Namibia Unearthed

Arrive into Windhoek to a warm Namibian welcome and transfer privately to your lodge. Begin your Namibian safari with a game drive to explore the private conservancy. Perched on a rocky ridge over 123,000 acres of rolling plains and wildlife, Habitas Namibia offers understated luxury with sweeping panoramic views of the landscape.

Habitas Namibia | Meals: D

Take a shared light aircraft to majestic Sossusvlei in the Namib desert where the Little Kulala lodge awaits. This afternoon, see the desert come alive on guided nature walks and drives, e-bikes, or low-impact quad bikes. Finish the day with a cooling dip in the private plunge pool followed by sundowners and dining under the stars.

Little Kulala | Meals: BLD

Rise early and venture into the remote and dramatic Namib Naukluft National Park to capture the dunes while the light is soft. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world, and as the sun rises, photo-worthy shadows highlight the undulating curves. Listen in as your local guide imparts ancient knowledge of the desert, and the unexpected wildlife and plants that have adapted to its harsh conditions. If you’re feeling active, climb the 300-metre red dunes and gaze upon the famed Namib Sand Sea World Heritage site, Dead Vlei.

Once you have explored the dunes, enjoy a relaxing picnic breakfast under the shade of a camel thorn tree, and look out for herds of oryx running across the sands. Return to the lodge in the early afternoon for a late lunch, stopping off to view the cool depths of Sesriem Canyon along the way. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure, or you may like to enjoy another guided excursion in the reserve.

Little Kulala | Meals: BLD

Fly to Swakopmund. With its half-timbered German architecture, seaside promenades and pervasive Gemütlichkeit, Swakopmund can feel like a holiday town along Germany’s North Sea and Baltic coasts. On arrival, transfer privately to your seaside hotel. This afternoon head out on a short city tour and appreciate the quirky architecture, the Woermann House, Atlas House, and the Lutheran church, and a stroll around the city centre.

Strand Hotel | Meals: B

This morning transfer to nearby Walvis Bay and set out on a catamaran cruise in search of iconic marine life — whale, dolphin, Mola Mola, leatherback turtle and seal. Sail to Pelican Point with its landmark lighthouse and 60,000 resident Cape fur seals — one may even jump aboard the boat. Keep an eye out for larger mammals, such as the southern right and humpback whale, the grey whale and the pygmy right whale. Dolphins are easiest to spot from August to October, and whales from July to November.

Jump off onto the beach, where a sumptuous Beach Braai (barbeque) awaits. Feast on Namibian crayfish, freshly shucked oysters and beef fillet as you enjoy views across the ocean. This afternoon, explore Sandwich Harbour and UNESCO World Heritage site Namib Sand Sea on an exhilarating 4x4 excursion before returning back to Swakopmund.

Strand Hotel | Meals: BL

Today fly north and inland to wonderful and diverse Damaraland to visit a local Himba settlement. The Himba are one of the last Namibian tribes with proud customs and traditions. Gain a humbling insight into their extraordinary unchanged way of life. Settle in for a night of delicious dining at Onduli Ridge, so named after the area’s resident giraffe. Tonight, perhaps roll your king bed out onto the deck and fall asleep under the watchful gaze of the solar system.

Onduli Ridge | Meals: BLD

After breakfast scour the river valleys in a 4x4 searching for game. Your guide will share their intimate knowledge while local villagers welcome you. One of the most underrated wildlife-watching areas, and one of Namibia's last ‘unofficial’ wildlife regions, this area is home to critically endangered black rhino, desert-adapted lion and elephant, as well as endemic gemsbok, zebra, giraffe and spotted hyena. Next brace for an extraordinary viewing at Twyfelfontein. Hidden in the rocky clefts of Damaraland is UNESCO World Heritage site Twyfelfontein, which contains the largest concentrations of petroglyphs in Africa. There's even a petrified forest nearby, as well as palm-fringed, oasis-like valleys. The impressive rock art galleries depict a vast array of wild animals and footprints. This evening, enjoy sundowners as you toast to another spectacular Namibian sunset.

Onduli Ridge | Meals: BLD

This morning, meet your driver guide who will transfer you by road to the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve adjoining Etosha National Park — Namibia’s premier wildlife destination.

Embark on a guided afternoon nature drive on the Ongava Reserve. The massive conservancy offers visitors the perfect escape into the Namibian bush with fascinating insights into the research projects and conservancy efforts that are helping to preserve the area’s iconic species. After your game drive, settle into your luxurious accommodation.

Anderssons at Ongava | Meals: BLD

Set off early for a full-day game drive through Etosha National Park exploring refreshing waterholes along the way and stopping enroute for a picnic lunch. Large herds of game concentrate around the waterholes in the dry season, while summer’s sporadic rainfall produces a profusion of new life, with prancing baby springbok and comical young wildebeest.

This afternoon, arrive at the Onguma Private Game Reserve and the exclusive Onguma Camp Kala offering panoramic views over a busy waterhole with game viewing from every angle. Then, perhaps relax in your woodfired hot-tub surrounded by the haunting sounds of the desert.

Onguma Camp Kala | Meals: BLD

Today explore the eastern side of Etosha with a morning game drive, which is expertly guided to find the very best vantage points for sightings and photography. The pan provides a great silver-white backdrop of shimmering mirages in an area of semi-arid savannah and thornscrub. There are close to 114 species, including black-faced impala, and the endangered black and white rhino.

The Onguma Private Reserve boasts over thirty different animal species including kudu, giraffe, eland, oryx, hartebeest, zebra, and impala, as well as predators such as lion, cheetah and leopard. There are also more than 300 bird species and during the Namibian summer months the reserve becomes a bird-watcher's paradise with thousands of species migrating to the wetlands.

Onguma Camp Kala | Meals: BLD

Your journey heads south by road this morning to Okonjima Nature Reserve and Okonjima Bush Camp. Okonjima Nature Reserve is home to the Africat Foundation whose mission has been to try and ensure the survival of Namibia’s predators in their natural habitat. Okonjima is one of the premier places to witness endangered species like the aardvark, pangolin and brown hyaena in the wild while being educated about conservation.

On arrival, your guide from Okonjima will discuss your program for the next two days. There are numerous activities to choose from including leopard tracking, an endangered species nature drive, game drives and a visit to the AfricCat Carnivore Care Centre where you will learn how the AfriCat Foundation was born. You may also enjoy exhilarating night drives, rhino tracking on foot and pangolin tracking on foot (additional cost applies).

Settle into your safari chalet amidst the pristine wilderness. Take some time to learn about the leopard research and conservation efforts, or simply relax in your luxurious tented room, and lose yourself in the wilderness that surrounds you.

Okonjima Luxury Bush Camp | Meals: BLD

Spend the day exploring the reserve with your choice of activities.

Okonjima Luxury Bush Camp | Meals: BLD

Transfer back to Windhoek International Airport for your onward flight.

Meals: B