Namibia Kaleidoscope

After breakfast, depart to the Quiver Tree Forest, which has been declared a national monument, near Keetmanshoop. Continue via Seeheim to the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world. Nestled between rounded granite boulders, Canyon Lodge's quaint century-old farmhouse reception, the 25 fairy-tale cottages and the awe-inspiring canyon wakens your senses to the raw and powerful beauty of Nature. From the lookout point you can enjoy an unforgettable view over the expanses of the canyon.

The finest spot sparkles from the boulders and has, not without reason, the shape of a heart: the pool, with an indescribable panorama.

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast – Canyon Lodge

Today our destination is Aus – known for its wild horses, which are roaming the arid desert. The Desert Horse Inn is imbued with the energy of the horses, adding a spirited component to the warmth of the family-owned lodge. The lodge, nestled in the rocky Aus Mountains, is famed for its extensive and lovely vistas. The attractive and airy rooms are built in a style indicative of the late century farmhouse and painted a deep, rich sienna that glows alluringly in the late afternoon sunshine.

The next morning you will have an early start for a day of sight-seeing in Lüderitz, the first German Settlement in previous Deutsch-Südwest Afrika, with its old colonial buildings. On the way to Lüderitz, you will pass the waterhole of Garub about 20 km from Aus. Afterwards a tour to the ghost town, Kolmanskop – the first thriving diamond town in the country. Now ruins, but the only remains of this once blooming town.

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast – Klein Aus Vista Desert Horse Inn

Today, the route takes you along the border of the Namib Naukluft Park with its wide-open desert landscape towards Sesriem. Your accommodation is situated 35km from Sesriem and surrounded by the Nubib, Tsaris and Naukluft Mountains, with views of the dunes to the west. The chalets offer you a cool and clean environment after a long and dusty road.

An excursion to the Sossusvlei in the early morning, will take you to some of the highest sand dunes in the world. In the Dead Vlei you will find dead acacia trees, that are more than 500 years old, as they decay extremely slowly due to the dry climate. These gnarled old trunks in the foreground of the high dunes create an incredibly romantic picture. The local meaning of Sossus means 'place of no return' and the word vlei is an Afrikaans word for 'marsh. Afterwards, visit  the 18 million years old and 30 meters deep Sesriem Canyon on the way back to the Lodge. The canyon is small but very picturesque – many plants grow in the shade and shelter offered by the canyon, and water pools attract several species of birds and animals. The name Sesriem comes from Afrikaans and means "six-belt" in English. The early settlers had to tie six leather belts cut from Oryx skins together, to haul up buckets full of water from the canyon.

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast – A Little Sossus Lodge

After breakfast the tour transverses the Namib Naukluft Park, towards the coast via the Gaub and the Kuiseb Canyon, finally, after about 4 hours, arriving at the quaint town of Swakopmund in the afternoon. The most iconic symbol is the Swakopmund jetty, initially used as mooring for ships it later became  popular  for anglers and walkers, it has fallen into disrepair on numerous occasions and has been subject to several attempts to rescue it from complete dereliction.  Recently large-scale work has been completed on the jetty which now proudly boasts a small restaurant and bar area.

The Cornerstone Guesthouse is a small, private and peaceful Bed and Breakfast, with just an easy walk to the beachfront and the town center of Swakopmund. Optional activities like a scenic flight to the Skeleton Coast or a Living Desert Tour are very popular.

An early start to Walvis Bay for a Seal & Dolphin cruise on a catamaran is on this morning’s program. Enjoy the antics of the seals jumping on board and a good possibility of sightings of dolphins frolicking along-side the boat. Sparkling wine, fresh oysters and snacks are on the menu. The tour is led by experienced guides and well-qualified and experienced skippers. Return to the harbor at 12h30 and then Swakopmund, where the rest of the day is at your disposal.

Bed & Breakfast – Cornerstone Guesthouse

At around 11h00, depart Swakopmund for a desert tour to visit the Oasis Goanikontes and the Moon Valley en route to the Farm Kaliombo. Our safari style tented camp on the edge of a dry river bed, with en suite facilities and private verandahs will let you enjoy the nature around you to the fullest. A nature drive will be undertaken on the farm grounds in the late afternoon to enjoy some game viewing and a great sunset.

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast – Kaliombo Safari Camp

Today’s route will take you via Omaruru to the Erongo Mountains. Ai-Aiba -The Rock Painting Lodge is dramatically set against imposing granite boulders in the foothills of the Erongo Mountain range. Steeped in history these ancient rock formations are the eroded remains of a volcanic complex about 130 million years old. The view overlooking the Erongo Mountain Nature Conservancy is simply stunning. Especially in the afternoon, the sunlight will turn the nature into a beautiful scenery. The main building at Ai Aiba Lodge houses the restaurant and a Bushman Bar. This area is perfect for small hikes and to visit rock paintings.

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast – AiAiba Rock Lodge

In the morning you will visit a San-Village on a nearby farm. At this Living Museum you get an interesting insight into the ancient hunter-gatherer culture and the traditional way of the San. Afterwards, your journey continues via Omaruru to the Damaraland. The Twyfelfontein area offers prominent geographic features including famous rock paintings at Twyfelfontein, Namibia's first World Heritage Site, which you will visit during your stay here. Nestled along the mountainside, the Lodge beautifully blends in with its surrounding environment. Using natural stone and thatched roofs, its design compliments the sandstone rock formations with minimum visual impact on this picturesque landscape.

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast – Twyfelfontein Lodge

Continuing further north into the Damaraland via Palmwag. The Palmwag Lodge, is a paradise located on the Uniab River in north-western Namibia. In the concession area around the Lodge are large populations of Hartman's Mountain Zebra, giraffe, oryx, springbok and kudu. This concession supports a healthy population of desert adapted black rhino and elephants. Each room is equipped with a twin bed, mosquito net, en-suite bathroom and a fan for the warmer days. A shaded veranda with chairs and a table invites you to linger. You can undertake walking trails, guided (additional cost) or unguided and a game drive with Palmwag Lodge is recommended (additional cost).

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast – Palmwag Lodge

Driving via the Grootberg Pass and Kamanjab your route takes you to the famous Etosha National Park, covering an area of 22’270 km², and the habitat for 114 species of animals and 340 species of birds. It has been described as one of the best game reserves on the African continent. Perched on the top of a little hill Dolomite Camp offers sublime views to complement the luxuriously appointed camp. The camp is unfenced allowing animals to roam freely between the tents and communal area. Guests are accommodated in permanent luxury tents with an elevated view of the endless plains of Etosha. The wildlife has developed without human disturbance and rare species such as black rhino and black-faced impala have established themselves in the area.

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast – Dolomite Camp

Enjoy a full day game drive through the western part of the park towards Okaukuejo, visiting the various viewpoints and the permanent waterholes, where animals congregate. Okaukuejo offers an illuminated and usually busy waterhole inside the camp that allows great game viewing even during the night.

Etosha’s impressive clay- and saltpan is a wide, shallow area with a stunning size of about 5’000 km². Throughout most part of the year the white clay- and salt crust shimmers in the sun, hence the translation for Etosha: “the vast white place of dry water”.

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast – Okaukuejo Rastlager

Today you drive to the eastern side of the park stopping at various waterholes for game viewing and photo shooting opportunities. In the late afternoon you will exit the Park through the Von Lindequist Gate on the Namutoni side, to continue to a nearby lodge only 8 km from the park gate. The lodge is situated on its own 2,500 ha private reserve. The name Mushara is derived from the Purple Pod Terminalia tree which grows abundantly on the lodge grounds and in the surroundings. The thatched public area includes a small library with a selection of good books, a bar with an extensive wine cellar, an airy lounge with a welcoming fireplace for winter evenings, a dining area and a well-stocked curio shop. Ten well-spaced thatched chalets are arranged in a horseshoe shape around the swimming pool. All the chalets and individual rooms are extremely spacious and equipped with air-conditioning, mosquito net, mini-bar, safe, tea and coffee station, sockets for charging storage batteries and direct telephone connection.

The next day you will enjoy game viewing around Namutoni.

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast – Mushara Lodge

On route to your next domicile a stopover at Lake Otjikoto can be planned. It is part of an underground river system; the lake was exposed when the roof of what was a large dolomite cave, caved in. The lake is small but very deep and scenic. It is the largest Lake in Namibia that carries water the whole year. Then you proceed via Otjiwarongo to the Waterberg Guest Farm. Situated at the foot of the majestic Waterberg Plateau in Northern Central Namibia is the magnificent Waterberg Guest Farm, a 42 000-hectare paradise of natural African savannah. Waterberg is a striking Table Mountain that is about 48 km long and about 15 km wide and towers over its surroundings by almost 200 m.

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast – Waterberg Guestfarm

On this day your guide will take you back to Windhoek via Okahandja. Here you can stop at the popular Wood Craft market to buy some souvenirs. Afterwards your guide will take you back to the airport in time for your flight home.

Guided Tour:

Per person sharing: N$ 71,180.00 minimum 4 pax
Single room supplement: N$ 4,750.00

Selfdrive Tour

Per person sharing: N$ 55,570.00 
Single room supplement: N$ 4,750.00

• All transport in an air-conditioned VW Combi,
• Experienced English-speaking guide,
• 18 nights’ accommodation and meals as per above itinerary,
• Refreshments during the day while driving,
• Park entrance fees,
• Activities as indicated,
• 15 % VAT

• International flight,
• Meals not listed,
• All beverages at restaurants/lodges,
• Additional activities,
• Items of personal nature,
• Gratuities,
• Travel insurance.