Highlights of Namibia Safari

Highlights of Namibia Safari - A 12 Day Safari from £2,450 per Person Sharing, Excluding International Flights

Day 1
On your arrival into Eros International Airport in Windhoek, you will be met by one of World Big Cat Safaris representative’s who will assist you with your vehicle collection. They will go over your itinerary with you and answer any questions you may have. It is a short drive to the guesthouse where you have the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Elegant Guesthouse – An up-market guesthouse with six luxury en-suite double rooms. There is a guest lounge and a lovely garden with a plunge pool

Day 2
After breakfast you will set off on your Namibian Self Drive safari with a five to six hour drive south to Sossusvlei, home to some of the highest sand dunes in the world. Depending on your time of arrival you may have a chance to visit the Sesriem Canyon; a 30 meter deep canyon gorged out of the rock by the Tsauchab River. Activities from the lodge include sunset drives in Sossusvlei and Namib returning to the lodge as night falls for some star gazing.
Overnight: Sossus Dune Lodge –The first lodge to be built inside the Namib-Naukluft Park. It offers 23 desert chalets, a swimming pool, bar and restaurant. The chalets which are built from canvas, wood and thatch all lead off the main board walk and have views out across Sossusvlei (B/D)

Day 3
The best time to see the towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei is in the morning as the sun rises. This is the bonus of staying at the Sossus Dune Lodge because you are inside the park have access to Deadvlei and Dune 45 an hour before the gates open. Some of the red sand dunes at Sossusvlei are over 300 meters high, giving you a great vantage point to look out over the Namib Desert. The rest of the day is yours at leisure.  
Overnight: Sossus Dune Lodge (B/D)

Day 4
A highlight of Sossusvlei is to take an early morning hot air balloon ride over the Namib-Naukluft Park, landing somewhere in the desert landscape for a champagne breakfast. Today you have a leisurely five hour drive to the coastal town of Swakopmund, one of Namibia’s premier holiday towns. In the afternoon take a stroll along the seafront and watch as the sun sets behind the Atlantic Ocean. Accommodation is based on a bed and breakfast basis so take advantage of the many seafood restaurants in town. Our recommendation is to eat at the Tug Restaurant situated inside an old tug. Be sure to book ahead.
Overnight: Swakopmund Guesthouse –12 en-suite rooms in a large house, situated five minutes from the beach and the centre of town (B)

Day 5
Swakopmund is known as the adventure town of Namibia. There are a number of activities on offer ranging from dune boarding, quad biking, parasailing and sea kayaking to camel rides through the desert. Further north along the Atlantic Coast is the Cape Cross seal colony which is definitely worth a visit, although a nose plug might be a good idea!! South of Swakopmund is Walvisbay which is a fantastic birding destination. Here you will see pelicans, flamingos and a host of other water birds. The drive down is just as interesting as you will pass more of Namibia’s stunning dunes. Swakopmund is an old German town with quite a lot to see and do, so please speak to the reception staff who will be happy to advise you on what to do and where to go.
Overnight: Swakopmund Guesthouse (B)

Day 6
From the coast you will head back inland to Damaraland driving past some incredible desert and mountain scenery on your way. The drive should take four to five hours but this depends on how often you want to stop to take pictures. This afternoon, why not relax around the pool that is wedged in-between the boulders offering fantastic views. Alternatively you can enjoy guided game drives in search of the desert adapted elephants and black rhino.
Overnight: Mowani Mountain Camp –12 luxury en-suite tents hidden amongst the boulders. Each tent has a private deck with views out over the incredible Damaraland (B/D)

Day 7
Our suggestion for today is to drive to nearby Twyfelfontein which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will see the 2000 ancient rock carvings which were created over a thousand years, all before 1000 AD. They were done by the hunter-gathers of the region and depict carvings of animals and people. This can be done on your own or as part of a tour from the lodge (a supplement is payable at the lodge for activities) so please speak to the reception to get more details.
Overnight: Mowani Mountain Camp (B/D)

Day 8
After breakfast you head to the Etosha National Park’s eastern boundary which can be accessed via the Andersson’s Gate in the south, and a drive through the park. Etosha, which means “great white place”, is dominated by the massive pan that covers about 25% of the park. There are 114 mammal species including lion, black and white rhino, elephant, leopard, cheetah, gemsbok, giraffe, springbok and much, much more.
Overnight: Onguma Plains Camp – The camp is designed with a Moroccan and Indian theme, and is dominated by a large tower which offers views over Fischer’s Pan. Each of the 12 mini suites have an indoor and outdoor shower area and a private decking area where you can relax and enjoy the views (B/D)

Day 9
You have a full day game viewing in the Etosha National Park. The best time for wildlife viewing is in the early mornings and afternoons, when it is cool, and the animals are most active. There are several manmade waterholes throughout the park which attracts numerous animals and birds. Fischer’s Pan is a magnet for water birds including flocks of flamingos. Most activity happens around the waterholes often attracting large herds of kudu, springbok, giraffe, wildebeest, black faced impala, oryx and elephant. These in turn attract the predators like cheetah, lion and leopard that often lie in wait around the waterholes ready for an ambush.
Overnight: Onguma Plains Camp (B/D)

Day 10
Enjoy an early morning game drive in Etosha National Park before heading south to the AfriCat Foundation. AfriCat was set up to protect Africa’s big cats and the team helps rescue lion, cheetah, leopard and wild dog from farmers who persecute them. This afternoon you have the chance to visit the education and research centre where you will be able to learn more about the projects that this great organisation works on. This afternoon you will head out with a guide who will radio track some of the leopard that live inside the 4500Ha enclosure; they are semi wild and catch their own food. There is a floodlit hide that allows you to observe the nocturnal animals that come down to drink under the cover of darkness.
Overnight: Okanjima Main Camp – Standard View Room – This is an old farmhouse which has been converted into six en-suite rooms that are close to the lapa (the gathering place), swimming pool and garden area (B/D)

Day 11
This morning you will have the chance to visit the cheetah project which gives you an insight into the welfare work of the AfriCat Foundation. After your visit it will be time to head back to Windhoek. The rest of the day will be yours to relax.
Overnight: Elegant Guesthouse (B)

Day 12
Today you need to drop the car off at the rental office before getting your international flight back home (B)