kacollier

We are trying to plan an October trip and narrowing down places to see in Namibia. We definitely want to see the sand dunes but wondered about Etosha (did a 3 camp safari in South Africa & Botswana already), Fish River Canyon, Skeleton Coast, Naukloft Park and Windhoeck/Swakopmund. Ideally we would end our trip in Cape Town with some time in their wine country. Since we have limited time, please let us know which are the "top" spots or most memorable, where to stay -- both in local and actual hotels, etc. We tend to be more active travelers (in our 40s) but want to get a good overview of the country in a short trip (about 8-10 days).

johan_belgium

Hi,

8-10 days is quite a short time to visit Namibia.

So I would actually recommend to do a fly-in safari because you lose too much time drivin' around otherwhile.

My itinerary would be the follwing:

- 2 days at Kulala (Sossusvlei);
- 2 days at Ongava (Etosha);
- 2 days at Palmwag rhino camp;
- 4 days at Skeleton coast camp.

Another great camp to go to is Serra Cafema at the border with Angola (quad biking, walking, boating at the Kunene, driving, visiting the Himbas)
If you are going there, you need to stay a minimum of 3 days to enjoy all the things the camp has to offer.

These camps are all promoted by Wilderness Safaris. (Have a look at www.wilderness-safaris.com)

I wouldn't spend time in Windhoek or Swakopmund if you are only there for 8-10 days.

Greetings,

Johan

atravelynn

Johan,

Why so much more time in Skeleton coast?
I think I also saw it was one of your top recommended places. Can you elaborate on your high regard for Skeleton Coast?

Treepol

I was in Namibia last November and would recommend Etosha National Park. Based around a large salt pan it is very different from parks in South and East Africa. We saw black rhino, lions up close and personal, an aardwolf, bat-eared fox, giraffe, zebra, elephant... The waterhole at Okaukeujo provided many hours of gameviewing pleasure.

I would also highly recommend Okonjima Lodge and the Africat Foundation where it is possible to get close to leopard and cheetah - while I was there the vet was setting a cheetah's broken leg and it was an amazing experience to be able to watch this process and touch the big cat. I was very lucky on one trip to the night hide when a leopard came for some scraps and returned to steal meat from a startled honey badger. More information and movie see http://www.okonjima.com/

I also enjoyed Swakopmund for shopping and intend to return there for a few days at the end of my next trip for some 'r n r' before the flight home.

johan_belgium

Lynn,

A stay at Skeleton coast is normally sold in a 3 or 4-night package because it just wouldn't make sense to stay let's say for 1 or 2 nights.

Is not a typical gameviewing destination although you have chances to see Oryx, Desert Elephant, Jackal and Brown Hyena and of course the Cape Fur seals. On very rare occasions you can even see lions there. You could imagine what incredible pictures that would be.

You go out for all of the day (so no siesta) and sit on top of the vehicle and see the variety of landscapes (salt pans, sand dunes, mountains and canyons, the rough coast and its shipwrecks). From a photographic viewpoint it's pure magic.

One of the bonuses is that you have chances to meet the Himba.

And if you really want the best of the best, try to book Chris Bakkes as a private guide.

It's so remote and wild and completely different from whatever camp you have been to before in Africa.

And it makes a great combination with Serra Cafema, which is a very relaxed camp with a good variety of activities and stunning scenery. Hartmann's valley is just stunning.

Although I am a Delta rat , it's always a great pleasure to go to Namibia.

Greetings,

Johan

santharamhari

Johan,

Next year i have to do two trips.......one to Tanzania early in the year.......and one to Namibia towards August/september........

Knowing me........i may just have to return to Lebala next yr also and put off Namibia.......

This once a year thing is not working out for me.......i have a long wait until August 15th.......unfortunatlely, i may have a lot of business trips before then to very boring destinations.........i guess, i have to work!!!