This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
This tour is categorised as 4 out of 5
Packed itinerary with maximum exploration: Embark on a whirlwind sightseeing tour with minimal downtime. This tour maximises your exploration, keeping you on the move and ticking off must-see locations. A good fitness level and mobility are required to keep pace with this action-packed adventure!
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia located in the country’s central highlands.
With its lush green gardens and lavish designer rooms, Windhoek Luxury Suites offers luxury and tranquillity. Your room opens to a beautifully maintained private garden and the pool area is great for relaxing and soaking up the Namibian sun.
This evening, enjoy an evening at leisure before our adventure begins tomorrow.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
Leaving Windhoek, we travel into the largest sand mass on Earth, the Kalahari Desert. The Kalahari is a vast semi desert of wind-blown sand held by a sparse mantle of thorn scrub making it the largest continuous stretch of sand covering nine African countries. Lacking permanent surface water, the Kalahari is a challenging place to live except for those who have adapted to not only survive but flourish here.
Arrive at your lodge this afternoon located within the dunes in an area peppered with Camelthorn trees. Take time to relax in your rondavel-style thatched air-conditioned hut and experience captivating scenes of the Kalahari Desert from your stone patio or enjoy one of the many activities on offer at the lodge before dinner at the lodge.
Today we continue south through arid and extensive rocky plains. Visiting the unique Garas quiver tree forest you are welcomed by quirky man-made sculptures of scrap metal which set a contrast to this serene, timeless space with Quiver trees and aloes nestled amongst huge dolerite boulders. Stacked in a mysterious way, the area is also aptly referred to as “Giant’s Playground”.
We continue to our lodge, situated in close vicinity to the Fish River Canyon. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in your stone-and-thatch chalets overlooking the rugged landscape and impressive sweeping rock formations.
Our morning starts on the edge of the Fish River Canyon where we gaze into this magnificent geological phenomenon. The Fish River Canyon is located in the northern part of the Nama Karoo and is the second largest canyon in the world, featuring a gigantic ravine that measures in total about 160 km long, up to 27 km wide and in places almost 550 metres deep.
We continue our journey past the Naute dam, where we shortly stop at the Naute Kristall Cellar and Distillery, to optionally taste some of the unique liquors (own expense) or simply enjoy a delicious cup of coffee. Proceeding onwards we head towards the coastal town of Luderitz. On the way to Luderitz we stop at Garub, a viewing point for the Wild Horses of the Namib Desert. Arriving in Luderitz, we recommend a stop at the Diaz Café for an optional fresh and delicious seafood snack before heading out along the “Große Bucht” towards Diaz Point and onto your accommodation. Your hosts for the evening will have you enjoying a typical Namibian homestay feeling and atmosphere.
Today will be a big day travelling to our next destination. Our morning starts with a visit to Kolmanskop ghost town. Kolmanskop is a deserted diamond mining town in the Sperrgebiet National Park. Once an opulent and decadent town, a monument to the diamond boom and built to last…until the diamonds ran out. Today Kolmanskop stands as a haunting monument to the thriving past, offering visitor’s a unique glimpse into a bygone era.
The journey continues across vast open plains, stopping for an optional light lunch in the small town of Helmeringhausen before heading further north along with the Tiras Mountain range to our lodge in the Namib Desert. The lodge is located close to Sesriem and is the gateway to Sossusvlei, DeadVlei and Sesriem Canyon, with some of the highest dunes on Earth towering over the white desert plains. The afternoon can be spent relaxing at the sparkling pool, enjoying the vast open desert plains, or taking part in optional activities offered at the lodge.
The morning demands an early start, but you’ll be well rewarded. Entering the Namib Naukluft National Park with sunrise, the first rays of sunlight paint the mountains of sand into a variety of apricot, red and orange, contrasted against a crisp blue skyline, enrapturing our senses, and providing an opportunity to capture this awesome landscape on film. You will be captivated by the surreal DeadVlei surrounded by some of the highest dunes on earth and Sossusvlei, where the dry Tsauchab River ends abruptly amongst dunes. Take the opportunity to walk up one of these majestic dunes to admire the desert landscape beneath. Thereafter we visit the Sesriem Canyon, a life sustaining natural phenomenon in the heart of the Namib Desert.
For those that have opted to purchase the Activity Pack, you will also enjoy a 2-hour scenic sunset drive with sundowner drinks included this afternoon.
For those that have opted to purchase the Activity Pack, you will enjoy a marine cruise today on Walvis Bay. Take in panoramic views of Walvis Bay aboard a catamaran and stay on the lookout for wild dolphins on this boat trip.
For those that have opted to purchase the Activity Pack, your safari experience will be taken to another level as you enjoy today's game drive in an open 4WD vehicle. Together with your experienced naturalist guide, get closer to nature and experience this incredible park from a different perspective.
After breakfast we continue our journey where you may feel like you have arrived in the middle of nowhere as we approach the little settlement of Solitaire on the edge of the Namib Naukluft National Park.
We’ll then reach the coastal harbour town of Walvis Bay, where we will visit the shallow lagoon, one of the most important wetland areas on the African continent and a RAMSAR World Heritage Site. Over 80% of the African flamingos feed in this lagoon and present a breath-taking picture when they appear in groups.
Continuing along the scenic route between the dune belt and the Atlantic Ocean we reach Swakopmund, where the rest of the day is spent at leisure. With palm-lined streets and seaside promenades, Swakopmund is a popular holiday destination in Namibia. Its pleasant summer climate and long stretched beaches attract anglers and surfers from all over Southern Africa.
Swakopmund is often fondly referred to as the “playground of Namibia”, it has numerous activities ranging from adventure to exploring the fascinating features of the Namib Desert and the animals and plants that survive here. Embrace the relaxed pace of this idyllic coastal town whilst enjoying coffee and freshly baked pastries in one of the many cafés.
Today we first head east into the Erongo Mountain range to stretch our legs on a short informative bush walk with local Bushmen, listening to stories of the bushman culture, traditions and seeing some of their desert survival skills.
Returning from the walk our journey continues through Uis past the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain (2.579m), into the Damaraland, one of the least populated and most geologically diverse areas in Africa. This harsh, rocky environment is home to the elusive desert elephant, the black rhino and free-roaming antelope species. We arrive at our lodge in the afternoon, where we have the remaining day at leisure.
Total distance travelled today: approx 480km
During the cooler hours of the morning we start our adventure-filled day in the company of a local Damara guide, who takes us to Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage site where bushman communities engraved and painted over 2,500 pictures some 6,000 years ago!
After a visit to the nearby Living Museum of the Damara, we proceed to the Petrified Forest — a geological phenomenon depicting the creation and metamorphosis of wood into stone amongst some of the oldest landmasses on Earth. Here we also see the Welwitschia mirabilis plant – the oldest living desert plant on Earth.
Our onward journey takes us to the wildlife heaven of Namibia - the Etosha National Park. We check into our lodge located on the border of the Etosha National Park and can unwind after an adventurous day alongside the pool.
The day is devoted purely to the abundant wildlife found in the Etosha National Park, which surrounds a parched salt desert known as the Etosha Pan. Home to four of the “Big Five” (elephants, lions, leopards and rhinos), enjoy a full day game drive through the park. Popular game species are all found here such as giraffe, blue wildebeest, plains and mountain zebra, hyena, lion, leopard, antelopes as well as some of the endangered species such as black rhino, cheetah and the black-faced impala.
Today we traverse Etosha National Park from the western plains as we enjoy a full day game drive enroute to our lodge located on the eastern side of the park. You may encounter animal species we have not seen the previous day and look forward to any new surprises at the different waterholes visited.
Arrive at our lodge later this afternoon where we enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.
After breakfast, we travel back through the centre of the country to the capital. Time permitting, en route we may stop at the famous wood carvers market in Okahandja or the craft market in the main street in Windhoek to pick up any last few souvenirs. You will be dropped off at your accommodation this afternoon where the rest of the evening is at leisure.
Make your own way to the airport where your Namibian journey comes to an end.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
This is a land only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
Travelling in Africa
Travelling by road in Africa can include some long travel days. Road quality can vary from comfortable sealed roads to rough & bumpy dirt roads. Distances covered can be in excess of 300 km (180 miles) per day or more than 6 hours journey time, subject to the road conditions.
Luggage
Due to limited storage capacity of your safari vehicle, we ask that luggage is kept to a manageable amount in a small soft bag – 15kg (33 pounds) max. Hard suitcases are not suitable. It is also recommended to bring a day pack for use throughout the day.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a”4”
This is considered a fast-paced tour. In order to explore as much as possible, this tour may require early starts and long travel days. One to two nights at one destination is standard. While some free time may be scheduled, most sightseeing is included throughout this tour. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage. To ensure this trip is right for you, any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aid, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, but we can’t guarantee your request will be available at all properties.
Single travellers
When booking this tour, solo travellers will be presented with two options:
1 - Single Supplement
By paying an additional ₹34,401.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price, you guarantee the privacy of your own room throughout the entire trip.
2- Shared Room with a known friend
If travelling together with a friend, you can opt to share your room with him/her and avoid paying a single supplement.
You and your friend can create a unique booking each. Creating a unique booking, gives each of you the flexibility of making different travel arrangements (such adding extra accommodation, flights, etc), make separate payments and have individual access to our Traveller’s Hub
During the purchase path, you will need to provide your friend’s booking ID (if known) or at a minimum, your friend’s full name.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
Group Size
Maximum of 16 people
Children
Children must be 8 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre Tour Accommodation
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
Please note this tour operates both English-speaking only and multi-lingual departures.
Australia
New Zealand
United States
Canada
