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Day 1 -2: Waterberg, Okonjima Bush Camp or Okonjima Tented Camp
This self drive safari through Namibia is named after a famous explorer called Francis Galton, who was Charles Darwin's cousin! Become your own explorer as you self drive yourselves around the Northern part of Namibia.
Upon arrival at Hosea Kutako Windhoek Airport you will be met and assisted to pick up your hire car. Feel free to stop enroute at Okahandja where the local Kavango Woodcarvers craft their trade at a large open air market.
Okonjima is the head quarters of the
Africat Foundation, and it is here that you can have the unique experience of seeing the conservation work that this non-profit organization does with Namibia’s largest Carnivores. This is located in the
Waterberg Plateau area of NamibiaTwo nights at Okonjima will give you sufficient time to experience the ground breaking work that the researchers and rangers are doing at Okonjima to reintroduce Cheetah, Leopard and Wild Dog back into the wild.
Accommodation: Okonjima Main Camp (value) or Okonjima Bush Lodge (Standard)
Meals: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 3: Tsumeb. !Uris Lodge
From Okonjima you will travel north to !Uris Lodge. The lodge nestles in a 17000 hectare private game reserve with an abundance of Eland, Kudu and other game. This area is well known for its gemstones and minerals and the lodge borders a number of historic German mines, namely Alt Bobos, Otjikoto,Karavatu and Tschudi. Nearby is the mysterious Otjikoto Lake where the German army, rather than surround their arms, ‘ dumped’ them in the lake. The depth of the lake is not known and to this day no one is completely sure what is in the lake!
Accommodation : !Uris Lodge
Meals : Bed & Breakfast
Day 4-5 : Onguma Private Game Reserve , Onguma Bush Camp or Onguma Tented Camp
This morning you drive approximately 395 kms/ 4 ½ hours to Onguma adjacent to the Onguma Private Nature Reserve. The reserve extends over 20 000 hectares and its protected wildlife includes lion, jackals, countless antelope plus the rare and endangered black rhino.
Sharing the eastern border of Namibia’s
Etosha National Park, Onguma’s privacy affords you the opportunity to enjoy game viewing in a private reserve on; night game drives, bush walks and night drives.
Accommodation : Onguma Bush Lodge (Value) or Onguma Tented Camp( Standard )
Meals : Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Day 6: Etosha, Ongava Tented Camp or Ongava Lodge
Etosha National Park covers 22 270 square kilometers of countryside ranging from dense bush to barren plains. Spend the day game-viewing in the Park, visiting various waterholes and subterranean springs at Etosha Pan - a vast silvery-white shallow depression meaning "Place of Dry Water" - which attract large herds of animals. In a season of good rains, the Pan is home to flamingoes, pelicans and many other water birds.
Today you will self drive from Onguma through Etosha to Ongava. The park is also private affording you all the opportunities such as night game drives and bush walks.
Accommodation: Ongava Tented Camp (value) or Ongava Lodge (standard)
Meals: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 7 – 8 : Damaraland, Desert Rhino Camp
This morning you will depart from Ongava and drive to Desert Rhino Africa in
Damaraland. This camp was previously known as Palmwag Rhino Camp. The unique selling point of this camp is without doubt, the opportunity to see the desert adapted Black Rhino ( Diceros Bicornis Bicornis) whose strong hold in Namibia is in this private concession.
Throughout most of the 20th century, the black rhino was the most numerous of the world's rhino species. Relentless hunting of the species and clearances of land for settlement and agriculture resulted in the population being reduced from several hundred thousand at the start of the century to less than 2,500. Effective field protection of rhino populations has therefore been critical and Namibia pioneered the use of community-based game guards to protect rhino living in communal areas.
These rhino are well adapted to life in the desert; they utilise the plants and waterholes efficiently and fit into the scheme of things, unlike humans and their livestock which destroy wild places. Their presence adds a dimension of awe and wonder to an environment that is singularly beautiful and that if conserved and utilised sensibly can add immeasurably to the richness of Namibia, and the attractions of its flourishing tourist industry. The desert-adapted black rhino population is currently one of very few populations in Africa that is on the increase. But this will only last while the current vigilance and anti-poaching effort is maintained.
Accommodation: Desert Rhino Camp
Meals: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 9: Damaraland, Twyfelfontein Lodge or Mowani Mountain Camp
After a final morning of activities at Desert Rhino Camp you will drive to your next destination . This area has a lot to offer. Explore the magnificent landscapes of the Huab River Valley, visiting the prehistoric rock galleries at Twyfelfontein. The area is strewn with boulders, all dotted with thousands of engravings and ancient paintings, some dating back to 3300 B.C . Geological features in the area include the Organ Pipes, considered to be over 130 million years old, Burnt Mountain and the Petrified Forest.
Accommodation: Twyfelfontein Lodge (value ) or !Doro Nawas( Standard)
Meals: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 10 - 11 : Swakopmund, Beach Hotel or Hansa Hotel
Drive approximately 430 kms / 6 hours to Swakopmund Hotel in Swakopmund.
Swakopmund is a much loved town . Founded in 1892 during the German Colonial Rule it served as the territories main harbor for many years. Its coast with its desert hinterland offers many options both for adventure and for relaxation. The Skeleton Coast is also a very interesting place to visit and be sure to drive up to see the Cape Cross Seal Colony.
Accommodation : Beach Hotel (value ) or Hansa Hotel (standard)
Meals : Bed & Breakfast
Day 12: Day of Departure
This morning you will enjoy a final morning in Swakopmund before departing and self driving back to
Windhoek to drop off your car.
Note: We at Rhino Africa are Namibia experts, and will gladly assist you in building an itinerary that best suite your requirements and budget. We encourage you to have a look at our recommended tours or to
contact us to put together the perfect tailor-made African safari just for you.
