Kap, Dünen & Wildnis II

[die Tourbeschreibung ist momentan nur auf Englisch verfügbar]

Day 1 Arrive Windhoek
Arrive in Windhoek and make your way to the hotel. Attend a pre-departure group meeting with your tour leader scheduled for the evening.

Windhoek is the capital of Namibia, It has a population of 230,000 and is a major trade centre of sheep skins. Windhoek was originally the centre of a Nama chief, who defeated the Herero inhabitants of the region in the 19th century. Germany occupied the region in 1885, and it became the seat of colonial rule in 1892, as the capital of the colony of South-West Africa (Deutsch-Südwestafrika). During World War I, Windhoek was captured by South African troops and became a British dominion. Until the independence of Namibia was inaugurated in 1990, Windhoek was recognized as the capital of South West Africa as administered by the South African government. It continues today as the capital of the Republic of Namibia. The city of Windhoek is traditionally known by two names: Ai-Gams, from the Nama people, which literally refers to the hot springs that were once part of Windhoek, while the second name, Otjomuise, meaning a place of steam, was given by the Herero people. Both traditional names reference the hot springs.

Possible things to visit: Christuskirche & Alte Feste

Day 2-3 Etosha National Park (2B,2D)
Approximate Distance: 450 km (including game drive in own vehicle)
Estimate Travel Time: 5.5 Hours

After breakfast, depart for Etosha National Park (The name means Great White Place). Etosha National Park in Namibia was first established in 1907, when Namibia was a German colony known as South West Africa. At the time, the park’s original 100,000 km_ (38,500 mile_) made it the largest game reserve in the world. Due to political changes since its original establishment, the park is somewhat less than a quarter of its original size, but still remains a very large and significant area in which wildlife is protected. The Etosha Pan dominates the park. The salt pan desert is roughly 130 km long and as wide as 50 km in places. The salt pan is usually dry, but fills with water briefly in the summer months, when it attracts pelicans and flamingos in particular. Periannual springs attract a variety of game and birds throughout the year, including the endangered Black Rhinoceros and the endemic Black Face Impala.

Arrive at Etosha in the afternoon, and take off on a first game drive in our air-conditioned touring vehicle through the east of the park. On day 11, enjoy another game drive towards the southern side of Etosha.

The two overnights will not necessarily be inside the park, as accommodation options are limited. Your accommodation outside of the park will normally be in rooms with en-suite facilities (south and east of the park respectively for the two nights).

Game drives can be done in the normal tour vehicle or it can be pre-booked in Open vehicles through Etosha Game Viewers. All rest camps have pools, a restaurant, little shop for necessities and curios etc.

Day 4 Damaraland (B,L,D)
Approximate Distance: 245 km
Estimate Travel Time: 8 Hours (including game drives in own vehicle)

Leave the Etosha area after breakfast and make your way to Khorixas (Khorixas is a derivation of the Damara word ‘Gorigas – a type of water bush which flourishes in the area). Along the way stop at a local craft market, check out rock engravings in the area of Twyfelfontein (The name means ''Doubtful fountain'' as was given by a local farmer who was in doubts that a spring which existed in the area can support cattle for a long enough time) and view the remainders of prehistoric volcanic actions like the Burnt Mountain, Organ Pipes and Petrified Forest.

Overnight in 2 bedroom huts on the banks of the river.

Day 5-6 Swakopmund (2B)
Approximate Distance: 490 km
Estimate Travel Time: 7.5 Hours

Depart from the lodge in the Khorixas area and travel towards Swakopmund (a historical town that originated from the German colonial period, which will be noticeable from the street names and buildings in the town). Swakopmund was founded in 1892, two years later than Windhoek, by Captain Curt von Francois. It was intended to be the main harbour of German South-West Africa. Increased traffic between Germany and its colony necessitated establishing a port of its own, as Walvis Bay, located 33 kilometres south, was in British possession. The choice fell to a site north of the Swakop River, because water was readily available, and because other sites were unsuitable.

Explore the town or try quad biking / dune boarding (own expense) during the free day 14. Have an evening meal at a local restaurant (own expense) and overnight in a guesthouse.

Day 7-8 Namib Desert (2B,L,2D)
Approximate Distance: 450 km
Estimate Travel Time: 6.5 Hours

Leave early and start the journey towards Sossusvlei (a clay pan, enclosed by the world’s largest sand Dunes, up to 300m high) driving on only long, lonely gravel roads. On the way, pass some of the little towns in the Southern part of Namibia like solitaire. If time allows, stop over at one of these little towns for lunch or, if time is constrained, picnic at a suitable place along the road. Arrive in the area in the late afternoon.

On the way, take a coffee stop at Solitaire (a mystical little town consisting of a filling station, general dealer/coffee shop and small mechanical workshop). Pass through some mountain passes, as well as getting a true feeling for the Namib Desert, during today's drive. About 30km South of Swakopmund (when you finally hit paved road again), drive past Walvis Bay, the town that hosts the only deep-sea harbour on the Namibian Coastline.

On day 8, enjoy a guided walk into the dunes and a visit to the Sesriem Canyon 4km from the hotel at Sesriem (entrance to Sossusvlei) is a small canyon, which typical of the area, is invisible from even a short distance away. Closer inspection brings you to the brink of a sharp drop but there is an easily accessible path which takes you down into its depths. You can even have a dip it its murky pools amongst little fish, if the water is high enough. It was an important source of water for early inhabitants and even during dry times there is water in the upper reaches, where deep clefts in the rock reduce evaporation. Explorers, transport riders and early travellers used to lower a bucket down to collect the water and it normally took 6 lengths of thong tied together, hence the Afrikaans name “Ses” meaning six, and “Riem” meaning thong. The canyon was formed by the Tsauchab River rising in the Naukluft and Zaris Mountains to the east, and flowing through to Sossusvlei. Walking through the canyon takes you on a journey back 10-20 million years ago when sedimentary layers of gravel and sand were deposited and cemented together by lime. The ledges are now inhabited by pigeons, raucous pied crows and chattering starlings. But look a little higher and you might see a lanner falcon or the soaring spread of a lappet faced vulture with a wingspan of 2.6m. At night listen out for the haunting cry of the spotted eagle owl. An amazing variety of wildlife has adapted to live in this inhospitable place such as lizards that only put 2 feet down at a time and the black toc tokkie beetle who leans forward to allow droplets of morning mist run down its body into its mouth.

Day 9 Fish River Canyon (B,D)
Approximate Distance: 300 km
Estimate Travel Time: 4.5 Hours

Make your way to Fish River canyon, the largest canyon in Africa. The Fish River is, at 650 kilometres, the longest river in Namibia. Its source lies in the eastern Naukluft Mountains and flows south-west of Ai-Ais into the Oranje. The Fish River canyon, situated along the lower reaches of the Fish River, is one of the most impressive natural beauties in the southern part of Namibia. It developed predominantly during the pluvial times - a rainy climatic epoch - many millions of years ago. With a depth of up to 550 metres, the Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world, before the Grand Canyon in America. The enormous gorge meanders along a distance of approx. 160 kilometres through the fissured Koubis massif all the way down to Ai-Ais. The canyon starts near Seeheim, is 161 kilometres long and ends at Ai-Ais. The Fish River Canyon probably formed about 500 million years ago. However, the gorge was not only created by water erosion, but also through the collapse of the valley bottom due to movements in the earth's crust. Because the Fish River is being dammed in Hardap near Mariental, it only contains a small amount of running water. In winter, during the dry season, the riverbed is often completely dry or reduced to only the occasional puddle. However, after rainFalls in summer the river can become a raging torrent.

In the afternoon, watch as a spectacular sunset slips over the canyon's rim.

Day 10 Gariep River (B,D)
Approximate Distance: 430 km
Estimate Travel Time: 6 Hours

We make one last stop in Namibia, at Gariep River, before heading into South Africa. Swim, relax or take a ride down the river in a canoe.

The Orange River, in the past also sometimes known as the Gariep or as the Grootrivier, is the major river of South Africa. The river was first discovered by indigenous people but only explored by Europeans in 1760 and named after the House of Orange, which was the Stadhouder of Holland between 1777-79. Another account of its naming suggests that it may have been called after the supposedly orangy colour of its water, as opposed to the colour of the water of the Vaal River ( 'vaal' being Afrikaans for pale or grey). The farthest head stream of the Orange rises in the Drakensberg mountains along the border between South Africa and Lesotho, about 193 km (120 mi) from the Indian Ocean and at an altitude of over 3000m. While in Lesotho, the river is known as the Senqu and parts of it freeze in winter, owing to the altitude there. It then runs 2200 km (1367 mi) westwards, at first along the south-western boundary of the Free State and then through the Northern Cape province and eventualy discharges into the Atlantic Ocean in the west where it forms the southern border of Namibia with South Africa's Northern Cape Province

Spend the afternoon swimming, relaxing or take a ride down the river in a canoe (own expense).
Day 11 West Coast and Lambert's Bay (B,D)
Approximate Distance: 550km
Estimate Travel Time: 7 Hours (depending on border crossing)

Cross into South Africa after breakfast heading south to Lambert's Bay. At Clan William we head towards the coast again and Lambert’s Bay. Arrive in the picturesque town of Lambert’s Bay on the West Coast of South Africa in the afternoon.

Upon arrival in Lambert's Bay, you are welcome to visit the well known “Bird Island” where you can find more than 25 000 Blue-eyed Gannets at certain times of the year. Penguins also gather on this island for breeding between August and October. There are also various little interesting curio and souvenir shops in Lambert's Bay that you can visit in the afternoon.

Day 20 Cape Town (B)
Approximate Distance: 300 km
Estimate Travel Time: 4 Hours

After breakfast, depart for our final stop, Cape Town (mother city of South Africa). Along the way stop along “Blouberg Strand” for your first look at Table Mountain. Spend the afternoon discovering the city.

Cape Town (Afrikaans: Kaapstad / Xhosa: iKapa) is the third most populous city in South Africa, forming part of the metropolitan municipality of the City of Cape Town. It is the provincial capital of the Western Cape, as well as the legislative capital of South Africa, where the National Parliament and many government offices are located. Cape Town is famous for its harbour as well as its natural setting in the Cape floral kingdom, including such well-known landmarks as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Often regarded as one of the world's most beautiful cities because of its geography, Cape Town is the most popular South African destination for tourism.Cape Town originally developed as a victualling station for Dutch ships sailing to Eastern Africa, India, and Asia. Jan van Riebeeck's arrival on 6 April 1652 established the first permanent European settlement in sub-Saharan Africa. Cape Town quickly outgrew its original purpose as the first European outpost at the Castle of Good Hope. It was the largest city in South Africa until the growth of Johannesburg and Durban. According to the 2001 Census, the city has a population of 2.9 million. Cape Town's land area of 2,499 square kilometres (965 sq mi) is larger than other South African cities, resulting in a comparatively lower population density of 1,158 people per square kilometre (2,999/sq mi). Cape Town is town twinned with Nice in France.

Day 13 Depart Cape Town (B)
Tour ends after breakfast at approximately 08:00 am.