Namibia

Day 1: Windhoek
Upon arrival at Windhoek Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Kalahari Sands Hotel

Day 2: Namib Naukluft
Depart at around 09:00 from Windhoek via the scenic and steep Spreetshoogte Pass to the beautifully set Namib Naukluft Lodge. A light lunch will be served. During the afternoon you have time to relax at the swimming pool and/or join a walking trail in the mountains. (Optional: A flight in a light aircraft over the dunes at Sossusvlei - page 24). Overnight at Namib Naukluft Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 3:Namibia Naukluft
An early morning rise will be rewarded by the sight of the spectacular dunes at Sossusvlei on your excursion. Make the effort and climb one of the dunes and you may be overwhelmed by the sight of the dynamic and living desert. A full breakfast will be served under one of the camelthorn trees at Sossusvlei. Visit the Sesriem Canyon before returning to the Lodge for lunch. During the late afternoon a sundowner drive to the natural marble mountains on the 25,000 ha private nature reserve is offered. Overnight at Namib Naukluft Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 4:Swakopmund
En route to Swakopmund we will drive through the Namib Desert. Enjoy the Kuiseb Canyon, the drive along the Swakop riverbed and stops at the Moonlandscape and at the Welwitschia Mirabillis, an ancient plant endemic to the Namib Desert. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure and you can explore the little coastal resort on your own. Overnight at Hansa Hotel or Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre. (B)

Day 5:Swakopmund
Drive to Walvis Bay this morning and you may want to join one of the optional tours (Kayaking in the Walvis Bay lagoon, Quadbiking on the dunes en route to Walvis Bay, a boat trip from the Walvis Bay yacht harbor, etc. - pages 24-25) or you might enjoy walking along the lagoon and view the prolific birdlife with a huge population of flamingoes. Return to Swakopmund in the afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (Optional: A sundowner flight along the coastline in a small aircraft) Overnight at Hansa Hotel or Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre. (B)

Day 6:Damaraland
Today we drive along the coastline via Henties Bay and Uis to the vast regions of the Damaraland. We shall visit the famous rock-engravings at Twyfelfontein and arrive at our destination during the course of the afternoon. (The excursion to Twyfelfontein may also take place the following morning.) Overnight at Huab Lodge or Twyfelfontein Lodge. (B, D)

Day 7:Damaraland
Today we shall enjoy the activities at Huab Lodge: a bird walk and a nature drive on this farm, where the desert elephants are common visitors. Your hosts, Suzi and Jan van der Reep are some of the most knowledgable and well-known conservationists in Namibia and their love for nature will make your stay an unforgettable one. (Optional wellness treatments are available upon request.) Overnight at Huab Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 8:Etosha National Park
After breakfast we depart to one of the lodges near the western gate of the Etosha National Park, Otjovasandu. During the afternoon you may want to join an optional game-drive on one of the farms. The rare Mountain Zebra and Elan antelopes are found here. (You can also join an optional day trip by light aircraft exploring the Kaokoveld and visiting a native living Himba tribe, one of the last nomadic living people in Africa). Overnight at Hobatere Lodge or Kavita Lion Lodge or Rustig Toko Lodge. (B, D)

Day 9:Etosha National Park
Today we enter the Etosha National Park at the western side. This gate is closed for the public and only open for tour operators with special permit. We shall see the ‘Haunted Forest’, before we arrive at Okaukuejo. A floodlit waterhole at either of the camps enables you to view the game also during the evening and night time, which is otherwise not possible. Overnight at Okaukuejo or Halali Rest Camp. (B, D)

Day 10:Etosha National Park.
A whole day in this great National Park lies ahead of us and we shall stop at various waterholes en route to view game. This Park is well-known for its huge herds of zebra and antelope. With a bit of luck we should be able to spot elephant, lion and/or other predators. We leave the Park at the eastern side and overnight at Mokuti Lodge just outside the Van Lindequist gate. Overnight at Mokuti Lodge. (B, D)

Day 11:Etosha National Park
We enter once more into the Etosha National Park and explore the ‘Fisherman’s Pan’ as well as the north-eastern part at Andoni. We leave the Park through the newly opened Nehale Lya Mpingana Gate and visit a typical Ovambo village just outside. You have the opportunity to gain a little bit of insight to these native inhabitants living in their ‘Kraals’. We return the same route through the Etosha National Park for more game viewing before we arrive at Mokuti Lodge. Overnight at Mokuti Lodge. (B, D)

Day 12: Windhoek
After breakfast we depart to Tsumeb an old mining town. We visit the ethnological museum here and continue via Otjiwarongo to Okahandja, where we stop at the woodcrafters market. You can do some shopping here before we arrive in Windhoek in the late afternoon.