Chameleon Holidays & Travel for Safaris & Vacations in Africa | Southern Africa | Namibia | Namibia highlights Self Drive (11 days)

Namibia Highlights 
11 Days - Accommodated Self Drive

Day 1 Okonjima Bush Camp  – AfriCat Foundation
Depart from Windhoek and drive north to Okonjima, situated just south of Otjiwarongo and around 3.5 hours from Windhoek.  The AfriCat Foundation is based here and is devoted the conservation of predators specifically cheetah and leopard with the aim to ease the conflict of interests that arises between humans and carnivores.  A large part of their work is in animal welfare – rehabilitating and relocating animals, which have been causing problems in their home territory and providing refuge and veterinary care for injured or orphaned animals.  This afternoon we will have close encounters with large predators such as cheetah and leopard and get some excellent photo opportunities.  Overnight in chalet set amongst the bush affording privacy and views across the reserve.  A thatched lapa offers a bar, lounge and dining area overlooking a waterhole, along with the reception and curio shop and the swimming pool and self guided walks are close by. Dinner, brunch and two activities included.  Alternative accommodation is Okonjima Villa or Okonjima Suite.

Day 2 Onguma Luxury Tented Camp – for Etosha NP
Drive north to the edge of Etosha.  Onguma shares the eastern border of Etosha National Park and this camp is a beguiling mixture of relaxation and elegance.  In the local “herero” languague Onguma translates to “place you don’t want to leave”.  The main building offers a comfortable lounge and dining area, cellar and dark, rimless swimming pool that cascades as if it’s falling into the surrounding bush area.  Acacia and palm trees offer shade and the nearby waterhole gives excellent game viewing opportunities from the verandah.  The private nature reserve is over 20,000 hectares and has “protected land” lions, jackals, countless antelope and the rare black rhino.  Guests can participate in guided walks through the bush and both day and night game drives are available. There are seven spacious tents beautifully decorated with high attention to detail.  Accommodation is based on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.  Alternative accommodation includes Onguma Plains Camp, Onguma Treetops or Villa Mushara

Days 3&4 Ongava Lodge or Ongava Tented Camp – for Etosha NP
Game Drive across Etosha and depart at Anderson gate.  Ongava borders Etosha along this fence line where you will stay at either Ongava Lodge or Ongava Tented Camp, for a further two nights. Highlights are the game drives into Etosha and the night drives, walks and hides on the private reserve.  Ongava Game Lodge is situated along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park in the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve.  Accommodation here comprises 10 airconditioned rock and thatch chalets, each with air-conditioning, bathroom en-suite and private balcony overlooking the expansive plains of the Ongava Game Reserve. Meals of the highest order are served in Ongava's spacious thatched lapa with its comfortable lounge area, convivial bar and magnificent views. Ongava offers daily game drives in open-sided vehicles and walking trails (with armed guide), as well as excursions into the Etosha National Park. Game drives normally leave in the early morning and late afternoon, ideal times for game viewing. Dusk and night drives offer an opportunity of experiencing nature after dark. You will be accompanied by an ecologically aware ranger who will guide you on an informative tour of the reserve, helping you discover some of the fascinating indigenous elements of the bushveld. A number of safe and secure hides are also available for guests wishing to spend time on close-up wildlife viewing or photography. Game on the reserve includes elephant, lion, rhino, various kinds of buck and a multitude of bird species. Ongava Tented Camp is situated along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park in the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve. The small, tented camp is built in a different sector of the reserve to Ongava Lodge. Accommodation comprises of six large comfortable walk-in tents with en-suite facilities, including flush toilet and a hot shower.  All meals are enjoyed in the main dining area under thatch.  There is a small pool as well.  Activities include game drives into the Okaukuejo area of Etosha where Lion, Elephant, Cheetah, Gemsbok, Springbok, and Hartebeest can be seen at many of the waterholes in the park.  In addition, night drives and walks are offered on the private reserve.  Ongava has resident White Rhino, and Etosha has Black Rhino, allowing guests staying at Ongava the opportunity to see both species.  Accommodation is on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.  Alternative accommodation includes Little Ongava, Epacha Lodge, Eagle Tented Camp or Etosha Mountain Lodge.

Day 5 Huab Lodge
Huab Lodge is situated between Kamanjab and Khorixas and has been the winner of various awards including Best Lodge and the new EcoAward.  It has a charming, unpretentious African-style destination where you soon feel at home.  There are eight stone and thatched bungalows to accommodate a maximum of 16 guests so offer personal attention.  Activities here include nature drives and walks, stargazing and bird watching.  You can also wallow in the natural thermal bath and spoil yourself with a wellness treatment.  Fully inclusive basis includes afternoon sun downer/nature drive, drinks, early morning guided nature walk and morning, nature drive (excludes wellness treatments)

Day 6 Mowani Mountain Camp
This morning drive into Damaraland and Mowani Mountain Camp that is set between the Ugab and Huab Rivers in a vast and unspoilt wilderness area of desert, unique geological formations and amazing flora and fauna.  The main structure consists of domed thatching buildings that blend in with the natural surroundings and yet offer pure comfort on the interior.  Each luxury tent has its own en-suite and again there is unsurpassed attention to detail.  Here, you can drive to Twyfelfontein to take a local guide and visit one of the largest rock etching collections in Southern Africa or perhaps take an optional activity with the lodge.  Dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Days 7&8 Swakopmund Hotel and Casino (alternative is Hansa Hotel)
Continue your drive towards the coast today, you may wish to head to Cape Cross first, home of a huge seal colony before heading down the Skeleton Coast to Swakopmund.  This town is a picturesque resort with many good seafood restaurants, cafes and shops as well as an interesting museum and aquarium. You’ll be based for two nights at the Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre formally the old railway station, which still exudes charm of days gone by. Breakfasts included.  Swakopmund is the activity centre of Namibia and you can enjoy a scenic flight over the desert and coastline, dolphin cruise, skydiving, sand boarding or quad biking.  Alternatively, you can take a highly recommended optional day trip to the marine sanctuary of Sandwich Harbour.  Lunch and dinners is at own expense.  Alternative accommodation includes Hansa Hotel, Villa Marguerita and The Burning Shore

Days 9&10 Wilderness Camp – Sossusvlei or Kulala
Depart after breakfast to drive into the desert.  The next two nights are spent at a Wilderness Camp.  Both offer comfort and style and activities are included.  Situated approximately 30 kilometres from Sesriem on a 7 000 ha property, the Camp has wonderful desert scenery. The lodge offers close access to Sossusvlei as well as privacy and exclusivity. The property harbours vast desert plains and rugged mountains, with views of the dunes in the distance..  Activities are excellent and varied, with experienced guides and pilots bringing the desert to life during drives, walks, flights and ballooning. An early morning drive to Sossusvlei, with breakfast under the camelthorn trees. The Sossusvlei region is famous for some of the highest dunes in the world and early light is one of the best times to visit, with the cool morning air and watching the sunrise along with the changing colours of the dunes it is truly breathtaking.  Dead Vlei is a must, the skeletal camel thorns standing on the white pan with the orange dunes and blue sky as a backdrop is a photographers delight.  An optional extra is to see the sun changing the colours of dunes and mountains at dawn from a hot-air balloon (client expense).  It goes without saying that the night skies are amongst the clearest on this planet, with the stargazing platform and astral telescope being a popular after dinner rendezvous. Overnight at the Camp for two nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis plus the Sossusvlei excursion. If you prefer additional comfort then you can upgrade to the luxurious.  Please ask for further details.  Alternative accommodation includes Little Kulala, Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge, Wolwedans Dunes Lodge.

Day 11 Windhoek
Return to Windhoek today in time to drop off car and take onward connections