7-Day Northern Namibia Luxury Safari

You will be picked up from your accommodation around 8:00 a.m. and transferred to
Okonjima, which is approximately 2.5 hours from Windhoek. Okonjima is home to the AfriCat
Foundation, a conservation organization dedicated to the long-term survival of Namibia's large
carnivores, particularly the cheetah, in their natural habitat. During the afternoon, you will be
taken on a tour that will provide additional information about this program as well as the
opportunity to see some of these magnificent animals.

This morning, we get an early start and head to Etosha National Park. We will pass through
Lake Otjikoto, Namibia's second largest permanent natural lake. It is notable for its great depth
and emerald-green waters. We'll take a break here and learn about the history and geology of
this unique landmark.
When we arrive in Etosha, we will check into our luxury lodge, which is located just outside
the Von Lindequist gate on the park's eastern boundary. Mushara Lodge has a small library, a
bar with a large wine cellar, an open-air lounge area with a fireplace for winter evenings, a
dining area, and a curio shop. During the late afternoon, we go on our first game drive. Game
viewing is usually excellent, with close encounters with springboks, zebras, impalas, giraffes,
gemsboks, and numerous birds.

Today will be spent looking for and watching wildlife. A visit to a few waterholes is on the
agenda. We'll also visit the Etosha Pan, also known as the "place of dry water." This vast, flat
depression covers approximately 5,000 km2. Seeing large herds of game in this setting of
shimmering mirages is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We may stop for lunch at Halali
middle camp before continuing to our lodge on the park's southern edge. Etosha Safari Lodge
is perched on a knoll overlooking a vast mopane forest. Each chalet has its own private
verandah with panoramic views. The main area includes a large deck, a dining area, a bar, a
lounge, and three swimming pools.

We begin our day with a game drive before leaving the park and driving into the desert
mountains of the Kaokoveld, one of southern Africa's last true wildernesses and home to the
Himba people. In the afternoon, we will visit Otjikandera Himba village and meet the locals.
A special guide will be available for the duration of our stay. This indigenous "tribe" of
nomadic pastoralists will be introduced to us by the guide. We will learn about their wedding
traditions, traditional way of life, and food, as well as visit the "holy fire."
Grootberg Lodge is where we will spend the night. It is located on the very edge of the Etendeka
Plateau and offers breathtaking views of the Klip River Valley. This area is home to both black
rhinos and desert elephants. Take in a sunset cocktail on the deck or a swim in the pool.

Today, we'll head south into Damaraland, passing through a variety of landscapes. The area is
known for desert elephants, and we might see some if we're lucky. We will visit the
Twyfelfontein UNESCO World Heritage Site, which contains one of Africa's largest and most
significant concentrations of rock art. We'll pass by the Organ Pipes, a spectacular rock
formation of columnar basalts resembling organ pipes. The afternoon can be spent at the lodge
relaxing. Our luxury lodge is nestled among massive ochre boulders, with breathtaking views
of the vast and unspoiled surrounding wilderness. The sunsets are spectacular here.

We leave early to take advantage of the cool morning air. Our first stop is the small town of
Uis, an old mining town and one of the best places to buy Namibia's famous semi-precious
stones. Rough amethyst, tourmaline, and other stones can be found at low prices here.
We drive to Cape Cross, a vast seal colony north of Swakopmund, after arriving at the coast.
You can get up close and personal with thousands of wild Cape fur seals and observe them in
their natural habitat. We'll eat at one of Swakopmund's excellent restaurants tonight. The
seafood is excellent here.

Swakopmund is a charming seaside town with German colonial architecture, palm-lined
streets, excellent restaurants, a variety of shops, and stunning beaches. This morning is yours
to explore the town on your own. It has a lot to offer, including a good museum and aquarium.
A variety of optional activities are also available. These include a boat tour (complete with
oysters and champagne), fishing trips (from the beach or a boat), desert quad biking,
sandboarding, and skydiving. Your guide will go over all of your options with you and offer to
make reservations for you. Please keep in mind that all extra activities in Swakopmund are
subject to availability and are booked at the client's own expenses