OVERVIEW

Day 1

Windhoek, Namibia
After arriving at Windhoek International Airport, you collect your rental car and drive to your prearranged accommodation in town. The rest of the day is at leisure and you can either relax at the guesthouse or explore the city. See the National Gallery (featuring local artists), the National Museum (Namibia’s history) and the well-known Christ Church. Enjoy traditional cuisine at a local restaurant (own account). You will overnight at The Elegant Guesthouse.

Main Destination:

• Windhoek

Accommodation:

• Elegant Guest House
• Mid-range guest house located in or near Windhoek

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 2

Namib Desert
After breakfast you leave Windhoek and drive south via Rehoboth and Klein Aub. On your way, you pass the Naukluft Mountain Zebra Park before you reach The Elegant Desert Eco Camp, your home for the next two nights, close to Sesriem. Enjoy the picturesque desert landscapes; you can also book a guided nature drive to admire the magical light at sunset. End the day with a delicious dinner.

Main Destination:

• Namib Desert

Accommodation:

• Elegant Desert Lodge
• Mid-range lodge located in or near Namib Desert

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Day 3

Sossusvlei
Try to start the day as early as possible to see the early morning sun creating beautiful shadows on the enormous dunes of Sossusvlei. Gates to the park open at sunrise. Climb one of the famous dunes such as Dune 45 or Big Daddy for some early morning exercise. It is a breathtaking experience seeing the sea of sand around you. Also visit Deadvlei, a very photogenic spot of ancient dead trees. Thereafter you drive to the Sesriem Canyon where you can also do short hikes (dry season only). After an adventurous day of exploring, you leave the park in the afternoon and return to The Elegant Desert Eco Camp. You can also pre-book a guided day trip and explore the area together with a knowledgeable guide.
Breakfast | Dinner.

Main Destination:

• Sossusvlei (Namib-Naukluft NP)

Accommodation:

• Elegant Desert Lodge
• Mid-range lodge located in or near Namib Desert

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Day 4-5

Swakopmund
Today’s journey on gravel roads takes you to the coastal town of Swakopmund where you can find beautiful pieces of colonial architecture. Swakopmund is also a base for adventure activities (all optional) in the area – join a dolphin cruise in Walvis Bay, go dune boarding, skydiving, fishing, take a scenic flight over the desert, go quad biking, take a day trip into the desert or to the seal colony at Cape Cross. You will spend two nights at Cornerstone Guesthouse. There is a variety of restaurants to choose from but be sure not to miss the fresh seafood.

Main Destination:

• Swakopmund

Accommodation:

• Cornerstone Guesthouse
• Mid-range guest house located in or near Swakopmund

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Day 6-7

Erongo Mountains
After a leisurely breakfast, you leave Swakopmund and travel inland. In the distance, you will see the Spitzkoppe, one of Namibia’s most recognizable landmarks. Go for a walk and explore the imposing granite rock formations or take a guided tour and view ancient San rock art. Today’s destination will be the Otjohotozu Farm in the Erongo Mountains. Lean back and enjoy the warm farm atmosphere. Alternatively, join a game drive in the morning or afternoon (optional). You will spend two nights at Otjohotozu Guest Farm.

Main Destination:

• Erongo Mountains

Accommodation:

• Otjohotozu Guest Farm
• Mid-range guest house located in or near Omaruru

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Day 8

Twyfelfontein
Today you will head west past the Brandberg Mountain (2,580 metres), the highest mountain in Namibia and site of the ‘White Lady’ rock painting. En route, you may want to see the Petrified Forest, a collection of ancient mineralized tree trunks. You might also find ‘living fossils’ – centuries-old Welwitschia plants. Your home for the night is the rustic Malansrus Tented Camp. From camp, you can easily reach the Twyfelfontein rock engravings, the Organ Pipes as well as the Burnt Mountain. You overnight in a fixed ensuite tent-chalet at the Malansrus Tented Camp.
Breakfast | Dinner.

Main Destination:

• Twyfelfontein (Damaraland)

Accommodation:

• Malansrus Tented Camp
• Luxury tented camp bordering Damaraland without fences

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Day 9-10

Etosha National Park
Day 9-10 | Twyfelfontein, Namibia – Etosha National Park, Namibia
Distance on day 9: approx. 350 km; driving time approx. 5 hours (excl. game drives)

After breakfast you depart for the world-famous Etosha National Park. Etosha (‘huge white area’) is one of the largest game parks in Africa and with its range of animals and landscapes – acacia trees, vast open plains and a massive salt pan – also one of the most interesting. Okaukuejo Camp is a good base for game drives in the western, central and eastern part of the park. During these two days, you will spend most of your time game viewing around the waterholes where elephants, giraffes and different species of antelope and birds come to drink. With a bit of luck, you might even be able to spot lions and rhinos. To see nocturnal animals, a night game drive (optional) with a park ranger is a good option or visiting the floodlit waterhole at night – very thrilling. You will overnight at the Okaukuejo Camp for two nights.
Breakfast.

Main Destination:

• Etosha National Park
• Best Time to Visit
• July to September (Animals come to water)
• High Season
• July to November (The park gets crowded)
• Best Weather
• May to August (Less hot during the day)
• Wildlife in Etosha NP

Accommodation:

• Okaukuejo Camp
• Mid-range chalet located inside Etosha NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Day 11

Etosha National Park
After breakfast you will continue east, driving along the edge of the flat salt pan that extends into the horizon. You will see herds of impalas, wildebeests, zebras and oryx on the plains. Amongst the acacia trees and shrubs look out for elephants, giraffes and lions resting in the afternoon heat. Stopping at waterholes along the way, you should see a variety of birds and animals coming and going to quench their thirst. By late afternoon you will reach Von Lindequist Gate where you exit the park. Mushara Bush Camp is just a stone’s throw away. Relax on the private deck of your tent-room in the bush or warm up at the campfire of the dining area.

Main Destination:

• Etosha National Park

Accommodation:

• Mushara Bush Camp
• Mid-range tented camp located just outside Etosha NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Day 12

Waterberg Plateau
Today’s journey will take you past a deep lake and a meteorite. Just outside Tsumeb you can turn off to visit the bright blue Lake Otjikoto. Next on today’s list is the 60-ton Hoba Meteorite; at roughly 3×3 metres, it is the largest meteorite in the world. Your last stop is the private nature reserve Waterberg Wilderness. The Waterberg is a massive red plateau rising 200 metres above the surrounding plains. The variety of microclimates – mountain, valley and plains – accommodates a variety of vegetation ranging from massive fig trees to ferns and acacia trees. A variety of animals are found here, including over 200 bird species. As an optional activity you can join a rhino drive in the afternoon or take a walk along one of the well-marked trails.

Main Destination:

• Waterberg Plateau Park
• Best Time to Visit
• July to September (Best wildlife viewing)
• High Season
• June to October (The park gets crowded)
• Best Weather
• May to August (Cooler during the day)
• Wildlife in Waterberg Plateau

Accommodation:

• Waterberg Wilderness Lodge
• Mid-range lodge located just outside Waterberg Plateau

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Day 13

Windhoek
Today you will continue south towards Windhoek. On your way, you may want to stop at the craft market in Okahandja. Here you can haggle and bargain for wood carvings, beaded jewelry, baskets and other crafts. In Windhoek, you will head to the airport to return your rental car or spend another night in the city (optional).

Main Destination:

• Windhoek

Accommodation:

• No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included