This safari is for the traveller who wants to experience Namibia’s beauty, but has a limited time schedule. Namibia Express includes the fascinating Namib Desert, the charming coastal town of Swakopmund with exciting activities, the picturesque Damaraland, and the Etosha National Park, one of the oldest and largest game parks in Africa. A large variety of animals can be viewed especially at the numerous water holes.
Collect your rented vehicle at the car rental company in Windhoek. Start your journey and drive through the picturesque Khomas Hochland until you reach the edge of the escarpment. Enjoy the stunning view over the Namib Desert! Continue down the steep Spreetshoogte pass and via Solitaire to the Namib desert. To the west a sea of dunes extends as far as the eye can see; to the east vast plains reach out to distant mountains. Enjoy a sundowner and listen to the evening sounds of the barking gecko – a concert never to be forgotten.
Early departure to Sesriem, the entrance to the Namib Naukluft Park. Enjoy the unique desert scenery with some of the highest dunes in the world at Sossusvlei. The variety of colors and shapes are fantastic! The dunes tower over the Sossusvlei, a huge dried-up clay pan. The marvelous beauty of the Vlei with its dunes and ancient camel thorn trees more than amply rewards those who journey there. Visit also the Sesriem canyon which was carved into the rock by the seasonal Tsauchab River over a period of 2 million years. The name Sesriem stems from the days of the early settlers who had to tie six leather thongs to a bucket to scoop water from the bottom of the gorge.
Journey via the Ghaub and Kuiseb passes through the Namib Naukluft Park to the fossil Welwitschia plants. Here you will find the largest concentration of this “living Fossil” plant. Continue to the Moonlandscape, an area of sharp, craggy, and barren rock formations. From here it is not far to the charming coastal town of Swakopmund.
Spend time at leisure in Swakopmund and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this coastal town, nestling between the desert and the Atlantic Ocean. Excursions like a boat cruise to witness the marine live, a tour into the dune belt to explore the “small five”, quad-biking in the nearby dunes or scenic flights can be booked. Enjoy fresh seafood in one of the many restaurants.
Drive north along the Atlantic Ocean to Henties Bay. Here you turn inland and drive via Uis to Twyfelfontein in Damaraland. The Twyfelfontein area is renowned for some of the best examples of Rock engravings in southern Africa. Engravings depicting animals and symbols are found etched into the reddish-brown sandstone slabs. Twyfelfontein is a proclaimed World Heritage Site. Interesting rock formations and the remainder of prehistoric volcanic action can be seen at the Burn Mountain and Organ Pipes.
The Etosha National Park awaits you! Established in 1907, it is one of the oldest and largest conservation areas in Africa. Whatever the time of year, Etosha never fails to fascinate. Waterholes along the edge of the pan guarantee rewarding and often spectacular game viewing. The large variety of birds provide opportunities for bird watching at waterholes. A closer look at the trees and shrubs of Etosha helps to add interest to game viewing and to understand animals’ habits.
Return via Outjo, Otjiwarongo and Okahandja to Namibia’s capital Windhoek, where you can spend some time shopping, visiting the many curio shops and the Namibia Craft Centre.
Return your rented vehicle at the car rental company in Windhoek.
Enjoy Africa offers custom self-drive tours, guided safaris, fly-in safaris and camping tours – for individual travelers, families and groups.