Compare Discover Namibia - Lodges by Exodus Travels vs 8-Day Classic Namibia Group Safari by Nature Travel Namibia
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 13 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 2,940 | $ 3,430 |
| Price Per Day | $ 226 | $ 429 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | All breakfasts, two lunches and four dinners are included. In the itinerary, we state which meals are included on which day. For each meal not included, allow approximately 225 Namibian dollars (US$15) per person. Meals are in restaurants or at the lodges. Vegetarians are well catered for on this trip though sometimes options might be more limited. |
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 4 Dinners |
| Description |
The scenic beauty of Namibia is only matched by the diversity. Deep canyons, towering dunes, otherworldly rock formations and vast salt pans merge seamlessly in an endlessly shifting landscape. The sky seems particularly big here with spectacular sunsets and, at night, billions of twinkling stars overhead. This is the backdrop for healthy wildlife populations and a mix of different communities.Experience desert dunes, coastal wilderness and wonderful game-viewing in Africa’s most underrated destination |
This 8 day safari will take to you to three of Namibia’s must see natural wonders. We will visit the Namib Desert and Sossusvlei which is home to some of the highest sand dunes in the world. Then we move on to Swakopmund where the desert and the coast come together. We will then make our way up along the Skeleton Coast and turn inland into the dramatic and scenic Damaraland. Last but not least we will move on to Etosha which is one of Africa’s best game viewing destinations. |
Day 1 Start Windhoek
The tour starts at Arebbusch Lodge in Windhoek. The afternoon can be spent exploring or relaxing, perhaps taking a dip in the pool or watching the many native birds that swoop overhead. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening to discuss the adventures to come. Accommodation: Arebbusch Lodge (or similar)
Day 2 Drive through Namib Nuakluft to Sesriem
Today we head southwest through the spectacular scenery of the Namib-Naukluft Park towards the Sesriem/Solitaire area. This national park, one of the largest in the world, is home to one of the driest and oldest deserts on Earth. It also has towering, jagged rock formations and an incredible lunar landscape, so be prepared for great photo stops. Driving: 186mi-217mi (300km-350km); seven hours Accommodation: Weltevrede Guest Farm (or similar)
Day 3 Sossusvlei and the Namib Carnivore Conservation Centre
Today we spend much of our time in the Namib Desert. Rising early, we visit the tallest dunes in the world and climb one of them in the early morning light for spectacular views. We can either walk to Hiddenvlei or catch a transfer (optional extra) to Deadvlei, where ancient acacia trees form an eerie desert scene. If we’re lucky, we may see gemsbok or ostrich among the dunes. In the afternoon, we visit Sesriem Canyon before joining a guide to see the cheetahs at the Namib Carnivore Conservation Centre (please see Responsible Travel section); depending on time, we may go tomorrow morning. Driving: 124mi (200km); three hours Accommodation: Weltevrede Guest Farm (or similar)
Day 4 To Swakopmund via Walvis Bay
We take a long but very scenic drive through the Namib-Naukluft Park to Swakopmund. En route, we visit Walvis Bay for lunch and to see flamingos. Swakopmund is a small German colonial resort town with quaint cake shops and coffee houses and a centre for adrenaline activities. Driving: 186mi (300km); 5hr 30min Accommodation: Prost Hotel (or similar)
Day 5 Free day for optional activities
Today is free to enjoy one of the many optional activities here. On the water, go deep-sea fishing; in the desert, try sandboarding and quad-biking; and in the sky, fly over the Skeleton Coast. Or spend the day enjoying the fantastic local Viennese-style cakes, walk along the beach or nearby dunes, or just watch the world pass in this town which seems strangely out of place in Africa. Accommodation: Prost Hotel (or similar)
Day 6 Brandberg
After a relaxing start, we leave the cool breeze of the Atlantic Ocean behind and head inland towards Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia, in Damaraland. The Damaraland area is best-known as being home to desert elephants that roam in the Ugab River. Stargazing is normally spectacular from this remote area. Driving: 149mi (240km); 3hr 30min Accommodation: Brandberg White Lady Lodge campsite (or similar)
Day 7 White Lady Painting and Vingerklip
We begin our day with a short drive to Brandberg, where we enjoy a walk through Valley 45 for approximately 90 minutes. Along the way, we view beautiful, granite formations and a variety of birdlife. The valley takes us to the White Lady rock painting which, along with several other small paintings and engravings, are thought to have been left by San hunter-gatherers at least 2,000 years ago (please note that if elephants walk into this area then it might be too dangerous to do the walk- in this case we will typically go on a game drive looking for elephants). After, we drive towards the Khorixas area, where we should pass various Himba and Herero women selling crafts from the roadside. We may also spot desert elephants and meerkats on the way. In the afternoon, we can view Vingerklip, a striking pinnacle of rock balancing vertically on its own. Driving: 155mi (250km); 4hr 30min Accommodation: Damara Mopane Lodge (or similar)
Day 8 To Etosha National Park
We begin with a short drive to Etosha, a huge national park of mixed forest and grassland centred around a large salt pan. We should arrive in time for a late afternoon game drive before reaching our accommodation for the night. The itinerary allows plenty of time to really enjoy this fabulous game park. Driving: 125mi (200km); three hours Accommodation: Okaukuejo Lodge (or similar)
Day 9 - 10 Two days game viewing in Etosha
Etosha is home to a great variety of species, which are generally easy to find as the animals congregate at different times around the waterholes. Wildebeest, zebras, impalas, springbucks, kudus, elephants, giraffes, lions and even rhinos are all common sights here. Bring plenty of camera memory and patience and you will be rewarded by one of the greatest game spectacles in southern Africa. Etosha is also a good place to spot birds, with plenty of water birds on the lakes (when filled with water), and weaverbirds and hornbills in the trees. In Etosha, we typically stay within the park on some or all the nights (subject to availability) and some of these are next to waterholes. These accommodations also offer optional night drives, which you can book and pay for on arrival. Accommodation: Namutoni Lodge (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast (x2), Lunch (x1)
Day 11 On to the Waterberg Plateau. Optional 4x4 game drive
Leaving Etosha behind, we head towards the Waterberg Plateau. This 656ft (200m) high plateau topped by bushveld is one of the most fertile areas in Namibia. There are several walking trails, including one leading to a spectacular viewpoint near the top of the plateau. You can also take an optional 4x4 game drive. Driving: 186mi (300km); five hours Accommodation: Waterberg Lodge (or similar)
Day 12 Waterberg Plateau and on to Windhoek
We have free time this morning to relax or explore the Waterberg Plateau a little further. Later, we head back to Windhoek stopping at a crafts market on the way. Driving: 199mi (320km); 4hr 30min Accommodation: Arebbusch Lodge (or similar)
Day 13 End Windhoek
The trip ends after breakfast. Free time before your flight can be spent relaxing at the accommodation or exploring Windhoek, where there are museums and shops. Alternatively, arrange a township tour of Windhoek or visit the nearby Daan Viljoen game reserve (see Optional Excursions section).
Day 1: Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Namib Desert Lodge; Mid-range lodge located just outside Namib-Naukluft NP
Main Destination: Sossusvlei (Namib-Naukluft NP)
Drinks not included
After breakfast you will depart for Sossusvlei. We will drive through the Khomas Hochland and down the escarpment via one of the scenic mountain passes into the Namib Desert. This journey will take about 4 hours including stops for photographs. After lunch and settling in at the lodge we will depart for a late afternoon scenic nature drive.
The Namib is the oldest desert and boasts the highest sand dunes in the world. This region is one of the most spectacular areas in Africa. The name Sossusvlei refers to the vlei or pan into which the seasonal Tsauchab River flows in years of exceptional rainfall. The neighbouring Dead Vlei with the ancient dead Camel Thorn trees is one of the most photographic sites in good early morning light. The Sesriem canyon is a narrow gorge about 1 km long and is well worth a visit. Several desert adapted wildlife like oryx, springbok, black-backed jackal, ostrich, sociable weavers and plenty of reptiles and small mammals call this place home.
Day 2: Sossusvlei and Swakopmund
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch (Dinner not included)
Accommodation: Swakopmund Sands; Mid-range hotel located in or near Namib-Naukluft NP
Main Destination: Swakopmund
Drinks not included
After an early breakfast and coffee we will depart for a morning excursion to Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. We will stop at the scenic Dune 45 along the way and spend a couple of hours at both Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. Some of the dunes in the area are a few hundred meters high but the view from the top for those that dare is one you will never forget.
After lunch we will depart for Swakopmund via the Namib Naukluft National Park. We will spend the night at a guesthouse and enjoy dinner at a restaurant in Swakopmund. Please note that dinner tonight is not included and for your own account.
Swakopmund has plenty of great restaurants and bars, good shopping opportunities and fascinating architecture. For the adventurous there is quad biking, sand-boarding, skydiving, beach angling and scenic flights over the coastline and Sossusvlei to name a few.
Day 3: Living Desert Adventure and Walvis Bay
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast and Lunch (Dinner not included)
Accommodation: Swakopmund Sands; Mid-range hotel located in or near Namib-Naukluft NP
Main Destination: Swakopmund
Drinks not included
After breakfast we will depart for a living desert adventure where we will encounter and learn more about the fascinating wildlife of the Namib Desert. We will look for gecko's, scorpions, side-winder snakes, lizards and beetles as well as the incredible plant life that survives in this harsh environment.
Once we are back in Swakopmund we enjoy lunch and then have the afternoon available to explore the town or perhaps finish the day with an optional quad-biking and dune-boarding adventure. Other optional activities that could be arranged include scenic flights over the coast and dunes.
Day 4: Skeleton Coast and Damaraland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge; Mid-range lodge located inside Damaraland
Main Destination: Damaraland (Kunene Region)
Best Time to Visit: May to September (Animals are easier to see)
High Season: July to November (Some places can get quite busy)
Best Weather: May to August (Less hot during the day)
After breakfast we continue our safari northwards along the Skeleton Coast. After visiting a shipwreck we will turn inland towards Damaraland. We will drive past the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain with the highest peak at 2573 meters.
We will visit the Twyfelfontein rock engravings (Namibia’s only world heritage site), burnt mountain and organ pipes rock formation.
Day 5-6: Etosha National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Etosha Safari Lodge; Mid-range lodge located just outside Etosha NP
Main Destination: Etosha National Park
Best Time to Visit: July to September (Animals come to water)
High Season: July to November (The park gets crowded)
Best Weather: May to August (Less hot during the day)
After breakfast we will depart for Etosha National Park where we will spend the next 3 nights.
An optional Damara Living Museum Village visit can be arranged and we will stop at the Petrified Forest en route.
We will do an afternoon game drive in our own vehicle on arrival and the following day an early morning and late afternoon drive visiting various waterholes famous for huge numbers of animals drinking here.
Drinks not included
Day 7: Eastern Etosha National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mushara Lodge; Luxury lodge located just outside Etosha NP
Main Destination: Eastern Etosha National Park
After breakfast we will spend a full day travelling through the park, game viewing en route, to Mushara Lodge. The lodge is situated just outside the eastern section of the park on its own small game reserve.
This section of Etosha with the more lush vegetation offers fantastic game viewing. We will spend our final evening relaxing at the beautiful Mushara Lodge.
Drinks not included
Day 8: Departure to Windhoek
Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Main Destination: No major destination visited
After an early morning game drive or a relaxing breakfast we will depart for Windhoek where you will catch your connecting flight.
We can also organise an extension to visit the San Bushman and perhaps spend the a night at Okonjima Lodge, home of the African foundation.
Many of our clients prefer to spend an additional night at Mushara to fully explore and appreciate the game rich eastern section of Etosha.
Drinks not included
End of tour (See Getting There for more details)
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
You'll be dropped off at the airport (or hotel).
