Classic Namibia Highlights Holiday

Duration: 15 days

Location: Namibia

Highlights: Kalahari; Namib Desert; Swakopmund; Etosha National Park; Erongo Mountains

Price: £3,680pp

This classic Namibia Highlights self-drive tour uncovers the wild landscapes and diverse wildlife that Namibia is renowned for. Head to the Kalahari and the Namib desert with scattered springbok grazing and the majestic Oryx silhouetted on the towering red sand dunes. Pass through the colonial German seaside town of Swakopmund taking in seals and dolphins, before heading north via the other-worldly landscape of Damaraland where you’ll learn all about the local flora and fauna before getting to experience an incredible safari driving across the breadth of Etosha. You’ll finish your trip in Erongo, an ancient volcanic crater where bushveld meets desert, surrounded by breathtaking views. Take a look and use this as a starting point for your own personalised holiday to Namibia – change the order, take out stops or add in more time. Or we can start from scratch … call today!

SPEAK TO THE SPECIALISTS

This is just one idea. We have lots more up our sleeve. So let’s talk Namibia, call 01273 923100 now. Or if you are worried the boss will be listening in, drop us an email, holidays@sundownerholidays.co.uk

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: UK to Windhoek
Fly overnight from the UK to Windhoek (via Addis Ababa).

Day 2: Windhoek
On arrival into Windhoek you will collect your hire car and spend 1 night at the Voigtland Guesthouse. Spend the afternoon relaxing after your journey, cool down in the pool with a cocktail in your hand. Included in your stay is an incredible Giraffe High Tea – enjoy a luxurious high-tea, followed by an unbelievable giraffe feeding experience right by your table!

Day 3: Windhoek to the Kalahari Desert
Today you will drive approx. 3 hours south to the edge of the Kalahari Desert where you will be staying for 2 nights at Bagatelle Game Ranch in a Garden Room with breakfast and dinner included. Nestled between some of the highest rolling red dunes in the region, owner-run Bagatelle offers complete desert tranquillity and the perfect introduction to Kalahari ranch living. With its own waterhole, a sparkling swimming pool, a computerised telescope for star-gazing and an open air lapa for alfresco meals this is a wonderful place to relax in between desert activities. Want to start in luxury and upgrade to a Dune Chalet with private plunge pool? Call 01273 923100 to get the additional cost.

Day 4: Kalahari Desert
A full day at leisure. Bagatelle offer a number of different activities including morning and afternoon nature drives, a Bushman walk, cheetah watching & feeding, horse riding, nocturnal game drives & star-gazing. All activities are payable locally.

Day 5: Kalahari Desert to the Namib Desert
Today you will drive south leaving the city behind you to the mighty Namib Desert, where you will spend the next 2 nights at Desert Homestead Lodge, set in a wide grassy valley within a private nature reserve, sheltered by the Nubib, Tsaris and Naukluft mountains with outstanding panoramic views This evening relax on your private decking enjoying the incredibly bright skies lit from the vast amount of stars visible in this dark sky reserve. Want to upgrade your desert stay? Ask us for the best options. Call 01273 923100.

Day 6: Namib Desert
A full day at leisure. We suggest that you rise before the sun and head to Sossusvlei to explore the dunes, climb Dune 45, visit the 600 year old scorched petrified trees and visit the Sesriem Canyon. Horse riding and hiking excursions are available to add onto your stay.

Day 7: Namib Desert to Swakopmund
Today you will drive approx. 5 hours to Swakopmund. Highlights en route include Solitaire (a chance to fill up with fuel and an apple tart to die for); the Kuiseb Canyon (where the author of a Sheltering Desert hung out to avoid internment in WWII); the Tropic of Capricorn; Gaub Pass; and finally Dune 7 (the highest in Namibia). You will be staying just outside Swakopmund for 2 nights at the unique Desert Breeze overlooking the Swakop River and the dunes beyond. Prefer to stay in town? Ask us to tailor this Holiday Idea to you.

Day 8: Swakopmund
A full free day to enjoy this area. We can arrange day trips ranging from boat trips, a morning dolphin cruise, dune tours, kayaking with seals in Walvis Bay, fishing, scenic flights, a living dunes tour and more.

Day 9: Swakopmund to Damaraland
This morning you will head north along the Atlantic Coast to the seal colony at Cape Cross and then you will drive inland to Damaraland with its impressive landscape and ragged valleys. You will spend 2 nights at Huab Lodge a delightful lodge owned and managed by Jan and Suzi with 8 bungalows situated beside the Huab River. Want to add some time exploring the Skeleton Coast or prefer to stay nearer the rock paintings in Damaraland? We can tailor this holiday idea to you.

Day 10: Damaraland
Have today at leisure. This well situated lodge is perfect for relaxing and taking in the wild natural landscape. The guiding at Huab is top class. Jan is one of Namibia’s top guides and taking a nature drives, scenic drives or guided walk with him will ensure a new found passion for the local flora and fauna. We recommend having a soak in the natural thermal springs, amazing after a day of exploring. Want to add more time in Damaraland or upgrade your stay? Contact us today for a detailed itinerary that is perfectly suited to you.

Day 11: Damaraland to Etosha
Today drive 3 hours to the gateway of Namibia’s animal kingdom, Etosha National Park, where you will spend 1 night at Etosha Village. Situated within lush green gardens with a couple of pools to cool off in. This afternoon you can relax at the camp, head out on some of the trails on the private reserve – keep an eye out for smaller game from the lookouts and hides along the way!

Day 12: Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park is named after an expansive salt pan that covers roughly a quarter of the park’s total area. It’s known for its vast and dramatic desert landscapes and wonderful biodiversity, with tens of thousands of animals calling it home. Today you will take the day to drive across the Park taking in different waterholes as you go. When you reach the East side you will head to Mushara Lodge where you will be staying for 1 night. Cool off in the pool and enjoy the lodge’s perfectly kept (with a little help off the local visiting wildlife!) lawns. Want more time on safari? Contact us on 01273 923100 for your own personalised plan.

Day 13: Etosha National Park to Erongo Wilderness
Today drive 4 hours south where you will end your time in Namibia with 2 nights at Ondudu Safari Lodge. Nestled amongst the rugged granite hills of the beautiful Erongo Mountains, this charming retreat allows you to immerse yourself in the tranquillity of nature. This afternoon relax by the pool or take a walk through the mountains with a guide or just head out on a self-guided trail.

Day 14: Erongo Wilderness
Full day to enjoy the wilderness of the 2,000 square kilometre Erongo Mountain Nature Conservancy. Not for the faint hearted but if you are feeling active we recommend the guided 10km Pangolin Trail – you may be lucky to spot these endangered animals and will also get to experience the best of the surrounding scenery, birdlife, wildlife, and flora! Want to add in some time at Okonjima Africat Foundation? Call us on 01273 923100 or email holidays@sundownerholidays.co.uk and let us design a holiday tailored to you.

Day 15: Windhoek to UK (via Addis Ababa)

The Kalahari at Bagatelle

Bushmen Walk at Bagatelle

Sossusvlei sand dunes

The sun setting on the Namib Desert and Desert Homestead lodge

Desert Roads

Desert Breeze Lodge – Suite

Cape Cross Seals – hold your nose!

Huab Lodge

Spotting wildlife on a game drive in Damaraland

Dinner under the stars with a traditional ‘Boma dinner experience’ at Etosha Village.

Mushara Lodge

Elephants stop for a cool drink at the waterhole in Etosha National Park

Ondudu Safari Lodge

This Namibia holiday idea costs from £3,680pp and includes – international flights (price based on London); 13 nights accommodation on a sharing basis; 13 breakfasts & 11 dinners; activities as listed; 13 days 4×2 car hire with super cover; all local taxes and ATOL protection.

Now let’s make this holiday yours

Want to take the luxury level up? Want to focus more on wildlife? Let us do the work. Call 01273 923100 now or complete an enquiry form.

The latest word on the street about Namibia holidays:

We had a great time in Namibia; it is absolutely stunning. In terms of stand out experiences, I think neither of us will forget driving down the Skeleton coast, along the endless salt road. We thought it was incredibly eerie, but also spectacular. The flight from Swakopmund over the desert was also amazing. Great recommendations and a brilliant trip.

Julia Mackie Namibia

Great trip! Highlight was the seal kayaking followed by the 4×4 dune driving from Walvis Bay to Sandwich Harbour. Awesome recommendation!

Tom Richards Namibia

Namibia was exceptional and up there with the best places we have ever been in the world. Highlights were Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon, Kalahari Red Dunes and the drive from Fish River Lodge to Luderitz.

Michelle Epstein Namibia

Very many thanks for arranging a fabulous holiday in Namibia. The evening meal overlooking the Namib desert under the stars, millions of them, was a highlight of our trip. In Damaraland, the views and sunsets were beautiful. We even managed to see a family of desert elephants on one of the excursions. Ongava in Etosha again met all our expectations and the game drives allowed us to see all the animals including the elusive Black Rhinos. Overall, we had a superb time.

Sam Jenson Namibia

We had a great time. The Etosha waterholes provided many hours of entertainment at both camps. All in all, one of the best holidays and most exciting.

Andy Ray Namibia

We had a brilliant time in Namibia. We saw loads of animals including a leopard in Damaraland which I think was quite unusual, and an aardvark at okonjima, something I’ve never seen before on quite a few safaris! We also saw some of the cheetah chasing a day old giraffe which was exciting! We loved kayaking with seals in Walvis bay as well, the seals were hilarious. Thank you for your help, all of the tours were arranged perfectly and the hire car was great.

Karen O’Donoghue Namibia

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