The 10 day Namibia Family Adventure Safari is a safari that has been specially designed for families with small children. The minimum age on this itinerary is 5 years and there is a discounted price for all children 12 years and under. We have tried to keep the driving distances down to a minimum, (not easy in a huge country like Namibia and there are still a few long drives), and we have tried to include as many sites as possible that will appeal to adults and children alike.
Guaranteed departures on selected Saturdays of the year, with a minimum of three (3) people (2 adults and 1 child).There is no single supplement, and the price is virtually fully inclusive of everything you will need whilst travelling with us. The style is limited participation, assisted camping with the participation limited to only helping with the tents, we spend two nights in accommodation in the coastal town of Swakopmund. Collection time is between 08:00 & 08:30 from anywhere within the Windhoek city limits.
Two of the world’s natural wonders, the Okavango Delta and the mighty Victoria Falls can also be included by combining this trip with our 10 day Delta and Falls Safari, (minimum age in the Delta & Falls is 12 years).
Day 1: Windhoek – Namib Desert Camp, outside of the Namib Naukluft Park (camping) (LD)
You will be collected between 08:00 & 08:30 am and taken to the office to meet with the rest of the group. Once everyone is together, we can leave Windhoek and head out towards the desert. Our drive today will take us through the Khomas Hochland range of mountains and then further south west towards the Naukluft Mountains.
Lunch will be on route and then we reach open plains and from here it is only a short distance to our next stop, the tiny town of Solitaire. We will stop here for some fuel and refreshments before continuing on a short distance to our camp for the night.
We aim to arrive at our camp during the late afternoon and so there should be time for a dip in the pool and to see the sun set over the Naukluft Mountains. (Please note that we do not camp inside the Park area but about 48 kms away.)Dinner is cooked over an open fire.
Day 2 Namib Desert Camp – Sossusvlei – Namib Desert Camp, ( 250 kms) (camping) (BLD)
A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert. After passing through Sesriem at sunrise, we drive into the dry river bed and will soon start to see the dunes on either side of us. We stop for photos along the way as this is where you see the strong contrast of colours as the sun hits the sides of the dunes.
We stop for breakfast and prepare for our walk. The walk is like nothing else, in the cool of the morning, with soft sunlight just beginning to play over the dunes creating a sharp light and shadow contrast across the whole desert.
Ancient mineral pans, stunted camel thorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect. We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting dune 45, and as the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch to escape the heat of the afternoon. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon.Later in the afternoon we return to our campsite and look forward to swim in the pool and supper.
Day 3: Namib Desert Camp – Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast (300 km) (en-suite accommodation) (BL)
An early start today, we are heading north-west to the seaside town of Swakopmund located on the SkeletonCoast. Leaving the dune fields far behind us we are soon back into the mountain desert. In the Solitaire area we will stop at the ‘N/a’an ku se Namib Conservation Centre’, a 500 hectare Conservation Centre which hosts an educational centre and wildlife tracking within the purpose built enclosures and receive information on the carnivore surveillance in the greater Namib area.
After our educational tour we depart and cross the Tropic of Capricorn and traverse both the Gaub and the Kuiseb pass, driving down to the dry river bed at the bottom of the canyon before climbing up the other side, watching the spectacular desert landscape unfold before us.
From the mountains we cross the desolate “Namib gravel plains” before reaching the coastal sand dunes at the port town of Walvis Bay. We will stop for a picnic lunch beside the ocean and there will be time to see the flamingos and other bird life in the Walvis Bay lagoon before continuing the now short drive into Swakopmund.
The Swakopmund section of the trip is designed to allow people to relax either with the group, or on their own. Only breakfast is provided, this is to allow you to plan your time here with as much flexibility as possible and not to be tied to group meal times. It also gives you the chance to sample some of the excellent local cafes and restaurants. The seafood in Swakopmund is superb. Your guide will offer to organise a group meal in a local restaurant for this evening. Participation is recommended but by no means required. Dinner this evening in not included in the price of the safari and will be for the client’s own account
Day 4: Swakopmund (B) (en-suite accommodation)
Today you will be doing the Dolphin Cruise at Walvis Bay, your guide will take you to the meeting point where you will meet your skipper. Once aboard, the journey starts from the Walvis Bay Waterfront and continues into the beautiful Bay Area, which holds more beauty than the eye can at first capture – A Shipwreck, Lighthouse, Oyster Platforms, different Bird species, Seals and more Marine Life.
In the Bay Area, our catamarans pass the Oyster Platforms. Along this route, your guide will share more information with you about the Walvis Bay cultivated Oysters. Included in the tour is the tasting of these delicacies.
The catamarans will then proceed to the ever-growing Pelican Point to have a closer look at Walvis Bay’s Lighthouse. The old supply railway spoors can still be seen from the years when the Lighthouse was still occupied by the Coast Guards. Pelican Point also has its own little Jetty, but this facility is only used for our Corporate and Closed Charters.
Moving around the Point, 3 different types of Dolphins may be encountered, namely: the Heavyside Dolphins – which are the most important, as they are endemic to the coast of Namibia, Dusky Dolphins and Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. In Season, the larger mammals like the Southern Right Whale and the Humpback Whales may be spotted and with a bit of extra special luck, the mighty Killer Whales (Orcas). Sightings of the Mola Mola (Sunfish) and the Leatherback Turtles also keep our guest on the look out! All this can be seen while comfortably relaxing in the Saloon, trampolines or on deck, whilst enjoying a glass of Sparkling Wine and snacks.
In the afternoon it’s your free time to do more Adventures Activities as below or just relax on the Beach.
The idea is to allow time for everybody to do their own thing. Swakopmund is a very pleasant seaside town with lots of shops, a good stretch of beach (although the Atlantic here is quite cold) and an open-air curio market. There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium is located in Swakopmund.
Alternatively, there are various optional activities that can be arranged. These include aeroplane and microlight flights over the desert, scenic drives, fishing trips (both from the beach or in a boat), four-wheel motorcycle (quad bike) trips into the desert and over the sand dunes around Swakopmund, sand boarding trips (also in the dunes), skydiving, surfing, bird-watching and many other activities are available.
Your tour guide will discuss all the possible options with you before you reach Swakopmund and will offer to make bookings in advance of your arrival. (N.B. All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are made at the clients’ own risk and expense).
Dinner this evening is not included in the price of the safari and will be for the client’s own account.
Day 5: Swakopmund – Twyfelfontein (350 km) (BLD) (camping)
Leaving early and heading north along the coast, we will first visit the seal colony at Cape Cross where it is possible to see thousands of Cape Fur Seals in the water and on the surrounding rocks and beaches.
From here we will turn east, inland and back into the desert, travelling on to the small town of Uis, an old mining town, located more or less in the middle of no-where. Uis is one of the best places to buy semi-precious stones for which Namibia is famous. Here, rough Amethyst, Tourmaline etc can be found at bargain prices. From Uis we pass Namibia’s highest mountain, The Brandberg, (2573 m) and continue into one of the most beautiful desert regions in Namibia, Damaraland. From Uis we continue driving towards the most beautiful landscapes the Damaraland we continue driving via the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain, is 2573 m high. Brandberg Mountain is an ancient Bushman spiritual site. We continue driving to the Twyfelfontein area where we can stop over at the Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes.We overnight under the stars!
Day 6 & Day 7 Twyfelfontein – Etosha, Okaukuejo. (350 km) (BLD) (Camping)
Starting early to enjoy the cool of the morning to take a detour to the west to visit the ancient Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontein. At this location we will have a local guide to conduct us on a short guided tour. Leaving the engravings we travel via Khorixas to Outjo for a short stop for fresh supplies and where we can also get coffee and sticky cakes at the local bakery, before continuing on to Etosha’s premier resort, Okaukuejo. Etosha forms the main game viewing section of our safari and the Okaukuejo area offers us some of the best waterholes in the park and the best chance to see some Big Game.
Game driving is not the only way to see the African wildlife at Okaukuejo. Located right on the boundary of the camp and within easy walking distance there is a floodlit waterhole for “after hours” game watching. Okaukuejo is famous for its waterhole, it has been described as one of the “best game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa” and black rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope are often seen.
Day 8 Etosha, Okaukuejo – east region of Etosha, Namutoni. (BLD) (Camping)
A full day’s game driving. We again leave early to enjoy the cool morning air as we game drive our way through Etosha to Halali camp, situated in the middle of the park. Along the way we visit several waterholes and are afforded splendid views of the massive Etosha Pan. The game viewing is usually excellent and we have the chance to tick off a few new species that are not normally seen on the Okaukuejo side of the park.
We stop at Halali for a rest and a leisurely lunch. There is time to visit the Halali waterhole and to make use of the swimming pool and bar facilities before continuing on our way and game driving over to Namutoni. We must be back by our camp before sunset. Once again, there is a floodlit waterhole to visit during the evening so the game viewing continues…
Day 9 Namutoni, Etosha – Waterberg Resort (350 km) (BLD) (camping)
Leaving the Etosha National Park on the Eastern side where we will be driving through the farmland towards the south to Otjiwarongo. On our way we will visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund, this will includes a Includes a walking tour of their main facility as well as the Educational Centre, Cheetah Museum, Clinic Tour and an introduction to the Cheetahs, Dogs and Livestock that live at the main centre. This also includes the feeding of Cheetahs at 14:00 weekdays and 12:00 on Weekends.
After we had Lunch we depart and continue driving to Waterberg Plateau which rises some 200m above a surrounding sea of African bush and savannah, the Waterberg Plateau with its flamboyant brick-red sandstone formations and lush green vegetation, presents an island of vibrant colour. The 405.5Km² park, situated 60Km east of Otjiwarongo and 300 Km north east of Windhoek was proclaimed in 1972. It was originally created as a sanctuary for rare and endangered species found in the Kavango and Caprivi regions, such as roan and sable antelope, tsessebe and Cape buffalo. Today the park is home to some 25 game and over 200 bird species. The vegetation changes dramatically from acacia savannah at the foot of the plateau to lush-green sub-tropical dry woodlands with tall trees and grassy plains at the top.
Day 10 Waterberg Resort – Windhoek (330 km) (BL)
In the morning we depart and continue driving towards the South towards the small town of Okahandja, the home of Namibia’s largest wood carving market. The stalls operate on a local co-operative basis and offer a vast array of truly Namibian souvenirs. Continue driving to Windhoek – Hosea Kutako Airport for you to check in for your outbound flight.
- Price per person starting from 2455 USD camping stay
- Price per person starting from 3465USD camping stay
- Park fees for non-residents
- All activities unless labeled as optional
- All accommodation unless listed as upgrade
- Camping equipment sleeping bag excluded
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation unless labeled as optional
- All Taxes/VAT
- Meals as specified in the day-by-day section
- Drinking water on all days
Price excluded
- International flights from/to home
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Sleeping bag
- Bath towels
- Tips tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day
- Personal items souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- This tour starts and ends in Arusha/Moshi
- Africa Joy Tours as an operator can help select your international flights, but you’ll have to book them yourself
- Fly to/from Kilimanjaro Airport near Arusha/Moshi
- A transfer from and back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost