From cultural riches to some of the most breathtaking landscapes on earth, the African continent is where mother nature drinks her morning cup of tea. Few places can match this collection of visual appetizers, acoustic bliss and sensory lavender. What else is Africa famous for? its wildlife. There are well over 1 million species of Animal on the African continent residing in over 20 million square kilometers of tropical rainforest, Desert and tropical Savannah, who knows how many more undiscovered creatures exist untouched by civilization. Thousands of people stream to Africa every year to go on safari and witness firsthand the most dazzling and desperate displays of wildlife as they unfold on this steamy and dangerous stage. From tracking leopards in central Namibia, to exploring the Etosha National Park looking out for the infamous big 5, to roaming ephemeral river systems in search of deserted adapted wildlife, this is Namibia’s heartbeat. This is, the essence of the soul.
Trip Highlights
- Self – Drive through Namibia
- Stay at Okonjima Plains Camp
- Track Leopards in central Namibia
- Stay on the Eastern Etosha National Park Boundary at Onguma Tented Camp
- Take part on memorable game drives on the Onguma Private reserve.
- Drive from the Eastern Boundary to the Southern Boundary of the Etosha National Park.
- Take part on a guided Etosha Excursion whilst at Ongava Lodge
- Stay at picturesque Damaraland
- Track desert adapted wildlife in ephemeral river systems
Trip in Summary
Day 1
After arriving at the Windhoek International airport a representative of Essence Lifestyle will transfer you to Essence Lifestyle where you spend your first night in Namibia. Kickback and relax to save some energy for the memorable 9 days that lie ahead of you. Your car hire will be available upon arrival and will be ready at Essence fully fueled for you. You will also be given a comprehensive briefing with regards to your adventure and will receive that some tips and tricks form us that you might find handy while on safari. Dinner tonight can be held at any fine dining establishment on your account or at Essence Lifestyle compliments of a quality chef.
Destination: Windhoek
Stay: Essence Lifestyle (or similar)
Type: Boutique Guesthouse
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 2
Today you will drive northwards from Windhoek to the base of the Omboroko Mountains in central Namibia for your stay at Okonjima Plains Camp. 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 is reserved for a game drive in the central highlands with an Okonjima Ranger.
Destination: Central Namibia
Stay: Okonjima Plains Camp (or similar)
Type: Safari Lodge
Basis: Dinner, bed & breakfast + shared activities with Okonjima ranger and vehicle (PM Sundowner Drive)
Day 3
After breakfast this morning you take part on an exciting Leopard Tracking activity with an Okonjima Lodge guide. Following your Leopard tracking activity at Okonjima, you continue north to the Eastern boundary of the Etosha National Park where you will spend the following two nights at Onguma Tented Camp. This afternoon you take part on a scenic game drive on the Onguma Private Reserve, ending off in a memorable sundowner as you take in the sights and sounds of the savannah.
Destination: Onguma Private Reserve
Stay: Onguma Tented Camp Camp (or similar)
Type: Tented Lodge
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast, Morning Leopard activity with Okonjima ranger on shared basis + Afternoon game drive with Onguma Ranger and vehicle on a shared basis
Day 4
After breakfast this morning you head across the Etosha National Park on an extended self drive game drive across one of the largest protected parks on the continent. The drive takes you from the Eastern Boundary of the Etosha National Park to its Southern 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: Etosha Southern Boundary
Stay: Ongava Lodge (or similar)
Type: Lodge
Basis: Dinner Bed & Breakfast
Day 5
This morning you head back into the Etosha National Park this time with an Ongava guide and vehicle on a shared basis. Ongava 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. You will return to Ongava Lodge in time for lunch there after you have the afternoon to yourself which you spend at leisure. In the late afternoon you will head out on one final game drive in the Etosha surrounds on the Ongava private reserve, ending off in a gorgeous sundowner drive in the African savannah.
Destination: Etosha Southern Boundary
Stay: Ongava Lodge (or similar)
Type: Lodge
Basis: Dinner Bed & Breakfast, Morning Etosha drive + Afternoon Sundowner drive with Lodge guide and vehicle on a shared basis.
Day 6
After a delicious breakfast at Ongava Lodge this morning you drive west to scenic Damaraland, one of the most captivating places on the planet. From the glorious rock formations of Spitzkoppe, Erongo and the Brandberg in the south, to the equally glorious red-rock desert mountains around Palmwag in the north, Damaraland is one of Namibia’s most dramatic collections of landscapes
Destination: Damaraland
Stay: Camp Kipwe (or similar)
Type: Lodge
Basis: Dinner Bed & Breakfast
Day 7
After an Early breakfast today you take part on an exciting trek into the Huab River valley and its tributaries in search of deserted adapted wildlife with a Camp Kipwe guide and vehicle on a shared basis. You’ll 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: Camp Kipwe (Or Similar)
Type: Lodge
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast and shared activities with a lodge guide (Elephant tracking)
Day 8
After breakfast this morning you depart southwards and head back to where your journey Started, the capital city Windhoek. You stop by at Essence Lifestyle where you can enjoy a glass of bubbly and a snack, on us😊. Following this, you return to your accommodation (If not staying at Essence lifestyle) while dinner tonight can be held at any dining establishment in town as per your choice and on your own account. If you are staying at Essence Lifestyle we have got a surprise for you!
Destination: Windhoek
Stay: Essence Lifestyle (or similar)
Type: Boutique Hotel
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 9
After breakfast this morning and depending on the time of your international flight, you are transferred to the Hosea Kutako International Airport in time for your international departure flight. Hope to see you soon!
Breakfast
Included
- Transfers as specified
- 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
- Afternoon Game drive at Okonjima Plains Camp
- Morning Leopard tracking activity at Okonjima Plains Camp
- Afternoon game drive whilst at Onguma Tented Camp
- Afternoon sundowner drive whilst at Ongava Lodge
- Morning Elephant tracking activity whilst at Camp Kipwe
Excluded
- International flights
- Vehicle fuel
- Personal insurance
- Any drinks, meals, or activities not specified in the itinerary