Pride of Namibia Explorer

Day 1: WHK International Airport – Windhoek
A representative from SafariWise will meet you at Hosea Kutako Airport. We will transfer to our overnight accommodation at the Safari Court Hotel. The Hotel offers the largest local selection of first class accommodation. The Safari Court is situated on 13 hectares on the outskirts of Windhoek.

Accommodation: Safari Court Hotel
Meal arrangements: no meals (meals for own account)

Day 2: Windhoek – Namib Naukluft Park
We drive southwest to the Namib Naukluft Park. En route we can enjoy a picnic lunch. Situated on the edge of the Namib Desert, the Naukluft complex takes its name from the spectacular, narrow kloof on the eastern side of the massif. Its rugged mountains, deep ravines and crystal-clear pools come as a complete surprise to the unsuspecting visitor.

We end the day after arriving at Sesriem Campsite in the Sossusvlei area. Sossusvlei, which has some of the highest dunes in the world, some reaching up to 350 metres. Enjoy a sundowner on Elim Dune late afternoon.

Accommodation: Sesriem campsite
Meal arrangements: Full board

Day 3: Namib Nauklfut Park
A very early start before sunrise. Drive to Sossusvlei in time to see the beautiful Namib sunrise. After lunch we will visit the Sesriem Canyon, one of the amazing features of the Namib. Here the Tsauchab River has carved a gorge - up to 30 metres deep and about 1 km long - into the conglomerate gravels deposited some 15 - 18 million years ago during a wetter phase in the history of the Namib. From the parking area a track leads to the canyon floor and a walk into Sesriem is like descending through the layers of time.

Accommodation: Sesriem campsite
Meal arrangements: Full board

Day 4: Namiba Naukluft Park - Swakopmund
After breakfast we drive northwest to the coastal town of Swakopmund. As we travel towards the Atlantic Coast we will see the scenery change from sand dunes to dark craggy canyons and then to flat gravel plains. We will also visit the Moonlandscape which reveals the famed Welwitchia plants that grow on seemingly lifeless gravel plains. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route.

Swakopmund is situated on the coast and surrounded by desert. It offers a wide variety of attractions in an atmosphere unique in its appeal. The influence of German architecture, dating back to the turn of the last century, can be seen. Time allowing, visit the Moonlandscape, which reveals the famed Welwitchia plants that grow on seemingly lifeless gravel plains. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route.

Day 5: Swakopmund
Explore the surrounding area with your guide. The Walvis Bay lagoon takes pride of place as regards scenic attractions in the area. A tranquil stretch of water, its natural beauty is accentuated by thousand of flamingos, which gather at these rich feeding grounds. Altogether some 80,000 wading birds can be seen on the lagoon. Extra optional activities include dolphin cruises, dune boarding, quad biking, camel rides, skydiving, paragliding, scenic flights over the Skeleton Coast and a visit to Sandwich Harbour. The Crystal Gallery is really worthwhile visiting for people interesting in gemstones. Please discuss any optional activities with your guide.

Accommodation: Alte Brucke resort
Meal arrangements: Breakfast

Day 7: Swakopmund - Damaraland
Today we drive north along the Skeleton Coast and visit Cape Cross, where tens of thousands of Cape fur seals breed. Continuing the journey up the coast, we cross the windswept gravel plains bordered by the icy green Atlantic on one side and the endless desert on the other.

The shaded bank of the seasonal Aba- Huab River near Twyfelfontein is just the place for anybody who loves camping. From Aba Huab campsite we have easy access to the rugged mountains and dry river valleys, where black rhino and desert-adapted elephant can often be seen.

Accommodation: Aba Huab – campsite
Meal arrangements: Breakfast / picnic lunch / dinner

Day 8: Damaraland
Explore Damaraland. We will visit Twyfelfontein, which is home to one of the most extensive rock art galleries in Africa. Some of these engravings date back to the Early Stone Age. We also visit the Organ Pipes, which are exposed in a gorge; roughly 100m long and reach a maximum height of 5 m. They were formed by the intrusion of a dolerite sheet, a plutonic rock, into the shales of the Karoo Sequence some 120 million years ago. Traditional dishes of the Dama people could be arranged for you on request. The Aba-Huab management will also be happy to arrange performances of traditional singing and dancing for the culturally-minded.

Accommodation: Aba Huab – campsite
Meal arrangements: Breakfast/picnic lunch/dinner

Day 9: Damaraland – Etosha National Park
After breakfast we depart for Etosha National Park. Etosha Pan is surrounded by sweetveld savanna plains, which sustain extraordinary numbers of wildlife. Etosha is home to 114 mammal and some 340 bird species. It houses large numbers of globally endangered or threatened species, most notably black rhinoceros and African elephant. Because of its size, the park serves as a genetic reserve for various species of animals and plants. Game drives in the park. Okaukuejo is located 17 km from the southern entrance of the park, and famous for its flood-lit waterhole, where visitors can observe at close quarters a spectacle of wildlife congregating and interacting.

Accommodation is provided to suit every need, in premier bush chalets overlooking the waterhole; bush chalets and double rooms; or family chalets. Other facilities include a restaurant, bar, shop, swimming pool, kiosk and camping facilities.

Accommodation: Etosha – Okaukuejo campsite
Meal arrangements: Breakfast / picnic lunch / dinner

Day 10: Etosha National Park
Game drives in Etosha.

Accommodation: Etosha – Okaukuejo campsite
Meal arrangements: Breakfast / picnic lunch / dinner

Day 11: Etosha National Park
Game drives in Etosha.

Accommodation: Etosha – Halali campsite
Meal arrangements: Breakfast / picnic lunch / dinner

Day 12: Etosha National Park
Accommodation: Etosha – Halali campsite
Meal arrangements: Breakfast / picnic lunch / dinner

Day 13: Etosha National Park – Waterberg Plateau Park
Waterberg Plateau Park After breakfast we depart to Waterberg Plateau Park. The Waterberg Plateau, towering some 200 metres above the surrounding landscape, with sheer cliffs and fascinating rock formations, is one of the most spectacular features of the northern region. The restaurant, bar and kiosk are housed in the historic Rasthaus, originally built in 1908 and used as a police post for several years. A shop, swimming pool and camping sites are also available. Daily guided drives (optional activity) are offered to the plateau, which is managed as a breeding area for rare and endangered species, including black and white rhinoceros, disease-free buffalo, sable and roan antelope. The natural beauty of the area can also be explored on foot, offering spectacular bird viewing opportunities and a high diversity of interesting flora.

Accommodation: Waterberg campsite
Meal arrangements: Breakfast / picnic lunch / dinner

Day 14: Waterberg Plateau Park - Windhoek
After breakfast we depart to the airport, where your safari ends.