Fascination Namibia

Arrival at the airport in Windhoek by 12 noon at the latest. After completing entry formalities, you are greeted by your transfer driver.

Drive to Elegant Guesthouse, where after checking in you have time to rest and freshen up a little.

In the afternoon you meet your guide and, on a city tour, see Christ Church, the Tintenpalast and the former Kaiserstrasse.

After a short briefing from your guide and once your luggage has been stowed in the safari vehicle, you leave Windhoek and drive south towards Mariental to Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch, which sits like an oasis on the edge of the southern Kalahari, surrounded by red sand dunes.

Enjoy the peace and quiet of this desert region and relax as you gaze across the seemingly endless dune landscape.

In the late afternoon, an optional sunset game drive is offered that you shouldn't miss. Experience the day drawing to a close in the Kalahari as the setting sun bathes the landscape in golden light.

You will be accompanied by a local guide who will bring you closer to the fascinating nature and wildlife of the Kalahari.

Back at the lodge, a delicious 3-course dinner awaits you before you retire to your chalet.

Getting up early is worth it today, because the sunrises over the Kalahari are simply glorious! Settle down on a dune with a cup of coffee and watch as the light of the rising sun makes the surroundings glow in the most beautiful colours.

Alternatively, you can sleep in or join one of the morning lodge activities, such as a game drive, a walk with Bushmen or a horse ride (all activities are optional).

However you start your morning, the generous breakfast will give you energy for the day.

In the late morning, your journey continues via Mariental and Maltahöhe towards Sesriem. Your destination for the day is Elegant Desert Camp, the starting point for excursions to the giant star dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert.

Relax on the pool terrace or your own terrace and enjoy the moment to the full. Dinner and overnight stay at Elegant Desert Camp.

An early start by 4x4 vehicle into the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world. If you are fit enough, you can climb one of the giant dunes and enjoy the view across the endless expanse of the desert.

You visit Sossusvlei – a dry clay pan that only fills with water in very rainy years. Afterwards, you continue to Sesriem Canyon.

In dry periods, when it carries no water from the Tsauchab River, it can be explored on foot.

After an eventful morning, you finally return to Elegant Desert Camp. Sit back and let the day's impressions pass through your mind once more.

As the day draws to a close, it is worth looking up – the twinkling of the stars will undoubtedly captivate you. And if you can't get enough of it, you can roll your bed onto the large terrace and spend the night under the vast starry sky.

After a delicious breakfast, you set off towards the coast. Passing the Blutkuppe and following the Welwitschia Drive, you first reach the viewpoints over the moon landscape south-east of Swakopmund.

Let your gaze wander over this wondrous landscape with its rugged rocky domes, which seems not of this world. A strange and yet magnificent sight.

Finally you reach the town of Swakopmund, beautifully situated between desert and sea. On a tour of the town, you can get to know this delightful seaside town, where the German influence of bygone days is still noticeable today.

In the evening, together with your fellow travellers, you try out one of the many restaurants (at your own expense). Overnight stay at Organic Stay Guesthouse.

Today is at your leisure. Use the time for a stroll through the town, a scenic flight in a light aircraft, an excursion to Cape Cross, a catamaran boat trip or a desert safari following the tracks of the “Little Five” (all optional).

Enjoy a slice of Black Forest cherry cake in one of the lovely cafés or stop for a hearty meal in one of the many restaurants.

You spend another night at Organic Stay Guesthouse.

You set off early in the morning. Leaving Swakopmund and the Atlantic behind, you head inland to Spitzkoppe.

At a height of approx. 1,730 metres, it is visible from afar. Together with your guide, you explore the landscape of impressive rock formations and huge boulders.

Then you continue towards the Erongo Mountains, where your next stop is the San Living Museum. Here you gain insight into the original way of life and ancient traditions of one of Namibia's oldest peoples.

On a hike with the San, you get to know their hunter-gatherer culture and can marvel at impressive rock paintings. Fantastic views open up again and again along the way.

A short drive then brings you to Otjohotozu Guest Farm. Here you have some time to freshen up before a sunset farm drive, during which you learn all sorts of interesting things about the farm as well as Namibia's animals and ecosystem.

Dinner and overnight stay at the guest farm.

An exciting day lies ahead of you. Your journey takes you towards the north-west. At Twyfelfontein you visit the famous rock engravings, whose age is estimated at at least 2,000 years.

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 insight into their craftsmanship, traditional dances and songs.

In the course of the afternoon, you continue to the beautifully situated Malansrus Tented Camp. Make yourself comfortable and feel at home!

Day trip to the desert elephants

Driving distance: game drives

After an early breakfast, you set out in the dry Huab riverbed in search of the rare desert elephants.

Enjoy the unique landscape of Damaraland and learn more about the way of life of the local people. With a little luck and patience, your guide will track down the desert elephants, which are somewhat smaller than their relatives elsewhere.

You then return to Malansrus Tented Camp. Look forward to another delicious dinner and let the sounds of the wilderness lull you to sleep once more.

Your destination today is Etosha National Park. The park was founded in 1907 and is one of the most attractive national parks in southern Africa.

You spend most of the next two days near the waterholes watching wildlife. Elephants, rhinos, giraffes, various antelope species and, with a little luck, lions and leopards come to drink at the waterholes and can be observed there.

After numerous exciting wildlife encounters, you leave Etosha in the late afternoon through the Anderson Gate and arrive after just a few minutes at your home for the night, Etosha Village.

Let the eventful day come to a relaxed close with a cool drink at the bar followed by dinner, and look forward to the safari experiences that still lie ahead of you.

After sunrise and a hearty breakfast, you head out on game drives again. You drive right along the salt pan, which stretches for kilometres to the east. You can often see herds of impala, wildebeest, oryx and zebra roaming the open bush and grass savannahs.

In the evening, you leave the park through the Von Lindequist Gate, hopefully with many wonderful safari impressions, and drive to Mushara Bush Camp for the night.

Today, too, it is worth getting up early. After an early breakfast, a final game drive in Etosha National Park awaits you. Make the most of the opportunity and look out for animals you haven't yet seen in the last few days.

Every day on safari is unique and often full of surprises. Finally, it is time to leave the Etosha region. Your journey continues south.

The Waterberg with its steep, red cliffs can be seen from afar. At the foot of the Klein Waterberg, on the Okosongomingo farm, lies Waterberg Guest Farm.

Depending on your arrival time, you can explore the beautiful surroundings with your guide on one of the marked hiking trails or simply relax by the pool and enjoy the tranquillity. Dinner and overnight stay at Waterberg Guest Farm.

Today you head back to the starting point of your tour in Windhoek, where you will arrive between 2 and 3 pm.

If there is still some time left, a visit to the Namibia Craft Centre in Windhoek is worthwhile. Handmade art, great jewellery & accessories, basketry, textiles and much more are displayed and offered for sale here.

If you would rather relax, you can make yourself comfortable in the café next door.

Depending on your individual plans for onward travel, your guide will finally take you to the airport or to accommodation of your choice in Windhoek.

Then it is time to say goodbye. Totsiens – until next time!