Classic Kaleidoscope Namibia Tour (7 Days)

Day 1: Windhoek to Swakopmund

After being picked up at your hotel or at the international airport in Windhoek; a transfer takes you to the coastal town of Swakopmund; where you meet up with the rest of the group and your safari guide. Upon our arrival in the early afternoon; we check into our hotel, after which we have the rest of the day at leisure.

With palm-lined streets and seaside promenades; Swakopmund is a very popular holiday destination in Namibia. Its pleasant summer climate and long stretched beaches; attract anglers and surfers from all over Southern Africa. For the international guest; Swakopmund is a bohemian mix of German correctness and African time; laid back attitude with adrenaline activities, misty mornings, and desert heat. It is colorful, it is vibrant, but most of all, it is fun.

Classic: Hansa Hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis
Superior: Strand Hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis

Day 2: Swakopmund

Swakopmund has numerous activities ranging from adventure; to exploring the fascinating features of the Namib Desert, and the animals and plants that occur and survive here; therefore; is often fondly called the “playground of Namibia”. Embrace the relaxed pace of this idyllic coastal town; while enjoying coffee and freshly baked pastries in one of the many cafés.

Alternatively explore the rugged, sweltering desert on a day tour; or view this awesome, environment from the air on a scenic flight. Find your inner child and push adrenaline to its limits with extreme adventures; such as skydiving over the desert or quad biking and sandboarding on the dunes. Take time to get the feel of this quaint town; with its historic buildings, museums, shopping arcades, and also; beach bar that has transformed into its own personality by the vibrant use of color and the bohemian lifestyle.

Classic: Hansa Hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis
Superior: Strand Hotel includes Breakfast & a Marine Cruise

Day 3: Damaraland

Today we first head east into the Erongo Mountain range; to stretch our legs on a short informative bush walk with local Bushmen; whereby we listen to stories of the bushman culture, and traditions, and see some of their desert survival skills. Returning from the walk our journey continues through Uis past the Brandberg; Namibia’s highest mountain (2.579m), into Damaraland, one of the least populated and most geologically diverse areas in Africa. This harsh, rocky environment is home to the elusive desert elephant, the black rhino, and free-roaming antelope species. We arrive at our lodge in the afternoon, where we have the remaining day at leisure.

Classic: Damara Mopane Lodge on a Bed & Breakfast basis
Superior: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge includes Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (incl. a selection of local drinks)

Day 4: Etosha National Park

During the cooler hours of the morning; we start our adventure-filled day in the company of a local Damara guide. Visit Twyfelfontein; a UNESCO heritage site where Bushman communities have engraved and painted over 2500 pictures some 6000 years ago! After a visit to the nearby Living Museum of the Damara, we proceed to the Petrified Forest. This geological phenomenon depicts the creation and metamorphosis of wood into stone amongst some of the oldest landmasses on Earth. Here we also see the Welwitschia mirabilis plant; the oldest living desert plant on Earth.

Our onward journey takes us to the wildlife haven of Namibia; the Etosha National Park. We check into our lodge; on the border of the Etosha National Park and can unwind after the amazing day alongside the pool.

Classic: Eldorado Lodge – Breakfast
Superior: Etosha Oberland – Breakfast, lunch, and Dinner (incl. a selection of local drinks)

Day 5: Etosha National Park

The day is devoted purely to the abundant wildlife found in the Etosha National Park, which surrounds a parched salt desert known as the Etosha Pan. The park is home to 4 of the Big Five – elephant, lion, leopard, and rhino. The Park was proclaimed Namibia’s first conservation area in 1907 by the then Governor, von Lindequist. Despite the size of the Etosha National Park, only the southern edge of the pan is accessible to visitors. Game viewing in the park is primarily focussed around the waterholes, some of which are spring fed and some supplied from a borehole, ideal places to sit and watch over 114 different game species, or for an avid birder, more than 340 bird species.

Popular game species such as giraffe, blue wildebeest, plains and mountain zebra, hyena, lion, leopard, antelopes such as kudu, oryx, eland, as well as some of the endangered species such as Black rhino, cheetah, and the black-faced impala are all found here. An extensive network of roads links the over 30 water holes allowing visitors the opportunity of a comprehensive game-viewing safari throughout the park as each different area will provide various encounters.

Classic: Mokuti Etosha Lodge on a Bed & Breakfast basis
Superior: Etosha Oberland – Breakfast, lunch, and Dinner (incl. a selection of local drinks)

Day 6: Etosha National Park

Today your guide again takes you on a game drive in the Etosha National Park or optionally; you can book an open game drive park drive with the lodge. We may encounter animal species we have not seen the previous day; look forward to any new surprises at the different waterholes visited. The Etosha Pan dominates the park. This salt pan desert is lined by numerous watering holes; roughly 130 km long and as wide as 50 km in places.

During Etosha’s notorious dry spells the pan is a deathly place, lying parched and cracked under the molten African sun. It is claimed that game viewing is best during the dry periods; as animals will then congregate closer to water. But even in the rainy season; the park remains an abundant wildlife haven. You then have the pleasure of experiencing the rebirth of life; as the young play with their parents; and the sprouting of new green shrubs and grasses; create a pleasing green oasis. In the afternoon we travel back to our lodge where we enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. Enjoy an optional open-vehicle game drive. Your guide will assist you with this booking.

Classic: La Rochelle Lodge – Breakfast
Superior: Overnight at Onguma Collection – Breakfast, light lunch, and Dinner (incl. a selection of local drinks)

Day 7: End of Tour

After breakfast, we travel back to Windhoek. Time permitting, en route, we may stop at the famous wood carvers market in Okahandja; or the craft market on the main street in Windhoek to pick up the last few souvenirs. The tour ends at your accommodation of choice or; at the airport for your outward flight.

Classic: Breakfast
Superior: Breakfast and a light lunch (incl. a selection of local drinks)