A fascinating small-group voyage of discovery exclusively for Kuoni clients, the Namibian Odyssey showcases the dramatic array of beautiful natural features and attractions as well as the country’s surprisingly abundant and fabulously varied flora and fauna. An authentic African desert adventure.
MEAL PLAN → Breakfast throughout, plus dinner on days 3, 7, 8, 9.
ACCOMMODATION → Four and Five star lodges are mostly used. Alternatives to those shown may be used on occasion due to local availability or road conditions.
GROUP SIZE → Minimum 2, Maximum 16.
TRAVEL TIPS → In Namibia a sun hat and glasses are just as essential as a jumper for the evenings. A camera, suncream and binoculars are also recommended.
This tour is escorted by an English speaking local guide, including the extension.
Your itinerary
DAY 1 → Depart London Heathrow on your South African Airways flight via Johannesburg to Windhoek, arriving the following day.
DAY 2 → Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to the 4 star Windhoek Country Club for an overnight stay with an orientation tour of the city along the way. Later, meet your group and guide for an informative briefing on the journey ahead.
DAY 3 → Your Namibian Odyssey begins with a drive to Okonjima, home to the Africat Foundation where you can enjoy a close encounter with the sanctuary's rescued leopards and cheetahs. Overnight at Okonjima Bush Camp, with an optional afternoon game drive and cheetah tracking excursion.
DAY 4 → Perhaps enjoy an optional leopard tracking excursion, before heading north to the Etosha National Park, stopping along the way at the mining town of Tsumeb and Otjikoto Lake. Stay for two nights at the luxurious five-star Kempinski Mokuti Lodge from where you will enjoy big game drives in the tour vehicle, or optional open-sided vehicle game drives (extra cost).
DAY 6 → Spend a full day traversing the park east to west, stopping at waterholes along the way to view the big game. Arrive in the afternoon at the luxurious Eagle Tented Lodge, with time free for various optional activities or a relaxing visit to the spa.
DAY 7 → Travel south into Damaraland for two nights at the stunning Mowani Mountain Camp, nestled dramatically amongst giant boulders with dramatic views across the rocky plains. En route, visit an eerie petrified forest and the striking ‘Organ Pipes’ rock formation. Next day explore the sites of the area, including the ancient rock art of Twyfelfontain, hopefully encountering the famous desert elephants.
DAY 9 → After breakfast, depart the lodge, heading south-west to the coastal city of Swakopmund. Along the way, visit the impressive Cape Cross Seal Colony, home to up to 100,000 boisterous Cape fur seals. Stay two nights at the Long Beach Hotel with time at leisure for optional activities including marine cruises, desert tours and scenic flights.
DAY 11 → Delve deep into the fearsome Namib desert to seek out the unique Welwitschia Mirabilis desert flower. Continue into the desert for a two night stay at the Namib Desert Lodge, which is shadowed dramatically by enormous red sand dunes. Later, enjoy an optional sundowner drive to marvel at the beautiful shifting colour tones of the massive dunes around you. Next morning, rise early to witness a magnificent desert sunrise followed by an exploration of the massive dunes by 4X4 and on foot. Scale Dune 45 and walk on the ancient clay pans of Sossuslvei and the Dead Vlei, whose brilliant white is contrasted exquisitely by the ferric shades of the dunes and the vast blue sky – a photographic utopia. Later, visit the gorges and natural pools of Sesriem Canyon.
DAY 13 → Transfer back to Windhoek, in time for your departing South African Airways flight via Johannesburg overnight to Heathrow.
LUDERITZ, FISH RIVER CANYON AND THE KALAHARI
Continue your exploration of this vast land with a visit to the world’s second largest canyon and the Kalahari Desert.
DAY 13 → Continue south to the port of Luderitz, Namibia’s first Germanic settlement and site of the diamond rush. Overnight at the Nest Hotel with a late afternoon tour of the town. Next morning, visit the fascinating ghost town of Kolmanskop which is slowly being consumed by the irrepressible desert sands, before continuing on to the enormous Fish River Canyon, second in size only to the Grand Canyon. Spend two nights at the Vogelstrausskluft Lodge or similar with optional sightseeing the next day to the canyon.
DAY 16 → Head to Mariental Kalahari and stop for the night at the new Gondwana Self Sufficiency Farm for an interesting insight into sustainable farming, conservation and responsible tourism in an inhospitable desert of dunes and scrub that’s surprisingly rich in flora and fauna.
DAY 17 → After breakfast, return to Windhoek for your return South African Airways flight via Johannesburg to Heathrow, arriving the following morning.
Namibian Odyssey 11 Nights From Winhoek to Okonjima
TOUR DURATION: 11 NIGHTS
→ Windhoek: 1 night
→ Okonjima: 1 night
→ Etosha: 3 nights
→ Damaraland: 2 nights
→ Swakopmund: 2 nights
→ Sossusvlei: 2 nights
