| With well graded roads leading to uncrowded, magical landscapes from spectacular vast desert and the world’s highest sand dunes to national parks teeming with wildlife – Namibia is an adventure waiting to be explored.
DAY 1 - LONDON TO WINDHOEK
Fly South African Airways from Heathrow via Johannesburg to Windhoek, arriving the following day.
DAY 2 - WINDHOEK
On arrival at Windhoek airport, collect your Europcar Group B rental car and drive to your accommodation at Olive Grove Guest House. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon exploring the city at leisure, perhaps visiting the Parliament of Namibia or the arts and crafts markets. Alternatively, join a guided Windhoek city and township tour (at extra cost).
DAY 3 - WINDHOEK TO SOSSUSVLEI
Leave Windhoek and drive to Sossusvlei, passing Rehoboth and the small town of Solitaire en route. Arrive at Sossus Dune Lodge in the Namib-Naukluft Park, where you will spend two nights, in time for lunch and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. An afternoon scenic drive is optional (approx. 200 miles).
DAY 4 - SOSSUSVLEI
This morning it is recommended to wake early and drive into the National Park area of Sesriem and onwards to Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert, a place famous for its magnificent burnt orange sand dunes that hide a wonderfully secretive ecosystem and a startlingly parched ancient clay pan. Sossus Dune Lodge’s location inside the national park allows you to reach Sossusvlei before sunrise, when it is at its most captivating. For the most magical desert experience, climb to the summit of the ancient sands of Dune 45 to witness the kaleidoscopic colour display as the desert welcomes the new day. Spend the afternoon relaxing at leisure.
DAY 5 - SOSSUSVLEI TO SWAKOPMUND
Depart from Sossusvlei and travel through the Namib-Naukluft Park via the small settlement of Solitaire (the ideal place to refuel and buy a slice of the world’s best apple pie). Arrive in Swakopmund this afternoon, where you will have the opportunity to explore this pretty coastal town at your own pace. Spend two nights at Swakopmund Guest House (approx. 220 miles).
DAY 6 - SWAKOPMUND
Swakopmund is Namibia's adventure capital and premier holiday resort. Enjoy a full day at your disposal to participate in the variety activities the coast has to offer, from exciting pursuits like sandboarding and quadbiking over the endless dunes and sky diving and hot air ballooning over the desert, to more sedate experiences such as a marine cruise to a living desert tour or a scenic flight over the Skeleton Coast (all at extra cost).
DAY 7 - SWAKOPMUND TO DAMARALAND
Leave Swakopmund and travel via Henties Bay to Uis, then continue on to Twyfelfontein. Visit the petrified forest and the ancient rock art paintings on your way to Vingerklip Lodge, where you will spend the night. The remainder of the day is at leisure (approx. 220 miles).
DAY 8 - DAMARALAND TO ETOSHA
After breakfast, travel to Etosha National Park, passing Khorixas and Outjo. Arrive at Okaukuejo Camp where you can spend the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps taking time to savour a drink overlooking the camp’s waterhole. Alternatively, join a guided game drive (at extra cost), (approx. 220 miles).
DAY 9 - ETOSHA
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the vast Etosha National Park at your own pace, or join one of the camp’s activities (at extra cost).
DAY 10 - ETOSHA
Drive from Okaukuejo Camp through the national park to Namutoni Camp where you will spend tonight. Various activities are offered by the lodge, including game drives (at extra cost), (approx. 100 miles).
DAY 11 - ETOSHA TO OKONJIMA
After breakfast, make your way to Okonjima via Tsumeb, Otavi and Otjiwarongo. Okonjima, 'Place of the Baboons' is home to the famous AfriCat foundation and you are free this afternoon to visit the foundation which has rescued over one thousand cheetahs and leopards, with over 85% rehabilitated and returned to the wild. Optional activities are offered by Okonjima Main Camp, where you will spend tonight, including bush walks and cheetah and leopard tracking on foot (at extra cost), (approx. 230 miles).
DAY 12 - OKONJIMA TO LONDON
There is the opportunity to partake in further optional morning activities (at extra cost) before your drive to Windhoek. Stop to visit the Kavango wood carving market in Okahandja on the way (approx. 160 miles). Return your rental car at Windhoek airport in time for your South African Airways flight via Johannesburg to Heathrow, arriving the next morning.
ACCOMMODATION
Three and four star accommodation as detailed. Alternatives to those listed may be used on occasion according to local availability or road conditions.
MEAL PLAN
Breakfast throughout and dinner on Days 3, 4, 7 and 11.
CAR HIRE
Europcar Group B vehicle from Day 2-12. GPS and satellite phones are available on request. Tour includes a co-pilot driving pack including maps. In the wet season, Dec-Apr, we recommend upgrading to a 4x4 vehicle. Full car hire details are available on request.
|
