Discover Namibia

Day 1
Depart London.

Day 2
From the airport we will drive into town for an hour or so. In town everyone will have a chance to change money and pick up any supplies they may need, this is also an opportunity for our guides to buy fresh food. We will then drive to Arebbush Lodge on the outskirts of the city. The afternoon can be spent exploring or relaxing.

Day 3
Today we head southwest through the spectacular scenery of the Namib-Naukluft Park to Sesriem. This national park, one of the largest in the world, is home to one of the driest and oldest deserts on earth. It contains the finest desert scenery in Africa, if not in the world, with towering jagged rock formations and an incredible lunar landscape, so be prepared for some great photo stops.

Day 4
Today we have a full day in the Namib Desert and get the opportunity to visit the Sossusvlei dunes, one of the great sights of Africa, either by walk to Hiddenvlei or taking transfer to Deadvlei (optional costs). We get up early to watch the early morning light and there is then time to climb some of the highest sand dunes in the world. Alternatively just enjoy the changing colours on the towering dunes from lower down as the sun gets up. If we're lucky we may see gemsbok or ostrich among the sand dunes, an irresistibly photogenic scene! In the afternoon there is a visit to the Sesriem Canyon. We will then continue on to our camp an hour away.

Day 5
A long drive through Namib-Naukluft Park to Swakopmund, visiting Walvis Bay en route for lunch to see the local flamingos.

Day 6
Today is spent in and around Swakopmund - a German colonial resort town. There is time to go fishing or laze on the beach, or alternatively just enjoy a cream tea and a seafood dinner along the front. There are various optional activities available; you can go walking among the dunes outside the town, or go on a dolphin-watching trip. There is also the opportunity to try sand boarding, quad-biking or even sky-diving (optional).

Day 7
This morning we will drive towards the stark Skeleton Coast visiting the Seal Colony at Cape Cross. This gives a wonderful opportunity to take some close up shots of the thousands of Cape fur seals frolicking and fishing in the nearby surf. We then continue inland to the Brandberg area the highest mountain in Namibia as it's the southern most point to where the desert elephants roam in the Damaraland area

Day 8
This morning we drive to Twyfelfontein to view the highest density of Bushmen (San) engravings in Southern Africa. We then take a scenic drive to the Petrified Forest (260 million years old) to see how the wood has been metamorphasised into stone. . We spend the night at a community run campsite, and therefore all fees go straight to the local community.

Day 9
Today is spent with a scenic drive to Etosha via the Petrified Forest geological site, which is approximately 260 million years old. We should arrive at Etosha in time for a late afternoon game drive before camping at Okaukuejo, which has an excellent waterhole for viewing game at night. Our itinerary allows plenty of time to really enjoy this fabulous game park.

Day 10 - 11
Etosha is a huge park of mixed forest and grassland centred around a large salt pan. Etosha is home to a great variety and number of game, which is easy to find as the animals congregate at different times around the waterholes. There are waterholes next to the excellent campsites, and it is not uncommon for us to spend all night watching a gala performance of animals: wildebeest, zebra, impala, springbuck, kudu, elephant, giraffe, lion and even rhino are all common sights here. Take plenty of camera memory and lots of patience and you will be rewarded by one of the greatest game spectacles in Southern Africa. Etosha is also a good place for birds, with plenty of water birds on the lakes (when filled with water), and weaverbirds and hornbills in the trees. While in Etosha we move from Okaukuejo to either Halali or Namatoni rest camps. These camps now offer optional night drives which you can book and pay for on arrival.

Day 12
We leave Etosha and arrive at the Cheetah Conservation Centre in time for cheetah feeding. You will have the chance to meet the local residents, cheetahs who cannot be released back into the wild, and visit the education centre and museum. We then drive to Otjiwarongwe for the night.

Day 13
This morning we drive to the Waterberg Plateau, a 200 metre high gigantic flat topped plateau with bushveld on top, which is one of the more fertile areas in Namibia and very colourful, especially after the rains. Here there are several walking trails, including one leading to a spectacular viewpoint near the top of the plateau for a great view. Optional 4x4 game drive.

Day 14
A drive of three hours or so brings us back to Windhoek.

Day 15
Arrive London.