Namibia Classic

Travel Program

1st Day – Windhoek / Waterberg Plateau N. Park

Upon your arrival at Windhoek International Airport, collected your luggage and complete the entry formalities, you will find your guide/driver and will be with you for the entire duration of the trip.
We will head north along a mainly tarred road until we reach the Waterberg Plateau park, the mountain of water that rises near Otjiwarongo. In the afternoon we can take a relaxed walk to the top of the Plateau.

* Overnight: Waterberg Plateau N. Park.
* Treatment: Dinner bed and breakfast.

2nd Day- Waterberg Plateau N. Park / Etosha N. Park

Along a comfortable tarred road we will arrive at Etosha National Park, a must-see destination for anyone who loves nature and wildlife. The Etosha National Park has an area of 22,270 square kilometres and is one of the largest parks in Africa. Etosha means “great white place” and owes its name to the color of it’s pan, an ancient dried up lake within the park, a salty depression that extends for 4,730 sq km. In the park there are 114 species of mammals, 340 birds and 110 reptiles. The park will reveal itself in all its magnificence as soon as we begin to drive the various internal dirt roads of the park, where our first safari will begin.

* Overnight: Etosha National Park.
* Treatment: Dinner bed and breakfast.

3rd Day – Etosha National Park

The day will be dedicated to the unforgettable safari in the park. At the first light of dawn, along the dirt roads that intersect inside the park, we will reach the numerous water holes where the animals go to drink; we will observe wildebeest, elephants, giraffes, black-faced impalas, antelopes of different species, oryx, kudu, zebras while they quench their thirst. We will search for the shy predators such as Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Hyenas, as well as numerous birds such as the colorful lilac-breasted roller, the Crowned Plover and various species of Eagles. Of course the animals are always on the move, sightings are frequent but never guaranteed, especially with regard to large predators.

* Overnight: Etosha National Park.
* Treatment: Dinner bed and breakfast.

4th Day – Etosha National Park / Opuwo

With other exciting sightings we will carry out the final part of our safari in the west side of the Etosha park. After exiting the Galton gate, we will conclude our unforgettable experience in the  Park. We will then proceed in the direction of Opuwo, the administrative center of Koakoland, a hectic crossroads of trade, mostly of livestock; it will be an opportunity to observe men and women belonging to various tribes such as Herero, Himba, Ovambo and Zemba; we will be able to observe the typical and curious aspects of everyday life in “their” town, in a framework of peaceful coexistence between the different ethnic groups.

* Overnight: Lodge in Opuwo.
* Treatment: Dinner bed and breakfast.

5th Day – Opuwo

Our trip is enhanced by another unforgettable day, with meeting of proud Himba population in one of their traditional village. The life of this tribe evolves around their cattle and is marked by the slow rhythms of nature: grazing cattle, milking cows, making butter, preparing red ocher that is used by women that is applied to their skin and hair, looking after numerous children … a truly unique experience. Not to miss the scenic beauty of the Epupa Falls, on the border with Angola, where the waters of the Kunene River plunge for about 35 meters surrounded by a fantastic and evocative environment which water, palm groves and culture are mixed.

* Overnight: Lodge in Opuwo.
* Treatment: Dinner bed and breakfast.

6th Day – Opuwo / Damaraland

We leave Koakoland and move to the Damaraland area, both areas are located in the Kunene Region. Damaraland is one of the most spectacular places in Namibia, it has breathtaking landscapes with strong color contrasts. Damaraland is a region of great naturalistic importance and always offers strong emotions: the wildlife in-fact live in absolute freedom and their movements are unpredictable. In the afternoon we will go on a nature drive in the Palmwag concession where we will be able to see Giraffes, Kudu, Mountain Zebras, and, with a bit of luck, the legendary desert elephants and rhino.

* Overnight: Lodge in Palmwag area.
* Treatment: Dinner bed and breakfast.

7th Day – Damaraland

This morning we will move to the Twyfelfontein area and in the afternoon we will visit the extraordinary engravings among the richest in the world who date back thousands of years, the site is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site; to reach the various sites we will undertake a beautiful walk among the sandstone boulders and endemic vegetation. For most part of the engraving there are depicting animals with their characteristics: footprints, sacred animals with variants of dubious interpretation such as the lion with the very long tail and the dancing kudu: it is a real journey into the most remote past.

* Overnight: Lodge in Twyfelfontein area.
* Treatment: Dinner bed and breakfast.

8th Day – Damaraland / Swakopmund

We will depart for the pretty town of Swakopmund, located on the Atlantic Ocean coast. During the trip we will be able to appreciate the changing landscapes that follow one after another: from dry rivers beds, lush mopane trees, until arriving to the arid coast without vegetation and colours that vary between shades of yellow and grey. During the our transfer we will make a stop at Cape Cross, a colony of many thousands of Cape fur seals that we can observe both at close range, along a circular pedestrian path, and in the distance as they re-emerge among the waves of the ocean waves in search for food that the Benguela current carries in abundance here.

* Overnight: Hotel / Guesthouse in Swakopmund.
* Treatment: Bed and breakfast.

9th Day – Swakopmund

In the morning there will be an exciting 4X4 excursion into the desert dunes around Swakopmund, to discover a unique and surprisingly life of the desert. The humidity carried by the fog that forms when the hot air from the desert meets the icy ocean current of Benguela, in fact, guarantees the survival of the many animals that inhabit it. The high golden sand dunes that plunge into the blue of the ocean will give us surprising views. The afternoon will be free and you can spend time at your disposal walking around the orderly streets of the city or along the seafront, or can choose from the many organised activities, such as the spectacular flight over the desert on the small CESSNA plane.

* Overnight: Hotel / Guesthouse in Swakopmund.
* Treatment: Bed and breakfast.

10th Day – Swakopmund / Sesriem

Departure to the wonderful Namib desert; along the way, inside Namib Naukluft National Park, we will make two visits: the Moon landscape formed by an uplift of the seabed shaped by the erosion of the waters of the Swakop River; the endemic plants of Welwitschia mirabilis, an authentic living fossil. To-days transfer will be an opportunity to appreciate the great variety of landscapes: mountains, hills, the Kuiseb canyon and vast flat expanses. During the journey we will make a stop, with an inevitable photo on the Tropic of Capricorn line.

* Overnight: Lodge in Sesriem area.
* Treatment: Dinner bed and breakfast.

11th Day – Namib Desert

The day starts very early: dawn is in fact the best time to enjoy the magic of the desert. In the early morning the large dunes are painted with intense warm colours ranging from bright orange to apricot. We will reach the Sossusvlei area and visit the suggestive “Deadvlei“, characterised by the contrast of colours between the dark solitary ancient skeletons dead acacias, the white clay pan, the orange dunes and the blue intense sky. A paradise for the photographers enthusiasts. The more enterprising will be able to climb the highest dune in the world: the famous “Big Daddy” (about 220 meters from the base). The day will end with a visit to Sesriem Canyon, a deep and narrow gorge originating from the waters of the Tschaub River.

* Overnight: Lodge in Sesriem area.
* Treatment: Dinner bed and breakfast.

12th Day – Namib Desert / Windhoek

Transfer to Windhoek, passing through the Speetshoogte Pass which offers a spectacular view of the desert, ending our trip in Namibia. A last nostalgic look at the boundless landscape, wishing us a goodbye to Namibia before arriving at the international airport in time for the return flight.

* Treatment: Breakfast.

POSSIBLE EXTRA DAY: Namib Desert / Kalahari Desert

Driving past the Tsaris Pass from which you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Namib desert, we will head towards the suggestive Kalahari desert, with its low and longitudinal dunes with an intense rust color and the sparse vegetation and acacia trees. We will make a suggestive game drive in the reserve over the Kalahari dunes, with the sighting of typical desert animals.

* Overnight: Lodge near Mariental.
* Treatment: Dinner bed and breakfast.