Combine the best of Namibia’s dramatic landscapes with two of its greatest wildlife reserves, on a family-friendly journey. Track big cats with experts, watch rhinos quench their thirst, admire millennia-old rock carvings, cruise beside bottlenose dolphins and walk across vast dune-dominated landscapes.
- Track big cats in Okonjima and watch rhinos drink beside the waterholes of Etosha
- Visit the remarkable petroglyphs of Twyfelfontein – hidden amongst colourful Damaraland
- Spot Cape fur seals and bottlenose dolphins frolicking off the Skeleton Coast
- Drive deep into the dunes of the Namib Desert to visit the impressive Sossusvlei
OKONJIMA AND ETOSHA
Begin to the north of Windhoek, at the carnivore-rich Okonjima Nature Reserve. Home to the AfriCat Foundation, this beautiful area of wilderness is used to rehabilitate orphaned big cats. Track the radio-collared cheetahs and leopards that roam the reserve – follow on foot or in a 4x4, led by expert guides.
From here, head further north to the Ongava Reserve, on the southern edge of the vast Etosha National Park. Spend time driving through this dry landscape, dotted with waterholes that attract a wide array of thirsty game. Dominated by the dusty Etosha salt pan, the park spreads east and west, through mopane woodland and windswept grasslands. Explore this wonderful expanse – home to lions, leopards, giraffes, elephants, antelopes, ostriches and endangered black rhinos.
DAMARALAND
From the dry pans of Etosha, head to the colourful, rock-strewn landscape of Damaraland. Here, stay at the secluded Camp Kipwe – built amidst weathered red-basalt boulders. Positioned in an area roamed by rare desert-adapted elephants, this intimate bush lodge is perfectly placed for exploring this captivating region.
Visit the ancient UNESCO-recognised petroglyphs of Twyfelfontein, the colourful slopes of Burnt Mountain and the impressive dolomite columns of the Organ Pipes. Hidden amongst desert landscapes, granite kopjes and dry riverbeds, these intriguing sites decorate a harsh and remote region.
SWAKOPMUND
Continue southwest, as the rust-coloured rocks fade into the yellow sands of the Skeleton Coast. Stay in Germanic Swakopmund, the largest settlement on Namibia’s notoriously exposed Atlantic coastline. Explore this intriguingly Teutonic town, as well as the Welwitschia-strewn sands that surround it. Board a catamaran to discover the marine riches of nearby Walvis Bay – spot fur seals, dolphins, pelicans and flamingos.
SOSSUSVLEI
Finish this journey amongst the iconic dunes of the Namib Desert. These vast waves of colourful sand decorate a truly inhospitable landscape. Visit the picturesque Sossusvlei and the skeletal trees of the parched Dead Vlei. Also explore the dramatic Sesriem Canyon, which cuts its way through this bizarre terrain.
Additional activities abound in this beautiful sandy wasteland. Dawn balloon rides over the wind-sculpted dunes offer vistas of incomparable beauty, whilst quad biking, horse riding and hiking can also be arranged. Stay at Kulala Desert Lodge; relax amidst isolated desert scenery with access to the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve.
WHY WE LIKE IT
Littered with beguiling landscapes and incredibly safe, Namibia is perfect for any self-drive journey. This adventure allows for a four-wheeled exploration of some of the country’s most engaging sites. Staying at family-friendly camps, it offers comfort, seclusion and an array of activities for all ages. Beginning with the impressive wildlife of Okonjima and Etosha, it ends with stunning desert playground that is Sossuvlei.
Price is based on a family of four, with two children under the age of 12, staying in a family room throughout.
For a more detailed itinerary with great ideas on what to do and where to stay, please get in touch with our experts.