Namibia Luxury Safari

On arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport, you will be met by our local agent and transferred to the hotel in Windhoek for this evening. You will meet your Tour Director and the rest of your tour group at a Welcome Dinner together this evening. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy some free time after check-in to explore Windhoek a short distance from the hotel, experiencing the city’s colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings.

Galton House: Galton House is named after the famous explorer Sir Francis Galton. It has a relaxed but efficient style which creates a very welcoming atmosphere. A mere ten-minute drive from the center of town and perched on the edge of Windhoek’s northernmost affluent suburb of Eros, guests staying here will be ensured of peace and tranquility. The nine guest rooms are all equipped with internet connectivity and satellite television, with a coffee/tea station available on request and other general guest amenities. The communal areas consist of a large lounge, dining room, swimming pool and garden. There is also delightful ‘al fresco’ dining area by the pool, serving freshly prepared and very tasty meals. There are also a number of shops, restaurants and supermarkets within easy striking distance.

This morning your personal Ultimate Safaris guide/s will collect you from Galton House after breakfast. You then depart Windhoek in your safari vehicle and drive southwest through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands before heading down the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert below, stopping for a picnic lunch at a scenic location along the way. You arrive at Namib Desert Lodge in the midafternoon where you will stay for two nights whilst you explore the remarkable sights of the Namib Desert with your guide/s. If desired, your guide/s can take you on a scenic sundowner drive in the nearby area, however if you prefer, you can just relax and soak in the scenic and tranquil surroundings at the lodge.

Namib Desert Lodge: Namib Desert Lodge sits at the foot of red sandstone cliffs, the ‘fossilized’ dunes of the protomorphic Namib. Situated just 60km north of Sesriem, the gateway to famous Sossusvlei, the lodge is an ideal starting point for an excursion to the highest dunes in the world.

Rise early this morning for a magical excursion in the Namib Naukluft National Park, setting off from the lodge before sunrise. Dead Vlei is an ancient clay pan that was once an oasis, studded with acacias and fed by a river. When that river suddenly changed course, the earth was left to dry up along with the trees it previously supported. So dry were the climatic conditions that these trees never decomposed – instead they were entirely leached of moisture. Today, 900 years later, they remain as desiccated, blackened sentinels dotting the pan’s cracked surface. Surrounded by the red-pink dunes of the Namibia Desert, they create a surreal spectacle that is a wildlife spotter's dream.
Afterwards we head to Sesriem Canyon, a deep chasm carved through the rocks by water. This striking natural feature is best explored on foot. 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 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.

Once we've explored to your heart’s content we'll enjoy a relaxing picnic breakfast under the shade of a camel thorn tree. We return to Namib Desert Lodge in the early afternoon for a late lunch. The rest of the afternoon will be at your leisure (from experience, this is usually welcomed after an exhilarating morning in the dunes) or you can opt to head out again later in the afternoon for stunning sunset landscape photography opportunities.

The fascinating drive today takes you northwest through awesome and ever-changing desert landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park, including the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons. You meet the coast at the port town of Walvis Bay, where you have the option to visit the lagoon to see the interesting mix of pelicans, flamingos and other seabirds, before continuing north to Swakopmund where you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location and cooler coastal air. The rest of the afternoon can be spent relaxing at your hotel or exploring the town and wandering along the waterfront on foot if desired. Dinner this evening will be enjoyed at a popular restaurant in town.

Swakopmund Guesthouse: Situated close to the town center and a mere five-minute walk from the beach and main shopping area, Swakopmund Guesthouse is privately owned and run by the Borg family who previously used the property as their holiday house. It has been completely revamped and provides an ideal base for guests wanting to indulge in a comfortable stay close to the ocean and Swakopmund’s many attractions. The spacious en-suite rooms are fitted with minibar, television and crisp, white linen sheets; and decorated with peaceful elements of the ocean. Additional facilities include a breakfast lounge where a tasty breakfast buffet is served, reception, garden courtyard and laundry service. Swakopmund Guesthouse is run with an eco-friendly approach, making use of solar energy and recycled water.

This morning we will return to Walvis Bay for a Catamaran Boat Cruise in the waters of the Walvis Bay Harbour while enjoying fresh oysters, sparkling wine and other delicious snacks on board. We depart from the Walvis Bay Yacht Club and cruise into the beautiful and sheltered bay area, which holds more splendour than can at first be seen – a shipwreck, lighthouse, oyster platforms, different bird species, seals and an abundance of marine life are just some of the attractions.

The Catamaran will move alongside oyster platforms where your guide will share more information with you about Walvis Bay’s own cultivated oysters, delicacies which you will later get to taste. The journey proceeds to the ever-growing Pelican Point to achieve a closer look at the lighthouse and resident seal colony. The old supply railway spoors can still be seen from the years when the lighthouse was occupied by the coast guards. Moving around the point, three different types of dolphins may be encountered, namely the Heaviside/Benguela Dolphins which are the most notable as they are endemic to the coast of Namibia, Dusky Dolphins and Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. Sightings of the Mola Mola (Sunfish) and the Leatherback Turtles also keep you on the lookout. All this can be experienced whilst comfortably relaxing in the saloon, on the trampolines, or on deck, and enjoying a glass of sparkling wine and delicious snacks.

We return to Swakopmund in the late afternoon in time to freshen up for dinner in town with your guide.

Today’s journey takes you north along the coastline, stopping over at the haunting remains of the Zeila Shipwreck before heading inland towards the scenic countryside of Damaraland to reach Twyfelfontein Country Lodge. The afternoon may either be spent at leisure or exploring the intriguing rock engravings of Twyfelfontein (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) before returning to the camp for a sundowner drink.

Damaraland is typified by displays of colour, magnificent table topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation. The present-day landscape has been formed by the erosion of wind, water and geological forces which have formed rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains and ancient river terraces. It is the variety and loneliness of the area as well as the scenic splendour which will reward and astound you, giving one an authentic understanding of the word 'wilderness'.

Twyfelfontein Country Lodge: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge lies in the heart of Damaraland, ideally located a short drive from the local attractions in the area. The Lodge is spread along the base of an impressive sandstone mountain, a short distance from the ephemeral Aba Huab riverbed where desert adapted elephants often traverse. Guests are accommodated in comfortable thatched en-suite rooms. The expansive main area of the lodge boasts an open dining room, bar, reception, curio shop and swimming pool.

Today is dedicated to exploring this remarkable and fascinating area with your local guide. After an early breakfast you will be treated to a memorable 4x4 excursion along the ephemeral Aba Huab River valleys to explore this remarkable region and to search for game, including the elusive desert adapted elephants if they are in the area. Damaraland is home to a variety of desert adapted wildlife and hidden desert treasures. As the elephants are mostly active in the mornings you will normally have the best chance to see them then before returning to camp for lunch.

The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, with the option to explore the area further with your guide or visiting Twyfelfontein if you did not do so yesterday. You can also opt to visit the Damara Living Museum to experience this remarkable culture and their traditions. (there is a small entry fee payable locally only.)

This evening you can enjoy some pre-dinner drinks whilst admiring the stunning views of your surroundings at sunset.

Leave behind the beauty of Damaraland and head east towards the sprawling bushveld of the Etosha National Park, a highlight of the trip for many. Etosha National Park has vast open plains scattered with semi-arid savannah grasslands, watering holes and secluded bush camps. The impressive 5,000-square-kilometre Etosha salt pan makes up a large area of the eastern side of the park - it is even visible from space! This remote area teems with abundant wildlife such as lions, elephants, black rhinos and giraffes, as well as a variety of birdlife featuring flamingos, ostriches, eagles, hornbills, and owls.

We will arrive at Etosha Safari Camp located just outside the park in time for lunch and a short siesta before heading off on a sundowner drive in the park, exiting again just before sunset to freshen up for dinner.

Etosha Safari Camp: Etosha Safari Camp is situated only 10km from Etosha National Park and just a few minutes’ drive to Andersson Gate (Okaukuejo). The 22 uniquely designed en-suite Safari Bungalows offer a warm and creative African ambience. Each tented bungalow is decorated with artistically painted floors all the metal and ceramic furniture is created by local Namibian craftsmen. The inventive and rustic design also continues through to the spacious en-suite bathroom. Guests can enjoy the inviting veranda stretched across the length of each bungalow, while relaxing in the midst of dense Mopane and Commiphora vegetation boasting an abundant bird life. Each room is equipped with a spacious mosquito net and gauzed windows provide optimal protection and air circulation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in a rustic and tastefully decorated farm-style restaurant at the foot of the hill. Guests can relax in the swimming pool, make use of the handy internet café or enjoy the walking trails.

Today’s journey takes us through the breadth of the Etosha National Park as you game drive your way east via selected waterholes and the myriad of roads that snake through the park. The Park consists of grassland, woodland and savannah and game-viewing centers around the numerous springs and waterholes where several different species can often be seen at one time. Etosha National Park boasts some 114 mammal and over 340 bird species. Wildlife that we will be on the lookout for includes elephant, lion, giraffe, blue wildebeest, eland, kudu, gemsbok (oryx), zebra, rhino, cheetah, leopard, hyena, honey badger and warthog, as well as the endemic black faced impala.

Mushara Lodge: Located just 8km from the Von Lindequist Gate on the eastern boundary of Etosha National Park, Mushara Lodge is an ideal overnight stop for visitors to the game reserve. The lodge consists of ten spacious chalets, one family unit, a triple room and two single rooms. The name Mushara is derived from the Purple Pod Terminalia tree which grows abundantly on the lodge grounds and in the surroundings. The thatched public area includes a small library with a selection of good books, a bar with an extensive wine cellar, an airy lounge complete with welcoming fireplace for winter evenings, a dining area and a well-stocked curio shop. Great attention has been paid to the décor, which is an eclectic blend of traditional African and modern works of art mixed with original older paintings. Ten well-spaced thatched chalets are arranged in horseshoe shape around the swimming pool. All the chalets and individual rooms are extremely spacious and equipped with air-conditioning, mosquito net, mini-bar, safe, tea and coffee station, sockets for charging storage batteries and direct telephone connection. The bathrooms are en-suite with a shower and separate toilet. One of Mushara’s prominent features is its large bright blue swimming pool, surrounded by green lawns which are kept perfectly manicured by visiting local wildlife.

Today is dedicated to game drives in the Etosha National Park to explore the eastern and central parts. Spend time travelling along the roads and visiting the many waterholes including the beautiful Fischer’s Pan area. If all guests agree, you can either opt for a full day in the park with lunch at any of the rest camps or return to Mushara Lodge for lunch and a short siesta before returning to the park in the afternoon, departing again just before sunset in time to freshen up for dinner. Cameras at the ready for another exceptional day!

This morning you depart early and drive south towards the capital city of Windhoek, stopping en route at the world famous AfriCat Foundation just south of the town of Otjiwarongo. Here you will be taken on a tour of its facilities where the guide will discuss the origins and visions of this conservation project. Afterwards you will be able to enter one of the large enclosures with your local guide to view some of the ambassador cheetahs that reside here. Enjoy a lunch before continuing on your journey. The rest of the afternoon will be at leisure with this evening being a farewell dinner to reminisce about good memories and trip highlights.

AfriCat Foundation: Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Foundation, a wildlife sanctuary founded in 1991 that is dedicated to creating conservation awareness, preserving habitat, promoting environmental educational research and supporting animal welfare. Their main focus is Africa's big cats, especially injured or captured leopard and cheetah. AfriCat runs the largest cheetah and leopard rescue and release programme in the world. In the last 17 years over 1 000 of these predators have been rescued with over 85% being released back into the wild.

This morning can be spent relaxing at your guesthouse, exploring Windhoek, visiting NamCrafts and the Craft Centre, or doing some last-minute souvenir shopping if time allows, before being collected from your guesthouse for your transfer out to the Windhoek International Airport, getting you there in time to check in for your ongoing flight.