11 Day Dust Of Beautiful Africa

Day 1:

On arrival at the Windhoek Airport you will be welcomed by our representative and assisted onto your charter flight – for your flight to the Desert, where you arrive in time for lunch. You then enjoy a late afternoon nature drive excursion in safari vehicles.

Overnight accommodation will be at the Kulala Desert Lodge OR Kulala Wilderness Camp on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis.

Situated on over 46 000 acres of private property and bordering the Namib Naukluft Park, Kulala Desert Lodge lies in the heart of the Namib and offers magnificent views of the famous red dunes of Sossusvlei, as well as magnificent mountainous scenery and vast open plains. Twelve thatched and canvas chalets or “Kulalas” (Kulala in the Namibian language “Oshiwambo” means “to sleep”) with en-suite bathrooms and showers are set on wooden platforms to provide maximum airflow. For outdoor enthusiasts, mattresses can be moved to the rooftop to sleep under the stars from a private star gazing platform. The main lodge, with décor inspired from Northern Africa, has a lounge, pub, dining area and plunge pool, and offers a wrap-around veranda that overlooks the waterhole and provides a perfect location to view and photograph the desert sunset. Early morning guided game drives to the spectacular dunes are through a private gate on the Tsauchab River.

Game drives and walks are also offered on the private reserve with incredible views, desert game and smaller desert fauna and flora. Another option, at an extra cost, is early morning ballooning. Beginning at first light, the 60-90 minute balloon safari offers a truly unique experience to soar silently above the magnificent sand dunes and desert – with a champagne breakfast served at your landing site.

Day 2-3:

This morning will be spent on an early morning excursion in safari vehicles to the Namib Naukluft Park to the famed Namib Sand Sea and to the magnificent Sossusvlei dunes. Departure is before dawn to appreciate the breathtaking desert colours as the sun rises. Once in the desert optional excursions are conducted on foot to photograph the dune landscape and the desert ecology or to climb some of the highest known dunes in the world. A light breakfast is served under the spreading Camel Thorn acacia trees before returning to the lodge by midday.

During the afternoon conduct a nature drive activity on the property, taking in the desert scenery with its unique fauna and flora. This is not a game rich area due to the harsh environment, however, what game is seen is interesting and dramatized by the contrast between desert and the magnificent animals like Springbok, Oryx and Ostrich who survive and eke out an existence on these arid plains. Overnight accommodation will be at the Kulala Desert Lodge OR Kulala Wilderness Camp on a fully inclusive basis.

Day 4:

After a leisurely breakfast continue via seat on a charter flight crossing the Namib Sand Sea on route to the coastal town of Swakopmund. This route includes a scenic flight along the “Skeleton Coast” viewing the “Edward Bohlen (1909)” and “Shaunee (1976)” shipwrecks and Sandwich Harbour. On arrival in Swakopmund you will be met by a company representative and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure to explore Namibia’s premier coastal resort. Founded in 1892 during the period of German colonial rule it served as the territory’s main harbour for years. Today this quaint town nestled between desert and ocean is enhanced by lush green lawns, palm trees and carefully tended gardens. There is a good selection of restaurants and coffee shops selling traditional German cakes and pastries. Overnight accommodation will be at the Hansa Hotel (similar) on a bed and breakfast basis only.

The Hansa Hotel – nestling in the very centre of the charming little town of Swakopmund, wrapped in the shape of a timelessly classical building dating from 1905, is an integral part of Swakopmund’s architectural heritage, and offers friendly and personalized service. In recognition of the outstanding quality of selection and interest of wines featured in the wine list, we have also been awarded the prestigious Diners Club Platinum Award The Hansa Hotel received the Best Hotel in Namibia Award (over 50 rooms) from the Hotel Association of Namibia for the second consecutive year.

Day 5:

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to the renowned Etosha National Park and the Ongava Lodge OR Ongava Tented Camp. Arrival by midday for lunch. After time to freshen up, there is a late afternoon game viewing drive activity in open safari vehicles on the 30 000ha Ongava Ranch. Adjacent to the Etosha National Park, the Ongava Ranch is stocked with a selection of game species, including black and white rhino, leopard, lion and waterbuck. Overnight accommodation will be at Ongava Lodge on a fully inclusive basis.

The Lodge has 10 chalets, which are attractively built out of brick and thatch close to the top of a hill. All your comforts are taken care of. Each chalet has an en suite bathroom, bath, shower and double hand basins. There is air conditioning in the rooms and overhead fans. The rooms have glass-fronted doors which lead out onto a private covered veranda overlooking the bush. The main lounge, bar and dining area is also under thatch with wonderful views across the plains and floodlit waterhole below. Outdoor dining under the stars, whilst viewing game drinking at the waterhole is something never to be forgotten. There is also a swimming pool and a large curio shop stocking a good selection of “African Gifts and branded safari clothing”.

Day 6:

Game drives are enjoyed in Etosha National Park and on the Ongava Reserve. Guided walks with armed ranger are offered on the property as well as night drives.

For the greater part of the year the Etosha pan is a bleak expanse of white, cracked mud which, on most days shimmers with mirages. Seeing vast herds of game against this eerie backdrop, referred Of the 114 mammal species found in the park, several are rare and endangered, such as black rhino, cheetah and black-faced impala. Etosha’s current population of more than 700 black rhino represents one of the few growing populations of black rhino in the world.

About 340 bird species occur in Etosha, about one third being migratory. For the greater part of the year (the dry season) Etosha’s animals and birds are dependent on about 30 springs and waterholes. These provide excellent game viewing and photographic opportunities. During the rainy season, especially the bird life at the main pan and Fischer’s Pan is worth viewing.

Overnight at Ongava Lodge OR Ongava Tented Camp on a fully inclusive basis.

Day 7-10:

After a leisurely breakfast you will be transferred to the airfield for your return seat on a charter flight to the Windhoek Airport where you will connect with your Air Namibia scheduled flight to Maun (this flight is only offered certain days of the week). Upon arrival at Maun Airport you will be met by a Delta Air representative and assisted onto a scheduled light aircraft charter flight to Pom Pom. Four overnights at Pom Pom in a standard twin bedded tent with private en-suite facilities inclusive of all meals, all local brand drinks, teas/coffees, snacks, game-viewing and laundry The Camp is located on Pom Pom Falcon in a private concession situated in the heart of the Okavango Delta and on the head waters of the Xudum river system – Pom Pom is a permanent water camp offering water activities throughout the year.?The area lies on the western boundary of the Moremi Game Reserve and offers superb Okavango scenery and a true Okavango wilderness experience. Accommodation consists of nine luxury safari tents in true traditional safari style, all with full en-suite semi open ablution facilities. The main building is attractively designed and constructed of thatch and canvas and comprises lounge, dining, bar and pool areas, as well as a gift shop and the Boma area. Activities include game drives, night drives, mokoro trips and walks. Game viewing is of the best offered in the Delta. Guests have the opportunity of seeing all major predators, a variety of big game and plains game, as well as an abundance of bird life. Guests can choose from game drives, nature walks, fishing and mokoro excursions. Night drives in open 4×4 Land Cruisers are also permitted as the Camp is outside the Moremi Game Reserve. Hippo and Crocodile are found in the deeper lagoons in the area. Birding enthusiasts will enjoy sighting Pel’s Fishing Owl, African Fish Eagle, Giant Eagle Owl and White Backed Vultures.

Day 11:

You will be transferred to the airstrip in time for your scheduled light aircraft charter flight to Maun Airport in time to connect with your Air Botswana flight to Johannesburg.