The fascinating north-west of Namibia

Windhoek – Erongo Mountains – Brandberg – Ugab River – Twyfelfontein UNESCO World Heritage Site – Sesfontein – Epupa Falls – Opuwo – Ovamboland – Tsumeb – Windhoek

30 May 2024 – 9 Juni 2024 (11 Days/10 Nights)

The Namibia Scientific Society invites you to a tour exploring the north-west of Namibia, all the way to the Angolan border. Emphasis of this tour will be placed on the history of this region, as well as the people calling it their home, while also taking a closer look at the fauna and flora, and special geological features. Waterfalls, huts made of sticks and clay, a Hydroelectric power station and rock paintings are just some of the highlights of this tour.

The tour will be led by librarian and tour guide Armin Jagdhuber, who will be accompanied by José Loch. Several local guides will meet you along the way.

We thank Sense of Africa who have assisted us in putting this tour together.

Introduction

Accommodation	Reiseziel	Start	Ende	Basis	Nächte
Omaruru Guesthouse	Omaruru	30 May	31 Mai	D, B&B	1 Night
Ondjamba Hills	Brandberg / Ugab River	31 May	2 Jun	D, B&B	2 Nights
Twyfelfontein Country Lodge	Twyfelfontein	2 Jun	3 Jun	D, B&B	1 Night
Fort Sesfontein Lodge	Sesfontein	3 Jun	4 Jun	D, B&B	1 Night
Omarunga Epupa-Falls Camp	Epupa Falls	4 Jun	6 Jun	D, B&B	2 Nights
Opuwo Country Lodge	Opuwo	6 Jun	7 Jun	D, B&B	1 Night
Nakambale Adventure Lodge	Ovamboland	7 Jun	8 Jun	D, B&B	1 Night
Minen Hotel	Tsumeb	8 Jun	9 Jun	D, B&B	1 Night

Key
D, B&B: Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Prices

Per Person Sharing N$ 29,900.00 (incl. Vat)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT N$: 3,000.00 (incl. Vat)

Included

• All transfers and transport as indicated
• A sturdy, air-conditioned tour vehicle suitable for the Namibian environment and road conditions
• Accommodation and meals as indicated
• Portages at Hotels / Lodges
• Entrance Fees to all sightseeing attractions and National Parks as indicated
• Limited Bottled and unbottled water on the tour vehicle with a reusable bottle
• Guide / Drivers including their costs for accommodation and meals
• Passenger Liability and Evacuation Insurance
• TDM Namibia provides passenger liability insurance up to N$ 1 billion and emergency medical evacuation cover on all our vehicles on tour. Emergency medical evacuation covers evacuation to the nearest hospital but does not cover medical costs incurred. Guests accordingly are advised to take out adequate insurance cover for medical treatments and any further emergency transportation costs in their home country.
• Information Pack – 1 per room
• Value Added Tax

Excluded

• All expenses of a personal nature
• All optional excursions and activities
• Tips
• International Flights and Airport Taxes
• Travel Insurance

 

Day 1: Thursday, 30 May 2024 (± 250km)
Omaruru Guesthouse, Erongo Mountains

We meet at 07h00 on Aviation Road, next to the Ministry of Mines & Energy. 07h30 the journey begins! We drive via Okahandja, Karibib (where we visit the church) and along the Erongo Mountains to Omaruru. Here we take a historically interesting city tour with a focus on missionary history, Omaruru’s urban development up to the present day and visit some of the historic buildings and burial sites. Afterwards, we visit the Erongo Mountain Winery. On a guided tour, we learn more about the production of various types of wine and brandy and can also sample them over a small snack. In the afternoon, we drive to our accommodation, where we meet in the evening for a convivial “braai” to get to know each other.

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The Erongo Mountain Winery is situated along the Omaruru River at 1,200m above sea level and surrounded by the mountains of the Erongo. Visitors can enjoy delicious wines and liqueurs in the elegant Tasting Room.

Rhenish Mission House in Omaruru

Constructed in the 1870s by missionary Viehe, this building has been converted into a museum, allowing visitors to learn and see more of the history of this little town and its surroundings.

Overnight: Omaruru Guesthouse

During your stay, you can enjoy the big, shady trees and the saltwater swimming pool of this guesthouse, situated directly next to the Omaruru River.

After breakfast, we set off in a westerly direction. We drive along the Erongo Mountains and reach the village of Okombahe before Uis, where we learn about its history. We continue via the mining village of Uis, where we refuel. About 40km north of Uis, we then turn off into the valley of the Ugab dry river, where our lodge is located on a hill and offers a view of the Ugab River and the Brandberg. In the late afternoon, we meet for a sundowner rounding the day off with a drink.

Overnight: Ondjamba Hills

Nestled within some of the most iconic landscapes in Damaraland, Ondjamba Hills offers a fusion of nature, rustic farmstead and old charm safari.

Untouched wilderness at your doorstep, with views on the majestic Brandberg (Namibia’s highest Mountain) and the ephemeral Ugab riverbed and the granite “kopjes” dotted in the landscape make this lodge unique.

The common areas are built from natural stone, wooden poles, thatch and canvas – all circular structures to fit in aesthetically with the granite boulders in the area. Its architecture lets the structures blend into the surrounding boulders dotted around the area with some even being part of the infrastructure. The highlight however remains the pristine landscape the camp is located in.

On an early morning scenic nature drive through the mostly untouched wilderness of the Otjimboyo Concession area, we head out towards the Brandberg. This is the best time to capture the perfect light of sunrise and catch the last mist engulfing the mountain. We continue down into the dry Ugab riverbed, which we follow back towards the camp. Stopping under one of the majestic camelthorn or Ana trees we enjoy a light picnic. On our drive along the meandering river, we might encounter the elusive desert elephants that roam the dry riverbeds of the Damaraland, feeding on the nutritious pods of the trees lining the riverbanks. Back at the camp, we still have enough time for lunch (not included) and to cool off in the pool. If you feel like it later in the afternoon, you can continue to admire the landscape on one of the various hiking trails.

We drive north to the Twyfelfontein area where we visit the World Heritage Site and hike with an experienced Damara guide to learn more about the prehistory of the area. We also visit the Damara Living Museum, after which drive back to our lodge to then retire to our room or the pool for a siesta. Time permitting, you can book an optional nature drive with the lodge in the afternoon.

Twyfelfontein Rock Art

Twyfelfontein is a World Heritage Site boasting one of the richest rock art concentrations in Africa. Thousands of tourists come to this site each year to view some 2,500 Stone Age rock engravings. The area is home to 17 rock art sites, which collectively encompass 212 engraved stone slabs. There are an additional 13 sites displaying rock paintings.

Overnight: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge

The Lodge is situated in the heart of the Twyfelfontein Uibasen Conservancy. In construction utmost care was taken to reduce the visual impact on the environment and to blend into the mountainside with the use of thatch roofs, natural stone and paint colours toning in with the surrounding rock formations.

We drive deeper into Kaokoland. Today the journey takes us over the veterinary fence and past Palmwag to the majestic Etendeka Plateau. On the way to Sesfontein, we have the chance to spot some of the wild animals such as zebra, oryx, springbok and giraffe. Our first stop is at Warmquelle, where we visit the natural pool at Ongongo. Ongongo means “magical” in the native language of the Herero, and attests to the fact, that this natural spring never dries up and runs all year round. If you want, you can jump into the refreshing pool to free yourself from the dust of the gravel road! We then drive to Sesfontein, where we spend the night in the historic fort.

Overnight: Fort Sesfontein Lodge

The lodge, located in Fort Sesfontein, has been built from authentic materials. It is a monument that provides protection and security as well as modern comfort. The lodge hosts are the descendants of the indigenous people of the Damara, Herero and Himba.

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Day 6: Tuesday, 4 June (± 330km)
Omarunga Epupa-Falls Camp Gondwana Collection Namibia, Epupa Falls

Today will be an exciting drive! We drive steeply uphill over the Jouberts Pass to Opuwo. On the way, we stop on several occasions to admire the low-lying plains of Kaokoland. After a stop in Opuwo to refuel, we continue north to the southern border with Angola, which is marked by the Kunene River. Here we stay the next two nights close to the Epupa Waterfalls, which we visit in the afternoon.

Overnight: Omarunga Epupa-Falls Camp Gondwana Collection Namibia    

Situated on the banks of the Kunene River, Omarunga Lodge lies hidden in a forest of Makalani Palm trees with the sound of the river to accompany you during your stay.

Visit to the Himba

In the morning, we visit a traditional Himba village and gain an authentic insight into this nature-loving culture that hardly has changed over the last few hundred years. They still live as nomads and move through the country with their herds of cattle – always following the limited water and vegetation. The dwellings made of mopane branches, clay and cow dung are only temporary and the herds of cattle are at the centre of the culture. Here we learn all about bride prices, why sour milk is so tasty and the importance of cattle.

After the visit, we head back to our lodge, where the afternoon can be spent at our own leisure.

After breakfast, we head south again to Opuwo, the capital of Kaokoland. Here we visit the natural perfume factory “Scent of Africa” to learn more about plant-based production. In the afternoon, we arrive at our lodge, where we can relax after a long day with a view of the extensive mopane plains.

The Opuwo Country Lodge is situated on a hilltop, offering a 360° view of the surrounding area.

With a last view of the mopane landscape, we drive to Ruacana, where we visit the hydroelectric power station and take a look at the gorge where the Ruacana Falls plunge into the Kunene when the river is in flood. After a visit to the Olushandja Dam, we enter Ovamboland and drive through densely populated villages and towns to Olukonda. Our accommodation is located right next to the historic Finnish mission station and church of Nakambale. In the afternoon, we can relax by the pool and then discuss the day’s experiences over a cosy dinner in the evening.

Nakambale Museum

Olukonda was founded in 1871 as one of the first Finnish missions in Owamboland. Since 1880 it was home to the Finnish missionary Martti Rautanen, nicknamed Nakambale (in Oshiwambo: the one who wears the hat) by the locals. In 1889 Nakambale built the first church in the north of Namibia and 1893 a house for missionaries. These buildings still exist and since 1992 are National Namibian Monuments. Thanks to the help of the Government of Finland, both the church and the house were refurbished in 1992 and 1995 respectively. Currently, the Evangelic and Lutheran Church of Namibia maintains them. Nakambale Museum and Rest camp opened its doors and started operating in its current form in 1995.

Overnight: Nakambale Adventure Lodge

The Nakambale Museum was opened on the premises of the National Monument in May 1995. The museum is a member of the Museums Association of Namibia.

Old mission stations were founded close to the rulers of the region. The present Court of the King of Ondonga is near Olukonda. King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas is a patron of the museum, along with the First Ladies of Finland and Namibia, Mrs Eeva Ahtisaari and Mrs Kovambo Nujoma.

The main objective of the exposition of the museum is to introduce to the public, the Church, Mission and local cultures of the North, with respect to both the past and present.

Olukonda is a place worth seeing for a visitor interested in learning more about Namibian history and indigenous culture and customs. The exhibits inform one about old missionary architecture, the Rautanen family, Olukonda, the development of the Church, everyday missionary life, traditional musical instruments, decorations, toys, household utensils, livelihoods, the political history of Ovamboland, and the kings of the North.

After breakfast, we visit the former Finnish mission station and the mission church and learn about the history of the Finnish missionaries. Afterwards, we also visit a nearby Ondonga village to learn more about the history, culture and traditions of the local Ovambo people. We then drive a final stretch through Ovamboland towards Tsumeb, where we visit some historic sights, like the geological museum and the Tsumeb Museum. Our hotel is located directly in Tsumeb and is suitable for an optional walk through the mining town with its historic buildings and beautiful flora. Dinner will be at the Minen Hotel.

The Minen Hotel lies in the heart of Tsumeb. It offers excellent German cuisine as well as air-conditioned rooms, a beer garden and a pool.

Today, this journey will end. We drive via Otavi, Otjiwarongo and Okahandja back to Windhoek, which we will reach in the early afternoon.