ITINERARY
Monday, June 30, 2008
Departure from the U.S.
Depart your home city today on an overnight flight bound for Windhoek, Namibia. For those searching online for the best routing, use “WDH” as the airport code for Windhoek. Because there are no direct flights from the U.S., you will most likely connect through a European city. The typical flight itinerary sees passengers arriving in Windhoek on the second day after they leave the United States.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Travel Day
Your overnight flight lands in Europe today. Most onward flights do not depart until late in the evening, necessitating a layover of several hours. Your connecting flight should arrive in Windhoek sometime tomorrow. If you cannot make it there before mid-afternoon on July 2, we recommend you leave home on June 29th in order to arrive late today and be able to rest and recover from jet lag. We will be happy to make the necessary hotel arrangements for anyone who chooses to arrive in Windhoek today.
Wednesday, July 2, 3008
Arrival in Namibia
Tour services commence with your arrival today in Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia. This afternoon the group partakes of a tour of the city center, including the Christuskirche, Tintenpalast and Alte Feste museum. We set aside time for changing money and any necessary shopping. Toto Tours hosts a Welcome Dinner at Joe’s Beerhouse, a famous local eatery serving up a typical Namibian feast! Overnight in Windhoek. (Dinner included)
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Namib Desert
After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and board our air conditioned vehicle bound for the southern region via the towns of Rehoboth, Kalkrand and Mariental, and then west via Maltahohem to the heart of the Namib Desert. We make a stop for lunch (on your own) before arriving at our lodge, located on the edge of the vast Sossusvlei dune sea. Here we participate in the tradition of a sunset cocktail, followed by dinner. Overnight at Sossusvlei. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Friday, July 4, 2008
Sossusvlei
Today we rise early in order to position ourselves among some of the highest dunes in the world before sunrise. We explore the Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei dunes, looking out for desert life such as the oryx antelope, side-winding adder, barking gecko and the magical fruit of the Namib, the Nara melon.
We return to our lodge via the Sesriem Canyon, with snacks and cold drink stops en route. Once back at the lodge, the afternoon is at leisure to relax by the pool. After a morning of play among the dunes, it will help to get the sand out of all our cracks and crevices. Optional adventures, such as a horseback ride, can also be arranged. Overnight at Sossusvlei. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Swakopmund
Travel via the tiny desert settlement of Solitaire, then over the awesome Kuiseb Mountain Pass, and across the flat, utterly desolate Namib coastal plain to Namibia’s premier Atlantic resort of Swakopmund. Swakopmund is like a piece of 19th century Imperial Germany picked up and dumped on the edge of the desert! With weird architecture, German bakeries and bookshops, a wonderful lighthouse and museum, Swakopmund is a great place for us to immerse ourselves in colonial history. Our lodge is located on an Atlantic coast beach, with views of the ocean and out to the lighthouse. The town offers many fine restaurants from which to choose for your dinner tonight, with seafood and German cuisine being featured. Overnight in Swakopmund. (Breakfast)
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Free Day
Today is completely at leisure to allow time to explore this fascinating town and surrounding area on foot (including the neighboring port of Walvis Bay). There are many adventure options available for adrenaline junkies, such as sand-boarding, paragliding, hot air ballooning, kayaking, a day-tour into the Namib Desert, dune biking, etc. Overnight in Swakopmund. (Breakfast)
Monday, July 7, 2008
Damaraland
After breakfast, we depart Swakopmund and travel north via the towns of Omaruru and Kalkveld to Outjo, center of the huge northern cattle-farming district. Here we head west into the vast open spaces of the Damaraland province. Our beautiful lodge is located on the slopes of the famous Vingerklip, and we enjoy free time this afternoon to explore this stunning rock formation on foot. Overnight at Vingerklip. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Twyfelfontein
We spend the day exploring some of the fascinating art / archaeological / geological spots in the area, including the World Heritage Site at Twyfelfontein (some of the finest San rock engravings in southern Africa) and the Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes rock formations. We return to our lodge in late afternoon, and the evening is free. Overnight at Vingerklip. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Etosha National Park / Okaukuejo Restcamp
This morning we travel via Outjo, and then north to the Etosha National Park, Namibia’s most famous game reserve. An early afternoon arrival gives us plenty of time enjoy the pool at our en suite bungalow accommodations within the Park. This camp’s most popular feature is a game-viewing platform located next to a waterhole. It is a particularly rewarding spot, especially at night, when rhino and elephant come to drink. Partake of your first African “braaivleis” (barbecue) tonight, under the incredible Namibian night sky, perhaps accompanied by the distant roars of lions or howls of hyenas! Overnight in Etosha. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Etosha National Park / Fort Namutoni Restcamp
After breakfast, we check out of the Okaukuejo Camp and take a slow drive east through the park, viewing wildlife en route. The park is home to four of the “Big Five”—rhino, elephant, lion and leopard—as well as zebra, giraffe, cheetah and any number of antelope species, including the tiniest antelope of them all, the Damara Dikdik.
We arrive at the Fort Namutoni Restcamp, built in and around the original German military fort, and check into our en suite bungalows. The afternoon is free to relax at the pool or at the water-hole. As dusk approaches, we head out on an evening game drive. We return to the restcamp for dinner (not included) at the restaurant and overnight. (Breakfast)
Friday, July 11, 2008
Etosha National Park / Fort Namutoni Restcamp
Today, we arise before dawn to take an early morning game drive, at a time when the animals are most active. We return to the restcamp for breakfast, and the morning and afternoon are free to relax and enjoy the tranquility of the wilderness. In late afternoon, we head out again on another evening game drive as the animals revive themselves after the sluggishness of the day. Overnight at the restcamp with another braaivleis for dinner. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Otjiwarongo
This morning we exit the Park and travel via the subterranean Lake Otjikoto and the mining town of Tsumeb to our next lodge, located near the town of Otjiwarongo, home to the internationally renowned Africat Foundation. After checking in at our decadently luxurious Bush Camp, we have time for lunch and relaxation before setting out on an afternoon game drive in quest of the big African cats—lion, leopard and cheetah. Tonight enjoy dinner under the stars. Overnight at the Bush Camp. (All Meals)
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Kalahari Desert
After an early morning game drive and hearty bush breakfast, we travel via Okahandja, with a stop for craft and curio shopping en route, to Windhoek. We continue east into the Kalahari Desert to the spectacular Eningu Clay House for our final night in the country – a last chance to hear the absolute silence of the desert, and see stars brighter than anywhere else in the world! Tonight, we will enjoy our Farewell Dinner surrounded by serene wilderness. Overnight in the Desert at the Eningu Clay House. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Monday, July 14, 2008
Farewell to Namibia
The day is at leisure until checkout time and our group transfer to Windhoek International Airport for homebound flights. Book your flight to depart Windhoek at any convenient time today. Not too early, please, as we will be scheduling the transfer to the airport so that everyone can go together. We will be happy to assist with your accommodation needs if you would like to extend your stay in Windhoek. (Breakfast)
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Arrival in U.S.
Most flight itineraries will return you to your home city today, one day after you depart Windhoek.
|
