Namibia. Diverse Namibia Adventure

Days 1-2: Sossusvlei

Drive time: 5 hours, 211 miles
Our early morning departure from Windhoek takes us through the Khomas Hochland mountains and down into the iconic Sossusvlei region, a driving time of approximately five hours.

Spend time on the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, a private tract of land near the spectacular sights of Sossusvlei, bordering the expansive Namib Naukluft Park. The camp, comprising dome tents under the shade, is perfect for taking in the Reserve's expansive vistas and stark beauty. Learn about the stars and constellations while dining under Namibian skies and watch a blood red sunset punctuated by the cacophony of barking geckos. We'll climb the dunes and photograph their red coloring in the early morning sunlight with access through our private gate - closer to the dunes than the main park entry gate. Game and night game drives and walking safaris allow tracking of desert-adapted wildlife such as elephant, ostrich, springbok and gemsbok, as well as smaller creatures like bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal and Cape fox. Overnights Kulala Adventurer Camp.

Note: Departure from Windhoek on Day 1 is at 9:00am. We are happy to arrange an overnight in Windhoek the day before the safari begins if necessary.

Accommodations: Kulala Adventure Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 3 - 4: Swakopmund

Drive time: 5-6 hours, 230 miles
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, a drive of about 5 -6 hours.

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 – including tasting the delicacies – before moving on to Pelican Point to see the lighthouse, and an area in which three species of dolphins may be encountered, namely 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. Overnights Hansa Hotel.

Accommodations: Hansa Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 5 - 7: Damaraland

Drive time: 8 hours, 200 miles
We continue our journey by road to Damaraland, stopping for lunch at Ugab Save the Rhino Trust Camp. The Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) has been involved with rhino conservation since the early eighties, and has been singly responsible for helping these rare animals survive and thrive, so that today this area boasts the largest concentration of black rhino outside of a national park.

Once in the private area around Damaraland, we are in the heart of the rocky desert, an ancient glacial landscape. Damaraland boasts an assortment of desert-adapted species including one of the highest concentrations of desert elephant and a surprisingly high diversity of wildlife including Hartmann's mountain zebra, kudu, giraffe, gemsbok, and springbok, with occasional cheetah sightings. Our activities range from nature walks, mountain biking, viewing the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein (a World Heritage Site) to day and night nature drives, exploring the mountains, hills and ephemeral river beds and springs. Overnights Damaraland Adventurer Camp.

Accommodations: Namibia Adventurer Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 8 - 9: Etosha National Park

Drive time: 5 hours, 205 miles

We drive to Ongava Game Reserve on the boundary of Etosha National Park, to experience the highest density of wildlife within Namibia and this iconic salt pan. 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 like impala and springbuck. 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, meandering our way from waterhole to spring and enjoying the endless vistas and mirages of the pan itself.

On the southern boundary of Etosha National Park lies Ongava Game Reserve, a prolific private concession home to large concentrations of wildlife: notably lion, cheetah, black rhino, white rhino, springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest, Burchell's zebra, Hartmann's mountain zebra, waterbuck, red hartebeest, giraffe, eland and the endemic black-faced impala. To further enhance our Etosha experience we can enjoy night game drives and walks, while evening game viewing is enhanced with a floodlit waterhole out the front of the main area. Overnights Andersson’s Camp.

Accommodations: Andersson's Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner