This morning, your guide pick you up from your accommodation. From there, set off from Windhoek in your safari vehicle with your private guide. The journey takes you southwest through the picturesque Khomas Hochland highlands, descending the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert. Along the way, stop for a picnic lunch at a scenic spot.

You'll arrive at your accommodation in the midafternoon, where you'll stay for two nights as you explore the stunning Namib Desert with your guide. If time allows, your guide can take you to visit Sesriem Canyon, a nearby geological marvel, or explore Elim Dune. Alternatively, you can choose to relax and enjoy the serene and beautiful surroundings at the Lodge.

This morning, rise early for an unforgettable excursion into Namib Naukluft National Park. Enter the park at sunrise to capture the dunes when the light is soft, and the shadows highlight their towering shapes and curves. This area has some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world.

Your local guide can explain how the Namib Desert formed and introduce you to the fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive in this harsh environment.

After exploring Sossusvlei and Deadvlei to your heart's content, you'll enjoy a picnic in the shade of a camel thorn tree. Return to your lodge in the early afternoon for a late lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax, which is usually welcome after an exhilarating morning in the dunes, or you can join another guided activity in the nature reserve offered by the lodge.

Today's drive takes you northwest through the stunning and varied desert landscapes of Namib Naukluft National Park, including the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons. Reach the coast at the port town of Walvis Bay and then continue north to Swakopmund, where you can enjoy the seaside location and cooler coastal air for the next two nights. This afternoon, have time to explore the town and stroll along the waterfront before having dinner at a popular restaurant that specializes in locally harvested seafood.

NOTE: You have the option to take a sunrise balloon flight before leaving for Swakopmund (at an additional cost). If you choose this option, it must be booked exclusively through Ultimate Safaris to fit with the day's schedule.

 

After an early breakfast, your guide drives you along the scenic coastal road south to Walvis Bay for a memorable kayaking adventure in the outer lagoon. Meet your kayaking guide and take a short drive to Pelican Point, where you'll see the lighthouse and the area's windswept beauty. Along the way, you'll stop at the salt works to view the variety of birdlife.

Kayaking is a great way to see Cape fur seals, Heaviside and bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, flamingos, and many other sea birds. If you're lucky, you might also spot whales and leatherback turtles.

After kayaking, you'll have time to explore the waterfront area of Walvis Bay before returning to Swakopmund. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your guesthouse or around town. Additional activities like scenic flights and sandboarding can be booked at an extra cost.

Alternatively, you can opt for an exciting motorized boat excursion to see seals and dolphins in the outer lagoon and harbor. During this trip, you'll likely spot Cape fur seals, Heaviside and bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, flamingos, and various sea birds. If you're fortunate, you may also catch sight of whales, leatherback turtles, and sunfish. Snacks, local sparkling wine, and fresh oysters will be served during the excursion, which typically returns to the jetty around midday.

Afterward, you'll have the chance to further explore the waterfront area of Walvis Bay before heading back to Swakopmund. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your guesthouse or in town.

Continuing your safari today, head north and east into the diverse region of Damaraland. Along the way, pass Namibia's highest mountain, the Brandberg, which rises 2,573 meters above sea level. Take the opportunity to spot the game and soak in the vast scenery.

Damaraland is characterized by vibrant colors, towering table mountains, unique rock formations, and unusual vegetation. The landscape has been shaped by the forces of wind, water, and geology, resulting in rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains, and ancient river terraces.

The area's variety and solitude, as well as its scenic beauty, amaze and enchant you, offering a true sense of wilderness. If time permits this afternoon, your guide can take you to visit nearby attractions and geological sites, such as the prehistoric Twyfelfontein rock engravings (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). If not, there can be plenty of time to explore them tomorrow.

After an early breakfast, join on an exciting 4x4 excursion along the Aba Huab and Huab River valleys to explore this remarkable region and search for wildlife, including the elusive desert-adapted elephants, if they are in the area. Damaraland is home to a variety of desert-adapted wildlife and hidden treasures. Since elephants are most active in the mornings, this is the best time to spot them before returning to camp for lunch.

If everyone agrees, you also have the option to take a picnic lunch and enjoy it in the shade of a large Ana tree by the riverbed, ideally while watching a herd of elephants nearby. Your guide can arrange to visit Twyfelfontein and other nearby attractions if you haven’t already done so the previous day. Upon returning to camp, you can take a walk in the local area with your guide or simply relax and enjoy some leisure time.

Desert-adapted elephants: In areas with enough vegetation and water, an adult elephant can consume up to 300 kg of roughage and 230 liters of water daily. Imagine what a herd would consume in a week, month, or year. Finding African elephants in a desert? Yes, and not only elephants but also other large mammals like black rhinoceroses and giraffes. Their range extends from river catchments in northern Kaokoveld as far south as northern Namib. Apart from the Kunene River, seven river courses northwards from the Ugab provide routes across the desert to the Skeleton Coast. The largest rivers are the Hoarusib, Hoanib, Huab, and Ugab Rivers.

Desert-adapted elephants in Kaokoland and the Namib travel farther for water and food than any other elephants in Africa. The distances between waterholes and feeding grounds can be as great as 68 km. A family herd's typical home range is larger than 2,000 km², or eight times as big as ranges in central Africa where rainfall is much higher. They walk and feed at night and rest during the day. To meet their nutritional needs, they browse 74 of the 103 plant species in their range. These elephants are not a separate species or subspecies but an ecotype unique to Namibia, behaviorally adapted to hyper-arid conditions. The only other known elephants to survive in similar conditions are in Mali on the southwestern fringe of the Sahara Desert.

This morning, leave the lodge early and head north into the heart of Damaraland, enjoying a picnic lunch along the way. You'll arrive in time for an afternoon game drive at Ongava Game Reserve with the local camp guide, shared with other camp guests.

Today, enjoy an exciting morning game drive in Etosha National Park, where you can see a wide variety of game and bird species. Afterward, have time to relax by the swimming pool before heading out again for an afternoon game drive, returning before sunset.

Alternatively, you can choose to spend the whole day in the park. You can either have lunch at one of the rest camps or enjoy a picnic while watching the game at a productive waterhole. Once back (the gates close at sunset), you can spend the evening viewing games at the camp’s floodlit waterhole while enjoying dinner.

After breakfast this morning, head south from Etosha National Park, passing through the small towns of Outjo and Otjiwarongo. Your destination is the Okonjima AfriCat Day Centre, a wonderful highlight to conclude your safari. Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Foundation, a wildlife sanctuary focused on the research and rehabilitation of Africa's big cats. You'll arrive in time for the late morning tour of the center, where you'll learn about the AfriCat Foundation's mission and meet some of its special captive carnivore ambassadors.

Afterward, enjoy lunch.

PLEASE NOTE: There is no tracking of wild cats on this visit. If you wish to track wild cats, you should book an overnight extension as detailed below.

After the excursion and freshening up, you'll continue your journey south, arriving back in Windhoek late in the afternoon, just as the sun is setting. Upon arrival, transfer to your chosen accommodation or to Windhoek International Airport (additional transfer booking required) if you have an evening flight. Departure flights should be no earlier than 21:00 to allow enough time for the visit to the AfriCat Foundation and the journey back to Windhoek. Alternatively, a final night in Windhoek can be arranged at an additional cost, which is highly recommended.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION:
You can extend your safari with an additional night or two at Okonjima Bush Camp. This can give you a more in-depth insight into the AfriCat Foundation's work and allow you to enjoy a range of activities offered by the lodge. Accommodation includes all meals, local drinks (excluding premium and imported brands), and two activities per person per day.