Desert & Wildlife Safari

Travel through Kuiseb Canyon where the dry river cuts an amazing path through the desert landscape and then see the rocks give way to sand as you get closer to the dune fields. After visiting Walvis Bay with its flamingos and pelicans, you finally reach Swakopmund; set on the Atlantic coast this is Namibia's second city. When Namibia was declared a German protectorate in 1884, the new colonial masters set to looking for an appropriate site for their principal port and capital city. At that time the most obvious choice for a deep water port was Walvis Bay but this had been annexed by the British some years earlier. Indeed Walvis Bay remained a British and later South African enclave even up until after Namibian independence in 1990. Due to the abundance of fresh water and a chance landing by a German gunboat, this site at the mouth of the Swakop River - just 30km north of Walvis Bay - was settled and developed throughout years of German administration. Today Swakopmund has a pleasant seaside feel and the German architectural influence is everywhere to be found. Tonight you have the opportunity to dine in a restaurant; an ideal opportunity to savour fresh seafood from the Atlantic, a juicy kudu steak or even Black Forest gateau! (Total driving time approx 300km/6hrs)

Amanpuri Lodge (AAAA) - 2 nights (BL)

Heading north by road you follow the Skeleton Coast - so named by mariners who saw many whale bones strewn on its inhospitable shores, which provided an eerie sight to those that first arrived. After driving (approx 1 hour) you’ll stop to visit Cape Cross Seal Reserve which protects up to 100,000 Cape Fur Seals (a species of sea-lion). The sight, noise and smell are incredible as the vast mass of animals huddle together with jackals prowling at the edges, hoping to be provided with an easy meal. Crossing the gravel plains of the Namib Desert a further drive (approx 3 hours) takes you on to the granite massif of Namibia’s highest mountain, the ‘Brandberg’ (2573m) which glows a spectacular deep red colour at sunset. En route, watch out for the extremely elusive desert elephants. It’s hard to imagine that these animals can live in such a harsh environment. Springbok however inhabit the plains, while the more rocky areas attract klipspringer and Mountain zebra. A 45 min walk takes you to visit the cave painting of the White Lady, carved by San Bushmen long long ago. Return to your lodge and admire the views of Brandberg.

White Lady Lodge (AAA) - 1 night - Swimming Pool (BLD)

This morning you visit a 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.

Continuing your drive north through picturesque farm country you arrive in Etosha National Park in time for a game drive. (approx. 300km/4 hours) Namibia's highly-renowned premier game park is huge - almost the size of Belgium - with excellent facilities. You stay first in Okaukuejo, your first glimpse into the National Park. Once the site of a fort, it's now the administrative headquarters of the park and the views at sunset from the top of its circular tower are renowned. From here it’s possible to see as far as the unpronounceable Ondundozonananandana Mountains! However, the highlight of your first night in Etosha is an evening spent at the waterhole, where you have an excellent chance of viewing the rare black rhino and other animals not usually seen by day.

Okaukuejo Resort or Ethosha Safari Lodge (AAA) - Bungalows - 2 nights - Swimming Pool (BLD)

Time to move on again this morning and as you head off across Etosha, more and more animals and birds appear and soon it is time for lunch at Halali, another camp within the park, set in a unique area of rocky limestone outcrops. Here you rest for a few hours with the chance to have a refreshing swim before carrying on to the eastern camp at Namutoni. The whitewashed ramparts of Namutoni’s old German fort, built to control and subdue the Ovambo people are now restored and are an evocative reminder of Namibia’s past. Namutoni also has a floodlit waterhole that allows you to view game during the evening and late into the night if you choose.

Namutoni Bungalows or Onguma Bush Camp (AAA) - Bungalows - 1 night - Swimming Pool (BLD)

Please note: Night stops in the Etosha National Park may alter depending on game concentrations and local conditions.

Travel west of the Waterberg Plateau today, where the vast plains are occasionally broken by the remnants of ancient Sandstone outcrops, which once covered large areas of northern Namibia. Nestled among the Omboroko Mountains lies Okonjima – a Herero name meaning Place of the Baboons. This is much more than just a lodge. Okonjima is also home to The Africat Foundation. The Africat Foundation is a great place to learn about big cats, especially cheetahs and leopards and is a valuable project to help our understanding of these animals. You’ll be able to find out about the dangers facing these beautiful creatures, come up close to animals being raised and spend time in the specially designed hides to give you the chance to see them in the wild. Rather than a fleeting visit to the foundation, you’ll stay here overnight giving you plenty of opportunity to make the most of the activities available.

Okonjima Africat Foundation - Bungalow AA - 1 night (BLD)