2008
Namibian Explorer
The greatest of Namibian adventures is to sleep under the vast and vaulted skies.
Our opinion
A camping safari, offering the best value way of exploring Namibia.
Escorted
Escorted from and to your return to Windhoek, by a local tour guide/driver
Itinerary
- Windhoek: 1 night
- Okonjima: 1 night
- Etosha: 2 nights
- Damaraland: 2 nights
- Swakopmund: 2 nights
- Namib: 2 nights
Day 1 London/Windhoek
Depart London Gatwick with Air Namibia overnight flight to Windhoek. On arrival transfer to the Windhoek Country Club and enjoy a full day at leisure.
Day 3 Windhoek/Okonjima
In the morning depart 8am for your journey to Okonjima about three hours to the north, stopping en route at Okahandja. Arrive at Okonjima mid afternoon, with time to set up camp before a late afternoon of education and activities involving the big cats at the Africat Foundation. In the evening return to camp for a star lit dinner.
Day 4 Okonjima/Etosha
An early start this morning for your journey to Namutoni, eastern Etosha. En route you’ll stop to see Lake Otjikoto and a brief stop to pick up supplies. After lunch, an afternoon game drive in the National Park returning to camp for dinner. The following day, an unforgettable full day driving through the Etosha pan to Okaukuejo Rest Camp, famous for its rewarding waterhole.
Day 6 Etosha/Damaraland
Leaving Etosha you begin the journey south with a relatively short drive to the small town of Kamanjab where you make a short stop before continuing on to find Himba tribesmen. During the afternoon you will be invited into Oase Village and will meet the locals with a specialist guide. Camp will be setup away from the village ensuring their privacy. In the morning you head into beautiful Damaraland, visiting the Petrified Forest and the Bushman engravings at Twyfelfontien. Head deeper to Namibia’s highest mountain, The Brandberg, an ancient Bushman spiritual site where you’ll set up camp.
Day 8 Damaraland/Swakopmund
Starting early to enjoy the cool of the morning we will hike, ‘into’ the mountain with our guide to see the world famous ‘White Lady’ rock painting. Attributed to the Bushman artists, the white lady is believed by some to be in excess of 20,000 years old, though some believe that it was painted by aliens! From here drive across ‘gravel plains’ to the Atlantic Ocean and the Skeleton Coast. Visit the seal colony at Cape Cross before driving to Swakopmund. Here enjoy two days at leisure and with an abundance of restaurants available, only breakfast is included on Day 9.
Day 10 Swakopmund/Namib
Depart Swakopmund for Walvis Bay, for a short visit at the beautiful lagoon which is home to a vast number of birds including pelican and flamingo, before heading into the desert, crossing the seemingly endless Namib gravel plains. After traversing mountain passes, see the breathtaking desert landscapes at Sesriem where, after a long but scenically rewarding drive you will arrive late afternoon. One of the best times to arrive in the desert you’ll be driven to a nearby dune to appreciate the magic brought by sunset. The following day, the earliest of starts as you head into the Namib Naukluft at dawn to witness the rising colours on the dunes as you drive to Sossusvlei. To reach Sossusvlei itself you’ll need to walk for the last three miles through the dunes. The walk is like nothing else, in the cool of the morning, with soft sunlight just beginning to play over the dunes. Ancient mineral pans, stunted Camelthorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make perfect photo opportunities. Enjoy the morning in and around Sossusvlei, visiting ‘Dune 45’ then return to Sesriem for lunch. As the day cools off in the late afternoon, take a short excursion to Sesriem Canyon.
Day 12 Namib/Windhoek/London
After breakfast begin the scenic journey back to Windhoek, a journey of about five hours, arriving in the city at around 3pm in time for your return Air Namibia flight to Gatwick.
Cape Town Extension
Day 12 Windhoek/Cape Town
After returning to Windhoek, fly Air Namibia to Cape Town for four nights at the Lady Hamilton in a Standard room.
Day 16 Cape Town/London
Air Namibia flight to Gatwick via Windhoek, arriving the next day.
Grootbos Extension
Day 12 Windhoek/Grootbos
On return to Windhoek fly Air Namibia to Cape Town then transfer approx. 2 hours to Grootbos Nature Reserve for four nights in a Luxury suite.
Day 16 Grootbos/London
Return to Cape Town airport for your Air Namibia flight to Gatwick via Windhoek, arriving the next day.
