Desert & Wildlife Safari

You rise well before dawn and drive in darkness to the park gates which open with the first rays of light. As the sun rises you’ll drive into the heart of the desert to witness an incredible sight. In the morning light the desert flushes with colour that deepens and changes as the sun’s rays strike the quartz sand from an ever-higher angle as the sun climbs. The spectacle is breathtaking. The endless expanse of the legendary wind-sculpted 'walking dunes' has to be seen to be believed. Far from all looking alike, dunes of different areas have distinctive shapes and characteristics. Your guide will explain about the curious mechanics of this unstable landscape and discover the natural world living within and around it. At the end of an ancient river course lies Sossusvlei where if you are lucky you may spot a striking gemsbok. From here it is approximately a 1km walk to Dead Vlei - a white clay pan set amidst red dunes with gnarled black trees over 1000 years old. During your time in the area it is well worth the stiff climb to the top of one of the 300m high dunes (reputedly the highest on earth) for the view. Equally impressive is the silence and the tremendous sense of isolation. As the temperature rises it forces you out of the desert and back to Sesriem. Here you have lunch and can rest until late afternoon when you visit Sesriem Gorge, a wonderland of rock formations where the desert floor has been cut by the force of water. For those wanting to truly appreciate the vastness of the desert, here you can take a flight over the dunes (optional); the view is nothing short of magical. It's about an hour's drive to return to your guest house. (BLD)

There is plenty to do in and around Swakopmund. You can take a trip off the coast to go dolphin spotting or you could choose something for a bit more adrenalin such as sand-boarding. For those looking to see more of the country there are overflights from here to go in search of elusive desert elephants and see shipwrecks along the Skeleton Coast. Alternatively you can relax on the beach and take a dip in the ocean (it's pretty cold!) or see the largest quartz crystal in the world. (B)

Today you travel further north through Damaraland. Driving on through spectacular countryside with numerous granite outcrops, you come to Kamanjab, and visit the Himba village. The Himba are one of the most traditional of African people with a semi-nomadic lifestyle, raising goats and cattle. They are descendants of a group of Herrero herders who fled into the remote north-west after been displaced by the Nama. After years of turmoil, the Himba people have been resurgent recently. The Himba have clung to their traditions and the beautiful Himba women are noted for their intricate hairstyles and traditional jewellery. As Himba women wear few clothes apart from a loin cloth or goatskin mini-skirt, they rub their bodies with red ochre and fat to protect themselves from the sun; this also gives their appearance a rich red colour. Himba jewellery is made in intricate designs from iron or shell. Their homesteads are cone-shaped structures made from palm leaves, mud and cattle dung. During the course of a year the family will move from one home to another in search of grazing for the animals.
You’ll spend the morning at the village learning about this extraordinary way of life. Driving time: approximately 6 hours (415 km)

You will then head to the Kavita Lion Lodge, 36km North of Kamanjab on a private game ranch. The lodge has a swimming pool and enchanting evening around the fire at the rustic 'boma'. This place is particularly well-known for the work they are doing with AFRI-CAT NORTH, a foundation dedicated to the conservation and protection of the Namibian lion. You will visit the Environmental Education Centre where you are introduced to the work of the Afri-Leo foundation with an insight into the farmer-predator conflict issues along the boundary of Etosha NP. The afternoon activity is approximately 2-3hrs including lion viewing from the safety of a hide and returning to the lodge shortly before dark.

Kavita Lion Lodge (AAA) – 1 night (BLD) (swimming pool)

The eco-etno experience... By staying there you will support AfriCat North (previously Afri-Leo)- a Namibian-based, non-profit organisation, dedicated to the conservation and protection of the wild lion in Namibia (Panthera leo). Enjoy a unique wilderness ‘getaway’ - where age-old customs, environmental awareness and conservation of fauna and flora will enhance your stay.

Early in the morning, you will go in search of a multitude of animals and birds. At the park’s heart is the enormous Etosha Pan, a shallow, salty depression that once may have been a lakebed, but now only fills with shallow water in exceptionally wet years. Around its perimeter, numerous perennial waterholes attract great concentrations of wildlife. Four endangered species live here: black rhinoceros, black-faced impala, Hartmann’s mountain zebra and the tiny damara dik-dik. As you are crossing the park you’ll stop for lunch at Halali rest camp where you can also relax by the pool through the heat of the day. As it begins to cool off you head out again and add to your growing list of species spotted: elephant, giraffe, zebra, springbok, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, gemsbok, kudu, eland, plus the carnivores: lion, cheetah, possibly leopard, spotted and brown hyena, and black-backed jackal. The long bird list includes more than 320 species - from ostrich and flamingo to the rare Wahlberg's eagle, and the Klaas' cuckoo. Bungalows (AAAA) – 2 nights - Swimming Pool (BLD)

Here is an ancient German fort converted into a beautiful resort within the National park. It has a waterhole which is floodlit at night, giving you an opportunity to see some of the shy, nocturnal wildlife.

This morning you take a final game drive in the park before leaving Etosha and heading south through the mining town of Tsumeb and past Otiwarongo to the Waterberg Plateau. The local Herero people call this area Oueverumue meaning ‘narrow gate’ and the sandstone mountain is an impressive sight as it surges out of the bushveld plain. The area offers a good contrast to other areas you have visited.

In the afternoon you’ll visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund. Internationally recognized centre of excellence in the conservation of cheetahs and their ecosystems. CCF works with all stakeholders to develop best practices in research, education, and land use to benefit all species, including people. Spend time in the specially designed hides to see these magnificent animals up close. Driving time approximately 5 hours (390km).Then onwards to Waterberg National Park where we stay overnight. Guesthouse (AAA) – 1 night (BLD)