12 Day Namibia Ultimate Safari

Your luxury Namibian journey commences in Windhoek, the country’s vibrant capital. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional guide and transferred to your accommodation. Settle into the elegance of The Weinberg Windhoek Gondwana Collection Namibia, or a similar standard, for your first night. Located in Central Namibia, Windhoek offers a mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, with a colonial legacy reflected in its German influences. This initial night is on a Bed and Breakfast (B&B) basis, providing an ideal way to unwind after your international flight. The afternoon and evening are yours to relax at leisure.

Leaving Windhoek, you travel southwest with your guide, traversing the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands. The route involves a dramatic descent down the escarpment, delivering you to the iconic Namib Desert, a landscape known for its constantly changing appearance. A picturesque picnic lunch, thoughtfully prepared at a beautiful spot, will be enjoyed during the drive. Your destination is the Namib Outpost, situated within the private Namib Tsaris Nature Reserve, which actively protects the desert’s unique and fragile ecosystem. You will conclude the day with an included afternoon sundowner drive led by the lodge

Your day begins before sunrise with a magical excursion into the Namib-Naukluft National Park to visit Sossusvlei, ensuring you capture the dawn light casting dramatic shadows across the immense sand formations. These iconic red dunes, which are among the highest globally, reach nearly 400 meters. Accompanied by your guide, you will undertake a short walk to the striking Deadvlei, a white clay pan punctuated by the skeletal remains of ancient camelthorn trees, creating an unforgettable vista perfect for photography enthusiasts. You will also pause at the famous Dune 45, a beautiful star dune over 170 meters tall, which rewards climbers with expansive views of the Namibian desert. Before returning to the Namib Outpost, you will enjoy a quick visit to the nearby Sesriem Canyon as temperatures decrease. The desert environment is home to unique species like oryx, springbok, ostrich, and various reptiles.

The journey continues northwest towards the Atlantic coast, passing through the dramatic Gaub and Kuiseb canyons before reaching the port town of Walvis Bay. Here, you’ll visit the lagoon, a haven for birdlife, where you can observe an impressive array of pelicans, flamingos, and other seabirds. Continue north to the charming coastal town of Swakopmund, known for its wide-open avenues, colonial architecture, and surrounding desert terrain. Often described as being more German than Germany, it offers a unique blend of influences. Your accommodation for two nights is the Strand Hotel Swakopmund, beautifully situated right on the water’s edge.

The following day is yours to explore Swakopmund at your own pace. You can stroll along the beach or waterfront, visit the museum or aquarium, or choose from a variety of optional adventure activities such as boat tours, scenic flights, quad-biking, sandboarding, or skydiving. Your guide can assist with arranging optional activities, which are at your own risk and expense. You will enjoy meals, including some taken at local restaurants.

Leaving the coast after breakfast, the route heads inland toward the rugged and dramatically scenic region of Damaraland in northwestern Namibia. On the way, you will pass the massive Brandberg Massif, which stands as Namibia’s tallest mountain, exceeding 2,600 meters. Damaraland’s breathtaking scenery is defined by millions of years of wind and water erosion, resulting in fascinating rock formations, flat-topped mountains, striking colors, and otherworldly vegetation. Depending on the day’s timeline, your guide will introduce you to regional highlights, which may include the ancient Twyfelfontein rock engravings, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the intriguing Burnt Mountain and the geological curiosity known as the Organ Pipes. You will settle into the luxury tented accommodation at Mowani Mountain Camp, which offers magnificent desert views from private decks and open-air en-suite bathrooms. The evening concludes with a relaxing sunset walk.

Although striking and nearly barren, the mountain region of Damaraland supports unique desert-adapted wildlife, including rhino, zebra, lion, and elephant. Situated between the Skeleton Coast National Park and Etosha, this area is also famed for its historical sites, such as the Petrified Forest, featuring enormous fossilized trees up to 30 meters (100 feet) long, and some of Africa’s best-preserved ancient Bushmen etchings. Your primary activity this morning is a scenic guided drive dedicated to tracking the elusive desert-adapted elephants that roam the Damaraland region, providing a special chance to observe these remarkable animals thriving in their dramatic natural surroundings.

The tour now heads northeast, driving through the farming towns of Outjo and Khorixas, as you approach the legendary Etosha National Park. Just south of Etosha lies the renowned Ongava Game Reserve, a private sanctuary teeming with wildlife, which you will enter. As you make your way to Ongava Lodge, watch for the diverse animal inhabitants of the reserve. Ongava Lodge is regarded as one of Namibia’s premier safari destinations, featuring an inviting pool and offering impressive views of the camp’s active waterhole from the main areas. If arrival time allows, you will embark on an exhilarating afternoon game drive within the Ongava Reserve, serving as an excellent introduction to the region’s wildlife.

Continuing your safari experience, you will spend two nights at Onguma Nature Reserve, situated east of Etosha, bordering Fisher’s Pan. Your accommodation is Onguma Bush Camp, ideal for families and offering views over a waterhole. Onguma features over 34,000 hectares of protected land with diverse wildlife, including plains game, black rhino, lion, cheetah, leopard, and over 300 bird species. The focus for these two days is exploring Etosha National Park, Namibia’s premier wildlife conservation area spanning 22,300 km². You will traverse the park, visiting renowned waterholes where animals gather, offering exceptional game viewing opportunities. Etosha is home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, including the Big Five, giraffes, large herds of elephant, and rarities like the black-faced impala and Damara dik-dik. Day 9 includes a full day exploring Etosha. Day 10 features a morning game drive in Etosha followed by an afternoon game drive within the Onguma Private Game Reserve.

After breakfast, you depart the Etosha region and drive south to Okonjima, arriving just in time for a delicious lunch. Located near the Omboroko Mountains, Okonjima Luxury Bush Camp offers exceptional comfort. The reserve’s name, meaning “place of the baboons” in Herero, is internationally known as a sanctuary and rehabilitation center for wildcats, hosting the world’s largest free-ranging population of cheetah. It provides a safe haven for various rehabilitated predators, including African wild dog, leopard, spotted hyena, and several antelope species. Your first guided excursion this afternoon might involve tracking cheetah or leopard on foot, or enjoying the prolific birdlife of the reserve. Following dinner, a thrilling night drive is scheduled, allowing you to observe nocturnal predators and marvel at the stunning Namibian night sky. Nature trails are also available for those wishing to explore the solitude of the surrounding wilderness.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Okonjima Luxury Bush Camp. After lunch, your 12 day luxury tour concludes with a scenic drive back to Windhoek. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the renowned craft market in Okahandja, an excellent place for unique Namibian souvenirs. Upon arrival in Windhoek, you will be transferred to Hosea Kutako International Airport [WDH] for your onward flight or to your accommodation in the city (booked separately).