Namibia Wildlife and Culture Tour for Seniors

Upon arriving in Windhoek airport, Odyssey can arrange a transfer to your hotel. In the evening we will meet for welcome dinner. (D)

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast we meet our local guide and depart Windhoek, driving southwest through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands before heading down the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert below, stopping for a picnic lunch at a scenic location along the way. We will arrive at our lodge in the mid-afternoon. If there is still time today, we will visit Sesriem Canyon, a nearby geological attraction. However, if you prefer, you can just relax and soak in the scenic and tranquil surroundings at the lodge. Dinner at the lodge. (B, D)

Breakfast at the lodge. This morning you will rise early for a magical excursion with your guide into the Namib Naukluft National Park. We will enter the Park gates at sunrise to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows accentuate their towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world. Your guide will give you an insight on the formation of the Namib Desert and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environs. Once you have explored to your hearts content you can enjoy a relaxing picnic breakfast under the shade of a camel thorn tree. Return to Namib Naukluft lodge in the early afternoon for a late lunch, stopping off to view Sesriem Canyon if you haven’t already done so the day before. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure (from experience, this is usually welcomed after an exhilarating morning in the dunes). Dinner at the lodge. (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the lodge. The fascinating drive today takes you northwest through awesome and ever changing desert landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park, including the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons. You will meet the coast at the port town of Walvis Bay and then continue north to Swakopmund where you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location and cooler coastal air. There will be time this afternoon to explore the town and wander along the waterfront on foot Dinner will be at The Tug, a popular restaurant which specialises in fresh seafood. (B, D)

Breakfast is at the hotel. Continuing on our safari today, the road takes us north and east into the wonderful and diverse region of Damaraland. We'll pass Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg which peaks at 2,573 m above sea level, and take time to view game and absorb the vastness of the scenery along the way. Damaraland is typified by displays of colour, magnificent table topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation. The present day landscape has been formed by the erosion of wind, water and geological forces which have formed rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains and ancient river terraces. It is the variety and loneliness of the area as well as the scenic splendour which will reward and astound you, giving an authentic understanding of the word 'wilderness'. If time allows this afternoon our guide will take us to visit the nearby attractions and geological sites of the pre-historic Twyfelfontein rock engravings (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) - if not, there is plenty of time to see them tomorrow. Dinner at the camp. (B, D)

After an early breakfast at the camp, you set off on your journey to the Etosha Heights area, travelling via the scenic Grootberg Pass. Along the way our guide will take us to visit a local Himba settlement We may have to search for a while as the semi-nomadic Himba people sometimes move location with no notice. They are one of the last truly traditional peoples of Namibia and have little time for conventional practices. Here we will learn about the customs and traditions of this very proud nation, and will be given insight into their beliefs, way of life and everyday routine. We will also visit the Grootberg Primary School. After visiting the Himba and school we will head east through the small town of Kamanjab before heading on towards tonight’s destination at Safari Hoek on the southern border of Etosha in the early afternoon. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing at the camp’s floodlit waterhole whilst contemplating the fascinating impressions of the day. Later you will join an afternoon drive on the private Safari Heights Reserve. (B, D)

Breakfast at the lodge. Today we will be treated to an exciting morning game drive into the private Etosha Heights Game reserve to see more of the wide variety of game and bird species that are to be found there before returning for lunch. Lunch at the lodge. There is then time to relax by the refreshing swimming pool before we head out again for an afternoon game drive. We also have the option to simply relax and watch game come and go from the lodge’s hides overlooking the active waterhole. This makes for some good photographic opportunities. Dinner at the lodge. (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the lodge. Today you depart Safarihoek Lodge and make your way back to Windhoek. Time permitting we may detour via the Etosha National Park for late morning game drive inside the park and picnic lunch. You then return by road to Windhoek, arriving late afternoon in time for your farewell dinner with your guide included. Dinner at the lodge. (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the lodge. Day at Leisure (B)

The tour concludes this morning after breakfast. (B)