Day 1: arrive in Nairobi
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Dinner and overnight at the hotel (BD)
Day 2: Nairobi-Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Pick up from your hotel at 8am and depart for Ol Pejeta Conservancy to arrive for check-in and lunch. Have a short rest followed by an afternoon game drive until sunset and retrun to camp to freshen up for dinner. Dinner and overnight at the lodge (FB)
Day 3: Olpejeta Conservancy.
The full day will be spent in Olpejeta with morning and afternoon game drives and a visit to the chimpanzee sanctuary and visit to the Northern White rhinos. In between game drives relax and enjoy the camp facilities. All meals and overnight at the lodge (FB)
Day 4: Olpejeta -Nairobi.
Early morning game drive. After breakfast depart for Nairobi where your safari ends in a hotel or at the airport. End of our services.
Day 1: Arrive at Bangui Airport.
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2: Pygmies camp. After our breakfast at Bangui and check out, we will drive for 2 hours to pygmy’s camp. This camp is the indigenous traditional population for pangolins, illegal trafficking of pangolins to China and other Asian countries has led the government to extend protection to these species but if we are lucky, it is possible to find them among pygmies.
Day 3: Boali Waterfalls, one of CAR’s most stunning natural wonders. Even before you get to see them, you can hear the roar of water crashing over the rocks. The falls are breathtaking—massive, powerful, and surrounded by lush greenery. In the rainy season, they swell to an even greater size, a force of nature that reminds you of the untamed beauty of this country. After the falls, you will have a city tour which will lead you to the local markets, Ubangui river, churches and university among others. -Transfer to airport for outbound flight.
Day 1: Johannesburg – City Tour (Da Vinci Hotel or similar)
Johannesburg CBD was once the epicenter of the gold rush era in the late 1800s and is rich In history.
Impressive heritage buildings that are now national monuments tell economic Hub in Africa. It slipped
into decline in the 1990s but extensive urban renewal projects have breathed new life into the central
business district. Highlights of this city tour include, Constitutional Hill, Mandela Bridge, Telkom Tower,
Newtown Junction and Mary Fitzgerald Square.
Day 2: Johannesburg – Kruger National Park (B, D) (420km) (Katekane or similar)
You will depart Johannesburg early morning. Travel 420 kilometers from your place of Accommodation
and make your way through the lowveld via Dullstroom to the Kruger National Park. You will make a
quick stop in the quaint town of Dullstroom to stretch your legs and to enjoy a quick Lunch of your own
account at one of the many cafes. After settling in on arrival at your bush lodge, You will participate in your first Kruger experience by means of an open sunset game drive. Animals
like giraffes, elephants, lions, Zebras, buffalos, pumba and vervet monkey in abundant.
Day 3: Kruger National Park (B, L, D) (Katekane or similar)
An early morning bush drive is on the menu in an open 4x4 game drive vehicle with a local specialist
Guide. An opportunity for excellent game viewing to see the Africa big five that is lions, leopards,
elephants, buffalos and white/ black rhinos, as well as hundreds of antelope and bird species exist
today. Birds like ground hornbill, kori bustard, martial eagle brown headed parrot among others.
Breakfast and dinner are included, as well as lunch enjoyed on the deck where you could relax or take a
siesta passing the midday heat before setting off on an afternoon open vehicle game drive
Day 4: Kruger National Park – Panorama Route (B, D) (Gecko Lodge similar) (130km) Panorama
route is a loose circuit of mostly natural attractions. After an early morning breakfast, you will depart
and set off back home On to Johannesburg, you will pass through the Panorama Route taking stops at
the Three Ronda Wels, Bourke's Luck Holes and God's Window. Stopping over in the small town of
Graskop for a light lunch (Own Account) we continue down the escarpment arriving at our lodge outside
Hazyview mid-afternoon.
Day 5: Kruger National Park – (Gecko Lodge) (B, D)
A full day Game Drive is on the menu for the day in open 4x4 game drive vehicle with a local guide. An
opportunity for excellent game viewing to sight the Africa’s Big Five as well as hundreds of antelope,
wildebeest, impalas, cheetahs, greater kudu, African wild dog, pumba among others and bird species.
Not guaranteed to sight all the big five such as the illusive leopard during the day. We make our way to
various waterholes throughout the day in the effort to tick off most of the wildlife that the Kruger has to
offer. Lunch is on own account at one of the rest camps.
Day 6: Kruger National Park – (Gecko Lodge) (B, D)
Another full-day open-vehicle game drive is enjoyed in the Kruger National Park. Possibilities to find Wildlife perhaps missed the previous day like leopards, rhinos, lions, elephants, buffalos or to just enjoy
the day out within the wilderness area of Kruger Park. Lunch on your own account once again at one of
the park camps.
Day 7: Departure (B)
Early departure from Hazyview for the route back to Johannesburg. Passing through the small towns Of
Nelspruit, up the Schoemanskloof pass and Machado, arrival in Johannesburg early afternoon for
shopping then later in the evening transfer to O R Tambo International Airport.
Day 1: Arrival in Cape Town (Cape Grace Hotel)
Welcome to Cape Town! As soon as you land, our friendly representative will meet you at the airport and take you to the iconic Cape Grace Hotel. Once you’re checked in, the rest of the day is yours to relax and explore. You’re just a short stroll away from the V&A Waterfront, where you’ll find plenty of fantastic restaurants and shops to check out. Enjoy your first taste of this vibrant city!
Day 2: Full Day Cape Peninsula (Cape Grace Hotel) (B, L)
Get ready for an unforgettable full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula, starting with a drive through the charming village of Hout Bay. From there, you’ll hit the stunning Chapman's Peak Drive, a coastal road that offers jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding mountains. The views alone are worth the trip, so be sure to have your camera ready as you wind your way along the cliffs.
Next, make your way to Cape Point, the southernmost tip of the Peninsula where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. It’s a truly dramatic spot, with beautiful hiking trails and plenty of wildlife, including baboons and antelope. The final stop of the day is Boulders Beach, home to a colony of adorable African penguins. You can walk along the boardwalks and get up close to these quirky birds as they waddle around in their natural environment. It’s a day packed with amazing sights, wildlife, and coastal beauty that you'll remember long after the tour ends!
Day 3: Full Day Cape Winelands (Cape Grace Hotel) (B, L)
Get ready for a fun-filled day exploring the famous Cape Winelands! You’ll start by heading out to Stellenbosch, a charming town surrounded by vineyards and stunning mountain views. Here, you’ll visit a few top wineries where you can enjoy wine tastings and learn about the winemaking process. Each stop offers a unique vibe, from classic estates to boutique wineries, so there’s plenty of variety to keep things interesting.
After a few tastings, you’ll head to Franschhoek, known for its French heritage and incredible food scene. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the gourmet restaurants, all while soaking in the scenic views. The day wraps up with a final wine tasting at another stunning estate before heading back, with a relaxed buzz from the wines and plenty of great memories. It’s a day of good wine, great food, and even better company!
Day 4: Full Day City Tour (Cape Grace Hotel) (B, L)
Get ready for an epic day exploring Cape Town! Your adventure kicks off with a trip up Table Mountain (Weather permitting), where you’ll take in jaw-dropping views of the city and coastline—don’t forget your camera! Afterward, you’ll head into the heart of the city, where you’ll check out iconic buildings and landmarks, like the colorful BoKaap neighborhood with its vibrant houses and rich cultural history.
Next, you’ll hop on a boat for a cruise to Robben Island, where you’ll get a taste of South Africa’s history with a tour of the former prison where Nelson Mandela was held. After soaking in all the history, you’ll wrap up the day in style with a thrilling 1-hour helicopter flight around the city. Get ready for stunning aerial views of Cape Town, the beaches, mountains, and coastline. It’s the perfect way to see the city from all angles!
Day 5: Full Day Hermanus and Gaansbaai (Cape Grace Hotel) (B, L)
Get ready for an exciting day out in Hermanus, one of the best spots in the world to see whales up close! You’ll head out early for a scenic drive along the coast, taking in the breathtaking views of the ocean and countryside. Once you arrive in Hermanus, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the town, known for its stunning cliffs and whale-watching opportunities.
Depending on the season, you might be lucky enough to see southern right whales right from the shore, or you can take a boat tour for an even closer look. The views are incredible, and the chance to see these massive creatures up close is unforgettable. After all the whale watching, you’ll have some free time to enjoy the town, maybe grab a bite to eat at one of the cozy seaside restaurants. It’s a relaxed, adventurous day filled with nature and beautiful scenery!
Day 6: Departure
After five amazing days of adventure, it’s time to say goodbye to Cape Town. We’ll make sure you get to the airport in style with a smooth transfer to Cape Town International for your flight out. It’s been an unforgettable trip, filled with stunning sights, great memories, and new experiences—hopefully, you’ll be back for more soon! Safe travels!
Day 1. Arrive in Arusha
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in for overnight and dinner
Day 2. Arusha-Tarangire. After early breakfast depart for Tarangire national park. This park is second to Serengeti national park in the number of animals, it’s well known for its big number of elephants and baobab trees.
Day 3. Tarangire-Manyara. Lake Manyara National Park, established in 1960, evolved from a hunting ground to a national park, and later became part of the Lake Manyara Biosphere Reserve in 1981. famous for its tree-climbing lions, vast flocks of flamingos, and one of the highest concentrations of elephants in Tanzania
Day 4. Ngorongoro conservation area. The Ngorongoro crater is the world’s biggest whole volcanic caldera at 8300sqkm and arguably the most stunning arena. After breakfast depart for Ngorongoro crater making a stop at the Tanzanite museum and African gallery. Upon arrival you will descend into the crater where you will spend the rest of the afternoon exploring. In the evening ascend back and drive to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 5. Ngorongoro-Serengeti National Park. After breakfast with packed lunch drive to Serengeti National Park for evening game drive, followed by check in and dinner at the lodge. Descend in to the crater for safari. This 100 square mile natural Amphitheatre is a host of astonishing array of wildlife and you may be lucky enough to see black rhinos, elephants, lions, buffalos, large herds of zebras, flamingos and other different species of birds.
Day6. Serengeti National Park (Tracking the direction of the wildebeests). Spend these 2 days in Serengeti for game viewing and balloon safari. Your skilled driver knows the park very well and where to locate even the most elusive of animals. Morning and afternoon daily wildlife viewing allows you the opportunity to track and photograph the “Big Five”.
0630 Hrs. Early morning game drive in the park
1300 Hrs. Lunch will be served at the picnic site
1400Hrs. Afternoon game drive to return in the evening at the lodge for dinner and overnight. Meal Plan: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 7. Drive back to Arusha. Where we will make a top at the Tanzanite museum before airport transfer.
END OF OUR SERVICE
Day 1. Arrive in Nairobi. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight
Day 2. Nairobi- Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Pick up from your hotel or airport and depart for Maasai Mara via the dramatic landscape and the plains inhabited by Maasai pastoralists to arrive for check in and lunch. Have a short rest and at 3pm head out for an afternoon game drive until sunset and return to your camp. Dinner and overnight
Day 3. Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Full day will be spent in Maasai Mara where at 8am collect packed lunch and depart for a full day game drive. Retrun to camp for a hot lunch followed by an afternoon game drive to your camp and the rest of the evening will be spent at leisure. All meals and overnight
Day 4. Maasai Mara- Serengeti Game Reserve
Early breakfast transfer to the Isebania the Tanzania/Kenya border point for the customs and immigration formalities. Thereafter meet your Tanzania driver guide and depart for Serengeti arrive for an afternoon game drive until sunset as you proceed to your camp for check-in and dinner. Dinner and overnight
Day 5. Serengeti Game Reserve
Pick up early for a hot air balloon safari followed by a bush breakfast. Thereafter, your driver guide will pick you up for a morning game drive until 1pm. Return to camp for lunch followed by and afternoon game drive until sunset and return to camp to rest and freshen up. All meals and overnight
Day 6. Serengeti -Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After early breakfast depart for Ngorongoro to arrive for lunch descend into the crater where you will spend the rest of the afternoon exploring. In the evening ascend back and drive to your lodge for check in, rest and to freshen up for dinner. Dinner and overnight
Day 7. Ngorongoro -Arusha
After breakfast depart for Arusha where the safari ends at the airport. End of our services
Day 1. Arrival at airport. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at Radisson blue hotel
Day 2. NIAMEY – Niger River
After Breakfast, we prepare our excursions on the Niger river in motorized pinasse, meeting with fishermen and river dwellers. The hippopotamus family are present on our journey. it is a very rich river, and source of economy for the populations living with the cultures of the rice and product of gardening.
In the early Evening we visit the big mosque and the handicraft village.
For dinner, our team can accompany you to a restaurant in the city such as the Pillar which is highly rated. the meal is your responsibility and will be a small night out of Niamey. Hotel Radison blue
Day 3. NIAMEY CITY TOUR
Let's start the morning with the monuments in the center of Niamey and continue to the katako market, where everything is recycled and transformed. It's also the economic lungs of Niger, right in the center of Niamey.
Around 3:00 pm, you'll depart for a city tour, starting with the Musée National du Niger (Musée National Boubou Hama). This museum was founded in 1959 and contains exhibits representing ethnological, archaeological, and cultural objects from the region. There are also replicas of traditional dwellings from different Nigerien cultures.
Day 4. Niamey and markets There are 3 large markets in Niamey.
2: Grand marché: this is the flagship market where the whole community comes together to give life to the shooping atmosphere and above all to visit and shop. Niamey gaweye (KOMBO OLD CITY) Back to the hotel for lunch.
In the evening, the cattle market is also the key to the local economy. There are exchanges and, as a meat-consuming country, GOURMANTCHE DANCE IN GALLERIE TAWEDO - Gourmantché refers to the animist inhabitants of Burkina Faso. Or we're going to watch a dance by young fulani for the guerewool (make-up and dance by a group of young people) demand is high. return to the hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to airport
Day 5. Transfer to airport for outbound flight. End of our service
Day 1. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at Radison blue hotel
Day 2. NIAMEY
We will be attending in the morning between 9am and 12pm and also in the evening from 4pm to 6pm to get around the city TOUR of Niamey. overnight at the hotel radison blue
then at the end of the evening we're going to watch a dance by young fulani for the guerewool (make-up and dance by a group of young people
Day 3. NIAMEY – KOURE
Early this morning, you’ll depart for Kouré, located about 56 miles from Niamey, to visit the last herds of giraffes in West Africa. Kouré is best known for these West African giraffes, an endemic subspecies of West Africa. The population of giraffes in Niger was as low as 50 animals 1984 but, according to the association to Safeguard Giraffes in Niger (ASGN), there are now around 170 of them. Return to Niamey for lunch. Around 4:00PM, you’ll head out on a city tour beginning with the Niger National Museum (Musee National Boubou Hama). This museum was founded in 1959 and contains exhibits representing the ethnological, archaeological, and cultural artifacts from the region. There are also replicas of traditional dwellings from different Niger cultures. overnight at the hotel Radisson blue (2 hours drive from the city escorted by convoy)
Day 4. NIAMEY – Niger River
Breakfast, we prepare our excursions on the Niger river in motorized pinasse, meeting with fishermen and river dwellers. The hippopotamus family are present on our journey. it is a very rich river, and source of economy for the populations living with the cultures of the rice and product of gardening. kanazi the small island of fishermen and market gardeners also follow the shows on this part of the river Niger. return for the lunch.
In the early evening, we visit the big mosque and the handicraft village.
For dinner, our team can accompany you to a restaurant in the city such as the pillar which is highly rated- own expense. Hotel Radison blue
Day 5. Niamey and markets
There are 3 large markets in Niamey.
1- Katako is renowned for the recovery and transformation of all products. It is the economic lung of Niamey.
2: Grand marché: This is the flagship market where the whole community comes together to give life to the shopping atmosphere and above all to visit and shop. Back to the hotel for lunch.
In the evening, the cattle market is also the key to the local economy. There are exchanges and, as a meat-consuming country, GOURMANTCHE DANCE IN GALLERIE TAWEDO - Gourmantché refers to the animist inhabitants of Burkina Faso.
demand is high. return to the hotel. Radison blue hotel
Day 6. Transfer to airport for departure. End of our service
Day 1. Arrival at Victoria falls International Airport, Zimbabwe. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2. Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe & Zambia Sides & Devil's Pool
Begin your day with a pick-up and transfer to the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls for a guided tour, offering the most iconic views of the falls.
Cross the border into Zambia, transferring to Livingstone Island for a unique lunch experience (own expense) and the opportunity to swim in Devil's Pool
Cross back to Zimbabwe side for evening sun set cruise
Return transfers to your hotel in Victoria Falls in the evening.
Day 3. Chobe National Park Safari
Day 4. Transfer to airport for outbound flight. End of our service
Optional Additional Activities:
This 7-day and 7-nights accommodated safari is a tailor-made opportunity to visit the best of Namibia in a perfect time frame. Experience a moving insight into wildlife conservation and rehabilitation at the N/a’an ku se Wildlife Sanctuary before seeking spectacular wildlife encounters in Etosha National Park. We are looking for predators and prey alike. Visit the mineral pan ‘’The Great White Space’’ from which Etosha takes its name is 22,000 square km of desolate, dazzling expanse, so big it can be seen from space.
Beautiful Damaraland gives us a unique ‘’Big Sky’’ experience, where the towering pink granite koppies seem to touch the very sky on our horizon, putting real meaning into the words ‘’breathtaking’’.
Meet some of the locals as we travel through Damaraland, Himba, Herero & Damara people, often in traditional dress, welcome us to their makeshift roadside stalls under the shadow of Namibia’s highest mountain, The Brandberg. Reaching the wild and rugged Skeleton Coast, we follow the ocean road into the unusual and quirky town of Swakopmund. Referred to by some as the adrenaline capital of Namibia, there are certainly some hair-raising experiences on offer, but Swakopmund is also a place where you can relax and recharge.
We head, across the Tropic of Capricorn for adventure on a magical trip to one of the most beautiful places on Planet Earth, the centre of the Namib - the oldest desert in the world. A pre-dawn starts to catch the soft light of sunrise as we head for Dead Vlei with its stark collection of skeleton trees and on to Sossusvlei, water's end of an ancient river. We watch out for wildlife, oryx and springbok are often seen in this sandy land. Then homeward-bound up-and-over Rocky Mountains as we climb our way up the central plateau and across the Khomas Hochland mountains to Windhoek.
Day 1: Arrival at Windhoek Airport – Hilton Hotel, Windhoek City Centre – 50 km
Day 16th: Windhoek hotel-N/a’ankuse. You will be collected from Windhoek’s Hosea luxurious Hilton Hotel located in the heart of Windhoek City. After breakfast, there is an interesting and exciting excursion planned for the afternoon.
We will drive out to the internationally known N/a’an ku se Wildlife Sanctuary. Located about 50 km to the east of Windhoek. N/a’an ku se is a sanctuary dedicated to the rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned animals. The ultimate focus is to reintroduce these sometimes rare and endangered species back into their natural habitat so that they can live life wild and free. Sadly though, in numerous instances, this is not possible. Some of the animals that come to N/a’an ku se would not, ever again, be able to fend for themselves in their native yet cruel natural environment. Instead, they take ‘’early retirement’’ and find themselves a permanent home at N/a’an ku se. We will be introduced to several species, perhaps baboon, caracal, lion & cheetah. Wild dog and leopard are also living at N/a’an ku se together with a multitude of smaller mammals, and we can watch some of the N/a’an ku se ‘’locals’’ have their supper. turning to Windhoek in the late afternoon. Dinner tonight is for your own account from the many excellent restaurants available in Namibia’s capital city.
Accommodation: Twin share, en-suite bathroom
Meals: None
Day 2: Windhoek – Etosha National Park – 500 km (Halali or Okaukuejo Camp in the park)
You will be collected from your accommodation within the Windhoek city limits at 07:00 and transferred to Chameleon Safaris Headquarters for a short pre-departure meeting. Heading north from Windhoek, we stop briefly at the small town of Otjiwarongo to gather some last-minute supplies before continuing on to Etosha, and we enjoy a light lunch pack whilst “on the move”. We enter Etosha National Park and game drives in our way to our overnight accommodation at inside Etosha National Park.
Etosha is huge, just over 22,000 square km and is home to 114 species of mammal, 350 species of bird, 110 species of reptile, uncountable numbers of insect and, somewhat bizarrely, one species of fish. There are good chances of spotting many of these different creatures as we tour through the park, stopping at the various waterholes along our way.
All visitors must be in camp by sunset, and we aim to arrive at our lodge just before sunset and with time to settle into our rooms, with en-suite bathrooms and tea/coffee facilities.
The ‘game show’ in Etosha doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. All the Etosha camps have floodlit waterholes for extra game viewing opportunities. The waterhole is located within walking distance from our accommodation. A visit, or two, is highly recommended this evening as we can expect many species to visit during the night and this waterhole is known to be very popular with elephants and the critically endangered black rhino.
Accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Etosha National Park– Accommodation: Anderson Gate– 70km (Etosha Village/ Etosha
We have the whole day to explore Etosha, and we want to make the most of it. The park gates open at sunrise, and we aim to be on our way just as the sun breaches the horizon. Early morning is usually a productive time for game viewing, and first thing in the morning is a good time to catch big cats returning from the hunt.
We return to our Lodge for breakfast and to load our vehicle before heading out into the park once again searching for big game. Etosha is a desert landscape and water is the most scarce natural resource.
There are, however, numerous waterholes here, both natural and man-made, and our game driving technique is to take in as many of these as possible. Here we hope that the game will come to us as the thirsty animals attend for a much-needed drink. On our way today, we will stop to have a closer look at the Etosha Pan. The name Etosha translates as ‘great white space’ but this name does not do justice to the immensity of the pan. Over 4,700 square km of dazzling white mineral pan, so big that it can be seen from space.
We exit Etosha at the Anderson gate close to sunset, and it is just a short drive to or accommodation in a comfortable, spacious twin share room with modern en-suite bathroom facilities. An ideal space to sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. A fantastic dinner this evening.
Accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Etosha – Swakopmund, – 510 km
After breakfast, we aim to be on the road by 07:30 today. We are heading for the Skeleton Coast and we are taking the scenic route. We first head south on the main road, passing the small town of Outjo, then onwards towards the west and picking up the gravel road as we travel through an area known as Damaraland.
Damaraland is famed for its scenery, mountains, open grasslands, tall koppies, (small hills), of round pink granite boulders, wide open spaces and big sky. We also have a chance to meet some of the locals as there are several places along our road today where we can find informal shops selling locally made, handcrafted souvenirs. Represented here we usually find ladies from the Himba, Herero and Damara tribes and most often they are wearing their traditional dress. Here we can interact with some of the colourful local characters who live in this harsh environment. Making a small purchase here is a good way to inject some cash directly into the local economy.
We continue on through the beautiful landscape, making a stop for a light picnic lunch, under the shadow of Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg. Rising from the desert floor, this giant monolith is 2,573 m above sea level and is formed of pink tinged granite. We continue our journey west and soon arrive at the coast and the chilly Atlantic Ocean. The whole coastline of Namibia is known as the Skeleton Coast, and it is easy to see why this barren seaboard is so named, with its forbidding mountains and barren beaches. The wind, the waves and the huge fog banks all conspire to push ships onto the beach. The countless mariners that, in olden times, found themselves shipwrecked here faced the stark prospect of no fresh water, no food, no rescue and a slow death by exposure. Their Shipmates who went down with their ship were thought to be the lucky ones.
Heading south on the coast road, our next stop is a more recent shipwreck. 15 km south of the small town of Henties Bay, a fishing trawler, The Zeila, was beached in 2008. She was an old vessel that had been sold for scrap and was under tow at the time. The cable snapped and, as so many vessels before her, she was caught in the swell and currents and ended up on the beach. She lays quite close to the shore and is well positioned for photos.
We complete the final leg of our journey into Swakopmund, we check into our accommodation, the centrally located A La Mer hotel and the town is easily explored on foot from our central location. Swakopmund was founded by Captain Kurt von François of the imperial colonial army of the German Empire in 1892. (He also founded Windhoek in 1890). It is an interesting town to say the least, bounded to the north, the east and the south by the mighty dunes of the Namib Desert and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean. There are still many examples of colonial German architecture to be seen, and the German language is still widely used.
Swakopmund boasts some truly excellent restaurants, and again, your guide will be able to help you with recommendations and bookings.
Accommodation: Twin share, en-suite bathroom
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
Day 5: Swakopmund -– 350 km
We have the option to have a more leisurely start this morning as we are only leaving Swakopmund in the middle morning. Your guide will let you know the exact time of departure.
If you choose not to have a lie in, then Swakopmund offers many opportunities to keep us busy during our morning here. The town centre is small and easily explored on foot, but there are also many extra, optional activities available.
For those with a love of adrenaline, quad biking and sand boarding are also very popular if you fancy careering down the slip face of a dune at 60 km per hour. Our guide will discuss all the options with you in advance and will be able to facilitate any bookings that we would like to make.
Departing Swakopmund in the mid-morning, we head east into the desert. We first cross the Namib gravel plains, large areas of flat and seemingly barren terrain broken up by huge mountain inselbergs. We have two mountain passes to traverse this afternoon, the first is the mighty Kuiseb Pass, and we follow the road from the top of the mountains, dropping steeply down into the canyon carved over eons by the Kuiseb River on its way to debouch into the ocean at the port town of Walvis Bay.
Not only that, but we climb up from the banks of the river and over the pass, travelling through the mountain peaks and on to the second, smaller canyon of the Gaub River, a tributary of the Kuiseb. We emerge from the mountains onto a flat road, and almost immediately we cross the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.5 south degrees. There is a signpost at this auspicious spot, and we stop along the road for photos.
From here we continue on through the desert landscape as we can stretch our legs and on to our lodge for the next 2 nights, located close to the National Park entrance at Sesriem which is the gateway to the dunes at Sossusvlei.
Day 6: Sossusvlei – 120 km
Getting into the dune area as early as possible this morning is our aim, and that means a pre-dawn start and breakfast on the go. As we are staying outside the national park, we will enter the dune area as soon as the gate opens at sunrise.
The best time to photograph the dunes is around sunrise and sunset. This is when you can see towering dunes illuminated a glowing orange, apricot red on one side and swathed in shadow on the other. The depth of field is spectacular at this time of day.
From Sesriem we cover the 60 km into the dunes quickly and arrive at the 2x4 car park where all 2-wheel drive vehicles have to stop. From here we enter the ancient Tsauchab River-bed for the last 5km leg to Sossusvlei itself. The Tsauchab River is ephemeral, it only flows seasonally, when there is enough rain, and for the most part, the riverbed is dry. Eons ago, during these rare floods, the Tsauchab sometimes received enough water to flow all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. However, as the millennia passed and the dune fields began to form, (around five million years ago), wind -blown sand invaded the riverbeds. The rivers became more and more constricted by sand until eventually, the occasional floods could not break through the sand barriers that had been erected by the wind. The valley we drove along this morning to get here is kept free of sand by the Tsauchab, but Sossusvlei is now permanently water's end.
Sossusvlei does still sometimes flood, (perhaps once in a decade). After good rains in the Naukluft Mountains where the river rises Sossusvlei can become inundated, and the lake that this creates can last for many months, but no longer can the river find its original path to the Atlantic.
There is a 4x4 shuttle service that will transport us through the sandy terrain of the riverbed. We will visit Dead Vlei, an ancient pan surrounded by dunes, that is strikingly populated with dead, skeletal camel thorn trees. These trees have been a feature of this landscape for over 1000 years. Sossusvlei is almost surrounded by dunes, just one narrow path kept open by the Tsauchab River.
We have time to explore the area on foot and to climb one of the highest dunes in the world, some towering 300 m above us, the views are breathtaking and justly famous. We drive back the way we came, (there is only one road), stopping at the iconic Dune 45, (so named as it is 45 km from Sesriem. There is time to climb Dune 45 if you still have energy, or perhaps just a sit in the shade at the base of the dune will suffice.
Driving back to Sesriem we take a short excursion to see the Sesriem Canyon. Only four km from Sesriem, this canyon has been carved out of the landscape by the Tsauchab River. Around two million years ago, there was an ice age in Europe. This caused glaciers to form and resulted in a worldwide drop in sea level.
Accommodation: Twin share, en-suite bathroom
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The knock-on effect of this at Sesriem Canyon was that it increased the length and water flow of the Tsauchab River. This greater force of water allowed the Tsauchab to begin cutting through the terrain, resulting in the canyon we can see today. We can easily walk into the riverbed, it is usually much cooler in the canyon, and we can follow the river for some way along its journey to Sossusvlei.
We head back to our lodge in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Twin share, en-suite bathroom
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Desert – Windhoek – 320 km
Our last day today, but excitement is still on the menu. We head back to Solitaire, where we sample the apple pie that has made this homestead famous.
There is some lovely mountain scenery on our drive back to Windhoek. The road climbs up onto and over Namibia’s central plateau, and we return to Windhoek via the small community of BűellsPort and the small town of Rehoboth. We arrive mid-afternoon and will be dropped at either airport or hotel depending on your program.
Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
For those that choose to fly today, we will transfer you to Windhoek’s international airport. NO FLIGHTS DEPARTING BEFORE 19H00 should be booked in case there are unexpected delays returning from safari.
P.O Box 10835 Kampala, Uganda, East Africa
Tel: +256 782 063 231
Email: info@maziketours.com
maziketoursandtravel@gmail.com
Website: www.maziketours.com
