Namibia Explorer Safari

You will be collected from your accommodation in Windhoek on Saturday morning between 08h00 and 08h30 and the safari should be on the road by about 09h00. Travelling via the community woodcarving market in the small town of Okahandja, about 80km north of Windhoek, we continue north to the Table Mountain of Namibia. Waterberg Plateau towers high above the surrounding plains, dominating the landscape and providing us with an ideal campsite for your first night under canvas. We aim to arrive in time for lunch, giving you time in the afternoon to make use of the swimming pool and to take the Mountain View Hike to the top of the plateau.
Driving time: approx. 3hrs (300km). (Lunch, Dinner)

An early start and continuing north we pass through some small towns, making short stops for fresh supplies and fuel. Our first main port of call today is the mysterious Lake Otjikoto. Otjikoto is in fact the largest permanent natural lake in Namibia and we take time here to rest a little and learn something about the history of this unusual landmark. Continuing on to Namutoni camp in Etosha National Park we again aim to arrive in time for lunch, giving you time to relax before heading out into the park during the cool of the late afternoon for our first safari game drive. After your evening meal there are still more chances to see Etosha's game at Namutoni's floodlit water hole. Situated on the boundary of the camp and easily reachable on foot from your tent, elephants are regular visitors here and there is a good chance of seeing other species of big game as well.
Driving time: approx. 4hrs (300km). (B, L, D)

Namutoni is our first two night stop. As there is no breaking camp today, we are straight out on an early morning game drive. We visit some of the numerous waterholes in the area hoping to catch some of Etosha Parks big game out for an early morning drink. The game drives around the Namutoni area are some of the best in Namibia. We cover several different terrains this morning, from wooded areas to open savannah and in the rainy season, wetland. Back to camp in the late morning and after lunch there is time once again to relax during the heat of the day. The pool area here is very good, shaded by palm trees and a stone's throw away from the water hole. As on day two we take a shorter game drive in the late afternoon, often driving out to one of the waterholes popular with game and waiting for the animals to come to us.
Game drives for the day. (B, L, D)

A full days game driving, we again leave early to enjoy the cool morning air. We game drive our way through Etosha to Halali camp, situated in the middle of the park. Along the way we visit several waterholes and are afforded splendid views of the massive Etosha Pan. The game viewing is usually excellent and we have the chance to tick off a few new species that are not normally seen on the Namutoni side of the park. We stop at Halali for a rest and a leisurely lunch. There is also time to visit the Halali water hole and to make use of the swimming pool and bar facilities before continuing on our way and game driving down to Okaukuejo camp. Okaukuejo is famous for its water hole. It has been described as one of the "best game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa". Situated on the doorstep of our campsite, black rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope are often seen.
Game driving for the day. (B, L, D)

Leaving Etosha Park we are en-route for the desert and the most scenic campsite of our safari. We make a stop at a small town called Outjo where we can get coffee, sticky cakes and make use of the Internet Cafe. We then drive west to Khorixas, the Capital of the Damaraland region. A short break here and then, leaving the sealed roads far behind us, we drive into the desert. The safari stops for lunch at the Petrified Forest geological site, where a local guide will take us around and explain about the pre-historic trees, before continuing on to our campsite on the banks of the Aba Huab river bed, in the vicinity of Twyfelfontein. Damaraland scenery is some of the best in Namibia. Open grasslands studded with massive granite koppies create the feeling of being surrounded by mountains. We are well into desert elephant and black rhino country and other game such as springbok, ostrich and gemsbok are often seen. Aba Huab Desert Camp is right in the middle of this wilderness providing basic facilities with star lit showers and a small bar. We aim to arrive in the early afternoon and have time to relax in the shade before making a late afternoon excursion to Twyfelfontein itself. Here again a local guide will introduce us to the ancient Bushman rock engravings or pectoglifs. We also make a visit to another geological site in the area called the Organ Pipes.
Driving time approx. 4hrs (350kms). (B, L, D)

More beautiful Damaraland scenery this morning. We pass the Brandberg (2573 m), the highest mountain in Namibia. Tje safaris first stop of the morning in the small town of Uis. Namibia is famous for its rocks and gems. Uis, an old mining town, is one of the best places to buy rough semi-precious stones, for example Amethyst and Tormeline, at bargain prices. From here we turn directly west and cross the gravel plains on our way to the Atlantic Ocean and the Skeleton Coast. Meeting the ocean at Henties Bay we first head north along the coast to visit the seal colony at Cape Cross. Here at certain times of the year there can be as many as 100,000 Cape Fur seals in attendance. The next destination is Swakopmund, stopping for lunch en-route and following the Skeleton Coast into Namibia's premier seaside town. The Swakopmund section of the safari is designed to allow people to relax, either with the group, or on their own. Breakfast only is provided. This is to allow you to plan your time here with as much flexibility as possible and not to be tied to group meal times. It also gives you the chance to sample some of the excellent local cafes and restaurants. The seafood in Swakopmund is superb. Your guide will offer to organise a group meal in a local restaurant for this evening. Participation is recommended but by no means required. There is no suitable campsite available in Swakopmund, so we really make the most of being back in civilisation by staying in holiday chalets.
Driving time approx. 4hrs (400kms) (B, L)

Today is a free day. The idea is to allow time for everybody to do their own thing. Swakopmund is a very pleasant seaside town with lots of shops, a good stretch of beach (although the Atlantic here is quite cold) and an open air curio market. There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium is located in Swakopmund. Alternatively, there are various optional activities that can be arranged. These include aeroplane and microlight flights over the desert, scenic drives over the Namib Desert, fishing trips, both from the beach or in a boat, four wheel motorcycle (quad bike) trips into the desert and over the sand dunes around Swakopmund, sand boarding on the Swakopmund Dunes trips also in the dunes, skydiving, surfing, bird watching and many other activities are available. Many of these optional activities are very popular and should be booked in advance (B)
NOTE: All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are made at the clients own risk and expense.

Away by 09h00 and a little further down the coast to the port town of Walvis Bay. South of the town there is a large marine lagoon which is home to a vast array of marine bird life, in particular flamingos. We will make a short visit to the lagoon to see the birds and a short visit to Walvis Bay to collect any last minute supplies before once again heading out into the desert. The first part of our journey today takes us across more of the seemingly endless Namib Desert gravel plains. Then the landscape suddenly changes and we are into the mountain desert. We traverse both the Kuiseb and Gaub passes, driving both times to the river beds at the bottom of the canyons and then climbing the long steep road to the top and the spectacular panoramas the mountains give us. Again the scenery changes as we make our way down to the dune fields at Sesriem. We cross some open grass savanna and farm lands before the terrain begins to give way to the immense red sand dune desert of the Namib Desert. The safari stops for lunch in the desert en-route and arrive in Sesriem Campsite during the late afternoon. We have time to relax and watch the sunset over the dunes from our campsite.
Driving time approx. 3.5hrs (300kms). (B, L, D)

A pre-dawn start to see the sunrise in the dunes. From our campsite we drive a further 60km into the desert and have our breakfast as the colours change and grow across the landscape. To reach Sossusvlei itself we must then walk for the last five km through the dunes. The walk is like nothing else. In the cool of the morning, with soft sunlight just beginning to play over the dunes creating a sharp light and shadow contrast across the whole desert. Ancient mineral pans, stunted Camelthorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect. We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei (there is a good chance of getting a lift in a four wheel drive vehicle for the return 5 km walk and there is often a four wheel drive shuttle service available in both directions for a small extra charge), but as the day wears on we return to our camp for lunch and to escape the heat of the day. Back into the usual rhythm of relaxing in the shade and eating ice cream beside the swimming pool, or having a siesta, or both. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon.
Driving time approx. 2.5hrs (150kms). (B, L, D)

• Luggage limits are 10kg per person and we will only carry soft bags to minimize luggage damage. One small day pack for hand luggage and a sleeping bag are separate.
• Safaris are undertaken on a twin share basis. Should you be travelling alone we will ask you to share with another traveller.
• The Safari is run on a participation basis - and you will be expected to help with the camp chores
• All drinks must be purchased by you during your safari including mineral water.