Safari, Sand Dunes & Naukluft Mountains

Arrive at your Canadian departure airport ready to board a flight to Windhoek, the Namibian capital. Night on board.* * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Continue your journey to Namibia. As there is a time difference you may lose a day during the outward journey, but this will be recouped on your return trip back home. Don’t worry, you are not in-flight for two days.

Arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek. If you arrive early, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a brief tour of the city. After a short stop to rest or have a coffee while we wait for the rest of the group to arrive, we will head to Otjiwarongo. Transfer to Otjiwarongo, located about 250 km north of the capital, in a beautiful area with good pastures and fertile soil, where the Herero tribe settled to raise their cattle. Depending on the arrival time, we will have time to visit the local woodcarver market in Okahandja. Transfer to the hotel in Otjiwarongo and free time for the rest of the day. Overnight stay in Otjiwarongo.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, set off for Etosha National Park, home to a diverse array of wildlife. On the way, stop at a traditional Himba Village to experience the culture of this unique community.* Continue into the wilds of Etosha and enjoy spectacular game-viewing on the way to the lodge, admiring the landscapes dotted with wildlife such as lions, giraffes, elephants and rhinos. Arrive at the lodge and get comfortable, soaking up the amazing landscapes. Be sure to make time to watch the sunset over the vast plains of Etosha. Overnight stay in Etosha.*Important: For the visit to the Himba Village, a mandatory fee of NAD 450.00 (local currency) must be paid at the destination.

Breakfast at the lodge. We will enjoy a full day of photographic safari in Etosha National Park aboard an open 4x4 vehicle. This vast protected area is one of Namibia's main attractions and offers one of the most breathtaking scenes in the world due to its wide variety of wildlife. Here, you'll find over 117 species of mammals such as lions, giraffes, elephants, rhinoceroses, and 340 varieties of birds! We will spend the day exploring the park to get the best opportunities to observe the diverse wildlife that inhabits it and admire the magnificent, ever-changing landscapes of the savannah. Overnight stay at Etosha National Park.

Breakfast at the lodge. In the morning, we head to Damaraland, an extraordinarily beautiful area of wild desert and flourishing wildlife, known for its spectacular landscapes of rock formations. We will visit the most iconic places in the Kunene region, such as Twyfelfontein Rock, which houses the largest collection of petroglyphs in Africa, and the massive Brandberg Mountain. Additionally, we will explore the paleontological site of the "Petrified Forest". In this natural wonder, dating back millions of years, the dry tree trunks, buried in the sand, create a mystical landscape that seems to have come from another world. Arrival in Damaraland, transfer to the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay at Etosha National Park.

Breakfast at the hotel. Next, we head towards Swakopmund, Namibia's most famous coastal city, known for its picturesque German colonial architecture. On the way, we visit the settlement of Uis, a small village renowned among geologists worldwide for its mineral wealth, located at the foot of the majestic Brandberg Mountain. We continue the journey, following the coastline and getting lost in the spectacular panorama of the maritime landscape. Arrival in Swakopmund, transfer to the hotel, and the rest of the day is free to enjoy the beautiful views of the Atlantic desert coast and the colorful buildings lining the beach. Overnight stay in Swakopmund.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to immerse yourself in this unique coastal oasis located between the Atlantic Ocean and the dunes of the Namib Desert. Enjoy the strong colonial influence in the architecture of its streets, filled with palm trees and pines. If you wish, you’ll have the option to take an optional cruise to Walvis Bay*, or if you're up for more adventure, we recommend our half-day 4x4 excursion to Sandwich Harbour**, where you'll be amazed by the grandeur of its dunes. Overnight stay in Swakopmund. *Optional cruise in Walvis Bay: We head to Walvis Bay to begin a fantastic boat tour and observe the native wildlife of pelicans, dolphins, and seals that inhabit the area year-round. While enjoying this natural spectacle aboard the cruise, treat your taste buds to fresh oysters and a glass of champagne! Time: 08:00-13:00. Not included: transfers (available upon request; N$ 200 per person). Includes a light lunch and cold drinks. **Optional half-day 4x4 excursion to Sandwich Harbour: Hop into a 4x4 vehicle to cross an overwhelming landscape of massive dunes leading to the endless Atlantic coast. Along the way, observe the variety of wild birds in this fascinating natural environment.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, we discover a fascinating area in the Namib Desert, one of the oldest on the planet, home to the tallest sand dunes in the world. We head to Namib Naukluft National Park, a protected area located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Naukluft Mountains. We visit Sossusvlei, a vast salt pan situated in the heart of the red sand desert of the Namib Desert. The morning fog, which comes from the Atlantic Ocean, provides enough moisture for the small animals in the area and the unique dry trees that inhabit here to survive, breaking up the monotony of the landscape. We continue through the park towards the stunning Naukluft Mountains, known for their rich wildlife, including mountain zebras and leopards. We admire the spectacular landscape of red sand dunes and the strange welwitschia plants, endemic to the Namib Desert. Transfer to the lodge, dinner, and overnight stay in the Naukluft Mountains.

Breakfast at the lodge. We depart early towards the vast landscapes of Sossusvlei to explore the Sesriem Canyon, an impressive 30-meter deep rocky canyon carved by the Tsauchab River over centuries. Here, you can admire fascinating rock formations and discover the significance this canyon has had as a water source in such an arid region. We visit the enormous and iconic Dune 45 and head towards Deadvlei, a dry salt pan completely covered by white clay. Observe the striking color contrast of the landscape, with the intense reddish tones of the Sossusvlei dunes in the background. Transfer to the lodge and the rest of the day is free. Dinner and overnight stay in the Naukluft Mountains.

Breakfast at the lodge. Free morning before returning to the vibrant capital of the country, Windhoek. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a city tour to visit its most iconic landmarks, such as the old fortress Alte Feste and the city center, where you can immerse yourself in the authentic Namibian culture. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.

Breakfast* at the hotel. Spend the morning at your leisure and then check-out. Transfer to the airport for a return flight back to the Canada. Night on board.*Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

Arrive in Canada and end your trip.