Itinerary
The 13 Day Northern Classic Safari focuses on both comfort and a little adventure that begins in Windhoek and ends in Windhoek/Namibia. The safari takes the traveller through the Namib Desert of Namibia and through north western corner of the country focussing on the Himba people of Koakoveld and then through the Etosha national park to Windhoek
Included:
- Professional Guide
- Comfortable safari vehicle
- Accommodation as per Itinerary
- Meals as per Itinerary (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D- Dinner)
- 12 Nights Accommodated
- Park Entrance Fees
- Activities as per Itinerary
Excluded:
- Restaurant Meals as indicated
- Visa’s, Airport Transfers, Curios and Tips
- Optional Excursions and Activities not in itinerary
- Beverages
Highlights:
- Sossusvlei
- Swakopmund
- Cape Fur Seals and the Skeleton Coast
- The Himba people of Namibia
- The Etosha National Park
Day 01: Arrival in Windhoek. (Casa Piccolo or similar) 40km
Meet and greet at the Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure and dinner on own account at a restaurant of your own choice.
Day 02: Windhoek – Sesriem (Sossusvlei Lodge or similar) (B, L, D) 300km
Departing Windhoek by 8am, we head in a southerly direction through the cattle farmland towards the Namib Desert. Passing through the Nauchas we stop for a short break at the top of the Escarpment looking over the Spreetshoogte Pass. A short distance down the pass, we arrive at the small rest stop of Solitaire before continuing the last 80km to our lodge at Sesriem.
Day 03: Sossusvlei (Sossusvlei Lodge or similar) (B, L, D) 120km
An early pre-dawn departure from our lodge entering the park at sunrise. The 60km tar road leads the way into the Namib dune fields within the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Passing dune 45, we arrive at the 2x4 parking area, engage into 4x4 and continue the last 5km into the Dead Vlei pan. Climb one of the world’s highest dunes – for the fit and brave, or wander around the dead vlei pan before continuing to the Sossusvlei.
Exiting the area by 12:00 before the heat of the day sets in, we return to the lodge for a lunch and afternoon siesta or lie by the lodge pool enjoying the midday. A short visit to the Sesriem canyon late afternoon only 5km away ends a day of activities.
Day 04: Sossusvlei – Swakopmund (The Delight Hotel or similar) (B, L) 320km
A 9am morning departure to the harbour town of Walvis Bay via the Kuiseb canyon. We explore the small industrial town and its surrounding salt pans and lagoon before continuing to the coastal resort of Swakopmund.
The rest of the day is spent exploring this town and planning your next day’s adventure activities. These activities will be discussed with your guide the night before as its essential to make bookings. These activities include short scenic flights, Catamaran cruises, dune-boarding, quad-biking and so much more.
Dinner can be enjoyed at any one of the town’s best restaurants on own account
Day 05: Swakopmund (The Delight Hotel or similar) (B, D)
A lazy morning before the short trip to the harbour town of Walvis Bay. We explore the small industrial town and its surrounding salt pans and lagoon before continuing to the coastal resort of Swakopmund.
The rest of the day is spent exploring this town and planning your next day’s adventure activities. These activities will be discussed with your guide the night before as its essential to make bookings. These activities include short scenic flights, Catamaran cruises, dune-boarding, quad-biking and so much more.
Dinner can be enjoyed at any one of the town’s best restaurants.
Day 06: Swakopmund to Palmwag (Palmwag Lodge or similar) (B, L, D) 423km
Heading North Along the Atlantic Coastline, we stop on route at the Lichen fields just north of Hentiesbay. Continuing up the Skeleton Coast, we stop again at the Cape Fur Seal Colony. Thousands of seals congregate here due to unique sea current conditions in a bay that adds to their safety from predators as well as favourable survival conditions in terms of fish resources.
The Skeleton Coastline is a desert environment which meets the cold Benguela current creating cool conditions throughout the day. The coastline is named as such due to many ships over the years that have run aground as can be seen just north of the Ugab Gate entering the Park. We continue up the coastline and then turning inland into Damaraland arriving at our lodge late afternoon.
Day 07: Palmwag Lodge – Omarunga Epupa Falls Camp. (B, L, D) 410km
Heading north from Palmwag lodge through the Palmwag concession area and the Etendeka mountains, we pass through the small communal villages of Sesfontein and Opuwo. Keep a lookout for Elephants, Girrafe, Kudu, Zebra and Springbok along the way. Stopping along the way for a light lunch under the shade of a tree, we continue through Opuwo and Okongwati arriving at our lodge at the Epupa Falls late afternoon.
Nov: Day 08: Omurunga Epupa Falls Camp (B, L, D)
The highlight of the day is visiting a traditional Himba village with a local guide where we learn about the traditions and cultures of the Himba people. The Himba people of Namibia are still semi-nomadic and still live an authentic and traditional way of life. It is very important to know and respect this and to not in any way disrupt this way of life. The local guide will brief us on what we can do and what we cannot do to keep their traditional and cultures intact.
The rest of the day is spent at leisure enjoying the comforts of the lodge and the nearby Epupa Falls on the Kunene River which forms the border to Angola.
Optional Activities: (Inquire ahead of time for activity time and rate)
- Sundowner Walk – 2hrs
- Kunene River Walk – 2.5hrs
- River rafting – 2.5hrs
Day 09: Omuranga – Hobatere Lodge (B, L, D) 374km
A late morning departure heading south through the small town of Opuwo once again, we arrive at our next lodge at Hobatere Lodge early afternoon for a late lunch and an afternoon at leisure before taking part in a sundowner game drive. Hobatere lodge is situated on the border to the Etosha National Park and still within the North Western corner of Namibia communal areas reaching an aera size of 8800 hectares and thrive in wildlife such as the desert adapted Elephant and Lion.
Day 10: Hobatere Lodge – Etosha Safari Camp (B, L, D) 300km
An early start heading to the southern area of the park at the Anderson Gate. Our lodge situated just 15min south of the gate to the Etosha National Park. An early arrival in time for lunch and our first afternoon game drive into the Etosha national park
The Etosha National Park is one of the oldest parks on the African continent proclaimed in March 1907 by German South West Africa Governor, Friedrich von Lindequst. The park covers a total area size of 22,270 km² and is hope to all of the wildlife except for the Buffalo.
Day 11: Etosha National Park (Etosha Safari Camp or similar) (B, L, D)
A full day is spent covering the Western part of the Park exploring all of the watering holes in search of all the animals not sighted the day before. Late afternoon arrival back at the Lodge for a deserved swim in the pool and a cool drink to finish off the day before dinner.
Day 12: Etosha Safari Camp – Windhoek (Casa Piccolo or similar) (B, L) 405km
A lengthy drive back to the capital city, Windhoek. Mid-afternoon arrival back at our hotel where we can explore the city in your own time or relax at the hotel and prepare for the departure flight home the following day. Dinner on own account – recommended at Joes Beerhouse
Day 13: Departure (B)
Transfer to Hosea Kutako International Airport for your flight back home.
*Sandy Tracks reserves the right to amend the published accommodation in the itinerary at any time due to availability at the time of booking
Want to know more about this Safari – Contact Us
