Set Departure Safari

Ultimate Namibia Safari

"A journey through Namibia with an excellent guide"
Price 0 USD * (See price tab)
Country
Namibia
Duration
8 Nights
Safari Type
Lodge and Canvas
Location
Damaraland, Etosha National Park & Surrounds, Northern Namibia Safaris, Sossusvlei, Southern Namibia, Swakopmund, Windhoek
Kids Min Age
12

Discover the ageless beauty of Namibia, a vast, sparsely-populated wonderland that promises solitude and unforgettable wilderness encounters. On this trip, explore its unique semi-desert climate, ancient rock art, and centuries-old petrified forests that add a timeless dimension to your journey.

Come and embrace the Ultimate Namibia Safari, an extraordinary adventure hosted by professional, experienced guides with intimate knowledge of every area. They’ll ensure a true African safari, satisfying your unique interests and transforming your journey into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Namibia is a vast country, even by African standards, covering an area approximately twice the size of California and four times the size of the United Kingdom, but with a population of a mere 2 million. This gives one of the lowest population densities in the world. It is also an ‘ageless land’; visible through our heritage of rock art created by stone-age artists and geological attractions such as the petrified forest where fossilised tree trunks have lain for over 280 million years. When added to the space and silence, these factors all contribute to a feeling of antiquity, solitude and wilderness.

The climate is typical of a semi-desert country. Days are warm to hot and nights are generally cool. Temperatures are modified by the high plateau in the interior and by the cold Benguela Current that runs along the Atlantic coastline. Except for the first few months of the year, the country is generally dry with very little rain.

This Ultimate Namibia Safari affords you the chance to experience this magnificent and memorable country in a very personal way. You will have your own professional and experienced safari guide who will enhance your enjoyment of this unique country by making it a fascinating and stress-free journey of discovery amidst very dramatic scenery. The knowledge, experience, and character of these guides are critical to a successful safari which is why we ensure that they are both personable and very professional. Your guide will have an intimate knowledge of each area and camp/lodge that you visit, allowing them to share the local insights and highlights whilst adding continuity and depth to your safari. It goes without saying that they all know exactly what a “True African Safari” is all about. Not only are the guides highly qualified, each has a specific area of expertise. Together they possess the breadth and depth of knowledge to allow them to answer questions and satisfy the particular interests of each of our guests. The presence and company of these safari guide will turn your safari into an experience of a lifetime!

highlights

  • Travel with one of Namibia’s most reputable and well-known naturalist guides.
  • Stay in inside the world’s 4th largest National Park and enjoy early morning access to the dunes.
  • Climb some of the world’s highest free-standing sand dunes.
  • Sea kayak with seals and dolphins on the Skeleton Coast (alternative option boat).
  • Track for desert-adapted elephants in ephemeral river systems.
  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Twyfelfontein.
  • Memorable and exciting guided game drives within the renowned Etosha National Park, from the vantage point of a specially modified, air conditioned 4×4 with pop tops.
  • Game viewing at a floodlit waterhole at night.
  • Game drive on the private Ongava Reserve
  • Visit the world renowned AfriCat Foundation and learn more about conservation initiatives involving Africa’s large cats

map and overview

Day 1 & 2 – Arrive in Windhoek by 08h00. Set off by road to Dead Valley Lodge, Sossusvlei

Day 3 & 4 – Stay at The Delight in Swakopmund

Day 5 & 6 – Stay at Camp Kipwe, Damaraland

Day 7 & 8 – Cross to Ongava Game Reserve, Southern Etosha National Park

Day 9 – Okonjima Day Visitor Centre, AfriCat Foundation; return to Windhoek in the late afternoon.

start dates

17 December 2024 - 26 December 2024
14 January 2025 - 22 January 2025
18 February 2025 - 26 February 2025
4 March 2025 - 12 March 2025
18 March 2025 - 26 March 2025
1 April 2025 - 9 April 2025
12 April 2025 - 20 April 2025
15 April 2025 - 23 April 2025
22 April 2025 - 30 April 2025
26 April 2025 - 4 May 2025
6 May 2025 - 14 May 2025
10 May 2025 - 18 May 2025
13 May 2025 - 21 May 2025
17 May 2025 - 25 May 2025
27 May 2025 - 4 June 2025
24 May 2025 - 1 June 2025
3 June 2025 - 11 June 2025
10 June 2025 - 18 June 2025
14 June 2025 - 22 June 2025
7 June 2025 - 15 June 2024
21 June 2025 - 29 June 2025
24 June 2025 - 2 July 2025
28 June 2025 - 6 July 2025
1 July 2025 - 9 July 2025
12 July 2025 - 20 July 2025
8 July 2025 - 16 July 2025
26 July 2025 - 3 August 2025
29 July 2025 - 6 August 2025
2 August 2025 - 10 August 2025
5 August 2025 - 13 August 2025
12 August 2025 - 20 August 2025
19 August 2025 - 27 August 2025
23 August 2025 - 31 August 2025
26 August 2025 - 3 September 2025
30 August 2025 - 7 September 2025
2 September 2025 - 10 September 2025
6 September 2025 - 14 September 2025
9 September 2025 - 17 September 2025
20 September 2025 - 28 September 2025
16 September 2025 - 24 September 2025
23 September 2025 - 1 October 2025
30 September 2025 - 8 October 2025
4 October 2025 - 12 October 2025
7 October 2025 - 15 October 2025
11 October 2025 - 19 October 2025
18 October 2025 - 26 October 2025
21 October 2025 - 29 October 2025
4 November 2025 - 12 November 2025
18 November 2025 - 26 November 2025
9 December 2025 - 17 December 2025
23 December 2025 - 31 December 2025

detailed itinerary

Day 1: Windhoek to Sossusvlei

This morning Ultimate Safaris will collect you from your various accommodation establishments or from the Windhoek International Airport (assuming you land before 08h00). You then depart Windhoek in your safari vehicle with your private guide and drive southwest through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands before heading down the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert below, stopping for a picnic lunch at a scenic location along the way. You arrive at Dead Valley Lodge in the midafternoon and you will stay here for two nights whilst you explore the remarkable sights of the Namib Desert with your guide. If there is still time today, your guide will take you to visit Sesriem Canyon, a nearby geological attraction, or explore Elim Dune. However, if you prefer, you can just relax and soak in the scenic and tranquil surroundings at Dead Valley Lodge.

Overnight: Dead Valley Lodge

Day 2: Sossusvlei

This morning you will need to rise early for a magical excursion with your guide in the Namib Naukluft National Park, normally setting off before sunrise to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows accentuate the towering shapes and curves.

This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world and 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 Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and surrounding dune fields to your heart’s content you can enjoy a relaxed picnic brunch in the shade of a camel thorn tree. You then return to Sossus Dune Lodge in the early afternoon in time for a late lunch, with the option to visit Sesriem Canyon afterwards if you haven’t already done so the day before. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure (from experience, this is usually welcomed after an exhilarating morning in the dunes).

Overnight: Dead Valley Lodge

Day 3: Swakopmund

The fascinating drive today takes you northwest through awesome and ever changing desert landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park, including the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons. You will meet the coast at the port town of Walvis Bay and then continue north to Swakopmund where you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location and cooler coastal air for your next two nights. There will be time this afternoon to explore the town and wander along the waterfront on foot, before heading off for dinner at a popular restaurant which specializes in fresh seafood.

OPTIONAL EXTRA: A sunrise balloon flight or scenic light aircraft flight over the Namib Naukluft National Park before you depart for Swakopmund. Please book ahead.

As an alternative to the drive from Dead Valley Lodge to Swakopmund you may like to take a scenic light aircraft flight over Sossusvlei and along the Diamond Coast (optional extra at additional cost), allowing you a bird’s eye view over the dune sea, abandoned mining camps, shipwrecks, Sandwich Harbour and salt pans before you land at Swakopmund Airport. Your guide will drive to meet up with you in Swakopmund later in the day. Please book ahead.

Overnight: The Delight Swakopmund Gondwana Collection Namibia

Day 4: Swakopmund

After an early breakfast your guide will drive you along the scenic coastal road back south to Walvis Bay for a memorable kayaking adventure within the outer lagoon. After meeting your kayaking guide you will be taken on a short scenic drive to Pelican Point to see its lighthouse and windswept beauty, stopping briefly at the salt works to view the variety of birdlife on your way to the launch point. The kayaking is an ideal way of seeing Cape fur seals, Heaviside and bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, flamingos and a wide variety of other sea birds. If you are lucky, there is also a chance of seeing whales, leatherback turtles and sunfish. During the course of the day the guide will stop and inform you about the environment and light refreshments will be served on the beach before heading back to Walvis Bay.

You also have the choice to partake in a memorable motorized boat seal and dolphin excursion within the outer lagoon and harbour should the kayaking not appeal. Here you should also see Cape fur seals, heaviside and bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, flamingos and a wide variety of other sea birds. Again, if luck is on your side, there is also a chance of seeing whales, leatherback turtles and sunfish. During the course of the excursion snacks will be served along with local sparkling wine and fresh oysters, before you will return to the jetty at roughly midday.

You then have the opportunity to explore the waterfront area of Walvis Bay further before returning to Swakopmund for an afternoon at leisure at your guesthouse or out in town. Activities such as camel rides, scenic flights, sandboarding and more can all be booked at an extra cost.

Overnight: The Delight Swakopmund Gondwana Collection Namibia.

Day 5: Damaraland

Continuing on your safari today, the road takes you north and east into the wonderful and diverse region of Damaraland. You pass Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg which peaks at 2,573 m above sea level, and take time to view game and absorb the vastness of the scenery along the way. Damaraland is typified by displays of colour, magnificent table topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation. The present day landscape has been formed by the erosion of wind, water and geological forces which have formed rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains and ancient river terraces. It is the variety and loneliness of the area as well as the scenic splendour which will reward and astound you, giving one an authentic understanding of the word ‘wilderness’.

If time allows this afternoon your guide will take you to visit the nearby attractions and geological sites of the pre-historic Twyfelfontein rock engravings (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) – if not there is plenty of time to see them tomorrow.

Overnight: Camp Kipwe

Day 6: Damaraland

After an early breakfast you will be treated to an exciting 4×4 excursion along the ephemeral Aba Huab and Huab River valleys to explore this remarkable region and to search for game, including the elusive desert adapted elephants if they are in the area. Damaraland is home to a variety of desert adapted wildlife and hidden desert treasures. As the elephants are mostly active in the mornings you will normally have the best chance to see them then before returning to camp for lunch. However, if all the safari participants agree, you also have the option to take a picnic lunch and stop to enjoy that in the shade of a large Ana tree by the riverbed, ideally while watching a herd of elephant browsing nearby.

Your guide will arrange to fit in a visit to Twyfelfontein and other nearby attractions at a suitable time if you haven’t already done so the previous day. On return to camp there should be time to take a walk into the local area with your guide if desired, or simply relax and enjoy some well-deserved leisure time.

Overnight: Camp Kipwe

Day 7: Damaraland to Southern Etosha National Park

Today you set off on your journey to the Ongava Game Reserve, which is situated on the southern border of Etosha National Park. You arrive in time for an afternoon game drive on the Ongava Game Reserve in an open game viewer with Ongava ranger, on shared basis with other lodge guests.

Ongava Game Reserve: The Ongava Game Reserve is effectively a private game reserve, spanning 30,000 hectares along the south-west border of Etosha National Park. The reserve is home to a wide variety of game including lion, leopard, giraffe, rhino, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, gemsbok (oryx), kudu, steenbok and much more. The scenery is attractive with large open plains blending into Mopane tree woodlands and dolomite outcrops.

Overnight: Ongava Tented Camp or similar.

Day 8: Southern Etosha National Park

Today you will be treated to an exciting morning guided game drive into the Etosha National Park, to see more of the wide variety of game and bird species that are to be found there. There is then time to relax by the refreshing swimming pool before you head out again for an afternoon game drive into Etosha before exiting the park before sunset.

Alternatively, you can opt to spend the whole day out in the park and either take lunch by one of the other rest camps in the area, or have a picnic while watching game at a particularly productive waterhole in the area. Once you are back (gates close at sunset), the rest of the evening can be spent game viewing at the camps flood-lit waterhole while enjoying dinner, and afterwards.

Etosha National Park: Etosha National Park covers 22,270 km², of which approximately 5,000 km² is made up of saline depressions or pans. The largest of these is the Etosha Pan, can be classified as a saline desert in its own right. The Etosha Pan lies in the Owambo Basin, on the north-western edge of the Namibian Kalahari Desert. Until three million years ago it formed part of huge, shallow lake that was reduced to a complex of salt pans when the major river that fed it, the Kunene, changed course and began to flow to the Atlantic instead. If the lake existed today, it would be the third largest in the world. Etosha is the largest of the pans at 4,760 km² in extent. It is nowadays filled with water only when sufficient rain falls to the north in Angola, inducing floods to flow southward along the Cuvelai drainage system. The Park consists of grassland, woodland and savannah. Game-viewing centers around the numerous springs and waterholes where several different species can often be seen at one time. The Park boasts some 114 mammal and over 340 bird species. Wildlife that one might see includes elephant, lion, giraffe, blue wildebeest, eland, kudu, gemsbok (oryx), zebra, rhino, cheetah, leopard, hyena, honey badger and warthog, as well as the endemic black faced impala.

Overnight: Ongava Tented Camp or similar.

Day 9: Ongava to Windhoek via the AfriCat Foundation

Your early departure will take you south from Ongava via Outjo and Otjiwarongo to reach Okonjima’s AfriCat Day Centre, a wonderful highlight with which to conclude your safari. Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Foundation, a wildlife sanctuary which focuses on the research and rehabilitation of Africa’s big cats, especially injured or captured leopard and cheetah. You arrive in time for lunch before embarking on an exciting and informative game drive and tour of the centre. Here you will learn about the function and vision of the AfriCat Foundation and will also get to meet some of the foundations special captive carnivore ambassadors.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be no tracking of wild cats on this visit and should that be required an overnight extension should be booked as per the below.

After the excursion and freshening up, the journey continues further south to arrive back in Windhoek in the late afternoon, just as the sun is setting. Upon your arrival in Windhoek you will be transferred to your accommodation establishment of choice, or out to the Windhoek International Airport (transfer to be booked additionally) if flying out in the evening – departure flights must be no earlier than 21h00 to allow sufficient time for the visit to the AfriCat Foundation and the journey back to Windhoek, or a final night in Windhoek can be arranged at additional cost if required. A final night in Windhoek is highly recommended!

price

Guaranteed Departures (Minimum 1 / Maximum 7 PAX)

Prices 2024

Shoulder Season:
(10 January – 31 May 2024)

  • NAD/ZAR 86.961,00 per person sharing
  • NAD/ZAR 14.259,00 single supplement

High Season:
(1 June 2024–09 January 2025)

  • NAD/ZAR 92.436,00 per person sharing
  • NAD/ZAR 14.615,00 single supplement

Prices 2025

Shoulder Season:
(10 January – 31 May 2025)

  • NAD/ZAR 88.147,00 per person sharing
  • NAD/ZAR 14.391,00 single supplement

High Season:
(1 June – 31 December 2025)

  • NAD/ZAR 99.425,00 per person sharing
  • NAD/ZAR 15.708,00 single supplement

 

Price includes:

  • Accommodation as stated in itinerary
  • Transportation in a luxury air-conditioned safari vehicle.
  • All meals
  • Services of a registered and experienced naturalist English-speaking safari guide.
  • Entrance fees and excursions as described in itinerary.
  • Mineral water on board the safari vehicle
  • Option of either kayaking or catamaran boat cruise in Swakopmund

Price excludes:

  • International flights to Namibia and airport taxes
  • Return airport transfers from Windhoek International Airport – Windhoek – Windhoek International Airport
  • Pre and post safari accommodation in Windhoek
  • Any entrance fees and excursions not included in the above itinerary
  • All beverages with the exception of mineral water on board the safari vehicle
  • Laundry (laundry service available at lodges at extra cost)
  • Gratuities
  • Items of personal nature (telephone expenses, curios, medicines etc).
  • ENTRY VISA FEES
  • BANK CHARGES (as per bank or 3.5% commission for VISA/MASTER and 4.5% commission for AMEX)

additional information

Notes:

  • Services subject to availability at the time of booking.
  • Rates subject to change without prior notice due to circumstances beyond our control e.g. fuel increases, currency fluctuation etc.
  • Given the nature of this safari, the age restriction is a minimum of 12 years paying full fare.
  • PLEASE NOTE that whilst we endeavor to accommodate guests at the above stipulated lodges/camps, we reserve the right to replace such with one of a similar standard and location.
  • Terms and conditions apply.

Handy Tips:

  • Visas/Passports: Please ensure: 1) that you have pre-arranged your entry visa if required; 2) that your passport is valid for at least six months after your scheduled departure date from Namibia; 3) that you have a minimum of 2 consecutive clear pages. If this is not the case, there is a danger of being turned away by the Immigration Service on arrival at the airport – _assuming your airline has agreed to bring you and risk a fine in the first place.
  • Health: No vaccinations are mandatory but please consult your doctor for medical advice. Parts of Namibia are considered to be malarial so we recommend the use of anti-malarial prophylactics (normally Malarone), especially if visiting during the Namibian summer (December to April) – _subject to advice from your own doctor.
  • Luggage: Is normally restricted to 20 kg (not including photographic equipment) per person in a soft, hold all type bag. Weight is generally less important than volume as everything is carried with you on safari. If adding extensions that involve light aircraft transfers the luggage limit may be reduced further to 12 kg in soft bags (please enquire if this may apply to you). If required, any extra luggage can be stored at our base when visitors are away on safari.
  • Vehicles: Vehicles used are normally specialized 4×4 safari vehicle, equipped with air-conditioning and fridges for drinks and snacks. A trailer for luggage is taken if required.

This guaranteed departure Ultimate Namibia Safari has no maximum age limit, but those taking part must be able to satisfy minimum health and mobility requirements which mean they do not take up a disproportionate amount of their guides attention, or seriously inconvenience the others on their safari. This means that all those booking on these departures must be able to get themselves in and out of the safari vehicle without assistance, and they must also be able to get themselves between their rooms/tents and the dining / reception areas at each lodge/camp. The safari has active elements such as the visit to the Sossusvlei dunes and the visit to the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, but there is no problem if some guests feel these are too strenuous and prefer to stay at the safari vehicle. However, it will not be possible for their guide to stay with them as he will need to accompany the other guests who do want to take part in these activities.

Ready for an adventure? Lets Talk!

Contact SAFARI FRANK to get started on your safari of a lifetime!