Day 2-4: Namib Desert

• Leave for Windhoek in your safari vehicle, accompanied by your guide, who will drive you southwest through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands before you head down the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert below. A picnic lunch will be served at a scenic location on route
• Sossusvlei, situated at the heart of the enormous Namib-Naukluft Park, is one of the highlights of any trip to Namibia. Easily accessible to visitors, Sossusvlei is a clay pan that is only rarely filled by water but is nevertheless a place of awe-inspiring beauty. Visitors to the region will be left spellbound by the magnificent ochre-coloured sand dunes, which rise over 300m (985 feet) into the sky – among the highest sand dunes in the world
• Enjoy a magical excursion into the Namib Naukluft National Park with your guide, entering the park gates at sunrise to capture the dunes while the light is soft and shadows accentuate their towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world
• Hot air balloon rides, helicopter flips and scenic flights over the majestic desert landscape, as well as horse riding adventures, are also available nearby at an additional cost

Day 4-6: Swakopmund

• Head northwest through the awe-inspiring and ever-changing landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park, including the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons. You will reach the coast at the port town of Walvis Bay, visiting the lagoon to see the interesting mix of pelicans, flamingos and other sea-birds before continuing north to Swakopmund
• NOTE: As an alternative to the drive from Sossusvlei to Swakopmund you may like to take a scenic light aircraft flight over Sossusvlei and along the Diamond Coast (optional extra at additional cost)
• The charming little coastal retreat of Swakopmund on Namibia’s western coast retains a strong German flavour, from its cobbled streets and picturesque buildings down to its typical German restaurants and pubs. Swakopmund is an ideal place to relax after a few days in the desert. Wash off the sand and sample some of the finely-brewed local beer and seafood, including fish, lobster and the utterly delicious oysters
• Visit Walvis Bay for a memorable cruise within the outer lagoon and harbour. This is an ideal way of seeing Cape fur seals, dolphins, pelicans, flamingos and a wide variety of other seabirds

Day 6-8: Damaraland

• Leave Swakopmund and head into the Damaraland of north-western Namibia. You will head inland, passing Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg, and make your way towards Twyfelfontein
• Damaraland offers some of the most breath-taking scenery on your safari. The present day landscape has been formed by the erosion of wind and water, as well as geological forces that have formed rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains and ancient river terraces
• A not-to-be-missed attraction is the picturesque Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain, which is home to thousands of ancient rock paintings, most notably The White Lady
• Visitors to Damaraland can view one of its more unusual habitats – the Petrified Forest, which dates back millions of years and offers a haunting landscape of gigantic fossilised trees, some up to 30 metres (100ft) in length

Day 8-11: Etosha National Park

• Today’s route takes you northeast towards Etosha National Park, travelling via the farming centres of Khorixas and Outjo, with a stop at the fascinating Petrified Forest along the way
• Just south of the Etosha National Park you will enter the private Ongava Game Reserve and enjoy wildlife sightings as you drive way through the reserve to the accommodation of your choice
• Make your way through the breadth of the Etosha National Park, entering at Andersson’s gate on the southern boundary. You will then make your way across the park via Okaukuejo, Halali, and Namutoni, stopping at selected waterholes along the way to observe the game gathered there. You will leave the park through the eastern Von Lindquist Gate before it closes at sunset, arriving at your selected accommodation in good time to freshen up for dinner
• Etosha is one of Africa’s great wildlife parks and Namibia’s prime wildlife conservation area. Spanning a vast 22 300 km² (8 610 square miles), it consists mostly of grassy plains around a huge salt pan, which becomes a beautiful lake after heavy rains and attracts large flocks of pink candy-floss-coloured flamingos
• The wildlife in Etosha congregates around the watering holes, making for exciting and productive game viewing
• Apart from its wildlife, Etosha is also known for its immense salt pans, which covers 4 731 km² (1 827 square miles) at the heart of the park

Day 11-12: Okonjima

• Okonjima Reserve is situated just west of the renowned Waterberg Plateau Park, amidst the vast plains scattered with remnants of ancient sandstone outcrops that skirt the Omboroko Mountains. A Herero name meaning “place of the baboons” this spectacular area is home to the world-famous AFRICAT Foundation, which supports the conservation of the world’s largest free-ranging population of cheetah and Namibia’s large wildcat population
• Embark on interpretive tours of the Foundation as well as enjoying breathtaking nature drives
• Keen hikers can set off into the majestic solitude of the desert on a selection of nature trails, while bird watchers will be sure to spot and photograph a number of colourful species

Day 12: Departure

Depart for Windhoek in the late morning, through the town of Okahandja, where you can stop at the craft market. On arrival in Windhoek you will be driven to Windhoek International Airport to check in for your flight home