Best of Namibia - North 2018

Leaving Cape Town this morning we make a last stop for a look back at Table Mountain from across Table Bay, picture taken we travel to the famous winelands region of the Western Cape and enjoy a wine tasting at one of the local wine farms.  We will also make a stop at the well-known Spice Route, bordering the town of Paarl.  The Spice Route is an estate that brings together a collection of flavours unique to the Cape Culture – including a beer garden, artworks studio, chocolate makers and coffee makers – to name just a few.  No road trip is complete without a stop at a traditional “Padstal”, these small farm stalls dot the byways of South Africa and offer a variety of homemade treats and bakes. The Cedarberg 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. A dinner at our overnight stop, offers an opportunity for us to get acquainted while enjoying some South African hospitality.

Namaqualand presents us with our first experience of the Desert vistas that will accompany us in the days ahead. We continue our journey north and after a short stop for supplies in Springbok, travel to our camp on the banks of the Orange River. 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 days travel.

While the Orange River was named after the Dutch royal House, in recent times it has been referred to by its original name of Gariep, which simply means “river” in the indigenous KhoeKhoe language. Beginning its journey in the mountains of Lesotho the Orange River is the longest river in South Africa and offers a unique contrast to the desert landscapes along its banks. The best way to experience the river is by getting out on the water and this morning we have the opportunity to join an optional canoe trip on the river. Later this morning we cross the border into Namibia and travel onwards to the Fish River Canyon, one of the largest in the world. This afternoon we take a walk along the rim of the canyon and end our day with a memorable sunset on the canyon edge.

Every overland journey has some long travelling days and today is one of those as we venture deeper into the Namib Desert. Our destination is the dune fields that cover the western reaches of the desert. Long dusty roads and sparsely populated farmlands offer us an insight into the vastness of rural Namibia. From the grasslands in the east to the red dunes of the west the slowly changing landscapes represents the many faces of this desert country. Tonight we camp on the doorstep of the dune fields and fall asleep to the unique calls of the elusive Barking Gecko.

Watching the sunrise over the red dunes is an iconic highlight of any trip to Namibia and this morning we rise before the sun to capture this magnificent moment. A brisk climb up Dune 45 offers us the perfect vantage point to marvel at the changing colours of the desert sunrise. 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. Our day in the desert continues this afternoon as we join a local expert for an educational desert excursion. Tonight we empty the red sand from our shoes and spend the night under the magnificent desert stars, knowing that we have spent a full-day enjoying the wonders of this harsh land.

Today we continue west and make our way to the coastal town of Swakopmund, where adventure and a dose of civilisation await. Reluctantly we leave the Namib behind and after a stop to mark our crossing of the Tropic of Capricorn, we continue to the Atlantic coastline. We make a brief stop at the Walvis Bay lagoon, where we hope to catch a glimpse of the Flamingo’s that feed in the shallows. Arriving in Swakopmund we will have the opportunity to book some of the many adventures on offer. We enjoy a dinner out at a local restaurant tonight.

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.

The massive granite formations of Spitzkoppe tower 700 metres above the desert plains below and the presence of rock art indicates their significance to the San people who lived here many years ago. We will enjoy a walk with a local guide and have the opportunity to view some examples of the San’s rock art before setting of for our overnight stop for the evening.

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 the tribe generates from the visits goes towards the education of Himba children and assists the tribe in giving them a chance to learn about their own culture and heritage. This afternoon we have the opportunity to visit a Himba village and interact with the villagers.

A last early morning as we take aim for Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia. Today we make a brief stop at the craft markets of Okahandja before arriving in Windhoek in the afternoon. We will take a short walk through the city centre and have the opportunity to view some its better known landmarks.

** Your tour ends at Hotel Safari. Should you have booked your own accommodation in Windhoek, please inform the guide that you will be leaving the tour once the City Tour comes to an end, before continuing on to Hotel Safari.