Family Fun – Code FF

self drive Family Fun holiday Namibia package visiting Namibia’s attractions with a range of activities for children Highlights: Kalahari Desert – Fish River Canyon – Sossusvlei – Swakopmund – Omaruru -Damaraland – Etosha National Park – north-central Namibia

Itinerary

Day 1 : Windhoek : 50km After your arrival at the international airport, travel to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. Your guesthouse is situated in a quiet suburb and close to the city center with its afro-European flair and peaceful atmosphere. In the evening enjoy typical Namibian cuisine in one of the numerous restaurants in the city. Day 2 : Kalahari Desert : 270km After a leisurely breakfast you travel south into the Kalahari Desert, marked by endless, red vegetated sand dunes inhabited by animal species such as oryx, zebra, springbok, ostrich and bat-eared foxes. Your lodge lies in the midst of this sandy expanse. Besides tame oryx and springbok, you will be able to join the legendary Bushmen on a desert walk. (optional). Day 3 : Kalahari Desert Enjoy the day at leisure in the dune landscape of the Kalahari Desert. At a nearby waterhole you can view different specially adapted game species or simply take the day off to relax and swim in the pool. Day 4 : Solitaire : 350km Traveling to your next lodge after breakfast, you travel along open plains and the town of Maltahöhe into the pre-Namib Desert. After a scenic drive through the Naukluft Mountain range, you reach your guest farm for the next 2 days. It offers you walking trails, relaxation and afternoon nature drives. Day 5 : Sossusvlei : 320km Before sunrise visit the awe-inspiring section of the Namib at Sossusvlei, where majestic apricot coloured dunes sew into the cloudless blue skies. This is the largest sandbox on Earth, and will undoubtedly have the kids screaming with delight when clambering up and down the many dunes! At Solitaire, taste the famous apple tart, reputedly the best in Africa! Day 6-8 : Swakopmund : 280km After another spectacular sunrise, travel along rugged yet liberating scenery to Swakopmund. Your hotel is situated close to the beach and the town center. Having arrived in Swakopmund, the rest of the day is spent at leisure. With palm-lined streets and seaside promenades, Swakopmund is a very popular holiday destination in Namibia. Its pleasant summer climate and long stretched beaches attract anglers and surfers from all over Southern Africa. For the international guest, Swakopmund is a bohemian mix of German correctness and African time, laid back attitude with adrenalin activities, misty mornings and desert heat. It is colorful, it is vibrant, but most of all, it is fun. Swakopmund is thus 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 occur and survive here. Embrace the relaxed pace of this idyllic coastal town whilst enjoying coffee and freshly baked pastries in one of the many café’s. Alternatively explore the rugged, sweltering desert on a day tour, or view this awesome, environment from the air on a scenic flight. Find your inner child and push adrenaline to its limits with extreme adventures such as skydiving over the desert or quad biking and sandboarding on the dunes. Take time to get the feel of this quaint town with its historic buildings, museums, shopping arcades and beach bar that has transformed into its own personality by the vibrant use of color and the bohemian lifestyle. Day 9 : Erongo : 240km Your journey continues into the Erongo Region. En-route you have the possibility to visit the quaint town of Omaruru with its well-known chocolate factory, street cafes, souvenirs and natural scenery and Kristall Kellerei. Your lodge amidst bush landscape offers a personal insight into the typical lifestyle of a Namibian farmer. Relax at the pool in the luscious garden, or enjoy a nature drive in search of game species. Day 10 : Erongo You have the day at leisure to spend exploring the farmland or you can visit the many attractions the little town of Omaruru offers. One of only 3 Namibian wine farms are situated adjacent to Omaruru along the lush Omaruru River – while parents can taste some of the wine produced here, the children can play in the large garden and also join the interesting wine tour. A Living Museum of the San/Bushman is also located in the Erongo Wildlife Conservancy close to Omaruru. This gives a deep insight into the age-old culture and traditions of Africa’s first inhabitants. Day 11 : Etosha National Park : 300km After breakfast, travel north to the Etosha National Park. This park, roughly the size of Switzerland, is one of Namibia’s most prized possessions and a real jewel when it comes to game viewing. Already in the afternoon you can explore the park and its different areas, while in the evening you have the chance to view the wildlife at a floodlit watering hole. Day 12 : Etosha National Park The Etosha Park is one of Africa’s largest and most diverse wilderness areas. During your adventure, you have the possibility to spot 114 different animal species that live in this park! During the hottest part of the day you can stop over at one of the three resorts in order to enjoy lunch, and before sunset you travel to your lodge, situated at the eastern border of the gate. This lodge is specially adapted for children and will promise your family two unforgettable and fun filled days. Day 13 : Etosha National Park At breakfast the children can mould and bake their own cookies in the form of different animals. After breakfast, the children’s faces, and yours if you wish, get painted to resemble different animals found in the Etosha National Park. Entering the park, the group is enlightened by the guide on the variety of game seen and heard; promising a fun filled yet educational game drive in this amazing wildlife reserve. Upon return to your lodge relax along the pool while the children are entertained by the child minders with different games and activities. Day 14 : Otjiwarongo Area : 320km After breakfast, travel south to your lodge, situated in one of Namibia’s best farming areas but also in a private nature reserve that is the home of a huge variety of animal species. Here you and your family can participate in nature drives and scenic walking trails, while the huge lawn and sparkling pool serve as an excellent hang out during the heat of the day. Day 15 : Otjiwarongo Area Enjoy the day at leisure. Attractions that are found close to your lodge consist of a crocodile farm in Otjiwarongo or the Cheetah Conservation Fund, which tirelessly promotes the survival of this endangered cat and also offers special educational programs for children. The Waterberg Plateau offers wonderful walking trails as well as a restaurant where lunch can be enjoyed. Day 16 : Return to Windhoek : 340km After a relaxed breakfast, you travel south to Windhoek via Okahandja, where you can visit the large craft markets that line the streets. Your journey ends in Windhoek. OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO THE FISH RIVER CANYON Day 4&5 Fish River Canyon 480km After the Kalahari Desert you travel further south into an area dominated by age-old quiver trees as well as a primordial landscape of gigantic dolerite formations that serve as the perfect location for a session of “hide and seek”! Your accommodation for the evening, situated further south close to the Fish River Canyon, offers scenic horse trails and wonderful walking trails. The following morning, you can visit the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon on Earth. Day 6 Helmeringhausen 310km After breakfast, travel to Helmeringhausen where you will spend the evening. In the afternoon you can visit the beer garden where you can enjoy the country-style ambience and German hospitality of your hosts. You can also visit the open-air agricultural museum, which is situated next door to the hotel. The next day, travel onwards to Solitaire Guest Farm to embark on the rest of the tour.