Ultimate Namibia Small Group Safari

Arrive Windhoek

On your arrival into Windhoek International Airport, you will be met by one of Natural World Safaris' representatives who will transfer you to your overnight accommodation, Galton House.

Overnight Accommodation: Galton House

Windhoek - Sossusvlei

This morning your Ultimate Safaris guide will collect you from Galton House. You then depart Windhoek and drive southwest through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands before heading down the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert below, stopping for a picnic lunch at a scenic location along the way.
You arrive at Dead Valley Lodge in the mid-afternoon and you will stay here for two nights whilst you explore the remarkable sights of the Namib Desert with your guide. If there is still time today, your guide will take you to visit Sesriem Canyon, a nearby geological attraction, or explore Elim Dune. However, if you prefer, you can just relax and soak in the scenic and tranquil surroundings at Dead Valley Lodge.

Overnight Accommodation: Dead Valley Lodge

Sossusvlei

You will set off before sunrise this morning to see the dunes in the best light. It is hard not to be amazed by the sand dunes, which are amongst some of the highest free-standing ones in the world. Your guide will explain the formation of the Namib Desert (the oldest in the world) and accompany you to Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. You will have a picnic brunch in a shady spot before returning to the lodge in time for a late lunch. If you didn't have the chance to visit Sesriem Canyon yesterday, you will be able to do so this afternoon, or enjoy relaxing around the lodge.

Overnight Accommodation: Dead Valley Lodge

Sossusvlei - Swakopmund

The fascinating drive today takes you northwest through awesome and ever-changing desert landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park, including the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons. You will meet the coast at the port town of Walvis Bay and then continue north to Swakopmund where you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location and cooler coastal air for your next two nights. There will be time this afternoon to explore the town and wander along the waterfront on foot, before heading off for dinner at a popular restaurant that specialises in locally harvested seafood.

NOTE: Option to include a sunrise balloon flight before you depart for Swakopmund (optional extra at additional cost). Please note that if making use of this offer, it will need to be booked exclusively with NWS in order to fit in with other timings for this day.

Overnight Accommodation: The Delight Swakopmund

Swakopmund

An early breakfast today before your guide will transport you along the scenic coastal road to Walvis Bay. Today offers a memorable kayaking experience. You will meet your specialist kayaking guide before continuing to Pelican Point with its impressive lighthouse. During your time out on the water you will be able to see Cape fur seals, Heaviside and bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, flamingos and a number of other sea bird species. Depending on season you may be lucky enough to spot leatherback turtles or whales too. Your guide will be able to share information about what you are seeing and the environment and you will also be served light refreshments on the beach before you return to Walvis Bay.

An alternative option today is to instead explore on a motorised boat excursion seeing the seals and dolphins. Snacks will be served whilst you're on the boat along with local sparkling wine and fresh oysters, before you return to the jetty around midday.

Returning to Swakopmund, this afternoon is at leisure either for relaxation or to enjoy one of the plethora of activities on offer including sandboarding, quad biking, scenic flights and much more (all at an additional cost).

Overnight Accommodation: The Delight Swakopmund

Swakopmund - Damaraland

Continuing on your safari today, the road takes you north and east into the wonderful and diverse region of Damaraland. You pass Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg which peaks at 2,573 m above sea level, and take time to view game and absorb the vastness of the scenery along the way. Damaraland is typified by displays of colour, magnificent table-topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation. The present-day landscape has been formed by the erosion of wind, water and geological forces which have formed rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains and ancient river terraces. It is the variety and loneliness of the area as well as the scenic splendour which will reward and astound you, giving one an authentic understanding of the word 'wilderness'. If time allows this afternoon your guide will take you to visit the nearby attractions and geological sites of the pre-historic Twyfelfontein rock engravings (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) - if not there is plenty of time to see them tomorrow.

Overnight: Camp Kipwe (B, L, D)

Damaraland

After an early breakfast you will be treated to an exciting 4x4 excursion along the ephemeral Aba Huab and Huab River valleys to explore this remarkable region and to search for game, including the elusive desert adapted elephants if they are in the area. Damaraland is home to a variety of desert adapted wildlife and hidden desert treasures. As the elephants are mostly active in the mornings you will normally have the best chance to see them then before returning to camp for lunch. However, if all the safari participants agree, you also have the option to take a picnic lunch and stop to enjoy that in the shade of a large Ana tree by the riverbed, ideally while watching a herd of elephant browsing nearby. Your guide will arrange to fit in a visit to Twyfelfontein and other nearby attractions at a suitable time if you haven’t already done so the previous day. On return to camp there should be time to take a walk into the local area with your guide if desired, or simply relax and enjoy some well-deserved leisure time.

Overnight: Camp Kipwe (B, L, D)

Damaraland - Ongava Game Reserve

Today you set off on your journey to the Ongava Game Reserve, which is situated on the southern border of Etosha National Park. You arrive in time for an afternoon game drive on the Ongava Game Reserve in an open game viewer with Ongava ranger, on shared basis with other lodge guests.

The Ongava Game Reserve is effectively a private game reserve, spanning 30,000 hectares along the south-west border of Etosha National Park. The reserve is home to a wide variety of game including lion, leopard, giraffe, rhino, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, gemsbok (oryx), kudu, steenbok and much more. The scenery is attractive with large open plains blending into Mopane tree woodlands and dolomite outcrops.

Overnight Accommodation: Ongava Tented Camp or Ongava Lodge

Southern Etosha National Park

Today you will be treated to an exciting morning guided game drive into the Etosha National Park, to see more of the wide variety of game and bird species that are to be found there. There is then time to relax by the refreshing swimming pool before you head out again for an afternoon game drive into Etosha before exiting the park before sunset.

Alternatively, you can opt to spend the whole day out in the park and either take lunch by one of the other rest camps in the area, or have a picnic while watching game at a particularly productive waterhole in the area. Once you are back (gates close at sunset), the rest of the evening can be spent game viewing at the camp’s floodlit waterhole while enjoying dinner, and afterwards.

Overnight Accommodation: Ongava Tented Camp or Ongava Lodge

Southern Etosha National Park

Another morning dedicated to memorable game drives within the eastern section of Etosha National Park with your guide. You return to camp for lunch and an early afternoon rest, spending your final afternoon on a game drive on the private Ongava Game Reserve, culminating in a sundowner overlooking Fischer’s Pan. You then return after sunset with enough time to freshen up and enjoy your final ‘safari dinner’ overlooking the camp’s floodlit waterhole. Etosha National Park covers 22,270 km², of which approximately 5,000 km² is made up of saline depressions or ‘pans’. The largest of these pans, the Etosha Pan, can be classified as a saline desert in its own right. The Park consists of grassland, woodland and savannah. Game-viewing centres around the numerous springs and waterholes where several different species can often be seen at one time. The Park boasts some 114 mammal and over 340 bird species. Wildlife that one might see includes elephant, lion, giraffe, blue wildebeest, eland, kudu, gemsbok (oryx), zebra, rhino, cheetah, leopard, hyena, honey badger and warthog, as well as the endemic black-faced impala.

Overnight Accommodation: Ongava Tented Camp or Ongava Lodge

Ongava Game Reserve to Windhoek via the AfriCat Foundation

Your early departure will take you south from Ongava via Outjo and Otjiwarongo to reach Okonjima’s AfriCat Day Centre, a wonderful highlight with which to conclude your safari. Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Foundation, a wildlife sanctuary that focuses on the research and rehabilitation of Africa's big cats, especially injured or captured leopard and cheetah. You arrive in time for lunch before embarking on an exciting and informative game drive and tour of the centre. Here you will learn about the function and vision of the AfriCat Foundation and will also get to meet some of the Foundation’s special captive carnivore ambassadors. PLEASE NOTE: There will be no tracking of wild cats on this visit and should that be required an overnight extension should be booked. After the excursion and freshening up, the journey continues further south to arrive back in Windhoek in the late afternoon, just as the sun is setting. On your arrival in Windhoek you will be transferred to your accommodation for the night.

Overnight Accommodation: Galton House

Depart Windhoek

Please note that checkout is in the morning. You will be transferred to the Windhoek International Airport for your international flight home.