An activity-filled tour that is also exclusive, extensive, and varied

Synopsis Itinerary

Days 1 & 2: Begin your tour in Windhoek. Activities could include various tours; visiting craft centres; browsing the stores and bookshops; and relaxing with a coffee or a beer at a cafe in or just off Independence Avenue, absorbing the ambience of Namibia. Accommodation will either be at Olive Grove Guest House, a new upmarket establishment, or at Hotel Heinitzburg, which is located in one of Windhoek's historical ‘castles’ with fine views over the city and the mountains to the south and west.

Days 3, 4, and 5: You will fly south-west from Windhoek and will be based at the privately owned NamibRand Nature Reserve, which is 184 000 hectares in extent. One of the major attractions in the area – in fact, one of Namibia’s premier tourism destinations – is Sossusvlei with its famous red dunes, reputed to be amongst the highest in the world. Activities begin with a 4X4 vehicle excursion to Sossusvlei. Hot-air ballooning over the Namib Desert is another ‘must’ in this area. Game drives are also popular. In the cool of morning and evening, the resident naturalist will take you in open 4X4 vehicles to explore the wide grass plains, fossilised sand dunes, and dune belts of the reserve. There are also rides on all-terrain motorcycles. Accommodation will be at Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge, which has ten stone and glass desert suites, sophisticated and spacious, that are designed to capture the splendour and solitude of the desert. The lodge is located at the foot of a mountain that fronts an expansive grass plain that leads into a sea of orange sand dunes.

Days 6 & 7: The next two nights, with a half day on either side, will be spent nearby, hiking with Tok Tokkie Trails. This is a guided walk, high on interest and information, with no more than 6 or 7 participants per walk. The two nights on the trail are spent in the open, but in comfortable conditions with catered meals. Hikers experience a great variety of natural conditions, from mountainous terrain to sandy dunes. Walking is conducted at a leisurely pace and does not normally exceed 10 kms a day. The hikers do not carry their packs, as these are ferried ahead to the overnight camping places.

Days 8, 9, & 10: At mid-day you fly to Swakopmund, Namibia’s premier holiday resort. With its German-era buildings and misty climate, Swakopmund encourages gentle pursuits. However, the town is also the springboard for a host of other sights and more energetic activities, such as a day trip down the beach in a 4X4 vehicle to the coastal wetlands at Sandwich Bay. In addition, there is ample opportunity for both deep-sea and shore-based fishing. Many visitors take the interesting cruise from Walvis Bay to view marine life such as dolphins and seals, as well as the rich bird life, which includes flamingos and pelicans. This can be followed by a relaxed drive along the coast to view the teeming onshore seal colony at Cape Cross. Accommodation will be at the Hansa Hotel, one of Namibia’s oldest and finest establishments.

Days 10 & 11: Your next destination is Palmwag Rhino Camp, a luxurious mobile camp that is operated in conjunction with the Save the Rhino Trust in the private Palmwag area of rugged northern Damaraland. With more than 450,000 hectares at its disposal, the camp offers a comprehensive insight into the ecology and conservation of this singular area . Activities include rhino tracking on foot or by vehicle, night drives, and full day outings (with a picnic lunches) on the concession, which supports a healthy population of the renowned desert-adapted black rhino and elephant. Bird life is prolific and diverse. There is also the possibility of a visit to a community of the Himba, a people who have retained an ancient lifestyle. Accommodation is at Palmwag Rhino Camp, with its classical, luxurious, en-suite ‘meru-style’ tents. A unique feature of this camp is that it can easily be shifted to follow game movements.

Days 12 & 13: Today you fly to Namibia's northern border on the Kunene, a great African river, supporting lush tropical growth even as it flows through remote and rocky ravines. Your camp is located on the river, just inland from the Atlantic Ocean and the Skeleton Coast. You will revel in breath-taking scenery in the Hartmann Valley, with its herds of springbok, ostrich and even leopard. Guests enjoy traversing sand dunes on 4x4 safaris as well as boating on the Kunene River, taking in the rich riverine life and watching crocodiles basking on the river banks. Cafema is often visited by Himba families who live nearby, which gives guests the opportunity to become acquainted with their lifestyles and traditions. Situated in an isolated location on the banks of the Kunene River, the exclusive Sera Cafema Camp is one of the most isolated lodges in Southern Africa - in fact, it is only acccessible by light aircraft. Guests are accommodated in six fully furnished Meru tents with en-suite bathroom facilities.

Days 14, 15 & 16: Flying southwards, your destination is Epacha, a private game reserve of 27000 hectares that shares a boundary with Namibia’s premier tourism destination, Etosha National Park. Although one of the major attractions is a guided tour into the national park, guests also enjoy game drives within the extensive Epacha reserve. Unlike Etosha, here it is possible to take night game drives. Guests can also enjoy horse trails, clay pigeon shooting, and quad biking. Last but by no means least, you can benefit from a fully equipped spa. Accommodation is at Eagle Tented Lodge and Spa, a luxury lodge that is built from natural rock with thatched roofs. This exclusive establishment has eight luxury canvas tents, each with spacious en-suite facilities and a private raised wooden balcony.

Alternative accommodation: For an even more exclusive experience at Epacha, why not stay at the Royal Impala Lodge? This private villa is fully butler serviced and consists of 4 VIP rooms and a family unit. It is the ideal option for small parties and VIP dignitaries who require privacy and personalised service.

Days 17 & 18: Flying further southwards, you head for Okonjima, home of the highly reputed Africat Foundation, which has led the initiative to preserve cheetahs in the wild. here, guests can learn more about the Foundation and meet some of the cheetahs, as well as accompany guides as they monitor the progress of the cheetahs in the rehabilitation camp. In addition, wild leopards are fed every night and guests can observe these elusive predators from the safety of a hide. Okonjima is also the site of a leopard monitoring project. Other activities include viewing the tame lions, enjoying walks and trails, observing game from a night hide, and bird-watching. Accommodation is at Okonjima Bush Camp, which is situated in a wilderness area approximately 3 kilometres from the main camp and has eight luxury thatched chalets.

Day 19: Today you return to Windhoek, where you can relax and reflect on your trip with a stay at Gocheganas Lodge, Nature Reserve, and Wellness Village, which is an easy 30-minute drive from Windhoek. While enjoying the luxurious chalets with their fine views over the nature reserve and the hills of the central highlands, you can benefit from all the facilities of this fully equipped and professional wellness centre.

Optional 4-day, 3-night extension to your Adventure Experience: Why not add to your Namibian pleasure and excitement by enjoying a fly-in safari to the Skeleton Coast, one of the most beautiful, isolated, and rugged areas in the world? On the first morning, after leaving Windhoek the flight follows the Skeleton Coast from Conception Bay to the Huab Valley. On the second day, the flight continues up the coast as far as the Hoarusib Valley and on the third day as far as the Kunene River, the remote northern border of Namibia. The fly-in safari ends in Windhoek on the fourth day, arriving just before sunset.