Ultimate Wildlife Encounter, 11 Days

Day 1:
Windhoek to Mariental, Intu Afrika Kalahari Game Reserve
(250km) (Zebra Kalahari Lodge & Spa or similar)
You will be collected between 08:00 and 08:45 from your accommodation in Windhoek. We take the B1 road southwards, turning off before Mariental and heading into the Kalahari Desert.
The Kalahari is a fossil desert, not a true desert as it receives too much rain. Its enchanting landscape is made up of small red dunes, golden grass and deep blue skies. It stretches across 7 countries, including Namibia, South Africa and Botswana. Our lodge is strategically situated in the centre of the Kalahari in an area peppered with Camelthorn trees. It is built with thatch and blessed with a staggered stone pool which attracts the occasional Oryx. Accommodation is in rondavel-style thatched huts which look out over the captivating landscape of the desert. In the afternoon you will enjoy a sundowner drive with the lodge to experience this magical place and spot some of the animals which live here, including several variety of antelope and zebra.

Activity: Sundowner drive
Included: Lunch, Dinner and Activity

Day 2:
Kalahari to Sossusvlei, Namib Desert
(Namib Desert Lodge, Gondwana Collection Namibia or similar)
Just after breakfast, we depart for Sossusvlei, travelling from the small red dunes of the east to the towering dunes in the west. Our journey will take us through the Khomas Hochland and down the escarpment via a scenic mountain pass. Relax in the embrace of the Namib at the Namib Desert Lodge. It is set beneath striking fossilised dunes and provides a spectacular experience of the ancient desert. Its 65 rooms, two swimming pools and waterhole are surrounded by sandy splendour.

Optional activities can be booked with the lodge (Full Board)Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3:
Sossusvlei
(Namib Desert Lodge, Gondwana Collection Namibia or similar)
We make an early start so as to catch the soft light of sunrise over the desert. In the cool of the morning we take a walk through the desert with a good chance of seeing gemsbok, springbok and ostrich.
We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei. This iconic landscape is made up of white plains and red dunes which tower majestically against a deep blue sky and are among the highest in the world. We will visit the picturesque Dead Vlei. This white clay pan lies between towering orange dunes and is dotted with the skeletal remains of hundreds of dead camelthorn trees, making it a striking vista and photographer's dream. We will stop at the famous Dune 45, a beautiful star dune which reaches over 170 metres in height. Those who feel fit enough to climb the dune will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding Namibian desert. We will have lunch at Sossusvlei Lodge.
As the day cools down we will enjoy a short excursion to Sesriem Canyon before heading back.

Activities: Dead Vlei, Sossusvlei, Dune 45, Sesriem Canyon hike
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Park Fees and Activities

Day 4:
Namib Desert to Swakopmund
(300km) (The Strand Hotel Swakopmund)
Namibia is a land of contrasts. Today we will move from desert to sea, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn and traversing the Gaub and Kuiseb passes. As we climb out the dry river bed at the bottom of Kuiseb Canyon, a spectacular desert landscape unfolds before us. We will stop over in Walvis Bay to visit the lagoon. The Walvis Bay lagoon is is one of the richest and most important wetlands in southern Africa. It is home to many water birds including Great and Lesser flamingos, Damara terns, pelicans and avocets. We will also visit the salt works. We continue to Swakopmund along the scenic coastal road, with dunes on one side and the cold Atlantic on the other. Our accommodation at the Strand Hotel offers extensive, unique and creatively entertaining Restaurants, Bars, a Deli, Lobby-Lounge, Sea Facing Terraces, Beach Kiosk and state-of-the-art Conference & Banqueting Centre, all set on the Mole, a historic and iconic site surrounded by ocean on three sides. Dinner will be at a local restaurant.

Activities: Walvis Bay Lagoon, Walvis Bay Salt Works
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Activities

Day 5:
Swakopmund
(The Strand Hotel Swakopmund or similar)
Swakopmund is a charming seaside town characterised by German colonial architecture, palm-lined streets, great restaurants, plenty of shops and beautiful beaches. Today, you will be free to explore. The town offers plenty to do including a good museum and aquarium. Various optional activities can also be arranged. These include a boat tour (with oysters and champagne), scenic flights and micro-light flights over the desert, fishing trips (either from the beach or a boat), desert tours, quad-biking in the desert, sandboarding and skydiving. Your guide will discuss all your options and offer to make pre-bookings. Note that all extra activities in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are made at the client's own risk and expense.
Dinner is at the client's own expense today.

Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6:
Swakopmund to Twyfelfontein
(430km)(Twyfelfontein Country Lodge or similar)
Today we head to Damaraland along the Skeleton Coast. We will stop at the vast seal colony at Cape Cross, north of Swakopmund. Here you are able to get up close to thousands of wild Cape fur seals and observe them in their natural environment.
We continue to the small town of Uis. Uis is an old mining town and one of the best places to buy semi-precious stones for which Namibia is famous. Here rough amethyst, tourmaline and other stones can be found at bargain prices.
We pass by the Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia, and arrive in Twyfelfontein.

Activities: Cape Cross Seal Colony
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Park Fees and Activity

Day 7: Twyfelfontein to Palmwag
(Palmwag Lodge, Gondwana Collection Namibia or similar)
This morning we will visit the Twyfelfontein UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring one of the largest and most important concentrations of rock art in Africa. Visitors can view some 2500 Stone Age rock engravings at 17 rock art sites. There are an additional 13 sites displaying rock paintings.
We will travel to Palmwag, passing by the village of Bersig. We will join local trackers from the Torra Conservancy on an afternoon desert rhino tour, then continue to the lodge.
Palmwag Lodge is situated in the Palmwag Concession in northern Damaraland. This part of the world is blessed with table mountains and spectacular scenery. Abundant wildlife such as mountain zebra, kudu, springbok, giraffe, lion, desert adapted elephant, the endangered black rhino and many other species occur here. Dinner will be served at the lodge.

Activity: Twyfelfontein Rock Art, Rhino Tracking in the Torra Conservancy
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Activities

Day 8:
Palmwag to Etosha National Park, South
(Etosha Safari Lodge, Gondwana Collection Namibia)
Today we will continue towards the Etosha National Park passing by Kamanjab. We will stop at the Otjikandero Himba Orphanage Village. The Himba are one of the last tribes in Africa living strictly within their tradition. We will have the opportunity to see them in their natural environment as well as observe their culture and gain an in-depth insight into their traditional way of life.
We will then continue to our lodge just outside the south gate of Etosha. If time allows, we will enjoy an afternoon game drive inside the park and return back just before sunset.
The Etosha National Park is home to over 100 mammal species, 340 bird species and 110 reptile species. Larger mammals include lion, elephant, leopard, giraffe, cheetah, hyena, springbok, zebra and eland. Animals, particularly during the dry season, are dependent on the many waterholes found in the park, and these serve as great places for game viewing. Vegetation in the park is varied, but consists mostly of mopane woodland and grassy plains.
We will stay just outside the park at a private lodge. Etosha Safari Lodge is set on a hillock overlooking sprawling mopane woodland. The chalets each have their own private verandah with panoramic views. The main area offers a spacious deck, dining area, bar, lounge and three swimming pools.

Activities: Visit to Otjikandero Himba Orphanage Village, Etosha Game Drive with your guide
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Park Fees and Activities

Day 9:
Etosha National Park, South
(Etosha Safari Lodge, Gondwana Collection Namibia)
Today we will spend most of the day searching for animals. We will visit a number of waterholes and stop to view the Etosha Pan, also known as the “place of dry water”. This extensive, flat depression is about 5,000 km2 and a place of shimmering mirages. Seeing large herds of game in this setting is a unique experience. We may stop at Halali to have lunch, before returning to our lodge.
The game viewing in this area is usually excellent, with close-up views of springboks, zebras, impalas, giraffes, gemsboks and plenty of birds. We may also see elephants and lions.

Activity : Morning & afternoon game drive with your guide
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Park Fees and Activity

Day 10:
Etosha to Okonjima Nature Reserve
(Okonjima Plains Camp)
We will go on a final morning game drive before leaving Etosha. We will drive south to Okonjima and the AfriCat Foundation, arriving in time for lunch. Okonjima Nature Reserve is home to The AfriCat Foundation. Today, AfriCat's mission is the long-term conservation of some of Namibia's large carnivores including brown hyaena, leopard and cheetah.This afternoon, you will enjoy a Cheetah Conservation Africat activity to learn more about what Okonjima is doing and how they are protecting and educating farmers about our endangered cheetah population.

Activity : AfriCat Foundation activity
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Activity

Day 11:
Okonjima to Windhoek (250km)
On our return to Windhoek we will stop by the small town of Okahandja. Here we will visit the biggest craft market in Namibia. The stalls are operated on a co-operative basis by the local community and the market is a good place to do last-minute shopping for truly African souvenirs.
If you have your flight today, your guide will transfer you to the airport. Otherwise you will be dropped off at whichever accommodation you have booked yourself into.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Airport transfer