13 DAYS – NAMIBIA TOP ATTRACTIONS + OKAVANGO DELTA The Namib Desert ‚Sea of Sand’ inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List Sossusvlei – World’s highest dunes Picturesque Dune 45 Surreal Dead Vlei and ancient, dried-up acacias Impressive rock formation of the Sesriem Canyon Tropic of Capricorn – geographical landmark Namib-Naukluft Park Coast of the Atlantic and town-oasis Swakopmund Welwitchia mirabilis – one of the world’s oldest plants, known as the ‚living fossil’, a botanic attraction Etosha National Park – Wildlife & Nature Sanctuary Caprivi Strip Mahango Game Reserve Okavango Delta Botswana. Day 1 Pick up in the morning from hotel in Windhoek, on the way to Sossusvlei, one of the most amazing and fascinating places on Earth, situated in the very heart of the sandy dunes. The Namib is considered to be the oldest desert in the World and recently the ‚Sea of Sand’ was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Traveling through the surreal, diverse and changing regions, from bare desert-land, through African bush, grassy savannah to sandy dunes. Experiencing thrill of being surrounded by the world of mountains, rocks and sand. Sheer feast for passionate photographers – capturing nature with the eye of camera! Good chance of spotting ostriches, antelopes, baboons and zebras. Break for lunch at the small oasis Solitaire. Opportunity to taste famous Solitaire apple pie, served at the desert bakery. Arrival at the lodge late afternoon, rest and relaxation after the trip. Meals: lunch and dinner. Distance: 350 km (gravel road). Duration: around 5 hrs with stop-overs. Accommodation: 2 nights in Namib Desert Day 2 Early morning before sunrise, drive towards Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei – a place of the highest dunes in the World, set in the midst of the World’s oldest desert. Unique chance for spectacular landscape photography! Climbing scenic Dune 45, while enjoying incredible desert vistas and ever changing scenery of the Namib. Off-road trail takes us to Dead Vlei where ancient, dried up acacias stand amidst the orange dunes creating surreal landscape. Optional hiking the ‚Big Daddy’ dune and afterwards visit to Sossusvlei with optional hiking the ‚Big Mama’ dune. After lunch, hike through spectacular rock formations of the Sesriem Canyon. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Distance: 150 km on tar, gravel and sand roads. Day 3 Adventure starts at sunrise, as we travel through the Namib-Naukluft Park, admiring dried up Kuiseb riverbed and Kuiseb Canyon. On route, celebrating crossing of the Tropic of Capricorn! Magnificent landscape of the Namib reaches as far as eye can see. Wildlife, grazing antelopes: kudu, oryx and springbuck, mountain zebras, rare black rhino, giraffes and World’s biggest ‚birds that don’t fly’ ostriches. On arrival at Walvisbay, visit to salt pans and famous Walvisbay Lagoon for marine bird photography. In the late afternoon, arrival at the coastal town-oasis Swakopmund where you can enjoy the cool, fresh Atlantic air. Dinner is enjoyed at one of the many local restaurants. Accommodation: 1 night in Swakopmund Distance: 350 km (gravel road). Duration: 5 hours with stop-overs and lunch break. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Day 4 – 5 Morning start on the way to Etosha National Park – wildlife sanctuary and treasure of Namibia, considered to be one of the most loved and most visited game parks of Africa! We are welcomed by wild animals and white sand of the plains. During afternoon game ride, admiring variety of magnificent animals, among them big mammals: antelopes, giraffes, zebras as well as huge elephants (largest in Africa), rhino, lions, leopards, cheetah and hyenas roaming through the bush. In the evening, relaxing dinner served in the thrilling atmosphere of the wild. At the waterhole, thirsty animals gather for a drink of water, while you are invited to watch the ever-changing theatre of nature! We will spend next two days on trails of Etosha, searching for wild animals of the savannah. On day 5 – Full day game drive inside Etosha. Accommodation: 2 nights inside or near Etosha National Park Distance: 350 km (gravel and tarred roads). Duration: around 4.5 hours with the stop-over. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Day 6 Farewell’ to Etosha and we are on our way north-east to Divundu in the Caprivi Region. En route visit at the largest iron meteorite on Earth – the Hoba Meteorite. Its weight is approximately 60 tons. In the late afternoon arrival at the lodge situated on the banks of the Okavango River. Optional activity: Sundowner boat cruise on Okavango River. Accommodation: 1 night Divundu Distance: 600 km (tarred roads) Duration: around 7 hrs. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Day 7 In the morning crossing over to Botswana en route to Maun in Botswana, situated on the outskirts of the Okavango Delta. Wonderful chance to observe wildlife inhabiting this rich region. Arrival in Maun late noon. Checking-in and time for rest after the journey. Accommodation: 3 nights in Maun Distance: around 450 km on tar roads. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Day 8 Today early start into heading to Moremi Park for some exciting sightings in the Botswana wilderness. Transfer to your luxury lodge for 2 incredible nights inside the park. Okavango Delta is both a permanent and seasonal home to a wide variety of wildlife, species include: African bush elephant, African Buffalo, hippopotamus, lechwe, tsessebe, sitatunga, blue wildebeest, giraffe, Nile crocodile, lion, cheetah, leopard, brown and spotted hyena, springbok, greater kudu, sable antelope, springbok, sable antelope, black rhino, white rhino, plains zebra, warthog and chacma baboon. Endangered African wild dog still survives in the Okavango Delta, exhibiting one of the richest pack densities in Africa. The delta is home to over 400 species of birds, including African Fish Eagle, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Crested Crane, Lilac-breasted roller, Hammerkop, Ostrich and Sacred Ibis. The majority of the estimated 200,000 large mammals in and around the delta are not year-round residents. They leave with the summer rains to find renewed fields of grass to graze on, then make their way back as winter approaches. Large herds of buffalo and elephant total about 30,000 beasts are found in the delta. Meals: breakfast, lunch and
