Namibia Tour and Safari - 7 Day 6 Night from $3900 per person sharing
This is a fully guided tour of Namibia, covering some of the highlights of this great country including Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and the world famous Etosha Pans.
Included:
- Accommodation and meals as specified (all meals included, except while in Swakopmund)
- Services of a qualified English speaking tour guide, including guides accommodation and meals throughout the tour
- Fuel & Transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle as specified
- Bottled water on board of vehicle (while in transit only)
- Activities / Excursions as described in the itinerary
- Entrance & Admission Fees where applicable
- Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance
- Namibian Bed Levy
- 15% VAT (Value Added Tax)
- Flights:
- Johannesburg - Windhoek - Johannesburg return, excl. taxes (Air Namibia)
Excluded:
- Additional meals as specified
- Excursions which are not included in the above itinerary
- Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic, in restaurants, hotels etc.)
- Items of personal nature i.e. telephone calls, bar bills, laundry etc.
- Gratuities, tips, porterage
- Personal Travel & Luggage insurance
- Visas, airport taxes, airport fees.
- Flight not specified
- Anything else not specified as included
Day 1
On arrival at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, you will board your early morning flight to the Windhoek International Airport in Namibia. Upon arrival in Windhoek (your flight must arrive in the early morning, before 10h00), you will be met in the arrivals hall, and will then head south to the Namib Desert, considered to be the oldest desert in the world! You will travel through Windhoek, Namibia's capital city. Here you will spend (2) nights on a full board basis at the Le Mirage Resort & Spa. (All meals included)
Overnight: Le Mirage Resort & Spa
Le Mirage Resort & Spa, a unique construction in the Namib desert, is situated at 21 km from the Sesriem gate to Sossusvlei. This makes it one of the lodges closets to the Sossusvlei and the ideal place to stay when you want to visit the highest dunes in the world!
Guests are accommodated in 8 Camelthorn rooms and 19 Oasis rooms with en-suite facilities, air-conditioning, safe, mini bar and coffee & tea facilities. The lodge is accommodated in a large castle sheltering guests against the harsh desert climate. The spacious restaurant serves a fusion cuisine of European and Namibian dishes.
A highlight at the resort is the Mystique Spa wellness centre, which specializes in massages, pedicures, manicures, aroma massages and de-stress treatments. In the large courtyard, guests can retreat to the swimming pool sheltered from the desert in an oasis of palm trees. On offer are quad bike tours, nature drives on the private domain and nature drives to Sossusvlei, scenic flights and hot air ballooning. The lodge offers guests a luxury home after a day in the desert.
Day 2
Early this morning, your tour guide will conduct an excursion to the Sand Dunes of Sossusvlei. You will also visit Sesriem Canyon.
Sesriem Canyon
Sesriem Canyon, a deep chasm carved through the rocks by water, is a striking natural feature of the area that is best explored on foot. Stony walls rise up sharply on both sides of the canyon, while birds roost in its crags and lizards dart along the ledges. The canyon's name was coined when early settlers used it as a water source, using six lengths of leather (six thongs) tied together to lower buckets into the water at the base of the canyon.
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red sand dunes to make this one of the natural wonders of Africa and a photographer's heaven.
Aside from the attractions at Sossusvlei, Dune 45, Hiddenvlei, Big Daddy and Deadvlei, other attractions in the area include the Sesriem Canyon and Namib-Naukluft National Park, where the mountains of the Namib meet its plains.
Day 3
Departing from the Central Namib Region, today's route continues in a Northerly direction along the Eastern boundary of the Namib Naukluft Park, passing through the small settlement of Solitaire en route to the Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons. Continue across the gravel plains of the Namib Desert towards Namibia's premier coastal resort town, Swakopmund. On the way, visit the erosional feature of the "Moon Valley" and Namibia's ancient plant species, the "Welwitschia mirabilis". Arrive late afternoon at the Strand Hotel, where you will spend (2) nights on a bed and breakfast basis. A packed/picnic lunch is included en route.
Overnight: Strand Hotel Swakopmund
With its extensive, unique and creatively entertaining Restaurants, Bars, Deli, Lobby-Lounge, Sea Facing Terraces, Beach Kiosk and state of the art Conference & Banqueting Center, all set on the Mole, a historic and iconic site surrounded by Ocean on three sides, the Strand Hotel Swakopmund is a social epicenter and destination in itself for all visitors to and residents of Swakopmund.
Its architectural inspiration finds its roots deep in Namibian German history and reflects this in a tasteful contemporary manner. The interiors are residential in nature, and the brief to all designers involved was to create a non-hotel, hotel. One as charming and welcoming as the town it is located in. Simply very warm and comfortable, and providing a genuine "sense-of-place" atmosphere adding to any Namibian visit.
Arriving at the Strand is a dramatic experience as one passes through its 13m high and 9m wide Ocean View Atrium which travels right through the Hotel, offering sea views at either end. Off this Atrium Lobby is Reception, consisting of three individual desks and an inviting open fireplace which rounds off the residential feel and warm welcome.
Activities
- Swakopmund
- The Moon Landscape
- Kuiseb Canyon
Swakopmund
Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more German than Germany. Now a seaside resort, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, colonial-era buildings and the cool sea breeze make it very popular.
The Moon Landscape
This area is traversed by the Tropic of Capricorn and is mostly flat, although some scenic canyons and elevations are found in some areas, for example in the Moon Valley system. While most of the soil is rocky, sand dunes are still occasionally found in this region; for example, sand dunes occupy much of the coastline between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.
The location can be accessed via a picturesque drive through the Namib-Naukluft Park. An eerie mysterious landscape has been constructed through years of erosion of soft layers of earth that were deposited in this area over 450 million years ago.
Kuiseb Canyon
Mysterious and remote, the Kuiseb Canyon was carved aeons ago by the Kuiseb River, which runs mainly underground. This deep fissure is flanked by steep folds of rock on one side and the copper-coloured sand dunes of the Namib Desert on the other, and shelters several wildlife species that are acclimatised to the region's harsh environment, including hyena, buck and even leopard.
Day 4
After breakfast proceed to Walvis Bay to participate in a lovely morning marine cruise (included). On this cruise, you will see oyster farms, Pelican Point, the lighthouse and a seal colony. You may also see dolphins, leatherback turtles and sunfish, and a large variety of birdlife. Tame seals visit the catamaran giving you the chance to view these animals up close. Enjoy fresh oysters, sparkling wine and snacks on board.
Return to the Walvis Bay Yacht Club in the late morning/noon and then explore the town of Walvis Bay and the Walvis Bay Lagoon with your tour guide.
Lunch and dinner will be for your own account.
Day 5
Today you travel towards the renowned Etosha National Park. On the way you will stop over at the town of Omaruru, where you will enjoy a wine tour and a light lunch at the Kristall Kellerei (included). Continue to the Ongava Game Reserve, located next to Etosha National Park. In the afternoon, join a scheduled game drive on the Ongava Reserve, with lodge guide and vehicle (included). Here you will spend (2) nights on a full board basis at the Ongava Game Lodge. (All meals included)
Overnight: Ongava Lodge
The well-established Ongava Lodge is situated in the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park. Placed close to the top of a hill in the foothills of the Ondundozonanandana range, the vantage point is beautiful and overlooks a well-frequented waterhole and the plains beyond.
Ongava Lodge offers luxury accommodation in 14 rock-and-thatch en-suite chalets. There are impressive views over the camp's waterhole from the main lounge and dining areas and there is also an inviting pool to cool off in the heat of the day. Meals are either served in the main dining area under thatch or on the dining deck under the stars.
Activities include game drives into Etosha, spending time in the camp hide, and nature drives and walks on the reserve. Ongava has resident white and black rhino, giving guests staying at Ongava the opportunity to see both species.
Ongava Private Game Reserve
Sharing a common boundary with Etosha National Park, the prolific 30 000-hectare private Ongava Game Reserve is considered one of the finest private game reserves in the region, enjoying global recognition for exceptional conservation, ground breaking research and exciting safari experiences.
The reserve is home to, among others, lion, eland, black-faced impala, Hartmann's mountain zebra and a variety of other antelope species. Additionaly, it is one of the few private reserves in Southern Africa where both black and white rhinos can be observed. The recorded bird life has reached over 340 species.
Each Ongava property has its own unique style, layout and atmosphere, but all offer the same wonderful sense of luxurious seclusion. Built from local materials in traditional fashion, they blend tastefully into the surrounding landscape, allowing visitors to feel at one with nature.
Spacious lounge areas, reflecting the colours and textures of the African bush, invite guests to relax, enjoy a drink from the bar, or simply gaze out into the distance and be surprised as Ongava's spectacular wildlife emerges from the bush.
Every guest suite is individually designed for quality and comfort and our dedicated guides and catering staff are always available, ensuring an unforgettable Ongava stay.
Day 6
Today you will explore Etosha National Park (with your tour guide and tour vehicle, NOT in an open 4x4 game drive vehicle).
The Etosha National Park is Namibia's premiere game viewing experience, situated in the northwest of Namibia and is an area well known for its wildlife. Vegetation ranges from dense bush to open plains attracting a diversity of wildlife. In the heart of the Park is The Etosha Pan - a shallow depression that covers an area of 5000sq kilometres. Dry and shimmering for most of the year, the pans fill up with water after good rains to a depth which is seldom deeper than 1m. In the dry season wildlife is attracted to perennial springs and waterholes that makes for excellent game viewing.
Day 7
Today marks the end of your visit to Namibia. Your guide will take you to the Windhoek International Airport in time for your departure flight back to the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. Lunch / Packed Lunch will be included today. On arrival in Johannesburg, you will connect with your late evening outbound flight back home. (Flight at own arrangements)