Namibia & Bostwana Camping Adventure

A long drive today, making use of the Trans-Kalahari-Highway, a relatively new road that provides an invaluable communication link between Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. The road takes us first to the small town of Gobabis, one of the main livestock farming centres of Namibia, and then on to the border with Botswana. After completing the immigration formalities we continue, through rural Botswana to the town of Ghanzi, located in the centre of cattle farming Botswana. Ghanzi is located almost in the middle of the Kalahari Desert and was almost unknown before the Trans Kalahari Highway.

1 night camping with breakfast, lunch & dinner included at Dqae Qare San Lodge Campsite. Dqae Qare San Lodge is a unique Kalahari experience as it is owned and run by the San (Bushmen) people. Set up as a social enterprise the Lodge supports the local San D’Kar community through employment and is a crucial project in the San’s quest for cultural survival. As a guest of the San at Dqae Qare you are making a crucial ethical statement whilst enjoying all the benefits of our excellent accommodation, traditional cuisine and extensive adventure and cultural activities.

An early start and a quick stop in Ghanzi to collect any last minute supplies before continuing west, traversing the linear dunes of the Kalahari and passing through small towns along the way. A change in vegetation heralds our arrival on the very western edge of one of the natural wonders of the world, the Okavango Delta. Here we turn north for some way before again pointing our wheels west as we enter the Delta proper.

We see our first glimpse of the crystal waters through the lush vegetation and we make our camp on the banks of a pristine African lagoon.

You will spend the next 4 nights camping at different locations within the Guma Lagoon Campsite with camp breakfast, lunch & dinner included. Guma Lagoon Camp is situated along the banks of the Guma Lagoon on the north-western side of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Guma Lagoon Camp is truly a fisherman's paradise and bird watchers' haven. A large shady garden under the knobthorn trees provides seven campsites, all with their own private ablutions.

We are in the territory of the River People, so this morning we leave our vehicle behind and travel in a more appropriate fashion, first by motor-boat and then by traditional Mokoro (dugout canoe), deep into the Delta. Mokoro’s will be our main form of transport for the next few days. These amazing traditional craft are perfectly designed for the narrow waterways of the Okavango and allow us to travel further into the Delta than if we were using more modern forms of transport.

Mokoros carry three people, two seated passengers and one driver. The driver stands in the rear of the canoe, (a real feat of balance), and uses a long wooden pole to propel and steer the Mokoro through the twisting channels. It really is the only way to travel in this area. We are fully self sufficient and make our camps on the river banks and islands, under huge indigenous trees, sharing the environment with the local people and the local fauna of Africa. The Okavango is a wildlife paradise and we will look for game from both our Mokoro’s and on bush walks guided by local specialist guides, our polers.

NB: The bathroom facilities in the Okavango Delta can be best described as rustic. There is plenty of water but it is used, straight from the river, (well boiled first). There is no electricity and we will enjoy bucket showers and basic toilet facilities.

Once established into our wilderness routine, we usually take a long, early morning bush walk to see the terrain and hopefully spot some Big Game, returning to camp in the mid morning for a cooked brunch. There is time to relax in the shade during the heat of the day and from most camps our polers will be able to take us to a safe swimming place to cool off. In the afternoons there is often a shorter walk or a Mokoro cruise in the cool evening air. Sunset from the river is not to be missed.

The way of life of the Okavango River people has remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years. It is a totally no-stress environment in a pure wilderness setting. We are heading back to our first camp today, gliding across the crystal waters, home to an amazing variety of bird life. There is the chance to add crocodiles and even a hippopotamus to our list of creatures seen before making our final Okavango camp amongst the lush riverine bush.

We will transfer back to camp in the motorboats and aim to be back on the lagoon, with full facilities by the early afternoon. We enjoy a final night beside the unparallel Okavango waters.

Back on the road today, destination Namibia. Passport formalities completed we go directly into the Mahango Game Reserve, a small but excellent park right on the edge of the Okavango River. We game drive our way through Mahango and have the chance to spot rarely seen Namibian species such as roan and the majestic sable antelope.

We now head west, through part of Namibia’s Caprivi Strip to our camp for tonight. We are again beside the Okavango, but this time the main river, on its journey from the Angolan highlands, through the pan handle to waters end, the delta.

1 night camping at n'Kwazi Lodge with breakfast and lunch. Dinner tonight in the restaurant at the lodge is not included in the price.

A short drive brings us to the northern Namibian town of Rundu where there is time to explore the local market before continuing down through the Kavango Region. There are a few breaks along the way at various kraals to see the local crafts and woodcarvings.

Continuing on to our east, we reach Etosha National Park, and the Namutoni region camp. We again aim to arrive in time for lunch, giving us time to relax before heading into the park during the cool of the late afternoon for our first game drive.

On the next morning we go straight out on an early morning game drive. We visit some of the numerous waterholes in the area hoping to catch some of Etosha’s big game out for an early morning drink. The game drives around the Namutoni area are some of the best in the park.

We cover several different terrains this morning, from wooded areas to open savannah and in the rainy season, wetland. Back to Namutoni in the late morning and after lunch there is time once again to relax during the heat of the day. The pool area here is very good, shaded by palm trees and a stone’s throw away from the waterhole.

As on day seven, we take a shorter game drive in the late afternoon, often driving out to one of the waterholes popular with game and waiting for the animals to come to us.

2 nights camping at Namutoni Campsite on a full board basis. Built into an old German Fort Namutoni Campsite has a unique atmosphere. Within the fort you will find ample facilities. From the walls of the fort you can enjoy an elevated view of the King Nehale Waterhole allowing for great game viewing without leaving the camp. The walls of the fort are also and excellent spot for sundowners. There is hardly a better way to end a day in the bush and Namibia than to marvel at the colours of the setting sun.

A full day’s game driving. We again leave early to enjoy the cool morning air. We game drive our way through Etosha to Halali camp, situated in the middle of the park. Along the way we visit several waterholes and are afforded splendid views of the massive Etosha Pan. The game viewing is usually excellent and we have the chance to tick off a few new species that are not normally seen on the Namutoni side of the park.

We stop at Halali for a rest and a leisurely lunch. There is also time to visit the Halali waterhole and to make use of the swimming pool and bar facilities before continuing on our way and game driving down to Okaukuejo camp. Okaukuejo is famous for its waterhole, which has been described as one of the “best game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa”. Situated on the doorstep of our accommodation, black rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope are often seen.

1 night camping at Okaukuejo Campsite with breakfast, lunch & dinner. Okaukuejo is located 17 km from the southern entrance of the park, Anderson Gate. Okaukuejo is the oldest tourist camp in Etosha and it also functions as the administrative centre of the park. Okaukuejo is also home to the Etosha Ecological Institute. It is situated at the western end of the Etosha Pan. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, shop, swimming pool, kiosk and camp sites.

Leaving Etosha we are en route for the desert and the most scenic area of our safari. We make a stop at a small town called Outjo where we can get coffee and sticky cakes at the local bakery. We then drive west to Khorixas, the capital of the Damaraland region. A short break here and then, leaving the sealed roads far behind us, we drive into the desert.

We stop for lunch at the Petrified Forest geological site, where a local guide will take us around and explain about the prehistoric trees, before continuing on to Twyfelfontein. Damaraland scenery is some of the best in Namibia, open grasslands studded with massive granite koppies create the feeling of being surrounded by mountains. We are well into desert elephant and black rhino country and other game such as springbok, ostrich and gemsbok are often seen.

We aim to arrive in the early afternoon and have time to relax in the shade before making a late afternoon excursion to Twyfelfontein itself. Here, again, a local guide will introduce us to the ancient Bushman rock engravings or petroglyphs. We also make a visit to another geological site in the area called the Organ Pipes.

1 night camping at Madisa Campsite with breakfast, lunch & dinner. The camp is hidden between amazing rock formations which are scattered with Bushman Paintings and has privy to an ancient Desert Elephant route that often gets visited by these beautiful giants. Ideal for the traveller who wishes to camp comfortably without compromising the experience of exclusivity in this vast and magnificent area of Damaraland Namibia. Each spacious campsite has an exquisite view of the Gauntegab River bed and rock formations. The campsites have individual ablution facilities situated on stilts hidden in the tree tops. The braai facilities also double up as a heater (donkey system) for hot running water at each open air shower. The camp sites are shaded by large Mopane trees and have a low rock wall around each site. The swimming pool and bar area are very welcoming after a long day and give you a chance to rejuvenate and enjoy your surroundings. It’s also nice to meet fellow travellers and share tails around a communal camp fire at night while the sky puts on a breath taking show of stars.

More beautiful Damaraland scenery this morning. We pass Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg (2573 m) and make our first stop of the morning in the small town of Uis, an old mining town, and one of the best places to buy semi-precious stones, for which Namibia is famous. Here, rough Amethyst, Tourmaline etc can be found at bargain prices. From here we turn directly west and cross the gravel plains on our way to the Atlantic Ocean and the Skeleton Coast. Meeting the ocean at Henties Bay, we first head north along the coast to visit the seal colony at Cape Cross. Here at certain times of the year there can be as many as 100,000 Cape Fur seals in attendance.

The next destination is Swakopmund, stopping for lunch en route and following the Skeleton Coast into Namibia’s premier seaside town. Swakopmund boasts a large range of restaurants and cafés, many of them specializing in fish dishes. The local seafood is superb, taken straight from the icy Atlantic waters. Tonight dinner is for the clients own account in a local restaurant. Your guide will be able to recommend a venue.

We also make the most of being back in a main centre by leaving the tents loaded and checking into holiday chalets.

Your 2nd day in Swakopmund is a free day. The Swakopmund section of the trip is designed to allow people to relax either with the group, or on their own. Only breakfast is provided to allow you to plan your time here with as much flexibility as possible and not to be tied to group meal times. It also gives you the chance to sample some of the excellent local cafes and restaurants. The seafood in Swakopmund is superb and your guide will offer to organise a group meal in a local restaurant for this evening.

Swakopmund is a very pleasant seaside town with lots of shops, a good stretch of beach (although the Atlantic here is quite cold) and an open-air curio market. There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium is located in Swakopmund.

Alternatively, there are various optional activities that can be arranged. These include aeroplane and microlight flights over the desert, scenic drives, fishing trips (both from the beach or in a boat), four-wheel motorcycle (quad bike) trips into the desert and over the sand dunes around Swakopmund, sand boarding trips (also in the dunes), skydiving, surfing, bird-watching and many other activities are available. Your tour guide will discuss all the possible options with you before you reach Swakopmund and will offer to make bookings in advance of your arrival.

2 night stay at the Prost Hotel situated in the heart of Swakopmund with 2 breakfasts and 1 lunch included.

We first make a stop at Walvis Bay, situated about 40 km south of Swakopmund. South of the town there is a large marine lagoon which is home to a vast array of marine bird-life, in particular flamingos. We will make a short visit to the lagoon to see the birds and a short visit to Walvis Bay to collect any last minute supplies before once again heading out into the desert.

The second part of our journey today takes us across more of the seemingly endless Namib gravel plains. Then the landscape suddenly changes and we are into the mountain desert. We traverse both the Kuiseb and Gaub passes, driving both times to the river beds at the bottom of the canyons and then climbing the long steep road to the top and the spectacular panoramas the mountains give us. Again the scenery changes as we make our way down to the dune fields.

We cross some open grass savannah and farmlands before the terrain begins to give way to the immense red sand dune desert of the Namib and from here it is only a short distance to our next stop, the tiny town of Solitaire. We will stop here for some refreshments before continuing on through stunning desert scenery.

We aim to arrive at our camp during the late afternoon and watch the colours glow and change on distant mountains to the east.

2 night stay at the Sesriem Campsite with breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Located perfectly at the entry to Sossusvlei inside the park gate Sesriem Camping is located just a short drive from Sesriem Canyon and right beside the gate into the desert. It is perfect for campers who want to experience the beauty of the Namib Desert with the sun setting over the Elim dune then the stars emerging until they fill the sky above you and the clicking of the desert barking Geckos and distant howl of the Jackal. Sit by the fire and imagine what you will.

A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert. After passing through Sesriem, the gateway to the dunes and driving into the heart of the dune field, we reach Sossusvlei itself by walking the last 5 km through the dunes.

The walk is like nothing else, in the cool of the morning, with soft sunlight just beginning to play over the dunes creating a sharp light and shadow contrast across the whole desert. Ancient mineral pans, stunted camel thorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect. We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting dune 45, and as the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch to escape the heat of the afternoon. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon.

After breakfast we begin our journey, over the mountains and along scenic roads, back to Windhoek. In the Solitaire area we will stop at the ‘N/a’an ku se Namib Conservation Centre’, a 500 hectare Conservation Centre which hosts an educational centre and wildlife tracking within the purpose built enclosures and receive information on the carnivore surveillance in the greater Namib area.

We will travel over the Naukluft Mountains and also the Khomas Hochland range, through beautiful Remhoogte Pass on our way back to civilization.

We are due back into the city in the late afternoon / early evening and you will be dropped off at your accommodation on our return. Alternatively we can arrange for you to be taken to the International Airport if you are catching an evening flight.