DISCOVER NAMIBIA


CLASSIC NAMIBIA

Duration: ±14 days / ±12 nights

This Classic Safari takes us on our first day into the Kalahari semi-desert where we also meet the legendary San at our first overnight stop Intu Afrika Lodge. We visit the second largest canyon on earth, the Fish River Canyon, which has carved a gorge some 500 meter deep and 160 kilometers long into the landscape before joining the Orange River on its way to the Atlantic Ocean. Overnight at the Canyon Lodge, where spectacular vistas will take our breath away. On to the little town of Lüderitz, where diamonds were first discovered and German colonial history began. Many beautiful old buildings have been restored and the seafront is currently being developed, incorporating Shark Island and the new harbour. After a good seafood dinner at the Nest Hotel, we are lulled to sleep by the sound of the ocean. Next day we take a walk along agate beach, where, with a bit of luck, we can take a little stone home as a momento. We sleep again at the Nest Hotel and depart after breakfast toward the Namib Desert and Sossusvlei.

En route we hope to see some of the feral desert horses, which have adapted to this harsh environment after being released by the German troops at the end of the First World War. Our destination is a Lodge in close proximity to Sesriem Canyon and Sossusvlei. We overnight twice.

An early start is recommended to watch the infinite colours of the desert at sunrise. We climb one of the highest sand dunes in the world and appreciate how precious water is in this part of the world. A good dinner will revive our energy.

The following day sees us on the road to Swakopmund through the Namib Naukluft National Park and its spectacular scenery.

We spend two days exploring this historic town with its wonderful museums and buildings. We stay at the oldest and best hotel: The Hansa. We visit the "Moonscape" and the prehistoric Welwitschia mirabilis plants, some of which have already been around when Christ was born. But on we must go and drive along the Atlantic to Cape Cross, where Diego Cao landed anno 1486 and erected a stone cross in honour of his King. Between 100.000 and 300.000 seals also call this place home. Then the road takes us via the Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia, to Twyfelfontein and the amazing stone etchings of the San (who lived here already 3000 years ago) which we will visit after we overnight at a new Lodge aptly named: Twyfelfontein Lodge. Again we sleep here and then depart for Etosha, "place of dry water". En route we lunch at the Vingerklip Lodge and have an opportunity to see the Petrified Forest and enjoy the view of the Ugab River Valley, which millions of years ago has created this bizarre landscape. Our overnight stop is at Okaukuejo, a rest camp in Etosha, which also offers the opportunity to spend some time during the night to view game at the floodlit waterhole. Next day we spend game-viewing in Etosha and its amazing variety and numbers of all manner of game and birds. We overnight at Mokuti Lodge just outside the park. Next morning a short game-drive into Etosha and via Lake Otjikoto to Tsumeb and its Mine Museum (and lunch). We overnight twice at Mount Etjo Game Lodge near Otjiwarongo and get an opportunity to take "back-up" photographs of all the game we saw in Etosha and a few new species as well, before we return to our starting point Windhoek.