Blessed with well – maintained and often empty roads, Namibia by vehicle is an event one can only truly appreciate when they have done it for themselves, you know our destinations are world renowned but do you know that getting there is just as epic? Alright, you love the scenery and the vast open plains bring you satisfaction, almost make you feel at ease, however you do not buy into the idea of having to ferry yourself across the country to our iconic locations. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to guided safaris. Travel in comfort and with the peace of mind that you are in the hands of an elite naturalist guide, a naturalist guide whose only concern during your stay is that you are comfortable, content and curious. This ensures that all you need to be concerned about is how much charge your camera battery has….and even then, he will be on hand to assist. Your guide will fill the role of chauffeur, friend, and concierge extraordinaire. Blessed with an intimate knowledge of the country and a knack for making others feel good, your guide will carry with him, the spirit of Essence lifestyle.
Trip Highlights
- Travel Namibia with a reputable private guide
- Drive to the Eastern Boundary of Etosha National Park
- Stay at Mushara Bush Camp
- Drive from the Eastern Boundary to the Southern Boundary of Etosha National Park
- Stay at Taleni Etosha Village
- Take Part on Guided game drives within the Etosha National Park with your own personal guide
- Marvel are scenic Damaraland
- Stay at Grootberg Lodge
- Track desert adapted wildlife in ephemeral river systems.
- Spend time on Namibia’s Atlantic coast at Swakopmund
- Kayak with seals on the Atlantic Ocean or enjoy a memorable cruise aboard a catamaran.
- Spend time in the oldest desert on the planet at Sossusvlei
- Stay at Desert Homestead Lodge
Trip in Summary
Day 1
After arriving at the Windhoek International airport a representative of Essence Lifestyle will transfer you to Essence Lifestyle where you spend your first night in Namibia. Kickback and relax to save some energy for the memorable 12 days that lie ahead of you. Your guide will come to Essence lifestyle (or if you are staying somewhere else in the city he will meet you there for a detailed meet and greet and dinner).
Destination: Windhoek
Stay: Essence Lifestyle (or similar)
Type: Boutique Guesthouse
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 2
After breakfast this morning, you head north on Namibia’s B1 to the Eastern Boundary of Etosha National Park where you will be spending the following two days. Your camp for this stay is Mushara Bush Camp. Offering comfortable accommodation and a great platform from which to explore the eastern side of the national park.
Destination: Eastern Etosha Boundary
Stay: Mushara Bush Camp (or similar)
Type: Tented Lodge
Basis: Full Board (All meals + excursions with private guide)
Day 3
This morning you head into the Etosha National Park with your private guide for a day full of memorable wildlife viewing. He will stop at the most active waterholes and be on a constant lookout for the elusive animals ensuring you are able to get the maximum out of your excursion. lunch will be held withing in the park, giving you some time to stretch your legs and to catch your breath during what should be an exhilarating experience. This afternoon is reserved for a memorable sundowner drive with a Mushara guide and vehicle on a shared basis.
Destination: Etosha National Park
Stay: Mushara Bush Camp (or similar)
Type: Tented Lodge
Basis: Full Board (All meals + Etosha National Park excursion with private guide + afternoon sundowner drive with Mushara guide on shared basis)
Day 4
After breakfast this morning you set off with your guide on an extended game drive across the Etosha National Park. You’ll be making your way from the Eastern Boundary of the Park to the Southern Boundary where the difference in the rainfall gradient will allow for a more diverse range of animal sightings. Pay attention to how the vegetation changes from area to area and feel the breath of the African savannah on your face.
Destination: Southern Etosha National Park Boundary
Stay: Taleni Etosha Village (or similar)
Type: Tended Lodge
Basis: Full Board (All meals + excursions with Private guide)
Day 5
After breakfast this morning you and your guide head to Namibia’s north west and scenic Damaraland where you will be spending the following two nights at Grootberg Lodge, Damaraland is characterized by a cascade of varying textures and elevations and its undoubtedly one of the most captivating places on the planet. You will arrive in the mid afternoon and the rest of the day can be spent at leisure as you make yourself at home.
Destination: Damaraland
Stay: Grootbeg Lodge
Type: Lodge
Basis: Full Board (All meals + excursions with Private guide)
Day 6
After breakfast today you take part on an exciting Elephant tracking activity with your private guide, this will take you deep into the ephemeral river systems that define this area, giving you a first hand looking at some of the worlds most resilient animals. Surviving on unbelievably small amounts of water desert adapted wildlife almost seem to be an anomaly in these areas but as your guide broadens your understanding of their ecosystem you will realize that mother nature provides for all.
Destination: Damaraland
Stay: Grootberg (Or Similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Full Board (all meals and private activities with your guide)
Day 7
After breakfast this morning you head south this time to Namibia’s Atlantic coast where you will be spending the following two nights in Swakopmund. A change of scenery will be welcomed as you exchange the desert and grassland savannah heat of the Namib Desert and the Etosha Surrounds, for the cooler air of the Atlantic. Dinner tonight will be held at one of Swakopmunds many fine dining establishments with your guide.
Destination: Swakopmund
Stay: The Delight Hotel (Or Similar)
Type: Coastal Hotel
Basis: Full Board (all meals and private activities with your guide)
Day 8
After breakfast this morning you head to Walvis Bay with your guide where you will take part on an exciting kayaking excursion on the Atlantic. You are joined by curious seals and if you’re lucky, even some bottlenose dolphins and Whales. Alternatively if you do not want to get too wet, you can take part on a Dolphin cruise aboard a catamaran. Both are bound to leave you with a sense of satisfaction as you share the waters with some of the oceans most beloved animals. Dinner tonight will be held at the Tug restaurant where you can expect one of the best sea food sit downs in the country!
Destination: Swakopmund
Stay: The Delight (or similar)
Type: Coastal Hotel
Basis: Full Board (all meals and private activities with your guide) + morning Catamaran Cruise OR morning Kayaking Excursion
Day 9
Following a delectable breakfast at the Delight Hotel today, you continue south, making your way to the depths of the Namib Desert for a two night in the Sossusvlei area. The road to Sossusvlei is breathtaking and takes you through landscapes which will question your understanding and have you wondering if you’re even on Earth. Thankfully your guide will be on hand on assure you that you are in-fact on the mother planet and that the Namib has just taken your breath away. If you have time this morning your guide will take you to the geographical site that is the sesriem canyon, if not you will still have the opportunity to see it tomorrow.
Destination: Sossusvlei
Stay: Desert Homestead Lodge (or similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Full Board (all meals and private activities with your guide)
Day 10
Following a light breakfast early this morning your guide will drive to Sossusvlei where will spend a few hours seeing the most famous of the Namib Desert’s treasures. You leave early so as to arrive at the dunes near sunrise where the soft early light accentuates the curves of the towering dunes, a photographer’s paradise and a worthy destination to spend the end of your Namibian journey at. After exploring the dunes to your hearts content you make your way back to Desert Homestead Lodge where you can spend the afternoon at leisure taking in the sights and sounds of the Namib
Destination: Sossusvlei
Stay: Desert Homestead Lodge (or similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Full Board (all meals and private activities with your guide)
Day 11
After breakfast this morning you depart northwards and head back to where your journey Started, the capital city Windhoek. Bid farewell to your guide and we hope you had nothing short of a wonderful time during your stay. If you are staying at Essence Lifestyle we have a wonderful surprise in store for you.
Destination: Windhoek
Stay: Essence Lifestyle (or similar)
Type: Boutique Hotel
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 12
After breakfast this morning and depending on the time of your international flight, you are transferred to the Hosea Kutako International Airport in time for your international departure flight. We hope to see you soon!
Breakfast
Included
- Transfers as specified
- Air-conditioned tour vehicle suitable to tackling the Namibian Road in luxury.
- Accommodation on the meal & activity basis specified
- Tourism levies, VAT, Park Entry fees, & community conservation contributions
- 24/7 on the ground support
- Mineral water on the tour vehicle.
- Entrance Fees to all sightseeing attractions and National Parks as indicated
- Experienced English – speaking guide throughout
- Afternoon Sundowner Drive at Mushara Bush Camp
- Morning Kayaking Excursion or Catamaran Dolphin cruise whilst at Swakopmund.
- Private Etosha National Park Drives
- Private Elephant Tracking Excursion whist at Grootberg Lodge
- Morning Kayaking Excursion or Catamaran Dolphin cruise whilst at Swakopmund.
- Private Sossusvlei Excursion whilst at Desert Homestead Lodge
Excluded
- International flights
- Vehicle fuel
- Personal insurance
- Any drinks, meals, or activities not specified in the itinerary
