17 DAYS BEST OF NAMIBIA – 17 Days

Accommodation: Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch/ Similar

Guest will start their journey after receiving the vehicle from the company representative and drive towards the south on the main highway from windhoek, travelling through the high strip of Kalahari Desert that overhangs onto the eastern side of Namibia. Guest can stop at small towns along the way including Rehoboth to buy some snacksor lunch. It is a traditional home of the Baster people and on to Kalkrand where you bid the main road farewell and head off into the Kalahari.

Meals: Breakfast

Recommended activities: MarientalMuseum

Overnight: Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
The lodge lies on the edge of the Southern Kalahari in the mixed tree and shrub Savannah.

The ranch is characterized by huge red sands dunes running parallel, and in a northern-westerly to south-easterly direction. This ‘Spirit of Africa’ atmosphere, coupled with service, delivered with graciousness and charm, in an unashamedly luxurious setting, will be the hallmarks of this establishment, providing excellent value and unforgettable memories for the discerning traveller.

Accommodation: Ai-AisHotsprings

Guest will have breakfast and then go on an early morning nature drive into Kalahari before leavingthe town of Mariental and head-on south to Keetmanshoop where you have the opportunity of visiting the Messosaurus Fossil Site and Quivertree Forest. Quiver trees are not in fact trees; they are a type of aloe, so called because the branches fork “dictomously”. These odd looking plants dot the landscape in this part of the world and are locally common; however they are one of the world’s rarest flora species. Fish River Canyion is Carving out an epic rocky wonderland in the south of Namibia, the Fish River has created Africa’s largest and the world’s second largest canyon. Hot, dry and stony, the Fish River Canyon measures a whopping 160 kilometres in length, at times 27 kilometres in width and 550 metres in depth.

Meals: Breakfast

Recommended Activities: Guided Nature Drives and Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail

Accommodation: Ai-AisHotsprings

Early this morning head towards the main viewpoint of the Fish River Canyon National Park from where you can see how impressive this canyon is. This is an ideal opportunity for photos and to spend some time experiencing this amazing sight. Viewing from the top you can see the river sparkling in the sunlight far below us and can barely imagine how many millennia it took for the forces of erosion to carve such a magnificent vista.

Overnight: Ai-AisHotsprings

Ai-Ais Hot Springs is situated at the end of Fish River Canyon and is a natural hot-spring oasis.

The springs are a famous holiday destination for all holidaymakers travelling to Namibia. The springs form an oasis deep under the riverbed, and the thermal water has an average temperature of 60 °C.

During winter, many hikers take on the challenge of the 85-kilometre hiking trail which starts at Fish River Canyon and meanders towards the Ai-Ais Hot Springs.

Accommodation: Luderitz Backpackers, Luderitz

Guest will drive to the coastal town of Luderitz. On route they will see the exclusive Namib wild horses. These horses are the only feral horses in Namibia and have, very unusually, become adapted to an existence with very limited water. The area is still abandoned, and the desert has encroached over the entire town, giving an eerie feeling and real meaning to the word “ghost” (optional extra).

Meals: Breakfast

Recommended Activity: Lüderitz museum

Overnight: Luderitz Backpackers

Element Riders Place in Lüderitz Namibia is the affordable accommodation choice for the adventure sports traveller, the backpacker, the visitor and tourist on a budget. We offer basic and self-catering accommodation for groups or families, single, double or group rooms, dormitories; all to suit your budget and requirements.

There are four rooms with shared bathroom facilities and three rooms with en-suite shower and toilet. A fully equipped kitchen and mobile braai/barbeque is of course available. We have a lounge with book-exchange and one with TV (DSTV) and a small dining area.

We provide simple, yet comfortable and cleanly facilities and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Daily housekeeping, free parking and free Wi-Fi is included.

Our Backpackers Hostel is situate in a quite side road in the heart of Lüderitz. Supermarkets, Tourist information, Landmarks and Restaurants are close by. Walk around in the historic town, visit the ghost town of Kolmanskop and discover Lüderitz’ unique bays, fjords, beaches and landscapes or just relax.

Accommodation:Le Mirage Resort & Spa, Sossusvlei or Similar Campsite

Guest will depart in the morning to Sossusvlei area. The drive reveals the transition from Kalahari thornveld to the true desert of the Namib; Lilyveld, a valley 30km north of Maltahöhe, springs into bloom for about a week after good rains; Duiwiseb Castle is an interesting diversion 70km south-west of Maltahöhe. Along the way clients will get Lunch that will be served along the way where the guide will pullover by a big tree and serve lunch at 12h00-13h00. After arrival guest will have leisure time before going on a Sundowner drive to Elim dune around 17h30 or 18h00.

Meals: Breakfast

Recommended Activity: Sundowner at Elim Dune

Guest will have breakfast and must go into the park for the Desert to doSossuvlei Excursion which includes: Dune 45Deadvlei, Hiddenvlei, and Big Daddy. You canhave regular stops to take pictures and have some exposure of the Dunes. Guest will be back around lunch time and will have some leisure time for themselves at the pool while the tourguide prepares lunch for them.

Meals: Breakfast

Recommended Activity: Sossuvlei Excursion ( Deadvlei,Dune 45,Big Daddy,Sesriem Canyon, Hiddenvlei, )

Overnight: Le Mirage Resort & Spa
Le Mirage Resort & Spa, a unique construction in the Namib desert, is situated at 21 km from the Sesriem gate to Sossusvlei. This makes it one of the lodges closest to the Sossusvlei and the ideal place to stay when you want to visit the highest dunes in the world!

Guests are accommodated in 8 Camelthorn rooms and 19 Oasis rooms with en-suite facilities, air-conditioning, safe, mini bar and coffee & tea facilities. The lodge is accommodated in a large castle sheltering guests against the harsh desert climate. The spacious restaurant serves a fusion cuisine of European and Namibian dishes.

A highlight at the resort is the Mystique Spa, wellness centre which specializes in massages, pedicures, manicures, aroma massages and de-stress treatments. In the large courtyard guests can retreat to the swimming pool sheltered from the desert in an oasis of palm trees. On offer are quad bike tours, nature drives on the private domain and nature drives to Sossusvlei, scenic flights and hot air ballooning. The lodge offers guests a luxury home after a day in the desert.

Accommodation: Cornerstone Guesthouse, Swakopmund/ Similar

Guest will depart in the morning to Swakopmund where you are heading north-west. guest will cross the Tropic of Capricorn and traverse both the Gaub and the Kuiseb pass, driving down to the dry river bed at the bottom of the canyon before climbing up the other side, Side seeing the huge desert landscape before you. On their way guest can have lunch in Walvis Bay and continue to Swakopmund.

Meals: Breakfast

Recommended activities: Sandboarding

Guest will have breakfast and then have leisure time today. Swakopmund is a very enjoyablecoastal town with lots of shops, a good stretch of beach and an open-air curio market. There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium is located in Swakopmund.

Otherwise, there are numerous optional activities that can be arranged. These include aeroplane and microlight flights over the desert, scenic drives, fishing trips (both from the beach or in a boat), four-wheel motorcycle (quad bike) trips into the desert and over the sand dunes around Swakopmund, sand boarding trips (also in the dunes), skydiving, surfing, bird-watching and many other activities are available.

Overnight: Cornerstone Guesthouse
Cornerstone Guesthouse is a small, private and peaceful bed and breakfast an easy walk to the sea and the town centre of Swakopmund on Namibia’s fascinating Skeleton Coast. Occupying a quiet corner of Swakopmund’s old town near the marine museum and the old brewery, Cornerstone Guesthouse offers the charm and intimacy of a family-run B&B combined with the modern amenities of a luxury hotel. Within a few minutes from the guest house you can walk to beaches, cafés, restaurants, lively pubs, Swakopmund tourist attractions and a variety of interesting shops and markets in the town.

Accommodation: Brandberg White Lady/ Similar

Guest will be leaving early and heading north along the coast, guest can visit the seal colony at Cape Cross where it is possible to see thousands of Cape Seals in the water and on the surrounding rocks and beaches. From cape Cross guest will return east, inland and back into the desert, travelling on to the small town of Uis, an old mining town, located more or less in the middle of no-where. Uis is one of the best places to buy semi-precious stones for which Namibia is famous. Here, rough Amethyst, Tourmaline etc. can be found at bargain prices. From Uis you will drive to Namibia’s highest mountain, The Brandberg, (2573 m). Brandberg Mountain is an ancient Bushman spiritual site. Named for the vivid shade of orange it sometimes turns at sunset, this is undoubtedly the main highlight of the region. The Brandberg has been sacred to the San people for centuries.

Accommodation: Brandberg White Lady/ Similar

Guest will grab early breakfast and can go visit the White Lady paintings and from there have some leisure tinme to enjoy the area.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Brandberg White Lady Lodge
Brandberg White Lady Lodge is named after the San paintings for which the Brandberg became famous. It is a place where you will feel at home and enjoy a true warm-hearted hospitality, “tranquility” is name of the game. At the Lodge you find a fully licensed restaurant, a well-stocked bar, comfortable lounge and a large pool area. And if you are lucky you might bump into a dessert adapted elephant.

Accommodation: Spitzkoppe Campsites / Similar

Guest will depart in the morning to Spitzkoppe which isSituated in Namibia’s spectacularly scenic Namib Desert, between Usakos and Swakopmund, the Spitzkoppe are a group of bald granite peaks forming one of Namibia’s most recognizable and dramatic landmarks. These enormous towering domes provide a paradise for hikers and mountaineers, from beginners interested in guided historic walks to professional climbers eager to ascend some challenging slopes.

Meals: Breakfast

Recommended Activities: Hiking

Overnight: Spitzkoppe Campsites
The Spitzkoppe Campsites features campsites that are well spread out around the Spitzkoppe Mountain, each site containing its unique charm. The rugged desert mountain contributes to the beauty of these campsites – with its rock art, flora and fauna.

Spitzkoppe Campsites includes secluded campsites and selected sites feature toilets and braai facilities. There are also toilets and showers near to the reception area. Thatched bungalows come with 2 or 3 beds, basic furniture and an external shower and toilet. There is an on-site bar with cold drinks, and local guides are available for guided walks and hikes.

Accommodation:Okaukuejo Resort, Etosha Southor similar

Guests will get breakfast in the Morning and depart to Etosha.If time permits, enter Etosha for an afternoon game drive. Depending on how often you stop today, on entering the park, the first stop would be Okaukuejo where you pay your entry fee and I suggest you pop in at the local shop to purchase some drinks and snacks and most importantly, a map of Etosha which will show you all the waterholes along the way. Etosha has lions, giraffes, rhinos, zebras, springbok and elephants. This on top of many lesser and common plains herds, and abundant birds makes game viewing in Etosha.

Meals included: Breakfast

Recommended Activities: Afternoon Game Drive

Accommodation:Okaukuejo Resort, Etosha Southor similar

Guest will take early breakfast and can go on the full day game drive and around 12h00 -13h00 clients will have lunch inside the park and continue with the game drive up till the afternoon and after the game drive guest will have leisure time to enjoy the atmosphere before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast

Recommended Activity: Full day Game Drive or Himba Cultural excursion.

Accommodation:Okaukuejo Resort, Etosha Southor similar

Guest will have early breakfast and can go visit the Himba Cultural Village and from the have leisure time to rest or enjoy at the bar.

Meals: Breakfast

Recommended activities: Day Visit to Himba Village

Overnight: Okaukuejo Resort

Okaukuejo is located 17 km from the southern entrance of the park, and famous for its flood-lit waterhole, where visitors can observe at close quarters a spectacle of wildlife congregating and interacting. Accommodation is provided to suit every need, in premier bush chalets overlooking the waterhole; bush chalets and double rooms; or family chalets. Other facilities include a restaurant, bar, shop, swimming pool, kiosk and camping facilities.

Accommodated: Waterberg Camp, Waterberg Region / Similar

Guest will get early breakfast and depart from Etosha to Otjiwarongo while enjoying the beautiful landscape. Waterberg Plateau National Parkis situated in north central Namibia and named for the springs that emanate from its foothills, the Waterberg Plateau National Park is a fascinating geological site featuring compressed sandstone crags, 200 million-year-old dinosaur footprints, and petrified sand dunes.

Meals: Breakfast

Recommended Activity: Visit to Crocodile Range

Accommodated: Waterberg Camp, Waterberg Region / Similar

Guest can go on a Rhino Drive in the morning which will approximately take 3 hours, it will be a round trip through the African bush savannah at the foot of the Waterberg. Guestwill almost always rub shoulders with rhinos. With a little luck, visitors will have an encounter with animals such as the giraffe, oryx, eland, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest and kudu.

Meals: Breakfast

Recommended: Rhino Drive

Overnight: Waterberg Camp NWR
Waterberg Resort is the gateway to the Waterberg Plateau Park, one of the most spectacular features of the northern region, towering some 200 meters above the surrounding landscape, with sheer cliffs and fascinating rock formations. The Waterberg Resort has recently been re-developed. Accommodation is provided in comfortable premier bush chalets, two and four bed bush chalets and double rooms, all nestled along the base of the Waterberg Plateau cliffs, among towering trees.

The restaurant, bar and kiosk are housed in the historic Rasthaus, originally built in 1908 and used as a police post for several years. The open air swimming pool with a view of the Plateau above is the perfect remedy for the weary guest. The Camp also has a shop and a camping site available.

End of Itinerary – Guest depart back to Windhoek and hand over the Vehicle