7 Days Namib Desert, Coast & Etosha Accommodated Safari

Collection time is between 08:00 and 08:30 from anywhere within Windhoek. Windhoek is surrounded by mountains and we have to pass both the Eros Mountains and the Khomas Hochland Range. As we come through the mountains we drop down from the central plateau to grassy desert savannah. We stop at Solitaire for petrol and perhaps also afternoon tea before we continue to our first night at Namib desert lodge. We aim to arrive at our lodge during the early afternoon.

Early start to catch the soft light of the sunrise over the desert. After passing through Sesriem we continue towards Sossusvlei along distant sand dunes on both sides of the road. We will stop at the famous Dune 45. Those who feel fit may climb the dune and get a breathtaking view of the surrounding desert and dunes. After breakfast we will take a desert walk in the cool of the morning, with chance to see gemsboks, springboks, black-backed jackals and ostriches. As the day cools off in the afternoon we will make a short excursion to Sesriem Canyon. Then we will return back to our lodge.

Namibia being a country of contrasts. Today we will move from desert to sea. On our way we will cross the Tropic of Capricorn and transverse the Gaub and the Kuiseb passes, driving down to the dry river bed at the bottom of the Kuiseb Canyon before climbing up the other side, watching the spectacular desert landscape unfold before us. Having arrived at the coast, we will make a stop in Walvis Bay to enjoy the view of flamingoes and other birds in the lagoons and to visit the salt works. Overnight in a Guesthouse. Dinner tonight is on the client's own expense in a local restaurant.

In the morning we will make an excursion to the seal colony at Cape Cross north of Swakopmund where we will be able to experience thousands of fur seals at close range. The rest of the day will be free with plenty of time to explore the town. Swakopmund is a very pleasant seaside town with lots of shops, a good stretch of beach (although the Atlantic is quite cold here) and an open-air curio market. There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium is located in Swakopmund. Alternatively, there are various optional activities that can be arranged. These include a boat-tour (with oysters and champagne!), scenic flights and micro-light flights over the desert, fishing trips (either from the beach or in a boat), quad-bike trips into the desert and over the sand dunes around Swakopmund, sand boarding, skydiving and many other activities. Your guide will discuss all the possible optional activities with you and offer to make pre-booking in advance. (N.B. all extra activities in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are made at the client’s own risk and expense). Dinner today is not included in the price of the safari and will be on the client’s own expense.

You will start between 08:00 and 08:30. On our way we will stop in Usakos to fill up with petrol and provisions. We will have a picnic lunch along the way and arrive in Okaukuejo and checkin to our rooms in the afternoon. We will have time to explore the surroundings and enjoy the swimming pool before a late afternoon game drive. After dinner, a visit to the floodlit waterhole is strongly recommended as there are good chances to see rhinos and lions come to drink.

Today we will spend most of the day game driving. We will visit a number of waterholes and make a stop at the Etosha Pan, the “place of dry water”. The Pan is an extensive flat depression of about 5,000 km2. This great, white expanse is a place of shimmering mirages, and being able to see large herds of game in this setting makes Etosha a unique experience in Africa. We may stop at Halali middle camp to have lunch before we continue our game drive to Namutoni. We have time to relax at the swimming pool in Namutoni or at the waterhole before a late afternoon game drive. The game viewing is usually excellent with close views of springboks, zebras, impalas, giraffes, gemsboks and plenty of birds. If we are lucky we may also have some close encounters with elephants and lions. In the evening we may enjoy a glass of wine and experience a fabulous sunset from the tower of the old German fort before dinner.

After a morning game drive, with the chance to get some more pictures of Etosha's wildlife in the soft morning light, we head back to the city. We will travel on the main road, passing through farmland and small towns, with time to stop in the small town of Okahandja with Namibia’s largest wood–carving market. We are likely to arrive back into the city at around 16:30 and you will be dropped off at your accommodation on our return