Compare Tribes of Namibia by Namibia Travel Connection vs 7-Day Luxury Namibia Fly-in & Private Guided Safari by Ker & Downey Africa

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.

Days 1 - 2: Namibrand Nature Reserve

You'll be collected from the airport.

Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

This morning you will be collected from your guesthouse or hotel of choice in Windhoek and taken to Eros Airport, for your

scheduled light aircraft flight to the Sossusvlei area. The flight will take you over the central highlands of Namibia before descending after the escarpment and on over the Namib Desert to land at the Sossusvlei Desert Lodge airstrip situated in the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Upon arrival you will be met by your local guide who will transfer you to your lodge with time to settle in. The afternoon can be spent enjoying many of the activities offered by the lodge.

The next morning you will rise early for a magical excursion into the Namib Naukluft National Park, entering the Park gates at sunrise to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows accentuate their towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world.

Days 3 - 4: Twyfelfontein

After a leisurely breakfast you are transferred back to the airstrip for your light aircraft flight north up to Mowani Mountain

Camp for a two nights stay. This flight includes flying over the Namib Sea Sand two shipwrecks, seal colonies along the Atlantic Ocean, abandoned diamond camps and Walvis Bay lagoon and salt works. This is a scheduled seat rate and not private charter, but a scenic route will be flown.

The rest of the afternoon can be spent on a guided excursion to visit the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein (a World Heritage

Site) and the interesting geological sites of the local area around the lodge. After an early breakfast you will be treated to an exciting 4x4 excursion along the ephemeral Aba Huab River valley to explore this remarkable region and to search for game, especially the elusive desert adapted elephants if they are in the area. Damaraland is home to a variety of desert adapted wildlife and hidden desert treasures.

Days 5 - 6: Ongava Private Game Reserve

This morning you will have an early departure from Mowani Mountain Camp as you make your way north deeper into the heart of Damaraland, having a picnic lunch en route, and you will arrive at Ongava Lodge on the southern border of Etosha in the late afternoon.

You will be treated to an exciting morning guided game drive into the Etosha National Park, to see more of the wide

variety of game and bird species that are to be found there before returning to Ongava Lodge for a late lunch. There is then time to relax by the refreshing swimming pool before you head out again for an afternoon game drive before exiting the park before sunset.

Activities and Services:

Ongava Lodge - Game drives on Ongava Game Reserve

Ongava Lodge - Excursions into Etosha National Park

Ongava Lodge - Guided Nature Walks

Ongava Information System and Visitor Centre

Recommended:

Ongava Lodge - Camp Hide

Day 7: End of Itinerary

After breakfast this morning you will make your way south from the Etosha National Park through the small towns of Outjo and Otjiwarongo before stopping at the Okonjima AfriCat Day Centre, a wonderful highlight with which to conclude your safari. Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Foundation, a wildlife sanctuary which focuses on the research and rehabilitation of Africa's big cat. You arrive in time for the late morning departure and tour of the centre. Here you will learn about the function and vision of the AfriCat Foundation and will also get to meet some of the Foundation’s special captive carnivore ambassadors. You enjoy lunch afterward.

After the excursion and freshening up, the journey continues further south to arrive back in Windhoek in the late afternoon, just as the sun is setting. Upon your arrival in Windhoek you will be transferred to your accommodation establishment of choice, or out to the Windhoek International Airport.

Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.

You'll be dropped off at the airport.