Essence of Namibia

(12 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Skeleton Coast, Kaokoveld, Etosha National Park

This extensive private Namibia tour features scenic touring, wildlife safaris, cultural experiences and much more in the country's most spectacular landscapes, including Sossusvlei, the Skeleton Coast, Kaokoveld and Etosha National Park.

Begin with an overnight in Windhoek, the modern capital of Namibia. Next, fly to Sossusvlei, a desert region of dramatic red sand dunes in the middle of Namib-Naukluft Park, one of the largest national parks in Africa. Stay at a top desert lodge, and tour highlights such as Deadvlei, a dried lake bed with an eerie grove of dead trees surrounded by enormous sand dunes. If desired, hike up Big Daddy, the highest dune in the world, for breathtaking views over the ridges and valleys of the sprawling sand landscape. Other activities include looking for wildlife such as brown hyenas, springboks and gemsboks (oryx); walking nature trails to see interesting birds, reptiles and insects; quad biking; seeing ancient rock art; night walks and stargazing.

Continue to the Skeleton Coast, a remote wilderness where towering sand dunes meet the pounding surf of the Atlantic Ocean. Stay at a contemporary lodge among the sand dunes of Skeleton Coast Park, and enjoy activities in the area such as visiting the Mowe Bay seal colony, seeing shipwrecks and an abandoned diamond mine, going quad biking, and taking a 4WD tour to the Hoarusib River to see the Clay Castles geological formations and look for hyenas, lions and elephants. Other options include surf fishing, lunch on the beach and sundowner cocktails in the sand dunes.

Next, fly to Kaokoveld, an isolated region in far northern Namibia. Stay at a lodge on the edge of the Kunene River, a life-sustaining resource in the rugged, arid landscape of rocky hills, sand dunes and gravel plains. Among the many activities at the lodge are nature walks to look for gemsboks, ostriches and other wildlife; river cruises to see Nile crocodiles and unusual birds that live in the greenery along the riverbanks; quad biking through dramatic landscapes; and meeting members of the Himba, a semi-nomadic community living in the region.

Continue to Etosha National Park, a vast salt pan surrounded by plains and woodlands, for some of Africa's best wildlife viewing. Stay at an upscale safari lodge in the foothills with panoramic views over the beautiful landscapes. During safaris in the national park and the lodge's private game reserve, visit water holes that attract elephants, lions, rhinos, zebras, wildebeest, springboks, gemsboks and other wildlife. Also look for some of the hundreds of types of birds that live in Etosha.

This tour can easily be combined with our tours in South Africa and Botswana.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Windhoek Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night Day 2 Windhoek – Sossusvlei Private transfer to airport for private charter light aircraft flight to Sossusvlei. Arrival transfer to lodge for 2 nights. Afternoon lodge-based activity Day 3 Sossusvlei Morning and afternoon lodge activities and excursions Day 4 Sossusvlei – Skeleton Coast Morning lodge-based activities. Transfer to airstrip for private charter light aircraft flight to Mowe Bay. Arrival transfer to lodge for 2 nights Day 5 Skeleton Coast Morning and afternoon lodge activities and excursions Day 6 Skeleton Coast – Kaokoveld Morning lodge-based activities. Transfer to airstrip for private charter light aircraft flight to Kaokoveld. Arrival transfer to lodge for 3 nights. Afternoon lodge-based activities Day 7 Kaokoveld Lodge-based cultural visits and wildlife-viewing activities Day 8 Kaokoveld Lodge-based cultural visits and wildlife-viewing activities Day 9 Kaokoveld – Etosha National Park Morning lodge-based activities. Transfer to airstrip for private charter light aircraft flight to Etosha National Park. Arrival transfer to lodge for 3 nights. Afternoon game-viewing activity Day 10 Etosha National Park Morning and afternoon wildlife safaris Day 11 Etosha National Park Morning and afternoon wildlife safaris Day 12 Etosha National Park – Depart Windhoek Transfer to airstrip for private charter light aircraft flight to Windhoek. Airport assistance to connecting departure flight

Hotels

Windhoek: Omaanda Sossusvlei: &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge or Little Kulala Lodge Skeleton Coast: Shipwreck Lodge Kaokoveld: Serra Cafema Etosha National Park: Little Ongava Lodge or Anderssons at Ongava

Cost

$26,990 Per person (double occupancy)