Namibia Southern Swing Via Cape Town

Page | 1

Namibia Southern Swing via Cape Town

Cederberg - Namaqualand - Orange River - Fish River Canyon - Aus - Namib - Sossusvlei - Southern Namibia - Walvis Bay - Windhoek
19 Days / 18 Nights
Reference: Namibia Southern Swing

Click here to view your Digital Itinerary

Overview

Key
RO: Room only
SC: Self Catering
HB: Half Board
B&B: Bed and breakfast
B, B&L: Bed, breakfast and lunch
D, B&B: Dinner, bed and breakfast
FB: Dinner, bed, breakfast and lunch
FB+: Dinner, bed, breakfast, lunch and activities daily
FI: Fully inclusive

Day 1: Mount Ceder Lodge, Cederberg (Mon,27February)

This vast country is undoubtedly one of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth. Fondly known by locals as the 'Rainbow Nation', South Africa has 11 official languages and its multicultural inhabitants are influenced by a fascinating mix of African, Asian and European cultures. Spend your days: discovering the gourmet restaurants, impressive art and nightlife scenes and fine beaches of Cape Town; enjoying a typical local braai (barbecue) in the Soweto township; browsing the bustling Indian markets in Durban; or sampling some of the world’s finest wines at the myriad wine estates dotted around the picturesque Cape Winelands. Due to its rich and turbulent history there are plenty of historical attractions to explore including the Zululand battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg and Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town. Above all else, South Africa’s attraction lies in its remarkably untamed wilderness with its astonishing range of wildlife roaming freely across massive unfenced game reserves such as the world famous Kruger National Park. With all of this variety on offer, it is little wonder that South Africa has fast become Africa’s most popular tourist destination.

The Cederberg is wild, rugged, dramatic and above all, breathtakingly beautiful. The region’s valleys are lined with citrus orchards and surrounded by magnificent mountains that become even more spectacular at sunset, when they are bathed in vivid colours. Hiking, bouldering and rock-climbing are popular pursuits in this beautiful natural wilderness, which also affords visitors opportunities to swim in crystal clear rock pools, discover ancient rock art, or marvel at the biodiversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom of South Africa.

Overnight: Mount Ceder Lodge

For a first class experience, come to the Cederberg and enjoy the mountain scenery and many activities at the luxury of Mount Ceder, located in a valley surrounded by mountains. All cottages are fully equipped with linen, towels, cutlery, crockery, a fridge, stove and microwave. They each have a fireplace inside and a braai area outside. Braai utensils are provided. With a perennial river, wonderful bird life and stunning scenery, there are abundant opportunities for outdoor pursuits or to just remain at your cottage and relax. At the end of the day, settle down to a relaxing drink on your veranda, or enjoy a wholesome three-course meal at the Old Millhouse restaurant, accompanied by wine of the region.

Directions - Stellenbosch Airfield to Mount Ceder Lodge

• Head south toward R44 (1.3 km)
• Turn left onto R44 (6.6 km)
• Slight right onto Adam Tas Rd/R310/R44. Continue to follow R44 (40.2 km)
• Turn left onto Stokery Rd/R44. Continue to follow R44 (40.7 km)
• Continue onto R46 (36.7 km)
• Turn left onto Vos St/R303. Continue to follow R303 (8.7 km)
• Continue onto Voortrekker St (1.2 km)
• Continue onto R303 (34.2 km)
• Turn right. Destination will be on the right (50.9 km)

Included

Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 2: Mount Ceder Lodge, Cederberg (Tue,28February)

Included

Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 3: Agama Tented Camp, Namaqualand (Wed,1March)

Every year in early spring, the arid Namaqualand region of South Africa transforms itself into a kaleidoscope of colour with the flowering of thousands of wildflowers. This short-lived, vibrant explosion of colour in what is usually a barren landscape, brings a multitude of local and international visitors who come for the flower season’s endlessly photogenic landscapes, wild flower shows and warm West Coast hospitality.

Overnight: Agama Tented Camp

A world away from the lush, safari-visited jungles and plains of Africa, Namaqualand, a largely unknown and overlooked corner of South Africa offers a beauty unsurpassed by all else. Agama Tented Camp invites you to experience this drought-ravaged wilderness both in and out its world-renowned floral season. The bush camp is based 20km north of Garies and accommodates 14 people.

The comfortable tented accommodation all have their own private bathrooms and spacious decks from where you can absorb this relatively unexplored part of the country. Whether it is an early morning drive, sundowners with breathtaking views, a hike or huddled around a fire in the Kookskerm (Boma), Agama Tented Camp will touch all your senses and offer you an unforgettable experience.

Directions - Mount Ceder Lodge to Agama Tented Camp

• Head north (10.9 km)
• Turn left (8.4 km)
• Turn left (6.4 km)
• Turn right (47.5 km)
• Turn right onto N7 (276 km)
• Turn left (18.3 km)
• Turn right (74 m)
• Turn right (1.2 km)
• Turn left (50 m)
• Turn left (77 m)

Included

Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 4: Felix Unite Provenance Camp, Orange River (Thu,2March)

With its well-developed infrastructure, some of the best tourist facilities in Africa and an impressive list of breathtaking natural wonders, touring Namibia is truly a pleasure. Visit the capital of Windhoek and the lovely coastal town of Swakopmund to discover remnants of the country’s German influence, reflected in the architecture, culture, cuisine and the annual Oktoberfest celebrations. To properly appreciate this extraordinary country, you will have to venture out of the cities to explore the remarkable natural landscapes Namibia has to offer. These include: the impressive Fish River Canyon Park; the vast Etosha National Park teeming with local subspecies, such as desert lions, desert elephants and the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra; the hauntingly beautiful Kalahari Desert; and of course the Namib Desert stretching for nearly 1000 km along the magnificent Atlantic coastline. Namibia is an ideal destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable African experience in a uniquely beautiful untamed wilderness.

The Orange River snakes its way through one of Southern Africa’s harshest environments bringing life to an area of sheer rugged beauty. Aside from vineyards in the desert the river also creates a mobile playground from which to explore the area.

Overnight: Felix Unite Provenance Camp

Camp Provenance boasts accommodation to suit all in the most awesome setting on the Orange River. African Style Cabana’s overlook the Orange River there are comfortable permanent tents and plenty of space for camping. This is the ideal spot from which to head out on an Orange River canoe trip. The camp has a pool, a bar, a restaurant, a laundry and a shop.

Directions - Agama Tented Camp to Felix Unite Provenance Camp

• Head east (77 m)
• Turn right (50 m)
• Turn right (1.2 km)
• Turn left (74 m)
• Turn left (16.9 km)
• Continue straight (1.3 km)
• Turn right toward N7 (39 m)
• Turn left at the 1st cross street onto N7. Entering Namibia (201 km)
• Continue onto B1 (3.7 km)
• Turn left onto C13 (10.0 km)

Included

Bed & Breakfast

Day 5: Fish River Lodge, Fish River Canyon (Fri,3March)

The intermittent Fish River has created Africa’s largest and the world’s second largest canyon. Hot, dry and stony the 160 km long, at times 27 km wide and 550m deep canyon is awe inspiring. At the southern end are the renowned hot springs of Ai-Ais.

Overnight: Fish River Lodge View iBrochure

Fish River Lodge in southern Namibia is the only lodge perched directly on the rim of the Fish River Canyon offering guests breathtaking views of the canyon from sunrise to sunset. Experience first hand the geological forces that unfolded 300 million years ago, when the Fish River began to etch its way through hard quartzite forming a Canyon 90 kilometres long, 549 metres deep and 28 kilometres wide in some places, making it the world's second largest Canyon. The 45 000 hectare Canyon Nature Park is a natural sanctuary for Karoo succulent flora and endemic wildlife.
Incredible hiking trails meander down into the heart of the canyon affording guests spectacular scenery combined with 75 km river frontage made up of permanent water holes and rock pools that attract Hartmans Zebra, Kudu, Oryx, Springbok and many other smaller wildlife species and endemic birdlife.

Directions - Felix Unite Provenance Camp to Fish River Lodge

• Head west on C13 (180 km)
• Turn right (11.7 km)
• Slight right onto D463 (82.9 km)
• Turn right to stay on D463 (19.4 km)
• Turn right. Destination will be on the right (9 m)

Included

Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 6: Klein-Aus Vista - Eagle's Nest Chalets, Gondwana Collection Namibia, Aus (Sat,4March)

This region is typified by the Succulent Karoo. The distinctive climatic characteristics of the Succulent Karoo make it different from all other deserts in the world. Rainfall is reliable and predictable, falling mostly in winter, and prolonged droughts are rare. The Succulent Karoo’s botanical diversity is unparalleled by any other arid region on earth and is the world’s only plant hotspot that is entirely arid.

This ecoregion is home to greater than 5,000 higher plant species, nearly 40 percent of which are endemic, and 18 percent of which are threatened. It has the richest succulent flora in the world, harbouring about one-third of the world’s approximately 10,000 succulent species. Other unique features include the diversity of miniature succulents (435 spp.) and geophytes (bulb-like plants 630 spp.). The ecoregion is also a center of diversity and endemism for reptiles and many invertebrate taxa, especially monkey beetles (Rutelinae: Hoplinii).

The Namib Desert ecoregion to the north is characterized by extremely low and variable summer rain (less than 50 mm per year), and extremely sparse plant cover, dominated by ephemerals. To the east lies the Nama Karoo ecoregion, a low open shrubland with variable grass cover and highly variable rain that falls mainly in the late summer months.

Overnight: Klein-Aus Vista - Eagle's Nest Chalets, Gondwana Collection Namibia View iBrochure

Solitude, silence, space and magnificent sunsets - these are the characteristics of the atmosphere at Eagle's Nest Chalets. A 15 minutes' drive from the reception at the Desert Horse Inn, 8 chalets are nestled against a mountain slope and afford unique views of the boundlessness of the desert. Each of the natural rock chalets sits between massive granite boulders and contains a bathroom, kitchenette, fireplace and private veranda. Meals are served at the Desert Horse Inn restaurant. Take-away breakfast or barbecue packs are available on request.

Directions - Fish River Lodge to Klein-Aus Vista - Eagle's Nest Chalets, Gondwana Collection Namibia

• Head northeast toward D463 (9 m)
• Turn right onto D463 (55.8 km)
• Turn left onto D462 (25.3 km)
• Turn left onto B4 (121 km)
• Turn left (0.5 km)

Included

Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 7: Klein-Aus Vista - Eagle's Nest Chalets, Gondwana Collection Namibia, Aus (Sun,5March)

Included

Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 8: Klein-Aus Vista - Eagle's Nest Chalets, Gondwana Collection Namibia, Aus (Mon,6March)

Included

Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 9: Kanaan Na'an ku sê Desert Retreat, Namib (Tue,7March)

The Namib is the world’s oldest desert, and although it stretches along the entire length of Namibia’s coastline, the Namib commonly refers to the vast sea of sand from Luderitz to Swakopmund. For a big sandy desert the scenery is remarkably varied, with the giant red dunes of Sossusvlei being the most famous part.

Because of how old it is the Namib is home to numerous species that don’t occur elsewhere and although no humans live in the desert an amazing array of flora and fauna manages to survive here. Famous species include the Welwitschia – a living fossil plant, endemic chameleons, fur seals along the coast, brown hyenas, jackals and remarkably one of Africa’s largest antelope the Gemsbok. The name Namib is of Nama origin and means "vast place" and vast it certainly is.

Overnight: Kanaan Na'an ku sê Desert Retreat View iBrochure

This enchanting reserve borders the Namib Naukluft Park with its breath taking photogenic dune belt to the west and the Tiras Mountains to the east. Kanaan N/a’an ku sê Desert Retreat is situated on 45 000 ha of unspoilt nature. Contrasting landscapes are never-ending, with rippled sand dunes glowing in the magical light of sunrise and sunset. Stay in one of our very exclusive en-suite Luxury Canvas Tents build on wooden decks overlooking a most striking and contrasting landscape. Enjoy gourmet meals and refreshing drinks in the new set dinning area and day-dream in the shade of the veranda overlooking the picturesque valley below. Kanaan is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, geologists, hikers or for those looking to get away from it all.
In the dedicated hands of the N/a’an ku sê team, the Kanaan N/a’an ku sê Desert Retreat focuses on the rehabilitation of the land to serve a purpose other than being a photographer’s paradise - conservation and protection of the wildlife and environment.
A get-away also for campers looking for a once off experience at our campsite 707 situated amidst a most beautiful landscape. Bookable only to one group at a time.
A new campsite opened recently with 8 sites looking upon the vast open planes towards the west. Facilities include ablution.

Directions - Klein-Aus Vista - Eagle's Nest Chalets, Gondwana Collection Namibia to Kanaan Na'an ku sê Desert Retreat

• Head northeast toward B4 (0.5 km)
• Turn right onto B4 (6.9 km)
• Turn left onto C13 (55.0 km)
• Turn left onto D707 (79.2 km)

Included

Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 10: Kanaan Na'an ku sê Desert Retreat, Namib (Wed,8March)

Included

Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 11: Desert Camp, Sossusvlei (Thu,9March)

Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red sand dunes to make this one of the natural wonders of Africa and a photographers heaven.
Aside from the attractions at Sossusvlei - Dune 45, Hiddenvlei, Big Daddy and Deadvlei - other attractions in the area include the Sesriem Canyon and Namib-Naukluft National Park, where the mountains of the Namib meet its plains.

Overnight: Desert Camp View iBrochure

Self-catering at its Best amidst unparalleled Desert Beauty...

Desert Camp is situated only 5 km from the entrance gate to Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon in the Namib Naukluft Park. Nestled under centuries old thorn trees, Desert Camp offers an unsurpassed view over the desert landscape and surrounding mountains.

The 20 affordable, self-catering accommodation units under canvas are equipped with an en-suite bathroom, shaded veranda with a fitted kitchenette, barbeque, power points and an adjacent parking area. Each twin-bedded bedroom features a fold-out sleeper couch where 2 small children (under 12) can be accommodated for free when sharing with their parents.

Facilities at the main building include a fully stocked and serviced bar with big screen television, a sparkling swimming pool and 2 communal boma-areas which are perfect for groups travelling together. Fresh food supplies can be ordered daily at reception.

Meals can be enjoyed at the nearby Sossusvlei Lodge restaurant. Exciting desert activities like Guided Excursions to Sossusvlei, Quad Biking, Sundowner Drives and magnificent Scenic Flights over the dunes and coast can be booked at the Sossusvlei Lodge Adventure Centre.

A fully stocked shop, fuel and an Internet café is available at the Sossus Oasis Service Station.

Directions - Kanaan Na'an ku sê Desert Retreat to Desert Camp

• Head north on D707 (43.4 km)
• Turn left onto C27 (23.5 km)
• Turn left onto D831 (107 km)
• Continue onto C27 (29.8 km)
• Continue onto D826 (3.4 km)
• Turn right (1.8 km)

Included

Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 12: Desert Camp, Sossusvlei (Fri,10March)

Included

Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 13: Zebra River Lodge, Southern Namibia (Sat,11March)