From Windhoek: 11 Days Desert Dunes to Etosha National Park

Tours Reseller exclusions Nature & adventure

Spend 11 days exploring Namibia’s wildlife, culture, and scenery. You can experience it all, from marveling at the breathtaking magnitude of Namibia’s dunes and big game encounters in Etosha.

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Highlights

Visit the desert dunes
Meet the local in Damara
Explore game drives in Etosha National Park

Description

Day 1: On arrival at Windhoek Airport, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. The rest of the afternoon will be spent exploring Windhoek city historical sites on a guided tour from 12pm – 4pm. Overnight: Windhoek Country Club Day 2: Drive to Sossusvlei We have breakfast at 630am and at 8am we will start moving south. We will make our way towards the Namib Naukluft National Park to our accommodation for the next two nights. The Namib naukluft park contains what is considered to be the oldest desert in the world. At 4pm we will drive and explore the Sesriem Canyon, which was carved millions of years ago by the Tsauchab River. Overnight: Sossusvlei Taleni Lodge Day 3 Sossusvlei Dunes & Sesriem Canyon Experience the desert, from its clay pan that rarely fills with water to its magnificent terracotta sand dunes that rise nearly 1,000 feet into the blue sky. Set out early in the morning to witness it firsthand, embarking on a guided nature drive to the dunes along the old ancient Rivers. Return to camp for an afternoon at leisure. Rise before dawn to explore the Sossusvlei area, a salt and clay pan situated in Namib-Naukluft National Park. Perhaps climb to the upper ridge of Big Daddy dune,* one of the highest in the area, surrounded by dreamlike scenery and extraordinary panoramas. At star-shaped Dune 45, stand in awe at the world’s most photographed dune. After lunch at the lodge, travel to Sesriem Canyon, a narrow 100-foot deep gorge carved into the rock by the mighty Tsauchab River. Learn the history of this magnificent natural canyon that dates back over two million years and view the canyon’s multicoloured layers of rock on the trails. Visit the Elim Dune before returning to the lodge. At dinner tonight, share recollections of the day Day 4 Namib desert to Swakopmund Today, drive via the Kuiseb Canyon toward Swakopmund, a lively resort town nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Namib Desert. A packed lunch will be provided en route before stopping in Walvis Bay. Continue to Swakopmund, known as the adventure sports capital of Namibia. Enjoy the friendly atmosphere, lovely seaside promenades, colonial-era architecture, and sandy beaches. Overnight: The Delight Hotel Day 5 Swakopmund Activities This morning, travel in a 4×4 through dry desert dunes searching for life in a barren landscape populated by geckos, chameleons, sand diving lizards and scorpions. Your knowledgeable guides enlighten you about the plant life and minerals as you zoom through the dunes traveling from the scenic eastern side through to the Atlantic Coast on the west Optional: Mondesa Township Tour Overnight: The Delight Hotel Day 6 Damaraland Expeditions After a leisurely morning in Swakopmund, drive to Damaraland, one of the most picturesque areas in Namibia. This pristine wilderness of harsh wind eroded mountains, wide gravel plains, dry valleys and stark desert landscape is dotted with unusual succulent plants that thrive from the mists of the Atlantic. join the optional Desert Elephant safari to see Namib desert elephants in the wild. Marvel in the vast desert expanses from the comfort of your lodge, and enjoy a traditional sundowner while watching the sunset. Optional: Desert Elephant Safari Overnight: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Day 7 Embark on nature drives in search of desert elephants, which have adapted to this harsh region. They tend to roam around the dry riverbed and may be seen standing on their back legs, trying to snatch the very last leaf with their trunks. You may also take a guided walking safari, keeping watch for gemsboks, greater kudus and springboks. This afternoon we will visit the Unesco World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein. These remarkable petroglyphs of wild animals, including rhinos, elephants, giraffes and zebras, were created over 2,000 years ago by ancient hunter-gatherers. This afternoon, visit the Damara Living Museum to gain insight into one of the oldest traditional nations in Namibia Twyfelfontein Country Lodge Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Day 8 Etosha National Park An exciting morning with a visit to a Himba tribe dwelling; these semi-nomadic pastoralists live in homes built of palms and mud in scattered settlements throughout the region. The Himbas are colorfully adorned with shells and jewelry made of iron and copper and clothes cut from goatskin, with ochre glazed skin to protect them from the harsh desert climate. Drive to Etosha National Park in the vast arid space of Northern Namibia. One of the most important reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in Africa, the park is centered on the white salt Etosha Pan that dominates the landscape. At Etosha, meaning “place of dry water,” amazing wildlife sightings await you! Overnight: Etosha Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Day 9 Etosha Safaris Explore the Okaukuejo area of Etosha National Park with a game drive in an open 4×4 safari vehicle, tracking the lions, elephants, cheetahs, gemsbok, springbok and hartebeest that frequent the park’s many watering holes. After nightfall, set out on a nocturnal game drive or walk as the reserve’s predators amble out to hunt. Overnight: Etosha National Park Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Day 10 Local market visit Enjoy breakfast and optional extra activities. In the afternoon or mid morning you will drive to Windhoek where you will be dropped off at the hotel. You have a souvenir shopping experience at Okahandja market today on your way.You have an optional farewell dinner at Joe’s beerhouse Overnight: Windhoek Country Club Day 11 Departure After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Windhoek for your flight to Johannesburg, where you will connect to your departure flight. Please select flights that depart no earlier than 7 Pm

Includes

Accommodation and all breakfasts Private guide and vehicle Etosha National Park entry fees Namib Naukluft Park entry fees Game drives Sossusvlei dunes visit Deadvlei entry Sesriem canyon Damara living museum