Dunes & wildlife safari
Includes: Sossusvlei & Etosha - Namibia
For those clients a with limited timetable, this 6 day combination of the Etosha Express and the Sossusvlei Express Safari is the perfect choice. Overnight stays are in lodges situated just outside Etosha National Park and Namib Naukluft National Park (near Sossusvlei) and 1 night at a guest house in Swakopmund, on the Namibian Coast.
The northern leg of the journey sets off to the large town of Otjiwarongo, and the accommodation is situated within 25km of the Anderson Gate entrance to the Etosha National Park.
One translation of Etosha is 'place of dry water' and is centred around a huge depression, or 'pan' some 5,000sq kms in size. This salt pan provides a vast, backdrop of shimmering mirages, set against semi-arid savannah grassland and scrub. Frequently described as the best game reserve in Africa, wildlife enthusiasts and ornithologists can marvel at over 114 species of mammal, including the white rhino and endangered black rhino, lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, giraffe and numerous species of antelope, as well as 340 species of birds.
For the southern leg of the tour a base is established at a lodge close to the Sesriem gate. This prime location has the added advantage of maximizing sightseeing time, against that of travelling time.
The trip to the dunes and back, offers stunning mountains and desert views and this is an excellent way to experience the amazing sand dune sea of the Namib and Sossusvlei region. Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei are 2 side-by-side valleys in the Namib; 1 has living trees, and on rare occasions gets water, the other is completely cut off from all water sources, and the trees are dead stumps.
There's a lot more to see and explore here than one would think, and the Nara plants are worth searching out. They have no leaves and bear a round, spiky fruit once a year, that can grow the size of a grapefruit.
- Day 1: Windhoek - Etosha Park
- Guests will be collected from their accommodation in Windhoek at 07.45. There is a brief stop at Otjiwarongo, and the lodge itself is situated outside the gates of Etosha National Park, the tour arriving just in time for a fabulous Namibian sunset. Accommodation is in twin share rooms or permanent tents, with en-suite bathroom facilities. The evening meal is prepared by the guide, and after the long drive with an early morning wake-up call looming, a good night's sleep is on the cards.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: A lodge near Etosha - Day 2: Etosha Park
- The sunrise departure ensures that none of the game viewing time is wasted, (best in the early morning and late afternoon) and the safari continues until the mid-morning light breakfast. The morning drive across the park is great fun and will take in many waterholes. Apart from being in pursuit of the big 4, (there are no buffalo in Etosha) identifying the huge variety of plains game is an interesting diversion. The arrival at Halali signals a welcome rest during the hottest part of the day. As the guide prepares a delicious lunch, it's time to jump in the pool, or visit the waterhole. Then it's on to the mighty Etosha Pan, to marvel at the sheer immenseness of the saltpan, not to mention it's inhabitants. The loop continues back to Okaukuejo (the place of the women) which is also the site of the Etosha Research Station, calling into some well-known waterholes en-route, before leaving the park prior to sunset. Accommodation is once again in twin share rooms or permanent tents, with en-suite bathroom facilities. The evening meal will be prepared by the guide, and another early night is advised.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: A lodge near Etosha - Day 3: Etosha Park - Swakopmund
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After a leisurely breakfast you head for Swakopmund via Outjo and Omaruru. Your guide will prepare a roadside lunch on the way. Arrive in Swakopmund early in the afternoon. Swakopmund is a wonderful town to explore, it has one of the best book shops in Namibia and there are numerous curio shops scattered though the town. There are also plenty of coffee shops and restaurants to choose from.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Swakopmund Accommodation - Day 4: Swakopmund - Sesriem
- Today the safari leaves Swakopmund and heads deep into the Namib Desert. After settling in, a short hike to a nearby kopjie (hill), is recommended, to marvel at the sun setting over the Namib Desert. The swimming pool and bar are ideal sites to relax and unwind after a day's drive. An early night is sensible, and the twin share permanent tents, with en-suite facilities and private deck, provide suitable sleeping quarters.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: A lodge near Sesriem / Sossusvlei - Day 5: Sossusvlei
- A short drive of only 3kms takes the group to the Sesriem park gate. The dawn departure from camp ensures the tour arrives in time to enjoy the early morning light on the dunes. Then it's down an ancient river bed, (for about 55kms) surrounded by those famous towering dunes, to the 2x4 parking area. The 4x4 shuttle goes straight into the Sossusvlei area and it's time to explore the dunes, before stopping of at Dead Vlei, with its large expanse of bleached cracked-clay and skeletal camel thorn trees. Return transport is either by foot or back on the shuttle, stopping (and climbing if desired) the famous Dune 45, before returning to Sesriem and a visit to the nearby Sesriem Canyon, one of the few permanent water sources in the area. The tour arrives back at the tented camp late afternoon, in time to watch the sunset over the desert.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Desert Camp - Day 6: Windhoek
- After a leisurely breakfast, it's time to load up and return to Windhoek, on a slightly different route via Bullsport and Rehoboth. Arrival time is early afternoon at your Windhoek accommodation, with sufficient time to clean up and prepare for the next trip. Any onward travel arrangements, including airport transfers, should be arranged in advance.
Meals: Breakfast
- Mode of transport
- The Sossusvlei section is operated in a 2 x 4 air conditioned vehicle while the Etosha section either uses a 4 x 4 vehicle with a pop top roof or a 12 seater 2 x 4 truck with pop top roof.
- Number Of Participants
- Maximum of twelve
- Included
- Tour in a small group with an English speaking driver / guide.
Accommodation and meals as listed on the itinerary
- Excluded
- Beverages
Items of a personal nature
Tips
Travel Insurance
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Any optional activities
Visas - 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.
