Namibia: 4wd Desert Explorer

Day 1
Depart London.

Day 2
We will be met by our guide upon arrival at the Windhoek International Airport. From here we will drive approximately 4 hours to the idyllic Farm Eileen at the base of the Erongo Mountains, where we will be able to relax.

Day 3
Heading in a northwesterly direction we will make our way through Damaraland's varied landscape of stark plains, petrified forests and ancient valleys to the rocky outcrops of Twyfelfontein. This area has the highest concentration of Bushman engravings in Africa, some dating up to 6,000 years. We will have the opportunity to explore the area and see some of these San Bushman engravings. Depending on time we may visit the engravings tomorrow.

Day 4 - 5
Continuing on our journey we will spend two days in the Palmwag Concession. Few places on earth offer the same level of privacy and wilderness experience. This 5,000 sqkm private desert reserve has a number of springs which support a healthy wildlife population. These include the desert adapted elephants, the second largest population of predators in Namibia after Etosha National Park (including lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena), Hartmann's gazelle, zebra, giraffe, oryx, springbok and kudu and about 70% of the world's free ranging Black rhinos. The concession is also home to most of the country's endemic bird species as well as diverse vegetation. We will spend two days tracking wildlife and visiting various hidden springs.

Day 6 - 7
We have a final hike within the Palmwag Concession to see what activities have taken place overnight before continuing on our journey to the Hoanib River, where we will spend the next two nights. This dry riverbed is densely overgrown with nutritious acacia trees, a favourite food of Desert elephant and we have good chances of seeing breeding herds of these giant creatures over the next game drives. During our time here we will also get to visit local Himba villages. The Himba are a nomadic people who move with their cattle to graze new lands. They are very traditional and still wear few clothes other than a loin-cloth and cover their bodies in a mixture of red-ochre and fat giving their skin a distinctive colour. The exact schedule of game drives and excursions over these two days will be decided by the tour leader.

Day 8
Today we head via Sesfontein to the Khowarib Gorge, a narrow gorge on the dry Hoanib River and home to a few Damara and Herero families.

Day 9
Leaving the Khowarib area behind we travel via the Grootberg Pass to Kamanjab and further on a tarred road towards Etosha National Park. We arrive at Okaukuejo Rest camp, within the park, in the afternoon. Etosha National Park is centred around the Etosha Pan, a vast, dry depression. Springs feed water-holes where wildlife abounds. This evening we can sit by the flood-lit waterhole at the restcamp and watch the natural theatre unfold before us.

Day 10
We spend much of the day on game drives as we travel across the national park via Halali Camp and Namutoni towards Onguma Game Reserve. This reserve is on the eastern edge of Etosha National Park and covers 20,000 hectares of land. It is home to over 30 mammal species (including plains game and predators) and numerous bird species.

Day 11
We spend another day exploring Etosha National Park

Day 12
Leaving Etosha and Onguna, we head towards the Waterberg Plateau. This plateau if home to over 200 species of birds including Black eagles and the only breeding colony of Cape vultures in Namibia. There are several short self-guided walks through the plateau's beautiful scenery and even a couple longer hikes for those feeling more energetic.

Day 13
We take our final drive towards Windhoek stopping at Okahandja on the way. Okahandja is an important centre for woodcarvers from the north and we will visit the woodcarvers' market on the side of the road here - a great place to buy some souvenirs.

Day 14
Today is free to explore Windhoek before the flight.

Day 15
Arrive London.