Countries: Namibia
Destinations: Windhoek , Namib Desert , Swakopmund , Damaraland , Etosha National Park , Okonjima Game Reserve
Group Size: 0
Duration (days): 15
Number of Adults: 0
Number of Children: 0
A 15 day self-drive safari encompassing some of the very best areas of Namibia. The red sand dunes of The Namib Desert, Swakopmund, Damaraland, Etosha and the big cat rehabilitation centre of Okonjima.
Itinerary Outline
Day 1 : Windhoek
We will have your rental vehicle prepared and waiting for you upon your arrival at Windhoek International Airport. Afterward, you can spend the remainder of the day exploring the city or resting after your flight.
Out-of-this-world landscapes and panoramas make Namibia a photographer's dream destination. While not as much of a wildlife destination as other countries, Namibia makes up for this with phenomenal scenery, cultures and activities.
Namibia is a desolate and largely uninhabitable country, well-known mainly for its deserts and coastline. However, there is far more to the destination.
Namibia is home to some fascinating people, and in the right season, can provide you with some of the best game viewing on the continent.
When travelling Namibia, the distances are vast, and often you will go without seeing another vehicle, or person, for hours.
Around every bend of the road awaits another breathtaking landscape, with wide open spaces and incredible colours giving you photo opportunities at all times of day.
Below are a few of the popular areas frequented by travellers to Namibia, and they are places which will remain in your memories forever:
Located in Windhoek and named after the famous explorer Sir Francis Galton, Galton House 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 and perched on the edge of Windhoeks northernmost affluent suburb of Eros, guests here are assured of a suitably relaxing stay with friendly and caring service. 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. There is also a delightful al fresco dining area by the pool where freshly prepared and very tasty meals can be served (including lunch and dinner). A number of shops, restaurants and supermarkets are within easy striking distance.
Day 2 : Namib Desert
This morning drive from Windhoek to Hoodia Desert Lodge where you will spend 3 nights.
One of the driest places on earth, with some of the world's highest sand dunes, the Namib Desert experience is one which will remain in your memories forever. With the night skies being overwhelmingly pierced with stars, and the sunrises and sunsets casting the most gorgeous colours over the dunes, the Namib will enchant you in many ways.
Stretching about 1 200 kilometres along the west coast of Southern Africa, but only averaging about 70 kilometres in width, the Namib creates the most desolate of coastlines. It is unbelievable that anything can survive in these harsh sands, however, many fascinating creatures and plants eke out an existence from the little resources available.
Amazing too is that San Bushmen have tackled this environment for hundreds of years, and succeeded!
The lodge opened in 2008 to accommodate guests from all over the world on an individual and small scale. Therefore only 11 luxury chalets with great distance between each other were planned to assure privacy in this breath taking environment.
The lodge is family-owned and managed by Thomas & Henreza Becker, both enthusiastic regarding professional hospitality with a personal human approach. Skilled and enthusiastic chefs deliver in co-operation with Henreza delicious creations of international and local cuisine. Our waiters/tresses are charming and hearty as well as attentive and will cater for your needs.
Day 3 - 4 : Namib Desert
Today and tomorrow enjoy the activities on offer at the lodge. A highlight will be exploring the magnificent Deadvlei at Sossusvlei.
Day 5 : Swakopmund
After breakfast you will head to Swakopmund on the Atlantic Coast. Here you will spend 2 nights at the wonderfully located Strand Hotel. Enjoy the vibrant coastal city of Swakopmund, with its rich German heritage, shops, restaurants, and adventure activities.
A delightful and historic old German town, Swakopmund is the recreation capital of Namibia, and offers an enormous number of ways to enjoy the surrounding Namib Desert, as well as the Atlantic Ocean.
Founded as a harbour for the Germans during their colonial ownership of South West Africa, Swakopmund is closely connected with marine activities and wildlife. Some fantastic seafood can be enjoyed in one of the many restaurants.
The Strand Hotel Swakopmund is an ideal base for travellers wanting to explore Swakopmund. The hotel has become a popular destination resort for both international and domestic travellers.
The Strand Hotel Swakopmund is located directly on the mole (promenade) in Swakopmund, surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean, with direct access to the main beach in town. On the fourth side, it backs up to the town’s beautiful central park, through which it is a short five minute walk to the historic centre of this charming, German, Victorian era colonial seaside town, with all its shops, cafés, restaurants and bars.
Day 6 : Swakopmund
Spend today at leisure exploring Swakopmund. you may wish to book the highly recommended catamaran cruise in Walvis Bay - do let us know if you would like to include this during your stay in Swakopmund.
Day 7 : Damaraland
Depart Swakopmund and head towards Mowani Mountain Camp, nestled in the rocky outcrops of Damaraland. Here you will spend 3 nights.
One of the most scenic areas of Namibia, situated roughly in the centre of the country, Damaraland has a vast range of landscapes and experiences to offer.
With enormously wide open spaces, endless wastelands, and some beautiful mountains and inselbergs, Damaraland can occupy a number of days of a Namibian itinerary. Named after the Damara people who were moved into the area during the years of apartheid in South Africa, you can enjoy cultural experiences with the local tribes along your journey.
Namibia is a geologist's delight, and with prehistoric water courses, massive granite koppies and deep gorges, Damaraland has some fascinating features which will keep the camera occupied.
In the heat, dust and stunning landscapes of Damaraland, there is a sanctuary – Mowani Mountain Camp. Dwarfed by massive ochre boulders, the camp is absorbed into the landscape, making it one with our shared history of life in this prehistoric land. Every soft curve or ragged edge frames the landscape in a different way, as if you are seeing for the first time, every time.
Day 8 - 9 : Damaraland
Spend today and tomorrow exploring the unique landscapes, ancient rock engravings, and local wildlife.
Day 10 : Etosha National Park
Drive from Mowani Mountain Camp to Ongava Lodge, located on a private game reserve bordering Etosha National Park.
Meaning "Place of Dry Water," Etosha is the best wildlife destination in Namibia, and at certain times of year can rival any game reserve in Africa.
Formed around the enormous and beautiful Etosha Salt Pan, the national park is home to an incredible number of species, including black rhino, the endemic black faced impala, thousands upon thousands and springbok, zebra, wildebeest and the majestic gemsbok (oryx).
During the dry season, these animals are drawn in their masses to the very few remaining water holes, and it is not uncommon to see a few hundred of several different species all in one location at one time.
Being roughly a 5 hour drive from Windhoek, Etosha National Park is also accessible by air, and is definitely a highlight of a Namibian safari itinerary.
Ongava Lodge is one of Namibia’s premier lodges on one of the country’s most important private game reserves.
The well-established Ongava Lodge is situated in the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park. Placed as it is close to the top of a hill in the foothills of the Ondundozonanandana range, the vantage point is beautiful and overlooks a well-frequented waterhole and the plains beyond.
Ongava Lodge offers luxury accommodation in 14 rock-and-thatch en-suite chalets. There are impressive views over the camp’s waterhole from the main lounge and dining areas and there is also an inviting pool to cool off in the heat of the day. Meals are either served in the main dining area under thatch or on the dining deck under the stars.
Activities include game drives into Etosha, spending time in the camp hide, and nature drives and walks on the reserve. Ongava has resident white and black rhino, giving guests staying at Ongava the opportunity to see both species.
Day 11 - 12 : Etosha National Park
For the next two days embark on game drives and guided walks to witness the diverse wildlife, including the Big Five. Or you may choose to relax at the lodge and enjoy the stunning views over the reserve.
Day 13 : Okonjima Game Reserve
Depart Ongava Lodge and drive to Okonjima renowned for its wildlife conservation efforts. Here you will stay at the Okonjima Bush Lodge.
Situated halfway between the capital Windhoek and the Etosha National Park, the 55,000 acre Okonjima Game Reserve is the home of The AfriCat Foundation, which rehabilitates cheetahs, wild dogs hyenas and leopards. There are opportunities to see these beautiful carnivores in their natural environment.
The elegant Okonjima Luxury Bush Camp is situated within the 2 000-ha enclosed wilderness area of Okonjima Nature Reserve. The Luxury Bush Camp consists of 8 thatched, safari-chic chalets with earthy tones and African design elements, a junior suite, a camelthorn pod-shaped lapa that encompasses the reception area, curio shop, a cosy lounge area with inside and outside fireplaces, a restaurant and dining area and a secluded, private swimming pool.
Okonjima Nature Reserve is recognized as one of the premier places to stay to witness carnivores and other endangered species like the rhino, pangolin and brown hyaena in the wild and to be educated about conservation. The AfriCat Foundation was born in the early 1990’s, a Namibia registered non-profit organization which started out primarily as a welfare organization, and has since become focused on research projects which are essential in accomplishing its mission of the long term conservation of Namibia’s wildlife.
Okonjima Nature Reserve is equally famed for frequent leopard, brown hyaena and pangolin sightings on its safaris, as well as the AfriCat Foundation.
Since being founded in 1991, AfriCat’s mission has been to make significant contributions to conservation, while trying to ensure the survival of Namibia’s predators in their natural habitat. AfriCat runs extensive research projects on rare and endangered species, big and small.
