For many people if not most, the country of Namibia
(formerly South West Africa) remains a mystery. It does however possess a beauty all of its own from its massive shifting sand dunes, said to be the highest in the world – Sossusvlei is a must for photographers, to the Etosha National Park where wildlife is found in abundance. Add to that some wonderful German architecture
on the coast in Swakopmund, and in Windhoek the capital and one has all the ingredients for a tour of contrast with a difference. You may even run into the magnificent desert oryx or the endangered desert elephant, two wonderful examples of adaptation to an apparently hostile climate.
Flanked by the Atlantic to one side and the Kalahari desert to the other, Namibia is a land of diverse landscapes and an incredible variety of wildlife.
Most of Namibia's 1.7 million people are confined to Windhoek, and the main seaside cities, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. However, Namibia's most famous inhabitants are the Bushmen. A nomadic tribe which has lived in the harsh climes of the Kalahari and has remained relatively untouched by western culture.
NAMIBIA Climate
- Rainy season is October to April - daytime temperatures
are hot, and in summer nights are cool and very cold in
winter. Language
- English, German and Afrikaans are widely spoken. Currency
- Namibian Dollar - 1ND = 100 cents Visa
- Australian passport holders do not require a Visa. Local Time
- GMT plus two hours. Departure Tax
- Included on tickets. Driving
- On the left hand side of the road and roads are good
but a 4-wheel-drive vehicle is required for unsealed roads.
THE HIGHLIGHTS:
Enjoy the coastal diversity of Swakopmund, the
attractions of scenic Damaraland and the
wildlife
of Etosha National Park.
CLASSIC KALEIDOSCOPE
Swakopmund to Windhoek
6 Days/5 Nights
Day 1 – WINDHOEK - SWAKOPMUND
This morning depart Windhoek and travel to Swakopmund.
Upon arrival in the early afternoon at the hotel, spend
the rest of the day at leisure to explore the town. This
evening enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants that
Swakopmund has to offer. Overnight at Hansa Hotel (D)
DAY 2 – SWAKOPMUND - DAMARALAND
Departing Swakopmund travel northwards following the
coastal road to Cape Cross, a fur seal reserve where at
times over 80,000 animals frolic in the waves of the
Atlantic Ocean. Drive via the Brandberg, Namibia’s
highest mountain into the Damaraland with its rugged
landscapes and sparse population. This harsh environment
is home to the rare Desert Elephant and Black Rhino.
Overnight at Twyfelfontein Country Lodge (BD)
DAY 3 – DAMARALAND – ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Start the day with a visit to Twyfelfontein, a heritage
site where bushman communities engraved and painted over
2500 pictures some 6000 years ago. You will also visit
the Organ Pipes, Burnt Mountain and the Petrified
Forest, all geographical phenomena depicting the
creation and evolution of land masses. Continue on to
the lodge near Etosha National Park. Overnight at Epacha
Lodge & Spa (BD)
DAY 4 - ETOSHA
Enter the world famous Etosha National Park for a full
day of game viewing in a truly unique wilderness. The
park surrounds a parched salt desert known as the Etosha
Pan, and is home to Elephant, Lion, Leopard and Rhino,
as well as a rich diversity of mammals and birds.
Overnight at Epacha Lodge & Spa (BD)
DAY 5 – ETOSHA
Spend another the entire day in the park, exploring the
waterholes for game Overnight at Epacha Lodge & Spa (BD)
DAY 6 – ETOSHA - WINDHOEK
Depart Etosha and head south to Namibia’s mining centre.
In the town of Tsumeb explore the mining history and
minerals found in this area. Continue south through
Okahandja where the Kavango woodcarvers ply their trade
at a large open-air African Craft Market. Arrive into
Windhoek late afternoon where the tour ends (B)
Key to Inclusions:
(B) Breakfast
(L) Lunch
(D) Dinner
(B&B) Bed & Breakfast
(FB) Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
6 Days/5 Nights
Package
Cost Per Person
Twin
Single
Nov 07 - Nov 08
$3345
$3920
Departures:
Selected Fridays
Minimum: 2 passengers
Included:
Accommodation as stated, meals as stated, A/C
vehicles, Park Entrance Fees, porterage,
insurance and information packs.
In March 1907, an entire century ago, the colonial authorities
had the vision and foresight to proclaim a vast conservancy in
the north of Namibia. After considerable changes, Etosha
National Park remains one of the leading and biggest
conservation areas in the world where nature and wildlife are
dealt with in a sound ecological and scientific way.
Etosha National Park is one of the best game parks in all of
Africa. The name Etosha means 'huge white area' or 'place of dry
water', and it is certainly one of the largest game parks. Most
of the year Etosha is a vast shallow pan, which shines brightly
due to the crystallized salt that shimmers across the entire
surface.
During the rainy season, this vast arid land transforms
abundantly and attracts thousands of birds and other kinds of
wildlife. These include: huge herds of elephant, zebra,
wildebeest, springbok, eland, black-faced impala, rhinoceros,
lion, hyaena, jackal, oryx, curly-horned kudu, and an incredible
array of bird life, including yellow-billed hornbill, eagles,
vultures, lilac-breasted rollers, and flamingos. The best time
is during the coolest dry months of May to September, although
birding is at its peak during the rainy season from November to
March.
Day Trips Available - We have additional optional excursions
available to extend your stay. Please contact us for
details.
Also have
you considered adding a South Africa or Botswana stay to your Namibia
trip?
Please confirm prices with Bench International prior
to booking your trip.
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