Swakopmund is often fondly referred to as the “playground of Namibia”, it has numerous activities ranging from, adventure to exploring the fascinating features of the Namib Desert and the animals and plants that occur and survive here. There are a myriad of optional activities on offer from Swakopmund. You may choose to explore the town on own accord and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere or enjoy freshly baked pastries and coffee in any of the many cafes and coffee shops dotted around the town. Afternoon cake and coffee is taken very seriously and a delicious way to meet some of the locals. Alternatively explore the rugged, sweltering desert on a day tour, or view this awesome, environment from the air on a scenic flight.

Today the journey first heads east into the Erongo Mountain range where you can stretch your legs on a short informative bush walk with local Bushmen, listening to stories of the bushman culture, traditions and see some of their desert survival skills. Returning from the walk the journey continues through Uis past the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain (2.579m), into the Damaraland, one of the least populated and most geologically diverse areas in Africa. This harsh, rocky environment is home to the elusive desert elephant, the black rhino and free-roaming antelope species. Arrival at our lodge will be in the afternoon, where the remainder of the day will be at leisure.

The adventure-filled day kicks off during the cooler hours in the morning in the company of a local Damara guide for a visit of  Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO heritage site. Here Bushman communities engraved and painted over 2.500 pictures around 6.000 years ago! After a visit to the nearby Living Museum of the Damara, we proceed to the Petrified Forest – a geological phenomenon depicting the creation and metamorphosis of wood into stone amongst some of the oldest landmasses on Earth. Here you can also see the Welwitschia mirabilis plant – the oldest living desert plant on Earth – which is said to grow to over 2000 years old. The onward journey continues to the wildlife heaven of Namibia – the Etosha National Park. We check into our lodge located on the border of the Etosha National Park and can unwind after the adventure filled day alongside the pool.

The day is devoted purely to the abundant wildlife found in the Etosha National Park, which surrounds a parched salt desert known as the Etosha Pan. The park is home to 4 of the Big Five – elephant, lion, leopard and rhino. The Park was proclaimed as Namibia’s first conservation area in 1907 by the then Governor, von Lindequist. Despite the size of the Etosha National Park, only the southern edge of the pan is accessible to visitors. Game viewing in the park is primarily focussed around the waterholes, some of which are spring fed and some supplied from a borehole, ideal places to sit and watch over 114 different game species, or for an avid birder, more than 340 bird species. Popular game species such as giraffe, blue wildebeest, plains and mountain zebra, hyena, lion, leopard, antelopes such as kudu, oryx, eland, as well as some of the endangered species such as Black rhino, cheetah and the black-faced impala are all found here. An extensive network of roads link the over 30 water holes allowing visitors the opportunity of a comprehensive game viewing safari throughout the park as each different area will provide various encounters.

Today your guide takes you on a game drive in the Etosha National Park. We may encounter animal species we have not seen the previous day and look forward to any new surprises at the different waterholes visited. The Etosha Pan dominates the park. This salt pan desert, which is nearly completely enclosed by the park and is lined by numerous watering holes, is roughly 130 km long and as wide as 50 km in places. During Etosha’s notorious dry spells the pan is a deathly place, lying parched and cracked under the molten African sun. It is claimed that game viewing is best during the dry periods as animals will then congregate closer to water. But even in the rainy season, the park remains an abundant wildlife haven. You then have the pleasure of experiencing the rebirth of life as the young foals, cubs and chicks are seen frolicking with their parents, and the sprouting new green shrubs and grasses create a pleasing green oasis. In the afternoon we travel back to our lodge, where we enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. An optional open vehicle game drive can be booked with the lodge.

After breakfast, we travel back through the centre of the country exposing bush land savannah to the capital in the centre of the country. Time permitting, en-route we may stop at the famous wood carvers market in Okahandja or the craft market in the main street in Windhoek to pick up the last few souvenirs. Windhoek is a cosmopolitan melting pot of European architecture with African culture, with a variety of excellent restaurants to choose from. You will be dropped off at your accommodation of choice, or transferred to the airport for your outward flight.