Merlan Adventure Tours of Southern Africa. Reconnecting with Nature

Day 1 Johannesburg to Upington (800km).

Our tour begins with an early departure from Johannesburg (we will pick you up at your home address) on the longest leg of our journey. The route takes us westward through Vryburg with a stop at Kuruman for lunch and a visit to the ‘eye’. Arrival at Upington is expected at about 16h00 when we will check in at Le Must Guest Manor for the night. This is a luxury guest house situated in Upington on the banks of the Orange river and is an ideal spot to relax.

Day 2 Upington to Ai-Ais (450km).

After a leisurely breakfast we will continue on our journey through the border post at Nakop and on to Ai-Ais arriving at around lunch time. Accommodation is in luxury flats and after settling in, the rest of the afternoon will be spent sight seeing or at your leisure perhaps lazing in the mineral bath or spa.

Day 3 Ai-Ais to Luderitz (500km).

An early departure after breakfast for Luderitz with a brief stop at the view point to take in the magnificent view of the Fish River Canyon. After arriving in Luderitz and checking in at our hotel (Bay View or Kapps) in the afternoon we will spend some time taking in the sights of this quaint historical town.

Day 4 Luderitz to Sossusvlei (500km).

We continue after breakfast and make our way northward from Aus to Sesriem and visit the historic Duwisib Castle on route. Arrival at Sesriem is expected by mid afternoon depending on road conditions. After settling in at Namib Naukluft Lodge we will visit Sesriem Canyon and Sossusvlei with its towering sand dunes.

Day 5 Sossusvlei to Swakopmund (400km).

Mid morning departure travelling through the Naukluft Park and Kuiseb Canyon arriving in Swakopmund around lunch time and check in at our hotel (Strand or Europa Hof). The rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 6 Swakopmund.

We will spend the day relaxing with short trips in and around the area including Walvis Bay and other places of interest. Great for waders and rare endemics – anyone need the Dune Lark?

Day 7 Swakopmund to Etosha National Park (550km).

With an early start after breakfast we head off to Etosha via Omaruru, Otjiwarongo, Outjo and finally check into our deluxe bungalows at Okaukuejo some time in the mid afternoon. Famous for its abundant wild life and striking landscapes Etosha is one of Africas most exciting game reserves and of course, there are plenty of bird specials to add to your list! The evening can be enjoyed viewing game at the floodlit drinking hole.

Day 8 Etosha National Park

The day will be spent game viewing while making our way to Fort Namutoni, the eastern camp of Etosha where we will spend the night in deluxe bungalows. The fort has an interesting history and there is also a floodlit drinking hole.

Day 9 Etosha National Park to Waterberg Plateau Park (400km).

Depart from Fort Namutoni mid morning for the Waterberg Plareau Park outside Otjiwarongo arriving around lunch time. The rest of the day will be spent either on a game drive or just relaxing in this beautiful area. How about trying (once again!) to catch a sighting of the elusive (but often heard) Hartlaubs Francolin?.

Day 10 Waterberg Plateau Park to Windhoek (350km).

After breakfast we will depart for Windhoek arriving there at about lunch time when we will check into the Safari Hotel for two nights. The rest of the day can be spent either relaxing or doing some shopping.

Day 11 Windhoek.

The day will be divided between leisure and doing short trips to various places of interest in and around the town including Daan Viljoen Nature Reserve. Arrangements can be made for those wishing to leave the tour at this point and fly back to Johannesburg.

Day 12 Windhoek to Keetmanshoop (500km).

From Windhoek we will head south via Mariental to Keetmanshoop. After settling in at our hotel, (Travel Inn) we will visit the quiver tree forest outside the town.

Day 13 Keetmanshoop to Upington (500km).

Leave Keetmanshoop after breakfast and start the return leg of our journey back to Upington where we will again spend the night at Le Must Guest Manor.

Day 14 Upington to Johannesburg (800km).

An early morning start to a long days journey back home arriving at approximately 18h00.

NAMIBIAN TOUR – 14 DAYS US$1 600pp
Day 1 Johannesburg to Upington (800km). Our tour begins with an early departure from Johannesburg (we will pick you up at your home address) on the longest leg of our journey. The route takes us westward through Vryburg with a stop at Kuruman for lunch and a visit to the ‘eye’. Arrival at Upington is expected at about 16h00 when we will check in at Le Must Guest Manor for the night. This is a luxury guest house situated in Upington on the banks of the Orange river and is an ideal spot to relax. Day 2 Upington to Ai-Ais (450km). After a leisurely breakfast we will continue on our journey through the border post at Nakop and on to Ai-Ais arriving at around lunch time. Accommodation is in luxury flats and after settling in, the rest of the afternoon will be spent sight seeing or at your leisure perhaps lazing in the mineral bath or spa. Day 3 Ai-Ais to Luderitz (500km). An early departure after breakfast for Luderitz with a brief stop at the view point to take in the magnificent view of the Fish River Canyon. After arriving in Luderitz and checking in at our hotel (Bay View or Kapps) in the afternoon we will spend some time taking in the sights of this quaint historical town. Day 4 Luderitz to Sossusvlei (500km). We continue after breakfast and make our way northward from Aus to Sesriem and visit the historic Duwisib Castle on route. Arrival at Sesriem is expected by mid afternoon depending on road conditions. After settling in at Namib Naukluft Lodge we will visit Sesriem Canyon and Sossusvlei with its towering sand dunes. Day 5 Sossusvlei to Swakopmund (400km). Mid morning departure travelling through the Naukluft Park and Kuiseb Canyon arriving in Swakopmund around lunch time and check in at our hotel (Strand or Europa Hof). The rest of the day at your leisure. Day 6 Swakopmund. We will spend the day relaxing with short trips in and around the area including Walvis Bay and other places of interest. Great for waders and rare endemics – anyone need the Dune Lark? Day 7 Swakopmund to Etosha National Park (550km). With an early start after breakfast we head off to Etosha via Omaruru, Otjiwarongo, Outjo and finally check into our deluxe bungalows at Okaukuejo some time in the mid afternoon. Famous for its abundant wild life and striking landscapes Etosha is one of Africas most exciting game reserves and of course, there are plenty of bird specials to add to your list! The evening can be enjoyed viewing game at the floodlit drinking hole. Day 8 Etosha National Park The day will be spent game viewing while making our way to Fort Namutoni, the eastern camp of Etosha where we will spend the night in deluxe bungalows. The fort has an interesting history and there is also a floodlit drinking hole. Day 9 Etosha National Park to Waterberg Plateau Park (400km). Depart from Fort Namutoni mid morning for the Waterberg Plareau Park outside Otjiwarongo arriving around lunch time. The rest of the day will be spent either on a game drive or just relaxing in this beautiful area. How about trying (once again!) to catch a sighting of the elusive (but often heard) Hartlaubs Francolin?. Day 10 Waterberg Plateau Park to Windhoek (350km). After breakfast we will depart for Windhoek arriving there at about lunch time when we will check into the Safari Hotel for two nights. The rest of the day can be spent either relaxing or doing some shopping. Day 11 Windhoek. The day will be divided between leisure and doing short trips to various places of interest in and around the town including Daan Viljoen Nature Reserve. Arrangements can be made for those wishing to leave the tour at this point and fly back to Johannesburg. Day 12 Windhoek to Keetmanshoop (500km). From Windhoek we will head south via Mariental to Keetmanshoop. After settling in at our hotel, (Travel Inn) we will visit the quiver tree forest outside the town. Day 13 Keetmanshoop to Upington (500km). Leave Keetmanshoop after breakfast and start the return leg of our journey back to Upington where we will again spend the night at Le Must Guest Manor. Day 14 Upington to Johannesburg (800km). An early morning start to a long days journey back home arriving at approximately 18h00.