Namibia 11 Day Pioneer

Our adventure in Namibia begins in the capital city of Windhoek at 14h00. After a short tour briefing and "meet and greet", we set off exploring Windhoek, viewing the attractions of the city before ending the day welcoming the warm hospitality at the infamous Joe's Beerhouse restaurant. Tonight we spend in comfort at our hotel and prepare for the next day's adventure. Meals: Dinner own expense Distance: +- 30 km Accommodation: Mercure hotel Windhoek Included Highlights/Activity: - Windhoek city tour Optional Activities: - None, all included

Leaving the city lights behind we enter the heart of the Namib, taking in its vast plains, red dunes, towering mountains and ever changing landscapes. Late afternoon, we reach the Greenfire Desert Camp, a remote camp nestled against a rock outcrop, within a conservancy that forms part of the vast Namib Rand Nature Reserve, and home for the next two nights. The reserve gives life to a variety of desert adapted fauna and flora and many an animal species. Enjoy an extensive walk as well as a day and a night desert drive during our time here. Meals: B L D Distance: 425 km Accommodation: Camping (2 person dome tents) - Greenfire Desert Camp or Accommodation Upgrade Included Highlights/Activity: - Private Desert Camp - Private Desert Reserve Optional Activities: - None, all included

We awake to desert vistas that extend further than the eye can see. All animals here exist in completely natural surroundings, and are free to move unrestricted over the full extent of the reserve. Our expert guide will help us understand the unique desert fauna and flora, so today we start off with an ecology walk in this beautiful environment, searching for animals, foot prints, and signs of the behaviour and survival strategies that allow them to exist in these harsh conditions. During the heat of the day guests have time to relax at the camp, or to explore the surrounding area on foot, should they wish to. Mid-afternoon we depart on a desert drive, up and over the magnificent dunes. As the evening approaches, a traditional sundowner drink is enjoyed while the sun dips over the African landscape. Once dark, we slowly drive back to camp anticipating to encounter some of the nocturnal animals adapted to living in the desert. Meals: B L D Distance: Desert drive Accommodation: Camping (2 person dome tents) - Greenfire Desert Camp or Accommodation Upgrade Included Highlights/Activity: - Open-vehicle desert drive - Desert walk - Private Desert Reserve Optional Activities: - None, all included

Setting off early, we cross the endless desert plains to the Sesriem Canyon and the awesome red Sossusvlei dunes - reputedly the highest in the world. We transfer into the heart of the dunes, to spend some time climbing these spectacular mountains of sand, before taking a 4x4 transfer into Sossusvlei and Deadvlei - a clay pan characterized by dark dead camel thorn trees against the white pan floor. We explore these truly unique sites on foot, before the 4x4's take us back to our vehicle. In the afternoon we visit the Sesriem Canyon, before continuing to our camp-site for the night. Meals: B L D Distance: 200 km Accommodation: Camping (2 person dome tents) - Sossus on Foot Campsite or Accommodation Upgrade Included Highlights/Activity: - Sesriem Canyon - Sossusvlei - Deadvlei - 4x4 transfer into these areas - Dune climbing Optional Activities: - None, all included

Crossing through Kuiseb Canyon, and the Namib-Naukluft National Park, we make our way to the port town of Walvis Bay, and then on to Swakopmund, where German influence still lingers from late 1800's, and spend two nights in comfortable accommodation. We explore this holiday town and its surrounds thoroughly, and enjoy both our evening meals at local restaurants (own expense). Swakopmund is a must-see for any visitor, and offers guests a variety of adventure activities. Clients have the opportunity to partake in quad biking, sand boarding and skydiving whilst here (own expense). For those that simply want to relax, the town offers a variety of restaurants and shops, where one can get a feel for the local culture. Meals: B L; B (Dinner on Day 5, lunch and dinner on Day 6 all own expense) Distance: 290 km on Day 5 Accommodation: Amanpuri Lodge Included Highlights/Activity: - Scenic drive through Namib-Naukluft National Park - Swakopmund Optional Activities: - Skydive - Quad bikes - Dune boarding - Desert tours - Boat cruises

Today we head north up the harsh Skeleton Coast, a barren stretch of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, with scattered ship wrecks, littering the beaches. We visit Cape Cross, a spectacular breeding ground for Cape fur Seals where more than a 100 000 seals take refuge. We then venture back inland, travelling through the vast desert to the iconic Brandberg Mountain, the highest mountain in Namibia, and view a canvas of ancient rock art. Those not up for the walk can remain in camp and enjoy the beautiful surrounding views. Tonight we snuggle in at the foot of the mountain, hoping to encounter the elusive rare desert elephant. Meals: B L D Distance: 330 km Accommodation: Camping (2 person dome tents) - Brandberg or Accommodation Upgrade Included Highlights/Activity: - Cape Cross seal colony - Brandberg White Lady Optional Activities: - None, all included

Our trip takes us to breath taking Damaraland, region and home of the Damara people. Along the way we include several stops including visiting the Organ Pipes - formed about 150 million year ago, and the Ancient Rock Engravings at Twyfelfontein before reaching our camp for the night in the Khorixas area. Meals: B L D Distance: 200 km Accommodation: Camping (2 person dome tents) - Khorixas or Accommodation Upgrade Included Highlights/Activity: - Twyfelfontein - Damaraland Optional Activities: - None, all included

Making our way further north, we enter the renowned Etosha National Park, arguably the highlight of the tour. Becoming one with nature we enjoy two days of exploring the park. During these days we conduct extensive game drives, visiting little water holes, exploring, letting your senses free, making the most of our time in the park. In peak season when the park rest camps are very busy tours might stay outside the park and go in and out for game drives. Meals: B L D; B L D Distance: 250 km on Day 9, & roughly 120 km game drive on Day 10 Accommodation: Camping (2 person dome tents) - Etosha area or Accommodation Upgrade Included Highlights/Activity: - 2 days within the Park - Extensive game viewing opportunities Optional Activities: - None, all included

An early morning, we pack up and begin our journey back to civilization. The drive to Windhoek will take the majority of the day and the tour will officially come to an end in the late afternoon on arrival back in the capital city. Meals: B Distance: 540 km Included Highlights/Activity: - Scenic drive to Windhoek

1 NIGHT HOTEL, 2 NIGHTS LODGE 7 NIGHTS CAMPING Guests have the option to upgrade into accommodation on every night of the tour. This service can be booked in advance at a premium.

An overland expedition vehicle is used for this tour.

Most of the meals on this tour are included in the tour price. When a meal is not included, it is highlighted in the tour itinerary.