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HOME > Namibia > Itineraries > Under the Southern Cross

Under the Southern Cross
16 night Self-Drive Holiday

Travel south from Windhoek into the heart of the Namib desert where you will have the chance to watch the sunrise over the sand dunes of the Sossusvlei area. Continue through the rugged canyons to Swakopmund for a chance to spend three days merely relaxing or embarking on the many activities offered in the town. On the way to Damaraland visit the largest fur seal colony in Southern Africa at Cape Cross, and once there the Petrified Forest. The next three days are devoted to wildlife in Etosha National Park before spending a further two days on a Namibian game farm in the beautiful Otjihavera Mountain range before returning to Windhoek.

Day 1: Windhoek

After arrival at the international airport, you proceed via mountainous terrain to Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia. Your accommodation is situated in a quiet suburb and close to the city center with its afro-european flair and peaceful atmosphere. In the evening enjoy typical Namibian cuisine in one of the numerous restaurants in the city. Overnight: Hotel Pension Onganga.

Day 2: Sossusvlei

The journey starts with you traveling south into the heart of the Namib Desert, an area with awe-inspiring landscapes and majestic dunes. Arriving at your lodge, situated near the entrance to Sesriem, the remainder of the day can be spent at leisure. Enjoy a late afternoon walk or take part in optional activities offered by your lodge. Overnight: Namib Desert Lodge (breakfast included).

Day 3: Sossusvlei

This day calls for an early rise, as you will forever remember the picture of a sunrise over the mighty dunes of the Namib Desert. Gaze at the bright splash of sun-baked sand combined with the mighty play of shadows cast onto the layside of the dunes. From Sossusvlei visit Dead Vlei, a surreal white clay pan surrounded by monumental dunes and dotted with age-old camelthorn trees. Traveling back, visit the Sesriem Canyon, an 18 million year old gorge eroded into the conglomerate floor. Overnight: Namib Desert Lodge (breakfast included).

Day 4: Sossusvlei

The entire day can be spent at leisure at your beautiful lodge. Optional activities, besides relaxing along the sparkling pool, consist of nature walks and nature drives into the petrified dunes or visiting scenic mountain areas in the Naukluft mountain range. Overnight: Namib Desert Lodge (breakfast included).

Day 5: Swakopmund

After breakfast, travel through two rugged canyons and via the Welwitschia plains and the Moonlandscape to Swakopmund. Better known as Namibia’s playground, this idyllic town is wedged between the sweltering Namib Desert and the cold Atlantic Ocean, and enjoys a distinct German architecture and atmosphere. Swakopmund has numerous activities to offer, some of which include scenic flights, boat trips, desert tours and quad biking adventures. Overnight: Beach Hotel Swakopmund (breakfast included).

Day 6,7 & 8: Swakopmund

You have 3 days to unwind and relax along the Atlantic Ocean! Spend your time shopping, walking, taking in the sight or opt for the numerous activities available in Swakopmund or Walvis Bay. Activities in Walvis Bay include amongst others marine cruises, kayaking, birding and wind surfing, whilst Swakopmund offers quad biking, desert tours, dune boarding, scenic flights and also township tours. On each evening you have a wide choice of excellent restaurants to choose from, many of which specialize in unforgettable seafood dishes. Overnight: Beach Hotel Swakopmund (breakfast included).

Day 9: Damaraland

On your way to the Damaraland you can visit the large lichen fields as well as the largest fur seal colony in southern Africa at Cape Cross. You travel into Damaraland past Namibia’s highest mountain, the majestic Brandberg Mountain, which reminds of the volcanic era millions of years ago. From your lodge you have easy access to the geologically fascinating Vingerklip and the Ugab River Valley, both of which can be visited in the afternoon. Overnight: Damara Mopane Lodge (breakfast included).

Day 10: Damaraland

After an early breakfast visit Twyfelfontein, a World Heritage Site where over 2500 rock engravings and rock paintings cover the eroded surface of a pre-historic desert – this area was inhabited by Bushmen some 6000 years ago, as it was rich in water and consequently visited by a rich diversity of game. A visit to the Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes is an interesting geological phenomenon and is found very close to Twyfelfontein. Afterwards you can visit a traditional Damara village. These indigenous people were, together with the Bushman, the first inhabitants of Namibia and have lived in the Damaraland area for thousands of years. On your way back to your lodge visit the Petrified Forest interspersed with Welwitschia Plants, the oldest living desert plant on earth. Overnight: Damara Mopane Lodge (breakfast included).

Day 11: Etosha National Park

As you head to the Etosha National Park, your time will be devoted purely to the abundant wildlife. The park surrounds a parched salt desert known as the Etosha Pan, and is home to 4 of the Big Five - elephant, lion, leopard and rhino. The park’s waterholes support a diversity of mammals and birds, including species such as black-faced impala, cheetah, and Namibia’s smallest antelope, the Damara dik-dik. Your lodge for the following 3 nights is situated very close to the entrance gate of the park, enabling easy access into the park with sunrise and a short drive back after sunset. Overnight: Etosha Village (breakfast included).

Day 12 & 13: Etosha National Park

You have the entire day available for extensive game viewing experiences. No game drive is the same; all waterholes hold new surprises and attract different animal species that you may not have seen on previous game drives. Overnight: Etosha Village (breakfast included).

Day 14: Etosha National Park

Shortly after sunrise the gates to the park open, allowing you to experience the conundrum of animals and birds greeting the new day. Today you traverse the park from west to east and have ample time available to wait at a selection of waterholes for different game species coming to the water to quench their thirst. In the late afternoon you travel to your lodge, situated directly outside the park gate. Overnight: Mokuti Lodge (breakfast included).

Day 15 Windhoek Surroundings

Departing Etosha, travel south towards Windhoek, where the next two days are spent on a Namibian game farm, situated amidst the scenically beautiful Otjihavera or Aus Mountain range. Besides being a haven for birders, the game farm boasts game species such as eland, giraffe, kudu and many other antelope species. The rest of the day is spent at leisure along the sparkling pool, or can be utilised for an optional nature walk. Overnight: The Elegant Farmstead (breakfast included).

Day 16: Windhoek Surroundings

You have the day at leisure, and can either enjoy an expanded breakfast, enjoy an optional morning game drive or simply relax after many days traveling. In the afternoon optionally embark on a guided game drive in open vehicle in order to experience and learn more about this fantastic area. You have plenty of excellent photographic opportunities not only during the game drive, but also while enjoying a sundowner drink from a hill overlooking the mountainous African savannah. Overnight: The Elegant Farmstead (breakfast included).

Day 17: Return to Windhoek

Enjoy a pre-breakfast walk before travelling towards Windhoek or the international airport for your outward flight, where your journey ends (breakfast included).

Under the Southern Cross

2022 Namibia fly-drive holidays Holiday prices are per person based on two sharing.

Prices include flights, transfers and accommodation, and are subject to availability. Flights from Heathrow - other departures also available, call for details. Holiday ref JET0917MU.

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