Itinerary: Super Northwest Tour – 12 Days Etosha, Epupa Falls And Swakopmund (Tour Code: KAL-W 4)

Windhoek – Waterberg – Etosha Game Park – Opuwo – Epupa Falls – Sesfontein Twyfelfontein – Swakopmund – 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 / bed / breakfast 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:

Leave the Etosha National Park after a short game drive in the morning and take the road towards Opuwo, the capital of the northwestern region. We travel across the Kamanjab Plateau with its table mountains and the western Karstveld, which is dominated by dry dolomite hills. Lunch packs en route. Dinner /bed / breakfast at a lodge in or near Opuwo.

Day 5:

After breakfast the tour will proceed through northern Kaokoveld to the Epupa Falls. Kaokoveld is one of the world’s last wilderness areas. The landscape is varied, with the most striking topographical feature being the mountainous regions varying from dolomite hills in the south to the towering peaks of the north. This region is also home to about 17,000 Herero-speaking pastoralists, with about 5000 being ovaHimba. Lunch packs en route and continue to the Kunene River and the Epupa Falls in the afternoon. With its richly coloured rock walls and dense variety of trees, the Epupa Falls are one of Namibia’s prime scenic destinations. Dinner / bed / breakfast at a tented camp near the Epupa Falls.

Day 6:

After breakfast visit a typical ovaHimba settlement. The ovaHimba are nomads, which still practice their ancient tradition and culture and roam the area in search of grazing for their cattle. A local guide will accompany us in order to negotiate a visit to a “Kraal” and to give us an insight into the lifestyle and culture of the ovaHimba people. Return to the camp for lunch. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the Epupa Falls and environment. There are several informal footpaths to discover the fauna and flora of the area. Dinner / bed / breakfast at the camp.

Day 7:

Leave Epupa in the direction of Opuwo and continue across the imposing Etendeka Plateau to Sesfontein. An old German fort in Sesfontein was historically used as a police station and veterinary checkpoint. Today, after tasteful renovations, it serves as a comfortable stay over for tourists visiting this remote region of Namibia. Lunch packs en route. Dinner / bed / breakfast at Fort Sesfontein Lodge.

Day 8:

After breakfast we continue our journey in a southern direction. We pass through the small village “Warmquelle”, which was named after its hot thermal springs, and continue along one of the most scenic routes of Namibia to Palmwag Lodge for lunch. The area of Palmwag is home to the famous Desert Elephant and Black Rhino, and there is a fair chance of seeing some of these rare animals. After lunch proceed to Twyfelfontein which means “doubtful spring”. Dinner / bed / breakfast at a lodge near Twyfelfontein.

Day 9:

We start the day with an excursion to 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. After a picnic with lunch packs we travel to Swakopmund via the small mining village Uis and past the highest mountain of Namibia, the Brandberg. Arrive at Swakopmund in the late afternoon. Dinner / bed / breakfast at an accredited accommodation in Swakopmund.

Day 10:

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 11:
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 12:

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.

Prices as per separate Price-List.

Services included: Overland trips and all sightseeing as per itinerary. Overnight in double rooms with private shower/bath and toilet. Breakfast and Dinner. English speaking tour guide.
Not included: Expenses for personal belongings e.g. drinks, lunches, telephone calls and tips.
Departure Dates: No fixed departure dates. Tours are undertaken on request.
Please note: This is a standard tour. However, we can also offer tailor-made tours according to your requests.