Day 1 Shanghai Pudong International Airport ★Meeting Day
All day
Today is the all-day gathering day for the tour. Tourists from all over the country will gather at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport Terminal at approximately 8:00 PM (the specific time is specified in the tour package). Guided by your tour leader, you will check in and complete departure formalities at the designated time. Afterwards, you will board your connecting international flight to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. Windhoek is the capital of Namibia, a country in southwestern Africa. Namibia gained independence from South Africa in 1990. Known as Africa's pristine garden capital, Windhoek exudes a rich European charm amidst its vibrant flowers.
Day 2 Shanghai → Addis Ababa → Windhoek Reference flights: ET685 0020 07:45; ET835 0835 13:20
All day
Reference flights:
Ethiopian Airlines ET685; 00:20-07:45 (transfer in Shanghai Pudong-Addis Ababa);
Ethiopian Airlines ET835; 08:35-13:20 (Addis Ababa-Windhoek); (flight time approximately 19 hours). Namibia's time difference is 6 hours behind Beijing time.
Arriving in Windhoek around this afternoon, our Chinese-speaking guide will meet us at the airport by bus and transfer us to our hotel. Windhoek, located in Namibia's central highlands at an altitude of 1,728 meters, is surrounded by mountains to the south, north, and west, with many buildings nestled against the hills. This small yet vibrant city is renowned for its multicultural architecture and well-preserved historical buildings, dating back to the German colonial era. The local cuisine, dishes, culture, and clothing also retain the flavor of that era. We will spend the night in Windhoek.
In the evening, we planned to go to the local internet-famous restaurant Joe's Beerhouse, which Hua Shao had eaten at. It is a specialty restaurant and bar opened by Germans, and they arranged a special German pork knuckle meal. At night, it was crowded with Chinese and foreign tourists gathering here to enjoy the lively atmosphere, and then we checked into the hotel to rest.
Day 3 Windhoek → Red Mud Tribe → Etosha National Park
All day
Starting today we will enter Namibia's famous Etosha National Park, which can be called one of the highlights of this trip. We will stay in this national park famous for its large wild animals for two consecutive nights, which will increase the probability of seeing wild animals.
Before arriving at the camp, we will visit the Red Mud Tribe. Ten years later, we may only be able to see them in museums. They are a tribe that has maintained its original state in a remote area of Africa, and still continue the living habits of more than 500 years ago.
Afterwards, we'll travel to Etosha National Park by truck, where we'll get up close and personal with hundreds of rare species of animals. Arrive at camp around dusk and head to the camp's signature "pond" to admire the unique sunset over the basin. Watch the various animals seeking the light as they come to drink.
Etosha National Park: Etosha translates to "Great White Place" in the Ovambo language. The name comes from the Etosha Pan, a vast white salt marsh within the park, which stretches 130 kilometers long, 50 kilometers wide, and covers an area of 4,800 square kilometers. Beyond the salt marsh, most of the park is covered in tropical savannah woodland. It is one of Africa's most protected wildlife reserves and a major wildlife sanctuary. Most of the time, the small amount of rainwater that remains is scattered across Etosha, like pearls, providing life-saving water for animals. To survive, animals must travel long distances to these distant pools for water. However, during the abundant summer rainy season, water accumulates, forming pools of varying sizes that attract numerous animals.
Warm Tip 1: According to the regulations of the Namibian government, tourist buses must enter the national park after sunrise and exit at sunset.
Tip 2: It is impossible to track the whereabouts of wild animals. Please understand that it is impossible to confirm what animals you can see.
Tip 3: There are optional night tours in Etosha, but availability is limited. Please inform us in advance if you require one (please understand that availability may vary during peak season). You will also miss out on viewing the waterhole if you choose the night tour, so it's a trade-off.
Day 4 Etosha National Park (full day game drive)
All day
Staying inside the national park gave us more freedom to explore! We woke up early and took a truck to explore deeper into the park. Animals typically come out to drink and feed during the early morning and evening hours, giving us a greater chance of seeing wildlife during these times. The zoo's small pools, each containing only a small amount of rainwater, are like pearls scattered across Etosha, providing life-saving water for the animals. Our tour focused primarily on these pools. To survive, the animals must travel long distances to drink from these distant pools. Different animals have different habits, with varying drinking times and postures. We spotted numerous animals along the roads and near the pools, even spotting diverse and docile species like giraffes, deer, antelope, and zebra, all playing and drinking from the same pools.
Here, there is a chance of seeing the "Big Five of Africa", but of course it also depends on luck, which is why we arranged to stay two consecutive nights in the national park.
Warm Tip 1: According to the regulations of the Namibian government, tourist buses must enter the national park after sunrise and exit at sunset.
Tip 2: It is impossible to track the whereabouts of wild animals. Please understand that it is impossible to confirm what animals you can see.
Tip 3: There are optional night tours in Etosha, but there are limited seats available. If you need any, it is recommended to inform us in advance and make a reservation (please understand that there may not be seats available during peak season). If you choose a night tour, you will not be able to visit the waterhole. Everyone has their own trade-offs.
Day 5 Etosha → Walvis Bay/Swakomundup
All day
After breakfast, drive to [Whale Bay or Swakopmund]. Both are coastal towns, 30 kilometers apart (the specific accommodation is subject to the tour book). Although they are called cities, they are not very big. Here you can freely choose to find a seaside restaurant along the seaside street to enjoy Atlantic seafood.
Only when you come here will you know what the world of water and fire is: on one side is the desert with little rain all year round, and on the other side is the cold and surging ocean. The strong contrast between the two will make you exclaim at the magic of nature.
Day 6 Whale Bay (Fur Seal Kayaking)
All day
After breakfast, head to the Symphony of Sand Sea - [Whale Bay]
Half of Namibia's life is in the desert, and the other half is in the ocean. Walvis Bay, Namibia's largest port city, is a place where you'll experience the stark contrast between the year-round desert and the icy, surging ocean. The stark contrast will leave you marveling at the wonders of nature.
Tourists has carefully selected a complimentary activity for everyone: [Fur seal kayaking]. You can see thousands of fur seals. This is another fun activity that allows you to interact with the animals. You can gallop in the ocean with thousands of adorable little fur seals, and there is a high chance of seeing flamingos along the way! Not only that, this activity requires switching to an off-road 4WD vehicle. Fur seal kayaking combines bird watching (flamingos) with kayaking and interacting with fur seals! After the activity, the guide will prepare a light meal (sandwiches, coffee, milk tea, etc.) for us, and then we will drive back to the hotel.
You can arrange the afternoon itinerary freely, and you can choose to go to Swakopmund with the main group.
Alternatively, you can choose to go on your own, including the highly cost-effective skydiving (in Swakopmund) or the sand-boarding at Sandwich Bay (in Whale Bay). (Due to time constraints, you can only choose one of the two options.)
Note 1: You may get wet when kayaking, so please bring a waterproof shell or bag.
Note 2: Optional activities must be booked 2-3 days in advance. Please understand that reservations may not be available during peak season.
Note 3: Please be sure to carry your passport with you on the way from Swakomundo to Walvis Bay.
Day 7 Walvis Bay → Solitaire transfer → Namib Desert (Dune 45) (Camping)
All day
We rose early and headed south into the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world. We had lunch in the small town of Solitaire, a world of cacti and classic cars, and a stopover on the way to the Red Desert. The vast wilderness, dotted with classic cars, cacti, and classic cars, created another unique African scene, reminiscent of a Western film.
After arriving at camp, we'll begin our exploration of the Namib Desert, crossing the vast expanse of flat sand to enter the Namib Red Desert. Among the Sossusvlei dunes, known as the highest in the world, we'll walk along the spine of Dune 45, immersing ourselves in the heart of the red desert. The beauty of the Namib lies in Sossusvlei, and the beauty of Dune 45 is in Dune 45: no matter how strong the monsoon, it maintains its iconic S-shaped shape. It's often called the most beautiful dune on Earth. Dune 45 has become a hallmark of Namibia's red desert, having graced the covers of National Geographic and numerous travel magazines. But Dune 45 isn't the only one; there are countless other beautiful and diverse dunes, each a breathtaking spectacle.
Warm reminder: According to the regulations of the Namibian government, tourist buses must enter the Red Desert National Park after sunrise and exit at sunset.
Day 8 Death Valley → Cheetah Luxury Manor
All day
Get up early and drive around Death Valley at sunrise, switching to a 4WD for a tour. [Death Valley] Sand surrounds the valley. Clouds bring rain, which forms a river. The water nurtures trees. Sand blocks the river, and the trees wither and die, creating Death Valley.
This unique wonder of life in Namibia awaits you on foot into the Death Valley, where you'll see ancient trees and magnificent red dunes. This is a wonder unique to the Namib Desert. Originally, the lake dried up, leading to the death of flora and fauna. For 900 years, there has been no sign of life here. For centuries, the trees have stood on the cracked, dry marshland, appearing like a withered form of life. The scorching sun has blackened the branches, creating a stark contrast against the rusty red dunes, a truly unforgettable sight.
We will then drive to Cheetah Luxury Manor for lunch, a journey that takes approximately 3-4 hours. After lunch, we'll proceed with a China-TravelNote original tour, allowing us to enter the park for a close-up cheetah viewing experience. A caretaker from the private conservation center will share stories about Namibian cheetahs and learn about cheetah conservation. Afterward, we'll check into our hotel and enjoy dinner.
【Special Note】: Activities such as taking photos with cheetahs have been cancelled throughout Namibia
Day 9 Cheetah Manor → Quiver Tree Manor
All day
After breakfast, we'll drive to the Quiver Tree Estate. Quiver trees are actually aloe vera trees, so named because locals often hollow out their branches to use as quivers. These trees reach up to five meters tall and are approximately 200 years old. Quiver Tree Estate, home to approximately 250-300 large trees, is a national treasure and a renowned Namibian attraction.
Tip 1: If the park is short of resources during peak season, please choose Central Lodge or similar hotels outside the park. Please understand that this will not affect your itinerary.
Warm reminder 2: Smoking is prohibited in Quiver Tree Park. If you smoke, you will face a huge fine of up to 5,000 Namibian dollars.
Warm reminder 3: Drones are prohibited in Quiver Tree Park. If you fly them illegally, you will face heavy fines.
Day 10 Quiver Tree Estate → Windhoek
All day
After breakfast at the hotel, you can also choose to get up early and enter the Quiver Tree Manor to wait for the beautiful sunrise. Then we will drive back to the capital, Windhoek, and check into a local boutique hotel to rest.
Day 11 Windhoek → Addis Ababa → Shanghai Reference flights: ET834 14:30-21:20; ET684 23:45-15:30+1
All day
After breakfast, we will drive to the airport to board our international flight via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and transfer to Shanghai. Return to China, concluding this wild Namibian trip.
Reference flights:
Ethiopian Airlines ET834; 14:30-21:20 (transfer in Windhoek-Addis Ababa);
Ethiopian Airlines ET684; 23:45-15:30+1 (Addis Ababa to Shanghai Pudong); (flight time approximately 18 hours)
Day 12 Shanghai★Dissolution Day
All day
Today is our disbanding day, and we are expected to arrive at Shanghai Pudong Airport at 15:30. Tourists, still reluctant to leave, are here to say goodbye with tears. Remember to fill out a follow-up review on the "China-TravelNote APP" to win a voucher. You can also post travel notes or works on the "China-TravelNote Community" & "China-TravelNote Photography Network" to share the wonderful memories of your trip!
