Northern Namibia Adventure Safari
Includes: Okonjima, Africat, Etosha, Damarland, Himba, Swakopmund
The Northern Adventure is a 7 day camping / accommodated tour designed to give a short, but comprehensive safari around the main highlights of northern and central-western Namibia. This tour combines wildlife, cultural visits, San paintings and a trip to the coast!
- Get close-up-and personal with the Big Cats at Okonjima.
- Game view and photograph the amazing wildlife in Etosha Park
- Learn of the tribal structures, religions and daily life of the only traditionally functioning Himba community outside the far north Kaokoland region of Namibia.
- Walk in Namibia's highest mountain to view the 'White Lady.'
- Drive through the beautiful desert landscape of Damaraland
- Enjoy Namibia's premier seaside town, Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast.
The itinerary is assisted comfortable camping, with participation limited to only helping with the tents
- Day 1: Windhoek - Okonjima
- Adventurers will be collected from their accommodation in Windhoek between 08h30 - 09h00. The tour first heads north, stopping at small towns along the way, including Okahandja, (The Garden Town of Namibia) with time to visit Namibia's largest woodcarvers market. The market is operated on a local co-operative basis and is one of the best places to shop for truly Namibian souvenirs and curios.
Continuing north and driving through mainly farmland, the tour is scheduled to arrive at Okonjima's Omboroko campsite mid-afternoon, with time to set up camp and to relax before heading out for the afternoon's activities. The lodge is home to The AfriCat Foundation, a non-profit organization, committed to the long-term conservation of Namibia's large carnivores, notably cheetahs and leopards. Activities commence at 15h00 in the winter, and 16h00 in the summer. The leopard can be viewed frequently here, (but not guaranteed) from a hide or radio-tracked from a game viewing vehicle. The cheetah project offers a valuable insight into the welfare work of the AfriCat foundation.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Okonjima Campsite - Day 2: Etosha Park
- An early departure and continuing the journey north through some more small towns, making short stops for fresh supplies and fuel along the way. The first main stop is to the mysterious Lake Otjikoto, Namibia's largest permanent natural lake, into which German troops dumped weapons and ammunition prior to surrender in 1915.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Namutoni - Day 3: Etosha Park
- An early start to benefit from a full day's game driving, heading east on the drive towards Halali Camp, situated in the middle of the park. Along the way there are several waterholes to visit and splendid views of the massive Etosha Pan. The game viewing along this route is usually excellent.
The lunch time stop is at Halali, with time for a leisurely lunch, dip in the pool or a visit to see who's taking a drink at the waterhole. The game driving continues down to Okaukuejo, famous for its waterhole, quite rightly described as one of the 'best game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa.' Black rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope pass by.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Okaukuejo - Day 4: Etosha - Kamanjab
- One last game drive on the way out of Etosha National Park as the tour heads south with a relatively short drive to the small town of Kamanjab, with a short stop here before continuing on to find the Himba Tribesmen.
This is the only traditionally functioning Himba community outside the far north Kaokoland region of Namibia. The Ovahimba, an offshoot of the much larger Herero group, are semi-nomadic pastoralists, who breed cattle and goats. These tribes-people have migrated here, lifestyle and customs intact, and are following their traditional way-of-life in their village on a farm. Oase Village is located some 15-20km outside Kamanjab, the exact location of the site varies as the Himba occasionally roam to a new location, to take advantage of better grazing elsewhere. During the afternoon, the group we will be invited into Oase Village to meet with the locals, but with a specialist guide for the duration. He will be able to translate and introduce the 'alternative lifestyle.' include marriage customs, traditional food and the mysteries of the local religion, 'Holy Fire.'
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Oase Village Camp - Day 5: Kamanjab - Brandberg
- The safari drives into one of the most interesting, beautiful and dramatic regions in Namibia, Damaraland, first heading south to the capital of this region, the small town of Khorixas, and then west, travelling via the Petrified Forest geological site, to visit the ancient Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontein. At both of these locations, a local guide will conduct a short guided tour. It's then deeper into the desert to Namibia's highest mountain, The Brandberg, (2573 m) an ancient Bushman spiritual site. Desert-adapted elephants are regular visitors here. Tonight's campsite will be set up under the shadow of this giant granite monolith.
Driving time: approx. (400 km).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Brandberg - Day 6: Brandberg - Swakopmund
- An early start benefits from the cool morning air, especially important on today's guided hike, into the mountain to see the world famous so called 'White Lady' rock painting. (Said to be over 20,000 years old and probably a male!) It can be seen deep in the wild and lovely Tsisab ('leopard') gorge and is one of a whole gallery of splendid paintings to be found in the Maack Cave.
It's then back on the road to admire more of the beautiful Damaraland scenery. The next stop is in the small town of Uis, an old mining town, and one of the best places to buy semi-precious stones, especially rough Amethyst and Tourmaline.
From here it's directly west across the 'gravel plains' on the way to the Atlantic Ocean and the Skeleton Coast. After first meeting the ocean at Henties Bay, it's north along the coast to visit the seal colony at Cape Cross, where more seals breed than anywhere else in the world. Following the skeleton coast southbound, the final overnight stop is at the coastal town of Swakopmund, Namibia's premier seaside town. Scheduled arrival time is for the late afternoon, with time to explore the town on foot before sunset. The coast has always held a strong attraction for visitors, and Swakopmund is no different.
Accommodation tonight is in shared bungalows, with en-suite bathroom facilities. Most of the restaurants have an excellent choice of game meats and the seafood in Swakopmund is superb. Your guide will offer to organize a group meal in a local restaurant for this evening. (Participation is recommended but by no means required.) Dinner this evening is on own account.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Bungalows - Day 7: Swakopmund - Windhoek
- Drive time back to Windhoek is around 5 hours hrs, departing after lunch. The morning is available for free leisure time in and around the beaches, shops and town's amenities. There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium is located in Swakopmund.
There are many activities available in Swakopmund: dune-boarding, scenic flights over the desert and Skeleton Coast, skydiving and a whole lot more. After the morning in Swakopmund, we have lunch and then drive back to Windhoek, arriving about 17h30.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
- Mode of transport
- Transport for up to 8 people will be in a minibus or a Land Cruiser. For more than 8 a specially converted safari truck will be used
- Number Of Participants
- Maximum of fourteen
- Included
- All transport
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Tea & coffee in camp
All camping equipment
Park entrance & accommodation fees
Guide
Pick-up and drop-off at accommodation in Windhoek - Excluded
- Beverages
Sleeping Bag (can be hired)
Tips
Travel Insurance - Other
- Itinerary is assisted comfortable camping with participation limited to only helping with the tents
- 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.



