Day 1: Airport Windhoek
(The Weinberg Windhoek or similar)

Once your flight lands, a guide from Blue Crane Safaris will pick you up from the airport which is about 42 km outside of Windhoek. You will be dropped off at your accommodation in Windhoek after a brief meet-and-greet. Tonight's dinner is not included, but you can ask your guide or the guesthouse reception to book you a table at one of the two restaurants near the hotel.

Your elegant hotel wraps around a historical heritage building. It offers spectacular views, modern amenities and various facilities including a day spa, salon and five upmarket restaurants.

Included: Airport meet & greet, Airport transfer

Day 2: Intu Afrika Kalahari Game Reserve
(Zebra Kalahari Lodge & Spa or similar)

You will be collected between 08:00 and 08:45 from Windhoek. We take the B1 road southwards, before turning off and heading into the Kalahari Desert.

The Kalahari is a fossil desert, not a true desert as it receives too much rain. Its enchanting landscape is made up of small red dunes, golden grass and deep blue skies. It stretches across 7 countries, including Namibia, South Africa and Botswana.

Our lodge is strategically situated in the centre of the Kalahari in an area peppered with Camelthorn trees. It is built with thatch and blessed with a staggering stone pool which attracts the occasional Oryx. Accommodation is in rondavel-style thatched huts which look out over the captivating landscape of the desert. The ambience is enhanced with indigenous décor and home to a fine collection of San artefacts.

In the afternoon you will enjoy a sundowner on the Kalahari dunes.

Activities: Sundowner drive

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Transfer by Road and Activity

Day 3: Fish River Canyon
(Canyon Lodge, Gondwana Collection Namibia)

This morning we continue southwards to Namibia's Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world.
We will stop on the way at the Quiver Tree Forest. This striking natural phenomenon of roughly 200 quiver trees is set on a large outcrop of dolerite rocks. The most mature specimens here are between 200 and 300 years old, and some measure as high as nine metres.
We will have lunch before continuing to our accommodation at the Fish River Canyon.

The beautiful Canyon Lodge is situated on the 520 km², privately owned Gondwana Canyon Park. It is only 20kms from the main viewpoint and is built from natural materials, including local stone and thatch. It features 30 natural stone chalets nestled amongst granite boulders, a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, bar and garden.

Activities: Quiver Tree Forest

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Park Fees and Activity

Day 4: Fish River Canyon
(465km) (Canyon Lodge, Gondwana Collection Namibia)

In the early afternoon, we will drive to the main viewpoint where you will lay eyes upon one of nature' most wonderful spectacles. Far below, the river sparkles in the sunlight and it is hard to imagine how many millennia it took for the forces of nature to carve out such a magnificent vista. The canyon is 160km long and reaches a depth of 550m. A 2-4 hour hiking trail can be enjoyed in the morning or as a sundowner walk. We will end the day with a drink while watching the sun go down.

Activities: Fish River Canyon

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Park Fees and Activity

Day 5: Lüderitz
(408km) (Lüderitz Nest Hotel)

After an early start and breakfast we will head for Lüderitz on Namibia's south coast. On the way, we will look out for the wild horses of the Namib. These beautiful, feral horses roam the sparsely vegetated plains of the Namib Desert in small groups, having somehow adapted to the harsh environment. Their origins are a mystery although several theories exist.

We aim to arrive in Lüderitz during the late afternoon. This charming town is sandwiched between the sands of the Namib and the wild South Atlantic. It is renowned for its old world charm and distinctly German colonial architecture and is home to a wide variety of aquatic birds. Large numbers of flamingos, cormorants and seagulls inhabit the shallow lagoon here. We will learn more about its history and the south in general.

Dinner will be at our award-winning accommodation, the Lüderitz Nest Hotel.

Activity: Wild Horses of the Namib

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Activity

Day 6: Sossusvlei, Namib Desert
(465km) (Desert Homestead Lodge or similar)

Just before we leave Lüderitz we will visit the famous ghost town of Kolmanskop. This once rich mining village was gradually abandoned after World War II as its diamond-field began to deplete. You will learn about the history of the town and how the first diamond was found by a railway worker.

Our guided tour will then proceed into the Namib Desert, stopping for lunch at Aus.

The amazing Desert Homestead Lodge enjoys panoramic views over wide open plains, where cheetahs are occasionally observed roaming through the grass.

Activities: Kolmanskop

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Activity

Day 7: Sossusvlei, Namib Desert
(Desert Homestead Lodge or similar)

We make an early start so as to catch the soft light of sunrise over the desert. In the cool of the morning we take a walk through the desert with a good chance of seeing gemsbok, springbok and ostrich.

We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei. Lunch will be at Sesriem Camp. This iconic landscape is made up of white plains and red dunes which tower majestically against a deep blue sky and are among the highest in the world. We will visit the picturesque Dead Vlei. This white clay pan lies between towering orange dunes and is dotted with the skeletal remains of hundreds of dead camelthorn trees, making it a striking vista and photographer's dream. We will stop at the famous Dune 45, a beautiful star dune which reaches over 170 metres in height. Those who feel fit enough to climb the dune will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding Namibian desert.

As the day cools down we will enjoy a short excursion to Sesriem Canyon before heading back to our lodge.

Activities: Sossusvlei & Sesriem excursions

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Park Fees and Activities

Day 8: Swakopmund
(346km)(Strand Hotel Swakopmund or similar)

Namibia is a land of contrasts. Today we will move from desert to sea, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn and traversing the Gaub and Kuiseb passes. As we climb out the dry river bed at the bottom of Kuiseb Canyon, a spectacular desert landscape unfolds before us. We will stop over in Walvis Bay to visit the lagoon. The Walvis Bay lagoon is is one of the richest and most important wetlands in southern Africa. It is home to many water birds including Great and Lesser flamingos, Damara terns, pelicans and avocets. We will also visit the salt works.

We continue to Swakopmund along the scenic coastal road, with dunes on one side and the cold Atlantic on the other.

Our accommodation at the Strand Hotel offers extensive, unique and creatively entertaining Restaurants, Bars, a Deli, Lobby-Lounge, Sea Facing Terraces, Beach Kiosk and state of the art Conference & Banqueting Centre, all set on the Mole, a historic and iconic site surrounded by ocean on three sides. It is a social epicenter and destination in itself for all visitors to and residents of Swakopmund.

Dinner will be at a local restaurant.

Activities: Tropic of Capricorn, Walvis Bay Lagoon, Walvis Bay Salt Works

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Activities

Day 9: Swakopmund
(Strand Hotel Swakopmund or similar)

Swakopmund is a charming seaside town characterised by German colonial architecture, palm-lined streets, great restaurants, plenty of shops and beautiful beaches. Today, you will be free to explore. The town offers plenty to do including a good museum and aquarium. Various optional activities can also be arranged. These include a boat tour (with oysters and champagne), scenic flights and micro-light flights over the desert, fishing trips (either from the beach or a boat), desert tours, quad-biking in the desert, sandboarding and skydiving. Your guide will discuss all your options and offer to make pre-bookings. Note that all extra activities in Swakopmund are subject to availability and at the client's own expense. The Dolphin & Seal Cruise is included in the tour. The cruise is geared towards dolphin, seal and whale watching, but also offers you the chance to experience the area amd phenomenal bird life.

Dinner will be enjoyed at a different restaurant in Swakopmund on the client's own account.

Activity: Walvis Bay Dolphin & Seal Cruise

Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Activity

Day 10: Twyfelfontein
(Twyfelfontein Country Lodge or similar)

Today we head to Damaraland along the Skeleton Coast. We will stop at the vast seal colony at Cape Cross, north of Swakopmund. Here you are able to get up close to thousands of wild Cape fur seals and observe them in their natural environment.

We continue to the small town of Uis. Uis is an old mining town and one of the best places to buy semi-precious stones for which Namibia is famous. Here rough amethyst, tourmaline and other stones can be found at bargain prices.

We pass by the Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia, and visit the Twyfelfontein UNESCO World Heritage Site which features one of the largest and most important concentrations of rock art in Africa. Visitors can view about 2500 Stone Age rock engravings at 17 rock art sites. There are an additional 13 sites displaying rock paintings.

We arrive at our lodge in time for sunset.

Activities: Cape Cross Seal Colony, Twyfelfontein UNESCO site

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Park Fees and Activities

Day 11: Palmwag
(Palmwag Lodge, Gondwana Collection Namibia or similar)

We will travel on to Palmwag. Palmwag Lodge is situated in the Palmwag Concession in northern Damaraland. This part of the world is blessed with table mountains and spectacular scenery. Abundant wildlife such as mountain zebra, kudu, springbok, giraffe, lion, desert adapted elephant, the endangered black rhino and many other species occur here.

This morning you will search for desert elephants. Damaraland is the ideal place for desert-adapted elephant and many rhinos and elephants move around the Palmwag concession area. With luck on our side, we will spot them. The animals here are specially adapted to the harsh desert conditions.

Activities: Desert Elephant & Rhino Tracking Nature Drive

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Activities

Day 12: Etosha National Park, South
(Etosha Safari Lodge, Gondwana Collection Namibia, or similar)

Today we drive into the desert mountains of Damaraland, one of the last true wildernesses of southern Africa and home to the Himba people. During the morning or just after lunch, we will visit the Otjikandero Himba Village. The Himba are one of the last tribes in Africa living strictly within their tradition. There will be a special guide for our time there, who will translate for us and introduce us to the Ovahimba people. We will learn about their marriage customs, traditional food and also visit the “holy fire”.

We will continue to our private lodge just outside the south gate of the Etosha National Park. Etosha Safari Lodge is set on a hillock overlooking sprawling mopane woodland. The chalets each have their own private verandah with panoramic views. The main area offers a spacious deck, dining area, bar, lounge and three swimming pools.

If time allows, we will enjoy an afternoon game drive inside the park and return just before sunset.

The Etosha National Park is home to over 100 mammal species, 340 bird species and 110 reptile species. Larger mammals include lion, elephant, leopard, giraffe, cheetah, hyena, springbok, zebra and eland. Birds include flamingo, pelican, eagle, goshawk, kori bustard, ostrich and lilac-breasted roller. Animals, particularly during the dry season, are dependent on the many waterholes found in the park, and these serve as great places for game viewing. Vegetation in the park is varied, but consists mostly of mopane woodland and grassy plains.

Activities: Otjikandera Himba Village, Etosha Game Drive with your guide and vehicle

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Park Fees and Activities

Day 13: Etosha National Pan, South
(Etosha Safari Lodge, Gondwana Collection Namibia, or similar)

Today we will spend most of the day searching for animals. We will visit a number of waterholes and stop to view the Etosha Pan, also known as the "place of dry water". This extensive, flat depression is about 5,000 km² and a place of shimmering mirages. Seeing large herds of game in this setting is a unique experience. We may stop at Halali to have lunch, before we continue our game drive back to our lodge.

The game viewing in this area is usually excellent, with close-up views of springboks, zebras, impalas, giraffes, gemsboks and plenty of birds. We may also see elephants and lions.

In the evening we can enjoy a glass of wine and experience a fabulous dinner at our lodge.

Activity: Full Day Etosha Game Drive with your guide and vehicle

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Park Fees and Activity

Day 14: Okonjima Nature Reserve
(Okonjima Plains Camp)

Today we head south towards Okonjima. The lodge is home to the AfriCat Foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to the long-term conservation of Namibia's large carnivores, notably cheetahs and leopards.

We will visit the Africat Project area and meet some of the cheetahs or accompany our guides as they monitor the progress of the cheetahs in the Tusk Rehabilitation camp. Okonjima is home to over forty cheetahs, many of whom were separated from their mothers before they learnt how to survive on their own. The Rehabilitation Camp gives these cheetahs the opportunity to learn survival skills, such as hunting, in a closely monitored environment. Successful cheetahs are relocated to parks and game farms. Over 250 species of birds are found in the area, including Namibian endemics such as Carps Black Tit, Hartlaub's Francolin, and the Damara Rock Runner. The abundance of animals, birdlife and spectacular scenery make Okonjima a photographer's dream.

Activity: AfriCat Foundation excursion

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Activity

Day 15: Okonjima - Airport
(250km)

On our return to Windhoek we will stop by the small town of Okahandja. Here we will visit the biggest craft market in Namibia. The stalls are operated on a co-operative basis by the local community and the market is a good place to do last-minute shopping for truly African souvenirs.

We aim to arrive back in the city in time for your flight. The guide will assist you with checking in at the airport. Here he will greet you and we hope to see you again in the future.

Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Airport transfer