7 day Namibia's Wildlife & Art

Situated in Namibia’s desolate, awe-inspiring Namib Desert, between Usakos and Swakopmund and about two hours’ drive from Swakopmund, the Spitzkoppe are a group of bald granite peaks forming one of Namibia’s most recognizable and dramatic landmarks. These enormous towering domes are a mecca for hikers and mountaineers, from beginners interested in guided historic walks to professional climbers seeking an adrenaline boost. Numerous ancient rock paintings can be visited as part of a guided walking tour. The extreme, barren landscapes and striking rock formations create an excellent setting for photography.

Day Itinerary

Route:  Windhoek to Spitzkoppe

Distance: 280 km

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

Journey:   Depart Windhoek and drive towards Spitzkoppe, a stunning granite peak often referred to as the "Matterhorn of Namibia."  We will stop for for lunch at a scenic viewpoint en route.

Arrive at Spitzkoppe and set up camp amongst the massive boulders and beautiful scenery.  Take a guided hike to view ancient rock engravings and the famous Bushman paintings in the area.  Gather around the campfire for dinner, where your guide will share captivating stories about the San people’s history and their connection to the land. Learn about the stars above and their significance in local culture.        

Spitzkoppe (o/s).

Overnight: Spitzkoppe Campsites

Spitzkoppe Campsites beckons adventure and nature enthusiasts to enjoy a nature getaway within the Namib Desert in the Erongo region of Namibia. Campers can pitch their tents or park their overlanders on the designated campsites. Campers can enjoy the beauty of the oversized boulders and secret caves within the Namib Desert. Facilities and services include shared bathrooms near the reception area, a restaurant, and daily refuse removal.

Activities
Okahandja

Okahandja

Located just north of Windhoek, in the central Namibian Otjozondjupa region, the bustling city of Okahandja serves as the main commercial centre of the area, as well as a prominent cultural centre for the local Herero people. The name ‘Okahandja', means 'The place where two rivers flow into each other to form one wide one.' These two seasonal rivers are the Okamita and the Okakango. Known as the ‘Garden Town of Namibia’, Okahandja boasts a rich cultural heritage, numerous historical sites and excellent bird watching in the surrounding areas. Visitors can look forward to a variety of interesting activities including: browsing the colourful arts and crafts market, visiting the nearby Gross Barmen Hot springs for a soak in the rejuvenating thermal waters and enjoying an array of watersports at the nearby Von Bach Dam.

Set along Namibia's spectacularly scenic coast, the seaside town of Swakopmund is known for its wide-open avenues, colonial architecture, and its surrounding otherworldly desert terrain. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South-West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more German than Germany. Now a seaside resort town, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, adventure options, laid-back atmosphere and cool sea breeze make it a very popular Namibian destination. Visitors can look forward to a number of exciting activities including: quad biking, horse riding, paragliding, fishing, sightseeing and fascinating desert tours.

Day Itinerary

Route: Spitzkopppe to Swakopmund

Distance: 162 km

Journey:    Breakfast at the campsite and enjoy the breath-taking sunrise over Spitzkoppe.  Depart and head towards Swakopmund, a charming coastal town.  Arrive in Swakopmund, check into your accommodation at the coast.  Free time for optional activities like sandboarding, quad biking, or visiting the Swakopmund Museum.

Prost Hotel (o/s).

Overnight: Prost Hotel Swakopmund

Prost Hotel is situated in the heart of Swakopmund, giving access to the town’s various and excellent restaurants.  The hotel offers 28 en-suit rooms, ranging from luxury, family to standard rooms.  All rooms are equipped with 43” flat screen TV, DSTV decoder, electronic laptop safe, tea/coffee station, telephone and hair dryer. Facilities include complimentary Wi-Fi, buffet breakfast, secure parking, secure parking, 24 hour reception, conference & events facility and same day laundry service.

Set in the Kunene Region of northwestern Namibia, Twyfelfontein is a spectacularly scenic area, featuring one of the largest and most important concentrations of rock art in Africa. The name ‘Twyfelfontein’ translates to ‘Fountain of Doubt’, which refers to the perennial spring situated in the impressive Huab Valley flanked by the slopes of a sandstone table mountain. It was this spring that attracted Stone Age hunters over six thousand years ago, and it was during this time that the extensive group of rock engravings and paintings were produced. Visitors can look forward to basing themselves at some wonderfully shady campsites along the Aba-Huab riverbed, while exploring over thirty different sacred ritual sites of the traditional hunter-gatherer communities.

Day Itinerary

Route: Swakopmund to Twyfelfontein

Distance: 280 km

Journey:  A leisurely breakfast at our hotel before heading off along the coastal road, the Skeleton Coast with the Atlantic on one side with gravel plains on the other - you'll get a good idea of how those shipwrecked along our shores felt - a barren inhospitable area.  A short detour will take us to one of the largest cape fur seal colonies, nothing can quite prepare you for the smell of thousands of seals, the visit is well worth it though.  

We turn inland making our way to the settlement  of Uis,  once a thriving tin mine there are a number of hardy souls that have kept this town going.  Passing the Brandberg mountain we wend out way through Damaraland to arrive in the Twyfelfontein area.  A community region with its  ephemeral rivers and wonderful rock formations you may get to see desert adapted elephant walking the riverbeds alongside donkeys and goats.   

Madisa campsite (o/s)

Overnight: Madisa Campsite

Madisa offers 9 private camp sites all with their own ablution facilities. These sites are spacious and are situated on the river bed with a low stone wall around . Each site has a braai area which doubles up as a donkey geyser for hot water. It’s a lovely atmosphere to kick back relax around a fire and listen to the nocturnal sounds of the bush. Madisa is also a fantastic place for star gazing, the nights are brilliantly clear. Each site has lights which are powered by generator (hopefully soon by Solar Power). 

The generator runs in the evening from sundown till 9pm. We also offer 5 overland sites which are large and each have a circle braai area with seating, a wash up basin and water supply. The ablution block is a communal one with nice clean showers and toilets. The swimming pool and bar area are tucked away at the foot of the spectacular granite koppie providing a great setting.  We have also built the elephants a drinking trough which can be viewed from on top of the koppie.

Activities

Cape Cross Seal Colony
Twyfelfontein

Cape Cross Seal Colony

This colony of Cape Fur Seals is one of the largest in the world, home to approximately 80 000 to 100 000 of these so-called 'seals', which are in fact a species of sea lion. Day trips to the colony are offered and the seals can be viewed from a walkway at a distance of roughly 200 metres.

Twyfelfontein

Set in the Kunene Region of northwestern Namibia, Twyfelfontein is a spectacularly scenic area, featuring one of the largest and most important concentrations of rock art in Africa. The name ‘Twyfelfontein’ translates to ‘Fountain of Doubt’, which refers to the perennial spring situated in the impressive Huab Valley flanked by the slopes of a sandstone table mountain. It was this spring that attracted Stone Age hunters over six thousand years ago, and it was during this time that the extensive group of rock engravings and paintings were produced. Visitors can look forward to basing themselves at some wonderfully shady campsites along the Aba-Huab riverbed, while exploring over thirty different sacred ritual sites of the traditional hunter-gatherer communities.

Situated in the western part of Etosha National park, a world-famous wildlife sanctuary in the northwestern part of Namibia, Etosha West is the wilder western region accessed through Galton Gate. Visitors to Etosha West can look forward to exploring the magnificent scenery of this remote north Namibian landscape characterised by lush undulating terrain and a reddish-brown soil, which is a stark contrast to the white dusty clay soil of Etosha East’s flat expansive plains. This area is home to several species not found in the rest of the park: baboons, Mountain Zebra, and Brown Hyena, as well as several unique plants. The area also boasts numerous waterholes attracting elephant, rhino, leopard, lion, a variety of buck, and around 300 bird species.

Day Itinerary

Route:                 Twyfelfontein to  Etosha National Park

Distance:             260 km

Journey:  Our adventures take us through the communal and farmlands of Damaraland, heading due north to Etosha National Park. 

On the way we'll stop in at a Himba Village before arriving at the Galton Gate, from here we game drive our way to our campsite.  This vast area of western Etosha used to be restricted to visitors and was opened up in 2014.  This terrain is rugged and hilly, quite different from the rest of the park.  Our campsite has a state of the art double story hide overlooking a manmade waterhole - sit back, relax and watch nature unfold around you.  

Olifantsrus campsite (o/s)

Overnight: Olifantsrus Campsite

Olifantsrus Camp is located in the northwestern part of Etosha National Park between Okaukuejo and Dolomite Camp. The area has ten campsites with five power stands, and each is shared among two campsites. The campsites are equipped to take a maximum of 8 people per site. Facilities include a braai site for guests and flat bases to make fire, ablution facilities, a communal kitchen which includes; a two plate gas stove and a fridge, and a kiosk selling beverages and light meals. The camp opens at sunrise and closes at sunset as per the general park regulations and day visitors are only allowed to use the picnic facilities up until 16h00.

Activities
Etosha West

Etosha West

Situated in the western part of Etosha National park, a world-famous wildlife sanctuary in the northwestern part of Namibia, Etosha West is the wilder western region accessed through Galton Gate. Visitors to Etosha West can look forward to exploring the magnificent scenery of this remote north Namibian landscape characterised by lush undulating terrain and a reddish-brown soil, which is a stark contrast to the white dusty clay soil of Etosha East’s flat expansive plains. This area is home to several species not found in the rest of the park: baboons, Mountain Zebra, and Brown Hyena, as well as several unique plants. The area also boasts numerous waterholes attracting elephant, rhino, leopard, lion, a variety of buck, and around 300 bird species.

Located just south of the boundary of Etosha National Park in northwestern Namibia, Etosha South makes up the southern region of this wild paradise. The area is comprised of a collection of world class private game reserves. The national park can be accessed via the southern entrance at Andersson’s Gate. Visitors can catch a glimpse of a variety of wildlife including: lion, giraffe, elephant, white and black rhino, and a multitude of plains game. Popular activities include: enjoying an open 4x4 safari with an expert guide, half day or full day drives with the option of a picnic lunch with wine on the full day game drive.

Day Itinerary

Route:                     Etosha National Park

Journey:  The best time for game viewing is early morning and late afternoon - a morning visit to the waterhole at camp before packing up camp and heading further into Etosha, keep those binoculars and cameras ready!  

We aim to camp at Okaukuejo Resort, should this not be possible then we will overnight at Etosha Omusati Lodge instead.  

Okaukuejo / Omusati campsite (o/s)

Overnight: Etosha Omusati Lodge

The lodge accommodation comprises ten canvas and wood units called the Tented Chalets (Rooms 1 - 10), each with an outstanding rustic design and authentic interior. Each unit contains twin single beds, an en-suite bathroom with full amenities, and a cooling unit. The units are ample distance from one another to give guests privacy. All our chalets have warm water showers, and breakfast is included in the daily B&B chalet tariffs. We also serve lunch and set dinners in our restaurant on request. We also have 10 newly built Standard Chalets (Rooms 11-20) which are more spacious than the Tented Chalets (1-10). The Standard Chalets also have an en-suite bathroom and sitting area, solar geysers for hot water, and parking. In addition, we have 2 pristine and private camping sites, for true adventurers. 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.

Situated east of Etosha, bordering Fisher's Pan, Onguma Game Reserve is one of Namibia's best-kept secrets. The reserve offers visitors the opportunity to experience Africa in all her beauty and diversity. Onguma Game Reserve features over 34000 hectares of protected land scattered with a variety of wildlife including plains game, black rhino, kudu, giraffe, zebra, lion, cheetah, leopard and more than 300 bird species. The seasonal rains attract thousands of migrating birds to the Fisher’s Pan wetland area. The neighbouring Etosha National Park is home to a rich array of wildlife, including four of the Big 5. Visitors can enjoy game drives, guided walks and rhino research drives within the private reserve as well as wildlife safaris into Etosha National Park to view abundant game in the largest national park in Namibia.

Day Itinerary

Route:                 Through Etosha 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.   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.

Onguma campsite (o/s)

Overnight: Onguma Campsites

Our team is hard at work, building an additional camp site on the Reserve not even 3km from the Von Lindequist Gate. The new site will boast a large reception area with small supply store and snack restaurant. The main areas are built with a view over a lovely waterhole, which will ensure there is always something to see. 

Camp sites will be spread out around the main complex and there will be ablution and cooking facilities allocated to each camp site.

Most of the 25 stands will have individual ablution and cooking facilities, and some are designed to share a facility between two sites for parties that are travelling together. We will be accommodating those who want more privacy as well as those travelling in small groups of two or three tents. 

During the day - explore Etosha Park, and at night, relax in the midst of a Reserve where elephant, rhino, lion and plains game roam freely.

Nothing beats identifying animal calls while sitting around your roaring campfire.

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.

Outbound flight today:  please do not book any outbound flights for this afternoon, it's preferable to stay overnight in Windhoek.