Day 1: (Sun) Windhoek - Etosha National Park  (LD)
Depart Windhoek and head north via Okahandja, for a visit to a local market, to shop for wood carvings and curios. We arrive at our lodge late afternoon within the Etosha National Park. Etosha is a huge oasis in the midst of a semi-desert and offers an extraordinary safari experience. The Etosha National Park is an immense wilderness area of 22 000 square kilometres and supports a fantastic variety of wildlife. During the rainy months, when Etosha's pan fills with water, flamingoes flock to this rich resource, their numbers estimated to reach a phenonenal one million! Around 2 million years ago, Etosha would have been an enormous lake, however over time as the rivers that fed the lake changed their course (particularly the Kunene River) the pan dried up. In the southern section of the Park waterholes form the basis of life for all of the inhabitants of the Park, from elephant, to lion, oryx, zebra, giraffe and springbuck. A safari into the Etosha National Park, will bring you up close with Africa's desert adapted wildlife - you will not be disappointed in your safari experience. Accommodation: Etosha - Rest Camp or similar

Day 2: (Mon) Etosha National Park  (BD)
Today we will spend a full day in this world-class game park, visiting a number of waterholes to observe the wildlife. Etosha, translated, means 'The place of dry water' and today we get our first view of the magnificent Etosha pan. Accommodation: Etosha - Rest Camp or similar 

Day 3: (Tue) Etosha National Park  (BD)
We travel along the vast saltpan with stops at various waterholes for game viewing en route. After lunch (own account) we continue westwards through the Park and on to our overnight stop. Accommodation: Namatubis Guest Farm or similar 

Day 4: (Wed) Etosha National Park - Damaraland  (BD)
This morning begins with an early start, to see the highlights of Damaraland - one of the last true wilderness areas in Africa, where desert adapted elephant roam unhindered along with other wildlife, such as ostrich and springbuck. The area is named after the Damara people that live here. We head through Outjo, Khorixas, the capital of this region, passing through scenic landscapes, of distant mountains, kopjies and dry water courses, as well as Damara villages before we reach the Petrified Forest, which is literally millions of years old.  We arrive at our lodge at around lunch time. Accommodation: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge or similar 

Day 5: (Thu) Damaraland  (BD)
We visit the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, a rocky outcrop with an abundance of bushman rock art -approximately 2500 - 3000 rock engravings! We go on to visit other fascinating geological features such as the Organ Pipes and Burnt Mountain. Your afternoon is at leisure. Accommodation: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge or similar 

Day 6: (Fri) Damaraland - Swakopmund  (B)
We continue to Henties Bay and then proceed onto the charming coastal resort of Swakopmund, where you spend the remainder of your afternoon at leisure. You may choose to visit Swakopmund's museum, her aquarium, the crystal gallery, or simply to wander around town, or perhaps take a stroll along Swakopmund's beaches. The Bavarian history and influence is still evident in the architecture of the town, and lends a unique flavour to Namibia's 'fun town', otherwise recognised as Namibia's 'adventure capital'. Swakopmund enjoys mostly favourable weather and is literally sandwiched between the dunes of the Namib Desert and the Atlantic Ocean. The dunes are a great source of pleasure, not only are they visibly arresting, but the many gut-turning adventure activities from dune boarding, to quad biking and hot air ballooning, are numerous. The Atlantic also provides a range of delightful activities, from seal cruises, to fishing excursions... and Swakopmund's active night life, with many restaurants and pubs for you to choose from, will keep you entertained for the duration of your stay in this friendly city. Accommodation: Eberwein Hotel or similar 

Day 7: (Sat) Swakopmund   (B)
Today is at leisure to further explore this charming town. Why not take a harbour cruise ('watch out' for the seals that hop onboard), or do a scenic hot-air balloon flight over the dunes of the Namib Desert, or indulge in one of the numerous adventure activities on offer. Accommodation: Eberwein Hotel or similar

Day 8: (Sun) Swakopmund - Sossusvlei  (BD)
This morning we visit some of the regions natural wonders such as the ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, a rather peculiar plant found only in Namibia, and on average specimens are between 500-600 years old, but some of the larger specimens are thought to be between 1500 to 2000 years old! Its then onto 'Moon Landscape', a seemingly endless sea of barren hills that have been compared to the images of the lunar 'Sea of Tranquillity'. We continue to the edge of the Namib Desert and then proceed through the southern region of the Namib Naukluft Park, the Kuiseb Canyon, and the Gaub Pass before we reach our accommodation for the evening. Namibia's Namib Desert, stretches the length of Namibia, along the cold Atlantic coastline up to Southern Angola.  The Namib is one of the oldest deserts in the world, dating back 55 million years, and is reputed to have the highest sand dunes in the world! Accommodation: Namib Desert Lodge or similar 

Day 9: (Mon) Sossusvlei  (BD)
We visit the spectacular dunes at Sossusvlei, reputedly the highest dunes in the world - Sossusvlei is the Namib Naukluft Park's most popular attraction.  It consists of 'the vlei', an Afrikaans word, which translated means 'shallow depression that fills with water', is an almost circular cracked-earth pan, that shimmers white in the midday heat and by stark contrast, is hemmed in by the towering, ochre red and orange dunes of the Namib Desert that march resolutely off into the distance from the 'vlei' in every direction. Sossusvlei provides outstanding opportunities for budding photographers, particularly early morning and late afternoon - the red of the dunes, white of the vlei and petrified trees, a surreal photographers dream canvas. Should you be feeling energetic, you may choose to climb to the top of the dunes, before we return to our lodge - we highly recommend the view of the Namib Desert from this vantage point - you will not be disappointed. Accommodation: Namib Desert Lodge or similar 

Day 10: (Tue) Sossusvlei - Windhoek  (B)
This morning we have a leisurely start to our day, and drive through the scenic Spreetshoogte Pass (road conditions permitting) on to Windhoek. You arrive at your Windhoek city hotel at approximately 15h00, alternatively you can be dropped off at Windhoek International Airport by 16h00.

See our Windhoek day tours for optional excursions - Should you arrive in Windhoek a day earlier to your escorted tour departure, there is a wonderful range of tours to keep you entertained. Alternatively these tours can just as easily be included in your itinerary at the end of your guided tour of the country.

If you have the time, a great 'adventure' to add on to your itinerary is the Desert Express Train in Namibia, which travels between Windhoek and Swakopmund. This train is renowned for warm Namibian hospitality and cuisine, and a view of the Namibian countryside which will 'take your breath away'.

A wonderful add on to your Namibian vacation, would be the safari destination of the Okavango Delta.  From the deserts of the Namib, a safari in the Okavango Delta is the extreme opposite - lush waterways, are 'alive' with bird rookeries, tiger fishing, hippo snorting, sunning crocodiles, elephant, buffalo, innumerable species of antelope and of course... Africa's cats! 

After the delta we suggest a few nights at Victoria Falls - one of the world's natural wonders and a sight not to be missed.  Alternatively fly to Cape Town, South Africa's 'Mother City' and truly one of the really 'hot' destinations the world over - pristine beaches (impossibly white sand underfoot and light blue seas), a much-loved mountain that dominates the skyline, a world-acclaimed Wine Route, outstanding restaurants, night life and shopping.

Our Internet Consultants will be able to 'string-together' your ideal vacation, and many other destinations that your idea of an African 'dream vacation' may include. We have innumerable accommodation options and tours to offer... if you dream, we will can do it.

Validity	Currency	Twin	Single
01 Nov 08-31 Oct 09	ZAR	19860	22750

Departure Dates - 2008

09, 23 Nov

07 Dec

Departure Dates - 2009

11 Jan	15 Feb
08 Mar	15, 19 Apr
10, 24 May	07, 21 Jun
05, 19 Jul	09, 23 Aug
06, 20 Sep	11 Oct

ETOSHA, DAMARALAND & SWAKOPMUND HIGHLIGHTS TOUR

The Namibian Discovery Tour is also available as a 6 night / 7 day option which ends on day 7 with a drop off in Windhoek late morning, called the Etosha Damaraland & Swakopmund Highlights Tour

Validity	Currency	Twin	Single
01 Nov 08-31 Oct 09	ZAR	19860	22750

To take in the 'whole' of Namibia, our northern tour easily 'tacks on' to our fully guided / escorted tour that takes in the highlights of southern Namibia - Desert & Canyon Vistas - 7 Days.