The Southern Namibia and Etosha Tour is an 10 day accommodated tour, around the highlights of Southern Namibia and Etosha National Park. It includes:

• A visit to the red dunes of the Kalahari Desert. Learn how the desert flora and fauna adapt to the harsh Kalahari conditions
• A short visit to the Quiver Tree Forest near the town of Keetmanshoop. 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.
• The Fish River Canyon. It took hundreds of millions of years to evolve into its current shape and is 161km long and up to 27km wide. The depth varies from 457m to 549m.
• Through the Namib Desert to the small settlement of Aus, and the desert-adapted feral horses.
• Northwards to Sossusvlei. A large clay pan, surrounded by massive dune fields.
• The coastal town of Swakopmund. The Welwitschia plant produces only two leaves throughout its life span, but the desert winds tear at the fibrous leaves, shredding them into strips.
• Etosha National Park with it's large herds of elephant, both species of zebra, (the plains and the mountain,) both species of African rhino, (white and the endangered black), all the big cats, especially prides of lion, watching and waiting for some unsuspecting antelope to walk right in front of them.

Day 1: Windhoek - Kalahari Desert

Guests will be collected from their Windhoek accommodation at around 07h30, before heading south to Rehoboth, (capital of Namibia's Baster community) for a short stop including a brief tutorial about the area. The travels continue to Kalkrand (comfort stop) crossing The Tropic of Capricorn via the settlement of Stampriet, looking out en-route for German War Memorials. Lunch is taken en-route (on own account) before continuing into the Kalahari.
After checking in at the overnight stop at Auob Lodge, it's time to proceed on a guided scenic drive in an open vehicle, topped off with a sundowner on top of a sand dune. This lodge is a wonderful green oasis, situated near a river of the same name, at the edge of the Kalahari Desert.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Auob Lodge

Day 2: Auob Lodge - Fish River Canyon

The journey moves on through the Kalahari to the Quiver Tree forest, situated north of Keetmanshoop. This is a much favoured topic for photographers as these trees grow about 3m -5m tall, producing bright yellow flowers during the winter months. The botanical name of the tree, Aloe dichotoma, refers to the way in which the branches grow. Di means two and toma means branches, as the branches of the tree always forks in two's. Kudu's eat the leaves of this tree, a repellent to parasites, once absorbed into the blood stream.
A light lunch is taken in Keetmanshoop (on own account), before continuing via the Naute Dam (Namibia's second largest) and on towards the Fish River Canyon..
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Canon Lodge - Fish River Canyon

Day 3: Fish River - Aus

After breakfast its on to Hobas, an entrance to the Fish River Canyon, the 2nd largest canyon in the world. The vantage points offer a breathtaking and spectacular views over the northern fringes. From the Fish River Canyon, the tour heads eastwards towards the town of Aus and a visit to it's Information Centre and a lunch stop (on own account). See the desert-adapted feral horses on entering the Namib Desert. The arrival at Klein Aus Vista heralds the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Aus Mountains, on an un-guided walk or to join an optional scenic sundown drive.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Desert Horse Inn - Klein Aus Vista

Day 4: Aus - near Sesriem

Possible optional excursion to the ghost town of Kolmanskop near Luderitz (requires a minimum of 4 participants). From Aus it's northwards towards Maltahöhe, along the small D707 (district road) - this road runs along the edge of the Namib Desert and is one of the most scenic drives in the country. Hammerstein Rest Camp is situated between the Nubib and Tsaris Mountains and has beautiful surrounding scenery.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hammerstein Lodge

Day 5: Sossusvlei - Namib Naukluft Lodge

Early morning visit to Sossusvlei, a large clay pan, which is surrounded by some of the highest dunes in the world, and is only filled with water in years of exceptionally good rainfall. From the 2x4 car park you 'shuttled' into the heart of the vlei, a photographer's paradise. Then on to the Sesriem Canyon, which was formed over millions of years by the Tsauchab River.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Namib Naukluft Lodge

Day 6: Namib Naukluft - Swakopmund

The route proceeds through the Kuiseb Canyon towards the coast and the unique Welwitschia mirabilis, a plant which lives more than 1000 years, is endemic to the Namib Desert. After a short stop to enjoy the birds on the Walvis Bay Lagoon, it's northwards to the popular holiday resort of Swakopmund. The name of the town is derived from the river which enters the Atlantic just south of the town. This afternoon's visit is to the Moon Landscape just outside of the town.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hansa Hotel or other Accommodation in Swakopmund

Day 7: Swakopmund (unguided)

Explore lovely Swakopmund. You may wish to book an optional day tour (for own account) in Swakopmund (guided tour through historical town or the Mondesa township, quad-biking, sand-boarding; Living Desert Tour, scenic flight over Skeleton coast or catamaran or boat cruise at Walvis Bay). Many optional activities are on offer (for own account): visit aquarium, museum or crystal gallery, and many more.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Accommodation in Swakopmund

Day 8: Swakopmund - Etosha

Depart early on a shuttle transfer from Swakopmund to Okahandja, where you will meet your guide and other guests coming from Windhoek.

An early shuttle transfer to Okahandja, to marry up with your new guide and fellow travellers, who left Windhoek earlier, for this leg of the tour. The drive goes to Etosha National Park, via the small town of Outjo, and straight into the first game drive in the park. Just before sunset, the tour leaves Etosha, to overnight in a lodge/safari camp outside the park.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Etosha Safari Camp (or similar accommodation near Etosha)

Day 9: Etosha National Park

A full day's excursion into the park. One of the translations is 'Great White Place of Dry Water' referring to the huge salt pan. It supports no fewer than 114 species of mammal and 340 species of bird, and depending on the time of year, the animals will head to the many waterholes not far from the edge of the pan. As much of the park consists of open country, wildlife can be spotted relatively easily, although the vegetation changes to tree and shrub around Okaukuejo and woodland around Halali and Namutoni. Lunch stop at one of the rest camps, with the opportunity to jump in a pool to cool off.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Etosha Safari Camp (or similar)

Day 10: Etosha National Park

Another exciting day in the park in search of endangered animals such as the black rhino and black faced impala. In the dry season large numbers of springbok, gemsbok, blue wildebeest and plains zebra, move in procession to drink from waterholes, and this movement attracts predators. Your guide will introduce you to the complex subject of managing such a huge reserve. Lunch stop at one of the rest camps, with the opportunity to throw someone else in the pool.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Etosha Safari Camp (or similar)

Day 11: Windhoek

Depart the Etosha National Park area and travel south towards the large town of Otjiwarongo, or 'Pleasant Place' as it is described by many of the locals. There is an opportunity to join the group en-route to Victoria Falls, before the remainder head to Okahandja, a small industrial town known as the 'Garden Town of Namibia,' and the ever popular stop to visit the woodcarvers market. The tour ends on arrival in Windhoek late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast

Mode of transport

Air-conditioned vehicle

Number Of Participants

Maximum of ten

Included

German & English guided, unless otherwise indicated. Enquire about other languages. The guide is also the driver.
Accommodation and meals as listed on the itinerary
Park entrance fees
Pick-up and drop off at any central Windhoek Hotel or Guest House included.
Bottled water on board
Passenger liability insurance

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.