Namibia Kaleidoscope Private–Guided Safari

Day 1 Windhoek

Upon arrival in Windhoek, meet with a tour consultant who will answer any last–minute questions you may have and the remainder of your day is free. Depending on the time you may have the chance to wander the shops or city sights.

Day 2&3 Sossusvlei

Meet with your experienced guide and from here drive through the rugged Khomas Hochland mountain range descending to the desert floor and the stunning Namib area. The following day is an early start to experience a guided tourinto the oldest desert in the world, where the soft morning light cast deep orange shadows across the dune ridges and making it a photographer’s dream. Explore Dead Vlei and Sossusvlei on foot taking in the spectacular desert scenery and endless dune vistas. Relax under the shade of a huge acacia tree, and watch out for desert–adapted animals such as oryx, springbok and ostrich. As we make our way back, stop at Dune 45 and explore nearby Sesriem Canyon.

Day 4&5 Swakopmund

On our way to the coast we cross the desert with its endless views across the pastel–coloured gravel plains to the port town of Walvis Bay. We visit the lagoon, a protected RAMSAR wetland site home to many species of birds including greater and lesser flamingos, pelicans, avocets, plovers and the endemic Damara tern. From here it’s a short drive along the coastal road where the ocean pounds the beach to the left–hand side and sand dunes rise above us on the right. Swakopmund is full of historic colonial buildings and you’ve the chance to sample optional adventure activities geared to the coastal desert or marine life in the lagoon. Alternatively, visit the museum and aquarium, enjoy coffee and cake at one or the many cafes or wander along the beach listening to the roar of the waves of the mighty Atlantic Ocean.

Day 6 Damaraland

Today takes us head north along the unforgiving Skeleton Coast past the desert gravel plains and pounding ocean to great little shipwreck and iconic part of the coastline before continuing to Cape Cross. This is home of thousands of Cape fur seals where during breeding season over 100,000 are crammed onto the beach fighting for space. We turn inland driving past Brandberg, the highest point in Namibia and a huge massif rising up over the plains to Twyfelfontein, home to one of the largest and some of the best rock etchings in southern Africa, you’ll meet with some local Damara people and learn a little of their traditional ways.

Day 7 Grootberg Lodge, Northern Damaraland

Our journey takes us past ancient valleys and rocky outcrops where our lodge tonight is situated at the top of the Grootberg Pass on the edge of the plateau with jaw–dropping views over the valley. Join a sundowner drive exploring the rugged beauty of the area and watch out for free–roaming animals including giraffe, elephant, rhino and zebra.

Day 8–10 Etosha National Park

This morning, we stop and visit a Himba community where the women cover themselves with ochre and butterfat, and each hairstyle depicts their status, they are an intriguing tribe and there’s the chance to ask questions to find out about their traditional life. From here we drive to Etosha arriving in the afternoon. Our next days are spent enjoying game drives, Etosha is a wildlife haven and centred around the great Etosha Pan, where fresh–water springs feed the waterholes providing a lifeline to the animals and where game abounds look out for large herds of antelope, giraffe, zebra, as well as predators including lion and hyena. Etosha is home to endangered species such as cheetah as well as one of the largest remaining populations of black rhino. The famous floodlit waterholes at Okaukuejo and Halali are where species congregate during the dry winter months and evening game viewing can be enjoyed.

LUXURY OPTION: DAY 10 ONGAVA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

For those guests on the luxury version, a night is spent at the wonderful Ongava Private Reserve, one of the best lodges in Namibia offering top service and food, along with superb opportunities to see a large pride of lion or perhaps the endangereed rhino

Day 11 Departure

Return to Windhoek today after a 11h00 visit to the AfriCat Foundation, to find out more about predator conservation in Namibia, from here continue to the craft markets in Okahandja where you can watch the various crafts being carved in wood (if time permits) You’ll be dropped in Windhoek at your accommodation or at the airport for your ongoing flight – no flights prior to early evening.