Day 1 - Flight to Namibia
Depart London on a scheduled South African Airways flight, overnight to Johannesburg and then on to Windhoek.
Includes dinner on the flight.
Day 2 - Windhoek
Land at Windhoek International Airport where you will be welcomed and transferred to your accommodation, a comfortable guesthouse in one of the quiet central suburbs. Spend the afternoon relaxing or wander into town to explore. Windhoek's Craft Centre is a great spot for a delicious afternoon tea and to browse through interesting craft stalls. Dinner this evening is at your own expense as there are plenty of good restaurants to choose from, or you may prefer to order in at the guesthouse. You will find the friendly staff are happy to help with dinner and taxi arrangements as required, and the Namibia safari team are easily contactable should you have any queries before setting off on your adventure tomorrow.
Includes breakfast on the flight.
Day 3 - Namib-Naukluft Park
You will be collected from the guesthouse, usually between 08.00 and 08.30, ready to begin your journey. Once you have met your guide and travel companions you set off across the Eros Mountains and along scenic roads, heading south-west towards the flat gravel plains of the Namib Desert. Keep a sharp eye out for desert-adapted wildlife and gigantic Sociable weaver nests along the way. You will stop for a picnic lunch en-route and for a tea break at the tiny outpost of Solitaire. You aim to arrive at your camp on the edge of the desert during the afternoon, leaving time for a refreshing dip in the pool before enjoying sunset over the Naukluft Mountains.
Windhoek to Desert Camp: approx. 5.5 hours (315km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 4 - Namib-Naukluft Park
This morning's predawn start is soon rewarded with a dramatic light play whilst the sun rises over towering sand dunes as you drive deep into the desert. The Namib Desert is home to some of the world's tallest dunes, colossal mountains of sand that rise above the Tsauchab River valley. Walk up the ridge of one of these dunes for spectacular views and an exhilarating run down the slope before a picnic breakfast is served. You then continue into Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei, exploring the area on foot to marvel at the variety of creatures and plants that your guide seeks out. Reenergise with lunch at Sesriem before wandering through the cool, winding depths of Sesriem Canyon and then return to camp in the afternoon.
Desert Camp to Sossusvlei to Desert Camp: approx. 3.5 hours (240km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 5 - Swakopmund
Set off after breakfast on a scenic journey, heading north-west to reach the Atlantic Ocean. You cross the vast desert plains of the Namib, traversing the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb passes. Arrive at the port town of Walvis Bay where you stop beside the pretty lagoon to enjoy a picnic lunch. Feeding flamingos, pelicans and other water birds are often seen here. It's then a short drive along a dramatic coastal road to Swakopmund where you stay in guesthouse accommodation close to the centre of town. Your afternoon is free to relax, wash off the desert dust and explore. There are many interesting shops and craft centres here as well as a museum, crystal gallery and aquarium. Stroll along the attractive waterfront and choose from several excellent (and great-value) seafood restaurants, some also serve pizzas and burgers, for your evening meal.
Namib Desert Camp to Swakopmund: approx. 5.5 hours (300km)
Includes breakfast and lunch.
Day 6 - Swakopmund
With Swakopmund as your playground, you've a wide choice of things to do today. This small seaside town is a major centre for fun activities; from dune-boarding, quad-biking, sky-diving and dolphin cruises to scenic flights over the desert. Your guide will explain these and many other options to you in advance and help you make bookings (costs are paid locally and activities undertaken at your own risk). Alternatively, spend your time exploring the quaint colonial style buildings, visit the reptile park, museum and curio shops, and relax in one of the many cafes. A dip in the Atlantic is best descried as invigorating and there is a pleasant beach that's sheltered for swimming by the waterfront mole. Lunch and dinner aren't included today so they can be flexible to fit around your activities, although you may arrange to meet up with your guide and group.
Includes breakfast.
Day 7 - Brandberg
Leaving early and heading north along the Skeleton Coast, you'll first pause to visit Cape Cross Seal Reserve. Here a large colony of Cape fur seals sprawls out over the rocks and frolics about in the ocean. Raised walkways allow you to walk within feet of these gregarious creatures. From here you turn inland, crossing more desert plains as you drive to the remote town of Uis. There used to be a thriving community here, supported by a large tin mine; but the mine closed in the early 1990's leading Uis into a sleepy decline. Semi-precious crystals such as amethyst and tourmaline are mined by local prospectors from the surrounding granite and sold at bargain prices. It's then a relatively short drive to your campsite at the base of Brandberg, which at 2,573 metres is Namibia's highest mountain and a national monument.
Swakopmund to Brandberg: approx. 4.5 hours (315km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 8 - Palmwag
An early rise ensures a cool start for the 90-minute, easy going hike into Brandberg to see the world-famous 'White Lady' rock painting. Attributed to nomadic Bushmen artists, the age and significance of the painting remains controversial but it is believed by some to be more than 20,000 years old and it is well worth a visit.
Climb back into the safari vehicle for a stunning drive through the breathtaking scenery of Damaraland, a region of flat-topped sandstone mountains, vegetated river valleys and open grassland. Your destination is Palmwag. Located on the banks of a dry river bed, your campsite is set in an oasis of natural springs and waving makalani palm trees. The springs attract a variety of animals, even the occasional solitary bull or herd of desert-adapted elephant. Spend the late afternoon relaxing by the inviting pool or follow the marked trails for a walk before sunset.
Brandberg to Palmwag: approx. 4 hours (250km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 9 - Oase Himba Community
From Palmwag you travel east, traversing the scenic Grootberg Plateau on your way to the small town of Kamanjab. After setting up camp and enjoying lunch, you head out to a nearby Himba community which welcomes the chance to interact with visitors.
Similar to east Africa's Maasai, the Himba proudly follow their traditional way of life even in the face of today's fast-changing modern world. Age old customs and beliefs are retained, from their striking dress and adornments to the way they lay out their kraal. The Himba's traditional homeland is Namibia's far north-west; however a few communities such as this one have migrated south, lifestyle and customs intact. A local guide will introduce you to the community and act as translator, giving you a personalised insight into this unique culture. The village women and children take particular interest in visiting families, keen to interact and find out about more about their visitors.
Palmwag to Kamanjab: approx. 2.5 hours (150km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Days 10 & 11 - Etosha National Park
Pack up camp and depart Kamanjab after breakfast to drive to Outjo where you can stop for a cup of coffee and a treat at the local bakery whilst your guide stocks up on supplies. From here you head north to Etosha National Park and begin your first exciting game drive as you slowly make your way between the park gate and Okaukuejo Camp. Later this afternoon there is time for another game drive in search of wildlife, spending part of the time driving around and part of the time watching the action at some of the more prolific waterholes.
You are up early the following morning to enjoy a full day of enthralling game viewing. Etosha is home to 114 mammal and over 340 bird species; from giant elephants, giraffe and raptors to tiny ground squirrels, steenbok and waxbills. A vast swathe of Etosha National Park consists of the enormous Etosha Pan, a shallow depression of silvery-white salts which fills with water only in exceptionally wet years. Normally it's bone dry, but around it are numerous perennial springs that offer a lifeline for wildlife in this arid environment. You'll become good at spotting game at waterholes and on the open plains; but your knowledgeable guide will be able to search out the more elusive characters and help you understand and appreciate the lesser known species. Spend your evenings by the camps floodlit waterhole to watch the 'game show' unfold.
Kamanjab to South-west Etosha: approx. 3 hours (270km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 12 - Okonjima
There is time to enjoy a last game drive as you leave Etosha and head south through the farming towns of Outjo and Otjiwarongo to reach Okonjima. You aim to arrive at your private campsite in the early afternoon. Okonjima is a private game reserve that is home to the AfriCat Foundation, a successful research and rehabilitation centre for Namibia's predators, in particular the big cats. This afternoon you'll gain an understanding about the vital work of AfriCat and you may have the chance to visit the clinic and see rescued wildlife, such as cheetah, up close.
South-west Etosha to Okonjima: approx. 4 hours (260km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 13 - Windhoek
After breakfast it's time to pack up camp and return to Windhoek. It may be possible to make a short stop at Okahandja's large wood carvers market before arriving back to the capital city and your guesthouse during the late afternoon. There will be a bit of time to relax at the guesthouse before your guide collects you for dinner at one of the capital's very good restaurants.
Okonjima to Windhoek: approx. 3 hours (235km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 14 - Flight to London
This morning you are taken on a trip to Katutura, Windhoek's large, vibrant township. During the apartheid years this was the original workers township and now makes up one of the city's largest suburbs. Each visit is different, but there is usually the chance to visit a market and sample some of the local food and drink. Later in the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport in time for your homeward flight.
Includes breakfast. Dinner is on the flight.
Day 15 - Arrive in London
Return to London with many fantastic shared memories and photos of your family camping safari to Namibia.
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