Wildlife & Dunes of Namibia

We arrive in Windhoek and are joined by our without-flight guests. We’ll enjoy an afternoon city tour of Windhoek, the vibrant heart of Namibia. Discover the unique blend of tradition and modernity that makes Windhoek a must-see destination. Later, we’ll enjoy dinner at Windhoek's famous restaurant, Joe's Beerhouse.

After breakfast we’ll travel into the majestic Namib Desert of Namibia. We’ll arrive at our lodge and have some time to settle in before heading out to enjoy a sundowner drive in the Petrified Dunes. Discover the fossilised dunes, the red dunes above the plateau and the many wonders of the Namib Desert on this guided drive around the Gondwana Namib Park. 

This morning, we’ll rise early to explore the breathtaking beauty of Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, and Sesriem Canyon, where the stunning red dunes, surreal white clay pans, and dramatic rock formations create a mesmerizing and unforgettable landscape. We transfer to Dune Star Camp situated at the top of ancient dunes overlooking the vast Namib desert. This eco-fiendly intimate camp has beds designed to be wheeled out for an unforgettable night under the stars.

Enjoy the stillness of the morning with a sunrise walk over the dunes. Return to the camp for breakfast and then head to the town of Solitaire on the edge of the Namib Naukluft National Park. We stop at a small bakery founded by Percy 'Moose' McGregor a Scottish adventurer who included a German apple pie in his range of baked goods. His pie and warm welcome quickly caught on and visitors come from near and far to sample his famous pie. Who would have thought you would find a favourite humble dessert in the middle of Namibia. From here we continue our drive through spectacular scenery to our next accommodation, the Rostock Ritz lodge. Relax by the pool and watch the sun go down or join the guide for a 2-hour sundowner drive. Look out for mountain zebra, ostrich, and oryx.  

Later in the evening, you will have the option of going on a walk with your guide which offers a glimpse into the nocturnal theatre of this unique eco-system. Most of the animals in the Namib can only be observed after dark.

After breakfast, we depart for the coastal town of Swakopmund, where we'll be staying for the next two nights. The valleys of the Swakop River form an otherworldly landscape and is likened to the moon's surface. It came into existence as the river cut through the softer surface deposits. These soft materials were laid down some 460 million years ago when the area's climate was wet.  After checking into our hotel we will head out for dinner in one of the local restaurants. 

Today we visit Walvis Bay Lagoon and join one of the catamarans for a marine cruise. We hope to spot dolphins, whales, turtles, seals and mola mola (sunfish). Our initial route takes us past oyster farms as we approach Pelican Point with its landmark lighthouse and 60,000 resident Cape Fur Seals. On the south side of Walvis Bay is a great lagoon that attracts tens of thousands of birds, including many flamingos. The lagoon, salt pans and the bird sanctuary which form the Walvis Bay Wetlands are one of the most important coastal wetlands of southern Africa. Tea and coffee is served on board. Following our marine adventure the afternoon is at leisure.

Today we leave the coast and continue further into the Erongo region. In the afternoon we will enjoy a guided 'sundowner' walk, an invigorating hike up a granite hill, situated close to Ai-Aiba Lodge. Here we can relax and enjoy a cold ‘sundowner’ drink while watching the sunset over spectacular views of the Erongo Mountains.

We will spend the morning on a bush walk to the Living Museum of the San, where we will learn about the traditional culture and lifestyle of the San people - the oldest surviving indigenous hunter-gatherer community in southern Africa. We’ll watch demonstrations of traditional survival techniques including tracking, fire lighting, and foraging. The walk lasts approximately 3 hours, then your afternoon is at leisure.

Travel across the wide-open plains of the Damaraland to the dry riverbed of the Uniab River, well known for regular desert elephant sightings. Visit Ozohere for the Himba Village Visit, Rock Engravings and the Damara Living museum. Check into our lodge and enjoy the surroundings at leisure. 

Discover the smaller native wildlife on a morning hike led by a knowledgeable local guide. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive as we search for elephants, the rare black rhino, giraffes, zebras, gemsbok, and other native animals.

Leaving Damaraland behind our journey takes us to the vast salt pans and diverse wildlife of the Etosha National Park. Etosha is widely considered to be one of the best national parks in the world due to its strategically placed waterholes that provide for incredible wildlife viewing.  Tomorrow we will spend the day  in the park on our private safari. 

Full Day in Etosha National Park with our own guide and private vehicles. Once we pass the park gates, we will be on the watch for wildlife, stopping whenever they are close - we may even have to stop while they cross the road in front of us - wildlife has the right of way! Stop at one of the park restaurants for lunch (not included) and enjoy sharing photographs from the safari. Return to the lodge and relax 

After breakfast we depart for Otjiwarongo in the Waterberg region. On the way we visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund. The CCF works to develop best practices that benefit the entire ecosystem upon which the cheetah depends. This beautiful big cat is under threat of extinction in the wild. Once widespread in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and into central India they now only inhabit  10% of their original range.  We will see the CCFs Ambassador Cheetahs while learning about the programs that address the concerns for wildlife populations and the human communities that share the landscape.  Settle into your chalet overlooking a waterhole at our lodge for the next two nights.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and morning.  This afternoon take a guided walk to see all that Otjiwa has to offer.  With all that Otjiwa has to offer, you can definitely enjoy it on foot. From the smallest insects to the largest antelope, walking through nature will definitely show you all its secrets. With our guides knowing nature like the back of their hands, they can tell you all there is to know about the Namibian wildlife.

After breakfast we travel back to our starting point Windhoek. Time permitting, en-route we may stop at the famous wood carvers' market in Okahandja or the craft market in the main street in Windhoek to pick up a last few souvenir. Afterwards the group will travel on to the Windhoek International Airport where the tour ends for our without-flight guests and it is time to say goodbye to your guide. Flight guests will check-in for their return journey home.

With-flight guests arrive back in the UK