Windhoek – Waterberg – Etosha Game Park – Twyfelfontein – Cape Cross – Swakopmund – Walvis Bay – Windhoek
Day 1:
Departure from Windhoek to the North. Stop at Okahandja, the former tribal centre of the Herero people and visit the wood carvers market. If time permits, visit the graves of the great Herero chiefs and the old cemetery with graves of members of the German “Schutztruppe”. Lunch packs en route. Dinner / bed / breakfast at a lodge or other accredited accommodation near Otavi. Proceed to the Waterberg via Otjiwarongo, the capital of the north. Dinner / bed / breakfast at the “Bernabe de la Bat Rest Camp” at the Waterberg.
Day 2:
After breakfast travel northwards and visit the Hoba-Meteorite near Grootfontein. This is the world’s biggest meteorite. It weighs some 60 tons and its age is estimated to be approximately 190 to 410 million years. Picnic with lunch packs en route. Proceed to Tsumeb and visit Lake Otjikoto, which was formed when the roof of a karst cavity collapsed and the cavity filled up with water. Afterwards continue to the famous Etosha Game Park. Dinner / Overnight at one of the three Rest Camps.
Day 3:
A full day of game viewing in the Etosha National Park. This park is one of the major sanctuaries for wildlife in Africa. The area was proclaimed a game reserve as far back as 1907. The size is 22,270 km² and it consists mainly of bush and grass savannah. This type of landscape provides excellent opportunities for game viewing at the numerous waterholes or in the open countryside. There is a game-viewing drive after breakfast until late afternoon with a break for lunch. Dinner/ bed / breakfast at a rest-camp.
Day 4:
After a final game-viewing drive, we leave the park in a southerly direction towards Khorixas and Twyfelfontein (meaning dubious fountain) in former Damaraland. En route we stop at the Petrified Forest, which is thought to be 200 million years old. Further on we visit Twyfelfontein to see an amazing variety of rock engravings and paintings, which are estimated to be some 6000 years old. We also view the Organ Pipes with its bizarre Dolerite columns and the Burnt Mountain with its interesting geological features. Lunch packs en route. Dinner / bed / breakfast at a lodge near Twyfelfontein.
Day 5:
After breakfast travel to Swakopmund via the small mining town Uis and past the highest mountain of Namibia, the Brandberg which is 2579m high. Picnic with lunch packs en route. Visit Cape Cross where you can view some 100,000 Cape Fur Seals at close proximity. This area is also of historical significance as the Portuguese navigator Diego Cao planted a cross at this point in the year 1486. Arrive at Swakopmund in the late afternoon. Dinner at a restaurant in Swakopmund. Overnight and breakfast at an accredited accommodation in Swakopmund.
Day 6:
Today we are at leisure to explore the town of Swakopmund with its many historical buildings dating from the German colonial times. Visit the Swakopmund Museum, the Kristall Galerie or the Woermannhaus Art Gallery. In the afternoon you may want to book one of the various pleasure flights which are on offer. Dinner at a restaurant in Swakopmund. Overnight and breakfast at your accommodation in Swakopmund
Day 7:
Another day at leisure in Swakopmund and you may want to book a Dolphin Cruise which starts in Walvis Bay. Dolphins, seals and numerous sea birds can be observed. On board the boat you will be treated to Champaign, fresh oysters and snacks. Other options are the Living Desert Tours and excursions into the sanddunes on quadbikes. Dinner at a restaurant in Swakopmund. Overnight and breakfast at your accommodation in Swakopmund. .
Day 8:
After breakfast return to Windhoek via the historical towns of Usakos and Karibib. Time permitting, visit the “Spitzkoppe”, a granite outcrop and well-known landmark known as the “Matterhorn of Africa”. This so-called “Inselberg” rises 780m above the surrounding Namib Desert and is known for its interesting rock formations. Lunch packs en route. Arrive at Windhoek in the afternoon.
