Best of Namibia - Small Group Tour 2019

Leaving Cape Town this morning we make a last stop for a look back at Table Mountain from across Table Bay.  The Cederberg region not only boasts spectacular mountains and orange farms, but it is also the home of the Rooibos bush and today we will visit a working Rooibos tea farm and see the plants of Rooibos and Buchu that occur naturally in the wild. Indigenous to the mountain slopes of the Cederberg, 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 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. Crossing the border this afternoon we enter Namibia and settle in on the banks of the Gariep River.

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.  Around midday we depart the Orange River and head inland to our overnight stop where guests will get a chance to enjoy the Ais-Ais Hot Pools this evening

We rise early this morning and drive to the rim of the Fish River Canyon.  We will have time to watch the morning sunrays filter through the canyon.  After stretching our legs with a gentle walk along the rim of the canyon, we turn west and head for Keetmanshoop. Our afternoon will be spent meandering through the Quiver Tree Forest and The Giants Playground – named for the way in which the massive dolerite boulders have been placed on each other – creating rock formations and a series of mazes.

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.

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 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. Our day in the desert ends as we join a local expert for an educational desert excursion before making our way across the Tropic of Capricorn and to the Atlantic coast. We make a brief stop at the Walvis Bay lagoon, hoping to catch a glimpse of the flamingo’s that feed in the shallows. On arriving in Swakopmund we have the opportunity to book some of the many adventures on offer.

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 Brandberg (Burning Mountains) are regarded as the highest in Namibia and home to the famous White Lady, one of more than 45,000 rock paintings in the area.  This morning we will make the 1-hour hike to visit the painting that is said to be around 2,000 years old. (Please be advised that the hike does traverse rough terrain along the gorge of the normally dry Tsisab River).  After our exploration, our journey continues to the area of Kamanjab.

Today our journey takes us to the area of Kamanjab.    On route, we will explore the Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings in the Kunene Region. This area has been inhabited for 6000 years by the Khoi San.  These inhabitants used the site to conduct shamanist rituals.  In the process, 2500 rock paintings were created.  This site displays one of the largest concentrations of rock petroglyphs in Africa.

Rising early this morning we drive to the Etosha National Park. Etosha is the venue for some of the most unique game viewing experiences in Africa. This afternoon we reach the park and begin with our first game drive as we make our way to rest camp.

Our second day in Etosha allows another full day to 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.

A last early morning game drive to the gate sees us wrap up our visit to Etosha and take aim for Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia. We will take a short walk through the city centre and have the opportunity to view some its better known landmarks. Your tour comes to and end after the completion of the city walking tour.