An astronomical object comprising a luminous spheroid of plasma held together by its own gravity, this is the internationally accepted definition of a star. We know stars as beacons of hope used by our ancestors for exploration. We refer to our most influential film actors and musicians as stars and when we are told to dream big, we are told to shoot for the stars. A star is not only a wonder of physics but it also a guideline for excellence. Our own star gives us life and light, and by night the countless others serve as a transit point, allowing for the exit of life’s worries. When stress and worry leave, we provide the platform to dream. Welcome to The Celestials.

Acrux is the brightest star in the southern constellation of Crux (Southern Cross). It is the 13th-brightest star in the night sky and the most southerly star of the asterism known as the Southern Cross. This luxury 13-day self-drive safari will take you across the highlights of Namibia as you visit the towering dunes of sossusvlei, cool off at the coastal town of Swakopmund, explore scenic Damaraland and bask in the wildlife oasis that is the Etosha National Park.

Trip Highlights

  • Self – Drive through Namibia.
  • Travel through the Namib Desert and stay in the NamibRand Nature Reserve
  • Stay at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
  • Climb the highest sand dunes in the world at Sossusvlei.
  • Stay on Namibia’s Atlantic coast at Swakopmund.
  • Spend time with Cape Fur Seals while on a kayak on the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Tackle the dunes of the Walvis Bay surrounds in a 4×4.
  • Stay at the Strand Hotel
  • Visit scenic Damaraland and track desert adapted wildlife in ephemeral river systems.
  • Stay on the southern Etosha National Park boundary on the Ongava Private Reserve
  • Self- Drive within the Etosha National Park.
  • Stay on the eastern Etosha National Park Boundary on the Onguma Private Reserve.
  • Drive to the Okonjima Reserve and learn about Africa’s most famous big cats.
  • Track Leopards in Namibia’s central heartland.

Trip in Summary

Day 1

After arriving at the Windhoek International airport a representative of the Essence Lifestyle will transfer you in luxury to the Olive Exclusive Boutique Hotel where you spend your first night in Namibia. Kickback and relax to save some energy for the memorable 13 days that lie ahead of you. Your car hire will be available upon arrival and will be ready at the Olive Exclusive fully fueled for you. A representative of Essence Lifestyle will be on hand to brief you on your journey to come as well as to hand over your travel documents.

Destination: Windhoek

Stay: Olive Exclusive Boutique Hotel (or similar)

Type: Boutique Hotel

Basis: Bed & Breakfast + luxury transfer in Range Rover (or similar)

Day 2

After breakfast this morning, you hop into your rental vehicle and drive south to Sossusvlei Desert Lodge located in the Namib Rand Nature Reserve. Absorb the vastness and take in the deafening silence of the oldest desert in the world. Set amidst an ocean of dunes, rocky outcrops and gravel plains, the utter tranquillity and extraordinary clarity of light makes this area one of Africa’s most compelling landscapes. The night skies are heavenly, with the concession bordering the International Dark Sky Reserve of the NamibRand Nature Reserve. A canvas of beauty that invites reconnection with yourself and nature. Depending on the duration of stops you are likely to arrive in the early to mid- Afternoon after which you’ll have some time to soak in your new surroundings.

Destination: NamibRand Nature Reserve

Stay: Sossusvlei Desert Lodge (or similar)

Type: Luxury Desert Lodge

Basis: Fully Inclusive (All meals, local drinks and private activities with Sossusvlei Desert Lodge guide and vehicle)

Day 3

Today can be spent taking part on a host of activities on offer at the iconic Sossusvlei Desert Lodge. This includes excursions to Sossusvlei, guided nature walks, scenic nature drives, an exhilarating quad biking trip around some local dunes or a walking excursion to a Bushman cave with rock paintings. With regards to the Sossusvlei excursion, it takes about two hours to get to Sossusvlei from Sossusvlei Desert Lodge as it is located in the NamibRand nature reserve. After the excursion you’ll return to the general area where your guide will treat you to a magnificent brunch in the dunes. You will return to the lodge after which you have the chance to take part on a host of activities on offer at SDL.

Destination: NamibRand Nature Reserve

Stay: Sossusvlei Desert Lodge (or similar)

Type: Luxury Desert Lodge

Basis: Fully Inclusive (All meals, local drinks and private activities with Sossusvlei Desert Lodge guide and vehicle)

Day 4

After breakfast at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, you depart the Namib Rand Nature Reserve and head to Namibia’s Western Coast for a two night stay at the coastal town of Swakopmund. The journey takes you through some of the country’s most epic desert landscapes and formations. You should arrive in Swakopmund via Walvis Bay in the mid afternoon. Why not stroll on the beach or visit one of Swakopmund’s many Cafes after you get acquainted with your new surroundings? Dinner can be held at one of the Stand Hotels many fine dining establishments or any other eatery in town on your own account.

Destination: Swakopmund

Stay: The Strand Hotel (or similar)

Type: Sea Side Hotel

Basis: Bed & Breakfast

 

Day 5

After breakfast this morning you head to Walvis Bay where you will take part on an exciting kayaking excursion on the Atlantic. You are joined by curious seals and if you’re lucky even some bottlenose dolphins or Humpback whales. After your Kayaking activity you head into the dunes of the Walvis Bay surrounds in a 4×4 for an action-packed Sandwich Harbour experience. You’ll return to the Strand Hotel in your rental vehicle in the late afternoon after which you have the rest of the evening at leisure. Dinner tonight can once again be held at the Strand Hotel or at any other fine dining establishment in town on your own account.

Destination: Swakopmund

Stay: The Strand Hotel (or similar)

Type: Sea Side Hotel

Basis: Bed & Breakfast, Morning Kayaking Excursion + Afternoon Sandwich Harbour Excursion

Day 6

After breakfast at the Stand Hotel today you head north bound along the coast and then inland passing the mighty Brandberg and towards the UNESCO world Heritage site at Twyfelfontein for your two nights stay at Mowani Mountain Camp. Set amongst Granite boulders and nestled in one of the most beautiful standing locations on the planet, your stay at Mowani is bound to be memorable. You’ll arrive in the mid afternoon, do ensure your camera is packed and charged as the drive through the geological wonders located en route to camp is not to be missed.

Destination: Damaraland

Stay: Mowani Mountain Camp (Or Similar)

Type: Desert Lodge

Basis: Full Board – Dinner, Bed & Breakfast + private activities with a lodge guide

Day 7

After an Early breakfast today you take part on an exciting drive into the Huab River valley and its tributaries in search of deserted adapted wildlife with a Mowani Mountain Camp guide and vehicle on a private basis. You return to camp in time for lunch after which you have the afternoon at leisure taking in the sights and sounds of scenic Damaraland.

Destination: Damaraland

Stay: Mowani Mountain Camp (Or Similar)

Type: Luxury Desert Lodge

Basis: Full Board – Dinner, Bed & Breakfast + private activities with a lodge guide

Day 8

Today you drive westward bound this time towards the southern boundary of Etosha National Park where you will be spending the night at Anderssons at Ongava. Once again, do ensure your camera is fully charged as you drive towards to Etosha, as the landscapes you’ll find yourself in are truly unbelievable. Scenic Damaraland.

Destination: Southern Etosha

Stay: Anderssons @ Ongava Lodge (or similar)

Type: Luxury Safari Lodge

Basis: Fully Inclusive – All meals, Local drinks and private activities with an Ongava guide and vehicle

Day 9

After breakfast this morning you head across the Etosha National Park on an extended game drive across one of the largest protected parks on the continent. The drive takes you from the Southern Boundary of the Etosha National Park to its Eastern boundary giving you a unique perspective in terms of the fauna and flora sightings due to the rainfall gradient differences between these two parts of the park.

Destination: Eastern Etosha

Stay: Onguma Camp Kala (or similar)

Type: luxury Safari Lodge

Basis: Fully Inclusive – All meals, Local drinks and private activities with an Onguma guide and vehicle

Day 10

Following a light breakfast this morning, you head back into the Etosha National Park with an Onguma guide and vehicle on a shared basis. Onguma guides are highly trained and thus gives you a rear seat experience knowing your guide is on a mission to give you the best possible chance at seeing some of Africa’s most impressive animals.

Destination: Eastern Etosha

Stay: Onguma Camp Kala (or similar)

Type: Luxury Safari Lodge

Basis: Fully Inclusive – All meals, local drinks and private activities with Onguma guide and vehicle

Day 11

Today you will drive southwards from the Eastern side of Etosha to the private Okonjima Reserve. Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Center a program set up in the best interests of the big cat population in the area. This afternoon you’ll take part on your final sundowner drive in Namibia, a fitting end to your adventure.

Destination: Central Namibia

StayOkonjima Bush Suite (or similar)

Type: Luxury Safari Lodge

Basis: Fully Inclusive – All meals, Local drinks and private activities with Okonjima guide and vehicle.

Day 12

After breakfast this morning you take part on an exciting Leopard Tracking activity with an Okonjima Lodge guide and vehicle on a private basis. Following your Leopard tracking activity at Okonjima, you depart southwards and head back to where your journey started, the capital city Windhoek. We hope these 12 days have been marvelous and more so we hope to see you again soon!

Destination: Windhoek

Stay: Olive Exclusive Boutique Hotel (or similar)

Type: Boutique Hotel

Basis: Bed & Breakfast basis

Day 13

Today marks your final day in Namibia. Depending on the time of your international departure flight a representative of Essence Lifestyle will transfer you to the Windhoek International Airport in time for your international departure. We hope you had a stellar time in country and we hope to see you again.

Breakfast


Included

  • Luxury Transfers as specified (Range Rover Sport)
  • 4×4 vehicle hire as specified.
  • Accommodation on the meal & activity basis specified.
  • Tourism levies, VAT, Park Entry fees, & community conservation contributions
  • 24/7 on the ground support.
  • Morning Kayaking Excursion + Afternoon Sandwich Harbour 4×4 Excursion in Swakopmund.
  • All meals, private activities and local drinks at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge.
  • All meals and private activities at Mowani Mountain Camp.
  • All meals, private activities and local drinks at Anderssons at Ongava.
  • All meals, private activities and local drinks at Onguma Camp Kala.
  • All meals, private activities and local drinks at Okonjima Bush Suite.

Excluded

  • International flights
  • Vehicle fuel
  • Personal insurance
  • Any drinks, meals, or activities not specified in the itinerary