Day 1 : Welcome to Windhoek
Your epic small group encounter with Namibia kicks off in its capital, Windhoek. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy time at leisure – play a round of golf on the 18-hole golf course or relax in the swimming pool before meeting your Driver Guide and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception and dinner.
Accommodation : Weinberg Hotel
Day 2 : Depart for the Desert Connect with Locals
Embrace the freedom of the open road as we venture into the Kalahari Desert – Namibia’s boundless, sandy beauty. We'll Connect With Locals en route, joining the third generation Seifart family on their agriculture and livestock farm. Head out on a farm tour, meeting some of the resident cattle, goats and sheep and learn about Namibian farm life along the way, before tucking in to a delicious buffet lunch of homemade specialities during this Be My Guest experience.
Accommodation : Kalahari Anib Lodge
Day 3 : Onwards through the Kalahari Desert to Fish River Canyon
See the iconic forest of Quiver Trees – the towering aloes from which the San people fashion their quivers to this day. After a short stop in Keetmanshoop with free time for lunch, travel to Naute Dam before arriving at your motor-themed lodge to savour a spectacular Namibian sunset.
Accommodation : Canyon Roadhouse
Day 4 : Admire Fish River Canyon and on to Aus
Peer over the ancient chasm carved by the Fish River to form Africa’s largest canyon. Carved over millennia, the Fish River Canyon’s gigantic ravine provides sanctuary to klipspringer, zebra and even wild horses. We continue our journey to the spectacular Aus Mountains where you’ll spend the afternoon getting close to nature.
Accommodation : Desert Horse Inn, Klein Aus Vista
Day 5 : Off to the Solitaire Region
Immerse yourself in the Southern Namib region admiring desert vistas and expansive skies as we conquer the open road. We pay a visit to Baron von Wolf’s Duwisib Castle to learn about its history as a gift of love for his American wife. Settle in to the comfort of your lodge and spend the afternoon relaxing, before embarking on a nature drive into the desert.
Accommodation : Namib Desert Lodge
Day 6 : Sand Dunes of Sossusvlei and Landscapes of Deadvlei
In a country renowned for its epic landscapes, competition for the top spot is tough. But it is Sossusvlei and Deadvlei that rightly deserve this crown and it is where we begin our adventure today. Gaze up at the towering Dune 45, then meander into the eerie but beautiful photographers' paradise of Deadvlei, to snap iconic photos of dead camel thorn trees on a bed of white clay pans, perfectly framed by towering sand dunes and clear blue skies. Your early morning adventure in Sossusvlei complete, travel on to explore the ravine walls of the Sesriem Canyon, carved out by the Tsauchab River.
Accommodation : Namib Desert Lodge
Day 7 : Head to Coastal Swakopmund
After breakfast, we drive to the German-inspired seaside town of Swakopmund, known for its colonial buildings and encroaching desert. Take in striking architectural landmarks like the Woermannhaus and the Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht during an orientation tour. This evening is at leisure, and a perfect opportunity to experience Swakopmund's characteristic local cuisine over dinner.
Accommodation : The Delight
Day 8 : Swakopmund Your Way
During your free time perhaps consider joining an Optional Experience catamaran wildlife cruise in Walvis Bay in search of the marine 'Big 5'. Or make the most of your free time by sampling Black Forest cake and Florentiners at one of the town's quaint German Bäckerei or indulge in some locally brewed Windhoek Lager.
Accommodation : The Delight
Day 9 : Venture to Damaraland
Follow Namibia’s salt route en route to Damaraland, a place where mysterious flat-topped lava mountains and petrified trees cast shadows across the terracotta-coloured terrain.
Accommodation : Damara Mopane Lodge
Day 10 : Continue to Etosha National Park Area Dive Into Culture Make Travel Matter
We make an important stop at Twyfelfontein to admire its ancient rock engravings. As we journey north, we visit the Petrified Forest and its unique fossilised tree trunks. Meet members of the OvaHimba tribe with whom we'll Dive Into Culture to gain insights into their hunter-gatherer traditions that have spanned thousands of years. During your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience visit to the village, learn about the OvaHimba culture and traditions.
Accommodation : Etosha Safari Lodge
Day 11 : Explore Etosha National Park
Explore one of the world’s great wildlife sanctuaries on a full-day safari. Climb aboard your safari vehicle and join your expert guide as you travel between watering holes, renowned as the best spots to view the parks' plentiful wildlife. Track herds of elephants as the matriarch slowly and purposefully leads them to the nearest waterhole, and look out for the big cats seeking refuge in the shade from the heat of the day. After a full day of wildlife spotting you'll return to your accommodation in time to watch a beautiful sunset and perhaps toast to a successful day on safari.
Accommodation : Etosha Safari Lodge
Day 12 : Journey Back to Windhoek
We bid farewell to Etosha and travel south back to Windhoek. This evening enjoy a Farewell Dinner at one of the city's most famous and lively beer houses to celebrate the end of a magical journey through Namibia.
Accommodation : The Windhoek Luxury Suites
Day 13 : Farewell Windhoek
With our journey at its close, we say goodbye to our new-found friends and transfer to Windhoek airport. Shuttle transfers have been arranged to depart at 09:30am and 12:00pm. Please Note: This Namibia Adventure trip is run on a small group basis. The vehicle operating it will be smaller than a standard coach, relative to the number of guests, and it is standard tour operator practice in Namibia for trips of this group size to have a Driver Guide. Roads in Namibia are a combination of tarmac roads and dirt/gravel roads where dust levels can be higher than in other parts of the world. The Namibian government implements a road maintenance programme but their condition can vary and sometimes journeys can feel less than smooth and rougher than on the tarmac roads.