Southern Tour Namibia & Etohsa Tour

During late afternoon we participate in a guided scenic drive in an open vehicle to learn about the flora and fauna, which have adapted to live in these harsh conditions. The yellow grass and sparse trees contrast with the flamboyant red dunes of this marvellous landscape.

We overnight at Auob Lodge, which is situated near the name-giving Auob River at the edge of the Kalahari Desert. The lodge is considered an oasis in this dry landscape.
Lunch: optional – own account
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Auob Lodge

The name Quiver Tree refers to the Bushmen’s ancient custom of hollowing out the tree’s branches and using them as quivers in which to carry their hunting arrows. About 300 specimens of this prehistoric tree reach upward with their forked branches and grow amongst dolerite boulders. This is a much-favoured topic for photographers. On average these trees grow about 3 m - 5 m tall and produce bright yellow flowers during the winter months. The botanical name of the Quiver Tree, Aloe dichotoma, refers to the way in which the branches grow. Di means two and toma means branches i.e. the branches of the tree always forks in two’s as it grows. Kudus eat the leaves of this tree, as this apparently acts as a repellent to parasites once absorbed into the blood stream.

At Keetmanshoop we stop for a light lunch (on own account). Thereafter we continue via the Naute Dam (Namibia’s second largest), to the Fish River Canyon. This is the second largest canyon in the world. It took hundreds of millions of years to evolve into its current shape and is today 161 km long and up to 27 km wide in some places. The depth varies from 457 m to 549 m. The vantage points offer a breathtaking view over the northern fringes.

The Cañon Lodge stands proudly amongst impressive granite boulders in seemingly abandoned surroundings. The lodge consists of thatch-roofed bungalows each having natural rock walls.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Canon Lodge - Fish River Canyon

Lüderitz is a fascinating old German town full of character and a nostalgic atmosphere, trapped between the desiccating sands of the Namib and the freezing waters of the South Atlantic’s Benguela current. This town became known at the turn of the century when the first diamond was found in this area. During the late afternoon we enjoy a scenic drive around the southern peninsula.

The Nest Hotel is situated on the shore and offers an outstanding cuisine and all rooms are sea-facing.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Nest Hotel in Luderitz

We continue towards Maltahöhe. A lunch stop is held at a lodge or guest farm along our way (on own account). En route to tonight’s accommodation we stop at the Duwisib Castle, which was built by Baron von Wolff for his American wife Jayta in 1909. Building material and antique furniture and fittings were shipped over from Germany. It is said that Baron von Wolff wanted to breed horses here, yet his dream never came true as he died during the First World War.

Hammerstein Rest Camp is situated between the Nubib and Tsaris Mountains. The surrounding scenery is beautiful.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hammerstein Lodge

The bungalows of Rostock Ritz are in the shape of igloos, integrated into the surroundings. From the balcony of your room you have a spectacular view. Rostock Ritz also offers an excellent a la Carte kitchen. Enjoy the solitude and vastness of the desert landscape.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Namib Naukluft Lodge

Swakopmund is a popular holiday resort today, but during the colonial time at the turn of the century, it had a very important function as a harbour town. The many old buildings from that era give the town a special charming flair. The name of the town is derived from the river which enters the Atlantic just south of the town.

The four stars Hansa Hotel is renowned for its seafood specialities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hansa Hotel in Swakopmund

Departing from Swakopmund we head north-east via Outjo towards the Etosha National Park, the Park covers an area of 22 270 square kilometers of saline desert, savannah and woodland. Etosha is one of the largest game reserves in Africa.

The main feature of the park is the salt pan, which is a vast shallow depression of white saline sand that shimmers with mirages during the heat of most days. It is known as the ‘great white place of dry water’. To observe the large herds of game against this eerie background makes the Etosha game-viewing experience unique.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Private Lodge near Etosha

The entire day is spent in the park visiting the various waterholes. Quite a few of the animals found in the park are rare and endangered, such as the black rhino and the black-faced impala. Approximately 340 bird species occur in the Etosha National Park, of which only one third is migratory. Etosha is one of the most important breeding grounds of the greater and lesser flamingo in the Southern African region. This park is a bird-watchers and photographer’s paradise! A lunch stop is made at one of the rest camps (lunch on own account). We arrive at the Rest Camp where we overnight before sunset.

The Namutoni Rest Camp is of historical value bearing the fort of Namutoni. Once again after dinner we can observe the nocturnal activities at the flood lit waterhole.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Private Lodge near Etosha

We visit the various waterholes in eastern region of the Etosha National Park. Etosha was proclaimed a National Park in 1907 by the German Governor Von Lindequist. We will see more of the zebra, springbuck, wildebeest and giraffe. A lunch stop will be made at one of the Rest Camps (lunch on own account). We leave the Park through the Von Lindequist Gate before sunset to arrive at a Lodge bordering the Etosha National Park.

Mokuti Lodge boasts a unique African charm combined with international standards. It has a reptile park in which various snake species can be seen. An excellent restaurant, swimming pool and huge lawn invite relaxation.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Private Lodge near Etosha

Today we visit Lake Otjikoto. This lake was formed when a huge dolomite cave collapsed. Many thought the lake was bottomless until it was proven back in 1927 that it could vary from between 33m and 90m in depth. There are endemic mouth-breeding fish in this lake. The retreating German Forces dumped a considerable amount of military equipment here in 1915. On subsequent dives cannons, machine guns and other weapons were retrieved and can be seen at the Tsumeb museum.

We continue towards Windhoek via Otjiwarongo where a lunch stop will be made (lunch on own account). Thereafter we travel through Okahandja where we visit the Herero graves and the handcraft market. This is a good place to purchase a hand carved item. The tour ends on arrival in Windhoek during the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast