Arrive at Windhoek International Airport and pick up your car hire. It is recommended that you hire a 2 x 4 or 4 x 4 vehicle as you will be travelling on many dirt roads, and these vehicles make for a more comfortable journey. Set off north to Etosha – you have 4 – 5 hours of driving time.
Arrive at Ongava Private Reserve which borders the Etosha National Park for a 3 night visit. Check in to Andersson’s Camp and relax around the camp for the afternoon. The tented en-suite units are raised on decks allowing for great views into the bushveld and beyond. The Camp boasts an active waterhole and you never know what might edge out of the bush for a morning drink while you enjoy your early morning coffee.
Andersson’s offers activities from the camp or you are free to explore yourselves. Etosha is easy to get around and the game is plentiful. Spend some time relaxing at one of the many waterholes and just watch nature unfold in front of you. If you feel like you want to stretch your legs you can take a guided walk in the Ongava reserve with one of the qualified guides (extra cost).
Today is a scenic driving day and you can either take a non-stop route into Damaraland or you can meander along with many stops to take in your amazing surroundings. This is arid but beautiful land. Depending on the season you are visiting you will get different visual experiences. Here flora, fauna and wildlife have adapted to the harsh climate and the eco systems at work are just amazing.
Enjoy a 3 night stay at Camp Kipwe to really appreciate the remoteness and solitude of where you are. The camp is uniquely built into the large granite boulders found in the area facing out onto superb scenery and views. There are 8 en-suite rooms with large outside decks to take it all in.
Damaraland is full of different activities from landscapes and scenery, to mountains and dry river beds, desert adapted animals and petrified forests to prehistoric San Rock Art and amazing geological spectacles. You can take guided trips from the Camp (extra cost) or you can spend the days exploring this stunning area in your own time.
It is a long trip down to Sossusvlei. So it is recommended that you break your trip in Swakopmund. You probably have around 4 hours of driving today, depending what you decide to stop at on the way.
This is your first taste of that cool Atlantic breeze and fog. It is a welcome relief after the interior desert sun. Spend a night at the homely Cornerstone Guest House in the centre of town. It is easy walking distance from the main attractions and town life.
Swakopmund is famous for its architecture and Atlantic setting. There are also plenty of activities to do here from desert adrenaline runs to marine life spotting from Walvis Bay. Watching the fog roll in to the desert is also an amazing sight.
It is scenic driving day today through canyons and lunar landscapes to the famous Sossosvlei in the Namib Nauklaft National Park. Again, depending how many photo stops you make you have about 5 hours of driving. You will probably arrive late afternoon – just in time to watch the sunset over the magnificent red dunes of the Namib Desert.
Check into Kulala Desert Lodge in the private Kulala Reserve for a 3 night luxury stay. The Kulala Reserve is the only reserve that has direct access into Sossusvlei. The camp has 15 thatched canvas “kulalas” with en-suite bathrooms and veranda’s. The units are all built on wooden platforms allowing for cool breezes to pass through, and making use of the magnificent views. The flat roofs of the units also allow bedrolls to be laid out at night and you can sleep under the magic of African stars!
With 3 nights in the area you have time to take everything in – including just relaxing and making use of the beautiful setting of the lodge. You can either do activities at your own pace or you can join activities run by Kulala Desert Lodge. Sunrise trips into Sossusvlei are not to be missed, and you will take endless photographs in Dead Vlei to get that perfect shot. Walk up Dune 45, pick out Old Mama, scenic morning or evening game drives or walks, learn about the desert flora and fauna or bask in the solitude and tranquility of your majestic surroundings.
Today your drive to Windhoek for your flight out of Namibia.
Hand your vehicle back and check in for your flight out of Windhoek.