DAY ONE – WINDHOEK – SOSSUSVLEI
Distance – 302km / Approximate journey time 4-5hrs
Plan to leave Windhoek at a reasonable hour today. This will leave you sufficient time to reach your overnight accommodation in good time and enjoy the scenery on the way. Most of your journey will be on unsealed gravel roads. There are a number of routes to take, we recommended via the Spreetshoogte Pass. The views from the top of the escarpment over the desert plains below are stunning. A timely arrival allows for an afternoon guided nature drive or walk once you have settled in.
Overnight Desert Whisper (Standard Room / Fully Inclusive)
DAY TWO – SOSSUSVLEI
First thing this morning is tea and coffee before the sun rises. Afterwards you will head out towards the dunes at Sossusvlei in one of the lodges guided vehicles. Making use of the lodges own private entrance you enter the park at sunrise. On the way to Sossusvlei you can enjoy the colourful effect the sun has on the landscape. Once there you have plenty of time to explore, climb a dune and generally photograph to your hearts content. Time for one more snap before your guide calls you over to a large, shady camelthorn tree for a desert brunch. Afterwards you can head back to the lodge with a short walk along Sesriem Canyon before you return if desired. The rest of the day if yours to chill and maybe join a nature drive or one of the lodge’s other activities. After dinner an early night is recommended as there is another early start in the morning.
Overnight Desert Whisper (Standard Room / Fully Inclusive)
DAY THREE – SOSSUSVLEI – SWAKOPMUND
Distance – 300km / Approximate journey time 4-4.5hrs
Today will head north from Sossusvlei in your own vehicle through the gravel plains of the Namib towards the harbour town of Walvis Bay. The birdlife at the lagoon is amazing, thousands of birds especially pink flamingoes and other water birds congregate here. Continue north for 30km along a picturesque road sandwiched between large dunes and the Atlantic ocean to Swakopmund.
Overnight The Swakopmund Strand Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)
DAY FOUR – SWAKOPMUND
Today is a day at your leisure to explore Namibia’s premier seaside town. There are a host of activities to participate in while in Swakopmund, these range from sandboarding through quad biking to sky-diving or marine/boat excursions, Historical Tours or general sight seeing – there is something for everyone! Activities are not included in this itinerary but can be pre-arranged when you book this itinerary or left for you to arrange on arrival in Swakopmund.
Overnight The Swakopmund Strand Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)
DAY FIVE – SWAKOPMUND – DAMARALAND
Distance – 326km / Approximate journey time 4-5hrs
Today the journey begins with a drive up the Skeleton Coast, through the town of Henties Bay to the Cape Cross Seal Colony. After spending some time seal watching you will begin your journey inland past Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg. Damaraland is a scenic semi-desert area and you will be staying in the suite at Mowani Mountain Camp which is nestled amongst architectural granite boulders.
Overnight Mowani Mountain Camp (Luxury Room / Full Board + Activities)
DAY SIX – DAMARALAND
Today you have the choice of exploring the sites & activities of Damaraland in your own vehicle, or if you prefer joining the guided excursions offered by the lodge (included in package price). This is sure to be an exciting day in a very interesting area.
Overnight Mowani Mountain Camp (Luxury Room / Full Board + Activities)
DAY SEVEN/EIGHT/NINE -DAMARALAND – ONGAVA RESERVE
Distance – 330km / Approximate journey time 3.5-4hrs
The Ongava Reserve lies on the southern border of Etosha near the Andersson Gate, and it is here you will spend the next three nights at Ongava Lodge. This afternoon you can join a guided game drive or just relax and enjoy your surroundings.
The next two days can be spent on guided game drives and walks around Etosha & the Ongava Reserve. Having an experienced guide really enhances game viewing and with any luck you should really rack up the sightings. Etosha is Namibia’s premier game viewing destination, large herds of plains game concentrate around the waterholes in the dry season and makes for exciting game viewing. Species that can be seen year round include elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, springbok, oryx, kudu and the diminutive Damara dik-dik. Birdlife is also good with ostrich and raptors in abundance. Local specials include the short-toed rockthrush, Haulaubs francolin, rockrunner, Ruppells parrot, white-tailed shrike and chestnut weaver.
Ongava Game reserve is one of the few private game reserves in Southern Africa where you have a chance of seeing both black and white Rhino. The reserve also has a good population of lion, eland, mountain zebra, black faced impala and a number of other antelope species.
Overnight Ongava Lodge (Standard Room / Fully Inclusive)
DAY TEN/ELEVEN – ONGAVA RESERVE – OKONJIMA NATURE RESERVE
Distance – 240km / Approximate journey time 2.45-3.5hrs
Leaving Ongava Reserve, the drive to Okonjima takes around 3 hours. Apart from the beautiful location, stunning accommodation and wonderful meals the main reason for visiting Okonjima is to view cats. Your activities here are included in this package and centre around viewing leopard & cheetah, visiting a night hide and generally learning about what the AfriCat foundation is doing to preserve these wonderful animals. You will be accommodated in the private Bush Suite and can enjoy a range of activities including cheetah feeding, leopard tracking and visits to night hides. If you do not feel like participating in an activity you can relax in the lounge or around your large private swimming pool at the suite.
Overnight Okonjima Bush Suite (Bush Suite / Fully Inclusive)
DAY TWELVE
Distance – 265km / Approximate journey time 3-3.5hrs
The drive back to Windhoek takes around 3 hours. You may wish to stop at the wood carving markets at Okahandja as this is one of the best places to stock up on wooden curios. If you are flying out tonight you can drop your vehicle at the airport or additionally we can arrange accommodation in Windhoek.
Tel: +1-877-710-3014 (Julie Roggow) or +1-519-686-4776 (Rick McIntyre)
Tel: +44 (0)7986-978985 (Wayne Hammond)
Tel: +254 (0)774-136523
