Authentic Namibia

Shortly after breakfast, you will head south towards a town called Mariental. After a journey of approximately three hours, you will reach the Kalahari Desert and settle into your lodge. It is in the Kalahari region that the most extreme climate variations are observed. While temperatures of 35°C are common in summer and can easily reach 45°C, winter in the Kalahari is characterized by significant temperature fluctuations. It is not uncommon for temperatures to drop below 0°C at night, while reaching around 25°C during the day. Thanks to its relatively abundant rainfall, the Kalahari has very diverse flora. The San (Bushmen), who have lived in the Kalahari for centuries, know more than 1,000 useful plants. The fauna is also abundant. You will depart for your first safari in an open 4x4 from the lodge until sunset.

Today, you will set off to discover another desert: the Namib Desert. Counting among the oldest and most vast deserts in the world, the Namib extends inland from the Atlantic Ocean, covering a large part of Namibia as well as certain regions of Angola and South Africa. This wild and arid region is home to a surprising number of plants and animals, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. The Namib Desert is home to some of the highest sand dunes in the world (over 300 m). It has around 3,500 plant species, nearly half of which are endemic. Strange plants, innovative insects and mammals with their own cooling systems have evolved to survive here.

After your arrival and check-in at the lodge, you will be able to visit Elim Dune and Sesriem Canyon.

The next day, you will be able to discover the Sossusvlei and Deadvlei dunes.

Swakopmund, a popular coastal city, is today's destination, where the end of the desert and the ocean meet, creating a wonderful landscape. Swakopmund is the capital of the Erongo region and has approximately 34,000 inhabitants. Swakopmund is mainly used as a holiday destination, which makes it important for tourism. Swakopmund is known as the center of activity in Namibie. Nowhere else in the country will the traveler find such a range of activities. Swakopmund has countless guesthouses, bed & breakfasts, hotels and independent accommodations.

You will find a multitude of optional activities, such as Sandwich Harbour, boat cruises, scenic flights, quad biking and much more.

We are now heading to Damaraland, on the road to Twyfelfontein. Damaraland is characterized by rocky and rugged landscapes of wild and fascinating beauty. This region is inhabited by the Damara-speaking people, hence the former name of "Damaraland", which is now used only for tourism and as a geographical classification. Temperatures there are very high, reaching up to 40°C. Annual rainfall is low, or even non-existent in some years. Many dried-up riverbeds wind through the region, transforming into torrential rivers within hours after heavy rainfall. The flora and fauna of the region have perfectly adapted to the harsh climate, high temperatures and persistent drought. Desert elephants are found there, whose elongated limbs and wider soles allow them to better resist the extreme conditions of the rocky and sandy desert, and to traverse kilometers of dried riverbeds in search of water. Desert lions, critically endangered, have also managed to adapt to the arid climate. Damaraland is home to many endemic desert plants, such as the Euphorbia Virosa, poisonous but photogenic, and the ancient Welwitshia Mirabilis. Upon arrival, depending on your arrival time or perhaps the next morning, we will visit the rock engravings dating back thousands of years, with optional activities also available at your lodge.

Continue safaris in the park, visiting different water points, sometimes to the east, sometimes to the west. You will notably pass through Pan, which means "Place of dried water", a large basin of 5,000 km². This white depression is the place of mirages and encounters with herds. You may have the chance to spot a cheetah…

Accommodation at Okaukuejo Restcamp and photo safaris in 4x4 in the park.

We are now heading south towards the Waterberg Plateau. The Waterberg, a characteristic plateau, is located 230 km north of Windhoek and 50 km east of Otjiwarongo: the Waterberg covers an area of 50 km by 15 km, or 400 km². The Waterberg Plateau rises approximately 200 m above the surrounding region. Since the upper layers are made up of porous rocks, precipitation infiltrates through the rock, creating lush vegetation at the foot of the mountain.

In the late afternoon, hiking to the summit of the mountain.