Classic Namibia Safari

Day 1 Dead Valley Lodge, Sossusvlei

The safari departs Windhoek in your safari vehicle and guide, driving southwest through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands before heading down the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert below, stopping for a picnic lunch at a scenic location along the way. We arrive at Dead Valley Lodge mid–afternoon and visit Sesriem Canyon, a small gorge which has evolved through centuries of erosion and gets its name from a translation of “six reins”.  Alternatively we may visit Elim Dune to enjoy sunset and listen to the calls of the barking gecko as the sun dips behind the dunes and purple colours shadow the distant mountains

Day 2 Dead Valley Lodge, Sossusvlei

An early morning start for an incredible excursion with your guide in the Namib Naukluft National Park, setting off before sunrise to capture the dunes as the shadows accentuate the towering shapes and curves, as the sun lifts higher into the sky the colours soften to almost pastel shades from deep hues. This area boasts some of the highest free–standing sand dunes in the world and your guide will explain how the Namib Desert formed and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environments. Climb a towering apricot dune and view this endless sand–dune sea.

Day 3 Swakopmund

It’s a fascinating drive today taking through ever–changing landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park, from the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons to gravel plains and joining the coast at the port town of Walvis Bay, then continue north to Swakopmund to enjoy the cooler coastal air and the quaint colonial architecture.

Day 4 Swakopmund

Return to Walvis Bay where you have the choice of activity either join an exciting kayaking tour, or a wonderful marine cruise, both are great ways of seeing Cape fur seals, heaviside and bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, flamingos and a wide variety of other sea birds. If you are lucky, there is also a chance of seeing whales, leatherback turtles and sunfish. From here, we return to Swakopmund and the remainder of the day is free.

Day 5 Camp Kipwe, Damaraland

Passing Namibia’s highest mountain, Brandberg reaches 2,573m above the surrounding plains, sit and absorb the vastness of the scenery along the way before reaching our destination. Damaraland is typified by displays of colour, magnificent flat–topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre–looking vegetation. The present–day landscape has been formed by the erosion of wind, water and geological forces and this variety and solitude of the area will both reward and astound you.

Day 6 Camp Kipwe, Damaraland

This morning, join an exciting 4×4 excursion along the ephemeral Aba Huab River valley to explore this remarkable region and to search for game, including the elusive desert adapted elephants if they are in the area. Damaraland is home to a variety of desert adapted wildlife including giraffe and zebra. During our stay we visit the fascinating and ancient Bushman etchings

Day 7-9 Ongava Private Reserve & Etosha National Park

Our journey today takes us to Ongava Private Reservelocated on the south border of Etosha, later this afternoon enjoy a guided game drive on the private reserve in an open vehicle and our first chance to spot some of the wildlife found here – watch out for large prides of lion, rhino and elephant
Days 8&9   Explore the remarkable Etosha National Park visiting some of the many waterholes
Look out for endangered species such as cheetah and the lesser-known black-faced impala, along with lion, hyena, and leopard. There are giants such as elephant, rhino and giraffe and plentiful plains game ranging from kudu, oryx, wildebeest and springbok – in fact, there’s 114 species of mammal, along with around 340 species of birds.  A further activity on the wonderful private Ongava Reserve is included where game such as Hartmann’s mountain zebra, waterbuck and more have been reintroduced.  Ongava is renowned for its reintroduction and conservation programmes

Day 10 Windhoek – Departure

After breakfast we depart Ongava heading south to Okonjima’s AfriCat Day Centre, a wonderful highlight to finish our safari. After lunch with views over the veld, join an informative game drive and tour of the centre and the opportunity to learn about the function and vision of the AfriCat Foundation and see some of the Foundation’s special carnivore ambassadors with the chance for some great photos of cheetah. From here, return Windhoek arriving in the late afternoon. No flights prior to 21h00 or alternatively you can be dropped at your accommodation to overnight. End of services.  Note there is no close interaction of the cats ie petting