13 Day Best of Namibia

Day 1 – South Africa – Cederberg Region

Leaving Cape Town this morning we make a last stop for a look back at Table Mountain from across Table Bay.  The Cederberg region not only boasts spectacular mountains and orange farms, but it is also the home of the Rooibos bush and today we will visit a working Rooibos tea farm and see the plants of Rooibos and Buchu that occur naturally in the wild. Indigenous to the mountain slopes of the Cederberg, this herbal beverage has earned an international reputation as a healthy and refreshing alternative to regular tea. A dinner at our overnight stop offers an opportunity for us to get acquainted while enjoying some South African hospitality.

Accommodation Facilities: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

Route: Cape Town to Citrusdal

Included Highlight: Traditional Dinner

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2 – Namaqualand – Gariep (Orange) River

Namaqualand presents us with our first experience of the Desert vistas that will accompany us in the days ahead. We continue our journey north and after a short stop for supplies in Springbok, we travel to our camp on the banks of the Orange River. If you are fortunate enough to be travelling in the spring months (July to September) you may encounter the wild flowers that have made this region famous. No matter the time of year though, the strange desert vistas offer a unique backdrop to this day’s travel.

Accommodation Facilities: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

Route: Citrusdal to Orange River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3 – Namibia – Gariep (Orange) River – Fish River Canyon

While the Orange River was named after the Dutch Royal House, in recent times it has been referred to by its original name of Gariep, which simply means “river” in the indigenous KhoeKhoe language. Beginning its journey in the mountains of Lesotho, the Orange River is the longest river in South Africa and offers a unique contrast to the desert landscapes along its banks. The best way to experience the river is by getting out on the water and this morning we have the opportunity to join an optional canoe trip on the river.  Around midday we depart the Orange River and head inland to our overnight stop. At Ais Ais, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the mineral and sulphur rich hot springs.

Accommodation Facilities: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

Route: Orange/Gariep River to Ai-Ais

Included Highlight: Ais-Ais Hot Springs

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 – Fish River Canyon, Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playground

We rise early this morning and drive to the rim of the Fish River Canyon.  We will have time to watch the morning sun rays filter through the canyon.  After stretching our legs with a gentle walk along the rim of the canyon, we turn west and head for Keetmanshoop. Our afternoon will be spent meandering through the Quiver Tree Forest and The Giants Playground – named for the way in which the massive dolerite boulders have been placed on each other – creating rock formations and a series of mazes.

Accommodation Facilities: Two per room with en-suite bathrooms

Route: Fish River Canyon to Keetmanshoop

Included Highlights: Scenic walk along the rim of Fish River Canyon / Visit to Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playground

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5 – Namib-Naukluft National Park

Every overland journey has some long travelling days and today is one of those as we venture deeper into the Namib Desert. Our destination is the dune fields that cover the western reaches of the desert. Long dusty roads and sparsely populated farmlands offer us an insight into the vastness of rural Namibia. From the grasslands in the east to the red dunes of the west the slowly changing landscapes represents the many faces of this desert country. Tonight we camp on the doorstep of the dune fields and fall asleep to the unique calls of the elusive Barking Gecko.

Accommodation Facilities: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

Route: Keetmanshoop to Namib Naukluft NP

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6 – Sossusvlei Dunes – Namib-Naukluft National Park

A brisk climb up Dune 45 offers us the perfect vantage point to marvel at the changing colours of the desert. Once satisfied we descend this famous dune and enjoy a hearty breakfast before catching a 4×4 transfer into Sossusvlei, here we will spend time on foot visiting the pans at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. Tonight we empty the red sand from our shoes and spend the night under the magnificent desert stars, knowing that we have spent a full-day enjoying the wonders of this harsh land.

Accommodation Facilities: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

Included Highlight: Sesriem Canyon / Hike up Dune 45, 4×4 shuttle to Sossusvlei / Deadvlei

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7 – Swakopmund

Our final day in the desert comes to an end as we join a local expert for an educational desert excursion. Reluctantly we leave the Namib behind and after a stop to mark our crossing of the Tropic of Capricorn, we continue to the Atlantic coastline. We make our way to the coastal town of Swakopmund, where adventure and a dose of civilization await. We make a brief stop at the Walvis Bay lagoon, where we hope to catch a glimpse of the flamingo’s that feed in the shallows. Arriving in Swakopmund we will have the opportunity to book some of the many adventures on offer.

Accommodation Facilities: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

Route: Naukluft Area to Swakopmund

Included Activity: Tropic of Capricorn, Walvis Bay Lagoon, Guided desert walk with local expert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8 – Swakopmund

While for many it is the adrenaline fuelled adventures that will grab their attention, Swakopmund offers all that and more. Take the opportunity today to explore the town at your leisure, as there are a number of attractions for every taste. Not to be missed is the selection of famed coffee shops and bakeries that offer a delightful range of German inspired treats.  Swakopmund offers all the conveniences of a small city and is the perfect launching pad for the journey through the northern reaches of the land.

Accommodation Facilities: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

Optional Activity: Dolphin cruise, Skydiving, sandboarding, Quad biking

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9 –  Spitzkoppe to Brandberg

Leaving early, we make our way to the massive granite formations of Spitzkoppe which tower 700 metres above the desert plains below. The presence of rock art indicates their significance to the San people who lived here many years ago. We will enjoy a walk with a local guide and have the opportunity to view some examples of the San’s rock art before setting off for our overnight stop for the evening.

Accommodation Facilities: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

Route: Swakopmund to Brandberg (via Spitzkoppe)

Included Highlight: Visit and explore Spitzkoppe with a local guide

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10 – Brandberg White Lady

The Brandberg (Burning Mountains) are regarded as the highest in Namibia and home to the famous White Lady, one of more than 45,000 rock paintings in the area.  This morning we will make the 1-hour hike to visit the painting that is said to be around 2,000 years old. (Please be advised that the hike does traverse rough terrain along the gorge of the normally dry Tsisab River).  After our exploration, our journey continues to the area of Kamanjab. For those who would like to visit an educational centre showcasing the lifestyle of the Himba Tribe, you will have the opportunity to book an optional excursion this afternoon.

Accommodation Facilities: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

Route: Brandberg to Kamanjab

Included Highlight: Brandberg White Lady hike

Meals: Breakfast. Lunch and Dinner

Day 11 – Etosha National Park

Rising early this morning we drive to the Etosha National Park. Etosha is the venue for some of the most unique game viewing experiences in Africa. This afternoon we reach the park and begin with our first game drive as we make our way to the rest camp.

Accommodation Facilities: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

Route: Kamanjab to Etosha National Park

Included Highlight: Afternoon game drive in the Adventure Truck

Meals: Breakfast. Lunch and Dinner

Day 12 – Etosha National Park

Our second day in Etosha allows for a full day to continue our exploration of the park. No day on safari is ever the same and the suspense before that special sighting is the motivation that keeps our eyes wide open.  We explore the edges of the Etosha Pan in search of the abundant wildlife that occur in the park.

Accommodation Facilities: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

Route: Etosha National Park

Included Highlight: Full day game drive in Nomad truck

Day 13 – Windhoek

It is an early rise as we take aim for Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia. Upon arrival in Windhoek, we will take a short walk through the city centre and have the opportunity to view some its better known landmarks. Your tour comes to an end after the short walk.

Accommodation: Own Arrangements / Post tour accommodation can be booked through Planet Africa.

Route: Etosha National Park to Windhoek

Included Highlight: Walk through Windhoek with your guide

This itinerary has been written with the Activity Package items included. If you wish to participate in all the activities listed, you will need to purchase the Activity Package.

What’s included

• Meals (Breakfast x 12 / Lunch x 12 / Dinner x 12)
• Accommodation
• Qualified crew
• Transport in a Adventure Truck
• Included highlights as per the itinerary
• Entrance fees to National Parks.

What’s excluded

• Items of a personal nature (snacks, alcohol, bottled water, soft drinks, tips)
• Entrance fees (associated with optional activities)
• Souvenirs
• Optional activities.

Maximum Number of Passengers – 20

Arrival / Departure

Please be sure to arrive 1 day before your tour is due to depart. This will avoid any unforeseen problems. We also highly recommend that you book your flights to depart the day after the tour officially ends to allow for delays and changes.

Tour departure point

07:00am – , 39 Castle Street, (Corner Castle & Burg Streets), Cape Town, South Africa.

Please ensure you arrive at the departure point at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Tour ending point

Windhoek, Namibia

Countries Visited

South Africa, Namibia

All information provided in this tour dossier is subject to change without prior notice. Changes would always be in consideration of your safety first and a better quality experience where possible.  Overnight accommodation stops can change without prior notification, depending on road or weather conditions or any unforeseen circumstances. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the properties listed in this dossier, these are to be used as a guideline only. We recommend that you download the most up to date version of this tour dossier one week prior to your tour departure date, however, changes are possible within 7 days prior to your tour departure.

Partaking in an adventure tour in Africa involves covering hundreds if not thousands of kilometers and our tours are as much about this journey as they are about the destinations we visit. Use your time during these drives to talk to your fellow travelers, have a drink and take note of the world passing by your window. Some roads you travel on will be smooth and easy while others could take up to an hour to cover 1 kilometer. There is just no telling what could happen with road, weather, traffic and other conditions that may exist that will either increase or decrease the amount of time you spend on the road so take your watch off, put your iPad away, turn off your phone and just relax. An average day could take anything from 5 to 14 hours, it all depends on the day… and that’s only an “average”!