Ultimate Namibia: Small Group Safari
Destination
Namibia
Travel Period
March-October
Duration
12 days | 11 nights
- 1 800 414 3090
- info@africansafarico.com
Windhoek, translated from the Afrikaans language to “Wind Corner,” is Namibia’s capital and largest city. Hosea Kutako International and Eros Airports service the city and, together with Namibia’s excellent road network, provide easy access to most of the country, although distances can be vast. Positioned centrally, Windhoek links important coastal towns to the country’s hub and is connected by well maintained national roads to South Africa and Botswana.
Although mostly a starting point for a trip elsewhere, local attractions include Christuskirche, the oldest church in the country, the Independence Memorial Museum, the National Botanic Garden of Namibia, the Tintenpalast (seat of the government), and the old fort, “Alte Feste.” The influence of the German colonial period can still be seen today in architecture, street names, German beer, bread and sausages. The German carnival is celebrated every year.
Located in Windhoek and named after the famous explorer Sir Francis Galton, Galton House has a relaxed but efficient style which creates a very welcoming atmosphere. Impressive wildlife photography adorns the walls whilst the rest of the interior is a combination of modern minimalistic and understated chic. Guests here are assured of a suitably relaxing stay with friendly and caring service. The communal areas consist of a large lounge, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a swimming pool, an early arrival/late departure day room (including toilet, shower, changing and re-packing facility) as well as understated garden areas. There is also a delightful ‘al fresco’ dining area by the pool where freshly prepared and very tasty meals can be served (including lunch and dinner).
There are nine en-suite rooms, including family rooms. Rooms are comfortable with double or twin beds, and families can be accommodated.
Sossusvlei is a photographer’s dream. In fact it is so unique and beautiful that it is hard to take a bad picture. Only a three hour drive from Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, it is one of the most sought after and unique destinations in the country. The stark yet ethereal beauty of Namibia is on full display here with the skeletal remains of old camel thorns strewn amongst salt pans, surrounded by some of the most spectacular sand dunes in the world. This endless expanse of wilderness is home to desert adapted species such as the Gemsbok (Oryx).
One of the most mysterious natural phenomena of the surrounding Namib Desert are the weird and wonderful fairy circles that give the desertscape an eerie lunar appearance. These are perfectly circular patches of grass that are inexplicably spaced evenly apart and never overlap. The area is extremely dry but every so often when it does rain it can transform the pans into a paradise for thousands of waterbirds, with the appearance of a sea of stunning wildflowers.
The Dead Valley Lodge is situated inside the Namib – Naukluft Park, in-between Seriem and Elim Dune on the D826 road leading to the world-famous Dead Valley at Sossusvlei. The lodge offers twenty free standing climate-controlled luxury tented chalets each with a panoramic view of the Namib Desert with towering red sand dunes, rugged mountain ranges, and arid desert savannahs. The restaurant serves delicious Namibian – style cuisine whilst guest can relax in the picturesque bar with a swimming pool overlooking the Elim Dune.
Luxury Tented Chalet
Each luxury tented chalet offers panoramic views of the Namib Desert with towering red sand dunes, rugged mountain ranges, and arid desert savannahs.
Games drives are offered in the mornings and afternoons to Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyons. Guests can enjoy the beautiful Namib Desert landscape and towering dunes.
Optional Activity: Hot Air Balloon Safari Namibia
At sunrise, in the world’s oldest desert, witness a spectacular hot air balloon inflation, and set out on the flight of a lifetime. From the best platform, in the most romantic way, soar with the winds for an hour, over the oceans of sand and mountains, endless vistas of shadows and lights. Your destination? The Sossusvlei dunes or the splendour of the desert. At landing, you come back to earth with an “Out Of Africa” style Champagne breakfast set up in the middle of nowhere. Your pilot will present you with a flight certificate before you take a leisurely nature drive back to the meeting point. It is an experience like no other, the experience of a lifetime.
Swakopmund is Namibia’s most sought after coastal town by local and international tourists alike. Situated at the mouth of the Swakop River in the Namib Desert, this one of a kind location is known for its German colonial architecture, great beaches, and desert-adapted plant and animal species. It is also the access point to some of the greatest sand dunes in the world and offers a variety of adrenaline-filled activities like quad biking, skydiving, and sea kayaking.
Swakopmund is just a few hours drive from Namibia’s capital and provides easy access to the Spitzkoppe, another very popular unique destination. A short drive via a scenic coastal road reaches the fishing town of Walvisbay. This road is an excellent place to marvel at the endless desert dunes as they meet the Atlantic Ocean.
Amongst the town’s captivating contrasts and old traditions, Gondwana’s Delight is a fresh breeze in the desert. Conveniently located within short walking distance of the ‘Mole’, this modern, uplifting, and inviting hotel is the ideal base for a stay. Every effort is made to surprise and delight guests with thoughtful touches and locally inspired reasons to smile. From the easy comfort of the hotel, the warm and welcoming service Gondwana is known for, to the assistance provided by the knowledgable Delight hosts for anything from activity bookings to dinner reservations – one’s stay is always an effortless and memorable experience.
The modern, spacious rooms reflect the colours of the ocean and the lighthouse. They each have twin beds and are equipped with en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, tea/coffee facilities, fridge, hairdryer, and a safe.
Pelican Point Kayaking Tour: The tour starts at the Waterfront office in Walvis Bay. Guests are taken in 4×4 vehicle on a scenic drive along the Walvis Bay Lagoon and the salt mines to Pelican Point, stopping along the way to take pictures of countless flamingoes, pelicans, large flocks of cormorants and a great variety of other birds and wildlife.
Pelican Point provides a home to up to 50.000 Cape Fur seals, lots of Heaviside’s and Bottlenose dolphins, black-backed jackals, flamingoes, pelicans and even the brown hyena. The Pelican Point lighthouse, erected nearly 100 years ago, still casts a guiding light to sailors during the night.
After one hour, guests reach Pelican Point where they are greeted by thousands of seals. Within a few minutes, the very stable double kayaks are ready for paddling.
The seals are very friendly and playful and not scared of the kayaks, even when paddling right next to them. They are inquisitive and often come within touching distance of the kayaks.
You don’t need to be fit or experienced to enjoy a morning of kayaking. The tour stays on the protected side of the peninsula. Guests spend around 1.5 hours on the water, depending on general weather conditions. The guide will use a waterproof camera for some photos which will be emailed to you within a few days, so you don’t have to get your own camera wet. After kayaking, recharge during breakfast with some fresh rolls and coffee and tea, before heading back to Walvis Bay. Return time is between 12h00 and 13h00.
The dramatic barren landscape of the iconic Damaraland is home to some of the most fascinating flora and fauna in Namibia, and the best place to spot desert-adapted elephant, rhino, lion, and zebra. The arid region’s attractions include a petrified forest of fossilized 280 million-year-old trees, some of the best preserved etchings and rock art dating back 6,000 years at Twyfelfontein, and the highest mountain in the country, the Brandberg, which is covered in thousands of ancient rock paintings.
The Late Stone Age art is thought to have been produced to pass on information about hunting expeditions, but the area has predominantly been used by pastoralists, such as the Damara and Herero, as well as more recently by the Himba, semi-nomadic herders whose female members distinctly cover their hair and skin with ochre colored paste.
Huddled in the rocks, with sweeping views across the Aba Huab valley, Camp Kipwe is full of surprises, starting when guests first arrive. It appears as if rocks have tumbled down the hill to reveal this gem of a camp. The setting is one of intimacy and space. An inviting lounge area, where birds fly in to enjoy the water seeping from the rocks, a refreshing swimming pool nestled in the rocks and a scattering of bungalows complete this eco friendly camp.
Bungalow
With boulder, cement and rock walls ensuring that on entry, the rooms feel like a cool secluded cave with outside decks to admire the views. Twin beds can be converted to double beds and private en-suite open air bathrooms are built amongst the rocks.
Climb into an open-air vehicle and experience the rush of Africa. Mowani’s local guides share with their guests an intimate knowledge and respect for the land that they have built up over a lifetime. With new insight into local traditions, you will come to fully appreciate the geology, botany and wildlife of the area. Local villagers are welcoming and keen to share their experiences.
Other activities include lounging by the pool, self-guided nature walks, and visiting the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein to explore the rock engravings, along with seeing Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes.
With easy access by road or air, Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s most established and sought after national parks. From open plains to arid savanna and some of the best game viewing around, this park has a lot going for it. Etosha pan is the most recognizable feature of Namibia’s premier national park. It is so enormous that you can see it from space. This 120 km (75 mi) long dry lakebed is the heart of the park and in fact is eponymous with the park itself, whose name translates to “Great White Place” after the characteristic coloring of this massive salt pan.
In the late dry season animals congregate in the hundreds around the many water sources, queuing to quench their thirst. When the rains arrive the area is transformed, bringing a plethora of birdlife that comes to take advantage of ideal feeding conditions. Thousands of flamingos and other water birds descend to the flooded salt pans to take advantage of this time of plenty.
Immersed in the African Mopani bush, Ongava Tented Camp is a natural extension of this wild, wonderful landscape. This classic safari style camp is tucked in a hidden valley at the foot of a dolomite hill in Ongava Game Reserve bordering Etosha National Park. Eight large comfortable Meru-style tents all have en-suite facilities, open air showers and private verandas. The main area, built of stone, canvas and thatch, fronts onto a much-frequented waterhole; watching wildlife coming to drink from here or from the swimming pool is a favourite pastime.
Standard Tent
There are seven tents – six with twin beds and one with a double bed. All are Meru-style tents with en-suite facilities, open air showers, and private verandas.
Ongava’s proximity to Etosha allows for game drives in the Etosha National Park and on the Ongava Reserve itself. Other possibilities include guided walks, birding and visiting hides. Ongava holds one of the largest rhino custodianships for the Namibian government in the country and is one of the few private game reserves in southern Africa where guests can see both black and white rhino.
West of the Waterberg Plateau Park, vast plains are occasionally broken by remnants of ancient sandstone outcrops, which once covered large areas of northern Namibia. Nestled among the Omboroko Mountains, in a Malaria-free area, lies Okonjima – a Herero name meaning “Place of the baboons.”
The Okonjima Nature Reserve, a huge protected area set amongst the rugged commercial farmlands of central Namibia, comprises a diversified ecosystem representative of both the larger and small mammals of Namibia, as well as most of the country’s endemic birds. The Okonjima Nature Reserve is home to, and runs extensive research projects on, rare and endangered species big and small.
The Okonjima Nature Reserve sprawls over 200 square kilometres of undulating plains, mountainous outcrops, and riverine thickets, and it is here that leopard (Panthera pardus), the most adaptable of all the wild cats, thrive.
These intelligent, solitary predators occur in high density in the expanse of Okonjima Nature Reserve’s multi-faceted topography. The Reserve’s predator research programme has spanned three decades, and its findings have provided great insight to leopard behavioral patterns as well as offered an upbeat prognosis for a sustainable future for the species in today’s Africa.
Okonjima is a family-run business. Wayne, Donna and Rosalea Hanssen, who co-own and live on the property, bought Okonjima from their parents, Val and Rose, in 1993, and turned the then cattle farm into a conservation project. Okonjima is so much more than simply an African safari lodge. It is also home to The AfriCat Foundation, which was established when Chinga the Cheetah was bought by the Hanssen’s at a cattle auction and given a home on Okonjima.
Located in Windhoek and named after the famous explorer Sir Francis Galton, Galton House has a relaxed but efficient style which creates a very welcoming atmosphere. Impressive wildlife photography adorns the walls whilst the rest of the interior is a combination of modern minimalistic and understated chic.
Guests here are assured of a suitably relaxing stay with friendly and caring service. The communal areas consist of a large lounge, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a swimming pool, an early arrival/late departure day room (including toilet, shower, changing and re-packing facility) as well as understated garden areas. There is also a delightful ‘al fresco’ dining area by the pool where freshly prepared and very tasty meals can be served (including lunch and dinner).
There are nine en-suite rooms, including family rooms. Rooms are comfortable with double or twin beds, and families can be accommodated.
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