The seven day Northern Adventure has been designed to give you a short but comprehensive safari around the main highlights of Northern and central western Namibia. You will visit, close-up-and personal the Big Cats at Okonjima, the amazing wildlife in Etosha National Park and have first hand experience of the Stone Age culture of the Himba Tribes. Namibia’s UNESCO Heritage Site in beautiful desert Damaraland is next and then on to Namibia’s premier seaside town, Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast, before returning to Windhoek
- Departs: Every Friday of the year with collection time from within the city limits between 08.30 & 09.00 (subject to minimum passenger numbers).
- Returns: On Thursday 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
Combinations
- with our 7 day Southern Swing to make a comprehensive 14 day Namibian Experience.
- 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 10 day Delta and Falls Safari.
Safari Tour Overview
| Day | Destinations | Accommodation | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri | Africat Foundation | Camping | L, D |
| Sat | Etosha – Namutoni | Camping | B, L, D |
| Sun | Etosha – Okaukuejo | Camping | B, L, D |
| Mon | Kavita Lion Lodge | Camping | B, L, D |
| Tue | Damaraland | Camping | B, L, D |
| Wed | Swakopmund | Chalets | B, L |
| Thur | Return to Windhoek | B, L |
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
Safari Tour Details
Friday
Windhoek – Okonjima /Africat Foundation (300km) (LD) (Camping)
We will travel north, stopping at small towns along the way including Okahandja, where we have time to visit Namibia’s largest wood carving market. The market is operated on a local co-operative basis and is one of the best places to shop for truly Namibian souvenirs.
Continuing north, passing through farmland, we aim to arrive at Okonjima during the middle afternoon, giving us time to set up our camp and to relax in the shade for a while before heading out on to the property to take part in the afternoon’s activities.
Okonjima is the home of the Africat Foundation, a specialist conservation concern that centres its operations around the African Big Cats, particularly cheetah. This afternoon 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 our accommodation and prepare for dinner under the African stars.
Saturday
Okonjima – Etosha National Park (300km) (BLD) (Camping)
An early start and continuing north we pass through some small towns, making short stops for fresh supplies and fuel. Our first main port of call today is the mysterious Lake Otjikoto.
Otjikoto is in fact Namibia’s largest permanent natural lake and we take time here to rest a little and learn something about the history of this unusual landmark.
Continuing on to Namutoni camp in Etosha National Park we again aim to arrive in time for lunch, giving us time to relax before heading out into the park during the cool of the late afternoon for our first game drive.
After your evening meal there are still more chances to see Etosha’s big game at Namutoni’s floodlit waterhole. Situated on the boundary of Namutoni and easily reachable on foot, elephants are regular visitors here and there is a good chance of seeing other species of game as well.
Sunday
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 Namutoni 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 down to Okaukuejo.
Okaukuejo is famous for its waterhole, which has been described as one of the “best game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa”. Situated on the doorstep of our accommodation, black rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope are usually seen.
Monday
Etosha National Park - Kavita Lion Lodge (300km) (BLD) (Camping)
Leaving Etosha we begin our journey south with a relatively short drive to the small town of Kamanjab for a short stop before continuing on to Kavita Lion Lodge and Africat North.
A local Otjiwarongo business has chosen to fund a project at AfriCat North – the Communal Carnivore Conservation Project. This team works with farming communities and those surrounding the Etosha National Park, assisting in carnivore management (mainly lion) and advising communal and commercial farmers on how best to protect livestock. This is the first unit of its kind in Namibia.
During the afternoon we visit the project and education centre.
Tuesday
Kavita Lion Lodge - Twyfelfontein (300km) (BLD) (Camping)
After an early morning start we visit a Himba Village – 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, the exact location of the site varies as the Himba occasionally roam to a new location. We will learn about marriage customs, traditional food and the mysteries of the ‘Holy Fire’ religion.
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 to visit the ancient Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontein. At this location we will have a local guide to conduct us on a short tour before we set up camp for the night.
Wednesday
Twyelfontein - Swakopmund (250km) (BL) (Accommodation)
From here we head deeper into the desert and pass Namibia’s highest mountain, The Brandberg, (2573 m) and more beautiful Damaraland scenery. We make a stop in the small town of Uis, an old mining town, and 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 here we turn directly west and cross the “gravel plains” on our way to the Atlantic Ocean and the Skeleton Coast. Meeting the ocean at Henties Bay, we first head north along the coast to visit the seal colony at Cape Cross. Here at certain times of the year there can be as many as 100,000 Cape Fur seals in attendance. The next destination is Swakopmund, following the Skeleton Coast into Namibia’s premier seaside town. We aim to arrive in the late afternoon giving us time to explore the town on foot before sunset.
Tonight we take the chance to sample one of the excellent 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
Thursday
Swakopmund – Windhoek (365km) (BL)
The drive back to Windhoek today will take about 4 and a half hours. We will only depart around lunch-time, giving us time to spend the morning relaxing in Swakopmund. 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).
