14 Day Dunes, Culture and the Cape Adventure

Day :  Windhoek, Namibia

Upon your arrival in Windhoek, you will be transferred to your accommodation. Spend the evening with your group in Windhoek getting to know one another. Enjoy dinner at your guide’s favorite local restaurant, and experience Windhoek’s unique atmosphere and community vibe. The excitement of your greatest adventure awaits you as you sip on a cold beverage with strangers who share your love of stories, exploration, and living life fully.

It is very important that you have all of the necessary visas for this tour before the welcome meeting. Please make sure you read the visa section in our trip details in order to determine whether or not you will require a visa. There are some nationalities that are not able to obtain a visa on arrival at the border.

Accommodation: Urban Camp (or similar)

Day 2:  Windhoek – Waterberg Plateau, Namibia

We stop for lunch at Penduka Village Restaurant and Shop, just outside Windhoek, where you can stretch you legs and enjoy refreshments. After lunch, we make our way to the Waterberg Plateau. Here you have the afternoon to spend at your leisure. The Waterberg Plateau offers scenic hiking trails so feel free to spend the afternoon hiking, alternatively spend your afternoon unwinding next by the pool.

Accommodation: NWR Waterberg Campsite (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop
Distance: 305 km (4 – 5 hours travelling time)

Day 3: Waterberg Plateau – Etosha National Park, Namibia

As we enter the park, we embark on a game drive through Etosha’s massive arid pan in search of elephant, hippo, antelope herds and lions gathered around the waterholes. Once the sun has set, spend some time observing wildlife at the watering holes, located close to the secure camping space that is floodlit. Daytime game drive will be in the overland truck, with an optional open vehicle night game drives on offer with a naturalist guide at 750NAD.

Accommodation: Etosha National Park Okaukuejo Restcamp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Etosha National Park Wildlife Safari Drive in the Overland truck
Optional Activity: Etosha National Park Open Vehicle Wildlife Night Safari – 750 NAD
Distance: 300 km (4 – 5 hours travelling time)

Day 4: Etosha National Park, Namibia

Today is a full day of driving in the park in search of wildlife such as lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, blue wildebeest, springbok, zebra, and hyenas. There is again the option of joining in on an Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive (660NAD) with a naturalist guide who will take you in search of wildlife at dusk and into the early evening to view the nocturnal wildlife.

Accommodation: Etosha NP Okaukuejo Restcamp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Etosha National Park Wildlife Safari Drive in the Overland truck
Optional Activity: Etosha National Park Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive – 660 NAD

Day 5: Etosha National Park – Spitzkoppe, Namibia

In the morning we make our way south to the granite rocks of Spitzkoppe. You can explore on foot and spend the evening relaxing while looking up at the beautiful night’s sky! We will be roughing a bit in the bush tonight with long-drop toilets and no running water.

Accommodation: Spitzkoppe Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: 435 km (7 – 8 hours travelling time)

Day 6: Spitzkoppe – Swakopmund, Namibia

Leaving Spitzkoppe we travel through the coastal region on our way to Swakopmund – the adrenaline capital. We spend two evenings in this region, where you will have time to explore the town drenched in history. Swakopmund is home to spectacular lunar landscapes, vibrant sunsets and strange prehistoric Welwitchia vegetation.

Accommodation: Amanpuri Backpackers (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance: 425 km (7 – 8 hours travelling time)

Day 7: Swakopmund, Namibia

Today is free for you to explore Swakopmund and it’s many activities on offer:

• Sandboarding in the Namib Desert 700NAD per person – Grab a board and sail down the dunes for an adrenaline kick of note
• Skydiving in Swakopmund 3000NAD per person – Take a plummet into the skies of Namibia with your trusted and skilled instructor
• Swakopmund Guided Cultural Tour 550NAD per person – Enjoy a historical guided tour of the back streets of Swakopmund and visit the home of a local ethic Herero woman. Sip on local brews at a ‘shebeen’ (pub).
• Skeleton Coast Scenic Flight 4800NAD per person – Get a bird’s eye view of the ship wrecks, Damaraland and the unusual Spitzkoppe rock formations

Accommodation: Amanpuri Backpackers (or similar)
Meals: No meals will be provided today, offering you the chance to sample the local cuisine.

Day 8: Swakopmund – Namib Desert, Namibia

A long day of travelling awaits as we make our way to our camp on the edge of the Namib Desert, arriving in the afternoon. This is a truly remote area, giving you a sense of being alone with nature. You have the option of a desert walk with a local expert and learn about the desert and its mysteries.

Accommodation: Namib Desert Camp Boesman (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: 300 km (7 hours travelling time)

Day 9: Namib Desert, Namibia

This morning we explore Sesriem Canyon before continuing onto the desert dunes where we climb the famous Dune 45. Find yourself surrounded by the red sand dunes of Sossusvlei glimmering in the light of dusk as they form the gateway to the Namib Desert.

We will be visiting Sossusvlei today which is a clay pan enclosed by the world’s largest sand dunes and surrounding ancient dead trees. The Tsauchab River flows through the Sesriem Canyon every 5 – 10 years, thereby creating the nearby salt and clay pan of Sossusvlei. You can take an optional guided walk around the dunes or explore the area on your own.

Upon returning to your campsite, gather around the braai for a meal before retiring for the night with a view of the mountain shadows in the distance

Accommodation: Sossus Oasis Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Sesriem Canyon Visit and Dune 45 climb
Optional Activities: Sossusvlei Desert Walk – 180 NAD, Namib Desert Walk – 320 NAD
Distance: 5 hours travelling time

Day 10: Namib Desert – Fish River Canyon, Namibia

The Fish River stretches 650 kms in length, making it Namibia’s longest river. It’s source is located in the eastern Naukluft Mountains and runs southwest of Ai-Ais into the Oranje. The canyon itself is situated along the lower area of the Fish River, and is one of the most remarkable natural creations of Southern Africa. It runs 550 metres deep, 27 kilometres wide and is the oldest canyon in the world, formed around 500 million years back, with some of its bottom rocks aging up to about 2,600 million years. Cat fish can be found in the River and survive the arid seasons by digging into the mud and waiting for the water to return. The levels of the water are usually highest from February to April, and the highest known temperature at the Canyon’s floor is 58 degrees Celsius.

Take some time to explore the canyon rim and admire the dramatic sunset as it disappears behind the edge of the canyon. After snapping some amazing pics, we head back to camp for the rest of the evening.

Accommodation: Hobas Campsite (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Fish River Canyon Sunset Visit
Distance: 560 km (9 – 10 hours travelling time)

Day 11: Fish River Canyon – Orange River, South Africa

Making our way south, we cross the border into South Africa travelling to the banks of the Orange River where we will set up camp.

Following camp setup, we indulge in some early evening swimming, unwinding and maybe even some river canoeing (optional). Or just sit by the banks and watch the water wind it’s way to some heavy rapids.

Accommodation: Fiddlers Creek Rest Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activity: Canoeing on Orange River – 400 ZAR
Distance: 180 km (5 hours travelling time)

Day 12: Orange River – Cederberg, South Africa

Witness the large plantations of natural rooibos tea and marvel at the beautiful Western Cape scenery. We travel south to our camp on a local farm in the Cederberg Mountain area. Here, we visit a local vineyard, do some wine tasting and spend time exploring the camp surrounds in this stunning area of South Africa. There is also a swimming pool at the campsite where you can chill out.

Accommodation: Highlands Campsite (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activity: Wine tasting – 140 ZAR
Distance: 390 km (6 – 7 hours travelling time)

Day 13: Cederberg – Cape Town, South Africa

Before making our way to the cosmopolitan Cape Town, we visit !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre where you have the rare opportunity to interact with the young San women and men while learning about their fascinating history and cultural traditions.

Upon our early afternoon arrival in Cape Town, enjoy the majestic views of Table Mountain and opt to go on a final night out with the group.

Please note: We highly recommend booking an extra night or two in Cape Town before your flight home in order to fully explore this vibrant city.

Accommodation: Never at Home (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Highlight: !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre
Distance: 300 km (5 hours travelling time)

Day 14: Cape Town, South Africa

Our tour comes to an end after breakfast today however, we encourage you to spend an extra night in Cape Town to experience everything that the beautiful city has to offer.

Meals: Breakfast
Optional Activities: Wine tour and tasting – 1295 ZAR, Table Mountain Cable Car 300 – 380 ZAR, Table Mountain Hike – 720– 1700 ZAR, Two Oceans Aquarium – 220 ZAR, Cape Point and Boulders Beach Tour – 1100 ZAR, Tandem Paragliding – 1500 ZAR, Table Mountain Abseiling – 1350 ZAR, Sandboarding in the Atlantis Dunes – 900 ZAR.

Onward Travel Plans

Due to circumstances beyond our control while on tour (such as border crossings, traffic, breakdowns and delays, etc), the end time on the last day cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we strongly recommend you stay the night and fly out the next day. Please consult with your booking consultant.