Fly into Walvis Bay. You’ll be met on arrival by a safari representative who will drive you to Swakopmund, which lies about 45kms north up the coast. Check in to your hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the town before finding a restaurant for dinner. Swakopmund is an interesting and unusual settlement, with plenty of evidence of its colonial German past, and is well worth exploring on the first afternoon and evening.

Overnight at the Hansa Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, or alternative according to budget and preference

Your guide will collect you after breakfast and you’ll start out following the Atlantic coast towards the north. Visit the lichen fields near Wlotzka’s Baken to inspect a shipwreck before continuing to Henties Bay, a small holiday resort. Travel onwards to the seal colony at Cape Cross. After visiting the seals, the journey continues via Ugabmund to the southern Skeleton Coast Park. You’ll turn inland during the early afternoon via Springbokwasser and will witness the harsh transition from the coastal desert to the Damaraland highlands, an impressive upland landscape incised by rugged valleys. Here you might well catch sight your first springbok, zebra or oryx and, with some luck, desert elephants.

Overnight at Palmwag Lodge in a twin bungalow on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis

Head into the 5,500 square kilometre Private Concession Area of Palmwag Lodge. This is a beautiful, expansive, semi-arid landscape which contains surprising numbers of game – springbok, oryx, kudu, ostrich, jackal, zebra, giraffe, hyena, occasional lion, leopard and cheetah provide excellent opportunities for wildlife photography in a vast, infrastructureless, wilderness area – this is 4×4 territory and you are likely to encounter very few, if any, vehicles. With luck (many have it!), you should encounter the endangered Black Rhino and desert-adapted Elephant, which roam the area in absolute freedom. The trail continues through wild valleys and across riverbeds, past occasional gorges, and springs which draw animals. Hopefully you’ll get the chance to follow the guide on foot and have the opportunity to enjoy the spellbinding experience of getting close to a rhino or elephant in its natural habitat. Depending upon game activity, camp will be erected in the wild in the Hunkab spring area or perhaps further north towards the Hoanib. The guide and assistant will prepare a meal on an open fire whilst you absorb the day’s experiences.

Overnight in dome tents equipped with beds, simple furnishings and a basin for hot water, on a fully inclusive basis

After breakfast enjoy a short hike for a brief inspection of the night’s game activity around camp. The journey continues into the upper Mudorib River with a good chance of encountering black rhino or desert elephant in this dry and harsh desert environment. Arrive at the Hoanib River, a wonderful, dry riverbed that meanders through mountainous terrain and which features dense pockets of nutritious acacia trees which provide the necessary fodder for desert-adapted elephant. Camp will be set up next to one of the tributaries that run into the Hoanib River.

Overnight in dome tents equipped with beds, simple furnishings and a basin for hot water, on a fully inclusive basis

Today you’ll enjoy a full day game drive through the wonderfully wild, semi-arid terrain around the Hoanib River and its tributaries, on the lookout for more animals that have made this part of the world their home. Return to the same wild camp spot for a second night.

Overnight in dome tents equipped with beds, simple furnishings and a basin for hot water, on a fully inclusive basis

In the early morning you’ll continue your journey north into the western part of the Kaokoveld. As you journey northwards over the next few days, you’ll be able to visit traditional Ovahimba settlements – the usual reception from the Ovahimba is friendly and most of them are willing to engage in conversation. Today’s routing will lead you up to the small village of Purros, located on the Hoarusib river, where you’ll be able to meet Himba people who maintain a traditional way of life yet have formed a link to the outside world through small scale tourism activities. You’ll establish camp nearby in the Khumib valley.

Overnight in dome tents equipped with beds, simple furnishings and a basin for hot water, on a fully inclusive basis

Heading towards Opuwo, enjoy the impressive surrounds of Sanitatas and the Tonnesen Mountains, with more opportunities to encounter plains game en route. You’ll likely meet Ovahimba herdsmen with their stock, on the move in search for new grazing areas. You’ll cut north after passing through the Tonnesen mountains to reach the Ovivero dam, a small depression that contains water, used by man and animals alike. This lies about 10kms to the east of the infamous Van Zyl’s Pass. Camp is made near the dam for the evening.

Overnight in dome tents equipped with beds, simple furnishings and a basin for hot water, on a fully inclusive basis

Driving past the village of Okangwati, you’ll reach Epupa Falls on the mighty Kunene River, which forms the border between Namibia and Angola. You’ll have time to explore these impressive falls on a walk along the river, followed by a welcoming swim in one of the upper rapids of the falls (provided the water levels are not too high – usually not!). Camp is pitched on the banks of the Kunene River – a wonderful location beneath palms, looking across to the mountains of Angola.

Overnight in dome tents equipped with beds, simple furnishings and a basin for hot water, on a fully inclusive basis

In the morning you’ll be driven along the riverbank, exploring this fascinating area, enjoying the rolling mountain scenery. You’ll make a visit to another Ovahimba settlement, where you’ll receive a friendly welcome. This is a great opportunity to learn about the ancient customs and way of life of this fascinating tribe and explore the village with its traditional huts. In the late afternoon return to camp back at Epupa.

Overnight in dome tents equipped with beds, simple furnishings and a basin for hot water, on a fully inclusive basis

This morning depart early and drive south via the small town of Opuwo to Hobatere Lodge, located in the Khoadi/Hoas Conservancy, where you’ll have a break from camp beds and enjoy a night in lodge rooms. Hobatere offers visitors the opportunity to experience game drives in open vehicles and nature walks with knowledgeable rangers. Early morning and night drives are part of the activities on offer where many nocturnal animals, such as aardvark, cape fox, bat-eared fox, aardwolf, genet and others can be encountered.

Overnight at Hobatere Lodge in twin rondavels on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis

Today, the group will enter the western side of Etosha National Park at Galton Gate, past the research station of Otijivazandu. You’ll enjoy a full day game viewing while driving through the park towards Okaukuejo rest camp in the centre of the park. Leave the park at Andersson’s gate to check-in to Andersson’s Camp on neighbouring Ongava Reserve in the late afternoon.

Overnight at Andersson’s Camp on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis

Using Andersson’s Camp as your base, enjoy a day exploring both Etosha National Park and Ongava Private Game Reserve, ensuring you get your fill of the diverse wildlife these sanctuaries contain.

Overnight at Andersson’s Camp on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis

Bid farewell to Ongava and travel to Windhoek via Okahandja – Okahandja is an important centre for woodcarvers from the north. They practice their ancient skills at the Woodcarvers Market next to the main road. This is a great place to stop for those wishing to pick up their last souvenir before reaching the end of the tour in Windhoek.

Overnight at Olive Grove Guest House or an alternative that we recommend, according to budget and preference (eg. Hilltop Guest House, the upmarket Heinitzburg Hotel or more modest Thule Hotel)

It’s worth taking a couple of hours in the morning to explore Windhoek a little. As a suggestion, the Namibia Craft Centre in the Old Breweries Complex close to the city centre is well worth a visit, and there’s a good café here too. A driver will transfer you to Hosea Kutako International Airport in time for your international departure.

END of ITINERARY