Experience one of the best flying safaris in the country and enjoy superb wildlife viewing from some of the best lodges in Namibia.
Highlights include the extraordinary natural beauty of desert landscapes in the Damaraland and NamibRand Nature Reserve, Cape fur seals in Walvis Bay, and last, but certainly not least, Namibia's premier wildlife location - Etosha National Park.
This trip uses only the finest lodges on an itinerary that provides a complete north and south experience, superb game-viewing and the best guides everywhere you go. Add to this great food, outstanding hospitality and exceptional photographic opportunities, and this trip is simply unbeatable!
On arrival at Windhoek airport you will transfer to a domestic flight to your lodge, situated in the heart of the NamibRand Nature Reserve.
Over the next couple of days, enjoy wildlife safaris both by vehicle and on foot. Morning or afternoon drives cover a distance of 40-50 kilometres over a three to four hour period, and afternoon scenic drives are often combined with sundowners at sunset in the dunes. Alternatively, you may wish to take a full day drive, which offers the highest degree of diversity to give you more of a complete understanding of the NamibRand Conservancy.
Accommodation: Wolwedans Dune Lodge, 2-nights
A mid-morning flight takes you to your next destination, the charming seaside town of Swakopmund. Whilst here, you should allow time to visit the desert to see the unusual welwitschia plants (the oldest in the world), and walk among huge colonies of Cape fur seals. Bird lovers should not miss the opportunity to visit nearby Walvis Bay lagoon, a world-renowned sanctuary for some 160,000 birds, as well as a bi-annual feeding station for 200,000 migratory shore birds and terns. Some 70% of the world's chestnut-banded plovers rely on this lagoon for survival, and 80% of southern Africa's flamingos feed here
Accommodation: Cornerstone Guesthouse or Hansa Hotel, 2-nights
It's time to take to the air again, this time to the Damaraland, the remote mountainous area of northwestern Namibia that adjoins the Skeleton Coast.. It is a land of spectacular scenery - stark arid plains, deep chasms, sand dunes, ancient mountain valleys and dramatic red, rocky peaks, dominated by the brooding mass of the Brandberg.
Here, the natural laws of availability of food and water govern the cyclical movements of the endangered desert elephant, gemsbok (oryx), kudu, springbok, black rhino and other species that have learnt to live in this environment. Few experiences can match watching a small herd of desert elephant in search of water.
Keen birders will not be disappointed, as there is a chance of seeing the endemic Monteiros' hornbill, Ruppell's parrot, white-tailed shrike, rockrunner and Herero chat. The feeling you get here is one of privilege, peace and humility in the face of such a timeless, ancient land.
Accommodation: Damaraland Camp, 2-nights
Your final destination is Etosha, Namibia's premier national park, and today you'll fly to Ongava, in the western area of the park. Considered by many to be one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in southern Africa, viewings in the park are simply superb, particularly in the dry winter months.
Accommodation: Ongava Lodge, 2-nights
Please note: The Skeleton Coast makes a wonderful contrast to this itinerary.
Swakopmund is a charming Germanic seaside town, from where there are many excursions. In particular, Walvis Bay has huge colonies of Cape fur seals and is a world-renowned sanctuary for over 160,000 resident birds, as well as a feeding station for around 200,000 waders and terns on their migration routes. Find Out More about {acc:title}
Damaraland is an ancient area of arid plains, deep chasms and dramatic red, rocky peaks, dominated by the huge Brandberg Mountain. With the Atlantic coast nearby, sea mists drift inland providing sustenance to various desert life forms and natural laws of food and water dictate the movement of the desert elephant. Find Out More about {acc:title}
Etosha is considered to be one of the finest sanctuaries in southern Africa. It is famous for its vast, dazzling saltpan with permanent waterholes, which attract a multitude of wildlife particularly during the dry winter. The neighbouring Ongava Private Game Reserve offers the attraction of tracking rhino on foot. Find Out More about {acc:title}
The Namib Desert is the oldest in the world and the wildlife to be found here is extremely interesting and often totally unique, having adapted itself to the harsh environment. However, the most remarkable sight is at Sossusvlei, where the world’s highest sand dunes tower more than 300 metres. Find Out More about {acc:title}
This luxury camp, lauded as one of the best in the country, stands on the north bank of the dry valley of the Huab River, which is arguably Namibia’s most pristine wilderness area. Activities focus on exploring the surrounding valley on guided drives and walks, when desert elephant are commonly sighted. Find Out More about Damaraland Camp
This camp is one of Namibia’s best kept secrets. Located in the much-lauded Ongava Game Reserve, south of Etosha National Park, it overlooks a nearby waterhole. Constructed from stone, canvas and thatch, the camp accommodates 16 guests in eight large, comfortable, Meru-style tents. Find Out More about Ongava Tented Camp
Perched top of a dune plateau, Wolwedans Dunes Lodge offers panoramic views in all directions, and makes a perfect base for exploring the awe-inspiring desert. Its nine spacious chalets have en suite bathroom and private verandah, and there is also a swimming pool suspended above the sand. Find Out More about Wolwedans Dune Lodge
British Travel Awards
Awarded Silver in Favourite Tour Operator for Nature & Wildlife 2024 & 2025
Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards
Awarded Bronze in Best Travel Company for Wildlife & Nature Holidays 2024
