sample itinerary

DAY 0    windhoek – hotel heinitzburg

Land at Hosea Kutako International Airport , situated 45km's east of Windhoek . Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to town. Pending on arrival time, the first night might have to be spent in Windhoek . Should guests arrive in the early morning with Air Namibia via Frankfurt , it is possible to proceed to Okonjima on this day. The first night in Windhoek has been included in the cost on a bed & breakfast basis (see below). We suggest you enjoy dinner at Leo's - a top class a la carte restaurant forming part of the hotel. Alternatively, choose a restaurant in town.

overnight: hotel heinitzburg (bed & breakfast) relais chateau hotel

DAY 1   windhoek / okonjima

After breakfast you will be picked up by your guide and set off on your journey to Okonjima via Okahandja. The latter village is known as the garden town of Namibia and is famous for the woodcarvings sold there. Visit the wood carving markets situated in the main street of Okahandja before continuing your journey to Okonjima. At Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation, guests are given a first hand glimpse of the work done by the Foundation, and will see cheetah, leopard and lion. These carnivores are researched and rehabilitated by AfriCat, as are other game species introduced into this area.

Okonjima offers eight unique African chalets at the Bush Camp. Activities include viewing and photographing big cats, guided and self-guided trails, game watching from a nocturnal hide and several bird watching hides.

overnight: okonjima bush camp villa (full board & activities)

DAY 2   okonjima / etosha national park

After completing the Bushman walk, depart via Otjiwarongo, Otavi and Tsumeb to the eastern gate of Etosha, where you will find Mushara Lodge for your overnight stay. The lodge is located only eight kilometres from the Von Lindequist Gate on the eastern outskirts of the Etosha National Park .

The name Mushara derives from the Purple Pod Terminalia tree, which grows in abundance in the lodge grounds and surrounding area. Arriving in the late afternoon, activities are optional and for your own account. Lunch will be enjoyed en route.

overnight: mushara villa (dinner, bed & breakfast + lunch en route)

DAY 3   etosha national park

After a leisurely breakfast, drive into the Etosha National Park for a full day of game viewing. This Park consists of 22 270 km of saline desert, savannah and woodlands, and is one of the largest parks in Africa . Its definitive feature is the Etosha Pan, a vast, shallow depression of approximately 5 000 km. Of the 114 mammal species found in the park, several are rare and endangered, such as the Black Rhino and Black-Faced Impala.

The former is endemic to north-western Namibia and South-western Angola . Etosha's current population of approximately 300 black rhinos represents one of the few growing populations in the world. Etosha's elephants are reputed to be of the largest in Africa , the tallest ones measuring up to 4m at the shoulder. Their tusks are however relatively small, due to genetic defects and mineral deficiencies in their diet. Lunch will be enjoyed at one of the Rest Camps inside the Park, or lunch packs can be arranged with the Lodge.

overnight: mushara villa (full board)

DAY 4    etosha national park / ongava game reserve

After breakfast drive through the Etosha National Park , while viewing game, to Ongava Game Reserve. The Ongava Private Game Reserve is located on 30 000 ha of privately owned land. Bordering the Etosha National Park at the Okaukuejo/ Ombika gate, the lodge provides easy access into the magnificent park for daytime excursions. Game drives on the Ongava Private Game Reserve encounter prolific wildlife of all species including the elusive white and black rhino. Optional night drives offer an insight into the habits of elusive nocturnal creatures. Little Ongava is built along a crest of a hill with wonderful views onto the plains below and is the ideal lodge from which to base your activities when visiting Etosha. Lunch will be enjoyed en route.

overnight: little ongava (fully inclusive)

DAY 5   ongava / damaraland

After enjoying breakfast, depart for Mowani. Take the C38 to Outjo, then turn onto the C39 to Khorixas. Mowani Mountain Camp is set in the Twyfelfontein Conservancy between the Ugab and Huab River . Mowani is taken from the word Míwane, meaning Place of God, and it is here, that you will find the true meaning of peace and tranquillity. Lunch will be enjoyed en route.

overnight: mowani mountain suite (dinner, bed & breakfast + lunch en route)

DAY 6   damaraland

After a leisurely breakfast, take an excursion to the surrounding areas of the Twyfelfontein, Burnt Mountain and the White Lady. Return to the Lodge for lunch or an enjoyable afternoon by the pool.

overnight: mowani mountain suite (full board)

DAY 7   damaraland / swakopmund

After breakfast, you will continue via Uis and Henties Bay , to Swakopmund. Swakopmund is much loved because of its old-world charm and relaxed atmosphere. Today lush green lawns palm trees and carefully tended and colourful public gardens enhance this quaint desert town, hedged by desert and sea. Swakopmund has several excellent restaurants, pubs and discos and a few night- clubs. A special feature of the coastal town is its jewellery shops, which offer pieces ranging from contemporary African to continental designs. Art and crafts shops offer local products, while street vendors sell Namibian rural art. Lunch will be enjoyed en route. Dinner and optional activities on own account.

overnight: hansa hotel executive suite (bed & breakfast + lunch en route)

DAY 8   swakopmund - sossusvlei

Today we recommend a Dolphin Cruise at Walvis Bay . This is a wonderful and informative nature experience, not to mention the delicious Oysters and Champagne served on the cruise.

Return to Swakopmund in time to be dropped off at the airport before you catch your flight. Please note that your luggage is restricted to 10 kg per person, stored in soft-bags, so you must pack accordingly this morning. Your suitcase will be transferred to Windhoek by courier (this cost is included).

Meet your pilot at Swakopmund Airport at 15h00 and commence on a scenic flight along the coast and over a sea of dunes to the Sossusvlei area. On landing board a short transfer to the Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge, where you check in and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Alternatively, enjoy a walk in the immediate vicinity of the Lodge, or a scenic drive. Sundowners on the verandah precede dinner.

overnight: sossusvlei mountain lodge (full board & activities)

DAY 9   sossusvlei/ namibrand nature reserve

Awake early for a dawn departure to the towering dunes of Sossusvlei. Visit and climb the highest dunes in the world. Arrive back at the Lodge in time for a scheduled afternoon transfer/scenic drive towards Wolwedans, situated in the heart of the Namib-Rand Nature Reserve. Arrive at Wolwedans Dunes Lodge in the late afternoon and book into your beautiful chalet with its own private verandah and a breathtaking view of the dunes, plains and distant mountains. Freshen up and join everyone for sundowners on the deck before you enjoy a three-course candlelight dinner under a blanket of a billion stars!

overnight: wolwedans dunes lodge, mountain view suite (full board & activities) or wolwedans private camp, a secluded suite catering for 2-4 guests

DAY 10   namibrand nature reserve

After breakfast, depart on a day-safari on the NamibRand Nature Reserve with a delicious picnic lunch served en-route. Absorb the unique NamibRand Nature Reserve landscape during a morning and afternoon excursion by Landrover through the dunes, endless grassy plains and along mystical mountain formations. You could encounter large and small desert animals, learn about their unique habits and explore the ancient hunting spots of the Bushmen. Revel in the incredible landscape around you and Wolwedans' commitment to care for guest and nature alike. Here in this land of stretching blue skies, endless plains and countless creatures enacting natures savagely exciting passion play, you will find beauty feeding your soul, tranquility to clear your mind and space for your imagination to fly!

You could join a morning excursion on the Reserve (depending on tours and season), returning to the lodge for lunch and a siesta during the midday heat. At +/- 16h00, enjoy coffee and cake before joining everyone for sundowners on the deck preceding dinner.

overnight: wolwedans dunes Lodge, mountain view suite (full board & activities) or wolwedans private camp, a secluded suite catering for 2-4 guests

DAY 11   namibrand nature reserve

This day is yours to spend at your leisure; relax in your chalet and watch the widely varied bird life, or read a book from the Library.

You could join another morning or afternoon drive before sundowners at the lodge in the late afternoon. Dinner in the evening will round off your last day in this incredible desert paradise!

We recommend this third night for two reasons; firstly, Wolwedans is one of the definite highlights of this tour and secondly, the third night at the lodge comes at half price. Ballooning would fit in well today. After an early rise and an hour in the air, enjoy a delicious Champagne breakfast at the landing spot. The afternoon can then be spent at leisure.

overnight: wolwedans dunes lodge, mountain view suite (full board & activities) or wolwedans private camp

DAY 12   namibrand nature reserve / windhoek

Awake in the pristine desert dawn and soak in the atmosphere and landscape from your bed whilst enjoying early morning tea. After breakfast at leisure you are transferred to the airstrip to bid Wolwedans farewell and commence your return flight to Windhoek (Eros) where you will arrive before 11h00. Departure from Wolwedans is normally at 09h00.

You will arrive in Windhoek in time to catch international flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town. If you depart to Europe with Air Namibia , we recommend lunch and some shopping before you are transferred to the International Airport . A dayroom could also be arranged.

ADD-ONS

Fly from Windhoek direct to Botswana and spend four nights in the heart of the Okavango Delta. In contrast to Namibia you will be surrounded by glassy waterways, hippos, flowers and butterflies. Spend the days exploring by boat, mokoro, 4WD and on foot to seek out Botswana’s big game. Alternatively, as Namibia has excellent flight connections you can fly to Cape Town and spend some time in the wine regions, or fly to Mozambique for a week’s relaxation on a palm fringed beach…the options are endless.