Expedition in Wild Lands (EWL) – Guided Tour – 13 Days | Windhoek to Windhoek

Day 1
Erindi

Welcome at the airport by your French speaking guide. Transfer to Windhoek and lunch at the Windhoek Country Club. Briefing of contracts at the hotel and verification of vehicles, driver’s license, and passport.

Departure by the B1, to reach Okahandja located 70 km north of Windhoek. A small quiet town of 8000 inhabitants, situated at the edge of the Swakop River and famous for its craft market. Continue to the Erindi Game Reserve. Installation at your hotel. Aperitif at sunset and dinner at the lodge.

Overnight at Old Traders Lodge

Day 2
Erindi

After breakfast, you will go on a morning safari in a 4×4 vehicle; this will be an opportunity to exercise your observation skills to look for animals that you haven’t seen yet. A lunch will follow the morning safari at the lodge.
In the afternoon, departure for another 4×4 safari and to end this day with an aperitif at sunset in the bush. Dinner will be at the lodge

Overnight at Old Traders Lodge

Day 3
Damaraland

After breakfast, departure to Omaruru in route to Twyfelfontein on the C36 to the Ugab River. You will have the opportunity to see the small villages of Damaraland swarmed along the trail as well as visit Twyfelfontein, UNESCO World Heritage Site for its engravings and rock paintings. Continuing the journey, we will go right at the intersection on the C35 for 27 km, then left on the D2612, where you will enjoy an in-route picnic lunch. After arrival and installation at the lodge, there will be an aperitif at sunset, followed by dinner at the lodge.

Overnight at Palmwag Lodge.

Day 4
Damaraland

After a delicious breakfast, you will embark on a full day guided safari on a 4×4 vehicle around the Palmwag Concession to see the spectacular landscapes and wildlife like zebra, kudu, oryx, ostriches, hyenas, black rhinoceros, desert elephants, giraffe, and many more. Bush Picnic lunch and return to the lodge at the end of the afternoon. Aperitif at sunset and dinner at the lodge.

Overnight at Palmwag Lodge.

Day 5
Koakoland

After breakfast, the journey continues driving through a beautiful road to reach Sesfontein, where we’ll stop for a picnic lunch and then proceed to Puros. From this point, your raid begins in the most mythical part of Namibia, almost virgin of human presence. In total autonomy, you will discover the great virgin spaces of Kaokoland. Sesfontein is the last point of supply of food or fuel. Aperitif at sunset and dinner prepared by your guide at the camp.

Overnight at Puros campsite

Day 6
Hoarusib River

After breakfast prepared by your guide, you will have a full day on the banks of the Hoarusib River, north of Sesfontein Station, a gathering place for Himba pastors. A campsite run by the Himba community offers a pleasant stop in a friendly environment; this is the last water point before the desert stretches of Kaokoland, except for Orupembe. During the rainy season, the river floods and flows towards the ocean. This valley constitutes a particular ecosystem; an oasis in the middle of a dry and arid environment, this river which flows seasonally attracts a diverse fauna particularly adapted to the arid conditions of this region; one may find lions, elephants, black rhinoceros and more. Following a busy day exploring the area an aperitif at sunset and dinner will be prepared by your guide.

Overnight at Puros Campsite

Day 7
Orupembe

We continue the journey to reach Orupembe, driving through beautiful tracks, enjoying the vast expanses of desert in Kaokoland where we will stop for a picnic lunch.

Orupembe is the name of a Himba village in the Kaokoland. A gathering place for the nomads of this tribe, Orupembe is above all a permanent water point fed by a well and a pump. It is also the last station before sinking into the infinite spaces of the Kaokoland top. After arrival at your well-set camp, your guide will prepare you an aperitif at sunset and dinner.

Overnight at the camp in Orupembe.

Day 8
Kaokoland

We head east, through the Kaokoland mountains via Kaoko Otavi, where we will stop to enjoy the view and a picnic lunch. Opuwo is the capital of Himbas where the different ethnic groups of the country mix: Himbas, Hereros, Ovambos, and others. Opuwo is also a city of contrasts between the modern world and the traditional world of Himba. The place gives an excellent opportunity to meet these nomadic people with ancestral customs; an aperitif will follow this at sunset as well as dinner at your lodge.

Overnight at Opuwo Country Lodge

Day 9
Epupa Falls

You will begin the Kaokoland ascent to the north, along the Kunene River to discover the Epupa Falls, located at the foot of the Zebra Mountains. The Kunene River flows into a deep gorge with a jump of about thirty meters. The spectacle of this river with multiple arms that rushes into a narrow ravine is unique — a Great area for hiking. Dinner at the Camp

Overnight at Omarunga Camp.

Day 10
Ovamboland

We continue to Ruacana via Epembe and Swartbooisdrift; a monument erected in tribute to trekkers. You will follow the Kunene River, which forms a natural border with Angola. Arriving at Ovamboland, you will be checked in to your tented camp.
Tour to meet the Ovambo people who represent the leading ethnic group in Namibia. The visit of the village accompanied by a local guide will allow you to learn about the customs of this endearing people; livestock farming, different agriculture crops, traditional medicine techniques, methods of construction, village organization and the power of the Chieferies. The meeting is subject to moral rules of respect — dinner at the Tented Camp with traditional dances.

Overnight at Okapika Oshifo Tented Camp.

Day 11
Etosha National Park

We continue to Etosha entering the park through the Galton Gate. The crossing of the western part of the Etosha reserve is exceptional. After leaving the mountainous reliefs of the Dolomites, the track runs full East along a wooded area of Mopanes, before joining the vast plains of Etosha to visit the strategically placed water points on a late afternoon safari, the best times of the day to view animals coming back to life after a sunny day. In winter, animals gather at the water points, where you will be able to capture wildlife and the dust in the setting sun, dazzling images of beauty.

Overnight at Etosha Safari Lodge.

Day 12
WINDHOEK

After breakfast, you will visit what is considered the pearl of Etosha, the Okaukuejo camp, the reserve’s headquarters. Its floodlit waterhole attracts visitors from all over the world. A Morning walks around to this camp, will take you to the elephant trail of the savannah, renowned for its large numbers of black rhinos and lion families. After the morning tour and lunch, we head back to the capital city of Windhoek.

Overnight at Windhoek Country Club Hotel.

Day 13
Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Hosea Kutako International Airport
Arrival at the airport 2:30 hours before the departure time.

Inclusive of:

• All transfers and transport as indicated in the above tour summary.
• A sturdy, air-conditioned  rental vehicle suitable for the Namibian environment and road conditions
• Accommodation and meals as indicated above
• Portages at Hotels / Lodges
• Entrance Fees to all sightseeing attractions and National Parks as indicated
• Bottled and unbottled water on the  tour vehicle with a re-usable bottle
• One French Speaking Driver/Guide in his own vehicle including his costs for accommodation and meals
• Passenger Liability and Evacuation Insurance

TDM Namibia provides passenger liability insurance up to N$ 1 Billion and emergency medical evacuation cover on all our vehicles on tour. Emergency medical evacuation covers evacuation to the nearest hospital but does not cover medical costs incurred. Guests accordingly are advised to take out adequate insurance cover for medical treatments and any further emergency transportation costs in their home country.

• Travel Planner– 1 per room
• Value Added Tax

 Exclusive of:

• All expenses of a personal nature
• All optional excursions and activities
• Tips for the Sense of Africa/Wild Africa/African Eagle Tour Guide and/or Driver
• International Flights and Airport Taxes
• Travel Insurance

Credit Card Payments:

• Credit card payments will attract a 3% handling fee of the value of the transaction.
• It is therefore advised that payments to Sense of Africa/Wild Africa Travel/African Eagle are done via Bank transfer.
• Please be advised that we do not accept American Express or Diners Club Cards.