The Cape to Namibia Explorer is a 13 day accommodated tour, that travels up the beautiful west coast of South Africa, into the rugged Richtersveld National Park, over the Orange River and into Namibia's famous deserts and mountains. It combines bird watching in a natural sanctuary, the magnificent Fish River Canyon, the oldest desert in the world, (The Namib) and the red sand sea dunes of Sossusvlei.

Highlights include:

• Shelter and protection for thousands of seabirds, including the unique mating dances of the gannet on Bird Island. (Seasonal.)
• The remote and mountainous Richtersveld National Park.
• The spectacular Fish River Canyon.
• The feral horses of The Namib Desert.
• Luderitz – an interesting and surreal colonial town.
• Sossusvlei – 'the gathering place of water.' One of Namibia's most popular tourist attractions.
• Swakopmund – Namibia's favourite seaside resort.
• The Erongo Mountains and it's multitude of rock paintings.

Day 1: Cape Town - Lamberts Bay

Departure from Cape Town is in the morning and travels along the R27, taking the scenic coastal route of the Western Cape to Lamberts Bay. In the afternoon there is a visit to the famous Bird Island, (excursion included) a natural sanctuary that provides shelter and protection for thousands of seabirds particularly; Cape gannets, various species of cormorants, and the African jackass penguins. Bird Island has a fantastic modern bird-hide, that has transformed the island into something of an educational classroom for birdlife. Witness and photograph the unique mating dances of the gannet, between April and September, and during the whaling season from July to November, heavy side-dolphins and southern right whales are often seen in the area. (Boat trips optional.) During the flower season in August and September, the area sports an abundance of colourful flowers. Other optional activities such as angling, quad-biking, golfing or sand boarding in the dunes are available, time-permitting.
Meals: Dinner and Breakfast
Accommodation: Lamberts Bay Hotel.

Day 2: Namaqualand - Springbok

Enjoy the spectacular scenery of rugged hills and granite domes, on the drive to Naries Namakwa Retreat. This region is a photographic paradise, with succulents and wild flowers in abundance during the flower season, between August and September. Springbok’s history is closely linked to the copper mining industry and the colorful culture of the Nama people is widely on display in this area.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Naries Namakwa Retreat or similar.

Day 3: Springbok - Namibian Border (Orange River)

Today's drive is through the Richtersveld National Park, a remote, mountainous and one of the finest wilderness areas in South Africa. It is home to numerous rare mammals, reptiles and plant species. Contact with local nomadic Nama tribes is possible, depending on their seasonal live-stock movements, in search of better pastures. There is cross-border passport documentation at the Namibian Border Post via the pont at Sendelingsdrift, and over the Gariep River, to our overnight destination at Norotshama River Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Norotshama River Lodge or similar

Day 4: Orange - Fish River

Today the journey proceeds through areas of fantastic landscape, admiring its fauna and flora en-route. Heading northwards, it's time to take a break at Ai-Ais Rest Camp and relax in the hot spas or the cool swimming pools. One of the highlights in Southern Namibia is the great Fish River Canyon, measuring 160km in length, 27km in width, and up to 550m deep; the canyon is one highlight that presents a truly awesome sunset. The Fish River originates 600km further north in the Naukluft Mountains and ends south of Ai-Ais were it flows into the Gariep River. Stops at the canyon will be made to appreciate the beautiful views from various lookout points along the way.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Canon Lodge or similar.

Day 5: Fish River Canyon - Klein Aus Vista

After a late breakfast, the tour departs via Seeheim to the village of Aus, a former First World War prisoner-of-war camp, and on to the Klein Aus Vista Homestead. The remainder of the day is at your disposal for walks, and to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Klein Aus Vista or similar.

Day 6: Klein Aus Vista - Lüderitz - Klein Aus Vista

There is a day's excursion to the quaint harbour town of Luderitz. Watch out for the feral horses on the way. There is an artificial water hole at Garub Pan, where a hide has been erected to enable tourists to watch the horses without disturbing them. Luderitz has an interesting German colonial background, and sports a curious array of historical buildings, built during the diamond rush at the turn of the century, including a visit the to the 'ghost town' of Kolmanskop, where the first diamonds were found 100 years ago. Today its dilapidated houses are slowly being swamped by the shifting sands of the Namib. Return to Klein Aus Vista is in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Klein Aus Vista or similar.

Day 7: Klein Aus Vista - Tiras Nature Reserve

The tour heads northwards along the Namib Naukluft Park and the Tiras Conservancy area. The Namib Naukluft National Park is home to the flat plains of Ganab, the spectacular Naukluft Mountains and the largest dunes in the world. The Namib Desert is also the oldest desert in the world. Many creatures live in this hyper-arid region, including Hartmann's Mountain zebra, giraffe, ostrich, oryx, springbok, hyenas, jackals, snakes, geckos and a variety of unusual insects. Another unusual feature of this region is the moisture that comes in as fog off the Atlantic Ocean, than falls as rain, with the average 106 millimeters of rainfall per year concentrated in the months of February to April. This magnificent scenery provides the perfect backdrop for your holiday photos.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Farm NamTib or similar.

Day 8: Farm Namtib - Sesriem

A slow drive to admire the beautiful scenery en-route to the next destination, near the entrance gate to the Namib Naukluft Park. En route the tour visits the rugged Sesriem Canyon, where centuries of erosion have incised a narrow gorge of about 1km in length. Age-old camelthorn trees and unsurpassed 360 degrees views, dominate the desert landscape towards the mountain range in the distance.
Meals: Room only
Accommodation: Sossusvlei Desert Camp or similar.

Day 9: Sossusvlei

Today’s feature is red sea sand dunes at Sossusvlei, a truly spectacular sight. Entrance is through the Namib-Naukluft Park gate at sunrise, and it's straight into the heart of the dune field, stopping at Dune 45. The more energetic have the opportunity to climb to the upper ridge of the world's most photographed dune. Many people think the name originates because it is about 45km from Sesriem, (which it is) but it's because of the numbering system devised by conservation staff, and by coincidence it happens to be dune 45 on the map. As you travel down the valley to Sossusvlei, the huge star dunes dwarf everything else. The last 5km to Sossusvlei itself can be reached by 4x4 vehicle or can be walked. The highest dune is called 'Big Mama' by the locals and from the top you can see Naravlei to the left, and Cessna Pan and Witberg (White Mountain) to the south. Also south of Sossusvlei, is Deadvlei or Dead Pan. Enjoy a brunch en-route and return later in the afternoon and watch the shadows lengthen as your guide takes you to an evening location for a sundowner drink, just as the beautiful desert sun sets.
Meals: Room only
Accommodation: Sossusvlei Desert Camp.

Day 10: Swakopmund

Today’s destination is the cool Atlantic Coast and the quaint town of Swakopmund. En route the tour will explore the Namib Desert and the rugged Kuiseb Canyon, whilst driving along the Swakop riverbed. There is a stop at the eerie Moon Landscape, before marveling at the Welwitschia mirabilis, an ancient plant endemic to the Namib Desert, that produces only 2 leaves in it's long lifespan, with some plants living over 1,000 years. After arriving in Swakopmund, the remainder of the day is available for leisure time and to explore the popular coastal resort and it's many fine shops, cafe's, restaurants and bars
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Guest House or Hotel Accommodation is Swakopmund.

Day 11: Swakopmund

A free day to roam around in Swakopmund. Today’s programme is flexible, but a short city tour is included. Take a walk through town and enjoy the mixture of colonial flair and historic architecture, including the Woermannhouse, the Hohenzollernhouse, the old Magistrates Court, the historical Jail and the Jetty and the Lighthouse. Various optional activities can be arranged on own account.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Guest House or Hotel Accommodation is Swakopmund

Day 12: Swakopmund - Erongo Mountains

It's time to leave the coast and journey inland again to a guest farm near the scenic Erongo Mountains. This region is famous for its multitude of ancient rock paintings, many of them still unknown and hidden. If time permits, there is the possibility of a visit to a nearby ‘Living village of the Ju/Hoansi San’ people (at extra expense and only possible between April - October.)
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hohenstein Lodge or similar

Day 13: Sossusvlei

A morning's drive to the last stop of the tour at the Okahandja, The Garden Town of Namibia, to visit the woodcarvers market. This is an ideal opportunity to pick up those last minute souvenirs and curios, before the tour ends. You will be dropped off at your accommodation in Windhoek. N.B. There is the possibility to return to Cape Town with the 'Windhoek- Kalahari–Namaqualand-Cape Discovery,' a 9 day tour, which leaves Windhoek 2 days later.

Included

Tour in a group with an English speaking driver / guide.
Porterage & park-entrance-fees

Excluded

Beverages
Items of a personal nature
Tips
Travel Insurance

Route & Accommodation

The itinerary above is a guideline only and whilst we try to adhere to it there may be circumstances when it may change - for example weather and/or road conditions, seasonal daylight hours etc. Overnight stops on occasion may be altered from those indicated.

This safari does not have scheduled departures and departs on request