Discover Namibia - Lodges

Experience Overview

Vast, spectacular, diverse, Namibia is the best of Africa and more. The wildlife rivals any: spend two days spotting safari animals in Etosha National Park, track rhinos on the Waterberg Plateau, and watch our lodges’ water holes for any welcome visitors. You’ll also climb a desert dune, hike to the ancient White Lady rock painting, and gaze into the Milky Way at night. Better yet, you’ll be joined by one of our expert tour leaders, eager to share their Namibia.
Profile
— Accommodation: 12 Classic nights (lodges, chalets or hotels) — Travel in a purpose-built overland truck — Some long drives — Camping departures available
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 12 Classic nights (lodges, chalets or hotels) — Travel in a purpose-built overland truck — Some long drives — Camping departures available
Trip For You
This trip has been rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us. Most walks are of a Moderate difficulty, such as climbing Dune 45 and visiting the White Lady rock painting at Brandberg. The walks on the Waterberg Plateau are classified as Moderate to Challenging, as it can get a bit steep and rocky. Travel: Transport is in a specially modified safari truck with 10 to 12 seats for group members. There is plenty of legroom and packing space plus a reference library, fridge and/or icebox. Smaller groups may be in a Toyota Hilux/Land Cruiser. By keeping the group size small, we maximise the exposure to the great African wilderness. Road conditions: Eighty percent of Namibian roads are good gravel roads. However, road conditions are dependent on maintenance, so can be poor on occasions. This can have an impact on journey times and comfort, and can be punishing on the vehicles. Drive times on this trip are moderate and we will normally arrive at our destination in the afternoon. The total distance covered is about 1,740mi (2,800km). Drive times below are approximations and do vary according to road conditions and the number of stops. We will rarely exceed six hours of driving in one day. Difficulty: There are some days where we will have to get up before sunrise, but this will allow us to get the most from our activities (for example, the game drives in Etosha where we are more likely to see wildlife in the early mornings before it gets too hot).
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts, two lunches and four dinners are included. In the itinerary, we state which meals are included on which day. For meals not included, allow approximately 250 - 350 Namibian dollars (US$15-20) per person for dinner and 250 Namibian dollars (US$ 15) for lunch. Meals are in restaurants or at the lodges. Meat plays a big part in Namibian cuisine. However, lodges/restaurants can cater for vegetarians if notified in advance. Please make let us know before departure if you have any dietary requests.
Transportation
The vehicle normally used for this trip, including for the safaris in Etosha, is a specially modified safari truck with 10 to 12 seats. Seating is forward-facing and the windows are large and easy to open. Smaller groups may be in a Toyota Hilux/Land Cruiser. People are expected to move around to permit everyone a chance to have a window seat. There is plenty of legroom and packing space plus a reference library and icebox. Please note, it is not safe to stand when the vehicle is moving, please remain seated until the vehicle stops, even on game drives.
Joining Instructions
Key information Start hotel: Arebbusch Lodge, Corner of Golf & Auas Rd, Olympia, Windhoek, Namibia Phone: +264 61 252 255 Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately Airport: Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately 45 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. Catching your return flight Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) from the end hotel. Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Weather Information
June to August: Clear and warm during the day, but temperatures can near freezing point at night.September to May: Considerably warmer; October to March is the hottest, reaching the high 30Cs (around 100F). However, it is always a dry heat and the temperature drops at night. The wet season is between November and February, but this is not a bad time to go as the desert blooms after rainfall, there is plenty of birdlife to see and it never rains for very long.
Spending Money
Budget an average of 370 Namibian dollars (equals to US$20) a day for non-included meals and snacks. There are several optional activities in Swakopmund, such as ocean fishing, quad‐biking and sandboarding but there’s plenty to occupy you if you don’t participate. These activities can be paid in local currency or card. Optional excursions (prices are approximate and subject to change) — Deadvlei transfer (if not walking to Hiddenvlei on Day 3): 220 Namibian dollars — Quad‐biking: 890 Namibian dollars for two hours; 590 Namibian dollars for one hour — Fat biking: 520 Namibian dollars for two hours — Flight over Sossusvlei and Skeleton Coast: 6,500 Namibian dollars for two hours — Ocean fishing 2,200-2,600 Namibian dollars — Living desert tour: 900 Namibian dollars for a half day — Swakopmund township tour: 900 Namibian dollars — Sandboarding: Laydown for 600 Namibian dollars, stand-up for 900 Namibian dollars — Additional Etosha safari: 750-900 Namibian dollars — Waterberg safari (three hours): 700 Namibian dollars — Windhoek township tour (minimum two people): 520 Namibian dollars — Daan Viljoen Game Reserve: 150 Namibian dollars entrance fee for walking trail, plus 1300 Namibian dollars for a return transfer to the reserve — Elephant game drive: 700 Namibian dollars
Tipping
This is entirely optional, but we would recommend approximately 25-45 Namibian dollars (US$1.70-US$3) per person per day in either local currency or any other major denomination. For other staff such as porters and guides on optional activities we recommend that you budget for the equivalent of a further USD5-8, however, this is also optional. In most restaurants and bars, an average of tipping 10 percent is common but be sure to check. This tip is voluntary and can be declined if service was unsatisfactory.

Highlights