Namibia Landscapes & Game Private-Guided Safari 2023

Day notes

Upon arrival at the international airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the centre of the city, depending on the time of arrival perhaps wander to the nearby craft centre or relax by the pool and rooftop terrace.  Dinner can be enjoyed either at the hotel or one of the many nearby restaurants (own expense).  Airport transfer included and approx. 40mins drive

Windhoek is Namibia’s capital, home to an international airport and a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and accommodation options. The city is clean, safe and well-organised, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language - though English is the official language.  The city has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, many of which are worth a look, including the Alte Feste (Old Fort), the 1896 Christuskirche (Christ Church), and the more contemporary Supreme Court. It's not a city to linger though - generally, one night is sufficient but we can extend to stay longer if you wish.

Hilton Windhoek Hotel. Set in the heart of Namibia’s capital city, Windhoek, the contemporary Hilton Windhoek hotel is conveniently close to a variety of business corporations and historical and tourist attractions. All of the modern guest rooms and suites at this Windhoek hotel are decorated in a warm, contemporary African style and feature spacious work areas and high-speed internet access. Enjoy international favourites in the all-day dining venue, or enjoy a drink at the sky bar. There's a 24-hour fitness centre, a  heated 18m lap pool and rejuvenate body and mind in the spa. En-suite rooms have tea/coffee station, air-con, wifi and all the amenities you expect from international 4* hotel chain

Day notes

You'll be collected from your accommodation by your guide and depart from Windhoek at around 08h15-08h30am. Driving through the rugged Khomas Hochland mountain range, we descend to the desert floor before continuing onto our lodge and visiting Elim Dune for sunset.  The following morning it's an early start as we depart our lodge before sunrise to drive in the Namib Naukluft National Park following the road close to the dry river bed and the dunes of Sossusvlei and surrounds.  Sit and enjoy the changing light and shadows on the dunes at the heart of the famous dune sea of Namibia. There is the chance to climb a dune close to Sossusvlei and walk into Dead Vlei famous for its vast expanse of bleached cracked clay and skeletal camel thorn trees, contrasting with a backdrop of substantial orange-red dunes. As we retrace our steps, there is time to stop at Dune 45 frequently returning to the lodge for the heat of the day and take a dip in the pool before heading to nearby Sesriem Canyon later in the afternoon. Enjoy another spectacular sunset surrounded by this colourful desert and sleep under the bright stars of the southern hemisphere.  Full board basis and overnight in standard chalet

As there is no accommodation at Sossusvlei, visitors to this desert wilderness are likely to end up staying near to Sesriem, 65km away, where camps and lodges serve as a base from which to explore the dunes and where it serves as the entry point to the national park. Sesriem Canyon, a deep gorge carved through the rocks by water, is a striking natural feature of the area, best explored on foot. Stony walls rise sharply on both sides of the canyon, while birds roost in its crags and lizards dart along the ledges. The canyon's name was coined when early settlers used it as a water source, using six lengths of leather ('ses riem – six thongs) tied together to lower buckets into the water at the base of canyon.)

Dune 45
Dune 45 is located 45kms from the Sesriem gate, (and entrance to dunes), it is renowned for its elegant shape, which – along with its position close to the road – has earned it the distinction of 'most photographed dune in the world'.
Popular for sunrise, many people climb to gain a vantage point to watch the sun rise, and enjoy the changing colour of the dunes, at only 80 metres and featuring a much gentler gradient it is an easier climb than many of the other dunes found.

Dead Vlei
This ancient clay pan was once an oasis, studded with acacias and fed by a river that suddenly changed course, leaving the earth to dry up along with the trees it previously supported. So dry were the climatic conditions that the trees never decomposed – instead they were entirely leached of moisture so that today, 900 years later, they remain as desiccated, blackened sentinels dotting the pan's cracked surface. Surrounded by the red-pink dunes of the Namib Desert, blue skies, a white-clay pan, they create a surreal spectacle that is a photographer's dream.

Sesriem Canyon
Sesriem Canyon, a deep gorge carved through the rocks by water, is a striking natural feature of the area. Stony walls rise up sharply on both sides of the canyon, while birds roost in its crags and lizards dart along the ledges. The canyon's name coined when early settlers used it as a water source, using six lengths of leather ('ses riem – six thongs) tied together to lower buckets into the water at the base of canyon.

Day notes

Our drive today takes us across the gravel desert plains and over the Gaub and Kuiseb Passes (and the Tropic of Capricorn), to the port town of Walvis Bay. We visit the lagoon, a protected RAMSAR wetland site where we may see the many species of birds including greater and lesser flamingos, pelicans, avocets, plovers and the endemic Damara tern before a short stop at the salt farm. From here continue onto Swakopmund, full of historic buildings and where you can join optional (own expense) adventure activities such as sandboarding, quad biking, scenic flights, kayaking, marine cruises to name but a few, which you have time for this afternoon and tomorrow. Perhaps opt for a highly recommended day trip to Sandwich Harbour to appreciate this unique coastal and desert region and protected bird site. Overnight is in twin/double room with en-suite bathroom, close to the town centre. Lunch and dinner at own expense in the restaurants and cafes in town (B/B) Approx 5-5.5+hours plus stops

Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South-West Africa, Swakopmund is described as being more German than Germany. Now a seaside resort, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, colonial-era buildings and the cool sea breeze make it very popular and has a wide range of accommodation establishments, banks, restaurants/cafes and shops.
Along this stretch of coastline (Walvis Bay and Swakopmund) you can take part in a selection of activities sating the thirst of those seeking adrenaline adventures - sky diving, quad biking and sandboarding; or for the more leisurely a range of marine activities including kayaking and cruises. The coastal desert can also be explored with trips to Sandwich Harbour, or informative desert tours... There is a long list so just ask us!
Walvis Bay is Namibia's major harbour town and the lagoon has prolific bird life including flamingos, pelicans as well as the breeding area for the endemic Damara tern - any bird enthusiast should make a stop here.
Further north along this coastline - part of the Skeleton Coast, you'll find shipwrecks and the famous Cape Cross seal colony - one of the largest fur seal colonies in the area.

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.

 Sandwich Harbour Located roughly 50 kilometres from Walvis Bay, Sandwich Harbour is a natural lagoon framed by sand dunes on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. It is a prime angling and bird-watching site, with countless sea birds coming to feed on the rich fish population, including rare white pelican and vivid flocks of pink flamingos.

Day notes

We leave after breakfast and head north along the Skeleton Coast past the gravel plains and desert opening up around us with the ocean crashing down onto the shore stopping south of Henties Bay to view a shipwreck close to shore before continuing onto Cape Cross. This is home of thousands of Cape fur seals and during breeding season over 100,000 are crammed onto the beach fighting for space. We retrace our steps to Henties Bay and turn inland driving past Brandberg, the highest point in Namibia and a huge massif rising up over the plains to Twyfelfontein. Later this afternoon visit to the rock etchings with a local guide who will explain the history and importance of these etchings is included. Overnight tented chalet with lunch own expense (BD) Approx 5-6hours plus stops

Twyfelfontein is a site of ancient rock engravings in Damaraland, and Namibia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site (2007). It has one of the largest collections in Africa as well as one of the most note-worthy with around 2,000+, some thought to be around 6,000 years old!  It is believed that the creators of the rock art were the medicine people or shamans who incised their engravings as ameans of entering the supernatural world and recording the experiences, the process could prepare the shaman for a state of trance by the repetitive chipping and concentration of energy.  Etched into the rock are thus stories within stories, eternalised as a legacy

This colony of Cape Fur Seals is one of the largest in the world, home to approximately 80 000 to 100 000 of these so-called 'seals', which are in fact a species of sea lion. Day trips to the colony are offered and the seals can be viewed from a walkway at a distance of roughly 200 metres.

Twyfelfontein is a World Heritage Site boasting one of the richest rock art concentrations in Africa. Thousands of tourists come to this site each year to view some 2, 500 Stone Age rock engravings. The area is home to 17 rock art sites, which collectively encompass 212 engraved stone slabs. There are an additional 13 sites displaying rock paintings.

Day notes

This morning depart from southern Damaraland and drive north to Etosha. Spend tonight close to the west aspect of the park on a private reserve. There is time to relax by the waterhole or hide and later head out with the lodge for a night drive and enjoy a boma dinner.

The area and vegetation are very different to the south-eastern and eastern part of the park, and the Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra can be found here. In this area and with a more undulating landscape, it makes for a very different wildlife experience. White dust and clay which makes up the Etosha Pan turn to a reddish-brown soil during this time which may lead you to believe you have entered an entirely new park when you visit.

Nocturnal animals, such as aardvark, cape fox, bat-eared fox, aardwolf, genet and many more can be encountered on a night drive.  Enjoy a sundowner drink and hearty dinner at our Boma under the stars, before we start with the night drive Departure after dinner at 21.00

Day notes

Today we game drive through to Okaukuejo arriving in the afternoon. The next days are spent enjoying game drives and exploring the park visiting waterholes and searching for the many species of game. Etosha is recognised as one of the best game parks in Southern Africa for the numbers and various species of game as well as the interesting geology such as the seemingly endless Etosha Pan, so huge it can be seen from space and where shimmering mirages and swirling dust devils are often spotted.  Overnight in twin bedded standard room with en-suite facilities, lunch at own expense and we’ll be based either inside the park at Okaukuejo or just outside Anderson Gate.

The national park can be accessed via the southern entrance at Andersson’s Gate and the central point is Okaukuejo Resort. Visitors can catch a glimpse of abundant wildlife including: lion, giraffe, elephant, white and black rhino, and a multitude of plains game. Popular activities include: game drives, tracking rhinos on foot, guided nature walks, or watch the sunset over this magnificent landscape. Just outside the national park is the upmarket Ongava Private Reserve, as well as a number of mid-level accommodation and camp sites.

Day notes

Continuing our game driving we head to the east aspect of Etosha enabling us to enjoy the variety of habitats and the chance to spot a huge variety of species and game. We depart Etosha just after lunch and immediately turn into Onguma Private Reserve that borders Fischers Pan. Later this afternoon we enjoy either a sundowner drive or game walk offered by Onguma. Tonight is spent at the small and lovely Tree Tops Camp with views across to the waterhole where you may enjoy further sightings. (BD).

Situated east of Etosha, bordering Fisher's Pan, Onguma Game Reserve is one of Namibia's best-kept secrets. The reserve offers visitors the opportunity to experience Africa in all her beauty and diversity. Onguma Game Reserve features over 34000 hectares of protected land scattered with a variety of wildlife including plains game, black rhino, kudu, giraffe, zebra, lion, cheetah, leopard and more than 300 bird species. The seasonal rains attract thousands of migrating birds to the Fisher’s Pan wetland area. The neighbouring Etosha National Park is home to a rich array of wildlife, including four of the Big 5. Visitors can enjoy game drives, guided walks and rhino research drives within the private reserve as well as wildlife safaris into Etosha National Park to view abundant game in the largest national park in Namibia.

Day notes

We head south to Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation and one of the most famous conservation programmes in Namibia. The AfriCat Foundation is devoted to the conservation of predators, specifically cheetah and leopard with the aim to ease the conflict that arises between humans and carnivores. Overnight in Plains Camp, in a twin-bedded standard room with en-suite facilities on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis and 1 activity. (BD) Approx 4hours -
note that 1 activity is included - you do not need to pre-book the exact activity - this is discussed and agreed with you on arrival though we have included and strongly recommend the leopard activity

During your stay at Okonjima, note that a “fee” has been included and goes to the following projects - The Environmental Education Fund has been introduced now because Okonjima and AfriCat are committed to their ideal of contributing to long-term conservation through education. The Environmental Education Fund will contribute to the running and maintenance of the 3 main aspects of our “conservation through education” programme as follows:
- Perivoli Okonjima Country School (Kindergarten – Grade 4). This school aims to provide the best possible introductory schooling, with a strong environmental bias, for our resident children. This will facilitate their integration into a bigger main stream school after grade 4 with a sound foundation in environmental awareness.
- The Environmental Education Centre where visiting secondary school groups participate in an intensive environmental awareness programme
- The Adult Education programme which currently has two main aspects. Firstly, the continued work with both commercial and communal farms to co-exist with resident predators.Secondly we are working towards using our 20 000ha / 200km² Nature Reserve as a classroom for tertiary students at all levels; especially future farmers, teachers and decision makers. Furthermore the Nature Reserve is used to gather a wide range of data for current and future research, which will ultimately contribute, to the conservation of Namibia’s predators

Halfway between Windhoek and Etosha lies the well-known Okonjima Nature Reserve. The 22 000 ha Nature Reserve is surrounded by 96 km of fence and was finally completed in 2010. Okonjima is home to AFRICAT, a Carnivore Conservation, which gives the captive carnivores a second chance to be released back into the wild and to take the time it needs, to become a completely independent hunter - in a protected area right in the middle of commercial farmland! Also in the Reserve is a 2000 ha 'safe' zone around Plains Camp, Bush Camp, Bush Suite, the Omboroko Campsite as well as the PAWS Environmental Education Centre.

The Okonjima Nature Reserve sprawls over 200 square kilometres of undulating plains, mountainous outcrops, and riverine thickets, and it is here that leopard (Panthera pardus), the most adaptable of all the wild cats, thrive.  These intelligent, solitary predators occur in high density in the expanse of Okonjima Nature Reserve’s multi-faceted topography. The Reserve’s predator research programme has spanned three decades, and its findings have provided great insight to leopard behavioral patterns as well as offered an upbeat prognosis for a sustainable future for the species in today’s Africa.   Research programme leopard are actively tracked, and their collars are an invaluable resource for locating, and then returning to the Reserve, cats which have migrated to surrounding farmland where they are perceived as threats to livestock, guests can enjoy leopard tracking though sightings are not guaranteed they are very likely and the opportunity to see these beautiful cats close up are a highlight for many.
Additional activities include finding out more on the protection of Namibia's predators including cheetah, leopard, hyena, lion and even wild dog and an insight is given to the human-wildlife conflict.  Visitors have the chance of seeing cheetah in a reserve (these individuals cannot be released to the wild) but makes for great photos.
Perhaps join a Bushman walking trail, game drive on the reserve, or self-guided walks.  Night drives are also available to some lodge guests.

Day notes

Depending on your flight time, perhaps enjoy a further (optional) activity. From here we drive south to Windhoek where your safari ends -
no flights prior to mid-afternoon.
 

Travel time Approx 2.45-3hours to city and further 40-45mins to airport