Woodcarving at the Kavango, Cattle herding in the Kaokoland
or farming at Brandberg regionIn this tour you will make your way through the densely populated Namibias’ North, near the Angolan border. There you will find lush green vegetation, lively streets. You will also meet the masters of woodcarving in Oshakati. Take a boat trip to watch hippos and crocodiles as they live near the Popa falls. Your travel guide will introduce you to villages and settlements where the doors of the houses will be opened for you. You will be able to speak with the Ovahimba Herero, Namibia's traditional cattle herders. You will also meet a knowledgable farmer of German origin, who will take you for a walk with the bushmen and eventually you will stay at a traditional Damarara farm. Itinerary:Windhoek - Kalkveld - Tsinsabis - Rundu - Oshakati - Opuwo - Etosha - Twyfelfontein - -Damarafarm (Uis)- Swakopmund - Windhoek
Day 1 Windhoek - Mt. Etjo (Kalkveld)  Arrive early morning and be picked up from your tour guide at the International Airport in Windhoek. Drive towards Otjiwarongo and relax at Mount Etjo’s Safari Lodge, located approximately 180 km from Windhoek. The lodge has a pool and you can watch game from the Lodge's garden: Elephants, zebras and rhinos are usually close by at the waterhole. Overnight in Mount Etjo Safari Lodge. (B)
Day 2 Kalkveld Today you will follow the two legged, three-toed dinosaurus tracks close to Kalkveld. Compare these prehistoric tracks with your own hand to see how large these animals were. This track is estimated to be a 150 million years old. Return shortly before lunch. Overnight at Mount Etjo. (B/D) Day 3/ 4 Kalkveld - Tsinsiabis  The trip to Tsinsiabis will lead you to the area where the San live. Overnight in a reconstruction of the traditional bushmen huts. The next morning you will be taken on a historical bushmen trail, where you will learn the difference between a poisonous from a healing plant. You can also try to make fire with two sticks and learn a few words of the Bushmen’s language. Stay one night. (B/D)
Day 5/ 6/ 7 Tsinsiabis - Rundu Today you will drive further north to Rundu, one of the larger cities in Ovamboland. This town is also called the riverside and situated on the banks of the Okavango River, and is the home of Namibia's Kavango woodcavers. This is the most flourishing industry in the region. The ancient craft has been handed down for many generations. Here, you will spent 3 days so you can get closer to the people to understand their traditions. From here you may also take a boat trip on the Kavango for an encounter with crocodiles and hippos. Overnight at Suclabo Lodge. Inhabitants also call this odge "Paradishi Ghomumbiru" or "small paradise". (B/D) Day 8/ 9 Rundu-Oshakati Get ready for an early morning departure for the Oshana region, to Oshakati. This is a happy-go-lucky town and very informal. You will most likley see donkey charts as part of the traffic. At the market that overflows with fresh African food, we suggest "Fatcookies" (crispy donuts) and roasted chicken, the very best of free range chickens. You will also visit the Oshakati- Ongwediva- Ondangwa area. Overnight in Pandu Ondangwa Hotel. (B)
Day 10/ 11 Oshakati - Opuwo .jpg "Himbavillage in Namibia. Foto:Tom Forgrave") Opuwo is the area of traditional cattle herders, the Ovahimba-Herero. The following day you will visit a village with your tour guide who will mediate and translate for you. You may want to try a natural sunscreen used by the Ovahimba people. It’s made from butterfat and red oxydes. Overnight at Ohakana Lodge. (B/D)
Day12/13/14/15 Opuwo - Etosha  Leaving Opuwu, you will drive towards Etosha National Park, the main public park for encounters with all the area’s big game including lions. You may take some more game drives during the day. Stay three nights in Okaukeujo. Breakfast included and dinner in a restaurant or self-catering. Floyd will help you prepare this meals. We suggest either the Namibian stew potjiekos or a traditional barbeque. This is the true African way of cooking. 3 nights at Okaukeujo Restcamp. (-)
Day 16/ 17 Waterberg Track, stroll or take a bath in the Waterberg Plateau Park pool. At the lower areas of the 20 km large rock massif, visit one of the permanent springs, and the vegetation is relatively lush. During the drive up to the plateau in an open jeep, you can watch zebras, rhinos and a variety of antelopes. For all 3 nights in Waterberg no meals included (self-catering or restaurant).
Day 18/ 19/ 20 Swakopmund  A two-hour drive from the Damaraland farm leads you to the fresh trade winds of the Atlantic coast and Swakopmund. The seal colony nearby at Cape Cross is definitely worth a stop. During your stay here you may choose from Dune boarding in the desert, an extensive desert trip to see geckos, chameleons or you simply relax on the beach. You may also want to schedule a boat trip to see dolphins along Walvisbay (included). There are several restaurants serving fresh and tasty seefood directly from the Atlantic ocean. Overnight at Seabreeze. (B)
Day 21 Windhoek After breakfast you will make you may towards Windhoek. There is a last opportunity to do some shoppings, explore the colonial past of Namibia's capital, have a coffee in "Cafe Kaiserkrone" or walk through township Katutura. Floyd is familiar with the township and is quite willing to show it’s thriving business life and well-maintained streets and houses Spend two nights in a guesthouse. (B) Day 22 Windhoek  Transfer International Airport Windhoek
Rate: from 3.449 Euro per person (minimum 2 persons)
Included: Air-conditioned car (Toyota Condor 1,8 Benzin, Aircondition, Radio/ Cass., unlimited km), fuel, experienced indigenous and multilingual guide (speaking English, German, Afrikaans and Otjiherero), entry fees into the parks, accommodation, meals as stipulated in the itinerary, dolphin trip on the Atlantic, Airport transfer.
Excluded: Flights, drinks, personal expenses, tips and telephone calls.
Please note that prices are subject to change according to exchange rate fluctuations of Namibian Dollar and foreign currencies. Prices can also vary according to high or low season, type of accomodation/ car and number of participants. This tour will be conducted throughout the year as long as there is a minimum of two participants. With this we can assure you an exclusive, private and individual trip.You can also do this trip as a self drive tour without a tour guide.
Just ask for a quotation - it is free of charge and without obligation.
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