Namibia: Where Ocean & Desert Meet - 16 Days Trip

Embark on this 16 days trip and explore one of the most unique countries in the world. Starting with the world’s oldest desert - Namib, across sand dunes even taller than Sahara ones to where the ocean & the desert meet , we guarantee this trip will be nothing short than unforgettable!

Itinerary

DAY 1: WINDHOEK

Wa lalapo! Wa penuka nawa? Good day und Guten Tag! Welcome to Namibia! This is a country that will touch you and never let go! There are numerous sights around the city, landmarks that hark back to the colonial history of the country. The focus however must be the Christuskirche, overlooking the city, standing serenely on a central island surrounded by milling traffic. There are three castles perched around the hills of the city, one of them the famous Heinitzburg, with beautiful sunset views and surely our tip for a sundowner before dinner.

DAY 2: NAMIB DESERT NATIONAL PARK

You’re going to head out south today and drive towards the towering red dunes of the Namib and Sossusvlei. Your choice of routing may lead via the scenic Spreetshoogte Pass, with incredible views.

Once settled in in your lodge you will have time to freshen up before joining the afternoon nature drive where your ranger will tell you more about the area and the unique wildlife that can be seen here. Naturally no visit can ever be complete without the mandatory sundowner!

Everything here is about the incredible sunsets and tonight will be no different. Watch the stars come out over the oldest desert in the world and hear what true silence sounds like.

DAY 3: SOSSUSVLEI DUNES

This morning requires an early start to the day to make the most of it. Before sunrise you will drive towards Sesriem, entrance to the Sossusvlei Dunes. The gates open up at sunrise and it is the best time to see the dramatic colors of the dunes change as the sun rises. The drive to the heart of Sossusvlei is around 60km and en-route you will find Dune 45, one of the largest dunes.

Considered some of the tallest dunes in the world, even surpassing those of the Sahara, these monumentally high star shaped dunes are a sought-after destination for photographers and artists. The warm tint of the sand contrasts with the dazzling white surfaces of the clay pans in the surrounding areas. The hues constantly change with the sun rising from deep apricot to warm red and all shades in between.

DAY 4: PELICAN POINT

After breakfast and a good night’s rest the journey continues, this time towards the cold Atlantic coast, and Namibia’s premier holiday town, Swakopmund.

But before you get to explore this little gem, a bit of a detour to the neighboring town of Walvis Bay, an important harbor town in Namibia. Here you will leave your vehicle and take a 4x4 transfer to one of the most remote experiences in Namibia – to Pelican Point. The journey makes for a welcome respite from the heat of the desert with a much cooler climate. Upon arrival at the lighthouse you will have time to briefly freshen up before enjoying an afternoon marine drive where you will explore the area, taking in the seal colonies, the thousands of flamingos who call this area home, and spot some of the jackals who thrive in this area.

DAY 5: SWAKOPMUND

You may wake to the sound of the foghorn this morning, hopefully indicating a restful sleep. After a hearty breakfast you will be transferred by boat back to Walvis Bay where you will collect your vehicle and make your way towards the adjacent town of Swakopmund. With its palm-lined streets and seaside promenade Swakopmund rates as Namibia’s most popular seaside destination. The town acts as a base for many and varied activities ranging from quad biking in the Namib, to sand boarding and even desert tours.

DAY 6: SKELETON COAST NATIONAL PARK

We’re deviating your itinerary today from the norm that can be found in all the brochures. We’re sorry about that but sure you won’t be too disappointed. Namibia is all about distances, remote places and natural beauty. Today we bring in a little mystery and drama by adding in the Skeleton Coast!

It's a long day today but will be rewarding! You leave Swakopmund behind and make your way towards Zeila Shipwreck, visible from the shore. The journey continues via Henties Bay before continuing and entering the Skeleton Coast National Park. The inhospitable area, the sheer desolation and lack of prominent wildlife lent it the name of the Skeleton Coast.

Allow yourself to be pampered in this unique location. Put away your vehicle's keys and enjoy an afternoon drive exploring the dunes and surreal landscapes and visit some of the shipwrecks in the immediate area such as the Suiderkruis and Karimona, learning about ghost waves – and real ghosts! You may even catch a glimpse of the desert elephant.

DAY 7: SKELETON COAST NATIONAL PARK

The next day can be filled with some of the activities on offer by the lodge. This range from sundowners and walks on the beach, game drives within the Skeleton Coast National Park, quad biking or a 4x4 excursion to the Clay Castles and the Hoanib River Delta.

Then retire to your room after an exquisite meal, falling asleep to the sound of a lone jackal cry and the rolling fog that harbors secrets to the perished ships that lay strewn along the cold and dangerous Atlantic.

DAY 8: DAMARALAND

The mystery should remain and so you dare not linger. After breakfast you leave this remote part of the world behind and make your way back towards civilization and Mowe Bay where your vehicle awaits. You then head down south towards Torra Bay again and then turn inland towards the Torra Conservancy, enjoying the spectacular scenery and escaping the dense fog that shrouds the Skeleton Coast.

At Palmwag you take a welcome break. After a feel-good meal you continue to the designated parking area a short few kilometers away where your ranger will meet you for your transfer to your camp. Upon arrival you will have some time to settle into your environment before coffee and cake is served, followed by an afternoon game drive in this harsh and unforgiving environment.

Your ranger will highlight what makes this beautiful area so unique, preparing for a day of rhino tracking the next day.

DAY 9: DAMARALAND

After breakfast you will set off in search of the elusive desert rhino, adapted to live in this harsh environment. You may have an opportunity to track them on foot.

Lunch will be enjoyed under a shady spot where the Save The Rhino Trust will tell you more about the various rhinos in the area and the poaching situation in Namibia. Enjoy the afternoon at the lodge before undertaking an afternoon game drive.

After dinner, enjoy a moment by the fireside, devoid of light pollution and gaze at the incredible milky way, stretching out towards the big nothingness in the sky.

DAY 10 & 11: SESFONTEIN

Returning back to Palmwag today you will collect your vehicle and make your way up north towards Sesfontein. The journey will take you through tiny villages where real rural scenes will await you with friendly smiles and waves from goat herders. The area is indeed beautiful but nothing can prepare you for what you can expect for your next highlight.

The views from the transfer to your lodge will leave you speechless with the scenery changing and finally opening up the sheer beauty of this hidden valley! Upon arrival you will have time to meet the team of the lodge and after a coffee, you will depart in search of the desert elephant.

A two-night stay allows you to immerse yourself into the activities on offer and the natural beauty. Over the next day you can enjoy game drives to track the desert-adapted elephant and giraffe, rhino tracking, interacting with the Herero people and nature walks.

DAY 12: PALMWAG

After breakfast you will be transferred back to Sesfontein where you will collect your vehicle and make your way south towards Palmwag again.

After a brief comfort-stop here you will continue towards Grootberg Lodge, in time for an afternoon scenic drive on top of the Etendeka Plateau with a variety of wildlife around. Returning from the scenic drive we will have some time to wash off the dust and freshen up before dinner is served. Following a few hard day’s driving we are certain you would want to relax and take a load off – nowhere better than to do so taking in the incredible views from the pool-deck.

DAY 13: ONGAVA GAME RESERVE

It is time to see animals congregating in greater numbers and hence you will be heading for the Etosha National Park, and more specifically Ongava Game Reserve, bordering the Etosha National Park. Ongava lies

at the southern entrance gate to the National Park and is considered a true wildlife sanctuary with exquisite sightings.

In the afternoon you will enjoy an open-vehicle safari on the Reserve, taking in the wildlife of this area. A sundowner stop will be made before returning to the lodge where a scrumptious dinner will be served.

DAY 14: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

No visit to Etosha can be complete without driving from south to east through the National Park, visiting the waterholes en-route.

It gets its name from the large Etosha pan which is almost entirely within the park. The park is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds and reptiles, including several threatened and endangered species such as the black rhinoceros.

In the afternoon you can retire to the lodge to rest or undertake an afternoon sundowner drive on the Onguma Reserve.

DAY 15: OKONJIMA NATURE RESERVE

You will depart Etosha today via the eastern side of the Park, driving via the towns of Tsumeb and Otjiwarongo, the cheetah capital of the world. Your last overnight stay in Namibia will be at this world-renowned lodge and conservation and rehabilitation reserve.

Okonjima is a destination rather than an overnight and a stay begs for more with excursions ranging from the standard morning and afternoon game drives, nocturnal drives, self-guided hiking along nature trails, a visit to the research center and of course the opportunity to see the cheetah and leopard up-close.

DAY 16: WINDHOEK

Every fantastic holiday must come to an end and sadly so the time has come to bid farewell to this beautiful destination. Enroute back to Windhoek you will call at the WoodCarvers Market in Okahandja where woodworkers proudly display their handywork and artifacts can be bought here. Keep a keen eye out for the Herero ladies dressed in their colorful and distinctive long dresses with matching headgear, said to mimic the horns of cattle.

Upon arrival back at Windhoek International Airport you will drop your vehicle off at the rental depot and proceed to check-in.