Namibia’s Diversity

After your arrival at Windhoek airport and completing the entry formalities, you are greeted by your transfer driver. Drive to the guesthouse, where you can rest a little and settle comfortably into your holiday.

In the afternoon you meet your guide and, on a city tour, see the capital’s sights such as the Christ Church, the Tintenpalast and Independence Avenue.

You round off the evening with a shared meal with all participants at one of Windhoek’s first-class restaurants (at your own expense). Overnight stay at The Elegant Guesthouse.

After breakfast your voyage of discovery through Namibia begins. You leave Windhoek heading south and drive into the Kalahari.

This cross-border desert is in fact the largest continuous sand surface on Earth. The dunes of the Kalahari are covered with varied vegetation such as blades of grass, bushes and acacia trees.

In the course of the afternoon you reach your accommodation, beautifully situated amid red dunes. Take in the play of colours at sunset over the Kalahari.

You spend the night at Kalahari Anib Lodge.

In the morning it is worth taking a lovely hike on your own or accompanied by a local guide (optional).

Your journey then takes you to Keetmanshoop. Take a siesta at the guesthouse before visiting the Giant’s Playground and the Quiver Tree Forest in the afternoon.

The more than 3,000 specimens of prehistoric quiver trees with their golden bark and yellow blossoms make every nature lover’s heart beat faster in the light of the setting sun.

For dinner you visit a restaurant in Keetmanshoop (at your own expense).

Overnight stay at Quiver Inn Guesthouse.

After breakfast your journey continues to the second-largest canyon in the world, Fish River Canyon.

You first visit the viewpoints on the eastern side of the 160-kilometre-long and 27-kilometre-wide canyon in Gondwana Canyon Park and can enjoy the breathtaking views from different perspectives.

You then drive back to Naute Dam and take a welcome lunch break at the Naute Kristall Distillery. Here you also get a small insight into the distillery and have the opportunity to take part in either a gin or fine spirits tasting (optional).

In the early afternoon you finally continue to the western side of Fish River Canyon. Your home for the night is Fish River Lodge, which nestles harmoniously on the edge of the canyon.

Be enchanted by the uniquely beautiful view and enjoy the impressive natural backdrop.

Enjoy the dreamlike view over the canyon once more at breakfast. You then continue on a rough track to Aus.

In the afternoon, with a bit of luck, you can watch the wild horses at Garub, whose origin has still not been clearly established.

You stay at the Desert Horse Inn on the Klein Aus Vista farm. On a day trip you get to the bottom of colonial history and visit the harbour town of Lüderitz with the Felsenkirche (Church on the Rock) and Goerke House.

You also explore Kolmanskop, once the home and workplace of around 400 people during the diamond boom and today an interesting open-air museum that is gradually being swallowed up by the desert sand.

After breakfast you set off for the picturesque region of the Tiras Mountains. You drive along the D707 road, which many consider to be Namibia’s most beautiful route. Again and again the fascinating desert landscape invites photo stops.

Finally you reach Greenfire Desert Lodge near NamibRand Nature Reserve, which is surrounded by peace and solitude and invites you to linger. Sit back, take in your surroundings and treat yourself to a breather.

At sunset you go on a game drive in an open vehicle through the extraordinary dune landscape.

After dinner it is worth looking far up into the sparkling starry sky – your guide will gladly share his knowledge of the constellations of the southern sky with you.

In the early morning the rising sun bathes the landscape in a soft, golden light and creates a magical mood at breakfast.

Today you drive north into the Naukluft Mountains on the eastern edge of the Namib. The landscape changes drastically; rugged rocks, deep gorges and mountain peaks up to 2,000 metres high now characterise the scenery.

Get ready for a short hike! The path winds along a small river and leads over rocks and stones to a natural pool. Here you stop for a picnic and, if you wish, can swim in the crystal-clear spring water.

Fortified and refreshed, you hike back to the vehicle. Treat yourself to a cool drink before setting off on the last stage for today.

Your destination is Elegant Desert Lodge, situated between the Naukluft Mountains and the sea of dunes of the Namib. A day full of contrasts draws to a close.

Before sunrise you set off into the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world. Climb one of the giant dunes – the sweaty ascent in soft sand is rewarded with a fabulous view over the seemingly infinite sea of dunes.

You visit Sossusvlei, a clay pan enclosed by dunes, as well as Deadvlei. The contrast between the white clay floor, the dark camel thorn trees, the rust-red dunes and the deep blue sky is particularly impressive.

You also explore Sesriem Canyon. In the dry season it is possible to walk through part of this 30-metre-deep gorge. The play of light and shadow is especially beautiful at the narrow spots.

In the course of the afternoon you return to Elegant Desert Lodge. Use the rest of the day to let your mind wander and enjoy the magnificent view.

Well fortified after breakfast, you continue via Solitaire and through the rugged landscapes at Gaub Pass and Kuiseb Pass heading north-west.

From the main road you turn onto a less-travelled side road that takes you through the northern part of the Namib-Naukluft Park. You reach the so-called Welwitschia Drive, lined with several ancient specimens of this strange plant.

Marvel at the moonscape with its bizarre, fissured rock, which looks as if from another planet. At Goanikontes Oasis on the Swakop River you take a leisurely break.

In the afternoon you finally reach Swakopmund. During a city tour you get to know this charming coastal town.

The next day is at your leisure. Stroll through town at your own pace or take part in one of the numerous optional activities, such as a boat tour or a desert safari on the trail of the Little Five.

In Swakopmund there are plenty of restaurants that you can try out with your fellow travellers in the evening (at your own expense).

Two nights at Organic Stay Guesthouse.

In the morning you set off again and drive along the Atlantic coast. On the way you make a photo stop at the Zeila shipwreck – one of the many stranded shipwrecks.

Then you leave the coast and head for your next destination: the Spitzkoppe, also known as Namibia’s Matterhorn. Together with your guide you explore the landscape of impressive rock formations and giant stone spheres.

You then continue to the edge of the mighty Erongo Mountains to Omandumba Bush Camp. Look forward to a close-to-nature and cosy stay in wild, romantic surroundings.

Today you explore the beautiful Erongo Mountains. Thousands of prehistoric rock paintings testify that the region was inhabited long ago by the San, one of the oldest peoples in the world.

In the Living Museum at Omandumba farm you gain an interesting insight into their original way of life and ancient traditions.

You go on a hike with the San, during which you see fascinating rock paintings and learn about their hunter-gatherer culture. Along the way, dreamlike views of the picturesque surroundings open up again and again.

Back at camp there is time to recover and relax. You spend another night at Omandumba Bush Camp.

The day begins with a wonderful breakfast in a cosy atmosphere before you head north. Today’s drive leads through wide farmland, away from the usual routes.

You will hardly meet any other tourists; instead, animals cross your path now and then. Then you arrive in the Ugab Valley with its impressive high terraces.

Here you set off on a voyage of discovery and visit the Finger Rock (Vingerklip), a quirky rock formation that resembles a finger. In the course of the afternoon you reach the beautiful Vingerklip Lodge.

After an early start, your journey takes you west. You visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Twyfelfontein with its numerous rock engravings.

Look forward to discovering these true cultural treasures of Namibia. Afterwards you visit the Damara Living Museum. Here you learn how the Damara lived centuries ago and gain an insight into their craftsmanship, traditional dances and songs.

You then make your way to your accommodation, Grootberg Lodge, which is spectacularly located on a high plateau.

Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the unique view over the Klip River Valley stretching out before you.

Accompanied by an experienced tracker, you set off on a search for the rare desert elephants. Experience an exciting safari in a unique landscape and learn more about the flora and fauna of Damaraland.

With a bit of luck and patience, your guide tracks down the desert elephants, which are somewhat smaller than their relatives.

You then return to the lodge. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure. Dinner and another overnight stay at Grootberg Lodge.

For a change, start the day nice and slowly! Take the opportunity to sleep in, after all you are on holiday.

Early risers have the option of taking a guided hike (optional). Your local guide helps you track down the shy inhabitants of the plateau and acquaints you with the local flora.

In the late morning you finally set off. In Kamanjab you make a short shopping stop before heading for your accommodation, which lies in the middle of the private Hobatere concession area.

This wildlife reserve of over 8,000 hectares, which borders Etosha National Park, is home to various large game. With a bit of luck you can spot them on the drive to the lodge – a good start to your stay in the Etosha region.

The day begins early. Through Galton Gate you drive into the famous Etosha National Park. “Pure safari” is the motto for the coming days in one of the most attractive national parks in southern Africa!

You slowly make your way east. Along the way you stop again and again to track down elephants, rhinos, giraffes, various antelope species, lions and leopards.

Your guide shares his broad knowledge of the fascinating wildlife with you. As soon as the shadows grow longer, you make your way to Anderson Gate in the south of the national park, near which your accommodation for today is located.

Arrive at your leisure, treat yourself to a refreshing shower and let the eventful day end cosily.

Dinner and overnight stay at Etosha Village.

After sunrise and a hearty breakfast, you set off on further game drives.

As no game drive is ever the same as another, you can once again look forward to an exciting day in the wild.

The heart of the National Park is the vast Etosha Pan, which stretches for miles to the east and forms a unique backdrop. You stop at various waterholes to watch animals drinking at close quarters.

In the late afternoon you leave Etosha National Park through the Von Lindequist Gate and, after a short drive, reach Mushara Bush Camp, your home for tonight.

After two early starts, you take things a little more easily again today. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and savour the morning in camp.

Today your journey continues south. The Waterberg, with its steep red cliffs rising up, can be seen from far away. During the afternoon you finally reach the private Waterberg Wilderness nature reserve.

Explore the surroundings on foot along one of the signposted hiking trails, take part in a rhino drive (optional) or simply enjoy the breathtaking view across the green valley to the red sandstone cliffs of the Waterberg.

Overnight stay at Waterberg Valley Lodge.

After a hearty breakfast, you hike up to the plateau (optional). The sometimes sweaty climb is rewarded with a breathtaking view!

Then it is time to head back to Windhoek, where your adventure-packed trip comes to an end.

Between 3 and 4 pm your guide takes you directly to the airport or to accommodation of your choice in Windhoek and says goodbye.

Totsiens – until next time!