Best of Namibia - North 2016
This 12-day adventure tour from Cape Town to Windhoek meanders through big sky country, Namibia and includes all the highlights you’d like to see there!
- Crew 32 Crew
- Max Passengers 1824 Passengers Max
- Vehicle Adventure Truck
- Duration 12 Days 11 Nights
- From / To Cape Town to Windhoek
- Meals 11 Breakfast 11 Lunch 10 Dinner
- Countries South Africa, Namibia
Price
Price
Overview
This 12-day Best of Namibia adventure tour from Cape Town to Windhoek meanders through big sky country, Namibia! On departing Cape Town, you’ll stop to take the quintessential picture of Table Mountain. As you cross into Namibia, take a canoe trip on the Orange River, admire vast untouched desert landscapes, enjoy adventure activities in Swakopmund, visit the local Himba tribe, view the desert elephant and other mud bathed animals in Etosha before ending your tour in Windhoek with a delicious dinner at Joe’s Beerhouse.
Featured Highlights
- The Gariep (Orange) River
- Fish River Canyon
- Namib-Naukluft National Park
- Sossusvlei
- Swakopmund
- Spitzkoppe
- Etosha National Park
- Windhoek
Some of the activities listed above form part of an "Activity Package". You will need to purchase this package if you would like to partake in what we consider to be "essential activities" on our tours. The Activity Package can be pre-purchased or bought through your guide on day 1 of your tour. We do recommend that you prebook your Activity Package to ensure availability.
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Pre & Post Tour Accommodation
Nomad can book accommodation before and after your tour.
Pre Tour Accommodation - Cape Town
Airport Transfer Available Strand Towers
Strand Towers Hotel is located in the centre of Cape Town and is within easy walking distance of vibrant Long Street and the V&A Waterfront. The views from this 4 Star hotel will keep you spellbound – be sure to spend some time watching the city as it goes about … Read More
Post Tour Accommodation - Windhoek
Airport Transfer Available Arebbusch Lodge
Arebbusch Travel Lodge is located at the gateway to Namibia’s unique variety of wildlife, cultures and geography. A 10 minute drive from the centre of Windhoek means that you can explore the historical city or relax at your lodge on the banks of the Arebbusch River. At the lodge … Read More
Itinerary
Our tours come with an "Optional Activity Package". You will need to purchase this package if you would like to partake in what we consider to be "essential activities" on our tours. The Activity Package has been written into the itinerary of the tour so please keep this in mind as if you don't book the package, the activities won't be included. We suggest that you prebook and prepay for your Activity Package to ensure availability.
Download Detailed Itinerary (pdf)
Camping AccommodatedSouth Africa – Cederberg Region
Leaving Cape Town we make our first stop at Table View and take photos of Table Mountain from across Table Bay. We will be heading north towards our stop for the first night, passing through the Cederberg Region. Upon arrival at our overnight stop, we will enjoy a wine tasting, sampling wines from the region. Tonight we will be treated to a traditional South African meal, followed by a full tour briefing from your guides.
South Africa – Cederberg Region
Leaving Cape Town we make our first stop at Table View and take photos of Table Mountain from across Table Bay. We will be heading north towards our stop for the first night, passing through the Cederberg Region. Upon arrival at our overnight stop, we will enjoy a wine tasting, sampling wines from the region. Tonight we will be treated to a traditional South African meal, followed by a full tour briefing from your guides.
Namaqualand - Gariep (Orange) River
After an early start, we continue north via the distant town of Springbok, best known for its diamonds, copper and spring flowers. We then proceed to our camp located right beside the Namibian border. The camp is situated on the riverbank that forms the border between South Africa and Namibia.
Namibia – Gariep (Orange) River
Today we travel through the Northern Cape and Namaqualand, stopping at the remote town of Springbok for any last requirements. After crossing the Namibian border we check into the lovely chalets overlooking the river that forms the border between South Africa and Namibia.
Namibia – Gariep (Orange) River – Fish River Canyon
This morning there’s the chance to see the beautiful river valley by canoe or just relax at camp. After lunch we cross the border and travel to the Fish River Canyon. We enjoy a scenic walk along the edge of the canyon before enjoying our dinner, while watching the sunset. This is also a fantastic photo opportunity.
Namibia – Gariep (Orange) River - Fish River Canyon
This morning there’s a chance to do an optional canoe trip down the Gariep River or to spend some time relaxing at the camp along the river. After lunch we travel north to the Fish River Canyon and take a scenic hike along the rim in order to gain some perspective as to just how large this natural phenomenon is. Later we return to Ai-Ais to check in to our accommodation and enjoy the hot springs.
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 we enjoy the star-studded sky and enduring silence of the Namib Desert, only occasionally interrupted by the call of a jackal or, a rather unique lizard, the barking gecko!
Namib-Naukluft National Park
The Namib-Naukluft NP is one of Namibia’s geographic gems and at 50,000km2, is one of the largest parks in Africa. There are massive sand dunes in the Sossusvlei desert area as well as the remarkable landscape. Our lodge is situated outside the park.
Sossusvlei Dunes - Namib-Naukluft National Park
This is our earliest morning as we prepare for our hike up Dune 45 to marvel at the sunrise. After our hike, we will have the chance to visit Sossusvlei. Later we join a local expert on a guided hike and learn more about the unique desert ecosystem and how the Bushmen survived in the harsh desert conditions.
Sossusvlei Dunes - Namib-Naukluft National Park
We have a full day in the Namib-Naukluft National Park that starts with a walk up Dune 45 for an amazing view and photo opportunity. Later we will have the opportunity to be transported into Sossusvlei. In the afternoon there is a short walk into Sesriem Canyon.
Swakopmund
After a brief photo stop while crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, we travel onto Namibia’s Atlantic coast and the adventure capital, Swakopmund. Just before we arrive in Swakopmund, we stop at the Walvis Bay lagoon en-route, where there are often flamingos to be seen. You will be briefed on the many optional activities available here and there is time to explore the town before dinner out at one of the local restaurants.
Swakopmund
After a brief photo stop while crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, we will be joined by a local expert on a guided hike and learn more about the unique desert ecosystem and how the Bushmen survived in the harsh desert conditions. From there, we will travel onto Namibia’s Atlantic coast and the adventure capital, Swakopmund, we stop at the Walvis Bay lagoon en-route, where there are often flamingos to be seen. You will be briefed on the many optional activities available here and there is time to explore the town before dinner out at one of the local restaurants.
Swakopmund
Today is your chance to experience the adrenalin filled atmosphere that Swakopmund offers. Taking a walk around Swakopmund’s shops and having a leisurely lunch is also a great way to spend your day if you are not participating in the many activities available on offer here.
Spitzkoppe
Leaving the coast we drive through arid landscapes to Spitzkoppe Mountain. The enormous granite monoliths dominate the otherwise flat landscape and we set up camp in the wild plain at the base of the mountain. This afternoon our guide will take us on a guided walk to explore the unique rock formations. The more adventurous among us may want to try some mountain climbing for some stunning views of the landscape.
Khorixas
Today we head inland towards Khorixas, stopping en-route at Spitzkoppe, where we will enjoy some time exploring the enormous granite monoliths with our guide. In the afternoon we will visit the Petrified Forest (might be done the following morning).
Himba Tribes: Outjo
We visit a Himba community close to Kamanjab where you will have an opportunity to interact with the people who live there. This is a working village and is only a representation of a larger group of nomadic pastoralists. The semi-nomadic Himba people are extremely susceptible to Western influence and have lost a large portion of their land to farmers, engineers, miners and many were displaced during the wars that raged in Angola. The dwindling number of pastoralists that still exist in their natural environment are protected as far as possible by creating a “buffer zone”, or an “educational tribe” where tourists who would like to get a better understanding of the way of the Himba, their lifestyle and their traditions, can do so without interfering with those still living in their natural environment.
Visiting the Himba tribe can be a controversial topic that gets discussed at the camp fire, however not so much if the reason for visiting this particular tribe is understood beforehand. The income that this specific tribe generates from the visits goes towards the education of orphaned Himba children and assists the tribe in giving them a chance to learn about their own culture and heritage. There is a market at the end of your visit, this is a way for the women to establish a small income, used for their own private expenses, and it is up to you whether you,d like to purchase anything or not.
Etosha National Park
Leaving the city sights behind us, we travel into Namibia’s barren northern area. On the way we stop at a popular craft market where you can barter for handmade gifts to take home. We enter Etosha National Park and game drive through to our campsite for the night.
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. You may even see some of the amazing animals crossing the road in front of your truck! We will go on various game drives and spend our evenings at the abundant waterholes for some excellent game photography.
Windhoek
After an early morning game drive we set off towards Windhoek, the Capital city of Namibia. On the way we stop at a popular craft market where you can barter for handmade gifts to take home. Windhoek is not only the capital; it is also the cultural, social and economic centre of Namibia. On arrival in Windhoek our guide will take us on a short drive through Windhoek in our truck. Joe’s Beer House is an exciting dining experience for our optional dinner out. Your tour comes to an end upon arrival in Windhoek, however recommend that you join the group for their optional dinner out tonight.
Activity Package
Listed below are activities and highlights that form part of an "Optional Activity Package". You will need to purchase this package if you would like to partake in what we consider to be "essential activities" on our tours. The Activity Package has been written into the itinerary of the tour so please keep this in mind as if you don't book the package, the activities won't be included. We suggest that you prebook and prepay for your Activity Package to ensure availability.
- Wine Tasting & Traditional Dinner
- Guided Desert Walk With Local Expert
- Himba Tribe Visit
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