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

TOUR INFORMATION: TOUR CODE:                       SD004 Type of Tour:                      Accommodated Self Drive Tour (Fly & Drive) Departure Date:                 Any date of your choice & Last minute bookings Departure Location:         Windhoek – Airport or City Tour Ends:                          Windhoek – Airport or City ROUTING HIGHLIGHTS: Windhoek – Namib Naukluft Park - Sossusvlei - Sesriem Canyon – Swakopmund – Otjiwarongo – AFRICAT Foundation – Windhoek Car Rental: The type of vehicle rented will depend on your group size and amount of luggage and personal preference. NOTES: Our suggested itineraries are ideally suited to the first time or seasoned visitors alike; we assist and guide you all the way.  This tour can also be done as a Private Guided Safari or Fly-In Safari. As Custom Design Travel Specialists we can tailor-make any itinerary to suit your individual needs, interests, style and travel budget.

click route-map to enlarge

Tour Summary:

This safari begins in Namibia’s capital city, Windhoek before continuing across the Highland Region towards the Namib Desert. No visit to Namibia is complete without including Sossusvlei, with examples of some of the highest free-standing dunes in the world. Crossing the Namib Desert leads to the coastal town of Swakopmund, Namibia’s premier holiday town, which is popular with both locals and visitors. This picturesque town not only has a diverse range of shops, bistros and restaurants but is also the gateway for activities into the Desert. Excursions into the Namib Naukluft Park should include the Moon Valley Formation and Namibia’s prehistoric plant species, the Welwitschia mirabilis, while for the adventure enthusiast Quad biking, Dune Boarding and Boat Cruises are also available. Returning to the interior a visit to the Okonjima Lodge will include insight into the AfriCat Foundations projects involving Namibia’s threatened large carnivore species.

Itinerary:

Day 1
Windhoek
On arrival at the Windhoek Airport you will be met by a company representative who will present you with your travel vouchers and assist you with the collection of your rental vehicle. Continue to the capital city, Windhoek. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure in Windhoek to view the historical landmarks of this cosmopolitan city or to do any last minute shopping for your tour.

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: Protea Hotel Furstenhof
Experience true Namibian hospitality in the tranquil environment of Protea Hotel Fürstenhof, Protea's first hotel in Windhoek! Friendly people and sunny skies all add to the alluring charm of this town where old meets new. Situated only five minutes’ walk from the city centre and with easy access to taxis makes Protea Hotel Fürstenhof the ideal base of operations.
The hotel offers GUESTS pristine comfort in 33 air-conditioned en-suite rooms. Dining and leisure facilities include an Office Bar and Restaurant, outside catering and 18-hour room service. Leisure activities include a swimming pool on site, while a shuttle service as available for GUESTS wishing to visit places of interest nearby.

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: Desert Homestead
Travellers to the Sossusvlei area will be hard pressed to find a more idyllic setting from which to explore the magnificent red dunes of the Namib or the jewel like rock pools of the Naukluft Mountain, then the Desert Homestead. The Desert Homestead offers simple but stylish accommodation is provided in rustic rock, thatched chalets which were designed with the fragile beauty of this remarkable environment in mind. The lodge is situated approximately 32 kilometres from Sesriem, the gateway to Sossusvlei.
The Desert Homestead offers respite from the extreme temperatures of the Namib Desert. Set in tranquil surroundings, alfresco dining, delectably fresh farm cuisine, refreshing dips in the pool, stunning sunsets and sunrises are the basic pleasures of the 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: Desert Homestead

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
The Stiltz offers the most spectacular views in Swakopmund overlooking either, the Atlantic Ocean, the river-bed or the sand dunes and the bird rich lagoon at the river mouth. If that does not take your breath away, the architecture of these wooden bungalows built on stilts will. Each private bungalow has been attended to in the finest detail, interlinked by wooden walkways to the others and to the main dining bungalow. You will feel in a different space, yet you are only minutes away from the charming town centre with plentiful restaurants, loads of activities and all the amenities you could wish for... That is if you really feel like leaving your bungalow!

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 Lodge you have the option to participate in a late afternoon introductory excursion to one of the projects conducted by the AfriCat Foundation.

Accommodation: Okonjima Main Lodge
Okonjima Main Lodge lies in the Omboroko mountains, which form part of the Waterberg Plateau in Namibia. The main attraction of this lodge is the leopard and cheetah that are resident on the farm. Okonjima is home to the AfriCat foundation which is dedicated to preserving the big cats of Namibia, at Okonjima special emphasis is placed on cheetah and leopard.
Apart from the lodge, there is also an education and research centre on the property, as well as rehabilitation camps for the various animals. Guests at Okonjima have the opportunity to experience these cats firsthand, and will also learn about what is being done by the AfriCat foundation to ensure the survival of these animals in Namibia.
The lodge has ten en-suite double rooms and a secluded swimming pool surrounded by beautiful gardens where a variety of birds and animals may be encountered. Keep an eye out for the warthog which is a regular visitor to the lodge grounds. Okonjima lodge is the best place in Namibia (and probably the world) to view and learn about the conservation of cheetah and leopard.

Day 7
Otjiwarongo - Okonjima – AFRICAT FOUNDATION
Optional scheduled activities while at Okonjima 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. Optional 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. (Please Note optional activities are not included in the tour price)

Accommodation: Okonjima Main Lodge

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.
 

	Enquiry - Form
Your Name:
Your Email *:	* required
Alternative Email address *: or repeat your 1st Email address *:	* required
Phone:	Fax:
Your Country:
Date of departure:
Number of travellers:	Adults:   Children (under 12):
Additional comments:
Interested in our newsletter?	Please select ... Add my address to your newsletter Remove me from your newsletter
	Reload security code Security code :
Send this form: Important:	We promise you a maximum respond time of 24h on working days. If you do not get an answer from us within this time we might not have received your message or there was an error with the email address you provided. Alternatively you can send us an email; see our details on our other contact options page.

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