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The Ultimate Namibia Safari

You could spend a lifetime exploring Namibia. Here we've assembled the highlights in the 16-day Namibia Highlights Safari – a journey of fascinating discovery that includes the Sossusvlei in the Namib-Naukluft Park, the Skeleton Coast, Damaraland and Etosha National Park.
 
The Namib Desert covers the entire Namibian coastline of over 1,500km and sweeps up to 200km inland. It is the planet's oldest desert and has an astonishing diversity of landscapes and habitats including the Great Sand Sea of Sossusvlei and the surreal Skeleton Coast north of Swakopmund.

 
Damaraland's scenic rocky outcrops and sandy riverbeds form a vast undulating landscape that shelters a variety of desert-adapted wildlife including elephant, rhino, lion and some rather hardy plains game.

 
Etosha National Park’s plains game come to drink during the middle of the day when predators are most lethargic; thus it's not uncommon to have a collage of several different species in the same frame. Lions, elephants and several endemic species of antelope and birds - including 46 raptors - add to the game viewing excitement.

Itinerary at a Glance

BB:  bed & breakfast     DBB: dinner, bed & breakfast      FB: all meals    FI: fully inclusive of meals and activities

Day 1    Windhoek - Olive Grove Guest House    BB - Luxury Room

You will be met by your guide on arrival in Windhoek and handed your travel documents.
City tour of Windhoek (if time permits). The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing at your own leisure.  For dinner tonight, you can head into town for a bite to eat at one of Windhoek's well known restaurants. Overnight at the Olive Grove Guest House on a Bed and Breakfast Basis.

Day 2    Namib Desert    Le Mirage Desert Lodge    DBB – Oasis Room
Windhoek – Sossusvlei              350km - approximately 5 to 6 hours

After breakfast, you can still pop into town for anything you might need and then depart heading south from Windhoek to your lodge for the next 2 nights. The route will take you either via the beautiful Spreetshoogte or Remhoogte Pass, both showcasing the natural beauty of Namibia.

Le Mirage Resort & Spa is one of the most unique establishments in the Sossusvlei area. It is situated at 21 km from the Sesriem gate to Sossusvlei. This makes it one of the lodges closest to the Sossusvlei and the ideal place to stay when you want to visit the highest dunes in the world! The lodge is just near enough to Sossusvlei to be convenient but far enough away to avoid the crowds and touristy feeling!

Day 3 - Sossusvlei Dunes and Sesriem Canyon

Wake up early for breakfast (Day 3) and then head to the entrance to Sossusvlei, the Sesriem Gate. Spend the whole day in the beautiful Sossusvlei area, exploring the highlights: Sossusvlei,  Dead Vlei, Dune 45, Big Daddy, Elim Dune and the Sesriem Canyon. Return to the lodge for lunch or arrange a lunch pack to enjoy in the dunes and return late afternoon for a well-earned rest.

Optional extra activities: Hot air balloon safari, Nature drives

The architecture of this lodge is incredibly striking. Styled like an Arabian castle, it does really seem like a mirage in the Namibian desert. Le Mirage blends in beautifully with its natural surroundings, and each of the rooms offers sweeping views of the vast Namib Desert. The building’s dark stone contrasts with the room’s crisp white linen and, coupled with the extensive mosquito nets and in-suite open plan bathrooms, makes for a luxurious and relaxing stay.

Meals at le Mirage are absolutely out of this world. Being the owner of a travel business, I  have stayed at may classy and luxury lodges, but I can honestly say, that of ALL the lodges I have stayed at, the food here was the best ever!

Days 4 and 5     Swakopmund    Swakopmund Luxury Suites    BB Luxury Room
Sossusvlei - Swakopmund          350km - approximately 5 to 6 hours

Depart after breakfast and head north to Solitaire, then west crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, through the Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons via the Namib Gravel Plains to the coast.

Travel either via Walvis Bay to Swakopmund, or (recommended) detour via Ganab to the Welwitschia Plains and Moon Landscape. The Namibian coastline is generally known as The Skeleton Coast due to the barren areas, shipwrecks and, in days gone by, whale skeletons left on the beach.

1 full day is set aside for this lovely area where Swakopmund and Walvis Bay offer a wide range of activities such as: Dolphin cruise, Sandwich Harbour excursion (a real Skeleton Coast experience), Dune quad biking, Sand boarding, Sea kayaking, Lots more…

Lunches and dinners can be enjoyed at a cafe or restaurant overlooking the sea

Days 6 - 8      Damaraland    Mowani Mountain Camp    DBB - Standard View Room
Swakopmund – Damaraland        445km - approximately 7 to 8 hours

Head north along the Skeleton Coast, via Henties Bay to visit the Cape Cross seal colony. Along the way, stop at the Lichen Fields as well as the ship wreck between the colourful small town of Wlotskasbaken and Henties Bay. Backtrack to Henties Bay and head inland through wide open plains to Uis, then north to the Twyfelfontein area.

Between the Ugab and Huab Rivers in Southern Damaraland lies a vast and unspoilt wilderness. This area boasts magnificent desert scenery, fascinating geological formations, archaeological sites and a unique variety of desert fauna and flora.

It's also the Southernmost roaming ground for the rare black rhino and desert elephant. This is where you will find the Twyfelfontein Conservancy and the Mowani Mountain Camp.

Mowani is taken from the word M'Wane, meaning "Place of God", and it is here, that you will find the true meaning of peace and tranquility. Mowani Mountain Camp nestles amongst the boulders of this beautiful area on a high spot commanding distant views over the ancient landscape.

The luxury accommodation is built unobtrusively, so as to ensure minimum impact on the natural environment. The stilt-like supports of the tents ensure that very little excavation was needed in order to create this special oasis. Much care has been taken with the design of the public areas, creating the impression of an African Village, with dome-like thatched structures that blend in with the imposing boulders which are scattered around the outcrops. Even in the heart of this desert, no efforts were spared to ensure luxury, adventure and relaxation for the visitor...

Visit to Namibia's Open Air Museum, the Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings as well as the interesting Organ Pipes rock formations and Burnt Mountain.

Staying at Mowani, a traveller can easily join in an excursion to explore the prolific site of Twyfelfontein. Twyfelfontein is a rare example of paintings and engravings occurring at the same site. This wonderful archaeological site offers more than 2,500 engravings as well as various paintings, and is probably the finest example of rock engraving in southern Africa.

 

Take a drive with your guide, west (4x4 needed) to the Huab River to look for the desert adapted elephants as well as other game such as oryx, springbok, ostrich and lots more.

Visit the Damara Living Museum for a hint of Damara culture.

9 - 11    Etosha National Park    Anderssons at Ongava    DBB
Damaraland – Etosha (south)      325km - approximately 4 to 5 hours

After breakfast, drive east towards Khorixas stopping at the Petrified Forest en-route.

From Khorixas head further east along the tar road to Outjo and then north to your lodge which is situated very close to the southern entrance of Etosha, the Anderson Gate. If time permits, enter Etosha for an afternoon game drive. Depending on how often you stop today, you should arrive at your lodge in time for lunch (optional extra).

Re-opened in April 2019, Anderssons At Ongava is now one of our top choices among the properties on the private Ongava Reserve (see end note). Spacious and elegant, the perfect respite. Inspired design and complete luxury, this eco-friendly lodge is cutting edge yet modest giving you a special experience with all the added extras, while still making you feel at home. And what’s more? You have the very best opportunities for wildlife viewing from your suite, the sunken observation deck, infinity swimming pool or photographic hide at eye level to the waterhole.

180 degree panoramic views. This is a sanctuary in the African bush, just outside the southern entrance gates of Etosha National Park, so close in fact, this is where it gets its name. Merged with the surrounds, the idea here is to be one with nature - not entirely novel but a commendable ethos nonetheless. The décor of stone and natural elements, with a neutral palette reiterate the connection with the wilderness around you. The suites almost open up completely to the bush. Just to take it all in. Birding, flora, hiking, nature, star gazing, wildlife and relaxation. The perfect place to enjoy it all in style and contemporary grandeur. Words simply cannot do it justice.

On entering the park, the first stop would be Okaukuejo where you pay your entry fee (included) and I suggest you pop in at the local shop to purchase some drinks and snacks and most importantly, a map of Etosha which will show you all the waterholes along the way. Etosha is one of Africa's great game parks. With 114 species of mammal and 340 species of birds you are sure to see a great variety of wildlife on your safari

Days 12 - 14  Etosha National Park    Onguma The Fort    DBB
Etosha (South) to Etosha (East)  - A full days game drive through the park

From one side to the other side of the park is a full day game drive as you drive slowly east stopping at numerous waterholes along the way
Take a slow drive in the morning and ending for lunch at the Halali Resort which is half way between Okaukuejo and the eastern exit gate or take a picnic lunch along and stop off at a waterhole.

2 full days are set aside for game viewing, either all day or alternate with morning and afternoon guided drives

Onguma Game Reserve is situated on the eastern side of Etosha Park in Namibia, bordering Fischer’s Pan. The Fort at Onguma is set on this 20 000 ha nature reserve which boasts over thirty different animal species. Predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard are common residents of the area. The latest addition to the already abundant wildlife at Onguma Nature Reserve is a family of black rhinos!

The Fort is unique. Massive raw walls, stunning stone clad features and a huge tower with views toward Etosha and Fisher's Pan offers the best sunset views in the whole of Namibia! The Fort has an African feel like no other! Moroccan and Indian flavours combine perfectly with the selection of beautiful antique windows and doors. A courtyard and large water feature will refresh the senses. Across the courtyard is a spacious beautifully decorated lounge and open air dining room. A large wooden deck leads outside, with scattered romantic seating spaces, in full view of the waterhole.
 

Spend your days Touring the Etosha National Park in search of wildlife, or sit on the deck and wait for it to come to you - the fort is located in view of a waterhole where you'll see giraffe, lion, zebra, birds, and more. At the end of your day, relax in the open air dining room or around the lantern-lit pool.

Finally, curl up in a lounger still warm from the sun, and take in the main show: camel thorn trees silhouetted against a sky alight with every color imaginable.

Etosha - Windhoek    180km - approximately 4-5 hours

After an optional extra activity you will head south on the B1 towards Okahandja. Here you can stop to view the wood carvers market before continuing to Windhoek and your accommodation.

You can ask your guide or guesthouse to assist with booking dinner at one of the many restaurants in town. Overnight at the Olive Grove Guest House on a Bed and Breakfast Basis.

Day 16    Windhoek - Depart

After breakfast your guide will drop you at the airport in time for your departure flight (Keep in mind that you need to be at the airport 2 hours prior and the airport is still a 45 minute to 1 hour drive from town)

End of services.

Includes

·         Accommodation as indicated - can change depending on availability and request at time of booking
·         Meals as indicated
·         Car hire as per picture below for 2 & 4 pax - for 6 pax the vehicle is slightly larger
·         All vehicle costs including fuel
·         All park entry fees
·         Guide and guide costs
·         Water in the vehicle at all times
·         Activities as shown in the itinerary … all activities that can be done with NTS guide and vehicle are included
·         Tour file with detailed itinerary, map with route descriptions, vouchers etc.
·         24 hour personal and friendly support
·         Fast and efficient response to service providers
 
 
Vehicle Hire as Included

Suggested vehicle type:                      
4X4 Safari Converted Vehicle

Excludes

·         Items of a personal nature
·         Optional extra activities
·         International flights
·         Holiday or personal insurance
·         Staff gratuities
·         Visas and visa applications

COSTS:

Number of Guests	2	4	6
1st March – 30th June 2020 – Low Season
Cost per person sharing Single supplement	USD9,978 USD2,406	USD7,875	USD7,226
1st July – 30th September 2020 – High Season
Cost per person sharing Single supplement	USD10,943 USD2,508	USD8,697	USD8,050