To observe Namibia from the air is an awe-inspiring experience: the vast expanses of moving, rippling sands, the great blue skies and grey of the ocean extending to the horizon. This safari explores four distinct regions: the sands and red dunes of Sossusvlei; the icy, life-filled coasts at Swakopmund and Walvis Bay; the stark plains of Damaraland, with their desert-adapted elephants; and the amazing wildlife abundance on the savannah of Etosha.

This circuit-style safari offers daily departures, several camp choices in the northern region (where enormous concessions and private camps mix well with the advantages of nearby National Parks), and can be combined with add-ons to other regions, such as the iconic Skeleton Coast. Diverse activities enhance this in-depth encounter of the landscape, including an optional dolphin cruise, seafood lunch and quad biking.

There are no set departures as this Exploration is designed to offer flexibility.
Suggested Itinerary:

DAYS 1 & 2: Little Kulala Camp
Depart by light aircraft from Eros International Airport, close to the centre of town in Windhoek for a one-hour flight to Sossusvlei, Little Kulala Camp, for two nights to explore the Reserve.

Kulala Wilderness Reserve, a 40 000-hectare tract of land near the spectacular sights of Sossusvlei, borders the expansive Namib Naukluft Park. Today, after ten years of habitat rehabilitation, Kulala is once again home to of all forms of desert wildlife and provides convenient access to the splendour of the towering red dunes of the Namib. The Sossusvlei dunes rise dramatically more than 300 metres above the surrounding plains, and are surrounded by rugged, ancient volcanic mountains and open plains. Larger desert-adapted wildlife such as ostrich, springbok and gemsbok flourish here with carnivores such as bat-eared fox, Cape fox, cheetah and black-backed jackal often seen. Emphasis is laid on the smaller desert fauna, spectacular scenery and the incredible night sky. Unique birds include Dune Lark, Burchell's Courser, Ludwig's Bustard and Stark's Lark.

DAYS 3 & 4: Damaraland Camp 
Fly over the Namib Desert for an alternative view of the dunes from the air and then due 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, inland to Damaraland for two nights. Choose between Damaraland Camp in the Torra Conservancy or Desert Rhino Camp in the Palmwag Concession.

*Please enquire for more details on the option of extending your safari in Swakopmund.

The 352 200ha Torra Conservancy lies in northern Damaraland, where the landscape is characterised by hills interspersed with valleys and dry riverbeds that occasionally flow, sustaining riverine vegetation through the long dry seasons. Early morning fog provides precious water to the flora and fauna, all of which has adapted superbly to this harsh environment. Despite its aridity, the area supports a surprisingly high diversity of wildlife including a healthy number of desert-adapted elephant and good populations of Hartmann's mountain zebra, southern giraffe, gemsbok, springbok, with occasional cheetah and black rhino as well interesting flora like euphorbias, pachypodiums and shepherd's trees. Birding is excellent with Herero Chat and Benguela Long-billed Lark common finds. The conservancy is the result of a highly successful partnership between Wilderness Safaris and the local Torra community - that has become an inspiration for communities and conservationists throughout Africa.

DAYS 5 & 6: Ongava Lodge

One hour flight by light aircraft to Ongava Game Reserve for a two-night stay at Ongava Lodge. This intimate camp is scenically nestled around a rocky outcrop and overlooks the vast plains beyond and a productive waterhole that is floodlit at night. Ongava is a prolific 30 000-hectare (74 132-acre) private reserve for guests’ exclusive use bordering the acclaimed Etosha National Park. This reserve is a conservation success story and a haven for large concentrations of wildlife: notably lion, springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest, Burchell’s and Hartmann’s zebra, waterbuck, red hartebeest, eland and the largest population of the endemic black-faced impala outside Etosha. It is also known for the successful reintroduction of white and black rhino. Here one can also enjoy fantastic arid area birding with over 300 species recorded including 10 of Namibia’s 14 endemic species.Staying at Ongava further provides easy access to the prime game viewing areas of western Etosha and its complimentary scenery, iconic saltpans and game-filled plains. Etosha’s dry season game viewing rates as one of the top wildlife encounters on the Planet while in the wetter months various game species all have their young.Highlights of your stay here are game drives into Etosha National Park (reserve only situated a short distance from Etosha’s Anderson Gate) as well as day- and night drives, informative nature walks (including opportunity to track white rhino on foot) and wildlife viewing hides on the exclusive Ongava Game Reserve itself.

DAY 7: Windhoek
Depart Ongava by light air charter back to Windhoek where the safari ends at either Windhoek Eros or Windhoek International Airport.

NOTES:
Enormous concessions and private camps combine with advantages of nearby National Parks.
Circuit-style safari offers daily departures, several camp choices in the northern region, and can be combined with add-ons to other regions, such as Skeleton Coast and Swakopmund.
Diverse activities enhance an in-depth experience of the landscape, including an optional dolphin cruise, seafood lunch and quad biking.

Combines very well with a safari to the Skeleton coast