Itinerary
Day 1 – Windhoek/Sossusvlei: You will be met by your private safari guide at approx. 7:30 am (hotel for pre-night booked separately) and head off by road to Sossusvlei. Your journey takes you through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands before heading down the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert, stopping for a picnic lunch along the way. Arrive at your lodge mid-afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Dead Valley Lodge. (L, D)
Dead Valley Lodge opened in July 2019 and is situated inside the Namib Naukluft Park, in-between the park gate at Sesriem and Elim Dune. The lodge offers 20 free standing, climate-controlled luxury tented chalets, each with adjoining bathroom and a panoramic view of the Namib Desert with towering red sand dunes, rugged mountain ranges and arid desert savannas. The lodge restaurant serves delicious Namibian style meals, and guests can also relax in the picturesque bar by the swimming pool while looking out over the local desert scenery towards Elim Dune.
Day 2 – Sossusvlei: This morning, rise early for a magical excursion in the Namib Naukluft National Park, setting off before sunrise to capture the dunes while the light is soft and shadows accentuate the towering shapes and curves. Afterward, enjoy a relaxed picnic brunch in the shade of a camel thorn tree. Return in the early afternoon, with the option to visit Sesriem Canyon afterwards, if you haven’t already done so the day before. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure. Dinner and overnight at Dead Valley Lodge. (B, L, D)
Days 3 & 4 – Swakopmund: You can choose an optional sunrise balloon flight or scenic light aircraft flight over the Namib Naukluft National Park (both at an additional cost). Afterward, drive northwest through ever-changing desert landscapes to meet the coast at the port town of Walvis Bay. Continue north to Swakopmund, where you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location for your next two nights. Swakopmund resembles a small, German coastal resort nestled between the desert and the sea, boasting a charming combination of German colonial architecture blended with modern hotels, shops, restaurants, museums, craft centers, galleries, and cafés. Return to Walvis Bay the next day for your kayaking adventure, an ideal way 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. Return to Swakopmund for an afternoon at leisure, or extra activities. Overnights at The Delight Hotel Swakopmund. (B, L, D)
The Delight Hotel Swakopmund is conveniently located within short walking distance of the ‘Mole’, this modern, uplifting and inviting hotel is the ideal base for one’s stay. Each en-suite room is designed with comfort in mind and is equipped with air-conditioning, tea/coffee station, fridge, TV, complimentary WiFi and safe.
Days 5 & 6 – Damaraland: The road takes you north and east into the wonderful and diverse region of Damaraland, which is typified by displays of color, magnificent table topped mountains, rock formations, and bizarre-looking vegetation. On your second day here, explore the Aba Huab and Huab River valleys and search for game, including the rare desert-adapted elephants, if they are in the area. After lunch, visit the Twyfelfontein prehistoric rock engravings (recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes. Meals and overnights at Camp Kipwe. (B, L, D)
Camp Kipwe lies in the heart of Damaraland and is nestled amongst an outcrop of giant granite boulders, just a stone’s throw away from the ephemeral Aba Huab riverbed, where desert-adapted elephants often traverse. Each thatched bungalow is simply but tastefully furnished with ensuite open-air bathroom. The center of the camp holds the alfresco dining area, bar, lounge and reception with a fireplace nearby to relax beside in the evenings. A refreshing swimming pool and sunset lookout with lovely views also complement the camp.
Day 7 – Southern Etosha National Park: Today you set off on your journey to the Etosha Mountain Lodge, which is situated on the southwestern border of Etosha National Park. You arrive in time for an afternoon game drive on the Etosha Heights Game Reserve in an open game viewer with Etosha Mountain Lodge ranger, on shared basis with other lodge guests. Overnight at Etosha Mountain Lodge. (B, L, D)
Etosha Mountain Lodge, set in its own Reserve, comprises of eight thatched chalets and one spacious family suite. They are all fitted with en-suite bathrooms, with both a shower and bathtub in each. All the rooms boast their own expansive wooden viewing decks enabling you to fully take in the breathtaking vistas surrounding you.
Days 8 & 9 – Eastern Etosha National Park: Spend your day game viewing within the central section of Etosha National Park. Stop at the southern Andersson’s Gate to Halali for lunch. Leave the park before sunset to stay at the Onguma Tree Top Camp, with enough time to relax and freshen up before dinner. Enjoy your second full day of game drives exploring Etosha National Park. Overnights at Onguma Tree Top Camp. (B, L, D)
Onguma Tree Top Camp is a unique and beautiful camp, situated on the Onguma Game Reserve. It is a small and intimate camp, built on wooden stilts among the treetops, with full views over one of the most beautiful watering holes on the reserve. The Camp consists of four thatched wooden chalets designed so the canvas sides can be opened to expose breathtaking views and animals any time. All rooms have an ensuite bathroom, as well as a wonderful private outside shower, and a private deck in front where guests can relax and enjoy exactly the same views as from the main area’s deck.
Day 10 – Windhoek via The AfriCat Foundation: After an early breakfast, depart for Okonjima’s AfriCat Day Center, a wonderful highlight with which to conclude your safari. You will arrive in time for lunch before embarking on an exciting and informative game drive and tour of the center. Afterward, continue south to Windhoek, arriving in the late afternoon, where you will be transferred to your hotel (at an additional cost) or the Windhoek International Airport for your onward flights. (transfer to Windhoek International Airport at an additional cost). Departing flights must be no earlier than 9 pm.)
Optional: Post-Safari Extension
Extend your safari for an additional night or two at Okonjima, staying at the Luxury Bush Camp. This gives you the opportunity to get a more in-depth insight into the work being done by the AfriCat Foundation as well as getting to see more of cheetahs, leopards and other big cats in the wild.
Interested in this trip? Give us a call or drop us an email.
