Highlights of Namibia

This morning your guide collect you from the airport (the flight must arrive before 8:00 am) or from the guesthouse of your choice. Your journey begins with a scenic drive southwest through Khomas Hochland Highlands, down the Great Escarpment and finally arriving at the striking Namib Desert. Stop for a picnic lunch along the way, enjoying your first glimpse into Namibia's diverse landscape. Settle in for your first night at the Dead Valley Lodge - adventure awaits! 

Rise early this morning and head into the Namib Naukluft National Park in time to catch the sunrise, where the soft lighting accentuates the towering shapes and curves of the surrounding sand dunes. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world, and your guide give you insight into the formation of the Namib Desert and the various creatures and plants that survive in this harsh environment. Explore Sossusvlei and Deadvlei to your heart's content before settling down for a picnic breakfast under the shade of a camel thorn tree. 

Make your way back to Dead Valley Lodge for a late lunch. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure, a welcome break after such an exciting morning. 

Today you'll drive northwest through the fascinating desert landscape of the Namib Naukluft National Park, including the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons. The scenery changes as you near the coast, and upon reaching Walvis Bay keep your eye out for pelicans, flamingos, and other sea birds before continuing north to Swakopmund. The afternoon is yours to wander through Swakopmund's well-preserved colonial streets, enjoying the cool seafront breeze as you do so. Your evening concludes with dinner at one of Swakopmund's popular seafood restaurants before retiring to our centrally-located hotel.  

As an alternative to the drive from Sossus Dune Lodge to Swakopmund you may like to take a scenic light aircraft flight over Sossusvlei and along the Diamond Coast (optional extra at additional cost), allowing you a birds-eye view (fog permitting) over the dune sea, abandoned mining camps, shipwrecks, Sandwich Harbor, Walvis Bay port and nearby salt pans before you land at Swakopmund Airport.
 

Rise early for breakfast and a short drive back along the coast to Walvis Bay, where you'll spend the morning exploring the sea by kayak. Keep an eye out for the seals and dolphins that frequent this part of the Atlantic Ocean. This exhilarating morning concludes with a light lunch and a visit to the Walvis Bay Inner Lagoon, home to interesting and unusual birdlife. Return to Swakopmund for an afternoon at leisure, exploring Swakopmund's charming shops, museums, cafés, and galleries before dinner out on the town. 

If you're not interested in kayaking, you can opt for a motorized boat excursion to see seals and dolphins in the outer lagoon and harbor. This is a great opportunity to spot Cape fur seals, Heaviside and bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, flamingos, and many other sea birds. With a bit of luck, you might even catch a glimpse of whales, leatherback turtles, and sunfish. During the excursion, you'll enjoy snacks, local sparkling wine, and fresh oysters. The trip ends around midday when you return to the jetty.

After the tour, you have the chance to further explore the waterfront area of Walvis Bay. Afterwards, return to Swakopmund where you can enjoy an afternoon at leisure either at the guesthouse or out in town. For those looking for more adventure, activities such as scenic flights and sandboarding can be arranged for an additional cost.

Today you set out for the diverse region of Damaraland, passing by Namibia's highest mountain, the Brandenberg, en route. Damaraland is typified by vivid displays of color, magnificent table-topped mountains, and bizarre-looking rock formations and vegetation. Take the time to photograph and explore the variety, astounding wilderness, and scenic splendor as you make your way toward your lodge. If time allows, your guide take you to visit the nearby geological sites of Twyfelfontein rock engravings (recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site) - if not you can do so tomorrow.
 
Arrive at Camp Kipwe in the early evening, where you'll have time to freshen up before dinner. 

Rise early this morning for breakfast before embarking on an exciting 4x4 excursion along the Huab and Aba Huab River Valley in search of game. Damaraland is home to a variety of desert adapted wildlife and vegetation, including the unique yet elusive desert-adapted elephant and rhino. Spend the morning tracking wildlife and learning about survival in this extraordinary environment. Return to camp for lunch and set out again to visit Twyfelfontein or settle in for some much-needed relaxation back at camp. Enjoy dinner tonight under the expansive sky of Damaraland. 

Today is long yet extremely rewarding! Set out early toward Etosha National Park, stopping for a picnic lunch before arriving to Safarihoek Lodge. Embark on an afternoon game drive in Western Etosha National Park. Settle in after a fulfilling day of exploration. Please note Etosha Mountain Lodge may be used as an alternative lodging option. 

Set out this morning for a full-day game drive within Etosha National Park, traveling the breadth of the park from its southern to eastern gates. Etosha National Park translates to the "Place of Mirages", "Land of Dry Water", or the "Great White Place", and covers 22,270 square kilometers of land. Game viewing within Etosha centers around its numerous watering holes, where you can often encounter numerous species drinking from the source. The Park boasts some 114 mammals and over 340 bird species. Wildlife you may encounter includes elephant, lion, giraffe, blue wildebeest, eland, kudu, gemsbok (Oryx), zebra, rhino, cheetah, leopard, hyena, honey badger and warthog, as well as the endemic black-faced impala.
 
Arrive at Onguma Tree Top Camp outside Etosha's eastern gate just before sunset, where you'll have time to freshen up before dinner in the main lounge. After dinner you have the option to embark on a night drive in the Onguma Reserve, searching for nocturnal species more easily spotted once the sun goes down. 

 

This morning is dedicated to continued game viewing within the eastern section of Etosha National Park. Explore the area before returning to camp for lunch and a quick rest. Set out in the afternoon for your final a game drive in Namibia, searching for wildlife within the private Onguma Reserve. Your evening culminates with sundowners over the Fischer's Pan. Return to camp for a restful evening, reflecting on your Namibian adventure over dinner. 

Say goodbye to Etosha National Park as you head south this morning toward Okonjima, the home of the world-renowned AfriCat Foundation. This wildlife sanctuary is dedicated to creating conservation awareness, preserving habitat, promoting environmental educational research, and supporting the welfare of Africa's big cats, particularly leopards and cheetahs. Embark on an exciting and informative game drive of the center, learning about the vision of the foundation while also meeting some of the resident big cats. 

Freshen up and continue toward Windhoek, arriving in the late afternoon just before sunset. You'll be dropped off at the accommodation of your choice, or, if flying out this evening, transferred out to Windhoek International Airport (additional transfer cost applies, flights must depart no earlier than 21:00). A final night in Windhoek is highly recommended! 

You have the option of extending your time in Okonjima to learn more about the work at AfriCat, please inquire with your trip planner if interested!