At first glance the desert seems a landscape completely devoid of life.  On this safari such impressions are dispelled as the deserts come to life with their amazing plethora of plants and animals that have ingeniously adapted to their harsh surroundings – and in fact thrive.  Even the largest of mammals survive here – the elusive desert black rhino and elephant.  The open spaces, changing warm sunlight on the land, people and cultures all inspire lasting memories and impressions.

Cultural and wildlife highlights are experienced in Etosha and Damaraland.  Activities concentrate on a variety of game and cultural walks, game drives by day and night, floodlit Ongava waterhole wildlife viewing and the Cape Cross Seal colony.  Special activities and impressions include tracking black rhino on foot, searching for desert elephant on foot and by vehicle, the Cape Cross Seal Colony, viewing the extraordinary welwitschia plants and “wandering lichen” and the ancient Twyfelfontein rock etchings.  Accommodation is an intriguing combination of rustic serviced camping, old farm homestead, luxury camp and hotel.

Guides: The entire safari is guided and hosted by professional and passionate trained guides who share their in-depth knowledge to present a seamless, well -rounded experience.

Exclusive experience: To ensure total privacy and exclusivity, most areas in which we travel are private concessions in unspoiled, prime game and scenic locations.   All campsites are private and for the use of this safari's guests only.

Transfers: To maximise guests’ travel time, a variety of transport modes that bring out the best of each area is used: flying in private charters (when the travelling experience is not enhanced by road) and cross-country transfers provide both a bird’s-eye view and an in-depth experience of the contrasting landscapes of Namibia.

Safari Style:  Adventurer

DAYS 1 - 2 ; (2 Nights)
ONGAVA HOMESTEAD, Etosha Region

Transfer by comfortable charter flight to Namibia’s big game country: Etosha Pans and its environs. Here, the diverse and varied flora and fauna is brought to life in a variety of activities, from game walks to game drives and visits to hides on the Ongava property and into the famous Etosha National Park.

Within Etosha we’ll also visit numerous perennial springs and pans, possibly also encountering lion, leopard, elephant and black rhino as well as plains game.

DAYS 3 - 4; (2 Nights)
PALMWAG ADVENTURER CAMP, Damaraland

After an early breakfast, we depart westwards by road in the direction of the private Palmwag concession.

Here, on the concession and in the surrounding areas the desert-adapted elephant, the careful feeder and gentle giant of Damaraland, thrives. Special activities include tracking and searching for these enormous mammals, on foot and by vehicle. In addition, expert guides expose the sheer magnificence of nature’s survival strategies in this arid environment through walks and game drives, concentrating on a variety of topics from birds to insects, medicinal uses of plants and viewing wildlife.

DAYS 5 - 6; (2 Nights)
HOANIB CAMP, Skeleton Coast

An early start, our road journey moves towards the ephemeral river of the Hoanib Valley. Here, in an area seemingly parched and desolate, we enter one of Namibia’s richest desert game areas.

DAY 7 ; (1 Night)
DAMARALAND CAMP, Damaraland            Jump to Damaraland Camp

Departing early, we travel to Twyfelfontein where we take a guided walk via a number of routes, with local San (Bushman) people to view the petroglyphs - ancient rock etchings strewn over the rock face. We end the journey at Damaraland Camp, set in the heart of the largest free-roaming population of the critically endangered black rhino on Earth.

DAY 8 ; (1 Night)
THE STILTZ LODGE, Swakopmund            Jump to Swakopmund

We cross-country westwards and out of the concession over the ephemeral and game-rich Ugab River, where we begin to encounter the extraordinary Welwitschia plants and “wandering lichen” en route to the life-filled Atlantic Ocean. Arriving at Cape Cross Seal colony, we make our way through the mass of life on the shore – including the only mainland-breeding site of Cape fur seals.

After relaxing over lunch in the area, we make for The Stiltz Lodge in the quaint and charming town of Swakopmund, arriving in the late afternoon.  Swakopmund is a wonderful town in which to end a safari after the experiences of the northern Namibian bush, with its unique urban atmosphere that is a vibrant combination of Africa and Europe.

DAY 9
Walvis Bay
Transfer to Windhoek

After an early breakfast, we drive southwards to Walvis Bay Lagoon. Here in a protected bay, many flamingos, pelicans and other waterfowl amass. On the calm waters of the bay, we embark on a sea kayak trip, a spectacular activity that allows us to approach at a respectable distance the waterbirds in their habitat and often allows for some unique photographic opportunities of birds flying low over the bay.