Arrival to Windhoek

Upon arrival in Windhoek, you will be met by your tour guide who will transfer you to Windhoek, Namibia’s capital where we will undertake an orientation tour of the city. Windhoek is clean, safe, and well-organized, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, many of which are worth a look at, including the Alte Feste (Old Fort), the 1896 Christuskirche (Christ Church), and the more contemporary Supreme Court. You then continue to your overnight destination, The Elegant Guesthouse.

Pulsating with life, opportunity, and a sparkle of adventure, Windhoek is a multicultural city characterized by tranquil co-existence and enough living space for all its citizens, which number 350’000. Visitors can enjoy the best of two worlds between European-style architecture and lifestyle, to the vivid beat of African culture and environs. The first recorded settlements were established because of the springs in the area.

Windhoek boasts a host of dinner venues, none more so popular or infamous as Joe’s Beerhouse where the beer flows. We do leave the choice of the restaurant open this evening for an on-the-spur-of-the-moment decision, depending on how well-rested you are after the long flight. There are several options of restaurants at Am Weinberg, and you may choose to opt for seafood or a meatier option instead, right on your doorstep.

Sossusvlei

You’re going to head out south today and drive towards the towering red dunes of the Namib and Sossusvlei.

Once settled in you will have time to freshen up before joining the afternoon nature drive where your ranger will tell you more about the area and the unique wildlife that can be seen here. Naturally, no visit can ever be complete without the mandatory sundowner! Everything here is about the incredible sunsets and tonight will be no different. Watch the stars come out over the oldest desert in the world and hear what true silence sounds like. Back at the lodge, an excellent dinner awaits you, and, afterward, enjoy a drink at the One Night in Namibia bar that will evoke memories for many years to come.
Before you drift off to sleep in the desert breeze, take a peek at the stars, and find the Southern Cross – so bright and close you can almost touch them.

Swakopmund

After breakfast and a good night’s rest the journey continues, this time towards the cold Atlantic coast, and Namibia’s premier holiday town, Swakopmund. The journey there will also take you via Solitaire, featuring no more than a general dealer, a filling station, and a bakery. You are here for the bakery and the best apple pie the dessert ever delivered. Naturally, you have to honor Moose’s legacy, and this affords you a coffee-and-cake stop. But before you get to explore this little gem, a bit of a detour to the neighboring town of Walvis Bay, an important harbor town in Namibia. You will visit the shallow lagoon, one of the most important wetland areas on the African continent, and a RAMSAR World Heritage Site. Over 80% of the African flamingos feed in this lagoon and present a breathtaking picture when they appear in groups. Continuing along the scenic route between the dune belt and the Atlantic Ocean you reach Swakopmund, a quaint desert town. With its palm-lined streets and seaside promenade Swakopmund rates as Namibia’s most popular seaside destination. The town acts as a base for many varied activities ranging from quad biking in the Namib to sand boarding and even desert tours. An enjoyable pastime is to do what the locals do and 16:00 Kaffee-Kuchen is taken very seriously. It offers an excellent opportunity to take a mid-afternoon break for a coffee and a slice of baked cheesecake, or decadent Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, right from the heart of the Motherland. We have included dinner for the first evening as part of the program. Due to the variety of options available, for the second evening, we have left the dinner options open to your delight. Your guide will be delighted to make suggestions.

Back to Windhoek

Today you will make your way to your last overnight in Namibia. En-route back to Windhoek, you will call the Wood Carvers Market in Okahandja where wood workers proudly display their handywork and artefacts that can be bought here. Keep a keen eye out for the Herero ladies dressed in their colorful and distinctive long dresses with matching headgear, said to mimic the horns of cattle. These dresses were inspired by the beautiful dresses of the German colonial fashion of the time. From Okahandja, you will continue to your lodge.