11 Days / 10 Nights - Wilderness Safari Tour

TOUR INFORMATION: TOUR CODE:                       SD012 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  - Swakopmund  & Skeleton Coast – Twyfelfontein - Damaraland – Etosha National Park– 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.

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Tour Summary:

Itinerary:

Day 1
Windhoek
On arrival at the Windhoek Airport you will be met by a company representative who will present you with your accommodation vouchers and assist you with the collection of your rental vehicle. Continue towards the capital city, Windhoek.

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 Guesthouse
Olive Grove is an upmarket establishment, situated close to the city centre in a quiet, peaceful area. It is the place to stay in Windhoek and whilst each room caters for every need of the most discerning traveller, their emphasis is one of simplicity and elegance. The open-air lounge, spa bath, plunge pool and tranquil garden, all invite the visitor to unwind and relax, either under a warm Namibian afternoon or a beautiful, star-lit sky. Olive Grove's wellness room offers a selection of professional services and therapies, especially designed to de-stress and recuperate guests, perhaps after a long flight or at the end of an arduous and adventurous holiday. Residents of the guest house can enjoy lunch or dinner on the veranda, and meals can be complemented with a hand-picked selection of fine South African wines.

Day 2 & 3
Namib Naukluft Park - Sossusvlei - Sesriem
Departing from Windhoek today you will travel South through Rehoboth to the Sossusvlei area. The sand dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert are often referred to as the highest dunes in the world. Various arguments are laid out to support this claim, but all miss the point, which is that Sossusvlei is surely one of the most spectacular sights in Namibia. Located in the Namib Naukluft park, the largest conservation area in Africa, and fourth largest in the world - the sand dunes at Sossusvlei are just one excellent reason to visit Namibia. The best time to view Sossusvlei is close to sunrise and sunset; the colours are strong and constantly changing, allowing for wonderful photographic opportunities. The midday heat is intense and best spent in the shade while sunset also offers excellent photo opportunities at Sossusvlei.

Accommodation: Kulala Desert Lodge
Kulala Desert Lodge is situated on the 210 km² private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, south of Sesriem. It is the only lodge in the Sossusvlei area that has such a close and spectacular view over the Namib sand sea. The setting and proximity to the red desert dunes, literally only a few steps away, make this lodge an ideal desert destination.
It also has its own gate into the Namib Naukluft Park, which leads to the popular dunes of Sossusvlei and the Sesriem Canyon. This makes the sunrise trip less arduous, and gives guests more time to enjoy the solitude and beauty of the occasion.
Sossusvlei means 'the gathering place of water' in the local Nama language
Their sunrise excursion into the Sossusvlei dunes, leaves a few minutes before sunrise, breakfast is served afterwards at the dunes. There are also morning, afternoon and night drives, and guided walks on the reserve.

Day 4 & 5
Swakopmund
After breakfast depart on route towards the coastal town of Swakopmund returning via Solitaire. From Solitaire continue travelling in a northerly direction running adjacent to the Namib Naukluft Park. This route crosses the gravel plains of the Namib Desert through the spectacular Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons before crossing the Namib Desert on route to the commercial harbour town of Walvis Bay. From Walvis Bay continue north between the coast and the dune belt to the coastal resort town of Swakopmund.

Swakopmund is considered as Namibia’s premier coastal resort and is a popular destination with Namibian’s as a welcome respite from the heat of the interior. The town is also noted for its Old World charm and relaxed atmosphere. Founded in 1892 during the period of German colonial rule it served as the territory’s main harbour for years. 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.

Accommodation: Swakopmund Boutique Hotel
A boutique hotel has to look stylish, distinctive, yet still retain warmth and intimacy. The Swakopmund Boutique Hotel scores on all of these fronts and many more. Although it has a definite bias for the business community, families and individual tourists are provided for and are made very welcome. A convenient location is key to any city business and the Boutique's central position offers its visitors straightforward access to the Swakopmunds' amenities including: quaint German bakeries and coffee houses, shopping malls, a decent range of popular restaurants and bars, and up-to-date medical and banking facilities. As Swakopmund is Namibia's premier seaside resort, a wide range of holiday and adventure activities happen right here on your doorstep.

Day 6 & 7
Damaraland
Early morning departure from Swakopmund in a northerly direction on route through the National West Coast Recreational Area towards the small fishing town of Henties Bay. Leaving the coast continue in an easterly direction crossing the “gravel plains” of Namibia

Accommodation: Doro Nawas Camp
The luxury, 5 star graded Doro Nawas Camp, is situated on a rugged, rocky hill, on the edge of the dry Aba Huab River. The elevated site, supplies endless and spectacular views of the Etendeka Mountains and red sandstone cliffs of Twyfelfontein. (Famous for its San rock engravings.)This relatively new camp has already built up good reputation for itself, mainly because of the close working relationship between them and the local community, who partly own it. All of the staff at the lodge come from the surrounding villages, and have been specially trained to fill specific roles and positions here. The spacious chalets are lovely and cool during those hot summer days. It is also possible on the warmer evenings, to wheel the beds out of the rooms, and enjoy a night under the stars. Power is supplied to the lodge from a generator.
Activities revolve around the game found in and around the Haub River Valley, that occasionally fill with floodwater in the rainy season; a favourite being a guided 4x4 trip to track desert-adapted elephants. Many of their guests also head out on a fascinating expedition to the local rock art site at nearby Twyfelfontein, with some of the most renowned San art engravings in Namibia, which usually calls in at the Petrified Forest. There is also a walking trail in the vicinity of the lodge, which can be done with or without a guide.
Doro Nawas Camp. A luxury safari experience, whilst creating a wonderful opportunity to contribute to the economic empowerment of the local community.

Day 8 & 9
Etosha National Park
Leaving the Damaraland area, you head to the Etosha National Park which is one of Southern Africa's finest and most important Game Reserves. Etosha Game park was declared a National Park in 1907 and covering an area of 22 270 square km, it is home to 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and, surprisingly, one species of fish. The Etosha Park is one of the first places on any itinerary designed for a holiday in Namibia.

Accommodation: Ongava Lodge
Ongava Lodge is situated on the 35,000 hectare Ongava Private Game Reserve. It shares a common border with one of Africa's largest game parks, Etosha National Park, Namibia's premier game viewing destination. A perfect destination in it's own right, it is also an ideal place from which to base your activities when visiting Etosha.
The lodge is set close to the top of a hill with wonderful views across the plains. Take advantage of the magnificent views over the 2 waterholes and across the wide plains below.
Outdoor dining under the stars, whilst viewing game drinking at the waterhole, is something never to be forgotten. A buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, can be served in the restaurant under thatch, or in the split-level lounge or dining room. Both have an outstanding view of the camp's waterhole. Large herds of plains game concentrate around the waterholes in the dry season, including elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, springbok, Oryx, kudu and the diminutive Damara Dik-Dik. At Ongava Game Reserve, you have an excellent opportunity to view black and white rhino. For those who enjoy close wildlife encounters, tracking white rhino on foot with an armed guide is a highlight not to be missed. Ongava Lodge is a first choice, for the luxurious, safari experience.

Day 10
Otjiwarongo - AfriCat Foundation
Departing from Ongava continue in a Southerly direction towards the central Namibian towns of Okahandja and Otjiwarongo. Continue South from Otjiwarongo on route to the Okonjima Guest Farm..

Accommodation: Okonjima Main camp
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 11
Windhoek
After a leisurely breakfast depart from the Etosha National Park, Departing in a southerly direction towards the towns of Otavi and Otjiwarongo. This town forms one of the trio towns of the maize triangle with agriculture on predominantly white owned farms. Apart from the usual livestock farming of cattle, sheep and goats, the farms in this region produce most of Namibia’s maize, sorghum, cotton, peanuts and sunflowers.

The second town of the maize triangle is Otavi. This is a very inconspicuous town but was an important copper mining town in its day and was also the scene of many feuds between the Ovambo’s, Herero’s and Bushmen.

Continue south towards the town of Otjiwarongo which provides a convenient stop over on route to the north or the south of the country. As with most towns in central Namibia the name Otjiwarongo originates from the Herero language, which translated means “place of the fat cattle” or “beautiful place”. Given the central role that cattle play in the Herero culture, both meanings are appropriate. The town was officially founded in 1906 upon the arrival of the narrow gauge railway linking the important mining centre of Tsumeb and the coastal town of Swakopmund.

From Otjiwarongo continue south along the main route towards the small town of Okahandja. This 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. Optional excursions on route include a visit to the open - air wood carving centre and the Herero Graves

Arrive in time for your international flight out.

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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