Itinerary

Day 1, June 21: ARRIVAL DAY

Arrive at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek by early afternoon. After clearing customs and immigration, you will be met by a local representative and transferred to the Hilton Hotel Windhoek, which is located in the heart of the city by the main shopping streets and pedestrian zone of Namibia’s capital. We will meet for an orientation session in the early evening, followed by our first dinner as a group at a popular local restaurant close to the hotel.

Overnight at Hilton Hotel Windhoek. (D)

Day 2, June 22: QUIVERTREE FOREST

Drive to Quivertree Forest Rest Camp, with a picnic lunch provided en route. Arrive at the farm Gariganus where everyone can explore the ancient and famous Quiver Tree Forest and the dolerite rock formations of the Giants Playground. The quiver tree or “Kokerboom” is one of the most interesting and characteristic plants of the very hot and dry parts of Namibia. The quiver trees can be two to three centuries old (look for the tallest ones) and are actually a species of aloe.

Overnight at Quivertree Forest Rest Camp. (B,L,D)

Day 3, June 23: LUDERITZ

Early morning cheetah photography near the Quiver Tree Forest, followed by a late breakfast. Then depart to Lüderitz via Aus, looking out for the Wild Horses of the Namib – the only herd of feral horses in Africa – along the way. Afternoon tour and photography in Lüderitz. Located on the edge of the diamond-rich Sperrgebiet area, Lüderitz is a fascinating relic of Germany’s late 19^th-century imperial aspirations.

Overnight at Luderitz Nest Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 4, June 24: KOLMANSKOP AND ELIZABETH BAY

Early morning and afternoon photography in the ghost mining towns of Kolmanskop and Elizabeth Bay. Once a booming mining town, Kolmanskop faced depopulation after the diamond mine collapsed. The town is now overwhelmed with sand, around the buildings and inside them. You will also see and photograph the iconic images of Sperregebiet and old, deserted buildings where the bricks have eroded and only the mortar is left in Elizabeth Bay.

Overnight at Luderitz Nest Hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 5 – 7, June 25 – 27: SOSSUSVLEI

Depart Lüderitz in the morning on June 25 and drive to Sossusvlei via Aus, again looking out for the Wild Horses of the Namib, and past the Namib Rand Nature Reserve. Sossusvlei is one of the most photographed places in Sub-Saharan Africa; however, how and when you photograph there is very important, and our guides will know what to do. In fact, from the property of our overnight accommodations, you can reach Sossusvlei before sunrise, and stay until after sunset—a special and unique requirement needed to get the best photography field sessions possible.

The next two days we will have early morning photography sessions in Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei and Sesriem Canyon, before returning to the lodge for lunch and a break in the early afternoon. There will be an option each day to return to Sossusvlei for sundowner photography. Located in Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft National Park, the Sossusvlei region is a salt and clay pan famous for its sand dunes. The dunes range in color from deep orange to bright pink and are some of the largest in the world, occasionally exceeding 1,000 feet. The fascinating colors of the dunes are due to oxidation of the sand’s high iron content. The older dunes are more intensely red, and some of the more stable dunes are partially covered with vegetation. Underground and ephemeral rivers occasionally flood the pans, creating marshes known as vlei in the Afrikaans language.

Overnight at Sossus Dune Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 8, June 28: SWAKOPMUND

Your guides will take you to the airstrip for your scenic charter light aircraft flight from Sossusvlei up the Coast to Swakopmund Airport for refueling, flying over shipwrecks, deserted mining camps, seal colonies and Sandwich Harbour. Enjoy a relaxing group lunch, explore the town, and wander along the waterfront on foot before heading off to dinner with your guide at a popular restaurant in Swakopmund which specializes in fresh seafood.

Overnight at Strand Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 9, June 29: DAMARALAND

Enjoy breakfast and explore the shops in Swakopmund before heading via the Brandberg Mountain in the distance, to Damaraland.  In the mid to late afternoon, your guides will take you to visit the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein.

Overnight at Mowani Mountain Camp (B,L,D)

Days 10 – 12, June 30 – July 2: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

Spend the morning of June 30 in search of desert adapted elephants with your guides and vehicles, if they are in the area, whilst en-route to the southern boundary of the Etosha National Park.  Enjoy a short afternoon game viewing experience in southern section of Etosha National Park with your guides and vehicles, if time allows, returning to the lodge before sunset.

Overnight at Ongava Lodge (B, L, D)

The following day, July 1, will be a full day of game driving across the park via the resorts of Okaukeuejo, Halali and Namutoni, stopping at selected watering holes along the way and for a picnic lunch in the park. Leave the park before sunset and continue to Mushara, which is situated in the outskirts of the eastern gate to the park.

July 2 will be another full day of game viewing in the eastern section of Etosha National Park, with a picnic lunch in the park. Return to Mushara in the late afternoon.

Overnight at Mushara Outpost (B,L,D)

Day 13, July 3: RETURN TO WINDHOEK

After breakfast, drive via the small towns of Tsumeb, Otavi, Otjiwarongo and Okahandja back to Windhoek.  Arrive in Windhoek in the late afternoon. Enjoy a final celebratory dinner wtih your guides at a popular restaurant in Windhoek. After dinner you bid your guides a fond farewell.

Overnight at Am Weinberg Boutique Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 14, July 4: DEPARTURE DAY

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flights home. (B)