Discover Namibia – Lodges
| Resort: | Discover Namibia - Lodges |
| Operator: | Exodus |
| Destination: | Africa, Namibia |
| Price From: | £2795.00 |
OverviewExplore Namibia’s vast open spaces, shifting desert scenery and wildlife The scenic beauty of Namibia is only matched by its diversity. Deep canyons, towering sand dunes, otherworldly rock formations and vast salt pans seamlessly merge into each other in an endlessly shifting landscape. The sky seems particularly big here with spectacular sunsets and, at night, the sight of billions of stars twinkling overhead. This is the backdrop for healthy wildlife populations and a melting pot of different communities. HighlightsTwo full days in Etosha National Park World’s highest sand dunes The spectacular Namib-Naukluft Park Desert Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain ItineraryDay 1 Depart London.Depart London. ** Day 2 Arrive Windhoek.The tour starts at the Arebbusch Lodge in Windhoek. Those on group flights will be picked up at the airport and we will drive into town for an hour or so. In town everyone will have a chance to change money and pick up any supplies they may need; this is also an opportunity for our guides to buy fresh food. We will then drive to our lodge. The afternoon can be spent exploring or relaxing. *Arebbusch Lodge or similar* Day 3 Drive through Namib Nuakluft to Sesriem.Today we head southwest through the spectacular scenery of the Namib-Naukluft Park towards the Sesriem/Solitaire area. This national park, one of the largest in the world, is home to one of the driest and oldest deserts on earth. It contains the finest desert scenery in Africa, if not in the world, with towering jagged rock formations and an incredible lunar landscape so be prepared for some great photo stops. (driving 300-350kms/7hrs) *Solitaire Guest Farmor similar* Day 4 Sossusvlei and the Namib Carnivore Conservation CentreToday we spend much of today in the Namib Desert. Rising early we catch the tallest sand dunes in the world in the morning light and have the opportunity to climb one of the dunes for fantastic views. We can either walk to Hiddenvlei or catch a transfer (optional extra) to Deadvlei where ancient acacia trees in the desert form an eerie scene. If were lucky we may see gemsbok or ostrich among the sand dunes. In the afternoon we visit Sesriem Canyon beforejoining a guide to see the cheetahs at the Namib Carnivore Conservation Centre (please see Responsible Travel section)– depending on time we may go tomorrow morning.(driving 200kms/3hrs) *Solitaire Guest Farm or similar* Day 5 To Swakopmund via Walvis Bay.A long but very scenic drive through the Namib-Naukluft Park to Swakopmund. En route we visit Walvis Bay for lunch and to see local flamingos. Swakopmund is a small German colonial resort town with quaint cake shops and coffee houses and a centre for adrenaline activities. (driving 300kms /5.5hrs). *Prost Hotel or similar* Day 6 Free day for optional activities.Today is a free day to enjoy one of the many optional activities on offer in and around town. At sea you can go deep-sea fishing, in the desert you can go sand-boarding and quad-biking and in the sky you can fly over the skeleton coast. Or if none of these appeal you can spend the day enjoying the fantastic Viennese style cakes, walk along the beach or in the nearby dunes or just enjoy watching the world go-by in this town which seems strangely out of place in Africa. *Prost Hotelor similar* Day 7 BrandbergAfter a relaxing start we leave the cool breeze of the Atlantic Ocean behind and head inland towards Namibias highest mountain, Brandberg, in Damaraland. The Damaraland area is famous for the desert elephants which roam in the Ugab River. Star gazing is normally spectacular from this remote area (240kms / 3.5hrs). *Brandberg Whilte Lady Lodge or similar* Day 8 White Lady Painting & VingerklipWe begin our day with a short drive to Brandberg, where we will enjoy a walk through valley 45 for approximately 1.5 hours. Along the way we will view beautiful, granite rock formations and a variety of birdlife. The valley takes us to the famous White Lady rock painting which, along with a number of other small paintings and engravings, are thought to have been left by Bushmen at least 2000 years ago. Afterwards we will drive towards the Khorixas area where we should pass various Himba and Herero women selling crafts from the roadside. There is also the possibility of spotting Desert elephants and meerkats on the way. We will arrive at our accommodation after lunch and then in the afternoon we can view Vingerklip, a striking pinnacle of rock balancing vertically on its own (driving 250kms / 4.5hrs). *OutjoLodgeor similar* Day 9 To Etosha N.P.Today we begin with a short drive to Etosha. We should arrive at Etosha in time for a late afternoon game drive before arriving at our accommodation for the night. The itinerary allows plenty of time to really enjoy this fabulous game park. (driving 200kms / 3hrs) *Okaukuejo or similar* Day 10-11 Two days gameviewing in Etosha.Etosha is a huge park of mixed forest and grassland centred around a large salt pan. Etosha is home to a great variety species, which are generally easy to find as the animals congregate at different times around the waterholes. Wildebeest, zebra, impala, springbuck, kudu, elephant, giraffe, lion and even rhino are all common sights here. Take plenty of camera memory and lots of patience and you will be rewarded by one of the greatest game spectacles in Southern Africa. Etosha is also a good place for birds, with plenty of water birds on the lakes (when filled with water), and weaverbirds and hornbills in the trees. While in Etosha we typically stay within the park on some or all of the nights (subject to availability) and some of these are located next to waterholes. These camps also offer optional night drives which you can book and pay for on arrival. *Namutoni or similar* **Meals included*: *Breakfast (x2), Lunch (x1) Day 12 On to the Waterberg Plateau. Optional 4×4 game drive.Leaving Etosha behind, we head towards the Waterberg Plateau. This 200 metre high gigantic flat-topped plateau with bushveld on top is one of Namibias most fertile areas. There are several walking trails, including one leading to a spectacular viewpoint near the top of the plateau offering a great view of the surrounding area. It is also possible to do an optional 4×4 game drive. (driving 300kms / 5hrs) *Waterberg or similar* Day 13 Waterberg Plateau and on to WindhoekWe have some free time this morning to relax or explore the Waterberg Plateau a little further. Later we head back to Windhoek stopping at a crafts market on the way. (driving 320kms / 4.5hrs). *Utopia Boutique Hotel or similar* Day 14 Depart Windhoek.The trip ends after breakfast. Those on the group flights will be taken to the airport in time for their flight home. Free time can be spent relaxing at the accommodation or exploring Windhoek (which is a 15 minute walk away) where there are museum and shopping opportunities. Alternatively, a township tour of Windhoek can be arranged and Okapuka and Daan Viljoen game reserves are close by (see Optional Excursions section). ** Day 15 Arrive London.Arrive London. ** |
