Day 2

Stampriet to Aus

After breakfast, drive to Aus via Mariental.

Mariental, also known as the “Gateway to the South,” is a significant agricultural center. It is home to the most Karakul sheep in the world, and the ostrich farm just north of town was the country’s first commercial activity of its kind.

Visit the geological wonder Giants Playground and the massive Quiver Tree Forrest along the way.

A wild horse herd of about 150 animals lives in Australia. They trot back and forth between the scattered pastures and the Garub waterhole, adapting to the desert conditions. The remains of a World War I internment camp can also be found in Aus. Around 1,500 Schutztruppe soldiers were incarcerated here for four years after 1915.

Klein Aus Vista – Desert Horse Inn – Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast

Giant’s Playground is included.

The Giant’s Playground gets its name from the way the huge dolerite boulders seem to have been purposely stacked on top of each other by a massive hand. The way the boulders are stacked produces interesting rock formations and a series of mazes where if you’re not careful, you can quickly lose your bearings. Hiking between these rock formations will keep tourists entertained for a couple of hours and will provide plenty of photo opportunities.

Visitors must purchase tickets at the farm office before visiting this interesting rock formation, which is situated on the farm Gariganus.

Quiver Tree Forest is included.

A natural forest of roughly 200 quiver trees, set on a wide outcrop of blackish dolerite rocks, is located 14 kilometers from Keetmanshoop and is well worth a visit. Quiver trees are exceptionally large succulents with scaly bark and twisted branches topped with spiky, fleshy leaves, named for the pliable bark that was once used by bushmen to build quivers for their arrows. The oldest trees here are between 200 and 300 years old, with some reaching heights of up to nine metres. The forest, which was declared a national monument in 1955, is best viewed at sunrise or sunset, when the soft, warm light further enhances this already captivating sight.

• Included: Entrance fees for Giants Playground and Quiver Tree Forrest

Day 3

Aus

Kolmanskop, a ghost town, is your destination today.

Kolmanskoppe, a former diamond city, is about 12 kilometers from Lüderitz. In 1908, a black railroad worker discovered the first diamond while working on the tracks. Diamond fever broke out a short time later. Kolmanskoppe once housed 300 professionals and their families, as well as several thousand black workers. Many of the buildings are now silted up to the second floor, while some, such as the gymnasium, are still in excellent condition, complete with gymnastic equipment.

Return to the lodge and relax for the rest of the day.

Klein Aus Vista – Desert Horse Inn for Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast

• Entry to Kolmanskop is included in the price.

Day 4

Aus to NamibRand Nature Reserve

You will depart Aus after a leisurely meal. The Namib Desert is the next stop on your trip.

The Namib Desert, which extends over 1900 kilometers from South Africa’s Cape Province to Angola, is long and narrow. It is thought to be one of the world’s oldest deserts. The Namib is cut across by two year-round water-bearing rivers.

The Kunene forms Namibia’s northern border, while the Orange forms its southern border. It stretches up to 200 kilometers inland in the driest regions.

We-Kebi Safari Lodge (dinner, overnight, and breakfast)

Day 5

NamibRand Nature Reserve

You have an early departure today for the Sossusvlei, where you will have the opportunity to scale one of the world’s highest sand dunes. The dune landscape’s unique color example will undoubtedly inspire you, and you will undoubtedly be able to take beautiful photographs here.

Sossusvlei is a dune wonderland with 300-meter-high dunes surrounding a massive, dried-up pan. The rich tints of the dunes range from pale apricot to bright reds and oranges, and they stretch as far as the eye can see. The Tsauchab River flows into the pan during a successful rainy season, creating a haven for water birds. Oryx, springbok, and ostriches can be seen feeding on the sparse vegetation along the watercourses even during the dry season.

This is the Vlei itself, where the waters of the Tsauchab River are now disappearing into the Namib’s red sand.

A visit to the Sesriem Canyon can be added to this.

You walk through the Sesriem Canyon before leaving the sand dunes. The Sesriem Canyon, a deep ravine that is best explored on foot, is a striking natural feature of the region.The canyon’s name means “six belts” because early settlers used it as a source of water, drawing water with six lengths of leather. It’s where a 1 km-long gorge has been carved out by centuries of erosion. Deep pools of water at the bottom of the gorge, which drops 30 to 40 meters, are replenished after good rains.

Return to your lodge and relax for the afternoon.

We-Kebi Safari Lodge (dinner, overnight, and breakfast)

• Included: Sossusvlei entrance fee

Day 6

NamibRand Nature Reserve to Swakopmund

We’ll travel through the Namib Desert’s endless boulders through Solitaire, the Gaub Pass, and the Kuiseb Pass until we arrive in Walvis Bay.

The word “solitaire” has two meanings: one refers to a single solitaire diamond, and the other refers to the area’s isolation or loneliness. The two definitions were combined to form the concept of a unique, valuable, and solitary place. A gas station, post office, general dealer, and restaurant/bar are all located in the middle of the Namib Desert, and the restaurant/bar is well-known for its delicious apple pie. It’s the ideal place to stop on your way between Sesriem and Sossusvlei and Swakopmund or Windhoek.

Walvis Bay is Namibia’s main harbor area, and it’s quickly becoming a sought-after destination for beach vacations. The lagoon, with its abundant birdlife, attracts visitors, with an estimated 80 000 wading birds, including flamingos and rare white pelicans. On March 1, 1994, Walvis Bay, a former South African enclave, and the offshore islands were integrated into the Republic of Namibia. The town has a well-developed and productive port, and its fishing harbor serves as the center of Namibia’s rapidly expanding fishing industry.

Drive to Swakopmund from there. The road to Swakopmund runs along the coast, with the sea on the left and dunes that almost meet the sea on the right.

Check into your hotel in Swakopmund in the late afternoon.

The Hansa Hotel is where you’ll spend the night and have breakfast.

Day 7

Swakopmund

Between the Namib Desert and the cold Atlantic Ocean lies this idyllic area, also known as Namibia’s playground. This desert metropolis is a symphony of thrills, excitement, discovery, and relaxation. Swakopmund has many magnificent colonial and Bavarian-style houses.

Namibians consider Swakopmund to be a welcome respite from the inland sun. It is also well-liked by tourists due to its old-world charm and laid-back atmosphere. It was founded in 1892 during the German colonial era and served as the territory’s main harbor for many years. The distinctive German colonial character has been well preserved, and many of the old buildings are still functional today. The Woermann Building, which was built in 1905, now serves as an art gallery. Previously, the Woermann Tower was used to keep an eye on ships entering the harbor. Such historic buildings worth visiting include “Die Alte Kaserne,” “Hohenzollern Haus,” and the Railway Station House.

Today is yours to do as you want. You can choose to participate in one of the many activities available in and around Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, or you can explore the city on your own, walk through the woodcarving market, or simply stroll along the beach while sipping a cup of coffee right on the beach.

The Hansa Hotel is where you’ll spend the night and have breakfast.

Levo Dolphin & Seal Tour is an optional extra.

This dolphin and seal cruise leaves from the Walvis Bay Tanker Jetty at 8:30 a.m. and lasts about four hours. The trip starts with a tour of the Walvis Bay Harbour, which includes a stop at the fish factories, followed by a trip to Bird Island, which includes a stop at Pelican Point to see the Cape Fur Seal Colony. Birds such as pelicans, flamingos, cormorants, and others can be seen along the way. While watching the dolphins play in the calm waters, guests will enjoy fresh oysters and champagne. Around 12:30 p.m., the boat returns to Walvis Bay Tanker Jetty. Due to the possibility of storm, no afternoon trips are available.

Living Desert Tour with Tommy’s Tours and Safaris (optional).

The Living Desert Tour is a special 4×4 adventure drive through the dunes outside of Swakopmund, Namibia, which was created by Tommy himself in the 1990s. Even if you just want to drive through the dunes, Tommy will show you a lot more than just sand. The tour takes you from the dunes’ vegetated, life-rich eastern side to the Atlantic Ocean on the dunes’ western side.

Day 8

Swakopmund to Erongo Mountains

After breakfast, travel to Omaruru via Usakas.

Usakos, a small sun-drenched town nestled in the Khan River valley, grew up around a station on an old narrow-gauge railway built in 1900. Beyond Usakos is the Trekkopje Battlefield, the location of one of the most significant battles fought between South African and German forces during the short-lived 1915 campaign.

Axel Eriksson, a Swedish traveler and hunter, founded his trading ventures in Omaruru in 1870. In the same year, a mission station was built on the banks of the Omaruru River, and the mission house, which is the town’s oldest structure, now serves as a museum, displaying early missionaries, an antique cool drink machine, and farming implements, among other things. Omaruru means “bitter curd” in Herero, referring to the bitter taste of milk provided by cows that have consumed the bitter bush.

Onduruquea Lodge: Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast

Day 9

Erongo Mountains

Today is yours to do as you want.

You may engage in a variety of events at the lodge.

Onduruquea Lodge: Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast

Day 10

Erongo Mountains to Etosha South

After breakfast, travel to Etosha National Park via Outjo.

The town was established in 1880 by trader Tom Lambert and is located near a year-round water source.
A German military unit arrived five years later. The Franke House, an old stone house designed in 1899 by German troops under the command of Captain von Estdorff, was one of Outjo’s first homes.

Etosha National Park, located in northern Namibia, is one of Africa’s most spectacular natural areas. Governor von Lindequist proclaimed Etosha a nature reserve in 1907, covering an area five times the size of today’s national park. Etosha National Park is currently 22 270 square kilometers in area.Huge herds of springbok, impala, zebra, and wildebeest live in the national park, as do about 1500 elephants, 1800 giraffes, 300 lions, leopards, cheetahs, and 300 black rhinos, as well as over 300 bird species and 110 reptile species.

Etosha Safari Camp: Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast

• Included: National Park entrance fee

Day 11

Etosha South

After breakfast, have a full-day game drive by coach across the famous national park.

In the late afternoon leave the park and drive back to your lodge.

Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast at Etosha Safari Camp

• Included: Entrance fee into National Park

Day 12

Etosha South to Etosha East

Prepare your camera for another full-day game drive through the popular national park by coach.

Exit the park on the eastern side in the late afternoon.

Mokuti Etosha Lodge: Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast

• Included: National Park entrance fee

Day 13

Etosha East to Otavi Mountain Region

Today you’ll travel to Ghaub Lodge via Tsumeb.

Since 1905, the town of Tsumeb, which serves as the northern gateway, has been inextricably connected to the mining industry. Tsumeb’s history is represented in the Tsumeb Museum, which also houses a large collection of rare minerals. A series of restored canons and other armaments that were dumped into Lake Otjikoto by German forces are on display in the Khorab room.

You may engage in a variety of events at the lodge.

Ghaub Lodge: Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast

Day 14

Otavi Mountain Region to Otjiwarongo

Start your day with a delicious breakfast. Then, via Otavi, travel to the Waterberg Plateau Park’s environs.

The Waterberg Plateau is one of northern Namibia’s most beautiful landscapes. The National Park’s plateau is 50 kilometers long and 16 kilometers high, and it rises 200 meters above the surrounding area as a table mountain. The National Park’s water-scarce plateau is covered in tree and bush savannah; however, the vegetation at the plateau’s foot is very diverse.

Wild fig trees, several acacia species, fire lilies, and the coral tree are among the flora. Water buffalo and leopards, as well as several breeding pairs of the uncommon Cape vulture, ibex, klipspringer, sable, and eland antelope, as well as other mammal and particularly bird species, have been reintroduced here. The decisive battle in 1904 between the Imperial Schutztruppe and the rebellious Hereros made the region historically important. At the foot of the mountain, there is a military cemetery that bears witness to the events of the time.

At Frans Indongo Lodge, you can have dinner, stay the night, and have breakfast.

Day 15

Otjiwarongo

Today is yours to do as you want.

You may engage in a variety of events at the lodge.

At Frans Indongo Lodge, you can have dinner, stay the night, and have breakfast.

Day 16

Otjiwarongo to Windhoek

Today you can drive to the final lodge of your Namibian adventure.

Return to Windhoek via Otjiwarongo and Okahandja.

Otjiwarongo was originally known to the Herero as Kanubes, which means “pretty spot” or “place of the fat cattle,” as the region is known for its cattle ranches. The Otjiwarongo district, about 250 kilometers north of Windhoek, is home to a number of guest farms and lodges situated on a slope amid undulating plains. The Otjiwarongo Crocodile Ranch, which breeds crocodiles, and the Cheetah Conservation Fund, an internationally recognized organization, are two interesting features of the town. The Cheetah Conservation Foundation is committed to ensuring the cheetah’s long-term survival through science, conservation, and education.

Okahandja, a town of great importance to the Herero since it was the seat of Chief Samuel Maharero, is located directly north of Windhoek. Thousands of Hereros gather here every year in August for a pilgrimage to pay homage to their great chiefs’ graves. Woodcarvers from the north flock to Okahandja.

At Voigtland Guesthouse, you can have dinner, sleep, and have breakfast.

Day 17

Windhoek

Today is yours to do as you want.

There are several activities available at the lodge.

In the afternoon, take a city tour of Namibia’s capital, including stops at Christ Church, the Old Fortress, the Ink Palace gardens, and the Klein-Windhoek and Katutura districts, which are home to the Bantu-speaking community. We’ll also travel down Independence Avenue, Windhoek’s “boulevard” (formerly Kaiserstrasse).

Windhoek, the country’s largest city and political, economic, and cultural hub, has a population of 450,000 people. The city is nestled between the Auas Mountains to the south, the Eros Mountains to the northeast, and the Khomas Highlands to the west, at an elevation of 1650 meters.

At Joe’s Beerhouse, you can unwind and enjoy dinner.

Voigtland Guesthouse is where you’ll stay and eat breakfast.

Day 18

Departure

It’s time to pack your belongings today. Before the airport move, the day is yours to do as you want. Say your goodbyes to the tour guide.

We wish you a safe return flight.

We eagerly anticipate your return to Southern Africa!

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Budget Tour Sossusvlei, Swakopmund & Etosha National Park

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Etosha South

After breakfast, have a full-day game drive by coach across the famous national park.

In the late afternoon leave the park and drive back to your lodge.

Dinner, Overnight, and Breakfast at Etosha Safari Camp

• Included: Entrance fee into National Park