Rise to a hearty breakfast before departing Windhoek and travelling to Okonjima, home to the AfriCat Foundation, a wildlife sanctuary that focuses on the research and rehabilitation of Africa’s majestic big cats. Step into the AfriCat Foundation Day Visitors Centre to uncover more about the foundation’s efforts to protect the region’s lion, leopard and cheetah populations, as well as their support for injured or captured big cats.
After lunch, continue through the small towns of Otjiwarongo and Outjo to reach the southern boundary of the spectacular Etosha National Park. Check in at the elegant Etosha Heights Safarihoek Lodge, a comfortable and conveniently located launchpad for your wildlife adventures.
Set off on an invigorating morning game drive through the Etosha Heights Private Reserve, one of the largest in the country. Sharing a 65-kilometre border with the renowned Etosha National Park, the reserve offers an exclusive opportunity for wildlife viewing, with the chance to spot everything from black-faced impala to sleek cheetahs.
Continue your exploration with an afternoon game drive and keep your eyes peeled for prides of lions, both black and white rhinos, and the majestic elephant. Later, return to your lodge for a well-earned dinner and the chance to admire the serene and sprawling landscape as the sun sets.
Today, continue your safari as you venture into the wonderful and diverse region of Damaraland. Along the way, stop at a local Himba settlement to learn about the traditions of this community. Hear about daily life and the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous people of this region.
Travel onward to the magical Wilderness Doro Nawas, stopping for a picnic lunch, then check in this evening at your stunning home for the next two nights.
After an early breakfast, join your expert leader as you explore Damaraland on a guided nature drive and walk. Travel along the ephemeral river valleys to explore this remarkable region and search for game, including the elusive desert-roaming elephants. Home to a variety of such desert-adapted wildlife and myriad more hidden treasures, Damaraland is yours to explore with a full day of natural discovery.
In the afternoon, visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Twyfelfontein, or ‘Fountain of Doubt’ – a mesmerising, pre-historic site named for the perennial spring of the Huab Valley, which drew Stone Age hunters to the region over six thousand years ago. It was during this period that the practice of rock engravings and ancient paintings began, forming the basis for over thirty distinct sacred sites that you will explore with your expert guide.
Later, return to your well-appointed, luxurious accommodation for a satisfying dinner.
Today, strike out for seaside Swakopmund. On your way, turn your eyes to the horizon for a view of Namibia’s highest mountain, the 2,573-metre-high Brandberg Mountain. Watch for active wildlife and revel in the vastness of the desert landscape along the way.
Upon arrival in Swakopmund, check in at your strikingly secluded bungalow at the Desert Breeze Lodge. Settle in on your private sundeck to admire the unique topography of this Germanic town where the desert meets the sea, then spend your afternoon at leisure exploring the town and wandering the waterfront. Choose to visit the numerous art galleries, quaint local stores or seaside cafes, then return to your home among the dunes.
After breakfast, travel through Walvis Bay – where plentiful birdlife from flamingos to pelicans bask in the tidal lagoon – and the sun-baked canyons of Kuiseb and Gaub. Later, arrive in the spectacular setting of the Sossusvlei salt pan.
In the humbling Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei is truly the crowning glory, famed for its towering apricot-coloured sand dunes – among the tallest on earth, reaching up to 300 metres high – set against the crystalline salt pan. You will have the chance to immerse yourself in this captivating landscape with a stay at Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge. Situated at the foot of the Sossusvlei dunes, your desert oasis offers jaw-dropping views and luxury amenities, with a dedicated rooftop for the adventurous to sleep under the stars.
Rise and shine for an early excursion into the dramatic Namib-Naukluft National Park. Pass through the gates at sunrise to capture the dunes in the soft morning light, casting elongated shadows in artistic contrast to the peaks and curves of the dunes. Listen as your guide details the fascinating geography of the region and the formation of the Namib Desert, delving into the myriad flora and fauna that have adapted to survive this harsh environment.
Once you’ve explored Sossusvlei, visit the white clay pan of Deadvlei, then step into the two-million-year-old Sesriem Canyon. Later, return to your luxury lodge for a well-deserved late lunch and the rest of your afternoon at leisure, by the pool or in the comfort of your room.
Savour breakfast in the shadow of sandy giants, then make your way back to Windhoek by way of the rugged Khomas Highland. Arrive by late afternoon, with time for a celebratory farewell dinner at your hotel, sharing stories about the grand safari you’ve undertaken.
After an invigorating adventure full of enriching encounters, it’s time to bid adieu to your Namibian nature escape. Enjoy one final breakfast, then transfer to Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) where your journey concludes.