Quick links:
- Option 1: Andersson’s Africa
- Option 2: Best of Namibia
- Option 3: Thirstland Journey
- Option 4: Desert Discovery
- Option 5: Deserts of Namibia
- More information on Quad biking in Namibia
:: Option 1: Andersson’s Africa
Africa Safaris bring you an exciting new premium-rated safari, inspired by Charles John Andersson, a Swede who in 1850, aged 23, set off to explore the uncharted territory of "Ovamboland" in Namibia. His courageous expeditions, valuable observations of the resident flora and fauna, and triumph over grave injury motivated the name for this deluxe mobile safari, which ventures into areas as unspoiled as when Andersson first saw them. Andersson¹s Africa offers an unrivalled experience of Namibia at her most wild and breathtaking. Of the starkly beautiful Namibian landscape, her desert-adapted wildlife and ecosystems, and her diverse communities. It is an ultra-luxurious fully-serviced camping expedition delivering all the luxury and personal attention of a "mobile deluxe lodge". Accommodation is in plush tents with superior furniture and fittings, with en-suite flush w/c, hot showers and fine guest amenities. The guest dining and living areas are superbly equipped, and there are board games and a well-stocked library. Cuisine served is of the highest standards.
DAY 1: Central Highlands/Kalahari
You are met by our representative at Hosea Kutato (Windhoek International) Airport and transferred to Eningu Clay House Lodge which borders the Kalahari Desert. An evening stroll to a nearby hide for sundowners, followed by your comprehensive safari briefing from your personal Safari Guide.
Overnight at Eningu Clay House Lodge
DAY 2 & 3: Waterberg Plateau
A scenic drive to the Waterberg Plateau, one of the great wilderness areas explored by the intrepid Andersson. We explore the Waterberg on foot.
Overnight at our exclusive Andersson¹s campsite.
DAY 4 & 5: Etosha
We head for our exclusive campsite at Fischer¹s Pan Game Reserve, bordering the Etosha National Park. In addition to its prime and secluded location our campsite is beautifully situated on the edge of a small vlei surrounded by shady trees. A variety of game, including leopard, roam freely in this area. Days spent game-viewing in Etosha National Park.
DAY 6: Etosha
A game-drive through Etosha National Park en-route to Okaukuejo where our overnight accommodation is in bungalows. The floodlit waterhole is a highlight.
DAY 7 & 8: Southern Damaraland
Depart for southern Damaraland and visit the San rock paintings and engravings at Twyfelfontein. Enjoy exploring this unspoiled wilderness with its magnificent rugged scenery, while searching for the elusive desert-adapted elephants and the rare black rhino.
Overnight in our exclusive Andersson¹s campsite.
DAY 9 & 10: Swakopmund
Drive towards Cape Cross, home to more than 80 000 Cape Fur Seals. Then on to Swakopmund. Here, we enjoy a seal and dolphin cruise whilst enjoying fresh oysters, sparkling wine and snacks. Remainder of your time is spent enjoying 4x4 quad biking over the dunes.
Overnight is at Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre.
DAY 11 & 12: Namib Naukluft
Early this morning we depart for the Namib Naukluft Park to explore the awe-inspiring dunes of Sossusvlei, reputed to be the highest in the world. The following day we explore one of the most pristine gorges in the Naukluft Mountains where we take a hike through the gorge with its many quiver trees and rock pools.
Overnight in our exclusive Andersson¹s campsite
DAY 13: End of tour
We return to Windhoek in the late afternoon.
:: Option 2: Best of Namibia
This trip takes you through the spectacularly vast country of Namibia and promises to show you the most fascinating sites. One of the highlights is Sossusvlei, where you will see the breathtaking sight of the highest sand dunes on earth. A two night stay-over is also included in the Etosha National Park, one of the largest and most impressive game reserves in the whole of Africa. The reason is in the Ovambo name Etosha, meaning "place of dry water". For most of the year a vast shallow pan, which used to be a lake the size of Holland, now shimmers a silvery bright-white from salt across its entire surface.
DAY 1 & 2: Swakopmund
We meet you at Swakopmund Airport, and transfer you to your Swakopmund hotel. Enjoy a morning seal and dolphin cruise indulging in fresh oysters, sparkling wine and snacks. The remainder of your time is free to explore the quaint coastal town of Swakopmund, boasting many activities and tours, such as sand boarding, quad biking and camel rides or alternatively take a boat excursion to see dolphins and seals.
Two overnights on a bed & breakfast basis, including the seal and dolphin cruise.
DAY 3 & 4: Sossusvlei
We transfer you to Swakopmund Airport, where you board a light aircraft to the Sossusvlei lodge of your choice. Explore the spectacular desert dunes and the marvel of the world¹s oldest living desert.
Two overnights on a full board basis, including all desert activities offered by your lodge.
DAY 5: Etosha
Light aircraft flight to Windhoek. You have about four hours at leisure until your connecting flight. We suggest you take advantage of the opportunity and take a taxi into Windhoek and see the sights. Late-evening scheduled flight to Okuti Airport where you will be met and transferred to the Etosha lodge of your choice.
Overnight on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis.
DAY 6: Etosha
Enjoy a morning and an afternoon game-drive in the wildlife photographer¹s paradise of the Etosha National Park. Game drives into Etosha National Park are a memorable experience as a variety of game can be viewed at close range.
Overnight on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
DAY 7: End of tour
We transfer you to Okuti Airport for your scheduled flight to Windhoek Airport or Eros Airport.
:: Option 3: Thirstland Journey
An adventure of a lifetime, camping wild at exclusive campsites in the most compelling and breathtaking wilderness areas throughout Namibia. We journey through the lush Waterberg bushveld and game-rich Etosha. We track rhino in Damaraland and explore the ancient geological features around Twyfelfontein. At Swakopmund where desert meets ocean, there is time to enjoy an array of dune adventure sports. Finally, we explore the worlds highest dunes of Sossusvlei and take on the challenge of a gorge hike in the Naukluft Mountains.
DAY 1: WATERBERG PLATEAU
Our Safari starts this morning when we meet our guide at 08.00 in the foyer of the Windhoek Country Club. Once we have met our fellow travellers and had a briefing from our guide, we travel off the beaten track towards the Waterberg Plateau. Our route takes us through Kalahari Bush Savannah, with the chance to see several antelope species. The Waterberg Plateau itself extends over 48 km from the southwest to the northeast. Surrounded by a wall of steep, reddish-yellow cliffs which seem to glow at sunrise and sunset, the massif rises at it highest peak in the south-west, some 1 800m above sea level, whereas the north-east slope is very gradual. Our exclusive campsite is in one of the gorges, which forms a natural horseshoe, and looks down a valley towards the Northern Kalahari. After lunch we enjoy an afternoon walk along the top of the plateau, which affords some magnificent views, and where we might be lucky enough to encounter black or white rhino and buffalo. This evening we enjoy dinner under the canopy of leadwood and acacia trees, which surround our campsite.
DAY 2: ETOSHA
After breakfast this morning, we leave the Waterberg, and continue our journey to our exclusive campsite, on the private Fischer's Pan Game Reserve adjacent to the eastern edge of Etosha National Park. En route we will have the opportunity to visit the San (Bushman) community at Ombili. This was started as a self-help scheme, and visitors are invited to visit the local school, and craft centre. This afternoon we enjoy our first exploratory game drive in Etosha National Park. Etosha is one of the world's great conservation areas, and is some 22 270 square kilometres. We drive along the gravel road network that crosses the Park, visiting the permanent waterholes and viewing points. There is something enigmatic in the vast silent grey-white Pan that covers 4 590 square kilometres of the Park.
DAY 3: ETOSHA
We have an early start today, with a game drive into Etosha, to further explore the eastern side of the park. Numerous waterholes and subterranean springs attract large herds of animals including springbok, zebra, gnu, giraffe, kudu and elephant. Great game viewing can occur when prides of lion dominate the precious water resources. Our day is dictated by wildlife movements and sightings: we expect to spend the entire day in the Park, enjoying a picnic lunch at one of the Rest Camps.
DAY 4: OKAUKUEJO
We leave our private campsite and travel westwards into the Park, stopping en route for lunch at one of Park's Rest Camps. Today is a full day's game drive, affording us the opportunity to visit several permanent waterholes. We arrive at Okaukuejo in time for a sundowner drink at the waterhole. Dinner this evening is a traditional barbecue, after which we will be able to spend time at the floodlit waterhole, watching a variety of species, quenching their thirst. Our accommodation tonight is in the Rest Camp's chalets.
DAY 5& 6: NORTHERN DAMARALAND
Today's journey begins after an early breakfast, as we head into Damaraland, an area whose attractions are spread over a large area. Our interests lie in the area bordering Kaokoland. Northern Damaraland still has a significant population of lion, elephant, leopard, large antelope, giraffe, mountain zebra (Hartmann's), and the last free-ranging black rhino population in the world. We enjoy this truly unique area for the next two days, camping in its wild and untouched landscapes. Our discovery of this fascinating area continues, as we search for hidden waterholes. This also affords us the opportunity to explore the ancient volcanic landscape on foot.
DAY 7 & 8: SOUTHERN DAMARALAND
Our Safari continues to the area between the Huab and the Ugab, where we will again be camping wild. We will visit the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein - ancient works of Art attributed to the San (Bushmen). It is in this area where we will be able to explore the seasonal river beds, with the possibility of encountering several species of game, including the elusive desert-adapted elephant. This area marks the southern limit of Damaraland.
DAY 9 & 10: SWAKOPMUND
No safari in Namibia is complete without a visit to the quaint coastal town of Swakopmund. Our route takes us from the unique landscape of Damaraland to the coast, and a visit to the Cape Cross seal colony. It is in this area that the Portuguese explorer, Diego Cao first set foot on Namibian soil, in 1486. We continue southwards on the coastal road, to Swakopmund itself. We spend two nights at the Strand Hotel, conveniently situated near the beach and within walking distance of the museum and shops. There is time to enjoy some of the town's exciting optional activities, such as quad biking, camel riding, and dune boarding. Another interesting excursion is the morning dolphin cruise leaving from Walvis Bay and travelling around Pelican Point with its seal and sea-bird colonies.
DAY 11: NAMIB-NAUKLUFT
The Namib-Naukluft is Namibia's largest National Park, and offers a surprising variety of landscapes and ecosystems - ranging from the massive sand-dunes of Sossusvlei to the vast quartzite gravel plains, and the rugged Naukluft Mountains along the eastern edge of the desert. The highlight of the Namib-Naukluft is a visit to the awe inspiring dunes of Sossusvlei, many of which are in excess of 300m high, arguably making them the highest in the world. The tints and hues of these fascinating dunes are best appreciated in the late afternoon, as colours can range from apricot to orange. The afternoon is spent climbing and exploring the dunes and pans. We leave this fascinating area for our exclusive campsite in the Naukluft Mountains.
DAY 12: NAMIB NAUKLUFT
The Naukluft Mountains offer a surprising contrast to the surrounding area. We enjoy a 4x4 excursion, and hiking trail today, to the quiver-tree gorge. It takes us up to the plateau, followed by a hike through the biggest fountain gorge in the Naukluft Mountains with its many rock-pools (which we can cool off in). Our hike ends back at our campsite. An optional late afternoon activity is horse riding at a nearby guest farm.
DAY 13: End of tour
We leave the Naukluft after breakfast this morning, for our drive back to Windhoek, where we will arrive by mid-to late afternoon.
:: Option 4: Desert Discovery
Starting at Swakopmund, explore the desertscapes of the coastal desert, including the "Moon Landscape" valley of eroded hills, ancient welwitschia plains and the vast but extremely eco-sensitive lichen fields. From here spend two nights in the NamibRand Nature Reserve on the Toktokkie walking trail. The highlight of the walk is the breathtaking view of the dunes and plains from the highest point of a small mountain. Photography is spectacular as the shadows on the dunes create an ever-changing palette of colours, shortly before sunset.
DAY 1 - 3: Swakopmund
You will be met at Swakopmund Airport by our representative and transferred to the hotel.
Three overnights on a bed & breakfast basis and days free to revel in the desert adventures on offer.
Swakopmund Adventures:
- Dune quad biking
- Dune boarding & dune skiing
- Mini dune jeep drives
- Seal and Dolphin cruise with oyster and sparkling wine breakfast
- Low-level scenic flights over the Skeleton Coast and Damaraland
- Tandem sky-dives
- Horseback beach adventures.
DAY 4 & 5: NamibRand Nature Reserve
An exciting light aircraft flight takes you to the breathtaking desertscapes of the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Here you meet your desert guide and transfer to the starting point of the Tok-Tokkie Walking Trail crossing 700 million year old mountains, vast golden grass plains and the ochre-red sand dunes of the world¹s oldest desert. Your guide will captivate you with the many wondrous tales of the living desert and teach you how its inhabitants survive their arid conditions. Nights fly-camping on the dunes, your roof is the glorious desert sky, the stars your ceiling, the silence your roommate.
DAY 6: End of tour
Transfer back to the desert airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Swakopmund or Windhoek.
:: Option 5: Deserts of Namibia
This safari explores two of the world¹s most beautiful living deserts, which support a surprisingly large concentration of wildlife, birds and fauna and flora. In the harsh yet lovely Kalahari Desert, you may see a variety of antelope, as well as lion, leopard, cheetah, caracal, hyena, black-backed jackal and majestic birds of prey. At Sossusvlei in the Namib Naukluft Desert, you'll witness the awesome, multi-hued dunescapes formed by the highest sand dunes in the world. You will also experience all the charm and the wide range of adventure activities available at one of Namibia¹s quaint coastal towns. Desert-lovers of the world cannot miss this safari!
DAY 1: SOUTHERN KALAHARI
Leaving Windhoek we travel to our exclusive campsite in the Intu Afrika Kalahari Private Game Reserve. The surrounding area with its colorful dunes of red sand, umbrella shaped camelthorn trees and large variety of game, birds, trees and grass species is typical of the Kalahari eco-system. The Kalahari is one of Africa’s last wildlife paradises and remains an area supporting nomadic antelope herds, such as oryx, kudu, eland, blue wildebeest and springbok. Carnivores are also well represented in the Kalahari and include lion, leopard, cheetah, caracal, hyena, black backed jackals and a variety of the smaller cats. Bird life is prolific and a rich complement of birds of prey including martial eagle, lappet faced vulture, giant spotted eagle owl and pale chanting goshawk frequent the area. A prominent feature of the Kalahari is the huge communal nests of the sociable weaver built around the camelthorn trees. Sundowners are taken on a nearby dune whilst watching the sun go down over this harsh but breathtakingly beautiful land.
DAY 2: SOUTHERN KALAHARI
Early morning desert walk with a Bushman (San) tracker who will explain the secrets of the Kalahari known only to the San. The San were the first known inhabitants of the Kalahari. Traditionally they are skilled hunter-gatherers living in small communities. Their survival skills and adaptation to the harsh Kalahari wilderness have become legendary. Afternoon game drive, during which you will be introduced to a surprising variety of game and birds, and if one is lucky, Lion. Dinner around a campfire under a blanket of a thousand stars is followed by a night drive where you may see honey badger, bat eared and Cape fox, spotted genet and an array of owls.
DAY 3: TSARIS MOUNTAINS
We travel via Duwisib Castle, built by the legendary Baron von Wolf for his American wife, and drive along scenic back roads to our exclusive camp site in the heart of the rugged Tsaris Mountains. The spectacular scenery of the canyons of the Tsaris Mountains and the natural springs offer a dramatic contrast to the red dune landscapes of the Kalahari. This area is a geologist’s paradise, famous for its stromatolites and it was in these mountains that the earliest Shelley fossils were found. Sundowners are enjoyed at a vantage point offering a panoramic view of the surrounding area
DAY 4: TSARIS MOUNTAINS
With its extraordinary vistas this vast area of canyon landscape is reminiscent of the Fish River Canyon but on a smaller scale. We take one of a number of walking trails that lead us to shady gorges with seasonal springs. Whilst out walking there is a chance of seeing Hartmann’s mountain zebra, kudu, klipspringer, steenbok and some of the larger raptors such as Black Eagle and Black Breasted Snake Eagle which nest in this area. As the sun sets and the night sky comes alive, the crisp, dry air of this land of vastness and stillness provides an unparalleled opportunity to marvel at our galaxy.
DAY 5: NAMIB NAUKLUFT
Today is another day of contrasts as we leave the Tsaris Mountains and head west towards the Tsauchab Valley and the majestic dunes of Sossusvlei. The huge star dunes with their massive red, curved walls rising from white clay pans dwarf everything in sight. As the late afternoon sun plays on these fascinating dunes their color dramatically changes from shades of apricot to orange to a dark maroon. From Sossusvlei we make our way to our exclusive overnight campsite which is surrounded by the huge Naukluft Mountains, a rugged range characterized by sheer cliffs, deeply incised river valleys and rolling hills which are a sanctuary to Hartmann’s mountain Zebra, Oryx, Springbok and Kudu. A feature of our attractive campsite is the ruin of an old police station which to this day still huddles in the shade of ancient trees and takes one back to the time of the Schutztruppe.
DAY 6: NAMIB NAUKLUFT
Today we explore one of the most pristine gorges in the Naukluft. We set off by 4x4 as far as the plateau. From then on the rest of the journey is by foot as we hike through the gorge with its many quiver trees and rock pool, which are large enough to cool off in. An optional late afternoon activity is horse riding at a nearby guest farm.
DAY 8: SWAKOPMUND
Traveling via Solitaire and through the Kuiseb River we head across the Namib gravel flats to Walvis Bay where we encounter, depending on the time of year, flocks of flamingos that feed in the shallow waters of the lagoon bordering the town. A short drive takes us through to the quaint coast town of Swakopmund where we overnight at the Strand Hotel. (Dinner tonight is in one of the town’s restaurants - for own account). The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy one of the many optional activities such as dune boarding, quad biking or just wandering around town soaking up the old-world charm and relaxed atmosphere.
DAY 9: End of tour
After breakfast at the hotel the safari ends.
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