11 Day Namibia in Style

DAY 1: WINDHOEK

Upon arrival at Hosea Kutako (Windhoek) Airport we will be met and transferred to Amani Lodge. Surrounded by the majestic Khomas Hochland Mountains, Amani is the highest lodge in Namibia. The afternoon is at leisure to relax, swim and just enjoy the stunning view. The group meets at 18h00 in the boma for a pre-dinner drink during which a Afro Ventures guide will brief everyone on general aspects of the safari.

DAY 2 & 3: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

We head to Mushara Lodge situated only eight kms from the Von Lindequist Gate on the eastern outskirts of the Etosha National Park. This afternoon we enjoy our first exploratory game drive in the Park, which covers 22 270 sq km of countryside ranging from dense bush to barren plains. At the heart of this "Place of Dry Water" is Etosha Pan, a vast, dry, silvery-white depression of shimmering mirages in the dry season. In a season of good rains, it is home to flamingos, pelicans and many other water birds. Our days are spent visiting the numerous waterholes and subterranean springs which attract a diversity of animals including springbok, zebra, gnu, giraffe, kudu and elephant. Depending on the wildlife we expect to spend the entire day in the Park, enjoying a picnic lunch at one of the Rest Camps. Dinner is back at Mushara where the emphasis is on excellent wines and innovative cuisine.

DAY 04 ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

Today is spent game viewing in the park as we slowly make our way to Ongava Lodge which shares the south western border of the Park close to the Andersson Gate. Overnight and dinner at Ongava Lodge.

DAY 5 & 6: CENTRAL DAMARALAND

Etendeka Mountain Camp is the next step on the safari. Situated in the foothills of the Grootberg in the heart of Damaraland, the Etendeka concession comprises an area of 45,000 hectares of rocky semi desert which is home to black rhino, desert-adapted elephants as well as Hartmann’s mountain zebra, oryx, giraffe and several bird species endemic to Namibia. Due to the rugged terrain we have to leave our vehicle at a pre-designated spot and switch to the camp¹s own vehicles. The allure of Etendeka is its relaxed atmosphere, personal attention, wide-open spaces and pristine wilderness. Accommodation is in shaded safari tents with en-suite facilities. Activities include guided nature walks, drives by open Landrover and star gazing. From the escarpment we enjoy the most spectacular scenery at sunset.

DAY 7: SOUTHERN DAMARALAND

Today we enter the southern reaches of Damaraland between the Huab and Ugab rivers, where our overnight is in luxury tents at Mowani Mountain Camp. Taken from the Swahili word M’wane "Place of God", Mowani discreetly nestles high up amongst massive red granite boulders. This lovely camp provides unsurpassed views over the vast unspoilt wilderness with magnificent scenery, a unique variety of desert flora and fauna, fascinating geological formations and archaeological sites. After lunch we visit Twyfelfontein famous for its wealth of rock engravings and paintings, the Organ Pipes, a geological curiosity of perpendicular dolomite pillars roughly 100m long and up to 5m in height and the Burnt Mountain (Verbrandeberg). We return to Mowani for sundowners and an excellent three course dinner after which we can enjoy the stillness of the night under a blanket of stars in front of an open fire.

DAYS 8: SWAKOPMUND

We travel in a southerly direction via the mining town of Uis, to Cape Cross, where the Portuguese seafarer Diego Cao became the first European to set foot on Namibian soil in 1486. Cape Cross is also home to more than 80 000 Cape Fur Seals. Our overnight is at the Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre.

DAY 9 & 10: NAMIB DESERT

We continue via the Kuiseb to Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge situated in the heart of the Namib Desert on the NamibRand Nature Reserve. This pristine reserve, one of the largest in Africa, is a massive 180,000 hectares. The special attraction of the NamibRand is the captivating beauty and diversity of its landscape, which changes from expansive gravel plains to undulating dune seas, rugged canyons with towering walls of volcanic rock and distant mountain ranges. During our stay at Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge, which is in luxury air-conditioned suites, we go on an excursion to the highest dunes in the world at nearby Sossuvlei. Guided nature walks and hiking trails provide an insight to the scenic and ecological aspects of the environment with its wide diversity of desert adapted flora and fauna. A wonderful way of experiencing the dunes is by All Terrain Vehicles with an experienced guide. At the end of the day the blanket of stars, which lights up the desert sky are bought to life through the lodge¹s high powered computerized telescope.

DAY 11:

After a leisurely breakfast we return to Windhoek where our safari terminates in the late afternoon.