7 Days Around The Campfire

Etosha National Park is located right in the center of Namibia and is one of Africa's standout wildlife conservation spots. Covering more than 22,000 square kilometers, this expansive park serves as a haven for a stunning variety of plants and animals, all set against its dry landscapes, salt flats, and unique ecosystems. It was first established in 1907 and became a national park in 1967. Etosha is a must-visit for wildlife fans and, photographers.                                                                                 

Day Itinerary

Route:              Windhoek to Etosha Omusati Lodge (o/s)

Distance:          440 km

Collection time: 08h00 – 08h30 from any accommodation within the City of Windhoek

Journey:   With a packed travel vehicle we leave the capital and head north. Small settlements, farms and towns will shape the itinerary for the morning. Just get to know the country and its people bit by bit.  First we should set up our camp for the night before we get to the trip's highlight, the rich wildlife of the famous Etosha National Park.  Already at the first water hole several species of antelopes could greet us. Keep the binoculars ready, because as we go further into the park there could be something lurking behind bushes.  In order to give the animals their well-deserved rest, we go back to the camp at sundown. While your guide is preparing dinner, the crackling campfire invites you for a delicious sundowner drink.  We wish you a pleasant night's sleep. Listen to the animals' night calls.

Overnight: Etosha Omusati Lodge (o/s)

Each campsite features an electrical point, lights, a private braai area, and private ablution with flushing toilets and hot water for showering. Guests have access to the refreshing outdoor pool and restaurant.

Traveling from the Anderson Gate to the Von Lindequist Gate in Etosha, while passing the saltpan, is not merely a trip from one location to another; it’s an exciting adventure that highlights the stunning natural beauty of Namibia. With remarkable wildlife encounters and breath taking landscape vistas. Situated east of Etosha, bordering Fisher's Pan, Onguma Game Reserve is one of Namibia's best-kept secrets. The seasonal rains attract thousands of migrating birds to the Fisher’s Pan wetland area. 

Day Itinerary

Route:         From Etosha South to Etosha East to Onguma Reserve 

Journey:  The vastness of Etosha National Park truly hits you when you travel from the southern part to the far eastern section. We navigate smaller roads, moving from one waterhole to another, aiming to spot as many animals as we can throughout the day. Patience and a bit of luck enhance this thrilling wildlife experience. By late afternoon, we arrive at our campsite, where we’ll stay for two nights. After a day filled with photography, you’ll have the chance to review and possibly share your pictures. During dinner, our guide/s generously share their extensive knowledge, revealing many insights that you won’t find in any travel guide, drawn from their personal experiences.

Overnight: Onguma Tamboti Campsite (o/s)

There is a main area with complimentary Wi-Fi and a restaurant where guests can enjoy a hearty meal while looking out across the waterhole, or relax by the pool with views of the bush. Each site feels private, complete with private ablution facility with spacious shower room, separate toilet and covered washing-up areas with lots of space to unpack and organize. There is also ample plugs to ensure cooler boxes remain cool and cameras get charged.

Activities

Day Itinerary

Route: Etosha National Park

After an early breakfast, we set off to Etosha National Park to maximize wildlife viewing potential. Have your camera and your binoculars ready. Your unforgettable experience is about to start. Later in the day, as the sun sets, we bid farewell to the abundant wildlife and head back to our campsite. We enjoy one last cozy evening by the campfire, taking the opportunity to gaze at the constellations, which remind us of the calming effect that the animals and surroundings have on us.

Activities
Full Day Game Drive 

Day Itinerary

Route:                         Onguma Game Reserve to Windhoek

Distance:                    545 km

Arrival in Windhoek:     Between 15h00 – 17h00

Journey:  Our journey back to Windhoek takes us through the mining town of Tsumeb and onward through the farmlands towards Okahandja. Here, we can stop at a wood carving market to pick up some last-minute souvenirs or keepsakes. We arrive in Windhoek in the early afternoon.

Located in the heart of Namibia, Windhoek is the country's capital and has a vibrant, cosmopolitan vibe. It boasts a wide range of restaurants, shops, entertainment spots, and places to stay. The city is tidy, safe, and well-planned, showcasing its colonial past through numerous German restaurants and shops, along with the everyday use of the German language. Windhoek features a fascinating blend of historical buildings and modern architecture, with highlights like the Alte Feste, an old fort, the Christuskirche from 1896, and the sleek Supreme Court that are definitely worth checking out. MEET THE LOCALS ! 

Day Itinerary

Route:                Onguma Game Reserve to Windhoek

Distance:                   545 km

Arrival in Windhoek:     Between 15h00 – 17h00

Journey:  Our journey back to Windhoek takes us through the mining town of Tsumeb and onward through the farmlands towards Okahandja. Here, we can stop at a wood carving market to pick up some last-minute souvenirs or keepsakes. We arrive in Windhoek in the early afternoon.

Overnight: Urban Camp

Urban Camp is a centrally located, comfortable camping ground situated in the heart of Windhoek. Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner from the on-site restaurant. Other services and facilities include a beer garden, Wi-Fi, an on-site ATM, and a swimming pool. Meet the locals! 

Since there’s no place to stay right at Sossusvlei, most visitors find themselves lodging in Sesriem, which is about 65 kilometres away. This spot has camps and lodges that make a great home base for checking out the stunning dunes. One of the highlights in the area is Sesriem Canyon, a deep gorge shaped by water over time, and it’s best explored on foot. The canyon features steep rocky walls on either side, with birds nesting in the crevices and lizards scurrying along the edges. The name "Sesriem" comes from the early settlers who used six leather thongs to lower buckets down to the water at the bottom of the canyon.

Day Itinerary

Route:  Windhoek to Namib Naukluft Park

Distance: 310 km

Collection time: 08h00 – 08h30 from any accommodation within the City of Windhoek

Journey:  A short drive through the City as we head out towards the Gamsberg, a table-topped mountain which on clear days,  has some stunning views of the distant Naukluft Mountains, the area we are headed to for the next few days.  Our drive takes us through farmland and reserves crossing the Tropic of Capricorn and down the Remhoogte or Spreetshoogte Pass - the escarpment drops down to meet the desert floor as we arrive at our campsite in the Sesriem area.  

Such a magical area for sundowners as your gaze takes in the Naukluft Mountains and a small section of the dune-belt.  This evening as you sit around a crackling fire your gaze is drawn skywards to the blanket of stars, an area that is good for the soul!   Rest well tonight as tomorrow is a very early start.  

Overnight: Sesriem Oshana Campsite (o/s)

Sesriem Oshana Campsite is situated close to the southern end of the quiet and lush Naukluft Mountains within the Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia. Facilities include bathrooms, kitchenettes, barbecue sites. Guests are not permitted to make use of Dead Valley Lodge facilities rather those of NWR (Namibia Wildlife Resort) at Sesriem campsite.  

Located in Central Namibia, the Naukluft Mountains cut a fine silhouette against the vast open skies of this incredibly beautiful country. Private farms occupy the northern reaches and to the south, the range falls within the spectacular Namib-Naukluft National Park. Rising steeply from the vast plains of Central Namibia, the rugged landscape holds a fascinating history, interesting geology and a boasts a variety of deep gorges, caves, small streams and beautiful waterfalls. These mountains support an array of wildlife including over 50 mammal species such as leopard, mountain zebra; various antelope species and almost 200 species of bird.

Day Itinerary

Route:  Sesriem - Weltevrede

Distance:  170 km 

Journey:   The world famous Naukluft area is one of our most versatile conservation areas of which you will see a small portion being Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei.  This is one of our most visited areas by international tourists.  It is a magical area where you can experience the feeling of vastness and isolation with dunes that are some of the highest in the world.  A photographers dream as the early morning light plays with colours from apricot to red and no better place that Dead Vlei to experience this as the dunes drop down to meet a white clay pan dotted with the skeletons of ancient camelthorn trees.  

Mid-morning as the temperatures rise we travel back to camp, pack up and drive the short journey to Weltevrede.  Nestled near the spectacular rugged Naukluft mountains we'll set up camp.  Put on your hiking boots as this afternoon we'll take a walk to nearby Bushman paintings.  We're spoiled with another night of tranquillity and star gazing.

Overnight: Weltevrede Guest Farm (o/s)

Situated in the heart of the Namib Desert, some 300 km south west of Windhoek and bordered on three sides by the Namib Naukluft Park, Weltevrede Guest Farm is the home of abundant wildlife and gateway to the famed Sossusvlei dunes and Sesriem Canyon. Nestled amidst a spectacular mix of rugged mountains, you'll find Weltevrede a welcome oasis of friendly hospitality at the end of your adventuresome day

Activities

Dune 45
Named for its location 45 kilometres past the town of Sesriem, Dune 45 is renowned for its elegant shape, which – along with its position close to the road – have earned it the distinction of ‘most photographed dune in the world’. If you’re not keen for the strenuous hike to the top of Big Daddy, Dune 45 is a more forgiving alternative, standing at only 80 metres and featuring a much gentler gradient.

Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is the spot to check out those famous red sand dunes in Namibia. The bright blue skies really pop against the massive red dunes, making it one of the most stunning places in Africa and a dream for photographers. This breathtaking location is likely Namibia's top attraction, with its unique dunes soaring nearly 400 meters high, ranking among the tallest in the world. The dunes look especially magical during sunrise and sunset, attracting photography lovers from all over. Plus, Sossusvlei is home to a range of desert wildlife, like oryx, springbok, ostriches, and various reptiles.

Dead Vlei
This old clay pan used to be a lush oasis, filled with acacia trees and nourished by a river that unexpectedly shifted its path, causing the land to dry out along with the trees that thrived there. The climate became so arid that the trees didn’t even rot; instead, they completely lost their moisture, and now, 900 years later, they stand as dried, blackened reminders scattered across the cracked ground. Nestled among the red-pink dunes of the Namib Desert, they form a bizarre yet stunning scene that any photographer would love to capture.

Day Itinerary

Route: Weltevrede to Windhoek

Distance: 260 km

Arrival in Windhoek:   15h00 – 16h00

Journey:  Our route today takes us back towards Solitaire from here we travel to the town of Rehoboth, an area of natural hot water springs, before arriving back into the city of Windhoek, this will be mid-afternoon.

Outbound flight today: Kindly be advised that C Africa Safaris & Tours assumes no responsibility for any missed outbound flights that may result in not arriving on time for the late afternoon/evening departure.   

Rehoboth
Located in Hardap, Namibia, about 90 kilometres south of Windhoek, Rehoboth is surrounded by camel thorn, sweet-thorn and candle-pod acacia and dotted with several natural hot springs. The area is known not only for its striking natural beauty but also its rich heritage - the ancient Baster community, who came across the river to settle here in 1870, have a long and interesting history.