The 10 day Namibian Explorer offers all the main Namibian highlights in a two week holiday time frame. Travelling south we spend two nights close to the awesome sand dunes at Sesriem and Sossusvlei, the world’s tallest dunes in the world’s oldest desert. Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast offers time to relax or time for some adventure sport adrenaline, from here we head inland to spend a night at The Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain and an ancient Bushman spiritual site. From here we travel to Twyfelfontein (UNESCO Heritage Site) an on to the Himba village at Oase where you are brought into touch with some of Namibia’s ancient traditions before travelling on to Etosha National Park for some concentrated game viewing. The tour ends with a visit to the Africat Foundation at Okonjima to meet and learn about Africa’s Big Cats.
- Departs: Every Tuesday of the year with collection time from within the city limits between 08.00 & 08.30
- Returns: On Monday around 16.00
- Single supplement: none
- The style is limited participation, assisted camping with the participation limited to only helping with the tents.The price is virtually fully inclusive of everything you will need whilst travelling with us.
- The following vehicle types may be used on safari:
2 – 3 guests 4×4 double cabin vehicle
4 – 5 guests Toyota Quantum / Hi-Ace with purpose built trailer
6 – 14 guests Toyota Dyna truck – modified Safari vehicle
Combination
Two of the world’s natural wonders, the Okavango Delta and the mighty Victoria Falls can also be included by combining this trip with our 8 day Delta and Falls Safari.
Safari Tour Overview
| Day | Destinations | Accommodation | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue | Sesriem Camp | Camping | L, D |
| Wed | Camp Agama | Camping | B, L, D |
| Thur | Swakopmund | Accomodated | B, L |
| Fri | Swakopmund | Accomodated | B |
| Sat | Brandberg Mountain | Camping | B, L, D |
| Sun | Oase Himba Village | Camping | B, L, D |
| Mon | Etosha National Park | Camping | B, L, D |
| Tue | Etosha National Park | Camping | B, L, D |
| Wed | Okonjima | Camping | B, L, D |
| Thur | Return to Windhoek | B, |
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
Safari Tour Details
Tuesday
Windhoek – Sesriem Camp (350 km) (LD) (Camping)
Our drive today will take us through the Khomas Hochland range of mountains and then further south west towards the Naukluft Mountains.
Lunch will be on route and then we reach open plains and from here it is only a short distance to our next stop, the tiny town of Solitaire. We will stop here for some fuel and refreshments before continuing on a short distance to our camp for the night.
We aim to arrive at our camp during the late afternoon and so there should be time for a dip in the pool and to see the sun set over the Naukluft Mountains.
Wednesday
Sesriem – Agama (220km) (BLD) (Camping)
A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert. After passing through Sesriem at sunrise, we drive into the dry river bed and will soon start to see the dunes on either side of us. We stop for photos along the way as this is where you see the strong contrast of colours as the sun hits the sides of the dunes.
We stop for breakfast and prepare for our walk. The walk is like nothing else, in the cool of the morning, with soft sunlight just beginning to play over the dunes creating a sharp light and shadow contrast across the whole desert.
Ancient mineral pans, stunted camel thorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect.
We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting dune 45, and as the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch to escape the heat of the afternoon. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon.
Later in the afternoon we return to our campsite and look forward to swim in the pool and supper.
Thursday
Agama – Swakopmund (300km) (BL) (Chalets)
An early start today, we are heading north-west to the seaside town of Swakopmund located on the Skeleton Coast. Leaving the dune fields far behind us we are soon back into the mountain desert. We 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, watching the spectacular desert landscape unfold before us.
From the mountains we cross the desolate “Namib gravel plains” before reaching the coastal sand dunes at the port town of Walvis Bay. We will stop for a picnic lunch beside the ocean and there will be time to see the flamingos and other bird life in the Walvis Bay lagoon before continuing the now short drive into Swakopmund.
The Swakopmund section of the trip is designed to allow people to relax either with the group, or on their own. Only breakfast is provided, this is to allow you to plan your time here with as much flexibility as possible and not to be tied to group meal times. It also gives you the chance to sample some of the excellent local cafes and restaurants. The seafood in Swakopmund is superb. Your guide will offer to organise a group meal in a local restaurant for this evening. Participation is recommended but by no means required.
Dinner this evening in not included in the price of the safari and will be for the client’s own account
Friday
Swakopmund (Chalets)
Today is a free day. The idea is to allow time for everybody to do their own thing. Swakopmund is a very pleasant seaside town with lots of shops, a good stretch of beach (although the Atlantic here is quite cold) and an open-air curio market. There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium is located in Swakopmund.
Alternatively, there are various 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.
Your tour guide will discuss all the possible options with you before you reach Swakopmund and will offer to make bookings in advance of your arrival. (N.B. All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are made at the clients’ own risk and expense).
Dinner this evening is not included in the price of the safari and will be for the client’s own account.
Saturday
Swakopmund – Brandberg Mountain (300 km) (BLD) (Camping)
Leaving early and heading north along the coast, we will first visit the seal colony at Cape Cross where it is possible to see thousands of Cape Fur Seals in the water and on the surrounding rocks and beaches.
From here we will turn 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 it is now only a short drive to Namibia’s highest mountain, The Brandberg, (2573 m). Brandberg Mountain is an ancient Bushman spiritual site and tonight we will sleep under the shadow of this giant granite monolith.
Today we head into one of the most beautiful desert regions in Namibia, Damaraland. We drive south to the capital of this region, the small town of Khorixas, and then take a detour to the west, travelling via the Petrified Forest geological site, to visit the ancient Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontien. At both these locations we will have local guides to conduct us on a short guided tour.
From here we head deeper into the desert to Namibia’s highest mountain, The Brandberg, (2573 m). Brandberg Mountain is an ancient Bushman spiritual site and tonight we will sleep in a community campsite under the shadow of this giant granite monolith.
Sunday
Brandberg Mountain – Oase Himba Village (350km) (BLD) (camping)
Starting early to enjoy the cool of the morning we will hike, “into” the mountain with our guide to see the world famous “White Lady” rock painting. Attributed to the Bushman artists, the white lady panel is believed by some to be in excess of 20 000 years old.
Today we head into one of the most beautiful desert regions in Namibia, Damaraland. We then take a detour to the west to visit the ancient Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontien. At this location we will have a local guide to conduct us on a short guided tour.
Leaving the engravings we travel to Kamanjab and on to find the Himba Tribesmen. This is the only traditionally functioning Himba community outside the far north Kaokoland region of Namibia. These tribes-people have migrated here, lifestyle and customs intact, and are following their traditional way-of-life in their village on a farm.
Oase Village is located about 15 to 20 km outside Kamanjab, the exact location of the site varies as the Himba occasionally roam to a new location.
We will make our camp about 150 meters from the village “Kraal” to ensure both our and our hosts privacy.
Monday
Oase Himba Village – Etosha National Park (300 kms) (BLD) (Camping)
In the morning we will be invited into Oase Village and will meet with the locals. We will have a specialist guide for the time we are there, who will be able to translate for us and will introduce us to this “alternative lifestyle”. We will learn about marriage customs, traditional food and the mysteries of the local religion, “Holy Fire”.
Departing Kamanjab we head East to Outjo for a short stop for fresh supplies and where we can also get coffee and sticky cakes at the local bakery, before continuing on to Etosha’s premier resort, Okaukuejo.
Etosha forms the main game viewing section of our safari and the Okaukuejo area offers us some of the best waterholes in the park and the best chance to see some Big Game
Game driving is not the only way to see the African wildlife at Okaukuejo. Located right on the boundary of the camp and within easy walking distance there is a floodlit waterhole for “after hours” game watching. Okaukuejo is famous for its waterhole, it has been described as one of the “best game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa” and black rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope are often seen.
Tuesday
Etosha National Park (Full Day Game Drive) (BLD) (Camping)
A full day’s game driving. We again leave early to enjoy the cool morning air as we game drive our way through Etosha to Halali camp, situated in the middle of the park. Along the way we visit several waterholes and are afforded splendid views of the massive Etosha Pan. The game viewing is usually excellent and we have the chance to tick off a few new species that are not normally seen on the Okaukuejo side of the park.
We stop at Halali for a rest and a leisurely lunch. There is time to visit the Halali waterhole and to make use of the swimming pool and bar facilities before continuing on our way and game driving over to Namutoni.
We must be back by our camp before sunset. Once again, there is a floodlit waterhole to visit during the evening so the game viewing continues…
Wednesday
Etosha National Park – Okonjima/Africat Foundation (350 km) (BLD) (camping)
Time for one more morning game drive before we leave Etosha. but its not the end of our game viewing. We will aim to arrive at Okonjima during the middle of the afternoon, giving us time to set up our camp and to relax in the shade or plunge into the pool.
Okonjima is the home of the Africat Foundation, a specialist conservation concern that centres it’s operations around the African Big Cats, particularly cheetah.
Most of the animals currently living at Okonjima have been rescued from various desperate situations, being orphaned or caught in a trap, and the aim of the rehabilitation process is to attempt to re-introduce them into the wild.
Thursday
Okonjima – Windhoek (300 km) (B)
This morning you will be taken on a tour during which you will be able to meet, close-up-and-personal, some of the cheetah that are going through the Africat rehabilitation programme.
Most of the animals currently living at Okonjima have been rescued from various desperate situations, being orphaned or caught in a trap, and the aim of rehabilitation process is to attempt to re-introduce them into the wild.
After our educational tour we will return to camp and prepare our return journey to Windhoek
