| Day 1 : |
Arrival in Windhoek, collect your rental car on arrival and drive to your hotel. Rest of day at leisure.
Overnight: PH Thuringerhof (or similar), Windhoek.
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| Day 2 : |
A full day to explore Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. Spend the day exploring this attractive town, German colonial past.
Overnight: PH Thuringerhof (or similar), Windhoek.(B)
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| Day 3 : |
Leave Windhoek and travel south. Welcome to the desert. Four deserts meet in southern Namibia – the Kalahari, Nama Karoo, Succulent Karoo and Namib. Their common denominator is low rainfall, high temperatures and intense evaporation. Nevertheless they boast an incredible diversity of scenery and habitats. Many animals and plants do not occur anywhere else on earth, as they have adapted to their specific conditions over millions of years. You will soon see the red sand of the Kalahari interspersed with yellow grasses, shepherd’s trees and acacias. Your lodge is situated on a private game reserve where Oryx, Springbok, Zebra, and a variety of smaller game species abound. An optional nature drive can be booked at your lodge. Self-guided nature trails are also available.
Dinner and overnight: Kalahari Anib Lodge (or similar). (B,D)
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| Day 3 : |
This morning you travel further south into endless plains dotted with dolerite hills and desert-adapted vegetation. You may stop to see the Quivertree forest at Keetmanshoop, before arriving at your lodge, situated close to the Fish River Canyon. This is typical “Nama Karoo” vegetation – yellow flowers of quiver trees against the blue sky at the second largest canyon on earth. Watch Springbok, Gemsbok, Hartebeest, Ostrich and Mountain Zebra; or visit the main lookout point at the Fish River Canyon only 20 km away.
Dinner and overnight: Canon Road House (or similar). (B,D)
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| Day 4 : |
Spend the day exploring the Fish River Canyon. You can explore the area on your own, or book optional hikes, horseback excursions or canyon drives at your lodge. The Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world (the largest being the Grand Canyon). The canyon is absolutely magnificent and breathtaking in its immensity, and is part of a nature conservation park. When you arrive at the canyon, as you have no idea it is there. It drops vertically by half a kilometre, out of a flat arid plateau without any warning. As with most rivers in Namibia the Fish River is generally dry however in the raining season (January to April) the river can become a raging torrent.
Dinner and overnight: Canon Road House (or similar). (B,D)
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| Day 5 : |
Your journey continues past Aus and down the open plains of the Great Escarpment to Lüderitz. On your way you may spot the Wild Horses of the Namib. Once in Lüderitz, we recommend a scenic drive to Diaz Point, site of Bartholomew Dias’ landing in 1488.
Overnight: PH Zum Sperrgebiet (or similar). (B)
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| Day 6 : |
This morning we recommend you book an optional tour to the “ghost town” of Kolmanskop, the remnant of a bustling diamond town that flourished here from 1908 to 1950. Once the diamond reserves became depleted, the town was left to the unforgiving wind swept sand and ravages of time. Kolmanskop is situated in the “Sperrgebiet”, (forbidden territory) a few kilometres inland from Luderitz. The first diamond was found in 1908, and soon a frantic diamond rush ensued. Large, elegant houses were built and it soon resembled a German town, complete with an impressive array of public buildings. Richer diamond deposits were discovered further south, and within a span of 40 years Kolmanskop lived, flourished and died. Today the ghost town's crumbling ruins bear little resemblance to its former glory. The stately homes have been nearly demolished by the wind, and are gradually becoming enveloped by encroaching sand dunes. Traveling north, your next stop is situated in a more densely vegetated area along the foot of the stunning Tiras Mountains.
Overnight: Helmeringhausen Hotel (or similar). (B)
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| Day 7 : |
After breakfast, travel towards Sesriem. The Namib Desert – pale green shrubs and trees on the banks of dry rivers against the backdrop of reddish mountains of sand. In Gondwana Namib Park (100 km²) the ‘fossilised’ dunes of the ancient Namib meet the active ones of the young Namib. To the west a sea of dunes extends as far as the eye can see; to the east vast plains reach out to distant mountains. Watch solitary Gemsbok, Springbok and Ostrich on the plains. En route you may choose to visit Duwisib castle, a stately building originating from 1908, the contents of which has been preserved till this day.
Overnight: Namib Desert Lodge (or similar). (B,D)
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| Day 8: |
Today calls for an early rise, when sunrise paints the highest sand dunes on earth at Sossusvlei into an artwork of awe-inspiring proportions. We strongly recommend that you book a tour to the dunes, claimed to be the highest in the world. After taking a walk along or even up some of the majestic dunes, travel back to your lodge. Explore Sesriem Canyon, a 30-meter deep gauge eroded into the desert floor by the forces of the mighty Tsauchab River.
Overnight: Namib Desert Lodge (or similar). (B,D)
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| Day 9: |
Drive via the travel through two rugged passes and drive to via Kuiseb Canyon, via the Moonlandscape and stop to see the unique Welwitschia plants. The age of the plants is difficult to determine, but they are very long-lived, living 1000 years or more. Some individuals may be more than 2000 years old. The plant absorbs water through structures on its leaves, harvesting moisture originating from dew that forms during the night. Continue to Swakopmund, located on the Atlantic Ocean. Better known as Namibia’s playground, this idyllic town is wedged between the sweltering Namib Desert and the cold Atlantic Ocean, and enjoys a distinct German architecture and atmosphere. Swakopmund has numerous activities to offer.
Overnight: Beach Lodge, Swakopmund. (B)
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| Day 10: |
Swakopmund resembles a quaint German town from the last century – and it is no wonder that the German history is still felt in this cosy town. Swakopmund is a popular seaside resort with many tourist attractions and a pleasant climate in summer. Visitors can go on town tours, fishing trips, visit some of the many museums, snake park, sandboarding, parasailing and hot air ballooning. Driving along the stunning dune-lined coastline is also an attractive option, whether you go south to Walvis Bay (30 km) or to the National West Coast Recreation Area in the north. There are also many optional tours and activities which can be booked in Swakopmund.
Overnight: Beach Lodge, Swakopmund. (B)
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