Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland and Safari

Tour name: Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland and Safari

Destination: Namibia

Duration: 10 Nights/ 11 Days

Group size: Minimum of 2 Guests

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Windhoek – Sossusvlei

Welcome to Namibia! Upon arrival you will be welcomed and assisted with the collection of your rental vehicle. Proceed to the Africa on Wheels counter and collect your rental vehicle.  

11 Days Car Rental – Toyota Fortuner or similar (4×4 Automatic), including contract fee and Super Excess Cover 1. 

Day 1: Pick up at Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport

Day 11: Drop off at Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport

Using the directions provided drive to the Namib Naukluft Park and the Sesriem area where you will spend the next three nights at Sossusvlei Lodge. (Approximately 5-hour drive.)

Overnight at the Sossusvlei Lodge in a Superior Room – Dinner, bed and breakfast basis

SOSSUSVLEI LODGE

Situated at the Entrance Gate to the Namib Naukluft Park, Sossusvlei Lodge offers direct access to the towering red sand dunes, the famous pan of Sossusvlei, the scorched black trees of Dead Vlei and the remarkable depths of the Sesriem Canyon. The Superior accommodation units at Sossusvlei Lodge feature a patio to enjoy views over the desert landscapes, a spacious air-conditioned twin-bedded room and a full en-suite bathroom. Experience the true art of hospitality with the thoughtful touch of attentive staff to contribute to a truly memorable experience. Facilities include a sparkling pool, bar, sundowner deck, beer garden and an al fresco terrace where one can enjoy exquisite food, award-winning wines and magnificent views of the floodlit waterhole. The Sossusvlei Lodge Adventure Centre provides a range of activities including Guided Excursions to Deadvlei and Sossusvlei, Elim dune walks, Sundowner Trips, Quad Buggy Nature Drives, Hot Air Ballooning, Scenic Flights and much more to explore the area’s natural beauty. 

Day 2: Sossusvlei & Deadvlei Excursion

An early start from the Lodge to enter the Namib-Naukluft Park at sunrise, while the temperature is still mild and when the dune contrasts are at their best.

Meet at Sossusvlei Lodge Reception: 05h45

Tour Departs: 06h00

This tour is offered by the Sossusvlei Adventure Centre. You will travel in an all-terrain game-viewer vehicle, custom-built in Namibia for the Lodge, with your own specially trained guide who will share all his knowledge of the area, animals, plant life and much more with you. 

Regular stops are made on the spectacular ±60-kilometre drive through the dune corridor down to the Vlei to gain information or take in the vistas. At Dune 45, we make a stop to view the world’s most photographed dune. Further along, a gradual 2,6-kilometre round-trip guided walk up to Dead Vlei is a must for the healthy visitors. The more energetic have the opportunity to climb to the upper ridge of Big Daddy Dune, one of the highest dunes in this area! 

Enjoy a picnic breakfast and spend time exploring Sossusvlei before returning to the Lodge approximately 5½ hours later. Spend the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight at the Sossusvlei Lodge in a Superior Room – Dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Day 3: Sossusvlei

Spend the day at leisure enjoying the many (optional) extraordinary experiences as offered by the lodge. Be sure to visit the Adventure Centre.

Overnight at the Sossusvlei Lodge in a Superior Room – Dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Day 4: Sossusvlei to Swakopmund

Enjoy breakfast this morning before departing from the Sesriem area. You will drive through vast landscapes today, making your way to the coastal town of Swakopmund. (Approximately 5-hour drive.)

Overnight at the Strand Hotel Swakopmund in a Standard Sea-Facing Room – Bed and breakfast.

STRAND HOTEL SWAKOPMUND

Strand Hotel Swakopmund is the perfect venue for travellers wanting to explore Swakopmund. This Namibian icon has become a popular destination resort for international, Namibian and Southern African visitors. The Strand Hotel offers its residential guests and all casual visitors three exciting restaurants, bars and sea facing terraces as well as a lobby lounge, beer garden and beach kiosk. All can be accessed from the Mole, a historic and iconic site surrounded by Ocean on three sides. Every aspect of the hotel’s accommodation has been developed according to international four-star standards. It is the benchmark against which all hotels and lodges in Namibia are measured.

Day 5: Swakopmund

Enjoy an early breakfast this morning before driving to Walvis Bay Harbour for a shared morning Dolphin and Seal Cruise.

From meeting with pelicans to viewing playful seals, and if luck permits, leaping dolphins and shy turtles – all this and more can be experienced on this educational dolphin and seal cruise.

You depart between 08h45 and 09h00 (check-in 08h30) from the Jetty at the Walvis Bay Waterfront for a marine educational sightseeing tour in the bay area in search of the marine big 5: Whales, Dolphins, Mola, Leatherback turtle and seals. While serving hot coffee and tea, our initial route takes us past oyster farms as we approach Pelican Point with its landmark lighthouse and 60,000 resident Cape Fur Seals.

You round the point and head into the open sea. In season (July to November), larger mammals such as the Southern Right Whale and Humpback Whales are often spotted, while other whale species, such as the Gray whale and the Pygmy Right whale have made appearances. Bottlenose, Heaviside and Dusky dolphins are regularly seen, as are Sunfish and Leatherback Turtles. Accompanying the catamaran throughout is a variety of seabirds, such as the Kelp Gull, Hartlaub’s Gull, Pelicans and Cape Cormorant. Your journey from Pelican Point takes you past some of the more interesting ships and oil rigs in the bay as fresh oysters with sparkling wine, savoury snacks and desserts together with light drinks, cooldrinks and water, is served. Return to the Waterfront at around 12h30.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure. 

Overnight at the Strand Hotel Swakopmund in a Standard Sea-Facing Room – Bed and breakfast.

Day 6: Swakopmund – Damaraland 

Enjoy breakfast this morning before departing from Swakopmund. Today you will drive through vast landscapes as you make your way into the Damaraland region of Namibia. (Approximately 4-hour drive). 

Overnight at Mowani Mountain Camp in a Standard View Room – All meals, one Twyfelfontein, Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes excursion including return transfers, and one morning guided Nature Drive.

MOWANI MOUNTAIN CAMP

An elegant camp, Mowani Mountain Camp lies in an area of astounding beauty and is discreetly built high up among massive red granite boulders in the heart of Namibia’s Damaraland. It’s a vast unspoilt wilderness area and home to spellbinding views and far more wildlife than the rocky terrain suggests.

You can expect an array of exciting adventures and wildlife activities at Mowani. Go on guided drives in search of the elusive desert-adapted elephant or hike through the magnificent landscape to discover its details. You can also explore the historic rock art site at Twyfelfontein and enjoy the rare sight of more than 2 500 Bushman engravings and paintings – probably the finest example of rock engravings in Southern Africa. Accommodation at Mowani Mountain Camp is in 12 luxury thatched-roof tents built on raised wooden platforms hidden away among the boulders. En suite bathroom facilities consist of a shower, washbasin and toilet. A canvas-covered veranda at the entrance of the tent enables guests to enjoy sensational views of the rugged Damaraland landscape.

Day 7: Damaraland 

Enjoy a Guided Nature Drive this morning. Climb into an open-air vehicle and experience the rush of Africa. Mowani’s local guides share with their guests an intimate knowledge and respect for the land that they have built up over a lifetime. The morning nature drive usually departs at 06h30 and will go out for about 4 to 6 hours to explore the surrounding area and search for animal life such as the desert-adapted elephants and desert black rhino. Drinks and snacks are included. 

Return to the lodge for lunch and some time at leisure. 

Later, depart with a guide on a Twyfelfontein, Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes Excursion. This usually departs at 15h00 and will last for about 2 hours taking in the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein to explore the rock engravings, along with seeing Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes.

Return to the lodge in time for a delicious dinner.

Overnight at Mowani Mountain Camp in a Standard View Room – All meals, one Twyfelfontein, Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes excursion including return transfers, and one morning guided Nature Drive.

Day 8: Damaraland to Etosha

Enjoy breakfast this morning before departing from Damaraland. Today you will drive to the eastern side of the Etosha National Park where you will spend the next two nights at Onguma Tented Camp. (Approximately 6-hour drive.)

ONGUMA TENTED CAMP

Translated to ‘the place you don’t want to leave’ in Herero, Onguma Tented Camp overlooks a waterhole in the 34,000-hectare Onguma Game Reserve bordering Etosha National Park. Along with game drives on its own abundantly populated reserve, Onguma also gives guests access to its prolific neighbour, promising a truly remarkable safari experience. The Onguma Tented Camp is situated around a waterhole and consists of 7 luxury tents, each overlooking the waterhole. Each Safari Tent has a bath as well as an indoor and outdoor shower. The main guest area overlooks the waterhole and includes a reception area, comfortable lounge, a rim flow swimming pool, dining room, small safari shop as well as an open fire pit to compliment this Classic Safari style camp. Free Wi-Fi is available to guests.

Overnight at the Onguma Tented Camp in a Luxury Tented Room – Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner (4-course), beverages from the bar and mini-bar (beers, local spirits, soft drinks, water and house wines), two activities per night stayed (a Sundowner Drive on the Onguma Reserve and a Morning Game Drive in the Etosha National Park) and conservation levies.

Day 9: Etosha

This morning, join a guided game drive into the 22 750km² Etosha National Park. Etosha means ‘place of dry water’, and refers to a flat calcrete depression (or pan) of about 5 000km². The ‘Pan’ (overlooked by the Onguma Reserve) provides a great, parched, silver-white backdrop of shimmering mirages to an area of semi-arid savannah grassland and thorn scrub. The pan itself contains water only after very good rains and sometimes for only a few days each year, but is enough to stimulate the growth of a blue-green algae which lures thousands of flamingos. The park boasts four of the Big 5, while the Etosha pan is sure to fascinate photographic enthusiasts.

Return to the lodge in time for lunch and some time at leisure. Late, enjoy a delicious afternoon tea before joining an afternoon sundowner nature drive on the Onguma Reserve where expert guides will explain the many intricacies of the bush. Onguma Game Reserve is home to an array wildlife including black rhino, lion, leopard, and hyena, along with over 300 species of bird – a number sure to excite avid bird-watchers. Embark on a sunset night drive and venture off-road in pursuit of predators stalking their prey. 

Return to the lodge in time for dinner. 

Overnight at the Onguma Tented Camp in a Luxury Tented Room – Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner (4-course), beverages from the bar and mini-bar (beers, local spirits, soft drinks, water and house wines), two activities per night stayed (a Sundowner Drive on the Onguma Reserve and a Morning Game Drive in the Etosha National Park) and conservation levies.

Day 10: Etosha – Windhoek 

Enjoy breakfast at leisure today and check-out. Make your way back to Windhoek this afternoon for your last night in Namibia. (Approximately 5 ½ -hour drive.) 

Overnight at the AM Weinberg Boutique Hotel in a Courtyard Fountain Room – Bed and breakfast.

AM WEINBERG BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Situated in the upmarket suburb of Klein Windhoek, 30 minutes from Hosea Kutako International Airport, Am Weinberg Boutique Hotel sets a new benchmark for luxury accommodation in the Namibian capital. The hotel forms part of the award-winning Am Weinberg Estate. The intimate boutique hotel has only 41 rooms, ensuring that guests enjoy tailored, attentive and detail focused service at all times. Its iconic styling seamlessly blends old-world splendour with modern lines and state of the art amenities, ensuring an unparalleled guest experience. The hotel’s elegant architecture wraps around a heritage building, creating an inviting courtyard. Guests can choose from four accommodation types, ranging from fountain courtyard and upper-level rooms with views of the mountain or city, to spacious luxury lofts with lounges and kitchenettes. The hotel features three upmarket lounge spaces, including the Sky Lounge, boasting panoramic views of the surrounding valley. Guests also have access to two upmarket restaurants and a delicatessen within the broader estate precinct. A 5-star spa and world class conferencing facilities add to the hotel’s upmarket stature; every touch point leaves a lasting impression of quality.

Day 11: Windhoek Departure

Enjoy breakfast and the morning at leisure. Later, make your way to the Windhoek International Airport (approximately 40-min drive). 

Upon arrival, drop off your rental vehicle and check in for your onward flight. 

***END OF OUR SERVICES, ENJOY YOUR TRIP***