Ultimate Namibia Safari

This morning, your guide pick you up from your accommodation. From there, set off from Windhoek in your safari vehicle with your private guide. The journey takes you southwest through the picturesque Khomas Hochland highlands, descending the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert. Along the way, stop for a picnic lunch at a scenic spot.

You'll arrive at your accommodation in the mid-afternoon, where you'll stay for two nights as you explore the stunning Namib Desert with your guide. If time allows, your guide can take you to visit Sesriem Canyon, a nearby geological marvel, or explore Elim Dune. Alternatively, you can choose to relax and enjoy the serene and beautiful surroundings at the Lodge.

OPTIONAL PRE-SAFARI EXTENSION: 
An optional three-night extension is available before the main safari, offering a stay at Wolwedans Dunes Camp or Lodge in the NamibRand Nature Reserve in southern Namibia. This private reserve was created to protect the distinct ecosystems and wildlife of the southwest Namib Desert. It plays a key role in preserving the pro-Namib region along the desert’s eastern edge, supporting seasonal wildlife movement and safeguarding biodiversity.

The reserve borders the Namib-Naukluft National Park to the west and is framed by the Nubib Mountains to the east. It features a wide variety of desert landscapes, including sand and gravel plains, savanna, mountain ranges, isolated hills, and vegetated dunes.

This extension includes a scheduled shared air transfer from Windhoek to Geluk Airstrip, and a road transfer from Wolwedans to Dead Valley Lodge, based on a minimum of two travelers.

This morning, rise early for an unforgettable excursion into Namib Naukluft National Park. Enter the park at sunrise to capture the dunes when the light is soft, and the shadows highlight their towering shapes and curves. This area has some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world.

Your local guide can explain how the Namib Desert formed and introduce you to the fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive in this harsh environment.

After exploring Sossusvlei and Deadvlei to your heart's content, you'll enjoy a picnic in the shade of a camel thorn tree. Return to your lodge in the early afternoon for a late lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax, which is usually welcome after an exhilarating morning in the dunes, or you can join another guided activity in the nature reserve offered by the lodge.

Today's drive takes you northwest through the stunning and varied desert landscapes of Namib Naukluft National Park, including the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons. Reach the coast at the port town of Walvis Bay and then continue north to Swakopmund, where you can enjoy the seaside location and cooler coastal air for the next two nights. This afternoon, have time to explore the town and stroll along the waterfront before having dinner at a popular restaurant that specializes in locally harvested seafood.

NOTE: You have the option to take a sunrise balloon flight before leaving for Swakopmund (at an additional cost). If you choose this option, it must be booked exclusively through Ultimate Safaris to fit with the day's schedule.

 

After an early breakfast, your guide drives you along the scenic coastal road south to Walvis Bay for a memorable kayaking adventure in the outer lagoon. Meet your kayaking guide and take a short drive to Pelican Point, where you'll see the lighthouse and the area's windswept beauty. Along the way, you'll stop at the salt works to view the variety of birdlife.

Kayaking is a great way to see Cape fur seals, Heaviside and bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, flamingos, and many other sea birds. If you're lucky, you might also spot whales and leatherback turtles.

After kayaking, you'll have time to explore the waterfront area of Walvis Bay before returning to Swakopmund. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your guesthouse or around town. Additional activities like scenic flights and sandboarding can be booked at an extra cost.

Alternatively, you can opt for an exciting motorized boat excursion to see seals and dolphins in the outer lagoon and harbor. During this trip, you'll likely spot Cape fur seals, Heaviside and bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, flamingos, and various sea birds. If you're fortunate, you may also catch sight of whales, leatherback turtles, and sunfish. Snacks, local sparkling wine, and fresh oysters will be served during the excursion, which typically returns to the jetty around midday.

Afterward, you'll have the chance to further explore the waterfront area of Walvis Bay before heading back to Swakopmund. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your guesthouse or in town.

Continuing your safari today, head north and east into the diverse region of Damaraland. Along the way, pass Namibia's highest mountain, the Brandberg, which rises 2,573 meters above sea level. Take the opportunity to spot the game and soak in the vast scenery.

Damaraland is characterized by vibrant colors, towering table mountains, unique rock formations, and unusual vegetation. The landscape has been shaped by the forces of wind, water, and geology, resulting in rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains, and ancient river terraces.

The area's variety and solitude, as well as its scenic beauty, amaze and enchant you, offering a true sense of wilderness. If time permits this afternoon, your guide can take you to visit nearby attractions and geological sites, such as the prehistoric Twyfelfontein rock engravings (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). If not, there can be plenty of time to explore them tomorrow.

After an early breakfast, join an exciting 4x4 excursion along the Aba Huab and Huab River valleys to explore this remarkable region and search for wildlife, including the elusive desert-adapted elephants, if they are in the area. Damaraland is home to a variety of desert-adapted wildlife and hidden treasures. Since elephants are most active in the mornings, this is the best time to spot them before returning to camp for lunch.

If everyone agrees, you also have the option to take a picnic lunch and enjoy it in the shade of a large Ana tree by the riverbed, ideally while watching a herd of elephants nearby. Your guide can arrange to visit Twyfelfontein and other nearby attractions if you haven’t already done so the previous day. Upon returning to camp, you can take a walk in the local area with your guide or simply relax and enjoy some leisure time.

Desert-adapted elephants: In areas with enough vegetation and water, an adult elephant can consume up to 300 kg of roughage and 230 liters of water daily. Imagine what a herd would consume in a week, month, or year. Finding African elephants in a desert? Yes, and not only elephants but also other large mammals like black rhinoceroses and giraffes. Their range extends from river catchments in northern Kaokoveld as far south as northern Namib. Apart from the Kunene River, seven river courses northwards from the Ugab provide routes across the desert to the Skeleton Coast. The largest rivers are the Hoarusib, Hoanib, Huab, and Ugab Rivers.

Desert-adapted elephants in Kaokoland and the Namib travel farther for water and food than any other elephants in Africa. The distances between waterholes and feeding grounds can be as great as 68 km. A family herd's typical home range is larger than 2,000 km², or eight times as big as ranges in central Africa where rainfall is much higher. They walk and feed at night and rest during the day. To meet their nutritional needs, they browse 74 of the 103 plant species in their range. These elephants are not a separate species or subspecies but an ecotype unique to Namibia, behaviorally adapted to hyper-arid conditions. The only other known elephants to survive in similar conditions are in Mali on the southwestern fringe of the Sahara Desert.

After an early breakfast, check out from Camp Kipwe and begin a guided overland transfer to Etosha National Park. Travel northeast across Damaraland’s rugged terrain before entering the park through the southern Andersson’s Gate. Spend the afternoon inside the park, visiting key waterholes and enjoying a picnic lunch en route. Continue the journey toward Etosha Heights Private Reserve, arriving at Safari House by late afternoon or early evening.

Safari House is a private-use safari home located in the Etosha Heights Private Reserve, next to Safarihoek Lodge. Set on 60,000 hectares of wildlife-rich terrain, the reserve borders the southwestern edge of Etosha National Park and offers quiet, uncrowded game-viewing. The surrounding landscape includes open plains, mopane woodland, and dolomite ridges that attract a wide range of wildlife, including lion, cheetah, black and white rhino, giraffe, and antelope species such as kudu and oryx.

Your stay at Safari House includes full board with drinks (excluding premium wines, spirits, and champagne) and a two-night accommodation. The house features three en-suite bedrooms, a private guide, chef, and safari vehicle. Enjoy a personalized schedule with morning and afternoon game drives led by a lodge ranger in an open game viewer. Between activities, relax at the swimming pool, watch wildlife at the nearby waterhole, or spend quiet time on the wraparound veranda.

Start the day with a guided morning game drive on the Etosha Heights Private Reserve. Travel in an open game viewer with a local ranger, exploring the reserve’s varied habitats in search of iconic Namibian wildlife. The area is known for black and white rhino, as well as lion, cheetah, giraffe, oryx, kudu, and a wide range of birdlife. Return to Safari House in time for lunch and a short break.

During the afternoon, enjoy time at the private swimming pool or relax on the shaded veranda with views of the nearby waterhole. Later, head back out for an afternoon game drive with the same dedicated guide, exploring new areas of the 60,000-hectare reserve.

Begin the day with an early breakfast at Safari House before checking out and departing Etosha Heights Private Reserve. Travel south by road with a guide, passing through the towns of Outjo, Otjiwarongo, and Okahandja along the way. The drive offers a final look at Namibia’s diverse landscapes during the overland journey back to the capital.

A lunch stop is included en route, with arrival in Windhoek expected in the mid-afternoon. Upon arrival, transfer to a preferred hotel in the city or proceed directly to Hosea Kutako International Airport for an outbound evening flight. Departure flights must be scheduled no earlier than 19:00 to allow enough time for the road transfer.

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS:
You can extend your safari with an additional night or two at Okonjima Bush Camp or Wolwedans on the NamibRand Nature Reserve. 

Okonjima Extension
Stay one or two extra nights at Okonjima, home to diverse wildlife and conservation projects, with easy transfers arranged from the main entrance.

Wolwedans Extension
Extend the safari with a stay at Wolwedans in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, offering sweeping desert landscapes and a unique Namib experience.