Namibia

Day 1: WINDHOEK – KALAHARI

Welcome to the capital! You will be greeted by your guide at Hosea Kutako International Airport, and on a subsequent tour take a first glance at the most popular places in Windhoek. Windhoek is not only the capital but at the same time the economic and political hub of Namibia. The city is located in the Windhoek Basin. Almost the geographical centre of the country, it borders the Eros Mountains in the east, the Ausa Mountains in the south and the Khomas Highlands in the west and north. The colonial past and influence of German culture and language can still be recognized in different regions. The monumental Supreme Court building, the Namibian national museum in the “Alte Feste”, the Christ Church, the parliament building – built by the colonial power – and much more are worth being visited! The same day, you leave Windhoek and drive in a southerly direction via Rehoboth towards Mariental.

D/B Overnight stay Intu Afrika Suricate Tented Lodge

• Windhoek
• Drive to the Kalahari

Day 2: FISHRIVER CANYON

After an early breakfast, you will continue your journey to the southern part of the country today. On the way, with the quiver tree forest you will experience the so-called “Giant’s Playground”.
The 300 specimens of the prehistoric quiver trees with their gold- coloured bark and canary-yellow flowers are an irresistible view, especially in the light of the setting sun. You will arrive at your accommodation in the desert in the late afternoon.

B/B/D Overnight stay in Canon Roadhouse

• Quiver tree forest
• Giant's Playground

Day 3: FISHRIVER CANYON – HELMERINGHAUSEN

Eroded in millions of years, the Fish River Canyon was formed into the second largest canyon in the world. It is one of the natural wonders of Africa. In the morning you visit the main viewpoint of the Fishriver Canyon, where breathtaking views of the mighty gorge and surrounding landscape await us. The journey continues via Seeheim and Bethanien to Helmeringhausen, a small spot in southern Namibia. The hotel forms part of the old 11,000-acre farm. The former member of the imperial German military Hubert Hester is considered to be the founder of Helmeringhausen. Later, the place gained fame as one of the centre of Karakul sheep breeding. Nowadays, it is cattle and goats that are mainly farmed here.

B/B/D Overnight stay in Helmeringhausen Hotel

• Fishriver Canyon
• Helmeringshausen

Day 4: Helmeringhausen – Sossusvlei

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in Helmeringhausen before you set off for Sossusvlei today. The scenic Tiras Mountains line your path along the way, the vastness and beautiful colours of the Neisip plain are really impressive. You also drive along the Namib Naukluft Park and the Namib Rand Nature Reserve, both in close vicinity of Sesriem, the gateway to the huge shifting dunes of Sossusvlei. Before you get to your accommodation, we make a detour to the desert castle Duwisib. Duwisib Castle is one of the most bizarre German colonial buildings in Namibia – due to its appearance, location and history background. The fortress with red walls, defensive towers and battlements was built in 1908, inspired by the historicism style of the European Middle Ages, is located about 72 kilometers southwest of the Malta Hights. You will reach your accommodation "A little Sossus Lodge" in the late afternoon.

B/B/D Overnight stay in A little Sossus Lodge

• Duwisib Castle

Day 5: SOSSUSVLEI

Time to get up early, because today you will take a trip to the famous Sossusvlei! The gates of the national park open just in time for sunrise. Once inside, you get the unique opportunity to climb one of the highest dunes in the world! Sossusvlei, with its 300-meter-high dunes, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After changing cars, you will be enjoying the last 5 km into the Vlei in an open four-wheel drive vehicle. The skeletons of the quirky acacias in Dead Vlei, already deceased 500 years ago, form a stark contrast to the bright orange colour of the dunes – resembling a surrealistic picture.
On the way back to the lodge , you get the chance to awe at the gorges of the Sesriem Canyon. Drive into the dune landscape to admire the play of light and shadow of the sunset on the sand of the dunes. A fantastic game of colours and shapes!

B/B/D Overnight stay in A little Sossus Lodge

• Sossusvlei
• 4x4 Shuttle for the last 5 km
• Sesriem Canyon

Day 6: SOSSUSVLEI – WALVIS BAY – SWAKOPMUND

Continue via Solitaire along the endless scenery of the central Namib Desert via Walvis Bay and finally to Swakopmund. Walvis Bay is the most important port in Namibia. The lagoon there is the oldest in Namibia and an internationally known bird sanctuary at the same time. Keep an eye out for flamingos, terns, and pelicans. In the early afternoon you reach the coastal town of Swakopmund; once arrived, make use of the opportunity to explore the city on foot! Swakopmund is still shaped by the descendants of the colonists from the German colonial era. German cake, German architecture, and the German language, which is still widely spoken, are remnants of the past. Optional: A sightseeing flight over the desert and to the shipwrecks of Conception Bay would certainly be an unforgettable experience. The flight with a Cessna 210 takes about 2 hours. The minimum number of participants is 4, the price per person, depending on the provider, starts at N$ 6,250 (including airport tax).

B/B Overnight stay in "Hotel zum Kaiser"

• Walvis Bay
• Swakopmund sightseeing on foot

Day 7: SWAKOPMUND

The desert is alive! At around 8 a.m. you will be picked up for a ride across the dunes. Watch out for the ”Little Five” of the desert! Your guide will point out desert lizards – despite 70 °C underfoot, they like to duck in between the million grains of sand. No matter when: The chameleons choose the right colour for their costume, the sand geckos prefer a transparent fashion. Wheel turning spiders – miniature puffers with a side drive …? Finally, you have earned some time on your own! In the afternoon feel free what you like – strolling on the beach, visiting a pastry shop ... there is still a lot to discover!

B/B Overnight stay in "Hotel zum Kaiser"

• Living Desert Tour
• Leisure time in the afternoon

Day 8: SWAKOPMUND – SPITZKOPPE – ERONGO BERGE

Travel time to today's accommodation takes up to 4 hours. Past the impressive Spitzkoppe, the journey continues in a north-easterly direction through the Erongo region. The Erongo Mountains are 130-million-years-old volcanic ruins with unbelievable rock and landscape formations. When you arrive at the Ai Aiba Lodge, you can still enjoy the view of the Erongo massif and the vastness and tranquility of Namibia. Maybe you feel like taking a walk on your own through this dreamlike environment? Otherwise, you could choose participating in the optional nature safari.

Optional: Nature safari with San rock carvings, costs approx. N$ 600 per person. This excursion lasts about 3 hours and takes you through a large part of the unique landscape. The explanations by the experienced guide on the selected San rock carvings are very interesting indeed. In between, small refreshments are also served.

B/B/D Overnight stay in the Ai Aiba Lodge

Day 9: BRANDBERG – TWYFELFONTEIN – DAMARALAND

Today you make your way from the Ai Aiba Lodge to the tourist highlight of Damaraland. You can already spot the impressive Brandberg massif from afar. With 2573 m, the Brandberg is Namibia's highest peak. It is particularly fascinating to look at while the sun shines on it – the whole of the Brandberg lights up – like it would glow! The Brandberg is also famous for numerous rock carvings – there are supposed to be approximately 50,000 of them, scattered all over the entire massif. Most of these drawings, between 2000 and 4000 years old are unfortunately only found in places that are difficult to access. Twyvelfontein, with its rock engravings and numerous lodges, is located in the beautiful mountain landscape that was inhabited as early as 24,000 BC. The translation of Twyfelfontein means “source of doubt”. These rock engravings were recognized in 2007 as the first world cultural heritage in Namibia. The best time to view the engravings is in the afternoon, as the sunshine puts them into an unbelievable light. A designated hike in order to get close is available, yet subject to the booking of a local guide. Besides, you will be visiting the Damara Living Museum. Together with the Bushmen, the Damara are considered to be the "indigenous people" of Namibia. Learn how the Damara still live like they did centuries ago and get an insight into their way of life: Including the traditional blacksmithing (making weapons and tools), tanning leather, and creating traditional clothing and jewelry. Also, learn about the traditional Damara dances, chants and games, the sacred fire and much more.

If time permits, a dip in the swimming pool will be a perfect refreshment to end the day!

B/B/D Overnight stay in Twyfelfontein Country Lodge

• Twyfelfontein rock engravings
• Visiting the Damara living museum

Day 10: TWYFELFONTEIN – ETHOSHA NATIONAL PARK

On the way to our next destination – the largest game reserve in Namibia, the Etosha National Park – the trip will stop at the "Petrified Forest". Although the name of "Petrified Forest" is a bit misleading, as it is not a forest, but a collection of around 280 million-years-old petrified tree trunks. According to scientists, these trees did not originally grow in what is now Namibia but were transported by glacial moraines from distant regions at the end of one of the many ice ages on the Gondwana continent. Afterwards, you continue your way to the Etosha National Park, where you will spend the night in the Halali restcamp. Prior to that, a drive into the park is scheduled for the early afternoon. Don’t forget to have your camera ready! On our drive to the camp, you will be able to watch some giraffes, elephants, rhinos and various antelopes – but the main attraction of the rest camp is its illuminated water hole, a playground for many wild animals, which can be visited at any time of the day or night.

B/B/D Overnight stay in the Etosha National Park Camp Halali Restcamp

• Petrified Forest
• Etosha National Park

Day 11: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

In order to view a lot of game we have to rise early. This day we will have our breakfast in the park. Today is entirely dedicated to the Etosha National Park...... You are about to experience your first game drive. The Etosha National Park is known for its diversity of wildlife. Established in 1907 it is regarded to be one of the most attractive national parks in Southern Africa. The open vegetation is ideal for viewing wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, sometimes lions, leopards, elands – the largest of the antelopes around – and the Damara Dikdik – the smallest of them –, impalas, wildebeests and zebras. Often, you find them in the vicinity of water holes, always in a big rush. You leave the park in the afternoon en route to our accomodation for the night – the Toshari Bush Camp, situated around 25 km south of the Anderson Gate. You will try to check-in early in order to have time to cool off in the swimming pool or relax a little before dinner.

B/B/D Overnight stay in Toshari Bush Camp

• Full-day safari in own vehicle

Day 12: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

After sunrise and an invigorating breakfast, you can go on another game drive in your own vehicle. Today is exclusively dedicated to game viewing. You drive right along the salt pan, which stretches for miles to the east, being able to watch herds of impala, wildebeest, oryx and zebra wandering through it.

Along the trip you will get completely different impressions like on the tour around the beautiful Fisher's Pan. In any case: Enjoy the last day in Etosha National Park! You leave the park in the afternoon and return to the Toshari Bush Camp.

B/B/D Overnight stay in the Toshari Bush Camp

• Safari Etosha National Park

Day 13: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK – ERINDI GAME RESERVE

Your early morning journey takes you through Outjo. If time permits, a visit to the German cafe in Outjo is a MUST. We continue via Otjiwarongo into the huge private Erindi Game Reserve, which extends over an area of ​​79,000 hectares. The reserve is home to around 20,000 animals, including some rare and endangered species. Today you will spend the night in one of the luxurious rooms of the Old Traders Lodge right inside Erindi Game Reserve . A guided game drive is scheduled for the late afternoon. Experience the savannah of the Erindi Game Reserve with a skilled ranger in a 4x4 jeep. Along the way, during a short rest drinks and snacks will be served and refresh you. Enjoy, sit back and let yourself be enchanted by the African wildlife and landscape.

FI Overnight stay in Erindi, Old Traveller Lodge

• Drive to the private game reserve Erindi
• Evening safari

Day 14: ERINIDI – NAANKUSE LODGE

After the morning safari you will leave Erindi and head towards the next tourist attraction which is the large wood carving market in Okahandja where beautifully crafted, good quality wood carvings are offered for sale. With its abundance of handcrafted carvings, the market is a great place to shop the last few souvenirs. Your journey takes you further to the Naankuse Lodge, where your Namibian trip is going to end. One last dinner together! Sad but every journey comes to an end!

B/B/D Overnight stay in Naankuse Lodge

• Morning safari
• Wood carving market in Okahandja

Day 15: WINDHOEK

You will enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the Naankuse Lodge, from where you will be transfered to the Hosea Kutako International Airport.

B/B/Venice

• Windhoek airport transfer
• Departure