Namibia Panorama

Explore the Namib Desert, the apricot coloured dunes of Sossusvlei, the quaint Germanic architecture in the coastal town of Swakopmond, nestled between the Ocean and the Desert, the rough terrain of Damaraland and the abundant wildlife in the world renowned Etosha National Park.

DAY 1 DAILY HEATHROW-WINDHOEK
Overnight flight to Windhoek from Heathrow via Johannesburg (plane change).

DAY 2 WINDHOEK
Met on arrival at Windhoek airport where you will be assisted to collect your car hire. After driving to your hotel, enjoy a city tour of Windhoek (45 km – approximately 45 minutes). Some of the sights you may see are the Ride Memorial, the Old Fort, the Parliament Building (also known as the ‘Ink Place’), the Lutheran Church, the Railway Station and many more. Overnight: Elegant Guesthouse.

DAY 3 SOSSUSVLEI
After breakfast drive through the mountains of the Khomas Hochland, via the ‘Spreetshoogte’ Pass into the low plains of the Namib Desert to the Sossusvlei area (350 km – approximately 5 hours). You will enjoy exploring Sossusvlei which is in the oldest desert in the world, The Namib Desert. Overnight: Desert Homestead. (b,d)

DAY 4 SOSSUSVLEI
Today you will visit Sossusvlei, a clay pan surrounded by some of the highest sand dunes in the world, Sesriem and the Dead Vlei. Day trips into the Namib Naukluft Mountains or an early morning balloon flight can be booked as optional activities (payable locally). Overnight: Desert Homestead. (b,d)
Note: Should you wish to travel via Welwitschia and Moonlandscape to Swakopmund on day 5, permits can be purchased at the Sesriem Entrance Gate today.

DAY 5 SWAKOPMUND
Your drive today will take you via the Kuiseb Canyon to Swakopmund (350 km – approximately 5 hours). If you have a permit, you can visit the ‘Moonlandscape’ and the ancient desert plant, ‘Welwitschia mirabilis’ en route. The quaint desert town of Swakopmund with its old-world charm and relaxed atmosphere, hedged by desert and sea, is enhanced by lush green lawns and palm trees. Overnight: Intermezzo Guesthouse. (b)

DAY 6 SWAKOPMUND
Spend today relaxing in Swakopmund where the sweeping coastline and desert hinterland offers many options for adventure and relaxation. Overnight: Intermezzo Guesthouse. (b)

DAY 7 DAMARALAND
Drive along the Atlantic coast visiting the lichen fields near Wlotzka’s Baken before continuing to Henties Bay, a small holiday resort. Drive to the seal colony at Cape Cross. After visiting the seals, your journey continues via the Ugab River mouth to the southern Skeleton Coast Park to view a shipwreck. In the early afternoon leave the Skeleton Coast Park via Springbokwasser and experience the transition from the Namib Desert to the Damaraland highlands with its impressive landscape and rugged valleys. (410 km – approximately 5 hours 30 minutes). Overnight: Damara Mopane Lodge. (b,d)

DAY 8 ETOSHA
Today you will spend some time visiting Twyfelfontein. Twyfelfontein, which means ‘doubtful fountain’ resembles a large, open-air art gallery. This treasure house of rock engravings left by Stone Age artists is regarded as one of the richest collections of rock engravings in Africa. South of Twyfelfontein is the Burnt Mountain, a panorama of desolation with coloured rocks contrasting vividly with the grey-black surroundings. The Organ Pipes, a mass of basalt slabs in a ravine gouged out by a river, is another geological marvel in the area. Later you will continue your drive to the famous Etosha National Park. (365 km – approximately 4 hours 30 minutes). Overnight: Okaukuejo Camp. (b)

DAY 9 ETOSHA
Take a game drive and discover the mysteries of the African bush in Etosha National Park. At the heart of this National Park is the Etosha Pan, a vast dry shallow depression. Perennial springs feed the waterholes along the southern verge, which attract a myriad of animal species. Spend your day enjoying game drives in the park, and visit the numerous waterholes that attract a large diversity of animal and bird species, many of which are endemic to the country. Overnight: Okaukuejo Camp. (b)

DAY 10 ETOSHA
Today you will travel east through Etosha National Park and leave the Park through the von Lindequist Gate, the eastern gate of Etosha. En route stop at the numerous perennial springs found along the edge of the salt pan in search of lions, leopards, elephants and black rhinos. (160 km – approximately 3 hours) Overnight: Mushara Bush Camp. (b)

DAY 11 WINDHOEK
Drive back to Windhoek via Outjo, Otjiwarongo and Okahandja (528 km – approximately 5 hours 30 minutes). Woodcarvers practice their ancient skills at the Woodcarvers Market next to the main road, a good place for a last souvenir. Overnight: Elegant Guesthouse. (b)

DAY 12 WINDHOEK-HEATHROW
Time for some last minute shopping before driving to the Windhoek International airport to return your hire car in time to connect with your onward travel arrangements, or your overnight flight to Heathrow via Johannesburg. (45 km – approximately 45 minutes). (b)

This itinerary is also available as:

4*
Day 2 Windhoek – Olive Grove Guesthouse (b)
Days 3-4 Sossusvlei – Sossus Dune Lodge (b,d)
Days 5-6 Swakopmund – Central Guesthouse (b)
Day 7 Damaraland – Camp Kipwe (b,d)
Days 8-9 Etosha – Andersson’s Camp (b,d)
Day 10 Etosha – Mushara Lodge (b,d)
Day 11 Windhoek – Olive Grove Guesthouse (b)

Established in 1968, Somak Holidays is an independant Tour Operator specialising in holidays to East Africa.

Somak Holidays aim to offer inspiring holidays to the most superb locations in Africa. Above all they pride themselves on being a family-owned and run company. That means they are solely focused on the holidays they arrange, and not on appeasing shareholders. Somak Holidays continually inspect hotels and airlines, and test itineraries in order to improve some aspect or another.

Somak Holidays is a multi-award winning operator, winning such accolades as “Best Independant Tour Operator to Africa” in the Travel Weekly Awards 2010.

Our Opinion
“Somak Holidays has been arranging safaris to Kenya for over 40 years and have built an excellent reputation as the number one independant tour operator to East Africa.”