Day-by-day itinerary

• Day

  01

  Windhoek

  On arrival Windhoek, Namibia, clear Customs and Immigration. You are greeted by the local Born Free representative and escorted to your hotel.
• Day

  02

  Sossusvlei

  Namib Naukluft Park

  This morning your guide will meet you at your hotel, meet your fellow travelers and you are off on safari.
  
  Head southwest through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands before heading down the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert where you will explore for two days with your guide. If there is still time today, your guide will take you to visit Sesriem Canyon, a nearby geological attraction, or explore Elim Dune.
  
  Sesriem Canyon: Sesriem Canyon has evolved through centuries of erosion by the Tsauchab River which has incised a narrow gorge, exposing the varying layers of sedimentation. The shaded cool depths of the canyon allow pools of water to gather during the rainy season and remain for much of the year round.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  03

  Sossusvlei

  Namib Desert

  Rise early for a magical excursion with your guide in the Namib Naukluft National Park, normally setting off before sunrise to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows accentuate the towering shapes and curves.
  
  This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world and your guide will give you an insight on the formation of the Namib Desert and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environs.
  
  Sossusvlei: This most frequently visited section of the massive 50,000 km² Namib Naukluft National Park has become known as Sossusvlei, famous for its towering apricot colored sand dunes towering over 300 meters over the pans.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  04

  Swakopmund

  The fascinating day today takes you northwest through awesome and ever changing desert landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park. Travel to the coastal town of Walvis Bay, then continue north to Swakopmund. There will be time this afternoon to explore the town and wander along the waterfront, before heading off for dinner at a popular restaurant which specializes in locally harvested seafood.

  Safari Consultant Note: We highly recommend choosing one of our suggested options. Both offer unequalled scenic experiences and are well worth the additional cost.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

  Special Activities:
  Hot-Air Balloon
  Take a magical dawn Hot-Air Balloon ride over the dunes.
  
  Scenic Flight
  A scenic light aircraft flight over Sossusvlei and along the Diamond Coast will give you a bird's eye view over the sea, abandoned mining camps, shipwrecks and salt pan.
• Day

  05

  Swakopmund

  After an early breakfast your guide will drive you along the scenic coastal road back south to Walvis Bay for a memorable kayaking adventure within the outer lagoon. The kayaking is an ideal way of seeing the flamingos, Cape fur seals, Heaviside and bottlenose dolphins, pelicans and a wide variety of other sea birds. If you are lucky, there is also a chance of seeing whales, leatherback turtles and sunfish.
  
  If you prefer you can opt for a motorized boat ride to possibly to seals and dolphins. excursion within the outer lagoon and harbor should the kayaking not appeal.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  06

  Damaraland

  Continuing on your safari today, into Damaraland. The area is typified by displays of rich colors, rock formations, table topped mountains 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.
  
  Next stop is Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strewn over a hillside amongst flat-topped mountains of red sandstone, Twyfelfontein’s boulders and slabs of red sandstone hold some 2,500 prehistoric engravings that depict wildlife, animal spoor and abstract motifs. It is perhaps the largest and finest collection of petroglyphs in Africa.
  
  The engravings lie along two circular routes, one an hour’s climb and the other 40 minutes longer.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  07

  Damaraland

  Desert Elephant

  After an early breakfast, the group will go out on an exciting 4x4 excursion along the ephemeral Aba Huab and Huab River Valleys. We will go out early this morning, as our goal is to find the elusive Desert Adapted Elephants and this is when they are most active.
  
  
  

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  08

  Southern Etosha Park

  The Himba

  Today you set off on your journey to the Etosha, travelling via the regional centre of Khorixas and the settlement at Kamanjab. Visit the Himba ‘Living Museum’ where you will be able to meet some of the local community who will be happy to demonstrate elements of their traditional lifestyle.
  The Himba are one of the last truly traditional peoples of Namibia and they are normally nomadic, but those that have settled here are now firmly established and unlikely to move on. They welcome visitors who want to learn about the customs and traditions of this very proud nation, and they are very willing to offer insight into their beliefs, way of life and everyday routine.
  
  Today's destination is the south western border region of Etosha National Park. Our lodge is quite unique and one can observe wildlife visitors at the camp's floodlit waterhole. You can also take advantage of a different game viewing vantage point by visiting the camp’s underground and elevated hides.
  
  The largest group of Kaokovelders is the Himba, semi-nomads who live in scattered settlements throughout the Kunene Region. They are a tall, slender and statuesque people, characterized especially by their proud, yet friendly bearing. The women especially are noted for their unusual sculptural beauty, enhanced by intricate hairstyles and traditional adornments. They rub their bodies with red ochre and fat, a treatment that protects their skins against the harsh desert climate.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  09

  Eastern Etosha Park

  Today is dedicated to a full day of exciting game viewing within the central section of Etosha National Park from your private safari vehicle as you make your way from the southern Andersson’s Gate to Halali (where you may stop for lunch) and then on across via selected waterholes such as Goas, which are normally particularly good for game viewing, to Namutoni Camp in the east.
  
  The Park boasts some 114 mammal and over 340 bird species. Wildlife that one might see 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.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  10

  Onguma Game Reserve

  Another morning dedicated to game drives within the eastern section of Etosha National Park with your guide. Return to camp for lunch and an early afternoon rest, spending your final afternoon on a game drive on the private Onguma Game Reserve, culminating in a sundowners (cocktails) overlooking Fischer’s Pan.
  
  Onguma Game Reserve: Onguma is now home to a family of protected black rhino. The nature reserve also boasts over thirty different animal species consisting kudu, giraffe, eland, oryx, hartebeest, zebra, impala, as well as predators such as lion, cheetah and leopard.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  11

  Okonjima

  AfriCat Foundation, Onward Journey

  Leave safari camp this morning heading to the Okonjima’s AfriCat Day Centre, a wonderful highlight with which to conclude your safari. Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Foundation, a wildlife sanctuary which focuses on the research and rehabilitation of Africa's big cats, especially injured or captured leopard and cheetah.
  
  Here you will learn about the function and vision of the AfriCat Foundation and will also get to meet some of the Foundation’s special captive carnivore ambassadors. Return to Windhoek for your onward flights.

  Safari Consultants Notes: For more in-depth time with the cats and possible tracking and cheetah run, you will need to spend overnight. This affords you the opportunity to get a more in-depth insight into the work being done by the AfriCat Foundation as well as getting to see more of cheetah, leopard and other big cats in the wild.

  Breakfast / Lunch