Highlights of Namibia Safari

Highlights of Namibia Safari - A 12 Day Safari From £2,450 per person sharing

Day 1

On your arrival into Eros International Airport in Windhoek, you will be met by one of World Big Cat Safaris representatives 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 – is an upmarket guesthouse with 6 luxury ensuite double rooms. There is a guest lounge and a lovely garden with a plunge pool

Day 2

This morning after breakfast you start your Namibian Self Drive safari with a 5 – 6 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 which is 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 by night which is a gentle stroll around the lodge with some star gazing.

Overnight: Sossus Dune Lodge – was 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 and this is the bonus of staying at the Sossus Dune Lodge because you are inside the park you 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 5 hour drive to the coastal town of Swakopmund which is 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 – has 12 ensuite rooms in a large house which is situated 5 minutes walk from the beach and the centre of town (B)

Day 5

Swakopmund is known as the adventure town of Namibia with so many 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 with pelicans, flamingos and a host of other water birds easily seen, and the drive down there takes you past some more of the Namib’s sand dunes. Swakopmund is an old German town with quite a lot to see and do in town, so please speak to the reception staff to find out more about what would best suit you.

Overnight: Swakopmund Guesthouse (B)

Day 6

From the coast you head back inland to Damaraland driving past some incredible desert and mountain scenery on your way. The drive should take 4 – 5 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. You can enjoy guided game drives in search of the desert adapted elephants and black rhino.

Overnight: Mowani Mountain Camp – has 12 luxury ensuite 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 because of 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, lion, leopard, cheetah, gemsbok, giraffe, springbok and much, much more.

Overnight: Onguma Plains Camp – has been 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 has 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 to go 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 who often lie in wait around the waterholes ready for an ambush.

Overnight: Onguma Plains Camp (B/D)

Day 10

You can enjoy an early morning game drive in the Etosha National Park before heading south to the AfriCat Foundation which rescues lion, cheetah, leopard and wild dog from farmers who persecute them. This afternoon you have the chance to visit the education and research centre to learn more about the projects that this great organisation works on. This afternoon you will head out with the 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 hide that is floodlight giving you the chance to observe the nocturnal animals that some down to drink under the cover of darkness.

Overnight: Okanjima Main Camp – Standard View Room – is the old farmhouse which has been converted into 6 ensuite 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 with the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

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)