18 Day Wildlife, Landscapes And Cultural Safari (lodging) 18 days

Day 1 Windhoek International Airport - Greater Windhoek

Time/ Distance: 1 hr 1 min (76.2 km)

You will be picked up around 09h00 at the airport or Windhoek accommodation and drive to Greater Windhoek, the landscape of the Greater Windhoek area surrounding this bustling city is characterized by vast valleys, thick scrub, rocky hills, and covered in golden savannah.

Overnight & dinner at Okapuka Ranch

Day 2 Okapuka - Erindi

Time/ Distance: 2 hr (175.6 km)

You will grab morning breakfast and depart to Erindi from Okapuka. Erindi Game Reserve is located southeast of Omaruru, the Erindi Game Reserve is a spectacularly scenic protected reserve in north-western Namibia. ‘Erindi', meaning the place of water boasts incredible lush scenery. Stretching over 79000 hectares, this natural wonderland features comfortable accommodation options and magnificent landscapes encompassing grasslands, savannah, and rugged mountains inhabited by an abundance of diverse wildlife. And on arrival clients will check-in and get lunch and go on an afternoon game drive before.

Overnight & Dinner at C'est si Bon Hotel

Day 3 Erindi - Otjiwarongo

Time/ Distance: 2 hr 1 min (189.7 km)

You will continue your journey. In the afternoon we visit a San Bushman village where we will learn a lot about their traditional culture and the original way of living of the Ju/hoansi-San (Bushmen). The San are the oldest people in Namibia and have been living in southern Africa for about 20 000 years. Of the estimated 30 000 San living in Namibia, only 2000 of them still live their traditional way of life. The San are hunter-gatherers. The women collect fruits, berries, and onions while the men go hunting. They have a deep understanding of nature and ecology and are known to be excellent trackers.

Overnight & Dinner at C'est si Bon Hotel

Day 4 Otjiwarongo - Etosha National Park

Time/ Distance: 1 hr 35 min (169.0 km)

We depart for the Etosha National Park. Lunch will be taken en route, in the park or at the lodge, depending on the time. The Etosha National Park spans an area of 22 270 square km, a large part of which is taken up by a vast salt pan. This beautiful barren and often haunting landscape is surprisingly abundant in-game, which often congregate around the various waterholes scattered around the park, allowing for some spectacular game viewing. The park is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds, and reptiles, including several threatened and endangered species such as the black rhinoceros.

Overnight & Dinner at Halali Campsite

Day 5 Etosha National Park

Today will be a full day of safari game viewing allowing plenty of opportunities for good sightings and spectacular photographs. After breakfast at the lodge, we go out on our morning game drive. We will enjoy lunch in the park/lodge and then return to our game drive in the afternoon.

Overnight & Dinner at Halali Campsite

Day 6 Etosha - Ruacana

Time/ Distance: 6 hr 15 min (397 Km)

We leave the wilderness and wildlife of Etosha National Park behind us and enter the rural areas of northern Namibia. We travel through many small rural villages before arriving in Ruacana and set up our Camp at Hippo Pools. Ruacana lies on the border of Angola and Namibia, and you will experience a different lifestyle to ours.

You will grab a nice breakfast, freshen up and drive to Ruacana which is situated in Namibia's Omusati Region, near the border with Angola on the banks of the river Kunene, the town of Ruacana is famous for its enthralling Ruacana Falls, and its power station. In the rainy season, the falls can rival Victoria Falls for their majesty. Angola's Caueque Dam and NamPower's Ruacana Power Plant lie just upstream. The falls lie at the border, so to visit them, travelers must temporarily leave the country and enter Angola's territory by signing an immigration register. After arrival clients will check in and have leisure time around the lodge.

Overnight & Dinner at Ruacana Eha Lodge

Day 7 Ruacana Area

We will get up early and go on a hike to Ruacana Falls (1 hour). The dramatic Ruacana Falls are 120m and 700m wide in full flood and are sometimes referred to as one of the most spectacular sights on the continent. After our hike to the falls, we start our expedition more in-depth into the Kunene Region, exploring the real life of the Himba Tribe. Already on our drive to Epupa, we will see here and there Himbas passing us. When we arrive in Epupa, we set up our camp and will be able to explore the beauty and remoteness of this area, bordering Angola.

Overnight & Dinner at Ruacana Eha Lodge

Day 8 Ruacana - Epupa Falls

Time/ Distance: 3 hr 59 min (316.0 km)

On Day 8 you will take part in a Himba Experience and visit one of their local villages to explore their culture and traditions. Epupa means ‘falling water' in the Herero and Himba languages. Epupa is Namibia's largest system of waterfalls and cataracts, and it lies on the Kunene River in northern Kaokoland. You'll be spoilt with beautiful scenery and have the option to take a walk to the Epupa Falls or try some other hikes in the valley.

Overnight & Dinner at Epupa Falls Lodge

Day 9 Epupa Falls - Opuwo

Time/ Distance: 3 hr 20 min (351.8 km)

Early departure in direction of Epupa Falls. The Epupa Falls are created by the Kunene River on the border of Angola and Namibia, in the Kaokoland area of the Kunene Region. The river is 0.5 km wide and drops in a series of waterfalls spread over 1.5 km, with the greatest single drop being 37 m. The name “Epupa” is a Herero word for “foam”, about the foam created by the falling water. The falls are a major visitor attraction in Namibia, because of the largely unspoiled environment, with fig trees, baobabs, makalani palms, and colored rock walls framing the falls. Lunch packs en route.

Overnight & Dinner at Opuwo Country Lodge

Day 10 Opuwo - Twyfelfontein

Time/ Distance: 4 hr 55 min (345.7 km)

This morning, it's best to make an early departure from Opuwo as you make your way to Twyfelfontein. You'll first head northbound through the National West Coast Recreational Area towards the small fishing town of Henties Bay. If you have time, make sure to stop in Cape Cross and say hello to the Cape fur seal colony here.

Overnight & Dinner at Twyfelfontein Country Lodge

Day 11 Twyfelfntein - Swakopmund

Time/ Distance: 3 hr 20 min (351.8 km)

Today, you'll have the entire day to explore Swakopmund. On the way, you can take part in a few of the many optional activities that are offered in Swakopmund like Quad biking, Sandboarding, or Sky Diving. But of course, you can also just go and enjoy the little German coastal town and explore its beauty, beaches, and charm. This evening you can enjoy a typical Namibian meal in one of the many restaurants (own expense).

Overnight & Dinner at Orange House

Day 12 Swakopmund Area

Today we only have a short drive to Swakopmund, but if you want to you can take part in a few of the many optional activities that are offered in Swakopmund like Quad biking, Sandboarding, or Sky Diving. But of course, you can also just go and enjoy the little German coastal town and explore its beauty, beaches, and charm. This evening you can enjoy a typical Namibian meal in one of the many restaurants.

Overnight & Dinner at Orange House

Day 13 Swakopmund - Sossusvlei

Time/ Distance: 4 hr 51 min (402.5 km)

An early morning start takes us from Swakopmund south through Walvis Bay on our way to Sesriem in the oldest desert - Namib Desert. We visit the world's highest dunes at Sossusvlei. There is an option of taking the shuttle into the dunes. (Own expense) At sunrise, these red dunes, which can reach heights of over 300 m, are spectacular and provide a fantastic photo opportunity. With luck, there may even be water in the vlei (lake).

Overnight & Dinner at Desert Camp

Day 14 Sossuvlei - Fish River Canyon

Time/ Distance: 4 hr (401 km)

Today, you'll take part in an early morning excursion that travels along the path of the ancient Tsauchab River into the Namib Sand Sea. The adventure highlights the Sossusvlei Desert, including Dune 45 and Dead Vlei—all surrounded by red dunes in the southern part of the Namib Desert. Visitors who come to Namibia often say that this is the most stunning part of the desert, with monumentally high dunes and the shadows of their sinuous crests that continually change as the daylight waxes and wanes.

Overnight & Dinner at Canyon Village Gondwana Collection

Day 16 Fish River Canyon

Beginning its flow in the Lesotho mountains, the Orange River is the longest river in South Africa that offers a unique contrast to the desert landscapes along its banks. It is named after the Dutch Royal House, but lately, it has been referred to by its original name Gariep, which means “river” in the indigenous Khoekhoe language.

The best way you'll experience the Orange River is out on the water, and this morning, you'll be able to join an optional canoe trip on the river. Around midday, you'll depart the Orange River and head inland to your overnight stop in Fish River Canyon—the largest canyon in Africa and second-largest in the world. Once you arrive, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy the Ai-Ais natural hot springs. This Morning you will get morning breakfast and drive for a fish river excursion and will be back at the lodge around lunch.

Overnight & Dinner at Canyon Village Gondwana Collection

Day 17 Fish River - Mariendal

Time/ Distance: 4 hr 20 min (426 km)

You will get morning Breakfast and depart to Mariental which is located close to magnificent the Hardap Dam, which is the largest reservoir in Namibia. The Hardap Irrigation Scheme has breathed life into this arid terrain, which is now fertile with farmlands covered in citrus, melons, lucerne, wine, and maize, and dotted with ostrich farms. After checking in clients will do a Sunset Drive.

Overnight at Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch

Day 18 Mariental - Windhoek

Time/ Distance: 2 hr 39 min (267.9 km)

You will get breakfast and depart back to Windhoek Airport for departure.