A Grand Tour of Namibia

Day 1 Fly overnight from London Gatwick to Windhoek.

Day 2 On arrival a tour of Windhoek includes the Christuskirche, Alte Feste and the Tintenpalast. Overnight at the 3-star Safari Hotel in Windhoek. In the evening enjoy dinner and wine-tasting at castle Heinitzburg (2009 departures).

Day 3 Drive via Rehoboth, home of the Baster community, to the margins of the Kalahari Desert (5 hrs) for overnight at the 3-star Auob Lodge (2008) or 4-star Anib Lodge (2009), near Gochas. Enjoy a nature drive.

Day 4 Continue southwards towards the Fish River Canyon (5 hrs) for a nature drive. Overnight at the 3-star Vogelstrausskluft Lodge (2008) or 4-star Canon Lodge (2009).

Day 5 Travel to Luderitz for a short tour (5 hrs). Overnight at the 4-star Nest Hotel.

Day 6 Visit the ghost town of Kolmanskop with its open air museum. Continue via Helmeringhausen to the Sossusvlei area (7 hrs). Spend two nights at the 3-star Solitaire Lodge (2008) or 4-star Namib Desert Lodge (2009).

Day 7 An early morning drive to the gate of the Namib section of the National Park. A 4x4 shuttle transfer takes you the last 4 kilometres into the actual ‘vlei’. Also visit the Sesriem Canyon. Return to the lodge in time for an optional nature walk (2008) or sundowner drive to the petrified dunes (2009).

Day 8 Travel north via the spectacular cuttings of the Kuiseb and Gaub canyons, visiting en route the bizarre Moon Valley landscape and viewing the intriguing botanical oddity Welwitschia mirabilis, some of which species are more than 2000 years old (6 hrs). Spend two nights at the 4-star Hotel Seaside & Spa near Swakopmund (2008) or the 3-star Long Beach Hotel between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay (2009).

Day 9 An optional morning cruise on Walvis Bay to view the marine and bird life including dolphins and seals. Afternoon visit to the quaint seaside town of Swakopmund, hedged by desert and sea and enhanced by lush green lawns, palm trees and gardens.

Day 10 Travel northwards along the Skeleton Coast to Hentie’s Bay before travelling inland to Damaraland. Overnight at the 2-star iGowati Lodge (2008) or 3-star Twyfelfontein lodge (2009) in Damaraland (6 hrs).

Day 11 Morning visit to Twyfelfontein rock art sites, the fascinating Organ Pipes and Petrified Forest. Afternoon arrival at the 3-star Etosha Gateway lodge (departures in 2008 and on Feb 4, May 13, Jun 10/24, Oct 14 2009) or 4-star Etosha Safari Lodge for overnight (5 hrs).

Day 12 A full-day game drive in the Etosha National Park. Two nights at one of the Rest Camps inside the park (2009) or at Mokuti Lodge on the eastern side of the park (2008). Departures on Feb 4, May 13, Jun 10/24, Oct 14 2009 will spend two nights at Etosha Gateway lodge and one night at a Rest Camp.

Day 13 A further full day of game driving in the park. Optional open-vehicle game drive also available.

Day 14 Travel via Otjiwarongo to the 4-star Okonjima Main Camp (5 hrs) for overnight. Optional afternoon activity. On departures Aug 29 / Oct 24 2008 and Jan 7, 21 / Feb 4 / Dec 9, 23 2009 overnight is at the 3-star Otjibamba Lodge which lies within its own small game ranch. On departures Sep 30 & Oct 14 2009, two nights are spent at Midgaard Lodge (see Day 15).
Day 15 After an optional morning activity (Okonjima) visit the Kavango woodcarvers market in Okahandja, home of the Herero people. Overnight at the 3-star Midgard lodge, a typical Namibian game lodge near Windhoek (4 hrs).

Day 16 Transfer to the airport for the overnight return flight to London Gatwick*.

Day 17 Arrive London.