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Best of Namibia Self Drive Safari
Best of Namibia Self Drive Safari
SA

HighLights: Windhoek - Sossusvlei - Swakopmund - Damaraland - Ongava - Onguma Fort


Other departures: Glasgow - £6999, Edinburgh - £7005, Birmingham - £6875, Manchester - £7009, Bristol - £6875, Norwich - £6875, Southampton - £6875, Newcastle - £6999, Cardiff - 6875


Itinerary:


Day 1: Flight from London to Windhoek


Day 2: Windhoek
On arrival you will pick up your vehicle a Toyota Fortunner or similar and drive to your hotel. Where the rest of the day is at leisure. Even though it is the capital the city is home to less than 300 000 people. It is a delightful mix of old and new. Bustling curio and informal markets trade in the shadow of modern high-rise buildings; historic forts and castles overlook the city while the stately Tintenpalest nestles amongst well kept gardens. One hears a constant babble of a variety of international and indigenous languages as many flock to the city in search of new opportunities. It is not unusual to see Herero ladies in traditional missionary dress walking alongside their thoroughly modern daughters clad in Nike and Levi.


Check-in to The Olive Exclusive All-Suite Hotel:


Day 3: Sossusvlei
After breakfast you will start your journey to the sand dunes in Sossusvlei.


Sossusvlei – meaning “the gathering place of the water” – is a striking white pan surrounded by Camelthorn trees and the towering orange dunes of the Namib.
Here the waters of the Tsauchab River are blocked from reaching the ocean by a formidable wall of dunes, stretching sixty kilometres to the sea. Occasionally the flood waters of the river reach Sossusvlei and gather to form a small, shallow lake in the middle of the dunes. This desert wilderness is home to a surprising variety of animals which thrive in a desert environment. Oryx, springbok, aardwolf, ostrich, hyena, bat-eared fox, Cape fox, Burchell’s Zebra and Hartman's Mountain Zebra, can all be viewed here. There are also over 115 different variety of bird species here, including sociable weavers, black and martial eagles and the dune lark.


Check-in to andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge.


Day 4: Sossusvlei
Today you'll have an early start to explore Sossusvlei – one of the most beautiful areas in Namibia is also included. Be sure to take closed walking shoes (the sand becomes hot and you will burn your feet in open sandals), a hat, plenty of water (at least three liters per person), sun cream and lots of film.


Check-in to andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge.


Day 5: Swakopmund
Start your drive to the adrenaline capital of Namibia. Founded in 1892 during the period of German colonial rule, Swakopmund served as the territory’s main harbor for many years. Today this historical desert town, surrounded by desert and sea, is a popular holiday destination with a variety of good hotels and pensions, restaurants and coffee shops selling traditional German breads, cakes and pastries. The sweep of coastline and desert interior offers many options for adventure and relaxation.


The Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Center is a centrally positioned four-star hotel. It is built in and around the old Station Building in Swakopmund and dates back to 1901. After extensive renovations, it has been restored to its former Victorian glory, and has been opened as one of the towns premier hotel's since the end of 1994. The hotel boast of it's 'combined architectural beauty with first-world comfort.' Accommodation is in either 44 twin, 30 family, 14 luxury rooms or 2 luxury suites.


They are all decorated and fashioned in a Victorian style, reminiscent of a civilized and graceful bygone era. All of the rooms have an en-suite bathroom, (with bath, shower and toilet), individual air-conditioning, a television, tea/coffee station, direct dial telephones, electronic safes, electric razor plugs, a fully-stocked mini-bar, hair-dryer, and an 8 channel satellite TV system. As one would expect in such a large hotel,, there is an extremely wide range of amenities and services available here. There is an outdoor pool, a house doctor on call, cottage hospital, babysitting/cots, same day laundry and dry cleaning services, valet service, hair salon, secure parking, Internet and e-mail connection, Casino, curio shop, reflexologist and gym.


The Entertainment Centre has a cinema, children's games room, specialty shops and a fully equipped gym. Breakfast, lunch and light meals are served throughout the day. Dinner is served in the Platform One restaurant, and guests can choose from the 'a la carte' menu or from the specialty buffet. Alternatively, they may prefer to opt for the Station Grill restaurant, next to the Mermaid Casino. Fresh line fish, shellfish and other delicious seafood dishes, are served here.


Check-in to Strand Hotel.


Day 6: Swakopmund
After breakfast you will depart on a full day trip combining a cruise in the sheltered waters of the Walvis Bay with an incredible 4x4 excursion to Sandwich Harbour is included.
Head between the dunes and the Atlantic Ocean to reach the neighboring town of Walvis Bay, the only deep water harbor on the Namibian coastline. Board ski boats and spend the morning exploring the bay area which is home to a great variety of bird life, turtles, seals and dolphins. Enjoy fresh Namibian oysters and sparkling wine while watching Cape Fur seals and Dolphins frolic around the boats. The curious seals even jump onto the boats for a better view of their visitors! Disembark at Pelican Point and board 4x4 vehicles for the journey to Sandwich Harbor. Picnic lunch en route. This remote part of the coastline is only accessible in 4x4 vehicles and even then it is not always possible for the vehicles to get all the way in!


Towering dunes, quick sand and rising tides create challenges along the way. The last few kilometers are only passable at low tide when a small strip of beach appears at the foot of the dunes allowing passage into the harbor. If the tide is high the only way to reach Sandwich is to walk along the crest of the dunes as the waves break right at the foot of the dune wall! The Sandwich lagoon is fed by fresh water seeping from an inland aquifer and, apart from being a sanctuary for a variety of birds, is scenically one of the most beautiful spots in Namibia.


Check-in to Strand Hotel.


Day 7: Damaraland
After breakfast you will drive to Damaraland. It's the southernmost roaming ground for the rare black rhino and desert elephant. This is also where you will find the Twyfelfontein Conservancy.
This lodge is one of the finest in the Damaraland region of Namibia, and it lies in a vast and unspoilt wilderness, between the Ugab and Huab Rivers. Outstanding desert scenery, fascinating geological formations and archaeological sites, and an inimitable variety of desert flora and fauna, make this a compelling destination for many a visitor. The main complex consists of a reception, bar, dining room and a lounge that overlooks the waterhole. Mowani pride themselves on the services and attention their staff will give to it's guests.


The luxury tented accommodation is built inconspicuously, nestled amongst the natural surroundings, to ensure minimum impact on the natural environment. It consists of 12 luxury tents, all with en-suite facilities, decorated beautifully in an East African style. Individual wooden decks, ensure an open and superb view of the Damara landscape.


Check-in to Mowani Mountain Camp.


Day 8: Damaraland
Today you have the option of participating in the activities the lodge offers. Activities from the lodge include excursions to the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, an archaeological site that offers more than 2,500 engravings, as well as various paintings. Historians and visitors alike, consider it be one of the finest examples of rock engravings in Southern Africa. A morning's nature drive with the possibility of seeing the elusive Desert-adapted elephant and rare black rhino is another favorite here.


The more adventurous might prefer one of the walking trails, between the boulders and mopane trees in the valley below the lodge. It takes hikers to a small waterhole, and a viewpoint. Not to be missed, however, is the spectacular sunsets from the camp sun-downer point. Situated close by are other main attractions of the area, including the Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes, all within easy driving distance.


Overnight: Mowani Mountain Camp


Day 9 - 10: Ongava Lodge
This is your getaway to the beginning of your safari experience. Etosha, or “the great white place” owes its unique landscape to the Etosha pan, a vast shallow depression of approximately 5000 square kilometers. A series of waterholes along the southern edge of the pan attract game into the area. The dry season (May – November) is particularly rewarding for game viewing as the rain water has dried up and the game is forced to rely on the life supporting waterholes. Long lines of zebra, wildebeest, kudu, Oryx and springbok plod along ancient paths from distant grazing areas to the waterholes. Herds of elephant drinking huge amounts of water and then wallow in the water so that all the other the thirsty animals have to wait patiently till they have finished. Predators such as lion and leopard wait at the waterholes knowing the antelope have to drink. Drive the park searching for the big 5.You will be happy to stop for any photo opportunities. . Return to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon Rhino research drive.


Overnight: Ongava Lodge


Day 11 - 12: Onguma The Fort Game Reserve
After breakfast you will drive through (Etosha National Park). Onguma Game Reserve is situated on the eastern side of Etosha National park, bordering Fischer’s Pan. The Fort at Onguma is set on this 20 000 ha nature reserve which boasts over thirty different animal species. Predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard are common residents of the area. The latest addition to the already abundant wildlife at Onguma Nature Reserve is a family of black rhinos!


The Fort is unique. Massive raw walls, stunning stone clad features and a huge tower with views toward Etosha and Fisher's Pan offers the best sunset views in the whole of Namibia.
The Fort has an African feel like no other! Moroccan and Indian flavours combine perfectly with the selection of beautiful antique windows and doors. A courtyard and large water feature will refresh the senses. Across the courtyard is a spacious beautifully decorated lounge and open air dining room. A large wooden deck leads outside, with scattered romantic seating spaces, in full view of the waterhole.


Check-in to Onguma The Fort.


Day 13: Overnight Travel
An early drive to Windhoek for your onward flight.



Offer Includes

  • Flights from London Heathrow with South African Airways
  • Airport taxes
  • 12 nights accommodation as per itinerary
  • Vehicle hire 4x4
  • Game drives as per itinerary

Meal Plans

  • As per Itinerary