Tour 12 days best of Namibia

After breakfast, we leave Windhoek and travel south towards the Namib Desert, one of the oldest deserts on our planet, where we will stay for two nights. The lodge is located near Sesriem, the entrance gate to the National Park that leads to the famous Sossusvlei area - a location we will visit the following day. Here, we'll observe the world's highest sand dunes and take a short walk to Dead Vlei. The rest of the day is free. You can relax by the pool or at the bar of your lodge and, with a bit of luck, observe antelopes and small desert mammals drinking from the surrounding waterhole. On-site, you can also book a guided dune safari or a nature tour with quad bikes. In the late afternoon, enjoy a short guided nature safari to admire the sunset on the Sossusvlei Lodge property. Sossusvlei Lodge (or similar) [breakfast + dinner]

Today, prepare for an early awakening to witness the sunrise over the world's tallest sand dunes! The dunes create a spectacle of absolute perfection, with various shades of orange, peach, and apricot, evoking unforgettable emotions and sensations. We will also visit the "Dead Vlei," a depression surrounded by monumental dunes, cut off from the course of the Tsauchab River about 500 years ago. After an easy 1 km walk, we reach the "vlei," characterized by an almost surreal silence, with clay soil dotted with ancient "camelthorn" trees dating back around 800 years. The chromatic contrasts are incredible: the black of the "camelthorn" trees against the white of the clay ground, reddish dunes against an intensely blue sky... a true "photographic dream" for anyone! Sossusvlei, meaning "the place where the water ends" in the bushman language, is a clay depression where the Tsauchab River can no longer flow due to sand dunes blocking its path. During a particularly rainy season, the depression fills up, offering an important water reserve for numerous animals and plants that normally survive only thanks to morning dew. We will also visit the significant Sesriem Canyon, dating back 18 million years, formed through erosional processes. Sossusvlei Lodge (or similar) [breakfast + dinner]

Today, we head towards the Atlantic Ocean through the Namib Naukluft Park, which, besides being the 3rd largest park in all of Africa, is also a natural sanctuary for the Mountain Zebra, covering an area of 5 million hectares. Among the many attractions in the park, the two most famous are certainly the Welwitschia Mirabilis plants and the spectacular Moon Valley. The Welwitschia Mirabilis is one of the rarest and oldest plants in the world, capable of reaching an age of 2,000 years! Continuing along the route, we reach Moon Valley, an eroded valley formed in the dry bed of the Swakop River, truly resembling a suggestive lunar landscape. Our destination is Swakopmund, nestled between the dunes and the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Swakopmund Hotel / Swakopmund Plaza Hotel [breakfast + dinner]

The day starts early, and after breakfast, we depart for Walvis Bay, the main port of Namibia, a center of fishing industry and rapidly developing tourist destination. Here, we have the opportunity to discover the marine life along the Namibian coast and in the roaring waves of the Atlantic Ocean during a cruise. Crossing the lagoon towards Pelican Point, we might spot large pods of dolphins and a vast colony of seals, often swimming alongside the boats, providing spectacular entertainment while we enjoy fine sparkling wine and fresh Namibian oysters. The rest of the afternoon is free. Swakopmund Hotel / Swakopmund Plaza Hotel (or similar) [breakfast + dinner]

Along the route to the Damaraland region, we encounter many of the natural attractions we'll explore today. We pass through the largest expanse of various lichen species in the world, some dating back 2,000 years. In front of this reserve lies the town of Wlotzkasbaken, a small fishing village. Further north, we reach Henties Bay, a town founded in 1929 by a local fisherman named Hentie van der Merwe, who was impressed by the hot springs that were present at the time, now unfortunately extinct. Along the way, we pass the country's highest mountain (2,579 meters) – Brandberg – and then, in the late afternoon, reach the "Burnt Mountain" and the "Organ Pipes," geological attractions nestled among the mountains of an ancient desert that take on spectacular colors at sunset. We will also visit the largest "open-air museum" in all of southern Africa: Twyfelfontein, whose name means "doubtful spring," referring to a spring – now unreliable – nestled among the mountains. An extraordinary combination of over 2,500 rock paintings and engravings are spread across the entire area. We continue to our lodge, and the rest of the day is free. Twyfelfontein Lodge (or similar) [breakfast + dinner]

This morning, we travel to the unspoiled Kaokoveld, a territory characterized by rolling hills and open plains, inhabited by the Ovahimba people. This proud and statuesque people have maintained their traditional values and culture. We will have the opportunity to visit one of their villages on the following day (Day 8). The Ovahimba still live in huts built with Mopane wood poles and covered inside with a layer of clay and animal dung to shield the environment from the scorching daytime temperatures. Our lodge is situated on a hilltop, offering a spectacular 360-degree view of the Kaokoveld. Opuwo Country Lodge (or similar) [breakfast + dinner]

After breakfast, we head to the borders of Etosha National Park via Kamanjab and Outjo. Our lodge is located near the famous and renowned Etosha National Park. Toshari Lodge / Etosha Gateway (or similar)

As the park gates open with the first rays of the sun, we appreciate the sight of animals accompanied by the melodic background of a multitude of birds, heralding the birth of a new glorious day in Africa! Etosha National Park spans an area of 22,270 square kilometers, characterized by a diversity of vegetation, from vast grassy savannas stretching to the horizon to dense wooded areas. The Etosha Pan depression lends its name to the entire park and consists of a vast saline area covering about a quarter of the total surface, sparkling with silvery reflections in the hottest hours of the day. The water in this depression is twice as salty as seawater, which is why animals don't drink from it; instead, they prefer the various freshwater pools. These pools, fed by artesian wells, are a precious source of life for 114 different animal species and 340 species of birds. As the evening falls, we will once again hear the sounds of nature as the last rays of the sun mark the end of another day in Africa. Toshari Lodge / Etosha Gateway (or similar) [breakfast + dinner]

This morning, we embark on another safari in Etosha National Park for 2-3 hours before departing for Windhoek. On our way back to Windhoek, we pass the Omatoko Mountains, twin peaks with a curious inverted ice cream cone shape. Upon arrival in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, our guide will accompany you on a visit to our capital city! Check-in at the hotel and the rest of the day is free. Avani Hotel or similar (or similar) [breakfast + dinner]

Day 12 Departure ±100km Depending on the departure time, transfer to the airport.

Another of the many facilities available to southafricatravel.eu guests is access to the Oshoto VIP lounge in the departures area of Hosea Kutako International Airport. Avoid the crowded departure lounge and enjoy the peace and quiet of the VIP lounge, particularly ideal when you have a lot of time to spend between the end of your tour and the departure of your flight! Regardless of the airline or cabin class you are using, you can book access to the VIP lounge through Sense of Africa, benefiting from:

• Free drinks and snacks
• Smoking and non-smoking areas
• Showers and toilets
• Business centre (copying, fax, internet and telephone services)

Due to the limited existing tourism infrastructure and the constant increase in tourist flows to Namibia, it may be necessary to use different facilities than those indicated if they are already full.

The type of vehicle (ALWAYS 4X4) will depend on the number of confirmed participants and may include:

• Land Cruiser – 7 seats
• Land Cruiser – 10 seats
• Isuzu – 14 seats
• The different vehicles will be assigned to the Tour based on the actual participants at the discretion of Sense of Africa, which also reserves the right to use other means of transport and/or means of transport outside its own fleet.