NAMIBIA – THE HIGHLIGHTS – 7 DAYS

A Day Exploring the Sossusvlei Dunes This morning, you have an early start to ensure you are at the Namib Naukluft gate at sunrise when it opens. Once you've completed the entry permit paperwork and paid the entry fees (N$150 per person + N$50 per vehicle - the permit is valid for a day and allows multiple entries), you drive the 60km to the Sossusvlei dunes. Spend the morning visiting Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and Dune 45 on our way back to the gate. If you are feeling energetic, climb the Big Daddy dune and admire the expanse of the Namib Sandsea and the sight of Marble Mountain nearby. Return to your lodge in time for lunch and to rest during the hottest part of the day. Later in the afternoon, visit the Sesriem Canyon. Overnight at Sossusvlei Lodqe Basis: DBB

Sossusvlei - Swakopmund Breakfast. Shake the Sossusvlei sand out of your shoes and head further north to the icy water of the Atlantic Ocean. We'll stop at Solitaire to refuel and sample some famous apple pie. The route crosses the Tropic of Capricorn and winds through the Kuiseb Canyon before reaching the port town of Walvisbay. Continue along the coastal road north to Swakopmund. Arrive in Swakop in the afternoon and check in at your hotel. Enjoy a stroll through town or on the jetty before choosing a restaurant for dinner. Overnight at Swakopmund Sands Basis: B+B

A Day on the Namibian Coast Breakfast. We drive the short distance, along the coast, to Walvisbay and check in at the Mola Mola office on the Waterfront for a day full of adventures. The day starts with a cruise in the Walvis Bay Harbour, where you'll spot seals, dolphins, pelicans and flamingos. If you're fortunate, you might spot whales and sunfish. On your return to the Waterfront, you will meet your guide and embark on an epic 4x4 adventure through the dunes of the Namib Naukluft Park to Sandwich Harbour. The route to Sandwich Harbour depends on the tides. It may run along the beach, past the Lange Wand, before you head through the dune belt to a scenic lookout point from where you can see the whole Sandwich Harbour estuary. Your guide is very experienced, and although you'll want to hold your breath at some of the steep dune descents, you are in skillful hands. A light lunch platter is served in the dunes with various "finger" foods, i.e., spring rolls, crostinis, calamari sticks, chicken wings, and snacks like droéwors, chips, cookies with sparkling wine, beer, coke, and water. Meet your guide at the Mola Mola office before being transferred to Swakopmund. Freshen up before choosing a restaurant for dinner. The cruise and dune trip will take up the entire day, Travel time between Swakopmund and Walvisbay is approx Oh40. Overnight at Swakopmund Sands Basis: B+B+L

Swakopmund - Etosha We'll enjoy an early breakfast, stock up on water and snacks for the road, and drive from Swakopmund to Etosha. Our route travels via the Moon Landscape and Coanikontes Oasis before joining the tar road via Usakos and Karibib. We stop in Omaruru for lunch before continuing to Outjo and Toshari Lodge. Arrive at the lodge and relax after the days long drive. Enjoy a beautiful sundowner looking out over the Mopane woodland before dinner. Overnight at Toshari Lodqe Basis: DBB

A Day in Etosha National Park Breakfast. A full day's worth of game driving awaits. We leave early to enjoy the cool morning air and frequent sightings of animals. Visit some of the many waterholes that dot the side of the massive salt pan. The lookout point affords splendid views of the massive Etosha Pan. The pan covers about 25 percent of the park and is a shallow depression that is dry for most of the year but fed by moisture from perennial springs on the fringes. We return to the lodge for lunch and to rest while the day is hottest. In the afternoon, we will return to the park for an afternoon game drive and take a break at Okaukuejo Camp, where you can observe the bustling activity at the waterhole as various animals come and go. We exit the park before sunset and return to the lodge to freshen up before dinner. Overnight at Toshari Lodge Basis: DBB

Etosha - Windhoek - Depart Breakfast. Before heading south to Windhoek, you'll have the opportunity for one final early morning game drive in Etosha. Our route travels through the small towns of Outjo, Otjiwarongo and Okahandja before we arrive in Windhoek. Depending on your flight departure, there may be time for lunch and souvenir shopping at the Namibia Craft Centre. Transfer to the airport to check in for your onward flight. END OF SERVICES

Today’s journey leads you to the Zambezi Mubala Lodge near Katima Mulilo, the capital of the Zambezi region. The lodge is located directly at the Zambezi River, the fourth longest river in Africa and is known for its huge colonies of colorful carmine bee-eaters. You shouldn't miss a boat trip in the afternoon or book a fishing trip and take the challenge to catch the elusive tiger fish (catch and release).

• Breakfast, Dinner, Accommodation
•  Luxury: Zambezi Mubala Lodge

  Having ventured this far into the north-east of Namibia, you definitely shouldn't miss visiting the world-famous Victoria Falls with their bombastic, raging masses of water. It is advisable to book the tour in advance as a guided day trip. You will be picked up from the lodge at 6am, travel via Ngoma into Botswana, through the elephant-invested Chobe Game Park and across the Kazangula border into Zimbabwe to Victoria Falls, where you will have enough time to visit the famous falls, before returning back on the same route to your lodge. All you need is a passport, camera, sunscreen and a hat. If a visit to the Victoria Falls is not an option for you, you can spend another relaxing day at Zambezi Mubala Lodge.

  It’s time to leave the Zambezi region and begin the return journey. You drive back to Divundu, where you will have time to explore this area over the next 2 days. If you have enjoyed the visit to the Mbunza Living Museum, you might be interested in visiting another living museum on the way just before Divundu: The Khwe Living Museum offers an interesting and authentic insight into the hunter-gatherer culture of the San (Bushmen). Here you will experience traditional dances, gain an insight into the ancestral world of the Khwe and discover the historical life of the ethnic group from the north-east of Namibia. You will arrive at your accommodation, once again enjoying a romantic sunset at the Okavango River. After the many camping adventures, we also recommend that camping enthusiasts take a self-catering bungalow in the beautiful Mobola Island Lodge for the next 2 days.

• Breakfast, Dinner, Accommodation
• Luxury: Divava Okavango Lodge

Both Buffalo Park (Buffalo Core Area) and Mahango National Park are quite easy to explore on a self-drive day trip. Ask the lodge which park is particularly worthwhile at the moment. The wild- and birdlife in both parks is spectacular. Various antelopes, elephants, African buffalos, hippos and crocodiles frolic in or at the water. With a bit of luck, you might even spot lions in the Buffalo Park. Optional: The safari can be extended by one day. Both Mobola Island Lodge and the Divava Okavango Resort are paradise. Saying goodbye here is particularly difficult!

• Breakfast, Dinner, Accommodation
• Luxury: Divava Okavango Lodge

Today you will have a slightly longer route back via Rundu to the veterinary border (this time from north to south - you're not allowed to have raw meat in the car) and back into Namibia's commercial farmland. Your accommodation, the Ghaub Guest Farm, is located in Namibia's so-called Corn Triangle, between the towns of Grootfontein, Otavi and Tsumeb.

• Breakfast, Dinner, Accommodation
• Luxury: Ghaub Guestfarm

You can book some unique activities at Ghaub Guest Farm. If you have not yet seen rhinos on your trip, you have the opportunity to take part in rhino trekking with qualified rangers in the morning. You can often find white rhinos and learn a lot about the animals' behavior. This excursion takes place in the morning. Alternatively (also in the morning), you can also embark on a cave excursion. The Ghaub stalactite cave is the third largest cave in Namibia. However, we only recommend this activity for travellers who are reasonably fit and not claustrophobic. This activity is also offered in the mornings. In the afternoon you can go on the “Rhino Drive”, a farm tour where you can see many animals and most likely the white rhinos.

• Breakfast, Dinner, Accommodation
• Luxury: Ghaub Guestfarm

Leaving the Maize Triangle you head south. Passing through Otavi you reach the D2433 just before Otjiwarongo, which takes you to the Cheetah Conservation Fund. The Cheetah Conservation Fund is an organization dedicated to Namibia's cheetah population. The visit will bring you close to these elegant predators and provides for beautiful photographic motives. Continue via the D2440 pass Otjiwarongo to the scenic and historically interesting Waterberg.

• Breakfast, Dinner, Accommodation
• Luxury: Waterberg Guestfarm

In the morning you can take a fairly easy hike up to the Waterberg Plateau and enjoy the spectacular views. Alternatively, you can also book some of the activities offered by your accommodation, such as game drives onto the plateau! In the evening it's time to enjoy the last sundowner in this beautiful landscape!

• Breakfast, Dinner, Accommodation
• Luxury: Waterberg Guestfarm

Today is the last day of your journey. Time to say farewell to the Waterberg and Namibia. Depending on your flight schedule you can either spend some more time at the Waterberg or you can so some more souvenir shopping in Windhoek. The journey to Windhoek takes around 3-4 hours. You return your vehicle to the car rental company in Windhoek, which will then transfer you to Hosea Kutako International Airport.

• Breakfast, Airport transfer