BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1 | Arrive in Windhoek | Galton House

Upon arrival in Windhoek, you will be met by our representative and transferred from the airport by road to your guest house, the Galton House. You will also be provided with everything you will need for your self-drive safari; from your accommodation vouchers to a map marked with your route and a full safari briefing. At the guest house you will also receive your rental vehicle (a 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser HJ 200 4x4 Station wagon) and receive a full vehicle briefing

Days 2 & 3 | Sossusvlei Region | Hoodia Desert Lodge

Today you'll depart Windhoek in your rental vehicle and drive onwards to arrive at Hoodia Desert Lodge, where you will stay for two nights while you explore the remarkable sights of the Namib Desert.  The rest of the afternoon is at leisure at Hoodia Desert Lodge to enjoy your scenic desert surroundings and relax by the pool. Lunch on arrival is included for you. At optional extra you can select to join a guided sundowner drive with Hoodia on their property.

On Day 3, you'll join a guide excursion into the Namib Naukluft National Park and the Sossusuvlei dunes.as arranged with Hoodia Desert Lodge. With the lodge’s guide and vehicle, you’ll enter the park at sunrise and capture the dunes while the light is soft and shadows accentuate the towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world.  You'll have plenty of time to hike among the giant dunes and learn about the ecology of the Namib Desert.

Day 4 & 5 | Swakopmund | The Delight

The fascinating drive today takes you northwest through awesome and ever changing desert landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park, including the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons. You will meet the coast at the port town of Walvis Bay, where you have the option to visit the lagoon to see the interesting mix of pelicans, flamingos and other sea-birds, before continuing north to Swakopmund where you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location and cooler coastal air. 

Spend exploring Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and surrounding areas. You may like to climb the coastal dunes at Langstrand or Dune 7, explore Swakopmund’s shops, cafe's, museums and waterfront, or partake in any of the adventure activities on offer such as sand-boarding, boat cruises, kayaking, and scenic flights (all at extra cost).

Days 6 & 7 | Damaraland | Mowani Mountain Camp

Today you continue your self-drive journey, passing Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg which peaks at 8500 ft above sea level, and take time to view game and absorb the vastness of the scenery along the way. Damaraland is typified by displays of color, magnificent table topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation.

During your stay you can join a guided excursion to search for desert adapted elephants, visit the rock art at Twyfelfontein, and explore the many geologic formations in the area.

Day 8 | Etosha National Park | Safarihoek Lodge

Today you continue on your self-drive safari and drive to the western edge Etosha and to the Safarihoek Lodge. You’ll spend the next 2 days exploring Etosha Park either in your own vehicle or on game drives with the lodge’s guides.  Etosha is a great park for self drives with many waterholes to watch game and an excellent network of gravel roads.

Days 9 & 10 | Etosha National Park | Onguma Tented Camp

Today you'll continue throught the Etosha National Park and explore and stop over at the various waterholes in the hope of experiencing some exciting wildlife sightings. You can have lunch (for own account) at any of the rest camps inside the park. After your arrival at Onguma the rest of the day is spent at your leisure (very often this is welcomed since you have spent most of the day in the vehicle game driving in the park). , and pay our respects to this great man.  The Wild Coast remains a relatively untouched paradise with unspoiled stretches of dramatically beautiful coastline, open spaces and pristine forest areas.  

Days 11 & 12 | Africat Foundation | Okonjima Bush Camp

After breakfast and freshening up you will depart Etosha and make your way to Okonjima located at the base of the Omboroko Mountains near Waterberg. You will arrive at Okonjima Bush Camp in time for lunch. Here you can enjoy the welcoming atmosphere, superb accommodation and fantastic activities; starting with a guided afternoon excursion.  

The AfriCat Foundation is a wildlife sanctuary founded in 1991 that is dedicated to creating conservation awareness, preserving habitat, promoting environmental educational research of Africa's big cats. Activities include leopard tracking by vehicle, a visit to the cheetah welfare project, large carnivore tracking on foot including cheetahs, wild dogs and spotted hyenas, participation in the fun bushman trail and various self-guided walking trails.

Day 13 | Depart for Windhoek

You will rise early this morning for another memorable guided activity before you return to Bush Camp for a sumptuous breakfast. After freshening up you will depart for Windhoek in the late morning, via the town of Okahandja, to arrive back in Windhoek in the mid afternoon. If time allows, you will have the option to visit the Woodcarvers Craft Market in Okahandja for some last minute curio shopping before continuing on to Windhoek. Upon your arrival in Windhoek you return your rental vehicle, in time for your ongoing international flight back home.  We can arrange accommodation in Windhoek if you’d prefer to spend the night in Windhoek and catch your flight the following day.

As this is a customized itinerary, there are no set departure dates for this safari. Simply let us know the dates you'd like to travel and we'll check on availability. If some of the lodges in the itinerary are full we can find alternatives, though this may change the rate.

Galton House is Windhoek's newest accommodation establishment. Named after the famous explorer Sir Francis Galton, it has a relaxed but efficient style which creates a very welcoming atmosphere. Impressive wildlife photography adorns the walls whilst the rest of the interior is a combination of modern minimalistic and understated chic.

A mere ten minute drive from the centre of town guests staying here will be ensured of peace and tranquillity. There is Wi-Fi throughout the property and the eight guest rooms all have wired internet connectivity and satellite television. There is a coffee/tea station available in the reception area and these can also be provided in the rooms on request. The communal areas consist of a large lounge, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a swimming pool, an early arrival/late departure day room (including toilet, shower, changing and re-packing facility) as well as understated garden areas.

Hoodia Desert Lodge lies nestled on the banks of the Tsauchab River, overlooked by the impressive Naukluft Mountains. The lodge offers comfortable accommodation in tented, thatched bungalows equipped with a private open-air bathroom, air-conditioning, minibar, tea / coffee station and a shaded balcony. The lodge restaurant serves excellent traditional and international cuisine accompanied by a wide selection of South African wines from the underground wine cellar. A wooden walkway leads you to a refreshing swimming pool sculpted into natural rock.

The Delight opened its doors in 2015 and offers 54 colorfully designed rooms with en-suite bathrooms. The hotel is located in the city center of Swakopmund and is in close walking distance to the famous Mole (a little beach directly in Swakopmund), museums, restaurants, and book stores. All rooms come with air-conditioning, tea and coffee facilities, fridge, hairdryer and a safe. The hotel has a charming and airy breakfast dining room that is known for its delicious signature morning buffet. In the evening, guests can relax with a cocktail at the bar. 

Mowani Mountain Camp is ideally located a short drive from the local attractions in the Damaraland area. The Camp is nestled among giant granite boulders, overlooking the ephemeral Aba Huab riverbed where desert adapted elephants often traverse. The thatch dome-shape structures echo the shape of the rough textured granite boulders amongst which they are built, a theme complemented by African wood carvings and artifacts. Mowani’s main complex consists of a reception area, bar, spacious alfresco dining room and lounge overlooking a waterhole with an inviting fireplace nearby to relax beside in the evenings. A refreshing swimming pool and fantastic sundowner viewpoint with its own bar also complement the Camp. Guests are accommodated in luxury en suite rooms with rock and canvas walls and thatched roofs that are built on raised wooden platforms, each with a private verandah and splendid views over the Aba Huab valley.

Onguma Tented Camp has seven luxury en suite tents built using textures such as stone, suede, linen and steel which create a setting that is sleek and modern, but also inherently of the earth. Each tent overlooks the nearby waterhole. The main complex, also overlooking the waterhole, includes a reception area, lounge, wine cellar, bar, dining room, and swimming pool. Onguma Tented Camp is exquisitely styled for the more exclusive safari experience. Zebra, giraffe, lion, a variety of antelope and superb birdlife will accompany you during your stay.

Okonjima Bush Camp The elegant Luxury Bush Camp is situated within the 2 000-ha enclosed wilderness area of Okonjima Nature Reserve.  Each of the 8 chalets has large glass panels and canvas windows that can be completely opened for unrestricted views of the savannah that offers a truly magical African bush experience. A semi-detached lounge area complete with a minibar, tea/coffee station has ample space to relax, and offers panoramic views of the natural surrounds.

INCLUDED

• Accommodation as stated above.
• Vehicle hire of one Toyota Landcruiser HJ200 4x4 station wagon on super excess cover
• Excursions as described in above itinerary as offered by specified lodges
• Meals stipulated above.
• Airport transfers between hotel, Windhoek International Airport and hotel on the first day of the safari
• Welcome pack.

EXCLUDED

• International flights to Namibia and airport taxes.
• Any meals not included in the above itinerary.
• Fuel and N$ 2000 refundable deposit & another N$2000 credit card fee payable & refunded to clients for rental vehicle
• All national park and other entrance fees, as well as all guided and optional excursions or activities (other than shown as included in itinerary).
• All beverages not specified in itinerary
• Laundry (lavailable at lodges at extra cost).
• Items of personal nature.
• Entry Visa fees.
• Travel Insurance.

PAYMENT: A non-refundable, 20% deposit is required to confirm booking.  Balance is due 7 weeks before departure.  Safari rate can change based on currency fluctuations and we reserve the right to change the rate accordingly.  Rate will be locked in upon confirmation.

Other terms & conditions apply.