11 Night Discover Kaokoland Package

Discover Kaokoland is a 12-day guided safari aimed at exploring the northwestern region of Namibia. The tour starts in Swakopmund and ends in Windhoek. Participants will visit the nomadic cultural Ovahimbas, the mighty Kunene River, the wonderful Equpa Waterfalls, and the beautiful Hartmann Valley.

The package includes all transport as per the itinerary's routing, accommodation on a shared basis, meals as specified in the itinerary, activities and park fees as specified in the itinerary, and mineral water.

The package excludes expenses of a personal nature, i.e. laundry, telephone expenses, gratuities and other personal purchases, all drinks, personal as well as medical and evacuation insurance, and any additional activities.

DAY 1:

Departure from Swakopmund along the Atlantic Coast towards the North. Visit the lichen fields near Wlotzka's Baken to inspect a shipwreck before continuing to Henties Bay, a small holiday resort. Onwards to the seal colony at Cape Cross. After visiting the seals, the journey continues via Ugabmund to the southern Skeleton Coast Park. We leave the Skeleton Coast Park in the early afternoon via Springbokwasser and participant can experience the harsh transition from the Namib Desert to the Damaraland highlands with its impressive landscape and ragged valleys. Here one can perhaps sight the first springbok, zebra and oryx, and, with some luck, the desert elephants.

Overnight in bungalows at Palmwag Lodge or similar.

DAY 2:

This safari leads into the 5500 square kilometre private concession area of Palmwag Lodge. Breathtaking landscapes welcome the participant. The famous desert elephant, zebras, springbok, oryx, giraffe, ostrich, jackal, hyena and occasionally the endangered black rhino and famous desert lion provide excellent photo opportunities.

Tonight's camp will be erected in the wild. Enjoy a refreshing drink while the guide prepares the meal on an open fire and absorb the day's experiences.

DAY 3:

After breakfast enjoy a short hike around the camp for a brief inspection of the night's game activities. The journey continues into the upper Mudorib River with a good chance of encountering black rhino or desert elephant in this dry and harsh desert environment. Arrive in the Hoanib River a dry river bed densely overgrown with acacia trees providing the necessary fodder for the desert adapted elephant.

Camp will be set up in one of the side tributaries of the Hoanib River.

DAY 4:

Today we will enjoy a full day game drive on the lookout for more animals that made this part of the world their home. We overnight in the same camp as we did the previous night.

Day 5:

In the early morning we continue our journey to the western part of Kaokoland. Again the participant experiences the primitive but interesting lifestyle and tradition while visiting the en-route traditional villages. Today's routing will lead the group via Purros to the Khumib valley. We camp here and conclude the day with a sundowner around the firepit.

DAY 6:

Heading east towards Opuwo enjoy the breathtaking surrounds of Sanitatas and the Tonnesen mountains with yet more opportunity to encounter game. Meet various Ovahimba herdsmen and their stock on the move in search of better grazing areas. We reach the Ovivero Dam used by man and animal alike.

We put up our overnight camp here.

DAY 7:

Driving past the village of Okangwati we reach Epupa Falls on the mighty Kunene River, which forms the border between Namibia and Angola. Enough time is spent exploring the majestic falls on an adventurous walk along the falls followed by a welcoming swim in one of the upper rapids of the falls.

Camp is pitched on the banks of the Kunene River.

DAY 8:

In the morning we drive along the river bank exploring this fascinating area. Receive a friendly and warm welcome from the inhabitants of the Ovahimba settlement. Learn about the ancient customs and way of life of this fascinating tribe and explore the village with its traditional huts. In the late afternoon we will return to our overnight camp.

DAY 9:

This morning we depart early and drive via the small town of Opuwo on to Hobatere Lodge located in the Khoadi Hoas Conservancy where we overnight in lodge rooms. Hobatere offers the participant the opportunity to experience game drives in open vehicles and nature walks with experienced rangers. Early morning and night drives are part of the activities on offer where many nocturnal animals such as aardvark, cape fox, bat-eared fox, aardwolf, genet, and many more are encountered.

DAY 10 and 11:

Today we enter the western side of Etosha National Park at Galton Gate past the research station of Otijivazandu. We will enjoy a full day of game viewing while driving through the park towards Okaukuejo Rest Camp in the centre of the park. We leave the park at Anderson's Gate to check-in to Anderson's Camp in the late afternoon where we will stay for two nights and enjoy game drives within Ongava's own private reserve and Etosha National Park

DAY 12:

We bid farewell to Ongava and return to Windhoek via Okahandja. Okahandja is an important centre for woodcarvers from the north. They practice their ancient skills at the Woodcarvers Market next to the main road. This is a great place to stop for those wishing to pick up their last-minute souvenirs.