Compare Cape and Namibia Adventure by G Adventures vs Namibia Desert & Dune by International Expeditions
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 12 days | 13 days |
| Price From | $ 2,099 | $ 5,438 |
| Price Per Day | $ 175 | $ 418 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners | N/A |
| Description |
From the cosmopolitan streets of Cape Town to the desert and lunar scenery of Namibia, witness the diversity of southwestern Africa on this 12-day nature adventure. Leave footprints on some of the world's highest sand dunes, peer deep into the heart of Africa’s largest canyon, and experience incredible wildlife drives through Etosha National Park. Your knowledgeable CEO (Chief Experience Officer) will take care of the planning while you recharge in a combination of hotels, camping, and guesthouses for a cultural experience you’ll treasure forever. Have your breath taken away by incredible scenery and marvel at amazing wildlife — this is truly an African experience! |
Namibia is a land of stunning landscapes, endless skies, barren deserts, rugged mountains and spectacular wildlife. This Namibia safari explores some of the most remote areas of this fascinating land —areas rarely explored by others, making this a true journey of discovery. From the dunes of Sossusvlei to the dramatic coastline of the Skeleton Coast, littered with historic remnants of shipwrecks, and rugged Palmwag, home to the last free-roaming black rhino, this Namibia safari offers a range of experiences. This safari includes a dolphin cruise with private beach lunch, tracking rhino and climbing the Namib’s great dunes. A highlight is meeting the native people of Namibia, many of whom work in the camps, while others you will have a chance to meet along the road, such as local fishermen and vendors. The scenic flight between Sossusvlei and Swakopmund and the flight out of Doro Nawas are by light aircraft, affording sensational views of the Namib Desert, the starkly scenic North West region and the dramatic, desolate coastline. This Namibia safari is led by highly skilled and qualified guides with an incredible passion for the natural regions in which they work and a vast knowledge of the natural world, history and culture of Namibia. Sharing the adventure and guiding you on this journey of discovery is both a profession and a personal hobby. Many of our guides are also skilled photographers and can assist you in taking away amazing wildlife photographs. Your guide will host you for the duration of safari, providing you with a consistent, detailed interpretation that is shaped to your specific interests. |
Day 1 Cape Town
Arrive at any time.
Get the most out of your time in Cape Town by pre-booking the South African Wine Tour and Tasting extra. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night pre-tour as this activity has an early start time. Please note, due to the timings of this activity, there is a possibility you may miss the welcome meeting on day 1 of your tour - in this case, your CEO will leave you a message detailing what time and where you should meet the next morning.
If you book any optional activities on day 1 please contact your sales agent to see if booking a pre-night is necessary to participate in the activity.
Day 2 Cape Town/Lambert's Bay
Head up the Cape's west coast, stopping at the G Adventures supported !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre. Arrive in Lambert's Bay and enjoy an included wine tasting. Then, opt to visit Bird Island, or stroll through this charming town.
Travelling from Cape Town, continue north towards Namaqualand, keeping an eye out for fields of Namaqualand daisies (in season August and September). Head towards the coast again and on to Lambert’s Bay, a picturesque town on the west coast of South Africa. Enjoy an included wine tasting. Learn how to analyze your palates, listen to your taste buds, and how to pair your food with the best wine raised in the foothills of the Cederburg Mountains.
Day 3 Lambert's Bay/Orange River
Continue north and cross into Namibia. Settle in by the banks of the Orange River with time to swim or just relax.
Travelling north, enjoy a full day's travel through this dry and remote part of South Africa. In the mid-afternoon, cross into Namibia and a more arid region and stop at scenic Orange River for the evening. After getting settled, enjoy the late afternoon by the river bank.
Day 4 Orange River/Fish River Canyon/Keetmanshoop
Spend the morning relaxing on the banks of the Orange River, then continue on to Fish River Canyon. Visit this breathtaking canyon, then travel north, enjoying dramatic Namibian landscapes as you head up towards Keetmanshoop. In the afternoon visit the geological formation: Giant's Playground.
Day 5 Keetmanshoop/Namib Desert
Start early with a visit to the Quiver Tree Forest, then travel north, enjoying dramatic Namibian landscapes as you head up towards Sesriem.
Arrive in the area in the late afternoon, where the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert.
Day 6 Namib Desert
Visit Sossusvlei Dunes and Sesriem Canyon, and climb the towering Dune 45. Opt to visit Deadvlei.
Enjoy a visit to Sossusvlei, a clay pan enclosed by the world’s largest sand dunes, up to 300m (984 ft) high. Here, use some free time to enjoy the sand dunes on your own. Visit the Sesriem Canyon, a small canyon typical of the area.
Day 7 Namib Desert/Swakopmund
Enjoy the views of the Namib desert before arriving in the historical town of Swakopmund.
Get a real feel for the Namib Desert as we spend hours crossing this empty region. En route to the Namibian coast, take a coffee break in Solitaire, a mystical village consisting of a filling station, general dealer/coffee shop, and small mechanical workshop. Before arriving to Swakopmund, drive through Walvis Bay, the only town on the Namibian coastline that boasts a deep-sea harbor. Spend two nights in the area exploring this historical town or trying some of the numerous activities available, such as sandboarding or a skydiving. Swakopmund has bizarre lunar landscapes, unforgettable sunsets, and prehistoric Welwitchia plants.
Day 8 Swakopmund
Spend a day exploring all the area has to offer. Optional activities include sandboarding, skydiving, and a scenic flight.
You can pre-book your sky dive on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.
Day 9 Swakopmund/Etosha National Park
Enter Etosha National Park and enjoy an afternoon wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle. Opt to explore more on an open safari vehicle drive.
Begin moving east into the interior of Namibia. On this route, pass through a lunar landscape and see the imposing Spitzkoppe, also known as the “Matterhorn” of Namibia, in the distance. Visit Etosha National Park on a wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle. Keep an eye out for lions, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and antelopes. After sunset, some animals may head to the watering holes near the campground. Opt to head out for more wildlife safari drives in an open safari vehicle to make the most of your time here.
Day 10 Etosha National Park
Enjoy another wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle and keep your eyes peeled for the vast array of incredible animals.
Day 11 Etosha National Park/Windhoek
Arrive in Windhoek and visit the G Adventures supported Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop for an included lunch, then spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the German-influenced capital city.
Leave Etosha National Park and head south through the Namibian countryside to Windhoek.
Accommodation here is a hotel with en suite bathrooms. The hotel offers air conditioning, a swimming pool, internet access, and a restaurant.
Day 12 Windhoek
Depart at any time.
Days 1 & 2
En Route / Windhoek
Arrive at Windhoek International Airport, where you are met and transferred to the Olive Grove Guesthouse.
Days 3 & 4
Kulala Wilderness Reserve
Explore the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, taking in the famed dunes of Sossusvlei. Sossusvlei is situated within the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world, characterized by huge dunes and flat valley floors. Enjoy nature drives and walking safaris in this vast landscape, home to desert-adapted wildlife such as ostrich, springbok, oryx, spotted and brown hyena, and bat-eared fox. One of Namibia’s many fascinating bird species, the dune lark, has its entire global distribution limited to the area. Spend two nights at Kulala Desert Lodge. (B, L, D Daily)
Day 5
Swakopmund
Transfer to the charming town of Swakopmund. Spend the next two nights at Namibia’s oldest hotel, the Hansa. (B,L,D)
Day 6
Swakopmund: Marine & Desert Adventure
Enjoy an early morning cruise, exploring Walvis Bay Harbour, old boat wrecks, and opportunities to spot pelicans, dolphins and seals, and even whales and turtles in season. Your captain drops you off a deserted beach at Pelican Point, where you start a guided excursion to the Kuiseb River Delta. While exploring these saltpans and wetlands just north of the Sandwich Harbour Lagoon watch for flamingos. If vehicles cannot make it there due to tides, there is time to walk the two-three miles. Alternatively, see the Lagoon area from one of the many beautiful lookout spots. En route, savor a light meal with snacks and salads, as well as oysters – some of the best in the world – and sparkling wine. Cross giant dunes en route to Walvis Bay.(B, L)
Day 7
Skeleton Coast National Park
The Wind more than 200 miles up the legendary Skeleton Coast, named for the numerous ships the treacherous shores have claimed over the years. Along the way, see the fascinating lichen plans at Wlotskasbaken, remains of the Zelia shipwreck near Henties Bay and the SW Seal shipwreck near Ugabmund. Also, take in the ghostly remains of mining operations near Toscanini. Terrace Bay, a fantastic point from which to explore the Uniab River Delta, and you may stroll along the beach to view this dramatic coastline. Overnight at Terrace Bay Lodge. (B,L,D)
Days 8 & 9
Palmwag Concession: Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp
Continue through Skeleton Coast National Park to the Möwe Bay Museum before admiring the remains of the Suiderkus shipwreck. Other area attractions are the Klein Oase and Auses Springs hidden in the dunes, an intriguing “roaring” dune, and spectacular desert scenery. A land of rugged scenery, this remote part of Namibia is inhabited by plant and animal life that has adapted superbly to the harsh environment of mountains, vast plains, dunes and dry riverbeds. Enjoy two days of game drives and nature walks, observing desert-adapted elephant, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, oryx, giraffe and springbok. Along the coast, wildlife sightings might include the elusive brown hyena and black-backed jackal. Birdlife is equally exciting including endemics like bokmakierie. Spend two nights at Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, set in the starkly beautiful Palmwag Concession on the border of the legendary Skeleton Coast National Park. The concession is a joint venture with the neighboring community-based conservancies of Anabeb, Torra and Sesfontein. (B, L, D Daily)
Days 10 & 11
Palmwag Concession: Desert Rhino Camp
This region is known for its wealth of arid-adapted wildlife, including Africa’s largest free-roaming black rhino population. Each day, knowledgeable guides lead guided nature walks as well as rhino tracking excursions by vehicle and on foot with members of the Save the Rhino Trust. During our wildlife viewing safaris, also watch for elephant, Hartmann's mountain zebra, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok, kudu and predators such as lion, cheetah, spotted hyena and leopard. Most of Namibia’s endemic birdlife can also be found here, including bokmakierie and Ruppell’s korhaan. Spend two nights at Desert Rhino Camp. (B, L, D Daily)
Day 12
Doro Nawas / Windhoek / En Route
Bid farewell to our adventure as we transfer to the Doro Nawas Airstrip. Return to Windhoek in time for the international connecting flights home. Please Note: An additional overnight may be required depending on the international air schedule. (B)
Day 13
Arrive Home
