Trip Highlight
- Board Cruiser at Walvisbay
- Quiver tree forest en- route
- Adventure coastal town of Swakopmund
- Wildlife discovery in Etosha National Park
- Experience world’s second largest canyon
- Historic diamond ghost town of Kolmanskuppe
- Explore the world’s oldest Desert the ‘Namib Desert’
- Discover the World’s largest sand mass ‘Kalahari Desert’
- Climb one of the world’s highest freestanding sand Dune
- Fifteen full days of unforgettable wildlife and landscape tour
Travel Plan
Day 1: Kalahari Desert
Departs Windhoek southward via Rehoboth, before we arrived at our lodge mid-afternoon, view the surrounding and enjoy the well-deserved leisure. Optional late afternoon scenic sunset drive is advisable to experience the Kalahari magic as the sun light up the sand and the earth seems to pause for the Kalahari. Overnight stay at Kalahari Anib Lodge with Dinner and Breakfast.
Day 2: Fish River
Early departure, en-route to Quiver tree forest near Keetmanshoop, Quiver tree are in fact not a type of Aloe, (Aloe Dichotoma), and it comprises of about 250 specimens of Aloidendron dichotomum, which is local known as quiver tree. The ancient Bushmen used to make quivers from the tree in which they carry their arrows. Explore the area and continue to Keetmanshoop to the fish river canyon, which is the second largest canyon in the world. Overnight at Fish River Lodge with Dinner and Breakfast.
Day 3: Fish River Area
Guided day trip in an open 4x4 vehicle into the depths of the Fish River Canyon. Lunch on the way, we head to the main viewpoint where we can see how impressive the canyon is. This is an ideal opportunity to take photos and to spend some time experiencing this scenic sight. Viewing from the top, we can see the river sparkling in the sunlight far below us, and you can barely imagine how many millennia it took for the forces of erosion to carve such a magnificent vista. Overnight stay at Fish River Lodge with Dinner and Breakfast.
Day 4: Aus
After a morning hike along the canyon with spectacular views and a hearty breakfast, the journey continues to Aus. In the late afternoon, take a trip to Garub to see the famous wild horses of the Namib. Dinner, bed and Breakfast at the Klein-Aus Vista Desert Horse Inn.
Day 5: Kolmanskop | Luderitz
Morning visits to the historic Kolmanskop a ghost town where diamonds were first discovered in Namibia. Afterwards, we drive to Luderitz a small coastal town south-western Namibia, known for its German colonial buildings style cling on to the rocks overlooking to the bay. It was first know to Europeans when Bartolomeus Diaz a Portuguese mariner encountered it 1487 and named it Agra Pequena (Portuguese small bay) and erected a stone cross on the southern peninsula. A visit to Diaz Point before driving back to our lodge.
Overnight stay at Klein Aus-Vista Desert Horse inn with Dinner and Breakfast.
Day 6: Namib Desert
Early departs, once again we travel through some tiny rural communities along the way. The scenery is harsh and sometime forbidding. The process of erosion in these areas is well advanced and we pass time rounded ‘koppies’ arid terrain outcrops of tortured rock. The terrain begin to change as we cross some open grass savannah and farmland before it start to give ways to the immense red sand dunes of the Namib. Overnight stay at Desert Quiver Camp with Dinner and Breakfast.
Day 7: Sossusvlei Area
Up early to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert. This is the best time to experience the spectacular landscape of the highest freestanding sand dunes in the world, and the blazing orange, which create a powerful contrast across the entire Namib Desert. Once you have explored Sossusvlei and Deadvlei surrounding dunes you then return to your lodge in the early afternoon on time for lunch, the rest of the day is spend at leisure.
Overnight stay at Desert Quiver camp with Dinner and Breakfast.
Day 8: Swakopmund
Bid farewell to Sossusvlei, Drive via Gaub and Kuiseb Canyon into Namib Naukluft Park, passing fantastic rock formation and ever changing desert landscape. Arrive at the port town of Walvisbay in the afternoon, and if time allows we may visit the lagoon to enjoy the view and watch the flamingos and other bird species, before we continue with our journey to Swakopmund. Overnight stay at The Stiltz Swakopmund with Breakfast.
Day 9: Swakopmund | Walvisbay
A morning Board Cruiser on the outer lagoon at Walvisbay. Board cruiser is an ideal way of seeing Cape fur seals, Heaviside and bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, flamingos and a wide variety of other sea birds. if luck is on your side, there is also a chance of seeing whales, leatherback turtles and sunfish. During the course of the excursion snacks will be served along with local sparkling wine and fresh oysters, before you will return to the jetty at roughly midday. Then off to Swakopmund and the reminder of the day will be at leisure. There are countless photo opportunities, nice cafes, an indoor pool, aquarium and a very interesting museum. Your guide will always be ready to discuss the options with you and offer to make a pre-booking. A scenic flight over the dunes, a parachute jump, a camel ride in the desert and much more can be arranged at extra cost. Overnight stay at Stiltz Swakopmund with Dinner , Lunch and Breakfast.
Day 10: Spitzkoppen | Erongo Mountain
Today's trip leads inland to the Spitzkoppe, which towers 700 meters over it surrounding. In addition to countless photo motifs of bizarre granite formations, and rock paintings that are thousands of years old. The most famous site is Bushman's Paradise. Enjoy the magnificent view and the play of colours of the sunset from the terrace or from a lookout point. Overnight stay at Spitzkoppen Lodge with Dinner and Breakfast.
Day 11: Etosha National Park
Today we are off to Etosha National Park, famous for its wildlife capabilities and floodlit waterholes. Shortly after arrival in the afternoon, we take part in our first game drive inside the park perhaps we will be lucky enough to see lions or rhinos on our first day! Afterward, drive back to our Lodge with enough time to freshen-up before dinner. Overnight stay Etosha Safari Camp with Dinner and Breakfast.
Day 12: Southern to Eastern Etosha National park
A full day of exciting game viewing in the Etosha National park, visiting numerous waterholes that attract a large diversity of wildlife and bird species. Etosha hosts 114 mammals and 340 bird species, it boasts some of Africa’s best wildlife viewing opportunities and it is home to four of the Africa’s big five such as Lions, Leopards, Elephants and Rhinos, and many other species of antelope. During the dry season, we may also make a detour visit to the great ‘Etosha Pan’ a shallow chalky-white cracked mud, shimmering with mirages and upward- spiralling dust in winter. It was once a large inland lake fed by rivers from the north and east and dried up 120 million years ago. Overnight stay at Mushara Bush Camp with Dinner and Breakfast.
Day 13: Safari on the Eastern Etosha National Park
Another opportunity to observe and listen to the many wild animals on the eastern section of the park, and with a bit of luck we may even see nocturnal animals beating around the bushes. Drive back to the lodge noon time, with enough time to freshen-up before lunch. Afterward the day is at leisure to enjoy the comfort of your bush camp. Overnight stay at Mushara Bush camp with Dinner and Breakfast.
Day 14: AfriCat Foundation|Okonjima Plain Camp
In the morning you will travel on the mostly paved main road via Otavi and Otjiwarongo to Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation, which is primarily committed to the protection of African big cats. In the afternoon introduction to the activities of the Afri-Cat Foundation with game drive (leopard tracking). Experience the cheetahs and leopards up close, learn more about these elegant big cats and the animal welfare programs of the AfriCat Foundation. Dinner, bed and breakfast at Okonjima Plains Camp.
Day 15: Windhoek | Airport
After an early morning activity (cheetah or Bushman hike), and with a heart full of impressions our adventure is slowly ending as we travel back to Windhoek, and to the airport for your flight back home. Farewell and Cheers!
Please Note
- Tour can be customised to suite your interest.
- Service subject to availability at the time of booking.
- Rates are subject to change without prior notice due to circumstances beyond our control, such as fuel increases, currency fluctuation and high season tariffs etc.
- We are strongly advice our guest against flying out on the day that your tour ends, unless you overnight at a lodge not so far from Windhoek. We generally travel long distances and late arrivals are common sometimes.
- Mannor Safaris will not be held responsible/accountable for missed flight in such cases.
- Whilst we endeavour to accommodate guests at the above stipulated accommodations, Mannor Safaris reserve the right to replace such accommodation with one of similar standard.
Facts about Namibia
Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean between Angola and South Africa.
Namibia is the second least densely populated country on earth, after Mongolia which is also a vast country, there are just over two million people living in Namibia.
Namibia has the largest free roaming Cheetah population on earth, estimated to be between 2500 – 3000. Lions and Leopards are also indigenous cats in Namibia.
Climate: The climate is typical of a semi Desert country, days are warm to hot and nights are generally cool. Temperatures are modified by the high plateau in the interior and by the Cold Benguela Current that runs along the Atlantic coastline.
Winter months, are typical mild to warm, but dawn temperatures may drop to freezing, therefore a warmer jacket and a long trousers are essential. Along the coast it can be very cold and windy, sometime foggy.
Summer months, Cotton clothes which is cooler then synthetic material is recommended for the Namibian summer and can be purchased in Safari shops in Windhoek. The rainy season lasts from October to April and the rest of the year is dry and cloudless. Namibia averages 300 days of sunshine a year.
Packaging Suggestions
You can expect hot, wet summers and cooler, dry winters in Namibia. Generally the days can be quite hot and the evenings and early mornings can be remarkably cool.
- Protection against the sun, sunblock, lip balm, moisturising cream, bush hat (if possible no flashy colours/shapes)
- Comfortable walking shoes/boots, sandals and torch.
- Swimwear, towels as most lodges and hotels have swimming pool
- Binoculars, Camera with plenty of film or memory card
- Comfortable lightweight clothing for the daytime and a sweater/jacket for early morning and evenings
- Good quality sunglasses - preferably polarised
- Tissue / Wet one
- Warm jersey or fleece plus anorak or parka, gloves or beanies for the cooler months
- Medical kit: insect repellent, aspirins, plasters, antiseptic cream, Imodium, Anti-histamine cream
- Visas, passports, money, etc.
- For those wearing contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses.
- A 2 litre water bottle to prevent dehydration, Namibia is quite dry during hot summer months
Luggage:
Should be limited to a maximum of 20 kg.
Only soft canvas bags or rucksacks are recommended, hard suitcases are not suitable.
Due to the dust conditions, we suggest you keep your camera equipment in dust proof bag.
Lost Luggage
Luggage that goes missing on flight is beyond the control of Mannor Safaris, but we suggest that you take the following precautionary measure; Pack a small bag with your essentials including any life sustaining medication, which can be carried with you as Hand Luggage. If your Luggage goes missing, you will still have your essential items on hand to see you through the first couple of days while we try and recover your lost Baggage.
It is very important that you do not put anything of high value (personal or financial value) in your checked-in Baggage, as Luggage can sometimes be tampered with and valuables removed.
Currency and Credit Cards
The currency in Namibia is the Namibian dollars (N$) which is fixed to and equivalent to South African Rand (ZAR). The Namibian dollars and South African rand are the only legal tender in Namibia. Traveller’s cheques and foreign currency can be exchange at any commercial banks throughout the country.
Credit Cards: International visa and master card credit cards are generally accepted throughout the country, holders of any other cards are advised to clarify with the commercial banks whether their card is accepted in Namibia.
Safari Experience
Mannor Safaris affords you the chance to experience this magnificent and memorable country in a very personal way. You will have your own professional and experienced safari guide who will enhance your enjoyment of this unique country by making it a fascinating and stress-free journey of discovery amidst a dramatic scenery. The knowledge, experience, and attitude of our guides are critical to a successful safari which is why we ensure that they are both personable and very professional. Your guide will have an intimate knowledge of each area that you visit, allowing you an intimate glimpse into the highlights of the area. Not only are our guides highly qualified, but each has a specific area of expertise and possess the breadth and depth of knowledge to allow them to answer questions and satisfy the particular interests of each of our guests.
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