Damaraland_3-11_018

Group – 12 days / 9 nights

Discover one of the world’s last true wilderness areas. Namibian landscapes will amaze you. Its staggering

geology boasts the world’s highest sand dunes, one of the world’s oldest deserts, and the second largest

This trip is perfect to disconnect from our modern world and reconnect with timeless Nature.

canyon. Last but not least, Namibia offers a rich and interesting fauna and flora.

Your Itinerary:

_K3H5586

Day 1: Home – Windhoek

Day 2: Windhoek – Otjiwarango

Day 3: Otjiwarango – Etosha National Park

Day 4: Etosha National Park

Day 5: Etosha National Park – Twyfelfontein

Day 6: Twyfelfontein –Swapkopmund – Walvis Bay

Day 7: Walvis Bay

Damaraland_2012-01-042

Day 8: Walvis Bay – Kuiseb Canyon – Solitaire

Day 9: Solitaire – Sossusvlei – Hammerstein

Day 10: Hammerstein – Windhoek

Day 11: Windhoek Home

Day 12: Home

Day 1: Home Windhoek

Fly to Windhoek.

Aerial view of Namib Desert, Namibia.

Day 2: Windhoek > Otjiwarango

On arriving at Windhoek International Airport, you will meet your English speaking driver guide.

Your amazing trip starts here: you will be transferred to Otjiwarango for your first night. On the way, you will

stop at various points of interest including a typical African market at Okahandja.

Day 3: Otjiwarango > Etosha National Park

Today you will travel via Outjo to the Etosha National Park, the “Big White Open Space”.

DoraNawas_39

From your vehicle, you will discover the rich fauna of the park. The park is one of the largest game reserves in

Africa, with a surface area of 22 270 km2

one third are migratory – and at least 110 reptile species. Herds of springbok, Burchell’s zebra, gemsbok, gnu,

giraffe and elephant are a common sight.

Day 4: Etosha National Park

Get your camera ready and enjoy a full day safari viewing game!

. There are 114 mammal species and about 340 bird types, of which

GrtNamJrny-22_DesertRhinoCamp

The vast Etosha Pan with its sparkling mirages (the salt pans are completely devoid of vegetation) will

fascinate you. After the summer rains it is a haven that attracts thousands of migratory birds.

At the end of the afternoon, when temperature drops a bit, elephants, rhinos and oryxes will come out to

drink at waterholes.

Day 5: Etosha National Park > Twyfelfontein

Today will be dedicated to the discovery of Damaraland region located between the Etosha National Park and

the massive Brandberg Mountains. This sparsely populated region is home to several geological curiosities,

which gives the area a timeless character. We will visit:

• A Himba village: meet with this incredible tribe recognizable by their unique style of dress.

• Twyfelfontein: this site offers one of the most remarkable concentrations of rock art found in Africa –

a unique heritage left by San people, early inhabitants of the region.

• Petrified Forest which is composed of fossilized tree trunks that can reach 30 m in height! These tree

trunks date back over 200 million years.

• “Organ pipes”: a series of Dolerite pillars which have been smoothed by erosion.

Day 6: Twyfelfontein > Swapkopmund > Walvis Bay

You will take the road towards Namibia’s coastline, to Cape Cross, where the first European Explorer, Diego

Cao, landed and planted a cross on his arrival. Cape Cross is also a sanctuary for Cape Fur Seals, and being one

of the largest colonies in the world with a population of between 80 000 to 110 000.

In the afternoon, you will arrive at the charming town of Swakopmund, the oldest seaside resort in Namibia.

Its plentiful Palm Trees are either wrapped in a romantic fog, or shimmering in the hot desert air!

At the end of the day, you will be transferred to Walvis Bay for two nights.

Day 7: Walvis Bay

The town of Walvis Bay, built on a lagoon, is surprising in that it is bordered on one side by the Atlantic Ocean

with its cold Benguela Current, and on the other by the dunes of the hot Namib Desert.

The area is well known for its salt production as well as for the large numbers of birds that come here in

summer on its wetland.

You will embark for a 3 hour boat cruise from which you will observe seals and possibly dolphins, hundreds

of Cape cormorants, and pink flamingos. You will be offered a tasting of fresh oysters, along with a glass of

sparkling wine as well as a light lunch while watching seals and dolphins passing by!

Suggested Activities: In the afternoon, the following optional activities can be arranged:

• A 2.5 hour flight over the Namib Desert

• Quad-biking in the dunes of the Namib Desert

• An afternoon excursion to Sandwich Harbour

Day 8: Walvis Bay > Kuiseb Canyon > Solitaire

You will discover the famous Welvitchia Mirabilis, a botanical curiosity located exclusively in the foggy area of

the Namib Desert. Some specimens are over 1,500 years old!

You will then travel through the stark Naukluft mountains and the Kuiseb Canyon.

Day 9: Solitaire > Sossusvlei > Hammerstein

You will not regret waking up early today: you will have breakfast while catching sunrise over the Sossusvlei

sand dunes. Some of the shifting dunes are as high as 325 meters and are coloured in shades of pale orange to

bright red … Sossusvlei is a huge clay pan, enclosed by gigantic mountains of sand punctuated by skeletons of

ancient camel-thorn trees.

You will then board on a 4 x 4 vehicle to reach one of the strangest sites of Sossusvlei: Dead Pan. You will

climb to the top of one of the dunes and enjoy the magnificent views.

You will continue your trip via the Sesriem Canyon: this is a 30 m deep canyon carved through layers of

conglomerate by the Tsauchab River.

Day 10: Hammerstein > Windhoek

On your way to Windhoek, you will stop at several points of interests and visit a Centre for the Rehabilitation

of Cheetah.

On arriving at Windhoek, you will be transferred to your hotel and spend your last night out in a restaurant in

town.

Day 11: Windhoek Home

After checking out, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of the capital of Namibia with many buildings inherited

from the German colonial era.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Windhoek International Airport for your return flight.

Day 12: Home

Your unforgettable holiday ends here.