Family Wilderness Expedition (High Season) Accommodated Tour

This morning, A Tour Guide from Nali Safaris will collect you from your various accommodation establishments or from the Windhoek International Airport (assuming you land before 08h00). You then depart Windhoek in your safari vehicle with your private guide and head north via Okahandja town for a short visit to a local market, to shop for woodcarvings and curios. The local community operates the stalls on a co-operative basis and the market is a perfect place to do last minute shopping for truly Namibian souvenirs.

We then proceed to Kambaku Wildlife Reserve to experience wild animals in the wild, exciting activities in the savannah, wellness sessions in the spa and culinary delights in this wonderful lodge. Enjoy unforgettable encounters with the nature and animals of Africa. On KAMBAKU you will discover Africa on game drives and hikes in the savannah, on horseback safari, on game drives through the reserve and while watching game at waterholes. KAMBAKU is a great destination for a family safari: children and adults alike can discover nature in a variety of ways and allow themselves to be pampered by our service.

At KAMBAKU you will experience the savannah in harmony with nature. Wildlife experiences take you through the Kambaku Wildlife Reserve every morning and afternoon.  For children there is a large playground in the shade of an acacia tree. In addition, various board and card games, a selection of books and a bar with TV offer variety on your dream holiday.

Get up close and personal with Africa in safari jeeps and hiking boots, on mountain bikes and watching wildlife: – Encounter the wild animals of the savannah on game drives and learn more about Namibia’s nature. – Get to know the plants and animals of the bush savannah on a guided hike. – Observe wild animals from high perches and learn more about their behavior from a guide.

After exciting experiences in the savannah, an extended safari ride, a hike or bike ride over the 60 km long network of paths around the lodge or simply to enjoy a soothing break in between, a visit to our spa is a good idea. Relaxing massages and revitalizing treatments with nourishing natural products promise relaxation for body and mind.

After a leisurely breakfast we depart for Etosha National Park just 4 kilometers outside the park gate. Etosha is home to 4 of the Big 5 (elephant, rhino, leopard and lion) as well as a vast quantity of game and birdlife. Etosha’ s essence is the vast Etosha Pan, an immense, flat, saline desert that, for a few days each year, is converted by rain into a shallow lagoon teeming with flamingos and pelicans. In contrast, late in the dry season, everything, from the elephants to the once-golden grasslands, seems cast, spectrelike, in Etosha’s white chalky dust. And what wildlife there is! Even if you’ve had a taste of African wildlife watching previously, you are likely to be mesmerized by it here.

You arrive late afternoon in Etosha area just 40 meters outside Etosha National Park at your accommodation of Mokuti Etosha Lodge and you will stay here for one night whilst you explore the remarkable sights of the eastern side of the park with your guide. If there is still time today, your guide will take you to nearby wildlife waterholes to begin your wildlife viewing experience. However, if you prefer, you can just relax and soak in the scenic and tranquil surroundings at the lodge.

Mokuti Etosha Lodge is proud to announce it’s reopening on the 5th of March after a rigorous refurbishment. Not only have we recreated the exterior of the lodge under the theme “Africa Reimagined” but every touchpoint of the guest journey has been optimized and upgraded to offer you the best Safari experience Africa has to offer.

Arriving at Mokuti – a mere 40 meters from the Etosha Gate – is an experience on its own. A new contemporary safari experience greets you and will leave you speechless as you arrive at the Porte Cochere with its uninterrupted view through the lobby to the pool bar. The gardens are magnificent, with cool rippling water features that accompany you as you step out of the lobby to the water lounge. Uninterrupted views and gardens that interact with the living spaces create an inviting, friendly, comfortable and relaxing atmosphere, which sets the tone for your stay at Mokuti Etosha.

This morning you will need to rise early for a magical wildlife encounter’s experience with your guide in the famous Etosha National Park, normally setting off before sunrise with luck on your side, you will observe nocturnal animals in the early mornings. Today you will spend a full day in this world-class game park in your touring vehicle, visiting a number of waterholes to observe the wildlife.

Etosha translated, means ‘The place of dry water’ and here we get our first view of the magnificent salt pan.  Etosha National Park is home to 114 different mammal species including zebra, springbok, eland, oryx, kudu, giraffe and the all-important big four: the lion, the leopard, the elephant and black and white rhino.  The wide variety of animals guarantee impressive game viewing.  Etosha is also a bird watchers’ paradise, with more than 340 bird species recorded in the park.

**Memorable Moment: The Etosha Pan is a vast, bare, open expanse of shimmering green and white that covers around 4 800km², almost a quarter of the beautiful Etosha National Park.  At 130 km’s long and up to 50km’s wide in places, it is comfortably the largest salt pan in Africa and is the park’s most distinctive and dramatic feature, visible even from space.**

You then make a lunch stop at Halali Wildlife Resort located in the middle of the park. After lunch you proceed with game viewing on your way to overnight accommodation. The rest of the remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure (from experience, this is usually welcomed after an exhilarating full day game viewing seated in the vehicle).

We rise early this morning for a day which is sure to prove most memorable. With their intricate hairstyles and traditional adornments, the Himba are one of Namibia’s most distinctive tribes. We spend time with these proud people, learning about their captivating heritage and special way of life. From the small settlement near Kamanjab we then head via Khorixas, the capital of the Damaraland region to arrive at our lodge in the afternoon.

The lodge offers 56 beautifully appointed rooms of various layout and sleeping arrangements. Whether travelling alone, as a group, or extended family, our Twin, Double, Triple and Interleading Rooms can accommodate your required sleeping needs. Decorated with natural materials according to the local African theme and rounded off with luxury linen, guests are spoiled with comfort and serenity amidst an arid desert backdrop – a comfortable experience with a lifetime of memories.

Damaraland: The breath-taking mountainous region of Damaraland is home to an assortment of desert-adapted wildlife such as elephant, rhino, zebra and lion, which eke out an existence in this near-barren landscape. A not-to-be-missed attraction is the picturesque Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain, which is home to thousands of ancient rock paintings – most notably the White Lady. The rocky outcrops of Twyfelfontein feature exceptional Bushmen engravings, which are considered to be some of the best-preserved etchings on the continent.

An early start to see the highlights of Damaraland – one of the last true wilderness areas in Africa. Craggy mountains and table-flat plateaux unfolding towards deep-red kopjes and oft-dry plains: rocks are the key to Damaraland’s scenic beauty. With no permanent rivers, few inhabitants and a smattering of wildlife, this is a place to unwind, to watch and to wonder. We visit the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, the fascinating geological features such as the Organ Pipes and Burnt Mountain.

Twyfelfontein: A true landmark situated in the heart of one of the world’s most magnificent wilderness regions. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Twyfelfontein in Damaraland is home to one of the largest collections of rock-art engravings found in Southern Africa. Not only did the Khoi-San and tribes of ancient years leave us with a true cultural heritage, but the whole area is characterised by natural wonders such as Doros Crater, Burnt Mountain, Organ Pipes, Petrified Forest and desert-adapted animals – of which the desert-adapted elephant is probably the most well-known species.

After a visit to these geological sites, we depart to the charming coastal town of Swakopmund. The drive today takes you southwest through awesome and ever changing landscapes passing through some small settlement towns of Kamanjab, Uis. You will meet the ocean at the coastal town of Henties Bay and then continue south to Swakopmund where you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location and cooler coastal air for your next two nights. There will be time this afternoon to explore the town and wander along the waterfront on foot, before heading off for dinner at a popular restaurant which specializes in locally harvested seafood.

Swakopmund: Swakopmund resembles a small, German coastal resort nestled between the desert and the sea. It boasts a charming combination of German colonial architecture blended with modern hotels, shops, restaurants, museums, craft centres, galleries and cafés. Swakopmund had its beginnings as a landing station in 1892 when the German Imperial Navy erected beacons on the site. Settlers followed and made attempts to create a harbor town by constructing a concrete Mole and then an iron jetty – which attempts were ultimately unsuccessful.

The advent of World War one halted developments, and the town sank into decline until half a century later when infrastructure improved and an asphalt road opened between Windhoek and Swakopmund. This made reaching the previously isolated town quicker and easier and it prospered once again to become Namibia’s premier resort town. Although the sea is normally cold for swimming there are pleasant beaches and the cooler climate is refreshing after time spent in the desert.

Today is a free day. The idea is to allow time for everybody to do their own thing. Swakopmund is a very pleasant seaside town with lots of shops, a good stretch of beach (although the Atlantic here is quite cold) and an open-air curio market. There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium is located in Swakopmund.

Alternatively, there are various optional activities that can be arranged. These include airplane and microlight flights over the desert, scenic drives, fishing trips (both from the beach or in a boat), four-wheel motorcycle (quad bike) trips into the desert and over the sand dunes around Swakopmund, sand boarding trips (also in the dunes), skydiving, surfing, bird-watching and many other activities are available.

Your tour guide will discuss all the possible options with you before you reach Swakopmund and will offer to make bookings in advance of your arrival. Note: All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are made at the clients own risk and expense.

This morning we depart to Sesriem area, we proceed through the southern region of the Namib Naukluft Park, the Kuiseb Canyon, and the Gaub Pass before we reach our accommodation. You arrive at the Lodge in the afternoon and you will stay here for two nights whilst you explore the remarkable sights of the Namib Desert.

Discover the fossilised dunes, the red dunes above the plateau and the many wonders of the Namib Desert on this guided drive around Gondwana Namib Park. Refreshments and a light snack included. Sundowner Dune Drive: Approx. 2 hours, departure: 2 hours before sunset, min. 4 persons. (Activity with the lodge is on clients own account)

Complementing the magnificence of a red sand sea, Namib Desert Lodge lies at the foot of ancient fossilised dunes. Make some space for wonder. A sunset or early morning drive through the red dunes exploring the sand masterpiece is breath-taking. Atop the ridge as the sand begins to glow deep rich sienna, a view of utter beauty is illuminated in gold, extending from the soft dunes around you to the green ribbon of riverine trees in the distance and the purple-blue mountains. Tolkien would be taken aback – and inspired, I’m sure, by such fantastical scenery! One of the Sossusvlei lodges, Namib Desert Lodge is imbued with its own special character.

Enjoy the relaxed and friendly ambience while cooling off at the pool, watching gemsbok arrive at the waterhole to drink, walking the trails into the dunes or dining in the cosy restaurant. Down-to-earth and homely, it is a place to put up feet, explore, discover and love. For the ultimate desert experience, spend a night in the dunes at Dune Star Camp. An intimate adventure, this slick and simple hideaway stands alone deep in the Namib Desert.

The spacious wooden bungalows have beds with wheels to enable guests to sleep out under the stars and a dining area with a large wooden deck affords the best views of the landscape. Be prepared to fill up with desert splendour and a renewed energy for the incredible adventure of Life. Enjoy the quiet at Namib Desert Lodge away from the bustle around Sesriem, 60km away. Ideal for groups, families or individual travellers, there is space for all. A trip to Namibia is only complete with a sojourn in the Namib Desert.

This morning you will need to rise early before sunrise for a magical excursion with your guide in the Namib Naukluft National Park, normally setting off before sunrise to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows accentuate the towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world and your guide will give you an insight on the formation of the Namib Desert and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environs. Once you have explored Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and surrounding dune fields to your heart’s content you return to Sesriem area for lunch, with the option to visit Sesriem Canyon afterwards. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure (from experience, this is usually welcomed after an exhilarating morning in the dunes).

Sossusvlei: This most frequently visited section of the massive 50,000 km² Namib Naukluft National Park has become known as Sossusvlei, famous for its towering apricot coloured sand dunes which can be reached by following the Tsauchab River valley. Sossusvlei itself is actually a clay pan set amidst these star shaped dunes which stand up to 300 meters above the surrounding plains, ranking them among the tallest dunes on earth.

The deathly white clay pan contrasts against the orange sands and forms the endpoint of the ephemeral Tsauchab River, within the interior of the Great Sand Sea. The river course rises south of the Naukluft Mountains in the Great Escarpment. It penetrates the sand sea for some 55 km before it finally peters out at Sossusvlei, about the same distance from the Atlantic Ocean. Until the encroaching dunes blocked its course around 60,000 years ago, the Tsauchab River once reached the sea; as ephemeral rivers still do in the northern half of the Namib.

Sand-locked pans to the west show where the river previously flowed to before dunes shifted its endpoint to where it currently gathers at Sossusvlei. Roughly once a decade rainfall over the catchment area is sufficient to bring the river down in flood and fill the pan. On such occasions the mirror images of dunes and camel thorn trees around the pan are reflected in the water.

Sossusvlei is the biggest of four pans in the vicinity. Another, famous for its gnarled and ghostly camel thorn trees, is Deadvlei which can be reached on foot over 1 km of sand. Deadvlei’s striking camel thorn trees, dead for want of water, still stand erect as they once grew. They survived until about 900 years ago when the sand sea finally blocked the river from occasionally flooding the pan.

Sesriem Canyon: Sesriem Canyon has evolved through centuries of erosion by the Tsauchab River which has incised a narrow gorge about 1.5 km long and 30 meters deep into the surrounding conglomerates, exposing the varying layers of sedimentation deposited over millions of years. The shaded cool depths of the canyon allow pools of water to gather during the rainy season and remain for much of the year round.

These pools were a vital source of water for early settlers who drew water for their livestock by knotting six (ses) lengths of rawhide thongs (riems) together, hence the canyon and surrounding area became known as Sesriem.

Today we have a leisurely breakfast and after breakfast, we depart to Windhoek via the Remhoogte Pass – although this pass is not as steep as the Spreetshoogte, it offers beautiful scenery and weather condition permits. Expect to arrive in the city at around 13:30pm, although please note that times may vary.

END OF SAFARI