Grand Namibia & Skeleton Coast Self Drive & Fly-In

Day 1 Olive Exclusive All–Suite Hotel, Windhoek

Upon arrival in Namibia’s capital city, collect your vehicle and make your way to the stylish Olive Exclusive, where you’ll overnight in a beautiful suite. Relax by the pool, have a massage, enjoy a drink at the bar and dinner at the restaurant or perhaps explore the city a little, and have dinner at famous nearby Joe’s Beer House.

Days 1&2 Little Kulala, Kulala Wilderness Reserve

Your Namibian Self Drive begins as you drive via Rehoboth to Kulala Wilderness Reserve, where you are based for 2nights with convenient and superb access to the towering red dunes of the Namib. This afternoon your activity will explore the private reserve and the following morning enter the Namib Naukluft via a private gate where your guide will escort you to the apricot dunes and ancient desert landscapes of Sossusvlei and surrounding areas – there’s the chance to climb a dune, take endless photos of Dead Vlei with its skeletal camel thorn trees, a testament to when water supported the region. Nowadays, the Tsauchab River only occasionally flows but when it does the desert comes to life with flowering desert plants and grasses and an oasis is created in the desert. You’ll return to Little Kulala later in the morning before the heat of the sun is too intense and after lunch perhaps have a massage (extra cost) or relax by your private plunge pool, to simply soak up the atmosphere and quietness of the desert. Emphasis is laid on the smaller desert fauna, spectacular scenery and the incredible night sky. Larger desert–adapted wildlife such as ostrich, springbok and gemsbok flourish here with carnivores such as bat– eared fox, Cape fox, cheetah and black–backed jackal often seen. Two nights are spent here on a fully inclusive basis to enjoy this remarkable desert region.

Day 4&5 Strand Hotel, Swakopmund

This morning drive to Swakopmund passing gravel plains and crossing over Gaub and Kuiseb Passes through the desert to Walvis Bay, where you can stop at the lagoon, a RAMSAR protected wetland site, home to many different aquatic birds such as flamingo, pelicans, cormorant, avocets, and endemic Damara tern before continuing along the coastal road to Swakopmund. Join optional activities such as an afternoon scenic flight over the dunes of Sossusvlei, to the coast to see shipwrecks, old diamond mines, dunes falling into the ocean as well as seal colonies, flamingos, this flight really gives a different perspective of the area you have already seen from land. The following day is free to relax, explore this charming colonial town or join optional activities – there’s a huge range for all ages and interests

Days 6&7 Ongava Game Reserve and Etosha National Park

Drive to the private Ongava Game Reserve bordering Etosha National Park, join game drives, during the day and night to see an abundance of animals including endangered species and a wealth of bird life in this vast arena. Home to elephant and rhino, leopard and lion, and a plethora of plains game, game viewing is rewarding. Perhaps head out with an armed guide should you choose to go on foot within this reserve and experience the vast array of life, small and large. Ranking as one of Africa’s largest parks, Etosha is renowned for its impressive white pan of over 6,000km2. It boasts one of the few growing populations of black rhino in the world and affords excellent mammal and bird sightings. Experience fine dining under thatch overlooking the reserve’s great plains and continue with still more breath–taking views across the reserve from the comfort of your own private balcony.

Days 8&9 Damaraland Camp

This morning join another activity before departing Ongava and driving west into Damaraland to overnight. This classic camp is located in the ancient lava fields of the region where activities revolve around the rugged landscapes of this harsh but beautiful area and you can take a chance to relax or join activities from nature drives to search for game found wandering in the area such as desert elephant, guided walks to community and cultural interactions.

Day 10–12 Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp

This morning you can relax for a while before you are transferred to the airstrip and take a scheduled (seat–rate) flight to Hoanib Skeleton Coast, where you will be based for 3nights on a fully inclusive basis. Explore this diverse and fascinating part of the Palmwag Concession as well as the legendary Skeleton Coast National Park. Game drives and nature walks within this rugged landscape reveal wildlife such as desert–adapted elephant. desert lions to Hartmann’s mountain zebra and giraffe to name a few. A real highlight of your stay (weather permitting) is a visit to the iconic Skeleton Coast – travelling by air or by land, this fascinating journey takes you via the Hoanib River and floodplain, the dune fields and Klein Oasis, ending at the dramatic rocky coastline itself with its huge Cape fur seal colony. This is a beautiful luxury camp located in a highly restricted area so few visitors have the chance to explore it. Video link of desert lion found in the region and a chance to appreciate this outstanding landscape and the nature within:https://youtu.be/hTFt_X2F2–U

Day 13&14 Serra Cafema Camp

Fly by light aircraft to the vast Marienfluss Conservancy in the extreme north of Namibia for a three–night stay at Serra Cafema. The camp is poised along the lush banks of the Kunene River, a rejuvenating band of green, surrounded by the lunar–like landscape of the Namib Desert and the Cafema mountain range to the north. Informative nature drives and eco–friendly quad–bike excursions allow guests to experience this vast, fascinating area. Boating on the river reveals the resident crocodiles and water birds living in this riverside oasis. Walking in the remote mountain and river valleys is also a highlight, as is a visit to a Himba settlement. The intriguing fairy circle phenomenon is best viewed in the Hartmann Valley.

Day 15 Windhoek

Taking a flight return to Windhoek, arriving at the airport just before 14h00– ensure you allow sufficient connection time.