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Fish River Canyon, Namibia (self drive holiday) + Kalahari + Luderitz + Etosha

Grand Namibia (self drive) with Fish River Canyon
NCB19W

19 NIGHTS

FROM $3,585

Per person sharing

Flights + car hire quoted separately

Fish River Canyon Namibia Self Drive Holiday Kalahari Luderitz Etosha

Visit the stunning Fish River Canyon, the second largest on earth, on this adventurous Namibia self drive holiday. Travel through the red sands of the vast Kalahari, Ai-Ais, succulent Karoo & diamond town of Luderitz to the sand dunes at Sossusvlei in the Namib, before heading northwards to Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein, Etosha & Okonjima, where leopard tracking at the Africat Foundation is included.

▲

• Namibia Self Drive Holiday	• Windhoek	• Kalahari	• Fish River Canyon Namibia
• Luderitz & Aus	• Sossusvlei	• Swakopmund	• Twyfelfontein Paintings
• Etosha National Park	• Africat Foundation

▲

• Namibia Self Drive Holiday	• Windhoek	• Kalahari
• Fish River Canyon Namibia	• Luderitz & Aus	• Sossusvlei
• Swakopmund	• Twyfelfontein Paintings	• Etosha National Park
• Africat Foundation

Day 1

You will be met at Windhoek Airport and transferred 1-hour to your hotel in this small capital city, where you can relax under warm blue Namibian skies.

In the afternoon your hire car will be delivered to your hotel.

Note: Please be aware that many roads in Namibia are rough gravel with corrugated surfaces, resulting in a tougher and slower drive that can be very bumpy.

Day 2

This morning leave Windhoek and drive southwards for 3-hours towards the scrub vegetation and red sands of the vast Kalahari, the largest sand mass on earth.

The migratory Bushman people call it the “Soul of the World” and its endless grass plains interspersed with acacia trees provide the only form of survival for a vast amount of wildlife that has survived in this semi-desert environment for thousands of years.

After good rains (end November/early December - although this can vary greatly) you can see hundreds of different wildflowers here.

Day 3

A full day on the road today as you drive 6.5-hours southwards to the great Fish River Canyon, the second largest on earth.

As you travel through these expansive rocky plains, notice the unique Quiver Trees that bloom in June and July and nestle between huge dolerite boulders, some of which are stacked in such mysterious ways that it seems impossible they were formed by natural forces.

Check into your lodge near the Fish River Canyon and enjoy a sundowner walk across the boulder-studded plains, hills and rock formations of Gondwana Canyon Park.

Day 4

Today explore the magnificent Fish River Canyon, where the dramatic geological formations of the Nama Karoo Desert take on stupendous proportions.

The vegetation is characterized by dwarf shrubs and scattered grasslands. The slopes of the plateau mountains and vast plains are home to Hartmann’s mountain zebra, springbok, gemsbok, kudu and ostrich. Relax in this area of great natural beauty.

Day 5

Today leave the Fish River Canyon and drive 4-hours to Aus in the Succulent Karoo, a winter rainfall area where bizarre looking shrubs store moisture in their leaves and stems to tide them over the dry summer months.

Depending upon the timing of the rains, from mid August to mid September this desert unfolds into a carpet of flowers and an explosion of colours. It is one of the 20 most important biomes in the plant world and counts as the most species diverse desert in the world. Explore these sweeping desert plains before checking into your hotel in Aus.

Day 6

Today drive 2-hours from Aus to the ghost town of Kolmanskop, where the first diamond was found in 1908. Now standing barren and abandoned to the harsh winds and sands of the unforgiving desert, it is a great reminder of the opulence and decadence of the diamond rush days.

Continue down the great escarpment onto the wide plains below, where the scenery gives way to the shifting dunes of the Prohibited Diamond Area. Here you can visit Diaz Point where daring Portuguese sailors erected a stone cross in the 1480’s, before exploring the small diamond town of Lüderitz on the Atlantic Coast, where you may see colonies of aquatic birds, seals and penguins.

On the way back keep an eye out for the wild desert horses at Garub, a watering point where they are sometimes observed, before returning to Aus in the late afternoon.

Note: Kolmanskop is open from 09.00 to 13.00 Monday to Saturday. Tickets can be purchased at the gate and include a guided tour at either 09.30 or 11.00.

Day 7

Continue driving northwards today into the great Namib Desert, a 6-hour journey through dramatically beautiful scenery.

The Namib is the oldest desert on earth, where some of the highest sand dunes in the world tower over the white desert plains. These great mountains of sand are a monument to the extreme forces of nature, with fog supplying life giving moisture for the survival of its plants and animals.

Explore the Gondwana Namib Park before checking in to your lodge. After the unpredictable desert rains (mid November/mid December), colourful desert flowers burst forth here and provide a delightful display.

Day 8

Today rise before dawn and drive to Sossusvlei Lodge Adventure Centre for your included shared 4x4 tour into these famous sand dunes - as this is the coolest part of the day and the best for photography.

This clay pan is surrounded by some of the highest dunes in the world – an endless sea of reddish sand stretching all the way to the distant horizon. These monumental star shaped dunes, some as high as 1,000 ft (325 m), were formed by strong multi-directional winds. The warm tints of sand range in colour from apricot to orange, red and maroon - and contrast vividly with the stark white clay pans at their base. You will be astonished by surreal Deadvlei, surrounded by some of the highest dunes and Sossusvlei, where the mostly dry Tsauchab River abruptly ends. Take the opportunity to climb one of these dunes, which afford endless vistas across the desert landscape and the sea of sand.

Also visit the narrow gorge of the impressive Sesriem Canyon, with its rock pools fed by the Tsauchab River during the rainy season. The name is derived from the six “rieme” (leather thongs) that early pioneers used to draw water from these pools.

Note: If you are staying close to the gate into the park, you will visit Sossuvlei in the morning and Sesriem in the afternoon. If your lodge is further way, you will visit Sossusvlei in the morning and enjoy a sunset drive in the desert in the late afternoon.

Day 9

Today drive for 6-hours through the starkly beautiful Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons of the Namib Desert to the beach resort of Swakopmund with its old lighthouse.

Swakopmund is situated on the Atlantic Coast where the cold Benguela Current sweeps up from Antarctica, releasing no moisture into the prevailingly onshore winds – hence the very low rainfall and desert conditions. Fog is common along the coast in the early mornings and late afternoons and this is what gives life to the desert-adapted flora and fauna of the region. The cold current is also highly oxygenated, causing it to teem with marine life.

Check into your hotel and relax on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 10

This morning drive 30-minutes to Walvis Bay to arrive 45-minutes before the departure of your 3-hour shared Marine Cruise to Pelican Point, which has a resident school of dolphins and a large colony of Cape fur seals, with oysters and sparkling wine served on board.

Marine bird life is abundant and includes pelicans, terns and large flocks of flamingos which live in the shallow waters surrounding the harbour. You should see many Cape cormorants and hopefully some more difficult birds such as the Cape gannet, Pomarine skua and African black oyster catcher. You may also see migrating whales in season (September to October).

Your afternoon is at leisure to relax at the beach resort of Swakopmund, with its palm lined streets and seaside promenade. Established by German colonists in 1892, the town’s landmarks include the Swakopmund Lighthouse and the Mole, an old sea wall. Next to the lighthouse, the Swakopmund Museum documents Namibian history. In the town you can find the elegant Swakopmund Railway Station (now a hotel), which also dates to the colonial era. An enjoyable local pastime is Kaffee-Kuchen at 16:00 when you can take a mid-afternoon break for a coffee, with a slice of baked cheesecake or Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (German Black Forest Cake).

Day 11

Today drive 4-hours from Swakopmund to your lodge situated in the foothills of the volcanic Erongo Mountains near the small town of Omaruru.

We suggest detouring 2.5-hours to Cape Cross on the barren Skeleton Coast, which is home to one of the largest colonies of Cape fur seals in the world. The Cape Cross Seal Reserve has a thriving population of over 80,000 seals, as well as a large colony of gannets and other sea birds. There is also a small lichen reserve, where a relatively large variety of these interesting, slow growing organisms are protected (pay entrance fees locally). As you pass the fishing village of Hentiesbaai look out for the 'Zeila', one of the more recent shipwrecks that can be viewed along this inhospitable coastline.

Alternatively you can detour to view the Spitzkoppe (meaning 'pointed domes' in German), an ancient group of bald granite peaks that are over 120 million years old and rise up dramatically from the surrounding desert plains. Birding is particularly good in this region, with a sighting of the Herero chat being particularly prized. You can also see the ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis plant that survives in these harsh conditions.

Continue towards the magnificent Erongo Mountains, flanked by the Namib Desert to the west and woodland savanna to the east, with breathtaking views of its huge granite boulders. Check into your lodge in this beautiful region known for its Bushman rock art paintings. It is an endemic hotspot for a variety of plants, reptiles and small mammals - including kudu, baboons and agile klipspringers, as well as wonderful bird life.

Note: Please be aware that many roads in Namibia are rough gravel with corrugated surfaces, resulting in a tougher and slower drive that can be very bumpy.

Day 12

This morning we suggest driving to the San Living Museum (near Ai-Aiba Lodge), which is home to a traditional Bushman community.

Arrive in good time to set off at 07.30 for a 2-hour bush walk with these legendary trackers and learn more about their culture and customs, including their hunting practices (pay locally).

Afterwards you can ask your lodge to point you to various Bushmen Paintings found on these granite surfaces, the most famous of which is the White Elephant frieze in Phillip's Cave. Superimposed on the elephant is a large eland, with ostrich and giraffe completing the sketch. The cave is situated on the farm Ameib, on the southern edge of this mountain range. It is 2-miles (3-km) off the road, followed by a 45-min walk each way, but the dramatic scenery makes the walk worthwhile (arrange with your lodge & pay locally).

The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy walking in the beautiful Erongo Mountains.

Day 13

Today drive 3-hours across dramatic northern Namibia towards Twyfelfontein in timeless Damaraland.

Damaraland is one of the least populated and most geologically diverse areas in Africa and home to the rare desert elephant and rhino. Take time to enjoy some of the fascinating rock formations in these vast uninhabited open spaces, where magnificent semi-desert flowers can grow after good rains. You can also see the desert-adapted Welwitschia Mirabilis plant - the oldest living desert plant on earth.

In the late afternoon check in to your lodge near Twyfelfontein.

Day 14

At leisure to explore the World Heritage site at Twyfelfontein, which means "Doubtful Spring" (entrance fees for own account).

Over 6,000 years ago, San communities engraved and painted over 2,500 pictures here. These ancient Bushman Paintings have been well preserved in this dry environment and the hills are strewn with rock art - making this an open-air museum.

Close by you can explore the Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes geological phenomena. You can also see the desert-adapted Welwitschia Mirabilis plant - the oldest living desert plant on earth.

In the afternoon you can join an optional 4x4 game drive along the dry river beds in search of rare Desert Elephants. In the evening enjoy the incredible night skies.

Day 15

Today drive 5-hours through Damaraland to Etosha National Park, one of the largest and greatest game parks in Africa.

Etosha owes its unique landscape to a vast shallow depression – the Etosha Pan. During the dry season it becomes an expanse of white cracked mud, shimmering with mirages and spiralling dust devils, with its open pans offering magnificent game viewing. Etosha is home to over a hundred different species of mammals including elephant, rhino, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, lion, cheetah and leopard.

Check into your lodge situated near the southern entrance to the park.

Days 16 To 17

Today is devoted to self drive game viewing in the famous Etosha National Park, which surrounds an enormous salt pan that is the size of the Netherlands.

We recommend setting off as soon as the park gates open after sunrise, to take advantage of the best game viewing conditions of the day, as the vast Etosha Pan offers magnificent game viewing opportunities - including springbok, oryx, black-faced impala, roan, cheetah and the Damara dik-dik, Namibia’s smallest antelope. A series of waterholes throughout the park guarantees rewarding game viewing, with Etosha being renowned for its vast array of plains game and its 'great cats' which are more easily seen on the open pans.

With over 100 different species of mammals and reptiles in this park, you can hope to see lion, elephant, rhino, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, kudu, sable antelope, warthogs, baboons and many other interesting animals. Etosha is also a bird watchers paradise, with hundreds of recorded bird species and many migrants during the summer months.

In the evening enjoy a beautiful African sunset and the pristine stars of the Milky Way as you have never seen them before – including the spectacular Southern Cross.

Note: All game drives are self-drive (pay Etosha entrance fee locally) unless game drives are included in your lodge package or purchased separately. Vehicles are not allowed to drive off-road in any national park in Namibia.

Day 18

This morning leave Etosha and drive 4-hours southwards through central Namibia to Okonjima.

Travel through the mining centre of Tsumeb, where a rich ore pipe is mined for copper, zinc, lead, silver and a variety of unusual crystals. Also pass Lake Otjikoto where in 1915 the retreating German forces dumped weapons to prevent them from falling into the hands of the South African Union Forces. Several of these weapons have been recovered and can be viewed at the Tsumeb Museum.

Continue to Okonjima, the home of the Africat Foundation dedicated to the preservation of Namibia’s large carnivores, but especially leopards and brown hyena. Leopards can be radio-tracked from the game viewing vehicle. Check in to your lodge before enjoying an afternoon game activity in the reserve.

Note: Ensure you arrive at your lodge in good time, as they stop serving lunch at 2 pm.

Day 19

After an early morning game activity in the Africat Reserve, drive 3.5-hours to Windhoek.

Along the way you can stop at the Kavango craft market in Okahandja. The Kavango woodcarvers ply their trade at this large open-air craft market on the outskirts of town - one of the best places in Namibia to purchase woodcarvings.

Continue to Windhoek, drop off your hire car at your hotel and relax under warm blue Namibian skies.

Day 20

Transfer 1-hour to Windhoek Airport for your flight home.

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