| NAMIBIA - Self
Drive Tours (SD004)
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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click route-map to enlarge
Tour Summary:
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DAY |
ACCOMMODATION |
REGION |
DAILY
ACTIVITIES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| 1 |
Olive Grove Guest House |
Windhoek |
Windhoek City Tour
Shopping
Golfing |
|
2 |
Sossusvlei Lodge |
Namib Naukluft Park |
Nature Drives
Dune Sundowners |
|
3 |
Sossusvlei Lodge |
Namib Naukluft Park |
Sesriem & Sossusvlei Excursions
Ballooning |
|
4 |
The Stiltz |
Swakopmund |
Various Action Adventure Activities
Desert Tours |
|
5 |
The Stiltz |
Swakopmund |
Scenic Flights
Marine / Dolphin Cruises |
|
6 |
Okonjima Lodge |
Otjiwarongo |
Spitzkoppe - Namibia's Matterhorn
AFRICAT Foundation
Game Drives
Bushman Interpretative Walks |
|
7 |
Okonjima Lodge |
Otjiwarongo |
AFRICAT Foundation
Game Drives
Bushman Interpretative Walks |
|
8 |
Return to Windhoek for departure |
|
Woodcarver's Market - Okahandja
Herero Graves |
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
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.
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Routes
can be amended according to your preference
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Accommodation
can be changed to suit your style and budget
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Accommodation meal
basis can be booked
according to your requirements
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Extra nights
can be added depending on your arrival and departure flight
times and the pace that you want to travel
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