A unique Namibia flying safari and South Africa Safari

 printable version (372 KB)

Days 1 and 2

Arrive Johannesburg at 08:55am on BA 57. Connect to SA 74 departing at 10:55pm, arriving Windhoek, Namibia at 11:55pm. Met upon arrival and transfer to your charter flight direct to Namib Rand.

***It is essential that you are down-packed and ready to go with ONLY max 10kg in soft small duffel bags.

Wolwedans Dune Lodge, Namibia

Your flight into some of the wildest Africa you can find takes about 50 minutes. On the very edge of a 250-meter-high dune, the Wolwedans Dune Lodge overlooks the prominent Losberg Mountain to the east. The Chateaux Viewpoint on the west is one of Namib Rand Nature Reserve's most enchanting panoramas, and can be reached by foot in just five minutes. Sundowners in totally unspoiled dunes will add to the incredible memories being created and shared by our little band of aviation pioneers!

The comfortable tented rooms are on wooden platforms with spacious verandas, and each is well appointed, with a private bathroom with hot shower, washbasin and flush toilet. The cozy lounge, and dining area allow guests to drink and dine with the few other guests, enjoying superb cuisine. A sundowner deck with a fire pit provides relaxation, gemsbok viewing, and exquisite stargazing. We will have a full-day safari, exploring this great wilderness, stopping at midday to picnic in the shade of impressive granite boulders or perhaps a hardy camel-thorn tree.

Day 3 - Camp Kuidas - Huab Valley

You will be collected at 08:15am from the airstrip for your flying safari Sossusvlei in the Namib Naukluft Park. Sossusvlei is reputed to have the highest dunes in the world. The view of the shadow-lined dunes from the air is dramatic. Land at Sesriem from where an excursion by vehicle into the dunes is undertaken. The dunes reach heights of more than 300metres, for those inclined and fit enough to climb them. After a picnic lunch among the dunes, you fly along the coast via Conception Bay towards Swakopmund.

After landing and refueling at Swakopmund, you continue with a low-level flight north along the Skeleton Coast, past the seal colony at Cape Cross. From there you fly low across the desert by aircraft to the Ugab formations, a nearly lifeless 'moon landscape' of numerous black ridges in stark contrast to the white desert floor, and on to the Kuidas camp in the Huab Valley where you stay for the night. Amongst the rocks within walking distance of the camp are ancient rock engravings.

Day 4 - Camp Purros - Hoarasib Valley

On safari - After breakfast you depart by Land Rover to explore the colorful red lavas and yellow sandstones of the Huab River formations and to be introduced to the ecological aspects of this environment with its wide diversity of flora and fauna. This includes the Welwitschia mirabilis, a tree that has been dwarfed by the rigours of the desert climate. You have lunch at Kuidas camp before flying along the coast to Terrace Bay in the Skeleton Coast Park. Flying along the legendary Skeleton Coast, fog banks perennially roll in and out over the coast as the warm air hits the cold Atlantic Ocean. You will skim low over ghostly shipwrecks from ages gone by, huge flocks of flamingoes, their wings reflecting all colors of pink in the soft light, and colonies of hundreds and thousands of fur seals on your incredible journey. The most prominent shipwrecks along this part of the coast are the Montrose and Henrietta, still relatively intact. At Terrace Bay you will access the roaring dunes by Land Rover, which always proves to be a stimulating experience. You stroll along the wild Atlantic beach with its profusion of multi-colored pebbles consisting of agates, lavas, granites and others. Interesting to see are old whalebones scattered along the beach above the high tide mark. Returning to the airstrip you fly east to the simple but comfortable Purros camp in the Hoarusib Valley, where you will stay for the night.

Day 5 - Camp Kunene - Kunene River

On safari - After breakfast a scenic drive along the Hoarusib Valley to visit a settlement of the nomadic Himba people. You may be lucky enough to come across the desert-dwelling elephant, which frequent this valley - though to plan this is unfortunately not possible. After take - off you fly north along the Skeleton Coast by aircraft to the perennial Kunene River, which is also the Angolan border. The Kaiu Maru shipwreck and pieces from old sailing vessels lie scattered along this part of the coast. From the airfield you take a scenic drive by Land Rover to a special lunch site. After lunch you continue exploring the mountains and wonderful rolling dunes of the Hartmann Valley, which extend right up to the Kunene River, arriving at the remote Kunene camp overlooking the river in the late afternoon, where we spend the last night.

Day 6 - Ongava Camp - Etosha Park

An early morning boat trip on the Kunene River as it flows through scenic yet stark desert landscape, observing bird life and some crocodiles. Birds vary from aquatic species on the perennial waters, to endemic desert varieties and those which inhabit dense riverine vegetation. After lunch at the camp you will fly south again to the vast Etosha pans, landing at Ongava. Met and transfer on an evening game drive to the camp. Ongava Tented Camp is situated along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park in the 30 000 hectare, privately owned Ongava Game Reserve.

Accommodation comprises seven large comfortable walk-in Meru style tents, each with en-suite facilities, including flush toilet and a hot shower. All meals are enjoyed in the thatched dining area that overlooks an active waterhole. There is also a small pool.

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, hides and walks are offered on this private reserve. Ongava has resident White Rhino and Black Rhino, allowing guests staying at Ongava the opportunity to see both species.

Day 7 - Ongava Camp - Etosha Park

Your day will be spent game driving and exploring this remarkable area where you will see a vast array of wildlife - from lion to rhino as they come in at all times of the day to the waterholes of the area.

Day 8 - Cape Town

You will be collected by your charter flight early in the morning to fly direct to Windhoek International airport for check in at 09:30 am. Depart on SW 856 at 11:30am to Cape Town, arriving 2:30pm. Met upon arrival and transfer to the Cape Grace Hotel, one of Africa's finest hotels, located in Cape Town's waterfront area, overlooked by the majestic Table Mountain. The Cape Grace Hotel is conveniently located within walking distance to the shops and restaurants on the waterfront. The rest of the day will be at your leisure to explore Cape Town and the surrounding area. Some options are to go up Table Mountain in the cable car, ascending the mountain in a modern, slowly rotating, cable car. For hikers it is possible to organize a walk to the top - if you are fit! Or take the Robben Island Ferry jetty that leaves every hour on the hour. Here you will make a poignant visit to the prison where Nelson Mandela and his fellow political prisoners languished for 25 years - a 3.5hr trip. Advance reservations needed.

Day 9 - Cape Tour

Collected at 9:30am by Elite Chauffeur for a private full day Cape Point Tour. Visit the spectacular and world famous beautiful Kirstenbosch Gardens, home to 9,000 of Southern Africa's flowering plants, situated under the south side of the Table Mountain. Continue onto visit the penguin colonies and the wild and beautiful Cape of Good Hope. Return to the Cape Grace Hotel at approximately 5:00pm.

Day 10 - Winelands and Return Home

You will be collected from the Cape Grace at 11:00am by your driver from Elite Chauffeur Services for a private day trip to the Winelands, for some tasting and exploring this beautiful area. Since the founding of Stellenbosch in 1679, this area has become famous throughout the world for wines of high quality. The 44 cellars of the Wine Route are situated along the four main roads leading to Stellenbosch. Each cellar entrance is clearly signposted, and most of the cellars offer cellar tours as well as lunches in their shaded gardens or restaurants together with a bottle of wine of your choice. You will make new friends as you enjoy the traditional South African hospitality.

At the end of your tour of the winelands your driver/guide will deliver you to the airport in time for your check in 6pm for your 8:00pm BA 58 flight to London.