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DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for South Africa
Depart for South Africa
DAY 2, Sunday - Arrive in Johannesburg
Arrive in Johannesburg, known as "Gauteng - the City of Gold." Today, Jo'burg is the largest city in South Africa by population, and also the wealthiest province. Board a shuttle transfer to your hotel
Overnight: Johannesburg
DAY 3, Monday - Windhoek and Sossusvlei in Namibia
A morning flight takes you to Windhoek in Namibia, a country that possesses some of the most stunning and untamed scenery on the planet with spectacular species of wildlife. Upon arrival, meet your Tour Manager and travel to the Namib Desert*, stopping en route to visit a local winery. Take a leisurely stroll through the vineyards and sample some of the fine wines before continuing south to Sossusvlei, marked by towering red sand dunes, surreal landscapes and an incredible splash of dazzling colors. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers
*Today's route from Windhoek to the Namib Desert will cover a considerable distance.
Overnight: Sossusvlei
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4, Tuesday - Sossusvlei Dunes, Deadvlei & Sesriem Canyon
Rise before dawn to explore the Sossusvlei area, a salt and clay pan situated in Namib-Naukluft National Park. The large, red sand dunes are some of the tallest in the world. Perhaps climb to the upper ridge of Big Daddy dune*, one of the highest in the area, surrounded by dreamlike scenery and extraordinary panoramas. At star-shaped Dune 45, stand in awe at the world's most photographed dune. Walk over the dunes to reach Deadvlei, a "dead" marsh that sits eerily in a forest frozen in time**. Here, witness surprising palettes of colors ranging from shades of orange to bright red and violet. Marvel at the majestic dunes, among the highest in the world, and see unique plants and wildlife that survive in the harsh terrain. On your exploration, keep your camera ready for sightings of springbok, geckos, and other desert wildlife. After lunch at the lodge, travel to Sesriem Canyon, a narrow 100-foot deep gorge carved into the rock by the mighty Tsauchab River. Learn the history of this magnificent natural canyon that dates back over two million years and view the canyon's multicolored layers of rock on the trails. Visit the Elim Dune before returning to the lodge. At dinner tonight, share recollections of this exhilarating day
*Climbing the Big Daddy dune can be challenging.
**The walk to reach Deadvlei is an active hike.
Overnight: Sossusvlei
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5, Wednesday - Swakopmund
Today, drive via the Kuiseb Canyon toward Swakopmund*, a lively resort town nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Namib Desert. A packed lunch will be provided en route before stopping in Walvis Bay. Continue to Swakopmund, known as the adventure sports capital of Namibia. Enjoy the friendly atmosphere, lovely seaside promenades, colonial-era architecture and cool ocean breezes along the tree lined boulevards and sandy beaches. Tonight, dinner is at a popular restaurant in Swakopmund
*Today's route from Sossusvlei to Swakopmund will cover a considerable distance.
Overnight: Swakopmund
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6, Thursday - The Living Desert
This morning, travel in a 4x4 through dry desert dunes searching for life in a barren landscape populated by geckos, chameleons, sand diving lizards and scorpions. Your knowledgeable guides enlighten you about the plant life and minerals as you zoom through the dunes traveling from the scenic eastern side through to the Atlantic Coast on the west. Spend the afternoon at leisure in Swakopmund, or join the optional Mondesa Township Tour for a glimpse into everyday life in a typical Namibian township. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant
Optional: Mondesa Township Tour
Overnight: Swakopmund
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7, Friday - Damaraland
After a leisurely morning in Swakopmund, drive to Damaraland*, with its dramatic rugged terrain, one of the most picturesque areas in Namibia. This pristine wilderness of harsh wind eroded mountains, wide gravel plains, dry valleys and stark desert landscape is dotted with unusual succulent plants that thrive from the mists of the Atlantic. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon for time at leisure, or join the optional Desert Elephant Safari. Embark on a safari to see Namib desert elephants in the wild, a once in a lifetime opportunity. Marvel in the vast desert expanses from the comfort of your lodge, and enjoy a traditional sundowner while watching the sunset. This evening, dinner tonight is at the lodge
*Today's route from Swakopmund to Damaraland will cover a considerable distance.
Optional: Desert Elephant Safari
Overnight: Damaraland
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8, Saturday - Twyfelfontein Excursion
This morning visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein. These remarkable petroglyphs of wild animals, including rhinos, elephants, giraffes and zebras, were created over 2,000 years ago by ancient hunter-gathers. Continue to the Organ Pipes, a distinctive section of geometric rock pillars formed by natural erosion. This afternoon, visit the Damara Living Museum to gain insight into one of the oldest traditional nations in Namibia. Dinner together is at the lodge
Overnight: Damaraland
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9, Sunday - The Himba Tribe & Etosha National Park
An exciting morning with a visit to a Himba tribe dwelling; these semi-nomadic pastoralists live in homes built of palms and mud in scattered settlements throughout the region. Learn first-hand about their history, proud culture and unique traditions that have not changed over the centuries. The Himbas are colorfully adorned with shells and jewelry made of iron and copper and clothes cut from goatskin, with ochre glazed skin to protect them from the harsh desert climate. Drive to Etosha National Park* in the vast arid space of Northern Namibia. One of the most important reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in Africa, the park is centered on the white salt Etosha Pan that dominates the landscape. At Etosha, meaning "place of dry water," amazing wildlife sightings await you! The pan itself contains water only after very good rains (a few days a year) but enough to stimulate growth of blue-green algae which lures thousands of flamingos. After a box lunch en route, arrive at your lodge on the outskirts of the park. On the late afternoon open vehicle game drive, observe the perennial springs and waterholes within the park that allow the predominantly desert environment to support an incredible diversity of wildlife
*Today's route from Damaraland to Etosha National Park will cover a considerable distance.
Overnight: Etosha National Park (West)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10, Monday - Western Etosha National Park
Rise early this morning, and set out to explore the many waterholes along the enormous saltpan. More than 114 species of mammals survive in Etosha, including the rare black faced impala, along with over 340 species of birds. The game reserve is also home to ostrich, the world's largest bird and the kori bustard, the heaviest flying bird on the planet. On the full day game drive you'll look for cheetah on the vast open plains, lions lazing under the hot sun, and plenty of springbok and striking gemsbok. Relax and enjoy dinner at the lodge
Overnight: Etosha National Park (West)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11, Tuesday - Eastern Etosha National Park
Today, move to the Eastern side of the National Park. Enjoy game viewing en route where you may have a chance to look for endemic birds like the bare cheeked babbler and catch glimpses of elephants splashing at the water's edge. The areas with thicker vegetation are home to elephant, some of the largest in Africa the endangered black and white rhino and even leopard. Lions are camouflaged in the pale-golden color of the grasslands, while giraffes rise high above most of the dry vegetation. After stopping at a rest camp for lunch (on your own) continue to your lodge, arriving in the late afternoon
Overnight: Etosha National Park (East)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12, Wednesday - AfriCat Foundation, Windhoek
Today, continue to Okahandja, the "Garden Town" of Namibia, for a specially arranged visit with staff at the AfriCat Foundation, dedicated to long term conservation of Namibia's large carnivores. A guided drive begins at the AfriCat Carnivore Care and Information Centre. Here, meet Species Ambassadors responsible for the care of young, orphaned or injured animals until they can be rehabilitated and released back into the wild. The guide answers your questions and explains the work being done with carnivores in Namibia. AfriCat also provides an environment for non-releasable carnivores to hone their hunting skills in a 50,000 acre nature reserve with a goal of long term survival in their natural habitat. Continue to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. Tonight, bid a fond farewell to your Tour Manager and newfound friends as you gather for a Farewell Dinner. Share memories together of your magnificent adventure in Namibia that will last a lifetime
*Today's route from Etosha National Park to Windhoek will cover a considerable distance.
Overnight: Windhoek
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 13, Thursday - Depart Namibia
After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Windhoek for your flight to Johannesburg, where you will connect to your departure flight. Please select flights that depart no earlier than 7 PM
Meals: Breakfast
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