Namibia Express: Sossusvlei, Damaraland & Etosha

7 days from £8,320 per person

• Sossusvlei
• Damaraland
• Etosha National Park

This compact Namibia journey manages to pack the hotspots of Sossusvlei, Damaraland and Etosha into just 7 nights, capturing the stillness and magic of this vast and beautiful country. The itinerary showcases a microcosm of what makes Namibia such a mind-provoking and thrilling place to visit. Travelling by air between the regions is a marvellous and time-effective way to view the great sand sea and the desolate Skeleton Coast as well as taking in the shipwrecks and seal colonies. A journey of three parts, the second part takes you into the remote and striking Northern regions of Damaraland where you will be accompanied by your expert professional guide. The final leg of the journey explores the iconic Etosha National Park where you can marvel at the desert game and endangered rhino. A perfect option to savour the best of the best of Namibia for those on a ‘time’ budget.

The adventure begins at Windhoek airport where you will be whisked away by light aircraft to the NamibNature Nature Reserve. Fly over the central highlands of Namibia before descending after the escarpment and on over the Namib Desert to land at the Sossusvlei Desert Lodge airstrip. A short drive will take you to the lodge, home for the next two nights. This impressive and super-stylish lodge is located deep with the NamibRand Reserve, one of the largest private reserves in Southern Africa – a staggering 180,000 hectares of pristine Namib Desert. Delight in the stark and arid beauty of the undulating dunes or simply sit and drink in the ethereal beauty of the desert landscapes from the comfort of your deck with G & T in hand. Highlights here include a trip into the Namib Naukluft National park where you will be wowed by the highest freestanding dunes on the planet.  

Journey onwards by air, soaking up the sights of the Skeleton Coast, the deserted mining camps and ship wrecks dotted along this hauntingly beautiful coastline. The flight takes you north along the coastline to the Damaraland region where you will land and be met by your private safari naturalist guide who will be with you for the rest of your safari. A 30 minute drive will transport you to the lovely Mowani Mountain Camp in time for lunch and to stop and take in the jaw-dropping surrounding area. Home for the next two nights, Mowani Mountain Camp is a feat in architectural design, hugging and integrating with the huge boulders and with far reaching views over Damaraland – typified by displays of vivid colour, magnificent table topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre looking vegetation. Activities from Mowani include 4x4 excursions along the ephemeral Aba Huab River Valley in search of game and, if time permits, a fascinating visit to Twyfelfontein to view the ancient rock art. Another highlight takes you in search of the elusive desert elephant in the area.

For your last stop, an early morning departure takes you deeper north into the heart of Damaraland where you will have the opportunity to visit a remote Himba village and spend a little time learning the ways of this nomadic pastoralist tribe. Journey onwards after lunch to the southern border of Etosha and to Ongava Lodge, an ideal spot from which to explore this remarkable National Park. The name Etosha translates to ‘place of mirages’, ‘Land of Dry Water’ or the ‘Great White Place’, of which over 5,000 km square is made up of saline depressions or ‘pans’. Home to some of Namibia’s highest concentration of wildlife, Etosha delivers a good diversity of game throughout the park.  

On your last day, your journey back to Windhoek takes in a visit to the captivating Okonjima AfriCat Day centre, a fitting way to conclude your adventure as you have a chance to witness one of Africa’s most extraordinary and longest standing conservation projects which focuses on the rehabilitation of Africa’s big cats.

This is a truly dynamic and indulgent tour which embraces Namibia’s finest locations staying at Namibia’s finest camps and Lodges with first class guides. Short but exquisite!

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.
Marcel Proust