Magical Namibia

Magical Namibia12 Days / 11 Nights

OVERVIEWRoute :Windhoek – Khomas Hochland – Namib Desert –Sossusvlei and Sesriem – Walvis Bay – Swakopmund –Cape Cross – Damaraland – Etosha National Park –Tsumeb – Otavi – Otjiwarongo – Okahandja – WindhoekHighlights:• Capital City Windhoek• Namib Desert• Sossusvlei and Sesriem• Coastal City Swakopmund• Seals at Cape Cross• Rock engravings and paintings at Twyfelfontein• Bird and Animal Kingdom of Etosha National Park• Private Game Reserve at Erindi11 nights accommodation at the following locations:- 1 Night 4★ - DBB - Windhoek- 2 Nights ¾★ - DBB - Namib- 2 Nights 4★ - DBB - Swakopmund- 1 Night 3★ - DBB - Damaraland- 3 Nights ¾★ - DBB - Etosha National Park- 1 Night 4★ - DBB - Erindi Private Game Reserve- 1 night 4★ - DBB - Windhoek

DAY 1Destination: Windhoek……………………………………………………………………………Arrival at the Windhoek International Airport. Hereyou will be met by your personal Guide/Driver for thefollowing 12 days. He/she will welcome you and assistyou with your luggage before we proceed toWindhoek, the Capital of Namibia.Check in to the historical Hotel Heinitzburg, built in anelegant castle with a superb view of Windhoek. In theafternoon we undertake an interesting andinformative city tour.Sight-seeing through Windhoek, the capital ofNamibia. The city is considerably enhanced by statelyhistoric buildings in German architectural style of theturn of the century. You can visit these old buildings,which lend a singular charm to the city, including thehistoric seat of government also known as the‘Tintenpalast’ meaning palace of ink in German. Nextto the Tintenpalast, the Christuskirche with itsgraceful sphere provides the city with a strikinglandmark. The white – walled Alte Feste, which wasonce a fort and is now a museum, reflects the historyof the country. Windhoek lies 1650m above sea level.The population of Windhoek consists of only 300 000people which nevertheless makes Windhoek thelargest city in the country.The largest portion of Windhoek’s population stays inKatutura, the Bantu speaking – suburb of the city.Katutura is an Oshiwambo word meaning: “the placewhere we do not want to stay”.All along “Independence Avenue”, the former“Kaiserstrasse” (German for “emperor’s street”), onecan see the old, colonial houses next to the buildingsof the modern, post – independence Namibia.

DAY 2Destination: Windhoek – Namib Desert……………………………………………………………………………After breakfast we depart via the Khomas Hochland tothe Namib Desert.We drive through beautiful mountain ranges withphoto opportunities along the way.Afternoon arrival and check – in. DAY 3Destination: Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon……………………………………………………………………………Early departure to the highest sand dunes in theworld at Sossusvlei – the best photo opportunities arejust after dawn.The last 5 km to the dunes we drive through verythick sand.This is a dune wonderland, with towering dunes up to300m high surrounding a huge, dried-up pan. Dunesextend as far as the eye can see and their rich tintsvary from pale apricot to vivid reds and oranges.This can follow by a visit to the Sesriem Canyon.At the entrance to Sossusvlei is the Sesriem Canyon,where centuries of erosion have incised a narrowgorge about 1 km in length. At the foot of the gorge,which plunges down for 30m to 40m, are deep poolsof water which become replenished after good rains.After this exciting morning you will enjoy theafternoon at the swimming-pool.

DAY 4Destination: Namib Desert - Swakopmund……………………………………………………………………………After breakfast, we continue on our way toSwakopmund, via Solitiare and Walvis Bay.Walvis Bay is Namibia’s major harbour town; it isfast developing into a sought-after haven for spendinga holiday at sea. Attractions are the lagoon with itsprolific bird life, altogether some 80 000 wading birdsincluding flamingos and rare white pelicans can beseen. The town has a well-developed and efficientport, while its fishing harbour is the hub of Namibia’sfast-growing fishing industry. DAY 5Destination: Swakopmund……………………………………………………………………………Breakfast followed by a city tour of Swakopmund. Theremainder of the day can be spent at your leisure.There are many activities on offer in and around thecity which your guide will discuss and arrange withyou.Swakopmund is much loved by Namibians as awelcome respite from the inland heat. It is alsopopular amongst visitors because of its old-worldcharm and relaxed atmosphere.Founded in 1892 during the period of German colonialrule, it served as the territory’s main harbour formany years.Dinner in one of the local restaurants.

DAY 6Destination: Swakopmund - Damaraland……………………………………………………………………………After breakfast we drive in a northerly direction viaCape Cross and past the Brandberg to Camp Kipwe inthe Damaraland. En-route guided tour of the rockengravings and paintings at Twyfelfontein.Early-afternoon arrival at this exceptional destination. DAY 7Destination: Damaraland – Etosha National Park……………………………………………………………………………Today we continue in an easterly direction, viaKhorixas and Outjo into the famous Etosha NationalPark.Arrival at Okaukuejo in the early afternoon. Beforedinner, we will visit the floodlit waterhole – this hasproven to be one of the most spectacular animalactivity waterholes of the park.

DAY 8Destination: Etosha National Park……………………………………………………………………………After an early breakfast, we travel through the EtoshaNational Park with game viewing along the way, westop at various waterholes in search of animals.The Etosha National Park, consisting of 22 270 sq kmof saline desert, savannah and woodlands, is one ofthe largest parks in Africa. Its definitive feature is theEtosha Pan, a vast, shallow depression ofapproximately 5000 sq km. For the greater part of theyear, the pan is a bleak expanse of white crackedmud which shimmers with mirages on most days.It is seeing vast herds of game with this eerie „greatwhite place of dry water“ as a backdrop which makesthe Etosha experience unique. A total of 114 mammalspecies are found in the park, including several rareand endangered, such as black rhino and black-facedimpala. About 340 bird species occur in the park, ofwhich approximately one third are migratory,including the European bee-eater and several speciesof waders.In the late afternoon, we exit the Park and continuethe short distance to the Onguma ‘Fort’. DAY 9Destination: Etosha National Park……………………………………………………………………………This whole day is planned for game drives in theEtosha National Park in safari vehicles.

DAY 10Destination: Etosha National Park – Erindi……………………………………………………………………………Today’s route takes us via Tsumeb, Otavi andOtjiwarongo to Erindi private Game Reserve. Uponarrival and after check-in we enjoy a game drive insafari vehicles – Erindi is renowned for the lion,elephant and rhino sightings. With some luck you canwitness these majestic animals on this private gamereserve.Before and after dinner, you can enjoy the view fromthe sundowner deck over the waterhole. A lot ofanimals quench their thirst at this ‘drinking place’. DAY 11Destination: Okahandja - Windhoek……………………………………………………………………………We bid Erindi farewell and commence the last stretchof our journey. En-route we travel through Okahandjaand Windhoek once again.Directly north of Windhoek lies Okahandja, a town ofgreat significance to the Herero people as it was theseat of Chief Samuel Maharero. Every year in Augustthousands of Hereros gather here for a pilgrimage topay homage at the graves of their great chiefs.Okahandja is an important centre for the woodcarversfrom the north, who practise their ancient skills andsell their crafts at the Mbanguru Woodcarvers Market.In Windhoek we may have time for some last-minutesouvenir shopping or you can simply relax at theswimming pool of the hotel overlooking the beautifulcity of Windhoek.

DAY 12Destination: Departure……………………………………………………………………………After a sumptuous breakfast on the terrace of thehotel – we drive to the Windhoek International Airportfor your flight back home. Here it is time to saygoodbye to your guide.

Terms and ConditionsInclusive in costs:• Information Folder• Transportation in air-conditioned vehicles• Qualified personal Tour Guide (Driver guide)• Entrance fees to National Parks and Museums as specified• Drive in 4x4 vehicles the last 5 km to the dunes at Sossusvlei• Guided walk to the rockpaintings/engravings at Twyfelfontein• 1 x AM & 1 x PM game drive in safari vehicles in the Etosha National Park (each game drive about 3 ½ hours)• 3 hour Game Drive in safari vehicles on the private game reserve of Erindi• Guided city tours of Windhoek and Swakopmund

Terms and ConditionsExclusive in Costs :• All flights• Personal expenses e.g. souvenirs, telephone calls etc.• Visa expenses if necessary• All services, activities and meals/drinks not specified as included

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