Best of Namibia - South  

  Duration12 Days

Day 1 – Etosha National Park

This morning, you will be met at the departure point by a representative who will be transferring you to your first overnight stop, Etosha National Park.  The shuttle service is expected to take between 4 – 5 hours.  The shuttle service is offered exclusively to Nomad guests and the number of travellers is dependant on the number of guests booked.  Sit back, relax and enjoy the drive to Etosha National Park. Upon arrival in Etosha National Park, you will be met at the Okaukuejo Rest Camp by your Nomad Tour Leader who orientate you with the tour, your truck and fellow travellers.  After lunch, we board our truck and enjoy an afternoon game drive.

Day 2 – Etosha National Park

Today we continue our exploration of the park. No day on safari is ever the same and the suspense before that special sighting is the motivation that keeps our eyes wide open.  We explore the edges of the Etosha Pan in search of the abundant wildlife that occur in the park.

Day 3 – Etosha to Khorixas

This morning, we set off from Etosha National Park.  After a final morning of exploration as we exit the park, we’ll leave the park and head towards Khorixas in our Nomad Truck. Along the route, we’ll stop by the Petrified Forest, a national monument featuring fossilized prehistoric tree trunks. These remnants were once massive trees carried down by a river and ultimately trapped in alluvial sands, thus becoming a fascinating piece of the past. Our final destination of the day is the enchanting Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings in the Kunene Region, where a local guide will escort us. This area, which was inhabited by the Khoi San for 6000 years, features one of the highest concentrations of rock petroglyphs in Africa. The ancient inhabitants used this site for shamanist rituals, resulting in the creation of 2500 rock paintings. After a full day of exploration, we’ll end our day in Khorixas.

Day 4 – Khorixas to Swakopmund

Today we depart Khorixas to where the hot desert sands meet the cool waves of the Atlantic. On our way, we’ll make a stop at the renowned Seal Colony at Cape Cross, one of the largest of its kind in the world. Here, more than 200,000 Cape Fur Seals can be seen hugging the shore. The spot is also of historical significance as it marks the area where the first European explorer set foot on the Namibian coast in 1486. Diego Cao erected a cross here in honour of the king of Portugal at that time. (Please note that sometimes Cape Cross Colony may be inaccessible, which would prevent us from visiting the seals.) Our journey continues with a visit to the Lichen Fields. Your guide will give a captivating talk about the intricate Lichen Colonies that blanket the area. It’s an exceptional opportunity for some unforgettable photographs. Our final stop before reaching Swakopmund is the seaside holiday town of Wlotskasbaken. This charming town offers a fantastic photo opportunity with its quaint houses and scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean. After capturing these memories, we’ll complete the final leg of our trip and arrive in the beautiful coastal city of Swakopmund, ending an exciting day of exploration.

Day 5 – Swakopmund

While for many it is the adrenaline fuelled adventures that will grab their attention, Swakopmund offers all that and more. Take the opportunity today to explore the town at your leisure, as there are a number of attractions for every taste. Not to be missed is the selection of famed coffee shops and bakeries that offer a delightful range of German inspired treats.  Swakopmund offers all the conveniences of a small city and is the perfect launching pad for the journey through the northern reaches of the land.

Day 6 – Swakopmund to Sesriem

Leaving behind the charms of Swakopmund we continue our journey to Southern Namibia and the Namib Desert. While bidding a reluctant farewell to the ocean, we make a stop to commemorate our crossing of the Tropic of Capricorn this morning before turning east towards the heart of the

desert. This afternoon, we have the privilege of joining a local expert for an enlightening desert excursion. Our local guide will introduce us to the wonders of the desert environment – an amazing introduction to the Namib that is sure to get all your senses ready for the next few days. An early night is advisable as tomorrow will see us up as the dawn breaks, but tonight we spend the night under the magnificent desert stars, knowing that the next day holds more adventures among the red sand dunes.

Day 7 – Sossusvlei Dunes – Namib-Naukluft National Park

Today we will rise early for our drive to the Namib-Naukluft National Park.  We will enter the park just after sunrise and travel through to the famous Dune 45. A brisk climb up Dune 45 offers us the perfect vantage point to marvel at the changing colours of the desert. Once satisfied we descend this famous dune and enjoy a hearty breakfast before catching a 4×4 transfer into Sossusvlei, here we will spend time on foot visiting the pans at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. Tonight we camp on the doorstep of the dune fields, we’ll empty the red sand from our shoes and fall asleep to the unique calls of the elusive Barking Gecko.

Day 8 – Keetmanshoop

We will have a leisurely morning before we pack up and turn east and head for Keetmanshoop.  Today we spend most of the day driving onto our next destination. 

Day 9 – Giants Playground/Quiver Tree Forest and Fish River Canyon

Contrary to belief, the quiver tree is not really a tree, but a plant that can grow to between 200 – 300 years old.  Our exploration continues this morning with a visit to the Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playgrounds, named for the way in which the massive dolerite boulders have been placed on each other- creating rock formations and a series of mazes. We board the truck and travel south on the gravel byways of Southern Namibia on route to Ais-Ais. Famed for its hot springs the resort and its hot pools are the perfect tonic to ease away the dust of the Namib. The Fish River Canyon is one of the largest in the world and this afternoon we take a walk along the rim of the canyon and end our day with a memorable sunset on the canyon edge.

Day 10 – Orange River

As dawn breaks we head out making our way to the Orange River and our final stop in Namibia. Our last night in Namibia is spent on the banks of the Orange River and the best way to experience the Orange River is by canoe. This afternoon you will have the opportunity to partake in an optional canoe trip on the river.

Day 11 – Orange River – Cederberg

A final border crossing sees us enter South Africa this morning as we travel through the desert landscapes of Namaqualand on our way to the Cederberg region. If you are fortunate enough to be travelling in the spring months (July to September) you may encounter the wild flowers that have made this region famous. No matter the time of year though, the strange desert vistas offer a unique backdrop to this day’s travel.  Tonight we enjoy a traditional meal and celebrate the many memories we have made.

Day 12 – Cederberg – Cape Town

The Cederberg region not only boasts spectacular mountains and orange farms, but it is also the home of the Rooibos bush. Indigenous to the mountain slopes of the Cedarberg, this herbal beverage has earned an international reputation as a healthy and refreshing alternative to regular tea.  The Cederberg region is known for its mountain fynbos and spectacular views of the rugged Cedarberg Mountains. Nearing Cape Town, you will notice Table Mountain appear in the distance and we will stop to look at Table Mountain from across Table Bay.  Your tour ends upon arrival in Cape Town city centre.