Itinerary Type - Budget Safaris
Destination - Namibia

Itinerary Summary
Meet the Namib:the oldest desert in the world;Damaraland: where the largest free-roaming population of black rhino resides;Cape Cross: a bewildering cacophony of Cape fur seals; Etosha: a blinding whiteness that is home to a surprising variety of wildlife.This is an all-encompassing safari.

Days 1 & 2: Ongava Homestead, Etosha Region
Transfer by comfortable charter flight to Namibia’s big game country: Etosha and its environs. Here, the diverse and varied flora and fauna is brought to life in a variety of activities, from game walks to game drives and visits to hides on the property and into the famous Etosha National Park. Within Etosha we’ll also visit numerous perennial springs and pans, encountering lion, leopard, elephant and black rhino as well as plains game.

We stay the night at Ongava Homestead, a renovated old farmhouse, with en-suite bathrooms, and a farm kitchen overlooking its own waterhole, floodlit at night to watch nocturnal visitors, from the timid genet to big game such as elephant, lion, leopard and a host of antelope come to drink. Simple safari furnishings create a wonderful atmosphere in which to make friends and enjoy good company throughout the Exploration.

Days 3 & 4: Palmwag Adventurer Camp, Damaraland
After an early breakfast, we depart westwards by road in the direction of Palmwag concession. Here, on the concession and in the surrounding areas the desert-adapted elephant, the careful feeder and gentle giant of Damaraland thrives. Special activities include tracking and searching for this wonderful mammal on foot and by vehicle. In addition, our guides expose the sheer magnificence of nature’s survival strategies in this arid environment, through walks and game drives concentrating on a variety of topics from birds to insects, medicinal uses of plants and viewing wildlife. Our Adventurer campsite is set in a private setting with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and vast, wide-open landscape.

Day 5: Damaraland Camp, Damaraland
Departing early, we travel to Twyfelfontein where we take a guided walk via a number of routes, with local San (Bushman) people to view the petroglyphs - ancient rock etchings strewn over the rock face. After a quick stop at the “Burnt Mountain” a place where the mountainside glows as if on fire, when the red-orange shales catch the morning and evening sunlight. We end the journey at Damaraland Camp, set in the heart of the largest free-roaming population of the critically endangered black rhino on Earth. Damaraland Camp accommodates guests in 10 comfortable tented rooms, with en-suite facilities including flush toilets and showers with hot and cold running water.

The dining room and pub are combined under canvas, and an open fire is enjoyed on calm evenings. A feature of the camp is its unique rock pool. In the late afternoon, we search on foot or on a game drive for the black rhino, hoping to have a glimpse of this prehistoric-looking animal that survives today in these desolately beautiful areas.

Day 6: Beach Lodge, Swakopmund
We cross-country westwards and out of the concession along the ephemeral game-rich Ugab River, where we begin to encounter the extraordinary Welwitschia plants and “wandering lichen” en route to the life-filled Atlantic Ocean. Arriving at Cape Cross Seal colony, we make our way through the mass of life on the shore – including the only mainland-breeding site of Cape fur seals.

After relaxing over lunch at the Cape Cross restaurant, we make for Beach Lodge in the quaint “colonial style” town of Swakopmund, arriving in the late afternoon. Swakopmund is a wonderful town in which to end a safari after the experiences of the northern Namibian bush, with its unique urban atmosphere that is a vibrant combination of Africa and Europe. This quaint Bed & Breakfast is directly on the beach! Enjoy the magnificent view of the sea from each room, listen to the waves and smell the fresh sea breeze. Beach Lodge offers three double rooms and four 'family units', each with fully equipped kitchenette and en-suite bathrooms. Tonight we enjoy a braai (barbecue) while overlooking the roaring Atlantic Ocean.

Days 7 & 8: Aonin Dune Camp, Rooibank
After an early breakfast, we drive southwards to the Walvis Bay Lagoon. Here in a protected bay, many flamingos, pelicans and other waterfowl congregate. On the calm waters of the bay, we embark on a sea kayak trip, a spectacular activity that allows close approach to the avian inhabitants and their habitat and provide some unique photographic opportunities of birds flying low over the bay.

We enjoy a seafood lunch served on the beach and afterwards a short leisurely drive inland to the Aonin Dune Camp set under a large date palm oasis, providing welcome shade, sweet water and a special atmosphere. Its walk-in meru tents are situated under a date palm oasis, with spectacular views into the dune fields, wonderfully lit in the early mornings. While in the area, we enjoy walks into the spectacular dunes, environmental drives in the dry Kuiseb River and surrounding gravel plains and also have the opportunity to walk with the Topnaar community (seasonal) who are specialists at survival in this harsh environment.

Days 9 & 10: Kulala Adventurer Camp, Sossusvlei
After an early breakfast, we travel along the Kuiseb riverbed, past old mines, through the geologically interesting Kuiseb Canyon to the Kulala Adventurer Camp in our private Sossusvlei concession. Here we enjoy access to the Sossusvlei dunes, for walks in the immense moving sands of the Namib, game drives on our concession and stargazing. Photography in the early morning of the dunes is particularly stunning with rich reds and dark shadows completing the extraordinary vista that is the enormity of the Namib Desert.

Day 11: Transfer to Windhoek
After breakfast we transfer by road, including lunch overlooking the view of the plains below, to Windhoek and bid farewell to the adventure.