Discover Namibia - Lodges

The tour starts at the Arebbusch Lodge in Windhoek. Those on group flights will be picked up at the airport and we will drive into town for an hour or so. In town everyone will have a chance to change money and pick up any supplies they may need; this is also an opportunity for our guides to buy fresh food. We will then drive to our lodge. The afternoon can be spent exploring or relaxing. *Arebbusch Lodge or similar*

Today we head southwest through the spectacular scenery of the Namib-Naukluft Park to Sesriem. This national park, one of the largest in the world, is home to one of the driest and oldest deserts on earth. It contains the finest desert scenery in Africa, if not in the world, with towering jagged rock formations and an incredible lunar landscape so be prepared for some great photo stops. (driving 300-350kms/6-7hrs) *Solitaire Guest Farm or similar*

Today we spend much of today in the Namib Desert. Rising early we catch the tallest sand dunes in the world in the best light and have the opportunity to climb one of the dunes as the sun rises, truly one of Africa’s greatest sights. We can either walk to Hiddenvlei or catch a transfer (optional extra) to Deadvlei where ancient acacia trees in the desert form an eerie scene. If we’re lucky we may see gemsbok or ostrich among the sand dunes. In the afternoon we visit Sesriem Canyon before visiting the Namib Carnivore Conservation Centre where we can join biologists working on a cheetah tracking and conservation project (depending on time we may go cheetah tracking tomorrow morning). We then continue on to our next camp which is approximately 1 hour away. (driving 200kms/ 3hrs). *Solitaire Guest Farm Campsite or similar*

A long but very scenic drive through the Namib-Naukluft Park to Swakopmund. En route we visit Walvis Bay for lunch and to see local flamingos. Swakopmund is a small German colonial resort town with quaint cake shops and coffee houses and a centre for adrenaline activities. (driving 300kms /5.5hrs). *Swakop Sands or similar*

Today is a free day to enjoy one of the many optional activities on offer in and around town. At sea you can go deep-sea fishing and dolphin watching, in the desert you can go sand-boarding and quad-biking and in the sky you can fly over the skeleton coast. Or if none of these appeal you can spend the day enjoying the fantastic Viennese style cakes, walk along the beach or in the nearby dunes or just enjoy watching the world go-by in this town which seems strangely out of place in Africa. *Swakop Sands or similar*

After a relaxing start we leave the cool breeze of the Atlantic Ocean behind and head inland towards Namibia’s highest mountain, Brandberg, in Damaraland. The Damaraland area is famous for the desert elephants which roam in the Ugab River. Star gazing is normally spectacular from this remote area (240kms / 3.5hrs). *Bradberg Whilte Lady Lodge or similar*

We begin our day with a short drive to Brandberg, where we will enjoy a walk through valley 45 for approximately 1.5 hours. Along the way we will view beautiful, granite rock formations and a variety of birdlife. The valley takes us to the famous ‘White Lady’ rock painting which, along with a number of other small paintings and engravings, are thought to have been left by Bushmen at least 2000 years ago. Afterwards we will drive towards the Khorixas area where we should pass various Himba and Herero women selling crafts from the roadside. There is also the possibility of spotting Desert elephants and meerkats on the way. We will arrive at our accommodation after lunch and then in the afternoon we can view Vingerklip, a striking pinnacle of rock balancing vertically on its own (driving 230kms / 3.5hrs). *Ugab Terrace Lodge or similar*

Today we begin with a short drive to Etosha. We should arrive at Etosha in time for a late afternoon game drive before camping at Okaukuejo, which has an excellent waterhole for viewing game at night. Our itinerary allows plenty of time to really enjoy this fabulous game park. (driving 350kms / 5hrs) *Okaukuejo or similar*

Etosha is a huge park of mixed forest and grassland centred around a large salt pan. Etosha is home to a great variety and number of game, which is easy to find as the animals congregate at different times around the waterholes. There are waterholes next to the excellent campsites, and it is not uncommon for us to spend all night watching a gala performance of animals: wildebeest, zebra, impala, springbuck, kudu, elephant, giraffe, lion and even rhino are all common sights here. Take plenty of camera memory and lots of patience and you will be rewarded by one of the greatest game spectacles in Southern Africa. Etosha is also a good place for birds, with plenty of water birds on the lakes (when filled with water), and weaverbirds and hornbills in the trees. While in Etosha we move from Okaukuejo to Halali and/or Namatoni rest camps. These camps now offer optional night drives which you can book and pay for on arrival. (2B,1L,1D) *Namutoni or similar*

Leaving Etosha behind, we head towards the Waterberg Plateau. This 200 metre high gigantic flat-topped plateau with bushveld on top is one of Namibia’s most fertile areas. There are several walking trails, including one leading to a spectacular viewpoint near the top of the plateau offering a great view of the surrounding area. It is also possible to do an optional 4x4 game drive. (driving 300kms / 5hrs) *Waterberg or similar*

We have some 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 320kms / 3.5hrs). *Utopia Boutique Hotel or similar*

The trip ends after breakfast. Those on the group flights will be taken to the airport in time for their flight home. Free time can be spent relaxing at the accommodation or exploring Windhoek (which is a 15 minute walk away) where there are museum and shopping opportunities. Alternatively, a township tour of Windhoek can be arranged and Okapuka and Daan Viljoen game reserves are close by (see Optional Excursions section). **