We travel west down the Namibian escarpment to the Namib Desert, the oldest desert on Earth. The luxury chalet of our lodge, nestled on the dunes in the heart of the 200’000 hectare NamibRand nature reserve, is set against a backdrop of unparalleled beauty and provides the perfect base from which to explore vast stretches of awe-inspiring nature. In the afternoon we can undertake a guided sundowner drive, before returning to our accommodation for dinner.
We enjoy the entire day on the Namib Rand Nature Reserve. Activities offered consist of nature drives on the private property or scenic guided walks. Our specialist guide brings us close and explains to us in detail the flora and fauna found in this untouched environment, home to specially adapted animal species such as oryx, springbok, giraffe and even leopard.
We have the option of enjoying a hot-air ballooning experience over the breathtaking landscape of the Namib Desert, after which we enjoy breakfast in the midst of the dune landscape. Afterwards we travel the short distance to our lodge, exclusively situated inside the Namib Naukluft Park. In the evening we admire the mighty play of shadows and colours that the setting sun casts onto some of the highest dunes on Earth at Sossusvlei. Experience the desert’s elusive grandeur and breathtaking beauty in this pristine environment while enjoying a sun downer drink, before returning to your lodge for dinner.
Leaving the majestic dune landscape behind, we travel via towering mountain ranges, rugged canyons and endless desert plains to Swakopmund. After our arrival in this idyllic coastal town we have some leisure time at our disposal, before travelling to the Welwitschia plains and the Moon Landscape and ending the daylight hours with an unforgettable sparkling wine sundowner. Dinner is enjoyed in one of the excellent restaurants the coastal town has to offer.
This day promises both relaxation and adventure. On a marine cruise on the calm waters of the Walvis Bay peninsula, we enjoy interaction with cape fur seals, dolphins, leather back turtles and maybe even whales and orka’s, whilst sipping cold sparkling wine and savouring the taste of fresh oysters and snacks. The afternoon is at leisure. Swakopmund offers a wide variety of activities including scenic flights, quad biking, dune boarding, desert explorations and much more.
Departing northwards along the Atlantic Ocean we may elect to visit the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, home to some 100 000 Cape Fur Seals. We proceed inland past the majestic Brandberg Mountain (Namibia’s highest peak) into Damaraland, one of the most geologically diverse and untouched wilderness areas in Africa. The area has free-roaming game such as Hartman’s Mountain zebra, giraffe, springbok, black rhino and desert elephant, the latter two being extremely rare and endangered. Our luxurious lodge (translated meaning “The place of God”) is situated in the midst of huge granite boulders with awesome views of the surrounding terrain.
After breakfast, we visit Southern Africa’s largest open-air museum at Twyfelfontein. This World Heritage site has more than 2500 different rock engravings from when the Bushmen inhabited this land some 6000 years ago. After the visit we travel north to the Etosha National Park, home to an amazing 114 different game as well as 340 different bird species.
After breakfast we enjoy a full day game drive in the Etosha National Park, travelling from west to east with our tour guide in the touring bus.. With its 114 different animal and 340 different bird species, this park belongs to the world’s most diverse wildlife parks, and promises to be an unforgettable game experience. Our lodge, built like a huge fortress into the midst of the African Bush borders onto the park with views onto the frequented Fisher’s Pan from the deck.
This morning we again enter the park by open vehicle for a half day game drive. The day is devoted purely to the abundant wildlife found in the Etosha National Park, which surrounds a parched salt desert known as the Etosha Pan. The park is home to 4 of the Big Five - elephant, lion, leopard and rhino – its waterholes supporting a rich diversity of birds and mammals, including rare species such as black-faced impala, roan, cheetah, and Namibia’s smallest antelope, the Damara dik-dik. In the afternoon we enjoy a sundowner drive o the Onguma Reserve in an open vehicle.
After breakfast, we proceed south to the home of the AfriCat Foundation. You can witness some of the foundations work, which is committed to researching and rehabilitating Namibia's threatened wild cat populations. With the abundance of animal and bird life and spectacular scenery, Okonjima is a photographer's paradise. Activities include cheetah or leopard tracking, a leopard feed, a bushman walk or the night feeds of nocturnal wildlife.
Start the day with a scenic morning walk, and, after a leisurely breakfast, return to Windhoek where you will arrive in the early afternoon.
