Namibia & the Desert Express

Day 1 Fly overnight from London Gatwick to Windhoek.

Day 2 On arrival drive via Rehoboth, home of the Baster community, to the Kalahari for a nature drive. Overnight at the 3-star Auob Lodge.

Day 3 Continue southwards towards the Fish River Canyon. Afternoon canyon drive. Overnight at the 3-star Vogelstrausskluft Country Lodge.

Day 4 Travel to Luderitz for a short tour and overnight at the 4-star Nest Hotel.

Day 5 Visit the ghost town of Kolmanskop before continuing to the desolate towns of Aus and Helmeringhausen. Two nights at the 3-star Solitaire Country Lodge.

Day 6 An early morning drive to Sossusvlei National Park. A 4x4 shuttle transfer takes you the last 4 kilometres into the actual ‘vlei’ a clay pan surrounded by some of the oldest dunes of the world. The short hike to the Dead Vlei is well worth the effort since tree stumps older than 1000 years create an eerie atmosphere on the white coloured ground. Also visit the Sesriem Canyon.

Day 7 Travel north to Windhoek and embark on the ‘Desert Express’. Enjoy dinner and overnight on board en route to Walvis Bay.

Day 8 Arrive Walvis Bay and enjoy a morning dolphin cruise and light lunch at Pelican Bay. Visit ‘Dune 7’, the lagoon and salt pans. Return to Swakopmund for dinner and overnight on board.

Day 9 After stopping for a desert excursion with lunch. Continue northwards through hilly landscapes and past the Waterberg plateau to Otjiwarongo. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 10 Continue by train to Tsumeb. Transfer to the Etosha National Park for overnight at the Okaukuejo Rest Camp inside the park. An afternoon game drive. Evening opportunity to view the wildlife attracted to the ?oodlit waterhole.

Day 11 Enjoy a morning game drive in the park. Travel to Halali Rest Camp inside the park for overnight. Afternoon game drive.

Day 12 Game drive en route to Namutoni Rest Camp and later board the train for the journey to Otjiwarongo. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 13 Travel southwards to Okahandja to visit the craft market. Continue to Windhoek enjoying lunch on board. Disembark for overnight at the 4-star Safari Court Hotel in Windhoek. Enjoy an evening sundowner overlooking the city followed by a ‘bushman fondue’ (2008) or a dinner and wine-tasting at castle Hotel Heinitzburg (2009).

Day 14 A city tour including the Christuskirche, Alte Feste, Tintenpalast, Independence Museum and National Art Gallery. Visit the local township of Katutara including the Penduka Womens’ Craft Cooperative. Transfer to the airport for the early evening overnight flight to London Gatwick.

Day 15 Arrive in the early morning.