Compare Tribes of Namibia by Namibia Travel Connection vs Wonders of Namibia by G Adventures

Day 1:

On arrival at the Windhoek Airport you will be met by your guide and transferred to Namibia’s Capital City, Windhoek from where we head northwards through the town of Okahandja and on to the Waterberg National Park for overnight at WATERBERG RESORT / similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis.  (Lunch is for clients own account).

Rising some 200m above a surrounding sea of African bush and savannah, the Waterberg Plateau with its flamboyant brick-red sandstone formations and lush green vegetation, presents an island of vibrant colour. The 405.5Km² park, situated 60Km east of Otjiwarongo and 300 Km north east of Windhoek was proclaimed in 1972. It was originally created as a sanctuary for rare and endangered species found in the Kavango and Caprivi regions, such as roan and sable antelope, tsessebe and Cape buffalo. Today the park is home to some 25 game and over 200 bird species. The vegetation changes dramatically from acacia savannah at the foot of the plateau to lush-green sub-tropical dry woodlands with tall trees and grassy plains at the top.  Time permitting you may wish to take a game drive onto the plateau (not included) or there are some great walks in the area.

Day 2:

Today’s departure continues towards the commercial farming town of Grootfontein. An excursion on route will be included to the world’s largest known meteorite at Hoba. From Grootfontein we continue into an area which is often referred to as “Bushmanland”. Here San cultures live in many settlements and small towns. The San are the earliest inhabitants of Namibia. While many now live a settled existence in villages, a few of them still manage to practice their traditional nomadic lifestyle. Although their culture is vanishing fast, it is hoped that their great love for stories and songs will survive as a record of their ancient culture. Afternoon arrival at the TSUMKWE LODGE for overnight accommodation on a full board basis.

Day 3:

Conduct a full day guided excursion to the local Ju’/hoan san community. The emphasis on this excursion is to discover more about their hunting skills and techniques, traditional uses of local plants, village life and dancing. Overnight accommodation will be at the TSUMKWE LODGE on a full board basis.

Day 4:

Leaving Bushmanland, today’s route returns via the town of Grootfontein before continuing towards the mining town of Tsumeb and the Etosha National Park. An excursion on route will be conducted to the Lake Otjikoto – a large sinkhole type lake. If time allows you can conduct a game drive in the Etosha National Park during the afternoon in the Namutoni Region.  Overnight accommodation will be at the NAMUTONI RESORT on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis only. (Lunch is for the clients own account.)

Day 5:

Today will be spent conducting a full day of game viewing activities in the Etosha National Park, Namibia’s premier game viewing destination. The park has recorded over 114 mammal species, 350 bird species and 21 different vegetation types. The most common plains game species encountered include; Burchell’s Zebra, Springbok, Black– Faced Impala, Blue Wildebeest, Gemsbok / Oryx antelope, Giraffe and Red Hartebeest. The Etosha National Park also boasts healthy populations of Lion, Elephant and Black Rhino. Today’s journey will also include a visit to the Etosha Pan or the “Great White Place”. Overnight accommodation will be at the NAMUTONI RESORT on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis only. (Lunch will be at one of the Resorts in the Park and is for the clients own account.)

Day 6:

Departing from the Etosha National Park today’s journey continues into the far north of the country, an area formerly known as Owamboland. This region, with a total population of 650 000, is the country’s most densely populated area and has been described as Namibia’s indigenous and cultural heartland. The landscape is characterized by flat, sandy plains dotted with Makalani palms, Savannah grassland and Mopane woodland. The central area is dominated by an exceptionally flat plain covered by a network of shallow ephemeral watercourses, known as Oshanas. The major towns in the area are Oshakati, Ondangwa and Ongwediva. Excursions while in this area will be conducted to the various markets, historical sites and the Cuca shops. Overnight accommodation will be at the OSHAKATI COUNTRY HOTEL on a full board basis.

Day 7:

Today we continue with our discovery of the region as we continue via the town of Ruacana on route to the Kunene Region. Formerly known as “Kaokoland”, this region is situated in Namibia’s remote northwest, hosting the inhospitable Skeleton Coast and bordering Angola. The Kunene River, forming the border between these two countries, has given its name to the area. Many of Namibia’s primary attractions are found here. The famous “Desert Adapted Elephant”, the ancient culture of the semi-nomadic Himba People, the rare black rhino as well as beautiful landscapes and interesting geological formations. Inhabitants of this are divided among three dominant ethnic groups, the Damara, Herero and the Himba. Picnic Lunch is included on route. Overnight accommodation will be at the OPUWO COUNTRY LODGE / similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis only.

Day 8:

A highlight of any visit to Namibia is a chance to interact with one of the countries most traditional ethnic groups. Kaokoland is home to the Ova-Himba people a nomadic tribe with a way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries. They can be seen wandering with their herds of goats and cattle from watering hole to watering hole. Clad only with a loincloth, the Himba’s paint their bodies with an ochre-red pigment, which protects their skin from the sun, and makes a picturesque decoration. While in Opuwo, the administrative capital of the Kunene Region, an excursion will be conducted to some of the local Himba homesteads. Overnight accommodation will be at the OPUWO COUNTRY LODGE / similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis only. (Lunch is for the clients own account.)

Day 9:

Departing from this fascinating region continue in a southerly direction into an area of vast unspoiled beauty. Damaraland boasts magnificent desert scenery, fascinating geological formations, archaeological sites and a unique variety of desert fauna and flora. It is also the southern most roaming ground for the rare black rhino and the “Desert Adapted Elephant”. Guided walking excursions will be conducted to the Twyfelfontein Heritage site, one of Namibia’s richest areas of rock engraving and san paintings and the geological formations of the “Burnt Mountain” and the “Organ Pipes”. Picnic lunch is included on route. Overnight accommodation will be at the TWYFELFONTEIN COUNTRY LODGE / similar on a dinner bed & breakfast basis only.

Day 10:

Today’s journey continues in a southerly direction through the southern Damaraland Region towards the abandoned mining town of Uis and Namibia’s highest Mountain Range, the Brandberg, before continuing towards the Atlantic Coast. This route crosses the desolate “gravel plains” of the Namib Desert before arriving at the “Skeleton Coast”. An excursion conducted on route will include a visit to the Cape Fur Seal Colony at Cape Cross. This site was first visited in 1486 by the Portuguese explorer, Diago Cao who erected a cross in honour of John 1 of Portugal. In addition to being of historical interest, Cape Cross has a breeding colony of up to 80 000 Cape Fur seals during the peak-breeding season. Late afternoon arrival in Swakopmund where overnight accommodation will be at the HANSA HOTEL / similar on a bed & breakfast basis only.  (Lunch and dinner is for the clients own account.)

Day 11:

While in Swakopmund an excursion will be conducted to Namibia’s largest commercial harbour, Walvis Bay and the Walvis Bay Lagoon, protected under the RAMSAR Convention as an important wetland. The lagoon is renowned for its seasonal abundance of both the Greater and Lesser Flamingo species. The remainder of the day will be at leisure to explore Namibia’s premier coastal resort town, Swakopmund. Today this quaint town nestled between desert and ocean is enhanced by lush green lawns, palm trees and carefully tended gardens. There is a good selection of restaurants and coffee shops selling traditional German cakes and pastries, while the coastline and the desert respectively offer many options for adventure or relaxation. Overnight will be at the HANSA HOTEL / similar on a bed & breakfast basis only. (Lunch and dinner is for the clients own account.)

Day 12:

Departing from Swakopmund today’s route returns across the “gravel plains” of the Namib Desert. Entering into the Namib Naukluft Park includes excursions to the erosional feature of the “Moon Valley” and Namibia’s ancient plant species the “Welwitschia mirabilis” before crossing through the Kuiseb and Gaub Canyons. Late afternoon arrival at your lodge located on the eastern boundary of the Namib Naukluft Park. Picnic lunch is included on route. Overnight accommodation will be at the SOSSUSVLEI LODGE / similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis only.

Day 13:

Conduct an early morning excursion along the path of the ancient Tsauchab River into the Namib Sand Sea including a visit to the famed Sossusvlei, Dune 45 and Deadvlei. Many visitors to Namibia say that no part of the desert is more stunning than Sossusvlei, with its monumentally high dunes, the shadows of their sinuous crests continually changing as the day waxes and wanes. Gigantic star-shaped mountains of sand, the highest estimated at 325 m. The warm tints of the sand, ranging from pale apricot to brick orange and deep red, contrast vividly with the dazzling white surfaces of the deflationary clay pans at some of their bases. An afternoon excursion will be conducted to the Sesriem Canyon, a small yet picturesque canyon carved over millions of years into the Tschaub River. Overnight accommodation will be at the SOSSUSVLEI LODGE / similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis only. (Lunch will be for the clients own account.)

Day 14:

Departing from the Namib Desert return to Windhoek over the western escarpment and the “Khomas Hochland” highland region.  Overnight accommodation will be at the WINDHOEK COUNTRY CLUB RESORT / similar on a bed and breakfast basis. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure to visit the city centre. (Lunch and dinner today are for the clients own account)

Day 15:

Time at leisure before being transferred to the International Airport in time for your scheduled regional or international departure.

Day 1 Windhoek

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.

Day 2 Windhoek/Sesriem

Set off from the Namibian capital towards Sesriem, the gateway to jaw-dropping Namib-Naukluft National Park. Drive past red-hued desertscapes, stark camel thorn trees, and dramatic curved dunes while keeping an eye out for the astonishing creatures that call these arid lands home—the oryx, springbok, jackal, hyena, and more. Settle in to our lodge and relax poolside, watching a fiery crimson sunset over the desert.

Enjoy postcard perfect desert scenery around Sesriem and Sossusvlei - vast desertscapes of reds and orange, stark camel thorn trees and towering dunes with dramatic curved ridges. Also keep an eye out for the surprising amount of wildlife that call this area home such as oryx, springbok, jackal, ground squirrel and hyena.

Day 3 Sesriem

Embark on a thrilling excursion into one of Africa’s largest national parks. Explore the Namib desert, the oldest desert in the world; and venture to the massive dunes at Sossusvlei and the white clay pan of Deadvlei. Capture dramatic images of dead camel thorn trees against a backdrop of orange dunes and a crisp blue sky. Then visit the Sesriem Canyon, a natural gorge carved out by the Tsauchab River over millions of years.

Day 4 Sesriem/Swakopmund

Continue by road through changing desert landscapes towards the coastal city of Swakopmund. Look out for roaming zebra, kudu, springbok, and oryx on the way, and take a break in the quirky town of Solitaire before heading into the countryside. Here, we meet a local for a 4x4 drive through the desert, learning about the survival strategies of bushmen who lived in this inhospitable area thousands of years ago. We also search for the smaller wildlife that has managed to survive here, such as snakes, geckos, spiders, and an array of insects.

Day 5 Swakopmund

Enjoy a free morning in Swakopmund, getting a taste of the town’s unique Afro-German culture; or opt for sandboarding in the Namib desert. This afternoon, take a tour of Mondesa township with a local guide, learning about its people and history. Visit the local market for an introduction to traditional foods such as wild spinach, mopane worms, and dried sardines or kapenta. Stop by an arts and crafts shop; chat with the locals; and round off the day with dinner and a performance at a cozy family-run establishment.

Explore the town's unique mix of German and African culture and opt to visit curio shops, the museum and restaurants. Optional activities include sandboarding.

Day 6 Swakopmund/Damaraland

Make your way to Twyfelfontein—Namibia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site—to see some of Africa’s largest concentrations of petroglyphs. Marvel at these remarkable engravings, carved by prehistoric hunter-gatherers and depicting rhinos, elephants, and ostriches, as well as human and animal footprints. Then continue to our lodge on the heart of the Damaraland area. Enjoy some free time to swim in the pool or admire a colourful sunset from the deck.

Day 7 Damaraland/Etosha National Park Area

Enjoy a relaxed morning at our lodge and explore the rich sandstone treasure of Damaraland. In the afternoon, travel towards Etosha National Park, arguably Namibia’s most spectacular wildlife sanctuary. Settle into our lodge, located outside of the park.

Day 8 Etosha National Park Area

Spend a full day on safari in Etosha National Park, where open grasslands converge on a massive salt pan. Etosha harbours some of the largest populations of lions, elephants, and other endangered species, so keep your camera on the ready as you explore in your open vehicle. Enjoy lunch at one of the park’s rest areas, where you can also take a swim; and sit back and watch all manner of creatures—including hundreds of species of birds—flock to the nearby watering hole.

After the vast desert, Etosha National Park, offers a contrast of wide open grasslands, a massive salt pan that covers 4731km² and tall camel thorn trees intermixed with Mopani trees. With a combination of natural waterholes, and diverse vegetation, wildlife flock to the park. Some of the largest elephants in Africa can be found in areas of thicker vegetation, as well as leopards. Lions, giraffe, ostrich and many antelope species can be found in the grasslands, while birders will love the salt pans which attract flamingos in the rainy season. More than 340 bird species have been counted in Etosha National Park including the European bee-eater, the kori bustard and numerous migratory birds.

Day 9 Etosha National Park Area/Windhoek

After breakfast, visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund, a global research and education center founded by National Geographic Grantee Dr Laurie Marker. Tour the facility to learn about the important conservation and community outreach work they do to protect the world’s fastest land animal, and enjoy a talk by one of the researchers. Then head out on a drive through the grounds to meet some of the center’s rescued and rehabilitated cheetahs. Continue to Windhoek for our final evening.

Day 10 Windhoek

Depart at any time.