7 Day Namibian Highlights

Day 1 – Ancient San Skills

We are collected from the airport (must arrive prior to 12h00) or bus terminal on arrival and transferred to the centrally located Guesthouse. This afternoon we will join the afternoon feeding tour at N/a’ankuse Lodge, where we have opportunity to join the Ancient San Skills tour where you learn some of the skills of the Bushman people, a unique chance to interact with the world’s oldest cultural group. Returning to Windhoek early evening, dinner tonight is own expense either at the Guesthouse, or one of the many restaurants. Overnight twin share room with en-suite facilities.

Day 2 – Halali and Etosha National Park

Be ready at 07h30 as the group meets for a pre-departure talk before we depart. We stop briefly at Otjiwarongo to gather some last minute supplies before continuing on to Etosha with a light lunch pack whilst “on the move”. We enjoy an afternoon game drive through the park visiting waterholes looking for predators as well as zebra, giraffe, elephant, rhino and many different species of antelope.  We arrive at our lodge just before sunset and settle into our rooms, with en-suite bathroom and tea/coffee facilities. A visit to the flood lit waterhole is highly recommend while dinner is prepared by your guide over an open fire.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3 – Taleni Etosha Village

We start our first game drive at sunrise to catch the predators while they are still active, visiting many waterholes.  Our second game drive mid morning takes us to the impressive Etosha Pan “great white place” where we can get out of the vehicle and experience this 4500 sq km “saline desert” before continuing our game drive to look for the Big 4.  We arrive back at Halali where our guide will prepare a delicious lunch whilst we have a dip in the pool or relax by the camp waterhole.  After lunch we begin our final game drive across the park towards Okaukuejo calling into some well-known waterholes and leave the park prior to sunset. Accommodation tonight is just outside the park in a comfortable spacious twin share rooms with a modern en-suite bathroom facilities, creating an ideal space to sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. Fantastic dinner is prepared by our guide and another early night is recommended.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 – Swakopmund

Enjoy an early morning breakfast and departure from the lodge is at 07h30. The route today takes us into the dramatic and beautiful scenery of Damaraland. We have the chance to meet the wonderful Herero ladies who sell their handmade arts and crafts to support their rural families. A light roadside lunch is served en-route in the shadow of Namibia’s tallest mountain, the Brandberg, and we can interact with some of the colorful local characters who live in this harsh environment.  On the drive down the Skeleton Coast we explore the remains of a small shipwreck. Arrive in Swakopmund late afternoon where, depending on the season, we will have the chance to explore this quaint seaside town on foot and enjoy a coffee and cake in one of the many cafes.  Overnight accommodation in en-suite rooms on a twin share basis.  Sample one of the many great restaurants for our evening meal (own expense).

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 – Desert Camp and Near Sesriem

A free morning to explore the town centre of Swakopmund or for the adrenalin junkies, join the 2 hour sand boarding trip into the sand dunes. We will be picked up from our guesthouse/hotel in Swakopmund from 11h15 before leaving Swakopmund and driving via the Kuiseb Canyon and Solitaire. We arrive at our camp late afternoon and have a chance to relax and enjoy the views before taking a short walk for sunset overlooking the Naukluft Mountain range. Overnight in twin rooms with en-suite bathroom facilities. Pool and bar available. Dinner prepared by our guide over an open fire.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6 – Desert Camp and Near Sesriem

Dawn departure from our lodge to arrive at the park gate for sunrise. We drive down an ancient river bed surrounded by towering dunes to the 2×4 parking (around 55kms) and take a 4×4 shuttle into the Sossusvlei area to appreciate the beauty of this place in early morning light and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the region. We explore this unique area on foot before heading into Dead Vlei with its large expanse of bleached cracked clay and skeletal camel thorn trees, contrasting with a backdrop of huge dunes with their ever-changing colors. We then take the 4×4 shuttle back to our vehicle.  As we drive back to our accommodation we will stop at the famous Dune 45 and climb this dune if we wish or just wander around the base. We return to Sesriem and visit the nearby Sesriem Canyon, one of the few permanent water sources before arriving back at our lodge late afternoon to watch the sunset over this spectacular desert. Overnight in twin share rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Dinner prepared by our guide.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7 – Windhoek – End of Safari

Early morning breakfast before heading to Solitaire where we jump onto an open vehicle and visit the local conservation project. Here they have a number of cheetah that are unable to be released for different reasons. This 1hour activity allows us the chance to learn all about the cheetah, the work done by local conservations projects, and get some incredible photos of the world’s fastest land mammal. We return to Windhoek via Bullsport and Rehoboth.  On arrival in Windhoek, mid afternoon, we will be dropped at our accommodation of choice or transferred directly to the International Airport for our onward flight or to the bus terminal for our overnight bus.

For those that choose to fly today, NO FLIGHTS DEPARTING PRIOR TO 17H00 in case there are unexpected delays returning from safari. Outbound airport transfer is included, should it be for today or a later date.

Meals: Breakfast

Includes:

• Transport in a custom built safari vehicle with pop up roof & USB charging capabilities (no air-conditioning)
• Services of a professional English speaking driver/guide
• 6 nights’ accommodation in twin share rooms with en-suite bathrooms as above
• Meals as above
• National park entry fees (2 days Etosha & 1 day Sossusvlei)
• Ancient San Skills activity & transfers to the N/a’ankuse Wildlife Sanctuary
• Game drives as above
• Sossusvlei excursion (including 4×4 shuttle) and cheetah activity at Solitaire
• Transfers: Airport to the Backpackers (day 1); Backpackers to Airport (day 7)

Single supplement only applicable to single travelers that request their own room, otherwise single travelers will be matched with another traveler of the same sex on a twin share basis.

This safari is semi-participation and assistance with light kitchen duties is required.