Namibia Untamed – 21 days camping adventure

Today, you will drive to the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF). Founded in Namibia in 1990, the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is dedicated to the conservation of wild cheetahs. The CCF's mission is to be the internationally recognized center of excellence in the conservation of cheetahs and their ecosystems.
Note: This afternoon, you will visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund (last departure at 4:00 PM) and witness the Cheetah Feeding (only at 2:00 PM weekdays/12:00 PM weekends).

You will journey to the Ju/'Hoansi-San Living Museum, Namibia's first open-air cultural museum. Here, San bushmen will demonstrate traditional skills with remarkable dedication while your guide translates.
You will try archery, special rope jumping, and even attempt traditional songs - the Ju/'Hoansi particularly enjoy when visitors participate!
Read Jacomijn’s blog about her experience here.

Etosha National Park, a vast sanctuary for Namibian wildlife, covers over 22,000 km2, dominated by the immense Etosha Pan, a unique saline depression. It is home to an impressive diversity of wild animals, such as elephants, lions, rhinoceroses, and giraffes, which gather around vital waterholes, offering unforgettable wildlife viewing opportunities. The contrasting seasons transform the landscape, shifting from vast arid plains to verdant expanses, providing varied safari experiences. Visitors can stay in comfortable rest camps, observe animals at night at illuminated waterholes, and capture the beauty of the area through photography. Highlights:

• Explore Halali camp: centrally situated near some of the most popular waterholes in the park. A short walk will take you to the camp's illuminated waterhole, offering excellent wildlife viewing both day and night. Halali also offers active guests the largest swimming pool in the park.
• Guided safari in a 4x4 with a ranger: You will notably be able to observe lions near waterholes, elephants covered in white dust, and rhinoceroses at the water's edge near the camps at night. The landscape is also unique, especially the vast salt pans that stretch across the middle of the park.

Welcome to the wilderness. The northern region of Kaokoland is a remote destination that stirs emotions. These wild and magnificent landscapes are the realm of the semi-nomadic Himba people. In some areas, you may spot wild animals such as lions, elephants, or rhinoceroses.
Night safari:
You will discover a very different aspect of the African bush during a night safari. Far from the city lights, the night sky sparkles above you, while your guide uses a spotlight to distinguish the reflecting eyes of leopards, genets, porcupines, bushbabies, and various owls.

Enjoy breakfast and a free morning in the Hobatere Reserve before driving to Opuwo, where you will check in at your camp and unwind.

Later, embark on an incredible late afternoon excursion (departure around 4:30 PM). Guests will leave the lodge in pre-booked vehicles for a 60 km drive to the waterhole. On the way, they will stop at immense baobab trees for photos and a cool drink. Once everyone has finished stretching their legs, the journey will resume. Upon arrival at the waterhole, the wait for the desert elephants will begin. (A little patience is required). Caution is advised when the herds arrive, but trained guides will explain when and when not to move or take photos. The return journey will be very slow after sunset for the safety of our passengers.

Prepare for one of your journey's most unforgettable moments—a visit to the Epupa Falls. This tour offers a breathtaking spectacle of beauty on the Kunene River, which forms the border between Namibia and Angola. Your three-hour drive to the falls includes a stop at ancient baobab trees and a visit of a Himba village for a unique cultural interaction.

Once you arrive at the Epupa Falls, a packed lunch with drinks will be distributed on the riverbank. The return journey will take place just before sunset. With one of the lowest visitor footprints in Namibia, the Epupa Falls offer a space to breathe and reconnect with nature.

Drive to the Damaraland region and arrival at Twyfelfontein: This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest and most interesting rock art galleries in Southern Africa. At the end of the long grassy Aba Huab valley, you will find more than 2,500 petroglyphs or rock engravings, which tell the story of the region's long-gone wildlife. It provides a fascinating glimpse into this distant past.

The surroundings are full of activities and attractions, both nearby and in more distant locations. Today, we suggest you go with the camp guide to track and observe the desert-adapted rhinoceroses (note: this activity must be booked the day before at your camp's reception). In the afternoon, meet the Damara people: The Damara have a rich cultural history, as they were one of the first groups to inhabit the central and northwestern regions of Namibia. They have a strong cultural identity and are known for their distinctive clothing and jewelry. Your guide will take you to several local homesteads, where you can appreciate how they build their houses, prepare their food, treat themselves with traditional remedies, and make artifacts. This visit will give you an exclusive insight into their lives while spending time with them and learning about their origins, culture, traditions, and approach to the ever-present human-wildlife conflict.

Continue your tour of Damaraland with one of its most enigmatic attractions. The White Lady is a famous rock painting located on Brandberg Mountain in Namibia. Brandberg Mountain is known for its collection of ancient rock art, and the White Lady is one of the most well-known and controversial figures in this collection. The White Lady was discovered in 1918 by the German explorer Reinhard Maack. The painting is estimated to be between 2,000 and 4,000 years old and is believed to have been created by the San people, also known as Bushmen, who were the indigenous people of the region. The White Lady is a human figure depicted in white pigment, standing out against the reddish-brown background of the rock. Some believe it is a woman due to certain features, while others argue that it could be a shaman or a spiritual being. The exact meaning of the White Lady is unclear, and various interpretations have been proposed. The ambiguity surrounding the White Lady has led to different theories and interpretations. The site has become a popular destination for tourists and researchers interested in exploring the rich cultural history of the region.

Swakopmund is the kind of place you can't help but fall in love with. It's an extremely attractive town, brimming with German colonial architecture, with Lutheran churches, half-timbered houses, and an imposing stone fortress. Suggested visits (not included):

• Feel free to stop at the foot of one of the dunes surrounding Swakopmund. Firstly, because they are magnificent, but also because it is the ideal place for sandboarding. The idea is simple: surfing... on sand! There is a century-old pier that extends from the heart of the city 262 meters into the ocean. It's essentially a long jetty where people can walk to get stunning views of the city.
• The most famous building to see when visiting Swakopmund is certainly the Woermann House. Built in 1905, the property originally belonged to a German trading company and now houses an art gallery and a library. For a fee of just €1, you can go inside to see the house and climb its small tower, which offers panoramic views of the ocean and the desert.

8:00 AM: Depart for a cruise to encounter dolphins, seals, and whales. On board, you will enjoy oysters, snacks, and local champagne (included).
1:00 PM: In the afternoon, you will head in a 4x4 vehicle to Sandwich Harbour, a wonderful site where the dunes and the lagoon offer a fabulous spectacle. The most moving moments of your entire Namibian adventure may be the drive between the raging ocean and the ancient sand dunes of the Namib, or perhaps when you reach the top, with an endless view of sand and sky. Lunch and drinks included. The activity ends at 4:30 PM.

Drive to Sesriem (via Solitaire): You will love Sesriem because of its location: a true gateway to Sossusvlei, its sand dunes and the Naukluft Mountains are visible from all over the town. Be sure to see the Sesriem Canyon, a natural canyon 300 m long and 30 m high. Suggested stops en route:

• It may not be as cool as the equator, but the Tropic of Capricorn is still a pretty neat place to stop and take a selfie. There is a sign on the C14 road indicating the location of the Tropic of Capricorn, which is about 23 degrees south of the equator and marks the southernmost point where the sun is always directly overhead.
• Heading south from Swakopmund, you will encounter the Tropic of Capricorn road marker about 2.5 hours outside the city. Further south, the small town of Solitaire (one hour south of the Tropic of Capricorn and about 3.5 hours south of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay) is a common stop for road trippers in Namibia. It's essentially a glorified rest stop, with a gas station, a café, and abandoned cars that have been transformed into works of art by time.

Early morning departure from the Lodge to enter the Namib-Naukluft Park at sunrise, when the temperature is still mild and the dune contrasts are at their best. You will travel in one of our off-road vehicles with your guide, who will share all their knowledge of the region, the animals, the plant life, and much more.
Regular stops are made on the spectacular ± 60-kilometer drive through the dune corridor to the Vlei to gain information or admire the views. At Dune 45, we stop to admire the most photographed dune in the world. Further on, a gradual 2.6-kilometer round-trip guided walk to Dead Vlei is a must for healthy visitors. The more athletic will have the opportunity to climb to the top ridge of Big Daddy Dune, one of the highest dunes in the area! We spend time exploring Sossusvlei before returning to the Lodge approximately 5.5 hours later, in time for lunch.

This village is mainly populated by the Nama people who live from livestock farming and agriculture. Once in Aus, you can hike in the extinct Dikke Willem volcano and see the remains of the heliograph station; from the top of the mountain, the view of the Namib Desert is spectacular. You can also spot the wild horses of the Namib, descendants of domesticated horses that have returned to the wild, just like the Mustangs of North America. Don't miss Duwisib Castle, a fascinating place located in the heart of the Namib Desert. Built in 1909 by the German Baron Hansheinrich von Wolf, Duwisib Castle has a romantic and tragic history.

Suggested visit (not included): Kolmanskop is the most famous ghost town in Namibia and is located in the Sperrgebiet (forbidden territory), 1 hour and 20 minutes from Aus. In 1908, railway worker Zacharias Lewala found a sparkling stone among the sand he was shoveling near the railway line, near Kolmanskop. His supervisor, August Stauch, was convinced it was a diamond, and when this was confirmed, the news spread like wildfire, triggering a huge and frenzied diamond rush. But the town's heyday was short-lived. The town emptied over the years and was completely abandoned in the mid-1950s.

The Fish River Canyon lives up to its name. It is the largest canyon in Africa (and the second largest in the world) and an astonishing place, partly because the view seems to stretch endlessly. Upon arrival, a warm welcome awaits you, followed by a brief introduction to the "Rim to River" hike.
An overnight duffel bag will be provided for you to pack essentials for the hike, while items not needed on the trail can be safely stored in your vehicle.
The adventure begins with a leisurely open 4x4 drive along the Fish River Canyon plateau before descending and starting the official hike.
This short 2-kilometer distance in the cooler afternoon will gently familiarize hikers with the surroundings and what they can expect during the more serious hike the next day.
Upon arrival at Camp Eternity, guests will be greeted with refreshments and breathtaking views to the south. You will be able to use the campsite facilities: two bucket showers and two toilets per camp. Sundowner drinks will be served on the terrace while your guide gives you a briefing for the next day's hike.
A three-course meal is served under the starry sky.

After breakfast, you will begin the first stage of the hike, a 6-kilometer trek into the heart of the canyon, reaching the permanent rock pools around midday. Here, you can take a break, swim while keeping an eye out for the white-cheeked Cape otter that sometimes frequents the area, and enjoy a picnic in the wilderness.
After lunch, the trail leads to Mushroom Rock, approximately 5.9 kilometers away.
After a short break, guests will begin their 3.9-kilometer ascent to Camp Edge. Located above a side canyon, it offers stunning views directly into the gorge and south towards the Fish River. The tents, as well as the dining area, are strategically positioned on the edge of the rocky ridge within gabion enclosures.
Upon arrival, you will be greeted with refreshing drinks and can savor the spectacular views or retire to a tent, where your duffel bags will be waiting.
Back on the terrace, your guide will brief you on the activities planned for the next day, accompanied by a sundowner drink.
A delicious three-course meal will be served under the starry sky.

After breakfast, guests will embark on the final stage of the trail, covering 9.3 kilometers, which ends at the Fish River Lodge.
Guests are expected at the lodge between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM. They are welcome to use the lodge facilities, including showers, before continuing their journey.

Drive to Keetmanshoop and check-in at your accommodation: Far from being just a stopover, this small town boasts unique attractions and the most surreal landscapes. Its well-preserved colonial architecture is also quite interesting, while its mix of Nama traditions and German influences gives the town and its surroundings something truly special. The nearby Quiver Tree Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage site and consists of a collection of centuries-old Aloe dichotoma trees that seem straight out of a fantasy novel. This attraction is perfect for nature lovers as well as photographers, who will find many subjects to capture here.

After breakfast, check out and drive to Windhoek.
Suggested stops en route:

• The Quiver Tree Forest is a fascinating place located in Namibia, near the town of Keetmanshoop. These trees are tree aloes that can reach up to 9 meters in height and live for several centuries. Their name comes from the fact that the Bushmen (San) used their hollowed-out branches to make quivers for their arrows.
• The Giants' Playground consists of a jumble of dolerite rocks piled up chaotically, creating a surreal landscape. The rocks appear to have been arranged by giants, hence the name of the site. This geological formation is the result of erosion and fracturing of the rock over time.

When you arrive in Windhoek, return of the car at Windhoek airport, and check-in at your accommodation.

Your safari has come to an end – the time has come to say goodbye. After breakfast, you will be transferred to Windhoek Airport.