"The Great Sand Sea"

Scheduled safaris in Namibia

For those who would like to visit Namibia from the comfort of hotel and lodge accommodation, we offer a departure which covers most of the excitement of the wilderness but from the ease of twin-bedded rooms with private facilities throughout.

The safari includes a visit to the dramatic red dunes of Sossusvlei where the early morning light produces a fantastic landscape. By contrast, the stark appearance of the Skeleton Coast, with its cold fogs, offers an insight into the incredible plants and animals which have adapted to the Namib.

Typical safari itinerary

• Day 1. Overnight flight to southern Africa and connect to Windhoek in Namibia.
• Day 2. Morning arrival at Windhoek International Airport and meet your guide and tour leader. Drive through the Khomas Hochland and down into the Kuiseb Valley through stunning scenery and into the Namib Naukluft National Park, stopping for lunch en route, before arriving at Namib Kaross Lodge.
• Day 3. Morning drive deep into the Namib sand sea, with the highest dunes in the world, along the ancient water course of Sossusvlei. Later, visit Sesriem Canyon. Overnight at Namib Kaross.
• Day 4. Drive across the Namib Desert to Swakopmund on the Atlantic coast, and overnight at the Schweizerhaus Hotel.
• Day 5. A morning in the Swakop River studying the flora and fauna, including the welwitschia plains. This is the best introduction to the remarkable aspects of the Namib. Overnight at the Schweizerhaus.
• Day 6. An early start north along the Skeleton Coast to the Cape seal colony at Cape Cross. Turn inland into central Damaraland. The table mountains of Damaraland form an outstanding panorama. Afternoon drive to the Etendeka Plateau, with rare plants and wildlife. Overnight at Palmwag Lodge.
• Day 7. Morning visit to the petrified forest and to the famous rock engraving site of Twyfelfontein. This site includes petroglyphs of a whole menagerie of African animals and is one of the largest rock art sites of its kind. Afternoon game viewing in the Etendeka. Along with starkly attractive views, there is wildlife in this rugged setting, such as kudu, klipspringer, mountain zebra, black rhino and elephant. Overnight at Palmwag Lodge.
• Day 8. Travel north into the Kaokoland whose rugged mountains are home to some of the rarest animals and plants in the world, including the desert elephant. Overnight at Fort Sesfontein, a tastefully restored turn of the century mud-brick fort.
• Day 9. A day spent in and around the Huanib River tracking elephant. Also found here are mountain zebra, oryx, desert giraffe, and springbok and ostrich. Overnight at Fort Sesfontein.
• Day 10. An early start north into Himbaland. This remote region is home to the nomadic Himba who are one of the least western-influenced tribes of Africa. Here one can visit some of their temporary stopping places. The settlement of Opuwo is one of the main centres in Himbaland. Overnight at Hobatere Lodge to the west of the Etosha Pan. Evening game drive.
• Day 11. Morning and afternoon game drives in the private concession at Hobatere. African elephant, mountain and plains zebra, giraffe, and other animals congregate at the water holes. There is an abundance of bird life here too. Overnight at Hobatere Lodge.
• Day 12. Drive south via Otjiwarongo to the Waterberg Plateau and the reserve at Okonjima, famous for its Africat programme. Afternoon and morning game activities, including leopard watching and cheetah. Overnight at Okonjima Guest Farm.
• Day 13. Full day in Okonjima. Overnight at the guest farm.
• Day 14. Drive to Windhoek for the homeward flight.
• Day 15. Arrival in home airport

Weather conditions on safari

• February - April are late summer months. The weather is warm to hot at mid-day but with no humidity. The coast is cool. Some rain may be expected, but days are normally very dry.
• May, June and July are the middle of the winter, which is the dry time of the year. Days will be dry, warm and sunny, but the evenings may be quite cool and even cold, with temperatures dropping considerably in the middle of the night and you should have something warm to wear.
• August to November are similar to the early part of the year, but very dry.

Accommodation and vehicles on safari

• The itinerary includes two nights at Sossusvlei in the Namib Naukluft Lodge, two nights in Swakopmund at the Schweizerhaus Hotel, two nights in Damaraland at Palmwag Lodge, two nights in the Kaokoland and the Huanib at Fort Sesfontein, then two nights at Kaross Lodge and a night at Okonjima Guest Farm.
• Depending on numbers, vehicles used are Toyota Hilux twin cab 4x4's each holding three guests and a driver, or Toyota Land Cruiser 4 x 4 holding six guests.

Notes

• See General Information for Namibia for health and visa requirements.
• All safaris are led by our expert game rangers.
• The maximum number on these safaris is twelve per departure (minimum two per departure).

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