P a g e | 1 Exploring Namibia-Classic(Edited) P a g e | 2 P a g e | 3 P a g e | 4 Exploring Namibia-Classic(Edited) Mariental - Fish River Canyon - Luderitz - Sossusvlei - Swakopmund - Damaraland - Etosha South - Etosha East - Windhoek 15 Days / 14 Nights Reference: SOAN-EN Date of Issue: 24 July 2019 Click here to view your Digital Itinerary P a g e | 5 Introduction Accommodation Type Destination Basis Duration Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge Mariental B&B 1 Night Canyon Village Gondwana Collection Namibia Fish River Canyon B&B 1 Night Luderitz Nest Hotel Luderitz B&B 2 Nights Namib Desert Lodge Gondwana Collection Sossusvlei B&B 2 Nights Namibia Swakopmund Plaza Hotel Swakopmund B&B 2 Nights → The Beach Hotel alternate Damara Mopane Lodge Gondwana Collection Damaraland B&B 2 Nights Namibia Etosha Safari Camp Gondwana Collection Etosha South B&B 2 Nights Namibia Mokuti Etosha Lodge Etosha East B&B 1 Night River Crossing Lodge Windhoek B&B 1 Night Key B&B: Bed and Breakfast Day 1: Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge, Mariental Mariental Situated in south central Namibia, fringing the Kalahari Desert, the city of Mariental lies along the TransNamib railway and serves as the Hardap Region’s commercial and administrative capital. It provides an important petrol stop before heading west to Sesriem to view the red-orange dunes of Sossusvlei. Mariental is located close to magnificent the Hardap Dam, which is the largest reservoir in Namibia. The Hardap Irrigation Scheme has breathed life into this arid terrain, which is now fertile with farmlands covered in citrus, melons, lucerne, wine and maize, and dotted with ostrich farms. The dam is a popular holiday resort which draws city slickers from Windhoek and offers an array of watersports, scenic walks, and abundant wildlife in a 20000-hectare nature reserve set on its western bank; where visitors can spot rhino, ostrich, antelope, springbok and a variety of bird species. Overnight: Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge The 12 rooms are styled the with crisp white linen on comfortable beds. The San-inspired décor compliments this stylish yet rustic style. The en-suite bathrooms are fitted with a large shower, air conditioning and a tea and coffee station. This lodge is designed to cater for the more young at heart and the rooms are therefore at an adequate P a g e | 6 distance from one another. Each rondavel has a small stone patio from which the captivating scenes of the Kalahari Desert can be taken in. An inviting, sparkling blue pool which attracts the odd Oryx despite there being a waterhole in close proximity is the first sight to catch your eye as you enter the main area of the lodge. The lounge has comfortable leather seating and is next to the bar that leads to a boma area where large fires are lit and barbecues can be enjoyed at night. An upstairs restaurant overlooking the majestic sights serves an alternative area where sumptuous meals are served. The kitchen is also replenished with organically grown vegetables from the neighbouring farm, Twilight and guests truly enjoy the finest and freshest culinary delights that the Kalahari has to offer. Directions - Hosea Kutako International Airport [WDH] to Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge Distance: 233.28km Travel Time: 2:49 hours GPS co-ordinates for Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge: S 24° 06' 49.560" E 17° 56' 29.825" • Head south toward B6 (0.6 km) • Turn right onto B6 (14.4 km) • Turn left onto C23 (62.2 km) • Turn right onto C15 (101 km) • Turn left to stay on C15 (27.2 km) • Turn right onto C21 (9.9 km) • Turn left onto D1268 (18.3 km) Basis Bed & Breakfast P a g e | 7 Day 2: Canyon Village Gondwana Collection Namibia, Fish River Canyon Fish River Canyon Carving out an epic rocky wonderland in the south of Namibia, the Fish River has created Africa’s largest and the world’s second largest canyon. Hot, dry and stony, the Fish River Canyon measures a whopping 160 kilometres in length, at times 27 kilometres in width and 550 metres in depth. The awe-inspiring natural beauty of this ancient geological marvel draws visitors from around the globe. For those looking for adventure, the intense 85 kilometre Fish River Hiking Trail through1.5 billion years of geological history will definitely thrill avid adventure enthusiasts, and for visitors looking to relax, head over to the canyon's southern end to enjoy a soak in the mineral waters of the renowned hot springs of Ai-Ais, or take in the spectacularly scenic views from Hobas Restcamp as well as numerous other viewpoints along its rim. Other popular activities include: scenic chartered flights, horse riding, nature drives and seasonal kayaking. Overnight: Canyon Village Gondwana Collection Namibia View iBrochure Canyon Village is located 20 km east of the Fish River Canyon on the C 37. Suitable for a striking film set, Canyon Village lies at the foot of a sweeping rock face. Exhibiting authentic canyon character, the sprawling lodge explores the story of the south in murals, traditional Nama dress and even a donkey cart to convey baggage to rooms. Directions - Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge to Canyon Village Gondwana Collection Namibia Distance: 448.52km Travel Time: 4:56 hours GPS co-ordinates for Canyon Village Gondwana Collection Namibia: S 27° 39' 6.312" E 17° 46' 24.667" P a g e | 8 • Head south on D1268 (45.4 km) • Turn right onto C20 (12.1 km) • Turn left onto B1 (234 km) • Keep left to stay on B1 (6.9 km) • At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto B4 (31.1 km) • Turn left onto D545 (33.4 km) • Turn left onto C12 (48.1 km) • Turn right onto D601 (29.9 km) • Turn left onto C37/D324 (5.7 km) • Turn left. Destination will be on the left (1.7 km) • Directions supplied by Google Basis Bed & Breakfast Day 3: Luderitz Nest Hotel, Luderitz Luderitz Sandwiched between the rugged and stark Atlantic Coast and the arid Namib Desert, the town of Luderitz is set in an incredibly unique geographical setting. This seaside town is something of an anomaly frozen in time – a piece of 19th-century Bavaria bordering the pinkish sand dunes of the Namib Desert. Lutheran churches, German bakeries, and colonial buildings boasting German art nouveau architecture are dotted about the settlement, while its windswept beaches are home to flamingos, ostriches, seals and penguins. The nearby ghost town of Kolmanskop, which has been taken over by the desert dunes, is one of the most fascinating area attractions, located approximately 10 kilometres from Luderitz central. Visitors can also take a trip to discover the wild desert-adapted horses located near the small town of Aus. Overnight: Luderitz Nest Hotel View iBrochure The Lüderitz Nest Hotel enjoys a superb on the rocks and sea location, with far reaching uninterrupted views. The hotel’s private tidal beach with walk-on jetty, unique in Namibia, allows the guest to get close-up to the sea. All rooms and suites have direct sea views. The outdoor sparkling residents' pool with sun-loungers and parasols is surrounded by verdant gardens. Facilities include free Wi-Fi throughout, complementary full-buffet breakfasts, free sauna and free secure parking. The hotel delivers a friendly service in a relaxed environment. Since 1998, management and staff have hosted guests from around the world and very much look forward to welcoming you. Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) Excellence Awards 2016 winner. P a g e | 9 Directions - Canyon Village Gondwana Collection Namibia to Luderitz Nest Hotel Distance: 405.80km Travel Time: 4:36 hours GPS co-ordinates for Luderitz Nest Hotel: S 26° 39' 10.427" E 15° 08' 58.055" • Head northwest toward C37/D324 (1.7 km) • Slight right onto C37/D324 (5.7 km) • Turn right onto D601 (29.9 km) • Turn left onto C12/M28. Continue to follow C12 (76.4 km) • Turn left onto B4 (291 km) • Continue straight onto Bay Rd (0.1 km) • Slight left onto Nachtigall St (0.2 km) • Turn left onto Dias St (0.6 km) • Slight right (0.1 km) • Directions supplied by Google Basis Bed & Breakfast Day 4: Luderitz Nest Hotel, Luderitz Basis Bed & Breakfast Day 5: Namib Desert Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia, Sossusvlei P a g e | 10 Sossusvlei Located in the scenic Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red dunes to make this one of the most scenic natural wonders of Africa and a photographer's heaven. This awe-inspiring destination is possibly Namibia's premier attraction, with its unique dunes rising to almost 400 metres-some of the highest in the world. These iconic dunes come alive in morning and evening light and draw photography enthusiasts from around the globe. Sossusvlei is home to a variety desert wildlife including oryx, springbok, ostrich and a variety of reptiles. Visitors can climb 'Big Daddy', one of Sossusvlei’s tallest dunes; explore Deadvlei, a white, salt, claypan dotted with ancient trees; or for the more extravagant, scenic flights and hot air ballooning are on offer, followed by a once-in-a-lifetime champagne breakfast amidst these majestic dunes. Overnight: Namib Desert Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia View iBrochure Namib Desert Lodge is located 60 km north of Sesriem on the C 19 (Sossusvlei Area). Set below striking fossilised dunes, the comfortable lodge provides a spectacular experience of ancient desert. 65 rooms, two swimming pools and a waterhole are surrounded by sandy splendour.