Day 1 & 2: Sossusvlei
You will be met at Windhoek Airport by your Explorations guide and begin your journey by driving 340km through the Khomas Hochland mountains and down into the iconic Sossusvlei region. The driving time is approximately 5 hours.
The first two nights are spent at Kulala Adventurer Camp on the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, a 37 000-hectare tract of land near the spectacular sights of Sossusvlei, bordering the expansive Namib Naukluft Park. Spending quality time at the towering dunes of Sossusvlei, which is accessed through our private gate, is an experience not to be missed. Desert-adapted wildlife such as ostrich, springbok, gemsbok, bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal and Cape fox can be seen on the reserve.
Other activities include day and night scenic drives and walks, and optional early morning ballooning, horse riding and quad-biking (the last three at extra cost).
optional early morning ballooning, horse riding and quad-biking (the last three at extra cost)
Day 3 & 4: Swakopmund
We depart camp early, driving through the snaking roads of the Kuiseb Canyon and out onto the expansive gravel plains before arriving in Walvis Bay and then finally driving up the skeleton coast into the quaint town of Swakopmund, about 5-6 hours drive with overnight at Hansa Hotel.
On day 4, we explore the ice-blue Atlantic coast, from the port town of Swakopmund to its incredible marine mammals. A private "Dolphin and Seal" catamaran cruise from Walvis Bay (weather permitting) provides a wonderful opportunity to explore this beautiful bay and coastline. The cruise takes in the Oyster Platforms, where we learn about the oysters cultivated here before moving on to Pelican Point to see the lighthouse, and an area in which three species of dolphins may be encountered. These include the rare endemic Heaviside's dolphin, dusky and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Aside from spotting diverse pelagic (ocean-going) birdlife, pelicans and flamingo, and Cape fur seals, the massive sunfish, leatherback turtles, southern right and humpback whales can be seen in season.
Dinner on the first night is included
Dinner on the second night is excluded
Laundry
All drinks
Day 5 & 6: Damaraland
We continue our journey by road 320km (approximately 8-hour drive) to Damaraland, west of the Brandberg Mountain (the second largest monolith in the world after Ayre's Rock, Australia), making our way to Damaraland Adventurer Camp.
Once in the area around Damaraland, we are in the heart of the rocky desert, an ancient glacial landscape. Damaraland boasts breathtaking assortment of desert-adapted species including one of the highest concentrations of desert elephant and black rhino, and a surprisingly high diversity of wildlife. Our activities range from nature walks, mountain biking, viewing the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, to day and night nature drives, exploring the mountains, hills and ephemeral river beds and springs.
Day 7 - 8: Ongava Game Reserve
We drive approximately 330km (approximately 5 hours' drive time) to Ongava Game Reserve and the Ongava Tented Camp on the boundary of Etosha National Park, to experience big game viewing and this iconic salt pan.
Etosha remains the highest density wildlife area within Namibia, its' fame justly acknowledged. The salt pan is speculated to be a remnant of an ancient glacial lake. Springs along the edge of the pan attract and quench the thirst of a dense and varied conglomeration of wildlife, mixing savanna and desert species. On day 9 we embark on a full day game drive into Etosha, exploring the southern roads of Etosha Pan from Okakeujo through to Halali (where we stop for lunch).
To further enhance our Etosha experience and while accommodated on the private Ongava Reserve, we can enjoy night game drives and walks, while evening game viewing is enhanced with a floodlit waterhole.
Day 10: Return to Windhoek
Driving south, we return to Windhoek at 13h00 (approximately 420km) where the adventure ends.
