Gems of Namibia

Day 1 : Windhoek

After landing at Windhoek’s International Hosea Kutako Airport, you will be welcomed by a representative who will transfer you to your hotel.

Day 2 : Windhoek > Onguma Private Game Reserve

After a leisurely breakfast, you will be transferred to the local airport and introduced to your pilot before boarding your light aircraft flight to Onguma Private Game Reserve. Upon landing at the local Mokuti airstrip, you will be met by a guide and transferred to Onguma – The Fort. Situated within the private Onguma Game Reserve on the eastern border of Etosha National Park, this lodge is home to a host of diverse wildlife which can be enjoyed from the comfort of your suite, on a sunset game drive, or from the main tower which offers unparalleled views of this unique landscape. Later this afternoon you have the option to join a guided game drive within the Private Onguma Nature Reserve, or simply relax and enjoy the peace of your surroundings.

Day 3 : Onguma Private Game Reserve

Today you will be treated to exciting morning and afternoon game drives into the eastern side of Etosha National Park, as well as on the Onguma Game Reserve. Return to the lodge during the heat of the day for lunch and time to relax by the lounge, on the deck or by your room.

Day 4 : Onguma Private Game Reserve > Damaraland

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to the Mokuti airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Damaraland. You will land at the Twyfelfontein airstrip where a representative will greet and transfer you to Mowani Mountain Camp. The rest of the afternoon can be spent on a guided excursion to visit the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein (a World Heritage Site) and the geological sites of Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes; alternatively, you can take a leisurely walk into the local area and explore the nearby attractions tomorrow.

Day 5 : Damaraland

Today you join on a scheduled morning activity, which departs after an early breakfast into the ephemeral Aba Huab River valley to explore this remarkable region and to search for game, especially the elusive desert adapted elephants if they are in the area with a lodge guide. Damaraland is home to a variety of desert adapted wildlife and hidden desert treasures. Once you have explored the area to your hearts content, return to camp for lunch and a well-deserved siesta and enjoy a shared afternoon activity as offered by the lodge.

Day 6 : Damaraland > Swakopmund

This morning after breakfast a lodge guide will drop you off at the Twyfelfontein airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Swakopmund. You take to the air, flying in a southerly direction along the Atlantic Ocean to reach Swakopmund. Here you will be met by a representative and transferred into town for your two-night stay. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to explore Swakopmund on foot. Lunch and dinner can be enjoyed at one of the hotel restaurants or in town. Swakopmund is known for its German colonial architecture, great beaches, and desert-adapted plant and animal species.

Day 7 : Swakopmund

Today will be available for you to spend the day at leisure, exploring Swakopmund and Walvis Bay with activities of your choice. You may wish to climb the coastal dunes at Langstrand or Dune 7, explore Swakopmund’s shops, cafe’s, museum, waterfront and aquarium, or partake in any of the adventure activities on offer such as boat cruises, kayaking, Living Desert Tours, 4×4 Sandwich Harbour Excursions, and scenic flights (all activities are optional and at additional cost).

Day 8 : Swakopmund > Sossusvlei

This morning you will be transferred to Swakopmund Airport for your light aircraft flight along the coast into the Namib Desert. You fly along the coastline (fog permitting) over Walvis Bay lagoon, the salt pans, Sandwich Harbour and shipwrecks, before heading inland over abandoned diamond mining camps and Sossusvlei, with an amazing bird’s eye view of the great dune sea that stretches inland from the coast, landing at the Sossusvlei Airstrip. A Sossusvlei Desert Lodge representative will meet you upon your arrival at the lodge airstrip and transfer you to the lodge. Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is a fantastic base from which to explore the spectacular Namib Desert and dunes of Sossusvlei. This afternoon you have the option to enjoy a guided excursion on the NamibRand Nature Reserve as run by the lodge – activities include guided walks; nature drives or quad-biking in the dunes.

Day 9 : Sossusvlei Area

This morning you will rise early for a magical excursion with your local guide into the Namib Naukluft National Park, entering the Park gates at sunrise to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows accentuate their towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world. Your guide will give you an insight on the formation of the Namib Desert and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environs. Once you have explored the dune fields to your heart’s content you can enjoy a relaxed picnic breakfast in the shade of a camel thorn tree. Return to Sossusvlei Desert Lodge in the early afternoon for lunch, stopping off to view Sesriem Canyon along the way. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure (from experience, this is usually welcomed after an exhilarating morning in the dunes) or can be spent on another guided activity within the NamibRand Nature Reserve as offered by the lodge.

Day 10 : Sossusvlei Area > Windhoek

If time allows, this morning can be spent on an activity exploring the area, You are then transferred back to the local airstrip for your light aircraft flight back to Windhoek International Airport, ensuring that you have sufficient time to check in for your ongoing international flight.