On arrival at Windhoek International Airport, we will collect our hire vehicle and drive into Windhoek, where we will spend our first night in Namibia. Check into our hotel before exploring the city on foot or with an optional activity. Dinner tonight is at own expense in one of Windhoek’s many restaurants.

After breakfast this morning, we depart Windhoek, heading north through Okahandja, Otjiwarongo and Outjo, arriving at the famed Ongava Reserve early afternoon. The Ongava Reserve is one of Namibia most pristine private game reserves and borders the famed Etosha National Park. This afternoon we join a game drive on the reserve itself, keeping an eye out for everything from elephant to rhino and predators including lion, leopard and more.

This morning we have the option to self-drive into Etosha National Park, Namibia’s premier national park. The park itself stretches some 22,000 sq kms and is named after the enormous salt pan located within. The Etosha Pan covers around 4,800 sq kms and is so big that it can be seen from space. This afternoon enjoy the chance to relax on another afternoon game drive through the Ongava Reserve.

After breakfast, we pack our things and make our way out of Ongava. Today we are heading into Etosha, game driving across the western part of the park. This area offers incredible game viewing opportunities, including species not seen in other areas of the park, including the Hartmann’s Mountain zebra. Tonight is our last night in the Etosha region, and our camp inside the park means that our game viewing can continue into the night should we wish to sit up around the waterhole after dinner.

Today we depart Etosha, heading into the communal lands of Damaraland with the option to stop at the Petrified Forest where we can enjoy a short guided tour before continuing to our home for the next 2 nights, Mowani Mountain Camp. On arrival, we can relax before enjoying a sundowner over Damaraland. Damaraland is home to some of Namibia’s most interesting landscapes, and the drives alone are breathtaking. Keep your eyes peeled in these areas for free-roaming wildlife, including elephant and giraffe.

We head out early this morning on a guided drive through the ephemeral river beds in search of the elusive desert elephant that roam Damaraland. Namibia is one of just 2 countries in the world (the other Mali) where elephants have specially adapted to harsh desert environments and now roam freely through the Damaraland and Kaokoland region. We return to the lodge around midday for lunch before heading out in the afternoon to visit Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the world’s largest collection of San rock etchings in the world with some being estimated at more than 5000years old.

Today we travel along the C35, one of the most culturally diverse roads in the country. Here, we have the chance to stop and meet the 3 different tribal groups, the Herero, the Damara and the Himba, that have made this area their home. These entrepreneurial women have created small craft stalls along the road in the hope of enticing the passing tourists to buy some locally crafted souvenirs. This is a great opportunity to meet some of the local women and learn a little more about life in the rural parts of Namibia. From here, we cross the gravel plains and arrive on the Skeleton Coast, with our final stop before arriving in Swakopmund being the Zeila Shipwreck, the Skeleton Coasts most recent victim. We aim to arrive in Swakopmund late afternoon. Dinner tonight is at own expense in one of the many excellent restaurants.

A day of rest and relaxation, or explore the coastal region on one (or two) of the many optional activities available. Explore the desert on a Living Desert Tour, join a boat cruise to enjoy the fresh air as you seals, dolphins, and pelicans cruise alongside the boat. Alternatively, enjoy the Skeleton Coast from the air and take a scenic flight (south or north) to get another perspective of this dramatic landscape. Alternatively, meander through Swakopmund, explore the local galleries and enjoy a walk along the Atlantic Ocean.

Today our journey takes us south, first to Walvis Bay, where we recommend a visit to the RAMSAR listed wetland site, Walvis Bay Lagoon, a haven for birdlife and, in particular, the Greater and Lesser flamingo. From here, we head south into the Namib Desert, not only the world’s oldest desert but part of Africa’s largest conservation area, the Namib Naukluft Park. We spend our next 2 nights on the exclusive Kulala Reserve, bordering the national park and home to some of the deserts most incredible landscapes.

A pre-dawn start this morning to explore Sossusvlei. We can explore and enjoy photography before the crowds arrive in Deadvlei. For the energetic, be the first of the day to summit Big Daddy, the highest dune in the area, or meander around Dead Vlei and enjoy the dunes during the coolest part of the day. Sossusvlei is easily one of Namibia’s most spectacular attractions, characterized by the large red dunes surrounding bleached clay plans. The dunes in this area are some of the highest in the world, measuring almost 400m and offering some of the most incredible photographic opportunities, particularly around sunrise.

Enjoy a relaxing morning before visiting the nearby Sesriem Canyon. From here, we depart the park and make our way back to Windhoek, around the Naukluft Mountains, and travelling via the small towns of Klein Aub, Rehoboth and arriving in Windhoek early afternoon.

Depending on our flight time, we can enjoy a leisurely breakfast and some last-minute shopping before heading out to Windhoek International Airport, where we can drop off our vehicle and check-in in time for our onward flight.