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| To this day, Namibia encompasses magnificent and unspoiled wilderness areas - some unique to the African continent. To blend the classical highlights of this largely arid country with its hidden and remote hinterland requires flexibility and a sense of adventure. |
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| From the dunes of the Namib to the rugged terrain of Damaraland where the desert-adapted elephant and rhino have found a refuge - the key to the success of this diverse journey is undoubtedly found also in the small, personalised group size of only ten persons. Accommodation is in comfortable hotels, bungalows, guest farms and private lodges. |
Arrive in Windhoek and spend the night at the Windhoek Country Club Resort. The afternoon is at leisure. The group meets at 19:00 at reception and continues to dinner where your Afro Ventures safari leader will brief everyone on general aspects of the safari. Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis. (Dinner is on your own account.)
We travel by safari vehicle via the Khomas Hochland to Solitaire to our comfortable lodge situated in the central Namib Desert for two nights. We visit the picturesque Sesriem Canyon and travel via the silent Tsauchab Valley to explore Sossusvlei. Dotted with ancient trees, this dry pan is surrounded by some of the world’s most awe-inspiring sand dunes. We explore the world’s oldest desert and learn about the unique ecosystems that make up this fascinating wilderness. The stars at night enhance this amazing experience.
The route takes us north via the Kuiseb Canyon to Swakopmund, a journey on which the rare mountain zebra are often encountered. Highlights en route include a drive to the "Moonscape", the Oasis of Goanikontes and the ancient desert plant - Welwitschia mirabilis. We spend the night at the beautiful Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre.
We travel north via Henties Bay to Cape Cross, where the Portuguese seafarer Diego Cao became the first European to set foot on Namibian soil in 1486. Cape Cross is also home to more than 80 000 Cape fur seals. Our journey then takes us across the Namib gravel plains towards the little mining town of Uis. Along the way, the grandeur of the Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia, stands out and can be observed from many kilometres away. We enter the southern reaches of Damaraland, a semi-desert environment dotted with euphorbia and stunted mopane woodland. Our overnight is in comfortable thatched chalets at Vingerklip Lodge beneath the cliff faces of the vast Ugab Valley.
The day is spent working our way into the heart of Damaraland. Along the way we take time to observe and learn about the many geological and natural phenomena that this area has to offer. At the Petrified Forest we find dead and "living" fossils - trunks of 'petrified" trees, some up to 30m long, scattered over the open veld where there are also some welwitschia. We return to our safari vehicle and visit Twyfelfontein where we view a number of Stone Age rock engravings and paintings. We visit the Organ Pipes - a geological curiosity - a mass of perpendicular dolerite pillars roughly 100m long and up to 5m in height. From here we also have an excellent view of the eerie landscape of the 12km long ridge of hills known as Burnt Mountain (Verbrandeberg). We journey on to the veterinary post where we switch to four wheel drive vehicles and head to Etendeka Mountain Camp for two nights. Set in a completely pristine wilderness environment we enjoy a sumptuous dinner far from any civilisation. Our accommodation is in rustic East African-style safari tents with shared ablution facilities.
Today the activities include guided nature walks and open Land Rover drives. The flora is fascinating and game may include the rare "desert" elephant and rhinoceros, giraffe, mountain zebra, oryx and springbok. From the escarpment we enjoy the most spectacular scenery at sunset. We spend the night at Etendeka Mountain Camp.
Today we return to our safari vehicle and journey over Grootberg Pass, via Kamanjab and Outjo to Etosha National Park which covers 22 270 km² of countryside ranging from dense bush to barren plains. At the heart of this "Place of Dry Water" is Etosha Pan, a vast, dry, shallow depression. Perennial springs feed the waterholes along the southern verge, which attracts a myriad of animal species. Late afternoon we enjoy a game viewing drive, on which we may encounter numerous animals, many of which are endemic to Namibia. Our overnight accommodation is at Okaukuejo Rest Camp where a special attraction is the floodlit waterhole where we can view animals quenching the day's thirst.
We head to Mokuti Lodge situated on the eastern side of Etosha. Our accommodation is in cool thatched twin rooms and we enjoy two days of game viewing drives tracking elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena, rhinoceros and numerous antelope species including the diminutive Damara dik-dik.
Travelling via Tsumeb, Otavi and Otjiwarongo we head for Okonjima (Place of the Baboons) Guest Farm situated in the unspoiled beauty of the Erongo Basin. Our time here is spent doing nature walks and getting an understanding of the commendable "Africat" leopard and cheetah rehabilitation project for which Okonjima is famous. Fresh herbs, homemade breads and tasty treats complete our stay at this lovely getaway.
After a leisurely breakfast we return to Windhoek where our safari ends in the late afternoon.
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