon arrival in Swakopmund.
Accommodation: The Stiltz

Day 5
Swakopmund
Today can be spent exploring Namibia’s premier coastal resort town, Swakopmund. Today this quaint town nestled between desert and ocean is enhanced by lush green lawns, palm trees and carefully tended gardens. There is a good selection of restaurants and coffee shops selling traditional German cakes and pastries, while the coastline and the desert respectively offer many options for adventure or relaxation.

While in Swakopmund an excursion should be included to Namibia’s largest commercial harbour, Walvis Bay and the Walvis Bay Lagoon, protected under the RAMSAR Convention as an important wetland. The lagoon is renowned for its seasonal abundance of both the Greater and Lesser Flamingo species.

An optional extra morning Dolphin and Seal Cruise can be conducted from the Walvis Bay Yacht Club.
Departing from the Walvis Bay Yacht Club your skipper will lead you through the commercial vessels docked at the Walvis Bay harbour, Namibia’s largest port, while clearing harbour port control. Passing the small craft harbour the central basin of the harbour is exited heading north, visiting Bird Island and providing spectacular scenes of the desert dune landscape enhanced by the contrast between the ocean and the dunes. Highlights of the excursion include close encounters with Cape Fur Seals and bow riding Dolphins while crossing the harbour mouth to Pelican Point. While drifting past seal colonies fresh oysters and sparkling wine can be enjoyed. Return to the Walvis Bay Yacht Club via the lagoon and flamingo colonies. If you are interested in the ocean, marine mammals or aquatic birds this would be the ideal opportunity to experience the Atlantic Ocean. Fresh Oysters, Sparkling wine, soft drinks and light snacks are served on board.

Optional extra afternoon excursions can be conducted into the Namib Dune Belt and include Quad-biking. Experience the sheer thrill of riding a four wheeled motorbike through Namibia’s boundless expanse of shifting sand dunes along a route approximately 35km. After the engines are revved up and ready to roll an experienced guide will lead you from the Swakop River Mouth twisting and turning down the riverbed. Feel the freedom of riding through one of nature’s great wildernesses as you cut through the plains and head to the dunes. As the towering dunes approach weave your way through the smaller ones towards the “Amphitheatre”. With “power Up”, blast your way to the top of the first big dune on a sea of sand waves via the “Roller Coaster” to the top of “Big Billy” where you stop for a drink and to capture the stark and savage beauty of the Namib Desert. After riding down the “Devils Dip” (Guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping) ride the berms, spirals and slopes as you cruise towards the “Table Top”, a great dune that offers a spectacular view of the sea to one side and the desert on another. This excursion is suitable for all ages, no previous riding experience is necessary. For non-riders semi-automatic 160CC quad bikes are available and for the more experienced manual 200CC quad bikes are available. The tour includes a pre-trip safety talk, a lesson in riding quad bikes and environment friendly riding methods, helmet, goggles, gloves, fuel, transport and soft drinks.
Accommodation: The Stiltz

Day 6
Otjiwarongo - Okonjima – AFRICAT FOUNDATION
Departing from Swakopmund continue in an easterly direction crossing the "gravel plains" of the Namib Desert towards the small towns of Usakos and Karibib before crossing the central farming region of Omaruru towards the Okonjima Guest farm. An optional excursion on route can be included to visit Namibia’s Matterhorn – the Spitzkoppe. This granite "inselberg" rises approximately 700m above the surrounding plains and is 1784 meters high. Not only is this a scenically beautiful area with its rock arches and interesting rock formation but the area is also renowned for its rock art. The town of Usakos had its hay days up until the 1960’s where it served as a service centre for the narrow gauge railway line between Swakopmund and Otavi. Once the steam locomotives were replaced by diesel locomotives the town lapsed into its present sleepy state. The main attractions in Karibib include the colonial buildings, the gemstone and mineral exhibition at the Henckert Tourist Center, the Marble works and the Navachab Gold mine.

Afternoon arrival at the Okonjima Guest farm to participate in a late afternoon introductory excursion to one of the projects conducted by the AfriCat Foundation.
Accommodation: Okonjima Main Lodge or Bush Camp

Day 7
Otjiwarongo - Okonjima – AFRICAT FOUNDATION
Your scheduled activities while at Okonjima will commence with a light breakfast served at the Lion Lapa before continuing on a guided nature walk. This walk is an interpretive introduction into the lives of the “Bushmen” and provides explanations and examples on fire making, hunting skills and the manufacturing of rope and ornaments. Afternoon activities include an introduction to work conducted by the AfriCat Foundation. This unique program will enable you to learn more about Namibia’s most beautiful cats and is also renowned for the excellent opportunities for viewing and photographing both leopard and cheetah.

An evening activity to the local viewing hide provides the ideal opportunity to view some of the more elusive Namibian nocturnal mammals.
Accommodation: Okonjima Main Lodge or Bush Camp

Day 8
Windhoek
After breakfast departure returning to Windhoek via the small town of Okahandja and includes an optional excursion to the local wood carvers market. Okahandja is one of Namibia’s oldest established settlements and is the administrative centre of the Herero-speaking people. Numerous of the former Herero leaders are buried here and an annual procession through the town to the Herero graves commemorate those who died during the wars against the Nama’s and Germans. Continue via the capital city to the Windhoek Airport for your scheduled international flight departure.
Arrangements will be made for your rental vehicle to be returned to the airport prior to your departure

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Our tours are merely suggested itineraries and therefore can be tailor-made to suit your specific needs. Our Self Drive Tour routings are also suitable as a Guided Safari or Fly-In Safari. Routes can be amended according to your preference Accommodation can be changed to suit your style and budget Accommodation meal basis can be booked according to your requirements Extra nights can be added depending on your arrival and departure flight times and the pace that you want to travel