12 Nights Classic Namibia Safari

Today you’ll continue south, through extensive arid, rocky plains. Visiting the unique Garas quiver tree forest, you’ll be welcomed by quirky man-made sculptures of scrap metal, contrasting with the quiver trees and aloes nestled amongst huge dolerite boulders, stacked in a mysterious way - the area is also aptly referred to as ‘Giant’s Playground’. You’ll continue to your lodge, situated in close vicinity to the Fish River Canyon. Here you can explore the area on foot or on an optional guided nature drive, taking in the quiver trees, rugged landscape and impressive sweeping rock formations.

This morning begins on the edge of the Fish River Canyon, as you gaze into this magnificent geological phenomenon. The Fish River Canyon is located in the northern part of the Nama Karoo, and is the second-largest canyon on earth, with a gigantic ravine that measures in total about 160km long, up to 27km wide and in places almost 550m deep. The Fish River is Namibia’s longest interior river, but its current flow is just a drop compared with the immense volume of water that poured down its length in ages past. You’ll continue your journey past the Naute dam, stopping at the Naute Kristall Cellar and Distillery, to taste some of the unique liquors or simply enjoy a cup of coffee. Afterwards you’ll head towards the coastal town of Lüderitz, stopping en route at Garub, viewing point for the wild horses of the Namib Desert. At Lüderitz, you may like to stop at the Diaz Café for an optional delicious seafood snack before heading out along the ‘Große Bucht’ towards Diaz Point. This evening you’ll enjoy a typical Namibian homestay.

This morning starts with a visit to Kolmanskop, a deserted diamond-mining town in the Sperrgebiet National Park. Once an opulent and decadent town, today Kolmanskop stands as a haunting monument to the thriving past. You’ll continue across vast open plains, stopping for an optional light lunch in the small town of Helmeringhausen, before heading further north, along the Tiras mountain range, to your lodge in the Namib Desert. The lodge is located close to Sesriem, the gateway to Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and Sesriem Canyon, with some of the highest dunes on Earth towering over the white desert plains. You can spend the afternoon relaxing at the sparkling pool, enjoying the vast open desert plains, or taking part in optional activities offered at the lodge.

You’ll start early this morning, entering the Namib Naukluft National Park as the first rays of sunlight paint the mountains of sand red and orange, contrasted against the blue sky. You will be captivated by the surreal Deadvlei, surrounded by some of the highest dunes on earth, and Sossusvlei, where the dry Tsauchab River ends abruptly amongst dunes. You may like to walk up one of these majestic dunes to admire the desert landscape beneath, before you continue to the Sesriem Canyon, a life-sustaining natural phenomenon in the heart of the Namib Desert.

After breakfast this morning you’ll continue to the little settlement of Solitaire on the edge of the Namib Naukluft National Park, where you may like to enjoy a cup of coffee and some apple pie before continuing via the desolate, rolling hills of the Kuiseb Valley towards the Atlantic Ocean. Reaching the harbour town of Walvis Bay, you’ll visit the shallow lagoon, one of the most important wetland areas on the African continent and a RAMSAR World Heritage Site. Over 80% of African flamingos feed in this lagoon, presenting a breathtaking picture when they appear in groups. Continuing along the scenic route between the dune belt and the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll reach Swakopmund, where you’ll have the rest of the day at leisure. With palm-lined streets and seaside promenades, Swakopmund is a popular holiday destination. Its pleasant summer climate and long beaches attract anglers and surfers from all over Southern Africa.

Swakopmund is often fondly referred to as the ‘playground of Namibia’. Here you can embrace the relaxed pace of this idyllic coastal town whilst enjoying coffee and freshly-baked pastries in one of the many cafés. Alternatively, you could explore the rugged, sweltering desert on a day tour, or view this awesome environment from the air on a scenic flight. Other options include extreme adventures such as skydiving over the desert or quad-biking and sand-boarding on the dunes.

This morning you’ll leave the coast behind, making your way towards Damaraland. The journey will take you through the mining village of Uis and past the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain, just shy of 2,600m. You will then continue further into Damaraland, one of the least-populated and most geologically diverse areas in Africa. This harsh, rocky environment is home to the elusive desert elephant, the black rhino and free-roaming antelopes. You’ll arrive at your lodge in the afternoon, with the remainder of the day at leisure to relax.

You’ll enjoy a scenic nature drive through the wilderness area of the Otjimboyo Concession as you head towards the Brandberg early this morning, in time to see the sunrise and catch the last mist engulfing the mountain. You’ll then continue down into the dry Ugab riverbed, following it back towards the camp, with a stop en route under one of the majestic camelthorn trees for a light picnic lunch. On your drive along the meandering river you may encounter the desert elephants that roam the dry riverbeds of the Damaraland, feeding on the nutritious pods of the trees lining the riverbanks. Back at the camp, you’ll have time at leisure to enjoy the scenery or follow one of the walking trails.

Today is filled with adventures. You’ll begin in the cooler hours of the morning in the company of a local Damara guide for a visit to Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO heritage site. Here Bushman communities engraved and painted over 2,500 pictures around 6,000 years ago. After a visit to the nearby Living Museum of the Damara, you’ll proceed to the Petrified Forest. Here you can also see the Welwitschia mirabilis plant – the oldest living desert plant on Earth – said to be over 2,000 years old. Your onward journey continues to Namibia’s wildlife heaven: Etosha National Park. You’ll check in to your lodge, then have the rest of the day at leisure to unwind by the pool.

Today is devoted to exploring the abundant wildlife found in the Etosha National Park, which surrounds a parched salt desert known as the Etosha Pan. The park is home to four of the Big Five – elephant, lion, leopard and rhino – with game viewing primarily focussed around the waterholes, some of which are spring-fed and some supplied from a borehole. They are ideal places to sit and watch over 114 different game species, including giraffe, blue wildebeest, plains and mountain zebra, hyena, lion, leopard, antelopes such as kudu, oryx and eland, as well as endangered species such as black rhino, cheetah and the black-faced impala, and more than 340 bird species.

Today your guide will take you on a game drive in the Etosha National Park, to visit more of the waterholes and hopefully view even more animal species. You’ll return to the lodge in the afternoon, and will have the rest of the day at leisure. You may like to book an optional open-vehicle game drive with the lodge.