19 DAY NAMIBIAN OVERLAND TOUR
Itinerary for an educational tour and highlights of Namibia.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
White-water-rafting on the
Orange River
Fish River Canyon – 2nd largest
Canyon in the world
Duwisib Castle – a gift of love to a
woman.
Sossusvlei Namib Dunes
Swakopmund
Spitzkoppe – learn about the 3
amazing mountains.
Cheetah Sanctuary – spend time
with the fastest animal.
Grootfontien
Windhoek
Keetmanshoop
Itinerary overview:
DAY 1:
Depart
680km
We will gather 06:00 at School where we will be met by the Bundi Overlanding Crew. Our departure
to Noordoewer is scheduled for 06:30.
We will pitch our tents at our own campsite next to the Orange River. The latter forming the border
between South Africa and Namibia.
DAY 2:
Noordoewer (Orange River)
This morning we will wake up, head out for breakfast and then listen to a safety talk of how paddling
and instruction on the river works.
We will then head out on a 2 Day River rafting excursion on the mighty Orange River.
Compiled by: Luette Fourie
Page 1
The Orange River, South Africa's major river, rises in the Drakensberg in Lesotho, where it is known
as the Senqu. From where the river leaves Lesotho, it flows westward for some 2200km to where it
finally flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay. Rafting on the Orange River is done through
the Richtersveldt desert. The area offers unique fauna and flora, rock formations and perfect all year
temperatures.
This is truly one of the purest adventure trails in Southern Africa. The Gariep River or “great river” as
it is called by the local Nama people offers a unique outdoor experience to those you seek tranquility
and adventure. The Orange River cuts through the Richtersveldt desert reserve and is now part of
the Transfrontier transformation parks in Africa.
DAY 3:
Noordoewer (Orange River)
Today we will wake up on the banks of the Orange River. After a hearty breakfast we will continue
on the river to our take out point where we will head back to camp.
DAY 4:
Noordoewer (Orange River)
Today will be spent at leisure. Swimming and enjoying the sun and the Orange River.
DAY 5:
Noordoewer - Ais-Ais Richtersveld
120km
After a good hearty breakfast we will pack the truck and depart for Ais-Ais Richtersveld Transfontier
Park. Here we will pick our camp at the Ais-Ais Hot Springs Resort and spend our time lazing around
the pools.
The Ais-Ais means “fire water” and is derived from the hot springs that have been known for
thousands of years to the people who lived in the area. The resort had a face lift in 2009 when they
upgraded their facilities.
DAY 6:
Ais – Ais – Duwisib
460km
The fish river canyon is the second-largest natural canyon in the world and one of the natural
wonders of Africa. It is in a harsh, stony plain, dotted with drought-resistant succulents such as the
distinctive quiver tree. The canyon is a spectacular natural phenomenon that took hundreds of
millions of years to evolve. While its full length is 160km – the width is up to 27km and depth up to
550m. Its most spectacular section is the 56km stretch between the northernmost and
southernmost viewpoints.
The river flows intermittently and there is always water in some of the pools, except in the very dry
years. There are fresh water fish like sharp-tooth catfish, tilapia, common carp ect in the pools.
Be on the look-out for baboon, rock hyrax, klipspringer that is often seen in the canyon. There is also
a variety of birds, such as the Cape Robin chat and African black duck.
Compiled by: Luette Fourie
Page 2
After our adventure in the Fish River Canyon we will depart to Duwesib.
DAY 7:
Duwisib - Sossusvlei NP - Solitaire
170km
We will rise early today and explore the Duwisib Castle and the history surrounding this magnificent
structure.
Replete with history and romance Duwisib castle is an ideal stopover for visitors' en route to the
North of Namibia. It was built by the German army officer Baron von Wolf for his American bride
Jayta in the early 1900s.
Apart from being a gift of love, Duwisib Castle was a dream turned into reality for Baron von Wolf,
who had planned on breeding horses in this semi-desert environment. Sadly, he was killed during
the First World War. His wife left for America, never to return, leaving the castle and all of its
contents and dreams behind.
We will leave for Solitaire via Sossusvlei NP.
This park is one of Namibia’s most versatile conservational areas. Its main feature is Sossusvlei.
At the entrance of Sossusvlei is Sesriem Canyon, where centuries of erosion have incised a narrow
gorge about 1km in length. At the foot of the gorge, which plunges down 30 – 40m, are pools that
became replenished in good rains. Sesriem derives its name from the time when early pioneers tied
six lengths of rawhide thongs together to draw water from the pools.
The dunes, up to 325m high when measured from the base, the star-shaped dunes at Sossusvlei are
a sought-after topic for artists and photographers. The warm tints of sand, ranging from apricot to
orange, red and maroon, contrast vividly with dazzling white surfaces of the large deflationary clay
pans at their bases.
DAY 8:
Solitare – Swakopmund
270km
After a hearty breakfast we will leave and hit Swakopmundt three and a half hours later. Our first stop is
the Dunes. We participate in dune boarding, which is an exhilarating way to experience the dunes and
have loads of fun. We book into our A-Frames accommodation in the afternoon.
DAY 9:
Swakopmund
Today we will embark on the Welwitschia Trial east of Swakopmund.
This trail offers a close look at the Welwitschia mirabilis, a botanical curiosity endemic to the Namib
Desert. A large concentration of these plants is found along the Welwitschia Trial. A magnificent
specimen, known as the Great Welwitschia and estimated to be about 1500 years old can be viewed.
Compiled by: Luette Fourie
Page 3
One of the lookout points on the trial is a valley known as The Moon Landscape. Soft overlaying
levels of earth, deposited some 450 million years ago, were eroded over millennia to create this
eerie landscape.
The rest of the day and evening is at leisure in Swakopmund.
DAY 10:
Swakopmund – Spitzkoppe
170km
After a hearty breakfast we will pack our things at a leisurely pace and head to the beautiful
Spitzkoppe. Before we leave we make a last turn at the local curio stores to stock up on gifts before
we depart.
On Arrival we will set up camp and have the rest of the day at leisure.
DAY 11:
Spitzkoppe
We awake early and have a scrumptious breakfast and go on a leisurely walk out to explore
Spitzkoppe.
The Spitzkoppe (also referred to as Skipzkop, Groot Spitzkop, or the “Matterhorn of Namibia”), is a
group of bald granite peaks or bornhardts located between
Usakos and Swakopmund in the Namib Desert. The granite is
more than 700 million years old and the highest outcrop rises
about 1784m above sea level. The peaks stand out dramatically
from the flat surrounding plains. The highest peak is about 700m
above the floor of the desert below. A minor peak – the Little
Spitzkoppe – lies nearby at an elevation of 1584m above sea
level. Other prominences stretch out into a range known as the
Pontok Mountains.
Spitzkoppe
DAY 12:
The day is spent at leisure.
Spitzkoppe – Cheetah Sanctuary
300km
We will arrive at the Cheetah Sanctuary before lunch. We will enjoy a lovely lunch and then spend
the day touring the Sanctuary learning more about the majestic animal called the Cheetah.
The cheetah is the world's fastest land mammal. With acceleration that would leave most
automobiles in the dust, a cheetah can go from 0 to 60 miles (96 kilometers) an hour in only three
seconds. These big cats are quite nimble at high speed and can make quick and sudden turns in
pursuit of prey.
Compiled by: Luette Fourie
Page 4
Before unleashing their speed, cheetahs use exceptionally keen eyesight to scan their grassland
environment for signs of prey—especially antelope and hares. This big cat is a daylight hunter that
benefits from stealthy movement and a distinctive spotted coat that allows it to blend easily into
high, dry grasses.
When the moment is right a cheetah will sprint after its quarry and attempt to knock it down. Such
chases cost the hunter a tremendous amount of energy and are usually over in less than a minute. If
successful, the cheetah will often drag its kill to a shady hiding place to protect it from opportunistic
animals that sometimes steal a kill before the cheetah can eat. Cheetahs need only drink once every
three to four days.
DAY 13:
Cheetah Sanctuary – Grootfontein
220km
We awake to a lovely breakfast, pack up our camp and head for Grootfontein.
Grootfontein is located in the north-east of Namibia in a lush green environment. The town is
situated 1,430m above sea level in a good tropical climate, and is blessed with an annual rainfall of
500mm and higher. In summer Grootfontein is turned into a lush paradise of purple, blue, red and
green hues as Jacaranda and Flamboyant trees bloom.
The district is abundantly endowed with wildlife and game, while the district is well known for its
cattle and crop farming. Grootfontein is a well-developed town and forms the gateway to the northeastern parts of Namibia. Passing through Grootfontein, many a traveler and visitor is often enticed
to stay a bit longer to rest and refresh themselves before continuing on their journey.
Arriving at Roy’s Camp we will set up camp and have the rest of the day at leisure to explore the
camp and have some fun.
DAY 14:
Grootfontein
We rise early for breakfast and head out to the bush.
Today is an action day with the Ju/’Hoansi-San. We start with a bush walk with hunting, snarling,
tracking and collecting of bush food. Then we learn how to light a fire with a couple of sticks, make
ropes and snares and your own bow and arrow. We will see and experience how to make jewellery,
ostrich egg pearls and your own jewellery the old way.
DAY 15:
Grootfontein – Windhoek
460km
We have to be up and about early this morning to have a sumptuous breakfast that will give us
energy for a long, busy day. You will have two hours at leisure to explore Windhoek. It will give you a
good idea of what the city has to offer
Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, is located in a basin between the Khomas Highland, Auas and Eros
Mountains. It is 1,680m above sea level, 650km north of the Orange River and 360km from the
Compiled by: Luette Fourie
Page 5
Atlantic seaboard. Whether due to pure luck or a brilliant stroke of Germanic planning, the city is
situated in almost the countries epicenter. This location has obvious benefits when it comes to
governing a country the size of Namibia, and also makes it the ideal place to start and plan any
Namibian travel.
Windhoek is home to approximately two hundred thousand people, an extremely small capital by
global standards. This number is growing rapidly at present mostly due to a lack of employment in
rural areas. Despite the large increase in population over the last few years the city centre is
extremely clean, and mostly trouble free. Most tourists comment on the cleanliness of the city, and
often pronounce it to be a most un-African city (a somewhat back-handed compliment).
We end our day at the camp where we get a good night’s rest for the day to come.
DAY 16:
Windhoek - Keetmanshoop
550km
After exploring the capital we will depart to Keetmanshoop. Keetmans
is the main center and focal point of the scenic and historic attractions
in the South.
Quiver Trees
DAY 17:
Keetmanshoop – Ai Ais
310km
Have your camera ready, as today we visit the Quiver Tree Forest which is a much-favored topic for
photographers. It is especially interesting to view early morning and during sunset. Across the road
from the Quiver Tree forest is Giant’s Playground. It is an impressive jumble of massive dolerite
boulders between 160 million and 180 million years old. Wandering through the maze of boulders is
an interesting excursion, but care must be taken not to become lost in the extensive rocky labyrinth!
Onward to Ai Ais. The rest of the day is at leisure next to the warm baths.
DAY 18:
Ai Ais Noordoewer (Orange River)
Today will be spent at leisure at the warm baths, relaxing after a wonderful tour before we head
back to Noordoewer.
DAY 19:
Compiled by: Luette Fourie
Noordoewer – Cape Town
Page 6
680km
Today is the last stretch home. We will spend most of the day on the road and arrive at 17:00 back
at School.
Compiled by: Luette Fourie
Page 7