Duration: 10 Nights / 11 Days
Day 1 Monday Windhoek
You will be met by a Spectrum Tour, English speaking representative. Flight booked by YOU.
Depart at around 09h00 from Windhoek via the scenic and steep Spreetshoogte Pass to the beautifully set Namib Naukluft Lodge. A light lunch will be served (drinks to own account). During the afternoon you have time to relax at the swimming pool and/or join a walking trail in the mountains. (Optional and to own account: A flight in a light aircraft over the dunes at Sossusvlei.) Dinner (drinks to own account) and overnight at Namib Naukluft Lodge. (L,D)
Day 2 Tuesday Namib Naukluft Lodge
An early morning rise will be rewarded by the sight of the spectacular dunes near Sossusvlei on your excursion. Make the effort and climb one of the dunes and you may be overwhelmed by the sight of the dynamic and living desert. A full breakfast will be served under one of the camelthorn trees at Sossusvlei. Visit the Sesriem Canyon before returning to the Lodge for lunch (drinks to own account). During the late afternoon a sundowner drive to the natural marble mountains on the 25,000 ha private nature reserve is offered. Dinner (drinks to own account) and overnight at Namib Naukluft Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 3 Wednesday Swakopmund
Breakfast. En route to Swakopmund you will pass through the Namib Desert. Enjoy the Kuiseb Canyon, the drive along the Swakop riverbed and stops at the Moonlandscape and at the Welwitschia Mirabelis, an ancient plant endemic to the Namib Desert. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure and you can explore the little coastal resort on your own with any meals or excursions to your own account. Overnight at the Hansa Hotel or the Swakopmund Hotel. (B)
Day 4 Thursday Swakopmund
Breakfast. You will be transferred to Walvis Bay this morning and you may want to join one of the optional tours (Kayaking in the Walvis Bay lagoon, Quadbiking on the dunes en route to Walvis Bay or a boat trip from the Walvis Bay yacht harbour) or you might enjoy walking along the lagoon to view the prolific birdlife with a huge population of flamingoes. Lunch will be at your leisure (to own account). Return to Swakopmund in the afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (Optional: A sundowner flight along the coastline in a small aircraft) Dinner will be at your leisure (to own account). Overnight at the Hansa Hotel or the Swakopmund Hotel. (B)
Day 5 Friday Huab Lodge
Breakfast. Today you will travel along the coastline via Henties Bay and Uis to the vast regions of the Damaraland. You will visit the famous rock-engravings at Twyfelfontein and arrive at Huab Lodge during the course of the afternoon. Lunch and the rest of the day is at leisure and you may want to enjoy the natural thermal springs for relaxation (all to own account). Dinner (drinks to own account) and overnight at Huab Lodge. (B,D)
Day 6 Saturday Huab Lodge
Breakfast. You will have the full day to join the activities at Huab Lodge with lunch at your leisure (drinks to own account). An early morning birding walk and a nature drive on this farm, where the desert elephants are common visitors. Your hosts, Suzi and Jan van der Reep are some of the most knowledgable and well-known conservationists in Namibia and their love for nature will make your stay an unforgettable one. (Optional wellness treatments are available upon request.) Dinner (drinks to own account) and overnight at Huab Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 7 Sunday Otjovasandu
After breakfast you will depart to one of the lodges near the western gate of the Etosha National Park, Otjovasandu. During the afternoon you may want to join an optional game-drive on one of the farms (to own account). The rare Mountain Zebra and Elan antelopes are found here. (You can also join an optional day trip by light aircraft exploring the Kaokoveld and visiting a native living Himba tribe, one of the last nomadic living people in Africa.) Lunch will be at your leisure and to your own account. Dinner (drinks to own account) and overnight at Hobatere Lodge, Kavita Lion Lodge or Rustig Toko Lodge. (B,D)
Day 8 Monday Etosha National Park
Breakfast. Today you will enter the Etosha National Park at the western side. This gate is closed for the public and only open for tour operators with special permit. You will see the ‘Haunted Forest’, before you arrive at Okaukuejo. Lunch will be at your leisure (to own account). A floodlit waterhole at either of the camps enables you to view the game also during the evening and night time, which is otherwise not possible. Dinner (drinks to own account) and overnight at Okaukuejo or Halali Rest Camp. (B,D)
Day 9 Tuesday Mokuti Lodge
Breakfast. A whole day in this great National Park lies ahead of you and you will stop at various waterholes en route to view game. This Park is well-known for its huge herds of zebra and antelope. With a bit of luck you should be able to spot elephant, lion and/or other predators. Lunch will be at your leisure and to your own account. Leave the Park at the eastern side and drive at Mokuti Lodge just outside the Van Lindequist gate. Dinner (drinks to own account) and overnight at Mokuti Lodge. (B,D)
Day 10 Wednesday Mokuti Lodge
Breakfast. Enter once more into the Etosha National Park and explore the ‘Fisherman’s Pan’ as well as the north-eastern part at Andoni. You will leave the Park through the newly opened Nehale Lya Mpingana Gate and visit a typical Ovambo village just outside. You have the opportunity to gain a little bit of insight to these native inhabitants living in their ‘Kraals’. Lunch will be at your leisure and to your own account. Return the same route through the Etosha National Park for more game viewing. Dinner (drinks to own account) and overnight at Mokuti Lodge. (B,D)
Day 11 Thursday Europe
After breakfast you will depart to Tsumeb, an old mining town. You will visit the ethnological museum here and continue via Otjiwarongo to Okahandja, where you can stop at the woodcrafters market. Lunch will be at your leisure and to your own account. Continue to Windhoek during the later afternoon. On your arrival in Windhoek the tour ends. (B) Onwards travel booked by YOU.