Proposed Self-Drive Tour : 19 days / 18 nights

Transcription

1 Proposed Self-Drive Tour : 19 days / 18 nights Day 1: Arrival at the Hosea Kutako International Airport. Collect your vehicle and drive to your hotel in Windhoek (approx.42 km). At the reception all necessary vouchers for your tour through Namibia will be available. View Windhoek's many attractions like the "Alte Feste (old fort) or the "Tintenpalast" (Ink Palace). Casa Piccolo/ Villa Violet Bed / breakfast Day 2 + 3: Drive on the B6 direction airport, 3 km after the sign to the airport turn right in direction Nina (M51) After approx. 67 km turn right into D1471, after another 19 km you will reach your destination. Heimat is a real Namibian Farm. You will find cattle, sheep and goats, but also a number of game as there are Kudus, Oryx, Warthogs, Impala and Ostriches as well as a large variety of birds. You will enjoy the meals served with homemade products. In the evenings sitting around an open fire you may watch the stars. Farm Heimat (or similar) Day 04: Today you drive back the D1471 for about 15 km then you turn left into the D1482 until you reach the C23, turn right and drive another 8 km where you turn left and drive on the C15 via Uhlenhorst, Hoachanas and Stampriet in direction Gochas. 66 km after Stampriet you reach the lodge on the right hand side. (approx. 140 km) A game viewing drive is offered by the lodge. Auob Lodge Day 5: Travel approx. 100 km on the C23 in southerly direction before you reach the C17, which takes you in direction to Koës. 90 km after Koës you reach the Mesosaurus Fossil Camp, a very small rustic Camp. The guided fossil tour is something special and can be recommended. On the trail of the fossils you will visit three outcrops where the remains of the prehistoric Mesosaurus are exposed, which lived 280 million years ago. Further you will find the quiver tree and the so called giant s

2 playground. Meals can be provided on request, since this camp is actually for self catering. (approx. 190 km) Mesosaurus Fossil Camp (on request only) Day 6: After 40 km you reach Keetmanshoop turn on the B4 and travel in the direction to Lüderitz, after approx. 32 km turn-off to your left in the direction Naute Dam that you can view. Continue your journey on the D545 until you reached the junction C12 and drive further on this road in a southerly direction till you reached C37, turn-off to your right and after further 14 km you reach the Lodge. (approx. 130 km) Cañon Roadhouse/Lodge Day 7: Travel today to the nearby Fish River Canyon, the second largest Canyon in the world. A road running along the eastern edge of the Canyon leads to a series of viewing sites with splendid views of this grand natural phenomenon. The descent into the Canyon is not permitted!!! Return to the lodge and enjoy the rest of day at the lodge. Cañon Roadhouse/Lodge Day 8: Drive back to Holoog and proceed via Seeheim to the Farms Simplon and Sandverhaar. You drive on B4 direction Lüderitz, approx. 13 km east of Goageb you turn left into D462 and after 1.5 km you reach the entrance gate to Alte Kalköfen Lodge, the name was derived from two old ovens situated on the farms. The older oven was built in the middle 1850s and the newer one in 1910 with the purpose to produce line that was used for construction and agricultural purpose. Activities & excursions offered: Nature drive incl. old oven (2-3 hrs), Sundowner drives, Guided Walking trails (1-2 hrs) or unguided Walking trails. There is also a very interesting Lithoparium, where you can find a lot of different types of Lithops (living stones). Alte Kalköfen Lodge Day : Either spend the morning at Alte Kalköfen Lodge or travel directly through the Namib to Lüderitz. (approx. 230 km) The oldest town in Namibia at the Atlantic seaboard, was founded by the Bremen merchant,

3 Adolf Lüderitz in This was the first German settlement in the then "Südwestafrika". Explore this town with its historic buildings dating back to the German era. The surrounding landscape, with its bizarre coastlines, offshore islands and the Bogenfels (rock arch) is exceptionally fascinating (approx. 130 km). There are boat trips to Halifax Island, where penguins can be observed. Another sightseeing option is Kolmanskop, the old ghost-town, which was founded in the time of the Diamond rush and is only a few kilometers away from Lüderitz. This deserted town is slowly being immersed in the encroaching desert sand. Permits to visit Kolmanskop must be obtained at the office of Lüderitz Safaris & Tours in Bismarckstreet beforehand. A visit to the "Felsenkirche" and "Diaz Point" should not be missed. Lüderitz Nest Hotel Day : Travel back to Aus, after 3 km turn left into C13 and travel through the Neisip area till turn-off D707, drive along the edge of the Namib Desert s dunes and the Tiras Mountains. After 60 km a sign shows you the way to Namtib Desert Lodge, surrounded by the Tiras Mountains. (approx. 240 km) This lodge offers nature drives, walking trails, mountain climbing and scenic sundowners. Namtib Desert Lodge Dinner/bed/ breakfast Day 13: After breakfast you continue your journey to Betta and from here you travel the C27 in a northerly direction along the Nubib Mountains to the turn-off D845 in easterly direction, after 14 km you come across the C19 and travel this road in a northerly direction, after 6 km you reach your destination. (approx. 220 km) A Little Sossus Lodge Day 14: Leave very early to be on time at Sesriem. You travel the C19 further in a northerly direction and turn- off after approx. 26 km to your left into C27, after approx. 12 km you reach Sesriem. Explore Sossusvlei, a huge clay pan, which is surrounded by the highest dunes in the world. The last 5 km into the vlei, will necessitate the use of a 4 x 4 vehicle. Should you not

4 drive a 4 x 4 vehicle, you may make use of the Sossusvlei Shuttle, which departs from the 4x2 parking area. After your visit to Sossusvlei return to the parking area and travel on C27 back to C19 and continue in northerly direction via Solitaire to Rostock Ritz Desert Lodge. (approx. 290 km) Activities: 40 km demarcated hiking trails in the Gaub Canyons and the dunes of Rostock and nature drive Rostock Ritz Desert Lodge Day 15: Drive via Gaub- and Kuiseb Pass into the Namib. Either drive directly via Walvis Bay to Swakopmund or drive via the waterholes Ganab and Hotsas to the Welwitschia Plain and the Moon Valley (permit required) and continue your journey to Swakopmund. (approx. 270 km) Hotel Eberwein Day 16: Enjoy your day at the Atlantic coast. Hotel Eberwein Optional: Dolphin Cruise: which starts from the Walvis Bay Yacht Club, takes you through the harbour and lagoon area. If in luck, Dolphins may be observed swimming alongside the boat. Seals and a myriad of sea birds can also be observed. On board the boat you will be treated to South African sparkling wine or soft drinks, fresh oysters and snacks. This activity should be booked in advance. Optional: Sailing excursion aboard a catamaran. Departure at 08h30 from the Walvis Bay Yacht Club. Set sail for Pelican Point, where a large Seal colony and playful Dolphins will entertain you. The trip is rounded off with fresh oysters, snacks and sparkling wine. The cruise last between 2 ½ - 3 hours. This activity should be booked in advance. Optional: Pick up at your hotel. Start of your half-day tour into the Namib Desert, the Moon Valley and the Welwitschia mirabilis plain. All above Optional -Prices on request

5 Day 17: Depart from Swakopmund on the B2 pass the Martin Luther via Usakos, Karibib and Wilhelmstal, here turn to your right onto the D1967 and reach after 35 km the Guestfarm, the place with many hills. (approx. 220 km) You can explore fauna and flora during a leisurely horse ride or game drive. At night the observatory offers itself to look at the stars of the southern hemisphere. Okomitundu Guestfarm Day 18: After breakfast continue to Windhoek via the small town of Okahandja. (approx. 155 km) Casa Piccolo / Villa Violet (or similar) Bed/ breakfast Day 19: Return your rental car. Transfer to the Hosea Kutako International Airport. End of the tour