Synopsis Itinerary

Since independence in 1990, responding to the growing popularity of Namibia as a tourist destination, many new accommodation establishments have been developed in various categories, such as hotels, lodges, guest farms, and guest houses. This tour takes you to lodges and guest farms that have one or more truly outstanding features. Each establishment conforms to Sandscape's requirements that it should provide not only high standards of accommodation, but also fine food and warm hospitality.

DAY 4: Ongava Safari Lodge - Near the western entrance to the highly reputed Etosha National Park, a major destination for a holiday in Namibia, Ongava, which is one of the finest lodges in the Etosha area, is situated on the 35,000 hectare Ongava Private Game Reserve which shares a common border with Etosha National Park. Guests are accommodated in ten luxurious chalets, which are attractively built out of brick and thatch. A never-to-be-forgotten experience at Ongava is outdoor dining under the stars whilst viewing game drinking at the waterhole. Ongave reserve has a good population of lion, eland, mountain zebra, black-faced impala and a number of other antelope species, but its highlight is that visitors can see both black and white rhino. The birding is also superb.

DAY 5: Huab Lodge began as a project to generate funds to save Namibia's celebrated desert-dwelling elephant from being harassed and hunted to extinction. The stone and thatch bungalows spread along the elevated north bank of the river, ensuring private and magnificent views - even from the shower! Activities include tracking the desert elephant and other species that are found in this singular environment; becoming acquainted with the unique eco-system of a river such as the Huab (including viewing game at pools in the river); and hikes to magnificent view points.

DAY 6: Palmwag Rhino Camp is a mobile camp run in conjunction with the Save the Rhino Trust in the private Palmwag area. It is a luxury tented mobile camp that can be easily moved if game movements make it necessary. A maximum of twelve guests have the rare pleasure of exploring this wild and remote area in the company of the dedicated conservationists hosting them, together with local trackers. Activities include rhino tracking on foot or by vehicle; game viewing; night drives and full day outings on the concession; and a visit to a Himba village.

DAY 7: Mowani Mountain Camp - The lodge's luxury tented accommodation is built unobtrusively to ensure minimum impact on the natural environment. The thatched dome-shaped structures replicate the shapes of the granite boulders amongst which they are built. The impression created is one of a (very upmarket) African village, a theme that is continued throughout the lodge in the various wood carving and artefacts. It is close to Twyfelfontein, Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes. Twyfelfontein has some of the best known rock paintings and engravings in Southern Africa, while the interesting rock formations of the Organ Pipes and Burnt Mountain are nearby, with awe-inspiring evidence of prehistoric volcanic action. The area is also the southernmost roaming ground for the rare black rhino and desert elephant.

DAY 8: Cape Cross Lodge is right on the coast and each room has its own private beach front. The lodge is close to the Cape Cross Seal Reserve which is the biggest mainland-breeding colony in the world and has luxury double rooms with attention to personal detail in classical appointments. Visitors can self-drive or join a guided tour to the colony with its thousands of seals. Right next to the colony is a replica of a cross that was erected here by Portuguese explorers in 15th century, as they pushed southwards into the unknown. Other activities include guided quad bike excursions to places of interest such as Messem Crater and a shipwreck, as well as shark fishing.

DAYS 9 & 10: Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund - This four-star hotel, one of the oldest and best in Namibia, is situated in the centre of Swakopmund and offers easy access to everything that the town has to offer. It has well decorated and comfortable rooms, each with its own individual touch. Swakopmund is a major destination for a holiday in Namibia! Set between dry desert and fertile ocean, with its German-era buildings and unusual misty climate, Swakopmund is well worth a visit. Also enjoy a desert tour that includes the ancient welwitschia plants; visit the nearby harbour and fishing port of Walvis Bay, visiting the lagoon with its thousands of water birds; make a day trip in a 4X4 vehicle to Sandwich Harbour, a desert-fringed marine lagoon; take a sea cruise to view dolphins, seals, and other marine life; engage in deep-sea or shore-based fishing; and enjoy quad-biking, hang-gliding, and sand-boarding on the desert dunes.

DAYS 11 &12: Little Kulala lodge in the Namib Desert, close to the Sesriem gate to Sossusvlei, is located in the private 21 000 hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve. It is in a prime location on the western side of the reserve and offers accommodation in eight thatched and canvas chalets. Each unit is set on a wooden platform to provide maximum airflow, and each has its own private en-suite bathroom and wrap-around verandah with a small plunge pool. Activities include early morning guided game drives to the spectacular dunes of Sossusvlei, while game drives and walks on the reserve offer incredible views, as well as the opportunity to view desert game and smaller desert fauna and flora. Another option is early morning ballooning.

DAYS 14 & 15: Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge is situated in the northern foothills of the vast, privately owned NamibRand Nature Reserve, which covers184 000 hectares and is the largest private nature reserve in Southern Africa, with access restricted to lodge residents only. Ten stone and glass desert suites combine unprecedented sophistication with the stark beauty of the desert landscape. Spaced well apart, each suite is a private haven with a shaded deck overlooking the far horizons of the Namib Desert. Activities include game drives; accompanying the resident naturalist to learn more about this singular environment; ballooning; and star-gazing from the lodge's own observatory.

[At this point, you could include a THREE- OR FOUR-DAY EXTENSION TO THE ITINERARY - the South Route - see below.]

DAY 16: Bagatelle Kalahari Game Lodge lies on the edge of the southern Kalahari in an area that is characterised by huge red sands dunes running parallel to each other. The lodge's design and décor, materials and furnishings, gardens and natural settings, all combine for the delight of the guests. Sundowners on a red Kalahari sand dune offer the perfect way to watch the sun sink away into the distant dunes. Other activities include visiting the sheep and cattle farming operations; viewing cheetah at play from a platform overlooking a natural waterhole; and walking and hiking.

DAY 17: Kiripotib Guest Farm is an active cattle and sheep ranch that is also home to the workshops that produce hand-woven karakul wool carpets and African Kirikara Art, as well as jewellery. It offers stylish and comfortable rooms and invites guests to enjoy Namibian cuisine, featuring fresh farm products. Enjoy relaxing by the pool while taking in the view over the savannah; take hikes and walks; learn about farming in this delicate environment with its variable rainfall; and observe the full weaving process, from sorting the raw wool all the way through to the excellent products.

DAY 18: Hotel Heinitzburg, Windhoek - Before leaving for home, you might like to spend one last day and night in Windhoek. Alternatively, as Kiripotib Guest Farm is within comparatively easy reach of Windhoek International Airport, you can drive straight there, if you prefer to do so.

Optional THREE- OR FOUR-DAY EXTENSION TO THE ITINERARY - the South Route

DAY I: Aus - Klein Aus Vista Lodge is situated on a farm that borders on the Sperrgebiet (the forbidden diamond mining area). It offers accommodation in unique rock chalets built around gigantic granite boulders, overlooking the seemingly endless Namib Desert. Relax, enjoy the fine views, loosen up with an evening walk, and use it as your staging post for the rest of your journey!

[OPTIONAL EXTRA DAY]: Luderitz, a unique fishing port with many well preserved German-era buildings, is situated on a rocky, island-guarded bay between the desert sands and the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. Explore the environs, viewing flamingos, visiting historical Diaz Point, and perhaps taking a yacht cruise to get a close-up look at whales, dolphins, and penguins. If there is time while returning to Aus in the evening, stop off at a roadside hide to view the famous wild horses of the Namib. Stay overnight at Klein Aus Vista Lodge (as for the previous day).

DAYS II and III: Fish River Canyon - This great canyon is reputedly the second largest in the world - superseded only by the Grand Canyon, of course! Cañon Lodge is the centre piece of the 520-square kilometre, privately owned Gondwana Canyon Park on the edge of the canyon. Tall weather-beaten granite boulders form an integral part of the overall design of this strikingly different lodge. Activities include viewing the canyon in all of its different moods and prospects, a short guided drive to a viewpoint, followed by a hike back to the lodge for breakfast, flights over the canyon, and experiencing the splendour of the canyon landscape on horseback.

Extensions to the Tour

Fly-in Safari Extensions to the Essential Namibia Tour

• The northern Skeleton Coast;

• The mouth of the Kunene River;

• The Caprivi wetlands.