NAMIBIA (SAMPLE ITINERARY)
Day 1: Upon your early morning arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport (Windhoek Airport), you will collect your luggage and proceed into the Arrivals hall. There you will be met and assisted onto your small plane, for your scheduled flight to the heart of the Namib Desert, one of the oldest (and driest) places on earth, and certainly home to some of the most spectacular sand dunes imaginable! When your plane arrives in Sossusvlei, you will find yourself in one of the world’s most remarkable areas at the edge of the world’s oldest desert. The Namib – known as “The Living Desert” – is a world of vast space, endless horizons, dramatic desert landscapes landscapes and jagged mountain heights. It is considered to be the oldest desert in in the world and is home to the magnificent Sossusvlei dunes, dunes , which are often referred to as the highest dunes in the world.
Upon your arrival in Sossusvlei, you will be met by your hosts and transferred to the luxurious Little Kulala, situated on the western side of the Kulala Wilderness Reserve. Little Kulala is the only property with its own private gate into the legendary Sossusvlei Reserve.
Kulala is the Swahili word for “place of rest,” and this stylish camp is designed to provide a sense of comfort and serenity in the midst of the vast expanses of the Namibian desert. Your comfortable air-conditioned room has vast expanses of glass facing the landscape, and a private lounging deck with a (really, really small) plunge pool. Best yet, your room features a little sleeping deck on the roof, in case you wish to enjoy a magical night under the starry desert sky. Lunch will be awaiting your arrival. Once you are settled in and have a bit of time to freshen up, you will meet your guide for a brief orientation and then will begin your afternoon drive, an introduction to the landscape and the natural life of the desert. The abundance and diversity of life that the desert supports may surprise you. Dinner at your camp.
Day 1 (continued): When you are ready, retire to your chalet. For a truly romantic night, we suggest sleeping under the stars in your private “skybed� atop your chalet. You will feel, under the vast Namibian sky, as if you could almost reach up and touch the stars. Overnight: Little Kulala. Day 2: Early wake-up. After an early morning coffee and tea, depart in your open-air 4x4 vehicle for your early morning visit to the legendary Sossusvlei Dunes, inside the boundaries of the National Park. You will also find a petrified forest. Other activities today might include 4x4 nature drives, visits to Sesriem and/or walking trails. Your day will include lunch, as well as memorable sundowners in your scenic surroundings. After a full-day of activities, return to your camp at sunset. Dinner at your camp. Overnight: Little Kulala. Day 3: Wake up a bit later today (if you wish)! After breakfast you will be escorted back to the airstrip for your scheduled small plane flight to Damaraland Camp. Upon arrival at the airstrip (including a brief stop in Swakopmund), you will be met and escorted to Damaraland Camp. Damaraland Camp is situated in the Huab River Valley, in one of the most pristine wilderness areas in the mountainous region of north-west Namibia. As such, it offers endless vistas across stark plains and over ancient valleys. An open campfire and outdoor 'boma' are on offer, and stargazing is superb in the crystal-clear night skies.
Damaraland Camp integrates the local community and the environment with sustainable ecotourism, and has won an array of environmental awards. Activities include nature drives, walks, and mountain biking during, where guests can see such species as desert-adapted elephant, gemsbok, greater kudu springbok, and, occasionally, cheetah and black rhino. The area also has some of Africa's best rock engravings, including the famous Twyfelfontein etchings, dating from the Late Stone Age.
Day 3 (continued): Once you are settled in and have a bit of time to freshen up, you will meet your guide for a brief orientation about what you will experience during your stay. Depart for your afternoon activity, either a guided walk to a scenic spot to watch the sunset, or a scenic sunset drive. Return to your lodge for dinner. Overnight: Damaraland Camp. Day 4: Early wake-up. After a full breakfast, you will set out on either a nature drive or a guided walk. Return to your lodge for lunch. During the day you may enjoy additional activities, including a cultural visit or mountain biking. In the late afternoon, enjoy a scenic sunset guided walk or drive. Return to your lodge for dinner. Overnight: Damaraland Camp. Day 5: Early wake-up. After a full breakfast, depart on a nature drive in search of desert elephants, or just to enjoy the amazing scenery in the area. At a time to be determined, you will be escorted to the airstrip, where you will board your small plane flight to your next camp. Upon your arrival, you will be met by your hosts and escorted to your lodge. destination tination and, Etosha National Park is Namibia's premier wildlife des and, at almost the size of Switzerland, Switzerland, it is certainly one of Africa's largest game parks. Large herds of plains game concentrate around the waterholes in the dry season (June to August), August), while whil e in the summer summer months months , sporadic rainfall produces a profusion profusion of life.
Upon arrival at Ongava, you will be met and transferred to your lodge. Check in at Little Ongava.
Day 5 (continued): Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking a waterhole, Little Ongava is possibly Namibia's most luxurious and exclusive safari destination. The lodge offers three spacious, luxurious, and private units, each with its own plunge pool, a sala, an en-suite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers, and a bath with a magnificent view. Etosha National Park is Namibia's premier wildlife destination and one of Africa's largest game reserves. Massive herds of wildlife teem around the waterholes and the endless plains offer breathtaking vistas. The Ongava Game Reserve shares a boundary with the Etosha National Park, where smaller game move between the two areas. Activities revolve around day and night wildlife-viewing drives, visiting hides that overlook waterholes, and enjoying nature walks with experienced guides. The Ongava Game Reserve features all the characteristic wildlife of the area, with both desert-adapted black and white rhino to be seen, as well as fearsome lion. For those who enjoy close wildlife encounters, tracking white rhino on foot with a guide is a highlight not to be missed. Game drives and daytrips into Etosha National Park are rewarding, with sightings of lion, elephant, gemsbok, springbok, red hartebeest, and white and black rhino. On arrival, settle in to your accommodation. Depart on an afternoon game drive on the Ongava Reserve. Return to your lodge for dinner. Overnight: Little Ongava. Day 6: Wake up before sunrise. After an early morning tea or coffee, depart in your open-air 4x4 safari vehicle, for your morning game drive in Etosha. Return to your camp for a hearty lunch. After lunch, the early afternoon is free, so that you can relax and enjoy the facilities of your lodge. If you want more activity, consider tracking white rhino on foot with your guide or visit one of the “hides� on the property. Tea, coffee and cakes will be served in the afternoon. In the late afternoon, depart on your afternoon game drive with your guide in the Ongava Reserve. Enjoy drinks in the bush as the sun sets. Once the sun goes down, high-powered spotlights will be used to highlight the nocturnal life of the bush. Return to your lodge for dinner. Overnight: Little Ongava. Day 7: Early wake-up. After an early morning tea or coffee, you may want to take a full-day journey into Etosha National Park, complete with a private picnic lunch. Otherwise, return to your camp for a hearty lunch.
There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne. Karen Blixen, Out of Africa
Day 7 (continued): After lunch, the early afternoon is free, so that you can relax and enjoy the facilities of your lodge. In the late afternoon, depart on your afternoon game drive with your guide in the Ongava Reserve. Enjoy drinks in the bush as the sun sets. Once the sun goes down, high-powered spotlights will be used to highlight the nocturnal life of the bush. Return to camp for dinner at your lodge or in the open-air boma. Overnight: Little Ongava. Day 8: Early wake-up. Early morning tea or coffee, followed by a drive in the Ongava Reserve. Return to the camp for an ample breakfast. You will then be escorted to the safari’s landing strip, where you will board your small plane flight to your next camp. Check into Serra Cafema Camp, one of the most remote camps in all of Southern Africa.
Serra Cafema’s intimate (there are only eight chalets) design is inspired by the pioneering spirit of the area and is perched on the Kunene River, which forms Namibia's northernmost border. The camp's Portuguese name comes from the mountains that dominate the skyline to the north. The region is shared with the Himba people who are some of the last true nomadic people in Africa. The Kunene River is the only permanent source of water in the whole region, and the river creates a lush oasis along its banks, surrounded by rugged mountains and sand dunes. • You will be staying in a raised canvas and thatch chalet, complete with ensuite bathroom and a retractable glass facade with abundant outdoor lounging, dining and shower decks. Activities include enjoying the breathtaking landscape scenes, dotted here and there with springbok, ostrich and gemsbok; traversing the sand dunes in 4x4 Land Rovers; and boating on the Kunene River to watch for crocodiles. Walking in the remote mountain and river valleys is another highlight. Serra Cafema is often visited by the native Ovahimba families who live in the nearby vicinity, which gives guests the opportunity to learn about their lifestyle and traditions.
Day 8 (continued): One of the highlights of Serra Cafema are the quad-bike adventures that treads lightly on the dunes, while allowing guests to experience true desert excitement. The desert adventures are carefully controlled to ensure no environmental damage. Upon your arrival, check into your accommodations and familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Enjoy late afternoon tea and coffee. Depart in the afternoon to get a closer look at the dramatic landscapes of this remote area. Afterwards, return to your camp for dinner. Overnight: Serra Cafema. Days 9 and 10: Early wake-up followed by your morning activity, which can include scenic drives, walking, visiting a nearby Himba village, quad-biking or boating on the Kunene River.
Enjoy a picnic breakfast on your activity. Return to your camp in time for lunch. Early afternoon at leisure. Afternoon tea is followed by your afternoon activity which again includes a choice of drives, walks, village visits or boating. At sunset, return to your camp for dinner. Enjoy the majestic Namibian sky by spending the rest of the evening stargazing before returning to your chalet. Overnights: Serra Cafema. Day 11: Early wake-up followed by your morning activity. Return to your camp and check out of your accommodations. You will be escorted to your camp’s private airstrip for your small plane flight to Windhoek (approximately 3 1/3 hours). Upon your arrival in Windhoek, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Check in at the lovely Olive Grove Guest House. Olive Grove is a small, upmarket guest house located in a quiet area close to the Windhoek city center. • You will be staying in a garden suite.
Day 11 (continued):
Your room has a large veranda with tables and chairs for al fresco dining, and the open-air lounge, spa bath, plunge pool, and tranquil garden invite you to unwind and relax. Overnight: Olive Grove Guest House – garden suite. Day 12: Breakfast at your hotel. You will be picked up and escorted to Windhoek International Airport, where you will proceed to check in for your flight to Johannesburg (if you are connecting to your return flight home), or for your flight to Cape Town, should you wish to extend your trip a bit longer. Have a great flight! We wish you the traditional Zulu farewell: Hambaghatle (May Peace Be With You).
So much of who we are is where we have been. William Langewiesche
Included in your land package: ACCOMMODATION: Eleven nights accommodation (double occupancy) in some of South Africa’s most atmospheric accommodations, including ten nights on safari. Breakfast served every morning. PRIVATE TOURS AND ACTIVITIES: Services while at Little Kulala, Damaraland Camp, Little Ongava and Serra Cafema: Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Tea, coffee and sweets daily. All wine and beers (except “premium brands”). Sundowner cocktails every evening. Daily activities as noted. Park fees. Laundry service. GROUND TRANSPORTATION: Transfers by private vehicle: Windhoek Airport – Olive Grove Guest House. Olive Grove Guest House – Windhoek Airport. OTHER SERVICES: All transfers to and from landing strips to camps. All National Park fees. The 24/7 services of our first-rate office in Johannesburg.
Not included in your land package: Air (for domestic air, see below). Transfers or accommodation in Johannesburg or Cape Town. Gratuities. Services on days at leisure. Optional or extra activities (that carry a fee) booked directly with game lodges or hotels. Special imposed fees/taxes on private game reserves and national parks. Luggage shipment fees. Spa treatments and other personal items.