Travel 15 days around Namibia on a classic safari including all major sightseeing highlights - with Unique Tours and Safaris Namibia. Extension options available.

2012
Safari Specials & more: e.g.
Tribal Namibia

Self-catering rooms and/or camping incl. 4x4 rental

Photo: Hot-air ballooning - a not-to-be-missed Namib experience

Around Namibia ...

Classic Namibia

15-Day/14-Night Accommodated Self-drive Safari
from/to Windhoek covering the classic, most sought after natural & sightseeing attractions in northern, coastal, and central Namibia

Our Classic Namibia Tour was named this way because its travel programme covers all the areas and attractions of Namibia that first-time visitors will expect to see. It is not an exhaustive itinerary, - Namibia is far too large and has got far too many outstanding features for that -, but one that provides an overview of what Namibia has got to offer as holiday destination also in terms of versatility - be it African wildlife, cultures, flora, landscapes, historical sites, geology, and in many other areas of interest.
The Classic Namibia 15-day & extended 22-day versions are ideal tour options especially for self-driving travellers venturing to Africa for the first time, as driving is comparatively easy and a healthy climate exists throughout most of the country and most of the year. Tourist accommodation facilities, food and beverages, rental vehicles, and activity offers all embrace internationally accepted standards and thus our Classic Namibia is a soft introduction to Africa.

Namibia's natural rugged beauty will quickly draw you into its spell while experiencing its deserts, wildlife sanctuaries, its pre-historic rock art, its ocean coast and wide open spaces. It invites you around every corner to step out of the familiar and into a feast for your senses, on every single day of the trip.

Unique Tours & Safaris, Namibia

Contact Heike by Email:
info@unique-tours-safaris.com

Web: www.unique-tours-safaris.com

P. O. Box 1301
Swakopmund/Namibia
Cell:  +264-(0)81-2122580
Tel/Fax: +264-(0)64-406313
NTB-Registration: TFA 00107

Classic Namibia

15-Day/14-Night Accommodated Self-drive Safari
from/to Windhoek covering the classic most sought after natural & sightseeing attractions in northern, coastal, and central Namibia

An EXTENSION OPTION of 6 days, for visiting the south of Namibia, is available to complete a classic Namibia roundtrip in 22 days.

This programme & its extension option are also available as:
- accommodated guided tour
- self-drive camping tour

Day 1     Windhoek
Upon arrival at Windhoek's Hosea Kutako International Airport, transfer to your nearby guest farm accommodation where the remainder of the day is at leisure.   In order to allow for a day of resting, after a long flight to Namibia, you only need to collect your rental vehicle, in the morning of Day 2. A morning transfer will take you to the vehicle rental company's office in Windhoek.
Today, however, you have the opportunity to take it easy, to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the warm afternoon sun, and to join the farmer for an optional game drive, if you so wish. Enjoy your first meal in this beautiful country with the sound of Africa in your ears and under a starry sky that you have most probably never seen before in such splendour.
Afrika Farm Ondekaremba - near Windhoek International Airport
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Basis
Game Drive included
Khomas Region
“Ondekaremba” means “the place where grazing is good”. The lovely garden with landscaped pool area awaits you - enjoy a swim and simply relax.

Optional alternative lodging:
Airport Lodge - Budget
Hohewarte Guest Farm - Tourist Class
Eningu Clay House Lodge - Upmarket
Afrika Farm Ondekaremba - Camping

Please note:
Alternatively, upon arrival, proceed on the transfer straight into Windhoek to collect your rental vehicle (as applicable to guests who booked the camping version of this tour). Check in at the overnight facility outside town, at your leisure.

Day 2     Windhoek - Waterberg Plateau
Was there a wake-up call by Francolins? You don’t know what they are? Rest assured that you'll soon meet your daily "alarm clock from the bush".
Travelling from Windhoek in a northern direction, you pass a wood carvers' market that should not be ignored, since you will not return this way. Today’s destination is a mountain plateau that arises from amidst forest-like vegetation: the Waterberg. If you love hiking and exploring the breathtaking natural surroundings a bit longer, you might like to consider staying here for a day or two longer (optional).
Waterberg Guest Farm - Waterberg Plateau
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Otjozondjupa Region
Waterberg Guest was built on the slopes of the Small Waterberg. Game may be viewed from one of the many elevated hides located at various waterholes around the ranch.

Optional alternative lodging:
Otjibamba Lodge - Budget
Waterberg Plateau Park - Tourist Class
Waterberg Wilderness Lodge - Upmarket
Waterberg Plateau Park - Camping

Days 3 and 4     Waterberg Plateau - Etosha National Park
On the menu for today and tomorrow: Etosha National Park!
Through the mining town of Tsumeb and past the mysterious Lake Otjikoto, you reach the eastern border of the this famous wildlife and nature conservation park. Game viewing from the lodge, while exploring the Fisher’s Pan or visiting Klein Namutoni, can certainly keep you well occupied during your stay. Don't forget to search for the very shy and very cute little Blue Buck, while admiring all the other African game and bird species that feel at ease moving about in broad day light.
Onguma Bush Camp - Etosha National Park
Bed & Breakfast
Oshikoto Region
Onguma Bush Camp is ideally based on the eastern rim of the Etosha Nat. Park. The surrounding private Onguma Reserve boasts over thirty different game species.

Optional alternative lodging:
Mushara Lodge - Tourist Class
Mokuti Lodge Kempinski - Upmarket
Namutoni Rest Camp - Camping

Days 5 and 6     Etosha National Park
From Onguma, your journey takes you in a south-westerly direction through Etosha, with game viewing along the way. About half-way through the park, lies the Halali Rest Camp where a lunchtime break and possibly also some elephant observations at the Moringa Waterhole may be enjoyed.
During your stay on the southern side of the park, be sure to include a visit of the Okondeka area on the western fringes of the Etosha Pan, as lions love to linger here, before sunset. Your accommodation for these two nights is situated just outside Etosha's Andersson Gate.
Etosha Safari Camp - Etosha National Park
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Kunene Region
Etosha Safari Camp is perched on a small hill near the Ondundozonanandanana mountain range and offers a warm and creative African ambience.

Optional alternative lodging:
Toshari Lodge - Budget
Etosha Village / Andersson Camp - Tourist Class
Etosha Safari Lodge / Ongava Lodge - Upmarket
Etosha Safari Camp - Camping

Day 7     Etosha Nat. Park - Twyfelfontein/Damaraland
Northern Namibia's world heritage site, the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, are your next destination. Passing through the village of Outjo, the local bakery is the place to stop for buying some divine road snacks. Travelling further to the west, there are the Vingerklip, a 35m tall rock column shaped like a finger by erosion, and a Petrified Forest to catch your attention. More curious geological features along the Ugab Valley include the Organ Pipes and the Burnt Mountain. At Twyfelfontein, local guides stand ready to show you around the much acclaimed rock art galleries found on the slopes of a boulder-strewn hill.
On reaching your accommodation in the vicinity of Twyfelfontein, you may be happy to round off this eventful day by just relaxing on the terrace over sundowner drinks and, with some luck, in the presence of desert adapted elephants.
Aabadi Mountain Camp - Twyfelfontein
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Kunene Region
Aabadi Mountain Camp is regularly visited by the famous desert elephant for a drink or bath in the camp's permanent waterhole.

Optional alternative lodging:
Camp Xaragu - Budget
Twyfelfontein Country Lodge - Tourist Class
Mowani Mountain Lodge - Upmarket
Aabadi Mountain Camp - Camping

Days 8 and 9     Twyfelfontein - Erongo Mountains
On your way south to the Erongo Mountains, the Brandberg Mountain rising out of the desert plains like a sentinel remains a prominent landscape feature for most of your drive. By about lunchtime, you reach Uis and its mining crater lake as well as restaurant facilities in the village. From here onwards, the mysterious Erongo Mountains dominate the views across southern Damaraland's sparsely vegetated savannas. And the vistas from the terrace of your accommodation provide an even better impression of the vastness of these expanses.
Ai Aiba Lodge - Erongo Mountains
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Erongo Region
The lodge is set afoot massive, sacred granite rock boulders, overlooking the magically beautiful range of the Erongo. Numerous pre-historic rock paintings found near the lodge, will draw you into the spell of mystic Africa.

Optional alternative lodging:
Omaruru Guesthouse - Budget
Erongo Wilderness Lodge - Tourist Class
Old Traders Lodge - Upmarket
Eileen Guest Farm - Camping

Day 10     Erongo Mountains - Karibib Area

Travelling further south via the small historic villages of Omaruru and Karibib, for only about 2.5 hours, you reach Etusis Lodge, home of a foundation dedicated to protecting the Hartman's Mountain Zebra. Seemingly barren rocky landscapes surround the lodge for most of the year, yet lush greenery appears after rainfalls and a huge variety of flora and fauna call them home.
Etusis Lodge - Karibib District
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Basis
Erongo Region
The private Etusis Nature Reserve covers more than 21,000 hectares and is situated approx. 1200 meters above sea level. An mind-boggling variety of wild animals, plants and minerals can be found on Etusis.

Optional alternative lodging:
Ameib Ranch - Budget
Okomitundu Guest Farm - Tourist Class
Etusis Lodge - Camping

Days 11 and 12     Karibib Area - Swakopmund
Swakopmund, a coastal town wedged between the Namib Desert and the Atlantic Ocean and steeped in history, is today’s destination. Explore your surroundings as pedestrian, skipper or passenger of a guided tour. Here you have numerous and varied opportunities to learn more about the desert and Namibia's coastal marine life, during a desert trip and a boat cruise on the Walvis Bay Lagoon respectively. Spoil yourself with seafood in one of the many well known restaurants in town.
Cornerstone Guesthouse - Swakopmund
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Erongo Region
Cornerstone Guesthouse is a few minutes’ walk from the beaches, cafés, restaurants, lively pubs, from Swakopmund tourist attractions and a variety of interesting shops and markets in town.

Optional alternative lodging:
Meike’s Guesthouse - Budget
Beach Lodge - Tourist Class
Hansa Hotel - Upmarket
Alte Brücke Resort - Camping

Days 13 and 14     Swakopmund - Sossusvlei & Surroundings

The famous Sossusvlei is beckoning and you most probably feel your anticipation growing when travelling deeper into the Namib Desert. Having traversed the desert's gravel plains and negotiated the winding passes of the Kuiseb and Ghaub Canyons, you can reward yourself with a piece of the allegedly best apple crumble in the country, on offer at the coffee shop in Solitaire.
From here, it is only a little over an hour's drive to the Sesriem Gate area of the Namib Naukluft Park and your accommodation situated on the edge of the dune desert that affords breathtaking vistas right from your doorstep.
An afternoon visit of the Sesriem Canyon is perfect for stretching legs, so climb down into the canyon and enjoy the cool shade and permanent water pools.
The next morning, returning to Sesriem Gate already at dawn for a slow drive to Sossusvlei, may well become your ultimate desert experience:  As the sun rises over the sea of sand, the most incredible visual effects are created by dune colours changing from a deep purple to orange, red and yellow. For the more energetic visitor, there are opportunities to take a walk from Sossusvlei over to the Dead Vlei and to climb up to the top of “Big Daddy”, at approx. 350m the highest dune in this area. By mid-morning, the merciless African sun usually makes you escape to the shade of your room or the swimming pool.

Desert Camp - Sesriem/Sossusvlei Area

Bed & Breakfast

Hardap Region

For those who want to feel very close to nature, the Desert Camp is the ideal choice. This place surely represents true African spirit in unparalleled desert beauty…

Optional alternative lodging:

Tsauchab River Camp - Budget

Sossusvlei Lodge - Tourist Class

Kulala Lodge - Upmarket

Sesriem Campsite - Camping

Day 15     Sossusvlei Area - Windhoek/Departure
If you really can't stay any longer to complete your Namibia experiences with a few extra days spent exploring the country's magic deep south ... then this is the day to return to Windhoek. But you are not going to bid your farewell without enjoying more of Namibia's wide open desert plains and rugged mountain ranges that line your route back to the central highlands.
Return your vehicle in Windhoek, from where you are transferred to the Hosea Kutako International Airport for catching your evening flight back home.

If leaving Namibia without also having experienced the majestic Fish River Canyon, its very first European settlement on the Lüderitz Bay and other southern highlights is not an option, well, then why don't you consider booking the EXTENDED Classic Namibia - the next page entails details of the extension days.

Services Included in the 15-day programme, on a SELF-DRIVE basis:
- 14 nights accommodation as indicated above
- Meal basis as indicated above
- Hosea Kutako Airport Transfers on arrival in & departure from Namibia
- Vehicle rental from/to Windhoek - 15 days:
  Suzuki Jimny - for all accommodated safaris

  OR

  Toyota Camping Vehicle equipped for 2 - for all camping safaris
  • Incl. unlimited mileage
  • Incl. insurance cover as per vehicle rental company utilised

Not included are:
- Flights & Visa/Permits of any kind
- Sightseeing programme & entrance/park fees
- Optional activities

- Additional meals & all beverages
- Fuel for rental vehicle
- Purchases and expenses of a personal nature

On a GUIDED basis, the tour includes in addition to the above inclusions:
- English speaking driver-guide from/to Windhoek & all tour expenses pertaining to

  the guide
- Transport in an air-conditioned 5-seater minibus & all tour expenses pertaining to
  the vehicle (instead of car hire)
- Sightseeing programme & the applicable entrance/park fees

An indication of the approximate cost of services included in this 15-day tour:
SELF-DRIVE:  Daily rate per person sharing rental vehicle & room: N$1170
GUIDED:      Daily rate per person sharing accommodation: N$3080/min. 2 guests

CAMPING:  Daily rate per person sharing camper rental & camp site: N$860

All prices are based on service supplier rates valid until 31 October 2012