Namibia

Zoomable Map of Namibia

Guide to Places to See

Day 1 Windhoek

Day 2: Windhoek - Okonjima
Today you have about a three hour drive north of Windhoek on the B1 road. Your destination is Okonjima and the AfriCat foundation. Apart from the beautiful location, stunning accommodation and wonderful meals the main reason for visiting Okonjima is to view cats. Your activities here are included in this package and centre around viewing leopard & cheetah, visiting a night hide and generally learning about what the AfriCat foundation is doing to preserve these wonderful animals.
Accommodation: Okonjima Bush Camp on TripAdvisor Good hotel ratings

Day 3: Okonjima - Etosha
The Onguma reserve, situated on the eastern side of Etosha Park, presently contains two accommodation establisments: the luxurious Onguma Tented Camp and the cheaper family oriented Onguma Bush Camp. At Onguma Bush Camp accommodation consists of 6 en-suite air-conditioned luxury bungalows, and 1 family room. Bush Camp is ideal for families who would like to have a base from which they can explore Etosha National Park. Upon your return, relax and cool off around our pool while watching a spectacular sunset. Dinner is served in the open lapa area where you will be treated to an excellent combination of European and traditional African cuisine sitting around an open fire under the Namibian sky.
Accommodation: Onguma Bush camp on TripAdvisor Good hotel ratings

Day 6 & 7: Etosha - Damaraland
Perched on the rim of the Grootberg Plateau, the Grootberg Lodge stands sentinel over the Klip River Valley. The lodge has 11 rock and thatch chalets which offer views out over the gorge, where Black Eagles hunt just below the level of your private deck. 12 000 hectares have been set aside by the Khoadi / Hoas community for conservation and tourism and it is through this pristine wilderness that you meander either on foot or by car to encounter the inhabitants of this remote biosphere
Accommodation: Grootberg Lodge - on TripAdvisor Good hotel ratings

Day 8 & 9: Damaraland - Erongo
Erindi Private Game Reserve is set on 71,000 ha of pristine wilderness, with landscapes as varied as mountains to savannah, with the added advantage of being in a malaria-free area. It is situated in the Okahandja, Otjiwarongo and Omaruru triangle, where more than 15,000 head of game roam. Erindi means 'The Place of Water,' in the local Herero language. Rare and endangered species of leopard are being conserved and all of the big cats, including lion, cheetah plus black rhino, the rare African Wild Dog and brown hyena can be viewed here
Accommodation : Erindi Ranch Game Reserve on TripAdvisor perhaps too "commercial"

Day 10 & 11: Swakopmund
There are a host of adventure activities to participate in while in Swakopmund. These range from sandboarding through quad biking to sky-diving. No activities are included in this package but they can be pre-arranged when you book this itinerary or left for you to arrange on arrival is Swakopmund
Being a German inspired town good food and beer is never hard to find, so we are sure you will find something productive to do!
Beach Lodge is the only B&B establishment directly on the Swakopmund beach. Enjoy the magnificent view of the sea from each room, listen to the waves and smell the fresh sea breeze. Situated about 5km from the town centre.
Accommodation: Beach Lodge and on TripAdvisor A bit mixed reviews
or Cornerstone Guest House on TripAdviser has best reviews
or The Stiltz and TripAdvisor
or Alternative Space on TripAdvisor

Day 12: Swakopmund - Sossusvlei &birdlife and is well worth a visit to view the pink flamingoes. You may decide to take a catamaran cruise on the lagoon. Today you have a drive of around 300km's which will take you around 4-5 hours. Your route will take you across the gravel plains of the Namib Desert and through the Kuiseb & Gaub passes. Aim to arrive at your accommodation in the late afternoon
The Desert Camp is situated only four kilometres away from the main lodge at the entrance gate to Sossusvlei (Namib Naukluft Park) and is also ideal for tour groups and those wanting to self cater (meals are served at the Sossusvlei Lodge). Desert Camp nestles under centuries old camel thorn trees and has an unsurpassed 360 degrees view over the desert landscape and surrounding mountains.
Accommodation consists of twenty luxury safari tents with double roofing, high standard en-suite bathroom, twin beds and granite tiled floors. Tasteful interior decorating reflects the special hues of the Namib desert. Each accommodation unit is fully equipped with a compact lock up kitchen compartment, featuring a two plate stove, refrigerator/freezer, wash-up facility and all kitchen utensils. An own barbecue facility and shaded vehicle parking is provided at each unit.
Accommodation: Desert Camp and TripAdvisor Good ratings

Day 13: Sossusvlei Wake up early and leave your lodge, heading for the Sesriem entrance gate to the Namib Naukluft Park. This gate only opens at sunrise, so there is no point arriving earlier, but driving the 60km from Sesriem through the dunes towards Sossusvlei while the sun rises is a real pleasure. The first major dune you will encounter goes by the imaginative name of Dune 45 - many people choose to stop and climb this dune but we suggest you continue onwards towards Sossusvlei. Park at the the 2x4 car park (unless you have a 4x4 vehicle this is as far as you can drive), Sossusvlei is a further 4km from here but you are already amongst fairly large dunes. The walk along the dry river bed into Sossusvlei is lovely but for the very unfit or terminally lazy there are 4x4 shuttles from the car park to Sossusvlei.
Deadvlei, so named because it is a large pan with sculptural dead trees, is close by and definitely worth a visit. When you have had enough sand - head back to your vehicle (there really is no shame in taking the shuttle back - the sand is likely to be hot, and the walk less pleasant than the one in the cool of the morning)
On your way back to the lodge stop at the Sesriem Canyon - follow the signs from the Sesriem Campsite.
Accommodation: Desert Camp and TripAdvisor (same as last night)

Day 14 & 15: Sossusvlei - klein Aus Vista Leaving the Sossusvlei area today you drive south along the edge of the Namib Naukluft Park with Luderitz as your ultimate destination. The district D707 road is seldom used but amongst those in the know is thought of as one of the most scenic drives in Namibia. Eventually you will reach a tarred road again at the small village of Aus. This area is well known for it's wild horses of the Namib. You will spend two nights at a lodge near Aus from where you can do a day trip to Luderitz or just spend the time exploring this beautiful area. Klein Aus Vista is situated 2km from Aus in southern Namibia. Apart from offering accommodation the lodge also organises mountain biking, horse riding and is the ideal place for hikers. One of the highlights of the area are the Namib Desert Wild Horses which are often found near the lodge. The lodge is situated on a 10 hectare farm that borders on the Sperrgebiet (forbidden diamond mining area). Accommodation is in self catering units and camping is also available.
Accommodation; Desert Horse Inn on TripAdvisor Good reviews, check Eagles Nest as a better option, same owners
Accommodation: Eagles Nest - Klein Aus Vista on TripAdvisor

Day 16 & 17: Aus - Fish River Canyon Leaving the you begin your drive eastwards. At the town of Seeheim head south towards the Fish River Canyon. The viewpoint at Hobas offers a spectacular view over the canyon and your accommodation offers guided hikes, horse riding and scenic drives around the area.
Canon Lodge is situated only 20km from the main viewpoint of the Fish River Canyon, the lodge is situated on the 520 square kilometre, privately owned Gondwana Canyon Park. Canyon Lodge is built from natural materials, including local rock and thatch roofs. The lodge offers rooms with en-suite facilities, while the old farm house serves as the dining room. This tranquil lodge serves as an excellent base from which to explore the wonders of the Fish River Canyon in Namibia.
Accommodation: Canon Lodge and TripAdvisor Good Reviews

Day 18 & 19: Fish river- Mariental. The Kalahari Desert is very different to the Namib - primarily because it receives more rainfall. In some respects the Kalahari is more scenic than much of the Namib as the red dunes with clumps of golden grass growing on them are very photographic. Unsurprisingly, given the higher rainfall, there is also a higher density of wildlife in the Kalahari and you can expect to see fairly large herds of buck species browsing between the dunes.
In the midst of the red dunes of the Kalahari in eastern Namibia the Kalahari Anib Lodge rises like a plush green oasis, the restaurant and chalets are arranged around a shaded courtyard with a large swimming pool. There are 35 rooms available for tour groups and 9 rooms for individual travelers. Located about 30 km north-east of Mariental the lodge makes for an ideal stopover on the way south. Anib is the word for the male bird in the Nama language. The Nama people are predominant in the southern regions of Namibia and the bird plays an important role in their mythology. The Kalahari in this area is notable for green acacias and yellow grass on the red sand which extend over hundreds of kilometers of the Gondwana Kalahari Park, an area of 100 km².

Accommodation: Kalahari Anib Lodge on TripAdvisor Reasonable reviews

Accommodation: Bagatelle Kalahari Lodge and on TripAdvisor looks slightly better

Day 20: Windhoek It is a fairly quick drive from here to Windhoek, so you can spend the morning exploring the area before heading back to the capital of Namibia.

Windhoek

Olive Grove B&B; Hotels own web site and on TripAdvisor

Londiningi Hotels own web site and on TripAdvisor

Elegant B&B Windhoek Hotels own web site and on TripAdvisor and about £90

Erongo Wilderness Lodge hotels own web site and on TripAdvisor and Cardboard Box and photos

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