8 DAY NAMIBIAN FLYING SAFARI

Arrive

Day 1 Arrive Windhoek

Upon arrival in Windhoek, transfer to the Olive Exclusive Boutique Hotel.

Overnight: Olive Exclusive Boutique Hotel

Day 2 Windhoek-Sossusvlei-Skeleton Coast-Huab River Valley

Begin your flying safari flying from Windhoek to the Namib Naukluft Park and the majestic dunes of Sossusvlei. Landing at Sesriem, take a Land Rover through the dunes, which reach heights of 300m and above. They provide a great challenge if you are feeling energetic and keen for a climb. The ascent is worth it for the view, but the way down is a lot more fun! Back in the aircraft, your flight will continue towards Conception Bay where the remains of the Eduard Bohlen shipwreck lie. After a brief refuel at Swakopmund, continue low over the Skeleton Coast and the seal colony at Cape Cross, stopping for a picnic lunch. If you are lucky you might get the opportunity to see predators hunting the seals. After lunch, head inland, over the desert to the other-worldly Ugab formations. Ancient blue, grey, yellow and brown oceanic sediment come together to form the north-south ridges which can sometimes look black in contrast to the white desert sand. Often compared to an alien landscape, this almost uninhabitable region is breath-taking. Upon reaching the Huab River Valley, arrive at Kuidas Camp. If you wish to stretch your legs, you can find ancient rock engravings and bush paintings by San Bushmen a short distance away amongst the rocks. Kuidas is a full service camp, inaccessible by road and a true desert wilderness experience.

Overnight: Kuidas Camp

Day 3 Huab River Valley - Skeleton Coast Park - Hoarusib Valley

This morning, explore the Huab Valley, which includes the Welwitschia Mirabilis, endemic to the Namib desert. Return to Kuidas Camp for lunch and continue your flying safari back to the coast. Today you will be travelling north, over a land the local Bushmen call "The place God made in anger". The reason is clear: the coastline is littered with the ghosts of over a thousand rusting shipwrecks. At Terrace Bay in the Skeleton Coast Park, you will mount the roaring sand dunes by Land Rover, a stimulating experience before descending to the beach to discover the myriad of agate, lava, granite and quartz pebbles, interspersed with bleached whale bones. Back on board, your last stop of the day is Leylandsdrift camp in the Hoarusib Valley. The camp has superb views over the dramatic Hoarusib River canyon with its desert fauna, which includes elephant and lion.

Overnight: Leylandsdrift Camp

Day 4 Hoarusib Valley-Himba Tribe-Kunene River

A morning drive through the Hoarusib Valley will culminate in visiting a settlement of the nomadic Himba people. During your drive you may encounter the desert elephant. A desert elephant has adapted to its environment, with a smaller body in proportion to their legs and larger feet than the average elephant, to help with navigating sand dunes. This area is only one of two places in the whole world where you can find these amazing animals. Back in the plane, you will continue north along the Skeleton Coast, over the Kaiu Maru shipwreck and countless parts from other vessels until you near the Kunene River which acts as a border with Angola. Once landed, take a scenic drive via Land Rover to a great lunch spot. Lunch over, you will find yourself on a game drive, travelling through the mountains and dunes of the Hartmann Valley. Following this water course for the rest of the day, you arrive at the Kunene River camp in the late afternoon. The camp consists of dome tents sheltered by reed huts set within the rocks overlooking the Kunene River.

Overnight: Kunene River Camp

Day 5 Kunene River-Etosha National Park

An all-morning boat trip to explore the Kunene River as it flows through the heart of a desert will allow you to observe all manner of wildlife and plant life, whilst marvelling at the contrasting scenery. Early afternoon, depart the Kunene River and continue to the Etosha salt-pan and National Park. Your home for the next three nights is the Onguma Fort in the Onguma Game Reserve. Your suites are styled in the form of a Kasbah-esque structure, almost as though transported from Morocco or Saudi Arabia. Coarse rock walls, earthy-colour washes and an open frontage add to the atmosphere and majesty of Onguma's sunsets.

Overnight: Onguma Fort

Day 6 - 7 Etosha National Park Explore the Game Reserve

Thirty different animal species roam on the plains, including kudu, eland, giraffe, zebra, impala and oryx as well as predators such as lion leopard and hyenas. There is also a healthy black rhino population and over 300 bird species, including white backed vultures. The summertime is particularly satisfying for bird-watchers as various species migrate to the seasonal wetlands. After your morning game drive, relax during the afternoon and perhaps take a sundowner drive early evening or wait until dark and take a night drive to observe the nocturnal creatures of the Reserve.

Overnight: Onguma Fort

Day 8 Depart

After checking out of Onguma Fort, you will take off on the return flight to Windhoek, and then onwards back home.

Depart