12 Day Best of Namibia

Namibia is a photographer’s dream. The breathtaking features of the Namibian landscape, the beautiful Himba people and the beasts of Etosha National Park will give you memories of a lifetime.

Highlights:

• Sleep under the stars on the banks of the Orange River
• Gaze over the world’s second largest canyon – the Fish River Canyon
• Wander among the ancient dunes of Sossusvlei
• See the herds gathering at a waterhole in Etosha

Price: R 9,450

Activities Package: R860
Countries Visited: South Africa and Namibia
Type: Camping
Vehicle: Adventure Truck

What’s included

• Meals as indicated on the itinerary
• Accommodation
• Registered guides
• Transport

We also include some of the activities. These activities are listed below in the day-by-day descriptions.

What’s excluded

• All items of a personal nature
• Alcohol
• Snacks
• Souvenirs
• Tips
• Optional activities (see list for an indication of prices)

Note: All information is subject to change without prior notice. Travel times and campsites can change depending on road or weather conditions, etc. These are used as a guideline only.

12 Day Best of Namibia Itinerary

Arrival: Please be sure to arrive 1 day before your transfer is due to depart. This will avoid any unpredictable problems.

Departure: Please book your flight to depart the day after the tour officially ends. This is to account for any delays that we may experience due to unpredictable road conditions.

Departure Point: 8.00 am from 1st Floor Leadership House, 40 Shortmarket Street, Greenmarket Square, Cape Town, South Africa. Tel: +27 (0) 82 578 2199.

End Point: Casa Piccolo, 6 Barella Street, Klein Windhoek, Tel: +264 (061) 221155

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1 South Africa – Cederberg Mountain Region
• Day 2 Namaqualand – Gariep (Orange) River
• Day 3 Namibia – Gariep (Orange) River – Fish River Canyon
• Day 4 Namib-Naukluft National Park
• Day 5 Sossusvlei Dunes – Namib-Naukluft National Park
• Day 6/7 Swakopmund
• Day 8 Spitzkoppe
• Day 9 Himba Tribes
• Day 10/11 Etosha National Park
• Day 12 Windhoek

Day 1 South Africa – Cederberg Mountain Region

Leaving Cape Town we make our first stop at Table View and take photos of Table Mountain from across Table Bay. We then travel to the Cederberg region for a guided walk and set up camp. Your guide will give a full briefing on the tour.

• Meals: Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Gekko Backpackers Campsite
• Facilities: Drinkable water, hot showers, shared ablutions, bar
• Included Activities: Guided nature walk in the mountains, with local guide.
• Route: Cape Town to Citrusdal. ±200 km
• Travel time: ±5 hrs

The Cederberg mountains extend about 50 km north-south by 20 km east-west. The dominating characteristic of the area is sharply defined sandstone rock formations, often reddish in colour. This group of rocks contains bands of shale and in recent years a few important fossils have been discovered in these argillaceous layers. The fossils are of primitive fish and date back 450 million years to the Ordovician Period. The Cedar trees are of the Widdringtonia cederbergensis species. They grow at an altitude of 1000m to 1500m. Some species are believed to live up to 1000 years. The highest peak in the range is Sneeuberg (2028m).

In 1660, the first European explorers from the Cape, led by Jan Danckert came across a great herd of elephants in the Olifants River Valley. The source of the river is in the mountains near Ceres. Above Clanwilliam, the Olifants is harnessed by a dam, built in 1935 and expanded in 1968, which irrigates 12140 hectares of farmland.

Day 2 Namaqualand – Gariep (Orange) River

An early start, then we head north via the distant town of Springbok and then to the Namibia border. We camp on the river bank that forms the border between South Africa and Namibia.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Fiddlers Creek Campsite
• Facilities: Water not drinkable, bar, hot showers, shared ablutions.
• Route: Citrusdal to Orange/Gariep River. ±570 km
• Travel time: ±10 hrs

The Orange River (Afrikaans/Dutch: Oranjerivier) / Gariep River, is the longest river in South Africa. It rises in the Drakensberg mountains in Lesotho, flowing westwards through South Africa to the Atlantic Ocean. The river forms part of the international borders between South Africa and Namibia and between South Africa and Lesotho, as well as several provincial borders within South Africa. Although the river does not pass through any major cities, it plays an important role in the South African economy by providing water for irrigation, as well as hydroelectric power.

The river was first discovered by indigenous Nama people, who called it the Nu Gariep. The river was named the Orange River by Colonel Robert Gordon, commander of the Dutch East India Company garrison at Cape Town, on a trip to the interior. Gordon named the river in honour of William of Orange. A popular but incorrect belief is that the river was named after the supposedly orange colour of its water, as opposed to the colour its tributary, the Vaal River ( ‘vaal’ being Afrikaans for pale or grey). Since the end of apartheid, the original name, “Gariep” has had greater favour in official correspondence in South Africa, although the name “Orange” has greater international recognition.

Day 3 Namibia – Gariep (Orange) River – Fish River Canyon

This morning there’s the chance to see the beautiful river valley by canoe, or just relax in the sun. After lunch we cross the border and travel to the Fish River Canyon. After a walk along the edge of the canyon we watch the sunset and enjoy a fantastic photo opportunity.

• Optional Activities: Half Day Canoe Adventure.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Hobas Campsite
• Facilities: Drinkable water, small kiosk, hot showers (sometimes), small swimming pool.
• Included Activities: Hike along the rim of the Fish River Canyon
• Route: Orange/Gariep River to Fish River Canyon. ±180 km
• Travel time: ±4-5 hrs and a border crossing

Border posts:

• South Africa: Vioolsdrift, Tel: +27 (27) 761 8760, Open 24 hours.
• Namibia: Noordoewer, Tel: +264 (0) 63 297 122, Open 24 hours.

The Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world and the largest in Africa, as well as the second most visited tourist attraction in Namibia. It features a gigantic ravine, in total about 100 miles (160 km) long, up to 27 km wide and in places almost 550 metres deep. The Fish River is the longest interior river in Namibia, but its flow is now a puny trickle compared with the immense volume of water that poured down its length in ages past. It cuts deep into the plateau which is today dry, stony and sparsely covered with hardy drought-resistant plants such as succulents. The river flows intermittently, usually flooding in late summer; and when it ceases to flow it becomes a chain of long narrow pools on the sandy rock-strewn floor of the chasm.

The Fish River Canyon area has a typical semi-desert climate. During the hot summer months (October – March) temperatures can rise to 48°C during the day and cool to about 30°C at night. Relief from the heat comes in short spells with occasional thunderstorms. The average annual rainfall in the canyon area is 100mm. During the short winters, temperatures can go below zero at night, but quickly pick up during the day to a moderate 20 to 28°C.

Day 4 Namib-Naukluft National Park

We arrive at the Namib-Naukluft National Park and set up camp, then enjoy a short hike into the Sesriem Canyon. Tonight enjoy the star studded sky and enduring silence of the Namib Desert

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Sesriem campsite
• Facilities: Drinkable water, bar, swimming pool, hot showers, shared ablutions, shop.
• Included activities: Hike into Sesriem Canyon
• Route: Fish River Canyon to Namib-Naukluft Park. ±560 km
• Travel time: ±10 hrs

Since it is in the Namib desert, the Tsauchab carries water only during the rare times when rain falls in the Naukluft Mountains and runs off, since it cannot seep into the soil fast enough. During these rains, the Tsauchab becomes a rapid-running, strong river within a matter of hours. As a result of the occasional rains, it has over the past two million years carved Sesriem Canyon, a kilometer (0.6 mile) long and up to 30-meter (100-foot) deep canyon in sedimentary rock. The name Sesriem is Afrikaans and means “six belts”, since the early settlers had to attach together six belts (made of oryx hides), in order to reach buckets down into the canyon to scoop up water. The Sesriem Canyon is only two meters (6.5 ft) wide in some places, and has a portion that permanently contains water, which many animals use.

The Namib desert occupies an area of around 80 900 km² (31 200 square miles), stretching about 1000 miles (1,600 km) along the Atlantic Ocean coast of Namibia. Its east-west width varies from 30 to 100 miles (50-160 km). Having endured arid or semi-arid conditions for at least 55 million years, it is considered to be the oldest desert in the world after the Atacama Desert in Chile. The Namib’s aridity is caused by the descent of dry air of the Hadley Cell, cooled by the cold Benguela current along the coast. It has less than 10 mm (0.4 inches) of rain annually and is almost completely barren.

A number of unusual species of plants and animals are found only in this desert. One of these is Welwitschia mirabilis. Welwitschia is a shrub-like plant, but grows just two long strap-shaped leaves continuously throughout its lifetime. These leaves may be several meters long, gnarled and twisted from the desert winds. Welwitschia is notable for its survival in the extremely arid conditions in the Namib, sometimes deriving moisture from the coastal sea fogs.

Day 5 Sossusvlei Dunes – Namib-Naukluft National Park

We wake up early to hike up Dune 45 to marvel at the sunrise – a not to be missed event. Later, we join a local expert on a guided hike of the unique Sossusvlei desert ecosystem.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Solitaire Campsite (no website available)
• Facilities: Drinkable water, hot showers, shared ablutions.
• Included Activities: Sunrise hike up Dune 45, ±3 hrs Desert Walk in Sossusvlei area, with Local Guide.
• Route: Sesriem to Solitaire. ±100 km (excludes drive to and from desert walk)
• Travel time: ±3 hrs (round trip into Sesriem), (plus drive to Solitaire)

Namib-Naukluft National Park is an ecological preserve in the Namib Desert in southwest Africa. The park is the largest game park in Africa, and a surprising collection of creatures survives in the hyper-arid region, including snakes, geckos, unusual insects, hyenas, gemsboks and jackals. More moisture comes in as a fog off the Atlantic Ocean, than falls as rain, with the average 106 millimeters of rainfall per year concentrated in the months of February and April.

The winds that bring in the fog are also responsible for creating the park’s towering sand dunes, whose burnt orange color is a sign of their age. The orange color develops over time as iron in the sand is oxidized, like rusty metal; the older the dune, the brighter the color. These dunes are the tallest in the world, in places rising more than 300 meters (almost 1000 feet) above the desert floor.

‘Namib’ means open space and the Namib Desert gave its name to form Namibia – “land of open spaces”. The park was established in 1907 when the German Colonial Administration proclaimed the area between the Swakop River and the Kuiseb River a game reserve. The park’s present boundaries were established in 1978 by the merging of the Namib Desert Park, the Naukluft Mountain Zebra Park, parts of Diamond Area 1 and some other bits of surrounding government land.

The park has some of the most unusual wildlife and nature reserves in the world, and covers an area of 49,768 km² (19,215 square miles). It’s an area far larger than Switzerland, roughly the size of the US states New Hampshire and Vermont combined. The region is characterised by high, isolated inselbergs and kopjes (the Afrikaans term for rocky outcrops), made up of dramatic blood red granites, rich in feldspars and sandstone. The easternmost part of the park covers the Naukluft Mountains.

Day 6/7 Swakopmund

After crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, we travel onto Namibia’s Atlantic coast and the adventure capital, Swakopmund. Here you will be briefed on the many options available for the following day. Optional Activities: Quad biking, Sand boarding, Sky Diving, Dolphin Cruise, Scenic Flights, Fishing, Dinner out etc.

Day 6

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Accommodation: Hostel (Dorm Room) Villa Wiese
• Facilities: Shared ablutions, bar, drinkable water.
• Included Activities: Stop off in Walvis Bay to view Flamingos
• Route: Solitaire to Swakopmund. ±300 km
• Travel time: ±4-5 hrs (including Walvis Bay)

Day 7

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hostel (Dorm Room) Villa Wiese
• Facilities: Shared ablutions, bar, drinkable water

Swakopmund was founded in 1892, two years later than Windhoek, by Captain Curt von François. It was intended to be the main harbour of German South-West Africa. Increased traffic between Germany and its colony necessitated establishing a port of its own, as Walvis Bay, located 33 kilometers south, was in British possession. The choice fell to a site north of the Swakop River, because water was readily available, and because other sites were unsuitable. Swakopmund is a beach resort and an example of German colonial architecture. Buildings in the city include the Altes Gefängnis prison, designed by Heinrich Bause in 1909 and the Wörmannhaus, built in 1906 with a prominent tower, is now a public library.

The majority of towns and villages in Namibia have grown out of indigenous settlements and very often were located close to sources of water. Names of places given by original inhabitants were very descriptive and in many cases those names were retained by European settlers who sometimes simplified pronunciations of the names.

The Nama word “Tsoakhaub” can be translated as “excrement opening” which was an offensive but accurate description of the waters of the Swakop River when it flooded, carrying masses of mud, sand, pieces of vegetation and animal corpses to the Atlantic Ocean. The Nama name was changed to “Swachaub” by German settlers, and with the proclamation of Swakopmund as an independent district of German South-West Africa in 1896, the present way of writing Swakopmund (meaning Estuary of the Swakop in German) came into use.

Surrounded by the Namib Desert on three sides and the cold Atlantic waters to the west, Swakopmund enjoys a temperate climate. The average temperature ranges between 15°C (59°F) to 25°C (77°F). Rainfall is less than 15 mm per year, making gutters and drainpipes on buildings a rarity. The cold Benguela current supplies moisture for the area in the form of fog that can reach as deep as 140 km (87 mi) inland. The fauna and flora of the area has adapted to this phenomenon and now relies upon the fog as a source of moisture.

Swakopmund is well known for adventure sports including: skydiving, sandboarding and quadbiking. Your guides will be able to assist you in deciding on a suitable activity, alternatively, spend the day exploring the town and enjoying the various coffee shops and souvenir shops.

Day 8 Spitzkoppe

Leaving the coast we head to Namibia’s ‘Matterhorn’. Spitzkoppe is a huge rocky outcrop where we set up camp in the wild, beneath the mountain. This afternoon there is an included walk to view Bushman (San) paintings.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Bush Camp: Spitzkoppe Community Campsite
• Facilities: No facilities. Long drop toilets.
• Included Activities: Guided walk with Nomad guide through Spitzkoppe
• Route: Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe. ±170 km
• Travel time: ±3-4 hrs

The Spitzkoppe (also referred to as Spitzkop, Groot Spitzkop, or the “Matterhorn of Namibia”), is a group of bald granite peaks located between Usakos and Swakopmund in the Namib desert. The granite is more than 700 million years old and the highest outcrop rises about 1784 meters (5857 feet) above sea level. The peaks stand out dramatically from the flat surrounding plains. The highest peak is about 700m above the floor of the desert below. A minor peak- the Little Spitzkoppe – lies nearby at an elevation of 1584 metres above sea level. Other prominences stretch out into a range known as the Pontok Mountains. Many examples of Bushmen artwork can be seen painted on the rock in the Spitzkoppe area.

It is possible that the main peak was summited as early as 1904, when a soldier of the Royal Schutztruppe supposedly soloed the peak and made a fire on the summit. What he may have burned remains a mystery, as there is absolutely no natural fuel of any kind on the upper parts of the peak. The legend suggests that he never returned and that his body was never recovered. Certainly, no proof of his conquest is available today.

Day 9 Himba Tribes

After some early morning exploration we continue north and drive towards Kamanjab. The Himba are a pastoral people and predominantly breed cattle or goats, they are easily recognisable by their unique style of dress.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Himba Camp (no website available)
• Facilities: Bush shower and basic toilets.
• Included activities: Guided visit to the Himba Tribe with Local Guide.
• Route: Spitzkoppe to Kamanjab. ±340 km
• Travel time: ±5-6 hrs

The Himba are an ethnic group of people living in northern Namibia, in the Kunene region (formerly Kaokoland). They are a nomadic, pastoral people, closely related to the Herero, and speak the same language. The Himba breed cattle and goats. Women take care of the children, and one woman will take care of another woman’s children. Women tend to perform more labor-intensive work than men do, such as carrying water to the village and building homes, while men handle the political tasks and legal trials.

The Himba wear little clothing, but the women are famous for covering themselves with a mixture of butter fat, ochre, and herbs to protect themselves from the sun. The mixture gives their skins a reddish tinge and symbolizes earth’s rich red color and the blood that symbolizes life, and is consistent with the Himba ideal of beauty. Women braid each other’s hair and cover it in their ochre mixture (called otjize in their language). Modern clothes are scarce, but generally go to the men when available. Traditionally both men and women go topless and wear skirts or loincloths made of animals skins in various colors. Adult women wear beaded anklets to protect their legs from poisonous animal bites.

Situated about 20 km outside of town, a guided tour around the village will not only give you an in depth insight into the life and ways of the last traditional tribe in Namibia, the Ova-Himba, but an amazing photographic opportunity as well. You will experience the milking ceremony, the smoke bath, be informed on the beliefs around the holy fire, ancestors, and herbal medicine. You will also learn about the jewelry and hairstyles to imitate the status of each tribe member and their close relationship with nature, their cattle and children.

The income generated from these excursions, helps to sustain the tribe from day to day, buying food and supplies, medicine (if necessary) and taking care of the children adopted by Jaco from various families unable to support them, some of them needing books and clothing for school. Please take note that the village is not for show or a human zoo, you will be allowed inside these amazing peoples’ home and have a cultural exchange. Please respect their lives and ways as they would respect yours and in this way help preserve their culture and traditions.

Day 10/11 Etosha National Park

Etosha is the venue for some of the most unique game viewing experiences in Africa. The sparse grasslands allow great opportunities to see animals normally hidden in dense vegetation. We will go on various game drives, and spend our evenings at the abundant water holes for some excellent game photography. Optional Activities: Night or Dawn Drives in safari vehicles

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Okaukuejo, Halali or Namutoni
• Facilities: Drinkable water, shared ablutions, bar, shop, post box, swimming pool and
• waterholes at all campsites.
• Included Activities: Game drives in truck
• Route: Kamanjab to Etosha NP. ±270 km
• Travel time: ±3-4 hrs

Etosha National Park is one of Southern Africa’s finest and most important Game Reserves. Etosha Game park was declared a National Park in 1907 and covering an area of 22 270 square km, it is home to 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and, surprisingly, one species of fish.

Etosha, meaning “Great White Place”, is dominated by a massive mineral pan. The pan is part of the Kalahari Basin, the floor of which was formed around 1000 million years ago. The Etosha Pan covers around 25% of the National Park and was originally a lake fed by the Kunene River. However the course of the river changed thousands of years ago and the lake dried up. The pan now is a large dusty depression of salt and dusty clay which fills only if the rains are heavy and even then only holds water for a short time. This temporary water in the Etosha Pan attracts thousands of wading birds including impressive flocks of flamingos. The perennial springs along the edges of the Etosha Pan draw large concentrations of wildlife and birds.

Day 12 Windhoek

After an early morning game drive we set off towards Windhoek in the centre of Namibia. On the way we stop at a popular craft market. On arrival in Windhoek there is a short city tour. Optional Activities: Dinner out.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Own Arrangements / Post tour accommodation can be booked through Nomad
• Included Activities: Craft market en-route and Short City Tour
• Route: Etosha to Windhoek. ±550 km
• Travel time: ±8-9 hrs

The city of Windhoek is traditionally known by two names: Ai-Gams, from the Nama people, which literally refers to the hot springs that were once part of Windhoek, while the second name, Otjomuise, meaning a place of steam, was given by the Herero people. Theories vary on how Ai-Gams/Otjomuise got its modern name of Windhoek, most believe the name Windhoek is derived from the Afrikaans word Wind-Hoek, meaning “corner of wind”. It is also thought that the Afrikaners named Windhoek after the Winterhoek Mountains, at Tulbagh in South Africa, where the early Afrikaner settlers had lived. In those days Windhoek was the point of contact between the warring Namas, led by Jan Jonker Afrikaner, and the Herero people.

Present-day Windhoek was founded on 18 October 1890, when Von François fixed the foundation stone of the fort, which is now known as the Alte Feste (Old Fortress). During the next fourteen years Windhoek developed slowly, with only the most essential government and private buildings being erected. In Klein-Windhoek, plots were allocated to settlers, who started farming on a small scale with fruit, tobacco and dairy cattle. After 1907, development accelerated as people migrated from the countryside to the city and also some immigrated from outside the country. There was also a larger influx of European settlers arriving from Germany and South Africa. Businesses were erected on Kaiser Street, present Independence Avenue, and along the dominant mountain ridge over the city, including the three eye-catching castles.

The winter months of June, July and August usually experience little or no rain. Minimum temperatures range between 5 °C (41 °F) and 18 °C (64 °F). Nights are usually cool, although the temperature seldom drops below 0°C, and it almost never snows. Days are usually warm to hot, varying from a maximum of 20 °C (68 °F) in July to 31 °C (88 °F) in January.

Tour Ends

We will drop you off at Casa Piccolo. We suggest you book accommodation here for this evening. If you choose to stay elsewhere you will need to arrange a transfer as the truck cannot drive around Swakopmund dropping people off all afternoon.

Note: Accommodation providers are subject to change without notice, the accommodation listed in this dossier is our preferred supplier, but sometimes due to availability, we are unable to make use of the property listed in this dossier. If we cannot use the accommodation provider as listed we will substitute another property of similar standards, however, en-suite facilities are not always guaranteed.

Optional Activities

Note: There are more optional activities being created every day – we have listed only the most popular. If there is something specific you would like to do then speak to your guide as they will be able to assist you (if it is possible…)

Green Seats – Making Africa Greener

The tour gives you the opportunity to offset your carbon foot print by purchasing a “Green Seat”. Please ask us for the donation on this tour and see last page for further details.

Onward Travel

This tour can be linked to the Delta & Chobe Trail Tour.

Preparation

Visas

Please note that these are your responsibility. Some nationalities require visas for Namibia. Booklet for more information.

Health

Please inform us of any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or asthma and any prescription medicine you may be taking. We also need to know about any food allergies or physical disability that you may have.

Malaria

Malaria prophylactics are required. Very low risk of malaria in Northern Namibia.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are prescribed by law for the countries being visited on this tour. Please see the Pre Departure Information booklet for detailed information on vaccinations in Africa.

Local Information

Climate

The African sun is very strong. Please use a factor 30 sunscreen and wear a hat. You should drink at least 3 litres of water per day to avoid dehydration. It can also get very cold during winter months on this route. Please see Pre Departure Booklet for detailed information.

Currency and Banking

South African Rand is the most widely used currency on this route. Credit Cards cannot always be processed – especially in remote areas. Please see Pre Departure Booklet for detailed information on each country.

Local Payment

There is no local payment on this tour.

Tipping On Tour

Southern Africa: In general tipping in restaurants is generally expected and is around 10% for good service, more if you have received exceptional service, and, feel free not to tip at all if you received poor service. Tipping taxi drivers etc is really at your own discretion and not always expected. If in doubt please ask your guides.

Our guides do work hard, but they are also paid at (and often above) industry levels for this work. Our Crew can be tipped if you feel that they have done a good job and/or gone above and beyond the call of duty.
The best way to arrange tips is to elect one person in the group to collect the money. We recommend USD1 (or about R5) per day per person, per guide as a fair tip. So if you have 3-crew on a tour, we would recommend that 3 envelopes are used and each crew members name written on one. Place what you feel is fair into each envelope and the elected person can give these to the crew at the end of the tour. If you do not feel that the crew deserve a tip, please, do not tip them. You must remember that tipping is only for exceptional service and is not at all compulsory or expected.

Pre and Post Tour Accommodation

If you require accommodation before or after your tour we can arrange this for you. We can also arrange airport transfers – contact your travel agent to make these bookings.