Day notes
Welcome to Day 1 of your adventure with Busanga Safaris!
On your arrival in Windhoek at the international airport, our team will be there to greet you and to transfer to your accommodation for the night.
This is a great way to get over your flight and to meet your fellow guests, and it allows you plenty of time to relax and settle in before embarking on your safari adventure.
Once settled in, you'll have the remainder of the day at your leisure. You can unwind by the poolside or indulge in an optional spa treatment. For dinner, you have the option to choose from the restaurants available on-site.
Your accommodation offers comfortable 3-star amenities and is conveniently located just a 35-minute drive from the airport.
Check-in to The Windhoek Luxury Suites
Day notes
For the next two days of your journey with Busanga Safaris, get ready for an unforgettable exploration of Namibia's stunning landscapes.
On Day 2,. We will set off from our accommodation with your experienced guide around 8:15-8:30 am, departing from Windhoek. As we journey through the rugged Khomas Hochland mountain range, you'll witness the dramatic descent to the desert floor before reaching our lodge. Take some time to unwind and soak in the tranquility of the surroundings.
Included in today's itinerary is a guided walk to Elim Dune for sunset, accompanied by your private guide and vehicle. Here, you'll marvel at the changing colors of the nearby mountains and listen to the calls of barking geckos. Afterward, we'll return to the lodge for a delicious dinner and a comfortable overnight stay.
With comfortable 3.5-4-star amenities and an incredible itinerary ahead, these next two days promise to be filled with adventure, exploration, and unforgettable moments in Namibia's breathtaking landscapes.
Check-out from The Windhoek Luxury Suites
Private Guided Trip from The Windhoek Luxury Suites to Dead Valley Lodge
Private Guided Trip
The Windhoek Luxury Suites
Dead Valley Lodge
Check-in to Dead Valley Lodge
Day notes
Day 3, which also happens to be Christmas Day, is another exciting adventure as we embark on a guided excursion to Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei with our knowledgeable Chameleon guide and vehicle. We'll depart before sunrise to witness the breathtaking beauty of the dunes and explore these iconic locations on foot. There will be ample time to relax during the heat of the day, perhaps enjoying a leisurely lunch. Later, we'll visit the nearby Sesriem Canyon, a remarkable natural wonder carved by water through the rocky terrain.
Our accommodation at Dead Valley Lodge offers a unique opportunity for avid photographers, being one of just two lodges inside the national park. This allows us to capture the mesmerizing sunrise over the dunes, providing unparalleled views. Please note that while lodges outside the park can only enter at sunrise and must drive to the car park, we have the advantage of being right in the heart of the action.
Day notes
Day 4 of our safari journey with Busanga Safaris promises another day of captivating exploration and discovery.
In the morning, we bid farewell to our accommodation and set our course for the coast, traversing through picturesque landscapes via Solitaire, Tropic of Capricorn, and Kuiseb Canyon. Our journey takes us to the breathtaking Walvis Bay Lagoon, a RAMSAR protected wetland site teeming with diverse aquatic birdlife, including flamingos, pelicans, cormorants, avocets, and the endemic Damara tern, among others.
Continuing along the scenic Skeleton Coast road, we eventually arrive in the charming coastal town of Swakopmund, approximately a 20-minute drive away. Here, in the afternoon, you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the town's rich history by exploring its old quarter. Alternatively, you may opt for an exhilarating optional activity, such as a scenic flight over the majestic dunes of Sossusvlei, offering panoramic views of shipwrecks, ancient diamond mines, dunes cascading into the ocean, and bustling seal colonies. This aerial perspective provides a fresh and awe-inspiring outlook on the landscapes you've already encountered on land.
Accommodation for Day 4 is provided on a bed and breakfast basis, with all other meals at your own expense. With approximately 5 hours of travel time, Day 4 promises to be yet another exhilarating chapter in our Namibian adventure.
Check-out from Dead Valley Lodge
Private Guided Trip from Dead Valley Lodge to Swakopmund Sands Hotel
Private Guided Trip
Dead Valley Lodge
Swakopmund Sands Hotel
Check-in to Swakopmund Sands Hotel
Expert tips:
Walvis Bay Lagoon
Walvis Bay’s calm natural lagoon is a twitcher’s paradise, teeming with roughly 50 species of seabirds, including vivid flocks of flamingos, bulky-billed pelicans and glossy black cormorants. It’s also a popular spot for windsurfing, kitesurfing and kayaking, while the promenade stretching for three kilometres along the water’s edge is a great place for a scenic stroll.
Sun Sail Catamarans
Sun Sail Catamarans operate three luxury catamarans for daily charters and a 1942 German war ship converted to a floating Guest house for visitors that would like to overnight on the Lagoon. Sun Sail Catamarans are environmentally friendly and believe in preserving the environment for future generations. Care is taken not to disturb the animals. Animals are approached up to 50m, but being curious creatures they usually come right up to the vessels. It is definitely ‘a magical experience to treasure.
Activities include
Marine Dolphin & Seal Cruise: sail along Walvis Bay Lagoon passing by the oyster farm to Pelican Point & Seal Colony. Informative yet adventurous tour on our comfortable catamarans. Complimentary snacks platter and drinks
Sandwich Harbour 4x4 Adventure: Experience adrenaline rush in our all terrain 4x4s with the most seasoned drivers in Namib Desert where massive sand dunes are engulfed by Atlantic waves. Take award-winning photographs on top of the endless rollings dunes and enjoy absolute peace. Paranomic views, interesting landscapes, sightings of desert animals, plants & bird life. Complimentary snacks platter, assorted beverages included. Activity is either half day or full day.
Marine Dune Combo: Combination of Marine cruise in the morning and half day Sandwich Harbour in the afternoon
Kayak Tours/Combo tours can be offered on request
Day notes
Day 5: a captivating Marine Cruise. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure, whether you choose to further explore Swakopmund's delights or simply relax and soak in the coastal ambience.
Day notes
Embark on the next leg of your journey as we venture onward to Etosha, renowned as one of Southern Africa's premier game reserves. Here, amidst vast expanses of savannahs, woodlands, and the iconic Etosha Pan, you'll encounter a rich tapestry of wildlife, including majestic lions, sleek cheetahs, elusive leopards, towering elephants, hyenas, giraffes, and an array of antelope species, including the endemic black-faced impala.
Please note that our lodge is conveniently situated just a few kilometers from the park gate, allowing for easy access to Etosha's wonders. Gates open and close with the rhythm of sunrise and sunset, ensuring optimal opportunities for wildlife sightings.
Accommodation at the lodge offers a comfortable 3.5-star experience, providing a cozy retreat after exhilarating days of safari adventures. Travel time to Etosha is approximately 6-6.5 hours, with game drives offering varying durations.
Check-out from Swakopmund Sands Hotel
Private Guided Trip from Swakopmund Sands Hotel to Etosha Safari Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia
Private Guided Trip
Swakopmund Sands Hotel
Etosha Safari Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia
Check-in to Etosha Safari Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia
Day notes
On Day 7, prepare for a full day of exploration as we embark on an extensive game drive through Etosha. With your knowledgeable Chameleon guide and vehicle, you'll traverse the park's diverse landscapes, from the grassy plains to the shimmering salt pans, in search of the region's most iconic inhabitants.
Day notes
Prepare for the next chapter of your safari adventure as we journey southward to Okonjima, the esteemed home of the AfriCat Foundation. Here, nestled within the captivating landscapes, is Plains Camp, where you'll enjoy a two-night stay in a Classic room.
Included in your stay are two shared lodge activities, offering a unique opportunity to engage with the remarkable conservation efforts of the foundation. Delve into the thrilling experience of leopard tracking, followed by an enlightening endangered species game drive.
At Okonjima, you'll have the chance to witness these magnificent predators up close, though it's important to remember that they are wild animals, and sightings, particularly of leopards, are not guaranteed. Nonetheless, the feedback from guests is consistently filled with excitement, as spotting one of their favorite big cats is an unforgettable thrill!
Situated halfway between Windhoek and Etosha, Okonjima Nature Reserve spans 22,000 hectares and is enclosed by a 96-kilometer fence, completed in 2010. At the heart of the reserve lies the vital work of AFRICAT, a Carnivore Conservation organization, dedicated to giving captive carnivores a second chance at freedom in the wild. Within the reserve, a 2000-hectare 'safe' zone encompasses Plains Camp, Bush Camp, Bush Suite, the Omboroko Campsite, and the PAWS Environmental Education Centre, providing a sanctuary for both wildlife and guests alike.
Check-out from Etosha Safari Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia
Private Guided Trip from Etosha Safari Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia to Okonjima Plains Camp
Private Guided Trip
Etosha Safari Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia
Okonjima Plains Camp
Check-in to Okonjima Plains Camp
Expert tips:
Activities
LEOPARD TRACKING
ENDANGERED SPECIES NATURE DRIVE
Optional
THE AfriCat FOUNDATION CARNIVORE CARE & INFORMATION CENTRE (ACCC)
LEOPARD TRACKING
The Leopard ‘experience’ will take you out into the Okonjima Nature Reserve and will allow you to spend more time with our experienced guides and participate in the research data collection for our long-standing leopard project and newly introduced brown hyaena programme. Some of our adult leopards are radio collared which enables the guides to track them with a specialised telemetry device contributing to frequent viewing, giving visitors an opportunity to observe these magnificent predators in their natural habitat and experience the fascinating behaviour and interactions between these two species while they compete for food. Although this significantly increases the chance of an excellent sighting, it cannot ever be guaranteed as they are wild free-roaming predators.
Morning activities (seasonal times): Departure 06:00 / 06:30 AM; Return 09:30 / 10:00 AM.
Afternoon activities (seasonal times): Departure: 15:30 / 16:00 PM; Return 19:00 / 19:30 PM.
ENDANGERED SPECIES NATURE DRIVE
This game-drive allows more time to enjoy and understand the Okonjima Nature Reserve as a natural island bound ecosystem. As the private Nature Reserve was established primarily to conserve some of our more threatened mammal species, it provides an increased chance to encounter these relatively rare animals. This is once again assisted by the AfriCat Foundation’s research projects on the shy brown hyaena, bat-eared fox and rhino. There are more than 40 mammal species within the Okonjima Nature Reserve, both large and small as well as a good representation of the typical flora. At the discretion of your guide, there may be the chance to view some of these animals, large or small.
Morning activities (seasonal times): Departure 06:00 / 06:30 AM; Return 09:30 / 10:00 AM.
Afternoon activities (seasonal times): Departure: 15:30 / 16:00 PM; Return 19:00 / 19:30 PM.
THE AfriCat FOUNDATION CARNIVORE CARE & INFORMATION CENTRE (ACCC)
During the visit to AfriCat, visitors will have the opportunity to spend some time at the Carnivore Care & Information Centre, which provides valuable insights into the Foundation's work.
The visit will include a short guided drive to the AfriCat Carnivore Care Centre, where visitors can meet some of the ambassador cheetahs. Our knowledgeable guides will answer questions, explain the Foundation's work with carnivores in Namibia, and help position the vehicle for that perfect photo opportunity.
Day notes
Plains Camp provides a lovely lodge deep in the wilderness. . Additionally, there may be an opportunity for an additional activity at the AfriCat Foundation (at your own expense) during your stay, typically scheduled for the afternoon of your arrival.
Day notes
As your safari adventure draws to a close, we journey back to Windhoek.
Your guide will drop you off at the airport with ample time to catch your onward connections. Please note that flights should not be scheduled before mid-afternoon to allow for a smooth transition.
With an approximate travel time of 2 hours and 45 minutes to the city and 40 minutes to the airport, your journey concludes with our heartfelt thanks for choosing Busanga Safaris. Until we meet again, may your adventures continue to inspire and enrich your life. Safe travels!
Check-out from Okonjima Plains Camp
Private Guided Trip from Okonjima Plains Camp to Hosea Kutako International Airport [WDH]
Private Guided Trip
Okonjima Plains Camp
Hosea Kutako International Airport [WDH]
