Splendid Namibia – Seven Days

Overview

Countries visited: Namibia

Spend an incredible week discovering the best that Namibia has to offer. Highlights of this luxury safari include the soaring red sand dunes of Sossuslvei; flying over the Namib, the oldest desert in the world; the rugged beauty of Damaraland, home to herds of desert-adapted elephants; and the sensational waterhole game viewing at Etosha National Park. Not only that, but our carefully selected lodges and flying transfers ensure a hassle-free holiday with wonderful extras: luxurious suites, out-of-this-world locations, and warm service and gourmet dinners served under a star-filled sky.

This journey is perfect for solo travellers, groups of friends, couples, romantic getaways, enthusiastic travellers and photographers.

Itinerary

Day 1 – 2: Famous Dunes of Sossusvlei

From Windhoek you fly to Namibia’s Sossusvlei region, famous for its towering sand dunes and surreal landscapes. Here you’ll by staying at Little Kulala, a luxurious desert retreat with 11 glass-walled suites each with a private plunge pool and an upstairs deck inviting you to settle in and enjoy those phenomenal desert sunsets and clear, starlit nights.

Little Kulala sits in a private wilderness reserve with its own gate leading to the Namib-Naukluft Park and some of the tallest sand dunes in the world. Beat the crowds by setting off early and seeing Sossusvlei in the rich, warm morning light – the best time of day for photography. Another real highlight is the moon-like landscape of Dead Vlei where a vast clay pan is punctuated by dead camel thorn trees and cradled amongst the reddish-orange dunes.

Day 3 – 4: Wild & Unique Damaraland

A 3-hour flight takes you over the Namib Desert and shipwreck-littered Skeleton Coast, before turning inland to northern Damaraland for two nights. The flight alone is an unforgettable experience as you gaze down on a sea of sand and the icy blue Atlantic Ocean, and then leave the dunes for the rugged beauty of Damaraland.

Explore the Haub River Valley on morning and afternoon game drives in search of Namibia’s desert-adapted elephants, zebra, giraffe and possibly a black rhino or two. Seeing wildlife is just part of Damaraland Camp’s appeal; a stay here is also about the solitude, space and astonishing beauty of this ancient, rock-strewn landscape as you watch the desert change colours at sunset or sit down to breakfast on a remote hilltop.

The Damaraland Torra Conservancy is a shining example of how community-based tourism can work with the camp itself being largely run by people from the local community who clearly love what they do.

Day 5 – 6: Game-Filled Etosha National Park

From Damaraland it’s a 1-hour flight to Ongava; a private reserve bordering Etosha National Park. For the next two nights you’ll be staying at Ongava Lodge which has a fantastic hillside location with views extending out over a busy waterhole to the vast plains beyond.

Not only is Etosha Namibia’s top wildlife destination but the vast, flat saltpans and numerous waterholes make for some of Africa’s easiest big game viewing – especially during the dry season! Go on guided half- or full-day game drives or opt to drive yourself around the park; Etosha’s roads are well signposted and in fine condition too.

The game viewing in Ongava Game Reserve is also good, if not quite as good as Etosha, and along with guided game drives the lodge offers nature walks, night drives, viewing hides and the chance to track white rhino on foot – an experience not to be missed! In the evenings, sit down to dinner overlooking the floodlit waterhole and endless procession of wildlife coming down for a drink.

Day 7: Depart Etosha

After a final breakfast at Ongava Lodge your Namibia safari comes to an end, and you’re transferred by light aircraft to Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek for your onward travel arrangements.

Accommodation

2 Nights at Little Kulala, 2 nights at Damaraland Camp, 2 nights at Ongava Tented Camp