Brandberg Massif, White Lady and Bushmen rock paintings
Twyfelfontain and rock engravings
Damara people and their culture
The Ochre People (Himba) and Kaokoland
Great Kunene Region, Epupa Falls
Animal Kingdom (Etosha National Park)
San people
14 Days | 13 Nights
Minimum 2 people per tour. Children under 12 years get 50% discount.
Prices are subject to establishments, the above are estimates only.
TOUR INCLUDES:
Transport/fuel, accommodation (or tents/camping equipment), meals as per accommodation choice, national park entrance fee, tour guide for the entire tour, transfer to and from the airport, pick-up in Windhoek and guests' transfer to the lodge/hotel after the tour.
TOUR EXCLUDES:
Scheduled flights (bus tickets) to and from Namibia, individually extended accommodation or additional transfers, sleeping bags on camping tours, compulsory insurance, water and drinks, alcoholic beverages, optional activities/attractions, snacks, gratuities and tips, trip extensions, personal shopping, visa to Namibia.
Day 1
Windhoek
After a long flight you will be welcomed by a warm African smile and feel the fresh air at our international airport, Hosea Kutako. After a quick brief we transfer you to Windhoek, the capital city, where the comfort of nature and leisure awaits you at your hotel /guesthouse amidst the African Savanna. Time for rest and refreshments. Take time to recharge your energy and get ready for the next 15 days on the African road.
Meals: As per accommodation
Accommodation: 1 night at Sweet Thorn Retreat Lodge/Hotel/Villa Moringa Guesthouse
Distance: Approximately 55 km, tarred/gravel roads.
Day 2
Damaraland
Our tours start off early after breakfast and travel to Damaraland for a first night away from civilization. We stop at the highest mountain in the country ( Brandberg). This massif granite outcrop stands in solitude and reaches 2575m above the sea level making it the highest point in Namibia . The mountain is part of Namibia heritage site as it boast almost 45 000 San rock paintings. And is famous for the world renowned white lady painting. A hike early in the morning is recommended.
Meals: As per accommodation
Accommodation: 1 night at White Lady Lodge
Distance: Approximately 360 km, tarred/gravel roads.
Duration: Approximately 6 hrs, including the stop-over.
Day 3
Twyfelfontein
The San people not only painted on the rocks but also engraved on them. Today we are heading to the world famous Twyfelfontein site to see one of the largest concentrations of petroglyphs ever made by man. These paintings were not created randomly, but rather express what the San community were going through at that time in the form of art. We can derive and interpret a lot of information from observing these mysterious images from time gone by. This information ranges from their culture, traditional healing, importance of individual animals to them and much more.
There are a host of other available activities in the area, including tracking the elusive desert Elephants, visiting the Burned Mountain and the Organ Pipes, a geological phenomenon.
The Damara culture is at your disposal at their Open Air Living Museum, where you can learn all about their culture and traditions. A visit to the Petrified Forest is a unique experience and worth seeing. After an exhausting day, you can enjoy rest and refreshments as you witness another day pass by over the endless landscape of Damaraland.
Meals: As per accommodation
Accommodation: 1 night at Twyfelfontein Country Lodge
Distance: Approximately 350 km, gravel roads.
Duration: Approximately 6 hrs.
Day 4, 5
Opuwo
After breakfast, we travel further north into Kaokoland, the Land of the Ovahimba people/tribe. We arrive in the remote town of Opuwo, which is the capital of the Great Kunene region, at around noon. The town is located far from civilisation. Here you will be welcomed by the Himba people who try to balance their traditional lifestyles with western encounters. The Himba people are one of the last few tribes in sub-Saharan Africa that still maintain and practice a traditional nomadic way of life.
Meals: As per accommodation
Accommodation: 2 nights at Opuwo Lodge
Distance: Approximately 400 km, tarred/gravel roads.
Duration: Approximately 6 hrs, including the stops for pictures & lunch.
Day 6, 7
Epupa Falls
Today, after breakfast, we set off, heading north to the mighty Epupa falls. On the way you will have the opportunity to see more authentic Himba villages and we will spend the next two days visiting the Himba people and learning more about their unique lifestyles while at the same time admiring the beautiful vistas this part of the country has to offer. Here one has the opportunity to experience the exotic and unique life these people have maintained for so long in one of the driest and hottest regions on our continent. We called the region of Kaokoland arid, barren, unforgiving; yet the Himba called it Home.
As we venture further north you will be surrounded by a rugged landscape of hills and mountains. It is very hard to tell where you are until suddenly a line of tall Palms trees appears. This is the Kunene river, and you will be amazed by the torrent of thousands of cubic litres of water cascading down a 37m deep gorge. That's when you realize that you are at the mighty Epupa falls. The river here forms a natural border between Namibia and Angola. The area is known for its rich bird life and some of the continent's big crocodiles.
The Kunene River is the only source of water to the people of this region but they have to avoid the danger the crocoldiles pose at all time. As we explore the area there will be ample time and opportunity to take selfies with these amazing people. The Himba have clung to their traditions and the beautiful Himba women are noted for their intricate hairstyles and traditional jewelry. Himba jewelry is made from iron or shell, and due to their intricate designs have become very popular with tourists. Himba women traditionally wear goat/calf skin mini-skirts. The women rub their bodies with red ochre and fat as a way of keeping clean and this ends up protecting them from the sun and gives their appearance a rich red color.
Here one can do any number of the optional activities (not included in the tour price). These include white water rafting, sundowners, birding and crocodile trekking and hiking trails.
Meals: As per accommodation
Accommodation: 2 nights at Epupa Falls Lodge/Camp
Distance: Approximately 250 km over both days, gravel roads. There will be stop overs for stretching legs and taking pictures.
Day 8
Etosha National Park (outside)
After a pleasant breakfast, we take one last look at the magnificent scenery before heading south. We pass by a Himba village, where they are getting ready for their daily routine, on our way to Opuwo, where we stop for petrol and to refresh our goodies. We then continue south, close to the western entrance of Etosha, and in the afternoon, around 3 o'clock, arrive at the Lodge. If time permits, we can enjoy a quick game drive to the nearest waterhole in the park.
Meals: As per accommodation
Accommodation: 1 night at Hobatere Lodge, near Etosha
Distance: Approximately 550 km, tarred/gravel roads.
Duration: Approximately 6 hrs, including stops.
Day 9, 10
Etosha National Park (inside)
Just after breakfast we enter the famous Etosha National Park. Etosha is one of a largest wildlife parks in Africa. Here you are welcomed by thousands of animals in their natural environment. The park covers 22000 square km and is home to some of Africa's big game, including rhino elephant, lion and giraffe. For the next 2 day we will be exploring this magnificent wildlife kingdom. The vast expanse of the park makes it great for game viewing.
We will spend the day driving around waterholes searching for and waiting for the thirsty animals to come down for a drink. But when night falls, one is welcome to sit at a floodlit waterhole at the camp, where the theatre of nature unfolds right in front of your eyes as all kind of animals gather for a drink. If you are lucky you might spot the highly endangered Black rhino.
Etosha is a jewel for wildlife photography. There will be more than enough time to capture some stunning pictures.
Meals: As per accommodation
Accommodation: 2 nights at either Camp Okaukejo, Halali or Namutoni (inside the park)
Distance: Approximately 350 km, gravel roads.
Distance: Approximately 8 hrs.
Day 11, 12
Grootfontein
On this day we depart from Etosha and travel east to our next destination. We will pass by the town of Tsumeb known for its copper mine and pay a visit to the largest meteorite to have reached the earth's surface, the Hoba meteor. We arrive at the lodge around noon, time for rest and relaxation.
The next day we set off after breakfast to visit the other nomadic tribe in Namibia, the San or Bushmen, as they are affectionately known. This visit can last up to 6 hours. Once we get there we will learn how they used to survive in the bush and they will demonstrate their traditions. You will learn how they track and hunt, and also about the different bushes they use for medicines and poison.
Meals: As per accommodation
Accommodation: 2 nights at Roys Camp/Fiuime Lodge
Distance: Approximately 350 km, tarred/gravel roads.
Day 13
Windhoek
Today we head south, back to the Capital. If time permits, we can stop over at the Okahandja Open Craft Market and/or visit to the country's only crocodile farm in Otjiwarongo
Meals: As per accommodation
Accommodation: 1 night at either Sweet Thorn Retreat, Villa Moringa Guesthouse, Hilton Hotel Windhoek
Distance: Approximately 450 km, tar roads.
Distance: Approximately 8 hrs including a lunch break.
Day 14
Windhoek
After a leisurely breakfast it's time to bid farewell to this beautiful motherland as we take you to the international airport to catch your flight back home. Till next time ..
Meals: As per accommodation