Guests on this wonderful safari experience and explore the highlights of Namibia - Sossusvlei and the Namib; the Skeleton Coast, Swakopmund; Damaraland and Etosha.
Etosha
Damaraland
Sossusvlei
Skeleton Coast
Walvis Bay
The safari departs from Eros Airport (Windhoek) by light aircraft for Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp approximately an hour's flight away. Activities are conducted in 4X4 vehicles and include a safari down to every end of the Tsauchab River and to the heart of Sossusvlei for wonderful dune scenes. You fly over the dunes of Namib and Sossusvlei to gain a different perspective of the area from air. You continue westwards to Meob Bay on the Atlantic Ocean and then fly up the Skeleton Coast.
The flight offers spectacular desert and Skeleton Coast scenery, where the dunes and the desert meet the Atlantic Ocean. The flight takes us over the site of the Eduard Bolen shipwreck, past Conception Bay and the wreck site of the Shaunee, around Sandwich Harbour and its famous lagoon, the flamingos at Walvis Bay and on to Swakopmund.
You will fly to Damaraland to Ongava Lode or Ongava Tented Camp. Etosha, covering an area of 22,000 square kilometres, offers excellent game viewing opportunities.The aircraft and pilot stay with the group throughout so there is continuity and flexibility. All meals, park fees and activities are included. Group size is normally around four guests - but we reserve the right to go for a maximum of ten.
The aircraft used will usually be a Cessna 210, accommodating 5 guests plus pilot, but may on occasion be replaced by other aircraft to fit the group size, e.g. a 7-guest plus pilot Cessna 402 for larger groups. The Cessna 210 is a single engine aircraft and the 402 is a twin engine. The advantage of the 210 is that it has a high wing for great visibility. The aircraft(s) and pilot will stay with the group throughout.
Start: Windhoek Scheduled flights: Eros International Airport
Day 1 & 2 Sossusvlei The safari departs by light aircraft from Eros International Airport, close to the centre of town in Windhoek. You depart in the morning at about 10h00 but this can be adjusted to a time best suited to all of the guests and their incoming flights. All guests coming off international flights in the early morning will be given enough time to connect off the incoming flight without an overnight in Windhoek, if they so wish. It is a one-hour flight down to Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp, where you spend 2 nights.
Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp is situated 20 km's from Sesriem, the Park's entrance to the Sossusvlei dunes. Towering dunes rise dramatically, more than 1000 ft above the surrounding plains. The camp's location provides access to Sossusvlei, yet also offers privacy and exclusivity. It has been built just below the top of a mountain, using rock, brick, timber and thatch and provides a cool refuge from the desert. There are 9 guest units, ensuring personal service and attention. Each unit is superbly appointed and has a panoramic view overlooking the plains below, its own plunge pool as well as an en suite bathroom with hot and cold running water, shower and flush toilet. The main living area (comprising dining room, bar and lounge) is under thatch. Activities centre round early morning excursion's in 4x4 vehicles to the magnificent Sossusvlei dunes and the "vlei" itself. Afternoon activities are enjoyed on the property where guests can spend time taking in the desert scenery with its unique fauna and flora.
Day 3 & 4 Sossusvlei, Namib Naukluft Park The early morning flight takes guests over the Namib and over Sossusvlei itself for an alternative view of the dunes from the air and then west to Meob Bay on the Skeleton Coast. The desert and Skeleton Coast scenery is spectacular, where the dunes and the desert meet the Atlantic Ocean. The flight up the coast takes you over the site of the Eduard Bolen shipwreck, past Conception Bay and the wreck of the Shaunee, over Sandwich Harbour and its famous lagoon and will land at Swakopmund Airport. You are then transferred to Walvis Bay Harbour for a boat trip (weather permitting) where ypu could view seals and usually schools of dolphins swimming alongside the boat. You may also see turtles, sunfish, penguins, as well as a wonderful quantity and variety of birdlife. The group will return to Walvis Bay Harbor and following a delicious seafood lunch, be transferred by road to Swakopmund to enjoy a tour of this charming town. In the afternoon you depart from Swakopmund for a scenic flight further up the Skeleton Coast, past the Cape Cross Seal Colony, before turning east to fly up the Huab River Valley to Damaraland Camp for 2 nights.
Situated on the northern face of the Huab River valley and looking toward the imposing Brandberg Mountains, Damaraland Camp offers its guests endless vistas. Early morning mists, generated by the clash between the icy Atlantic Ocean and the warm desert air of the Skeleton Coast, drift inland along the river sand canyon, providing sustenance to the flora and fauna of the region. This comfortable and friendly camp offers walks and drives in one of the best wilderness areas in Namibia. Although wildlife is not concentrated, the camp is situated where the rare Desert Elephant roams, alongside Gemsbok (Oryx), Springbok, Ostrich and other hardy desert animals. Rare succulent plants somehow manage to eke out an existence in this harsh countryside. Damaraland Camp accommodates guests in 9 comfortable tented rooms, en suite.
Day 5 & 6 Etosha, Damaraland You fly by light aircraft today from Damaraland to Ongava Lodge or Ongava Tented Camp, for a further two-night stay. Highlights are the game drives into Etosha National Park as well as the night drives, walks and hides on the private reserve.
Ongava Game Lodge is situated along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park in the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve. Accommodation here comprises 10 air-conditioned rock and thatch chalets, each with en-suite facilities. All meals are served in the main dining area under thatch with a view over the camp's water hole. Activities include game drives in open 4x4 vehicles into the Okaukuejo area of Etosha where Lion, Elephant, Cheetah, Gemsbok, Springbok, and Hartebeest can be seen at many of the water holes in the park. In addition, night drives and walks are enjoyed on the private reserve. Ongava has resident White and Black Rhino, giving guests staying at Ongava the opportunity to see both species.
Ongava Tented Camp is situated along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park in the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve. The small 12 bedded tented camp is built in a different sector of the reserve to Ongava Lodge. Accommodation comprises six large comfortable walk-in tents with en-suite facilities, including flush toilet and a hot shower. All meals are enjoyed in the main dining area under thatch. There is a small pool as well. Activities include game drives into the Okaukuejo area of Etosha where Lion, Elephant, Cheetah, Gemsbok, Springbok, and Hartebeest can be seen at many of the waterholes in the park. In addition, night drives and walks are offered on the private reserve. Ongava has resident White Rhino, and Etosha has Black Rhino, allowing guests staying at Ongava the opportunity to see both species.
Day 7 Depart Ongava by light air charter back to Windhoek where the safari ends at Eros International Airport.
End: Windhoek Scheduled flights: Eros International Airport
