Delve into the delights of this fascinating country which is full of wide-open spaces, shifting sand dunes, thrilling wildlife and ancient art. Get to grips with local culture as you explore towns and meet tribes, then take a step back in time and uncover some of the secrets of bygone inhabitants.

• Travelling - 1
  

  Fly overnight to Windhoek in Namibia.

• City sights - 2
  

  As a country of natural beauty with very few cities or towns of any size, most of Namibia’s business and cultural buildings can be found in its capital city, Windhoek. Your Specialist Guide and Tour Guide will introduce you to its main sights, including the government building, the Christus Kirche and the Old Railway Building.

• Travelling - 3
  

  Leaving the city behind, head out on your scenic journey to Sossusvlei.

• The mighty Sossusvlei sand dunes - 4
  

  The huge red sand dunes of Sossusvlei symbolise Namibia, their eerie presence enticing visitors for centuries. No matter what time of the day you visit, you’re sure to see a different colour or impression of this amazing landscape. Imagine how much you’ll enjoy an open-air dune breakfast with the sandy summits as your backdrop, watching the light change and shadows move all around you. If you’re feeling energetic, climb to the top of one and soak up the views, or maybe just take a walk around the base where the atmosphere is just as amazing.

• Out & about in Swakopmund - 5 to 6
  

  Take time out in Swakopmund to breathe in the sea air and indulge in optional pursuits. The adventurous can take to the dunes on quad bikes, so much easier for scaling those sandy heights. The inquisitive can seek out geckoes and chameleons as they scurry across the sands on a Living Desert tour, or maybe swap sand for sea and cruise to Pelican Point, dining on fresh oysters and sparkling wine as you look for seals, pelicans, turtles and dolphins.

• Melting pot of cultures in Mondesa - 5 to 6
  

  To truly experience a place is to meet its people and that is certainly true of Mondesa. Set up to house the different groups of people working in the nearby city of Swakopmund, this township is alive with culture and traditions. You’ll be welcomed into a family home and invited to watch the sifting and pounding of manhango – a local porridge. Then visit a kindergarten to see the children playing and admire the stunning Herero Dress with its many layers worn by many of the local women. You’ll come away feeling you’ve had a real insight into every day life here.

• Step back in time with centuries old rock carvings - 7
  

  Prepare to be amazed, not by nature this time, but by humans who have left their mark on this barren landscape. Twyfelfontein is a window into the history of the area, for it is here you can find some of the most extensive rock engravings in the world. The sandstone rocks are decorated with well-preserved messages to the gods depicting the life of the Late Stone Age huntergatherer man.

• Visit the last traditional Namibian tribe - 8
  

  Uncover Namibia’s cultural roots on a visit to the last remaining traditional tribe in Namibia. The Ova-Himba tribe has managed to keep hold of many of its traditions and ways of living. They spend their days tending to their cattle and looking after their families. You’ll notice they wear very few clothes except for loin cloths, but cover their bodies in animal fat and ochre instead to protect them from the powerful sun. The women also wear a lot of handcrafted and intricate jewellery. Our visit will help contribute towards the children here, supporting their education and subsistence whilst rightfully preserving their traditions.

• Namibia's animal kingdom - 8
  

  Our first introduction to Etosha National Park rewards any wildlife lover. This extensive area is home to a beautiful array of wildlife including hundreds of species of animals, birds and reptiles.

• Admire the inhabitatns of Etosha National Park - 9
  

  Keep your eyes open and your senses alert as you journey through the park on your second visit and you could be rewarded with the sight of some unusual and endangered species like the black-faced impala or the black rhino. Cheetah and leopard are harder to spot, so you may need to rely on your guides’ expertise to help you in your search for these elusive but beautiful creatures.

• See cheetah & leopard up close - 10 to 11
  

  Having admired the wild animals of Etosha, a stop is made at the AfriCat Foundation which works tirelessly to protect threatened cheetah, leopard and other wild cats. The centre rescues cats that have been caught in traps, kept as pets or orphaned and works to rehabilitate them and then release them back into the wild. It also aims to educate local people on the importance of protecting these magnificent creatures. With two days stay at Okonjima, there’s ample opportunity to enjoy nature trails, bird watching and nighttime viewing from the camp. For the more adventurous, why not join in optional cheetah tracking on foot.

• Travelling - 12 to 13
  

  Transfer to Windhoek airport for your flight home, arriving the following day.

Accommodation

• Windhoek - Safari Hotel (3-star) 1 night.
• Sossusvlei - Sossusvlei Lodge (4-star) 2 nights.
• Swakopmund - Hansa Hotel (4-star) 2 nights.
• Twyfelfontein Country Lodge (3-star) 1 night.
• Etosha National Park - Toshari Lodge (3-star) 2 nights.
• Okonjima Main Camp (3-star) 2 nights.

Occasionally it may be necessary to use alternative accommodation of the same standard.

• Flights are scheduled services of
• Flights depart at 12:00 am and return at 6:25 am

Includes

Not Included