Enchanting Namibia Safari

Arrive in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital and largest city. Windhoek is a delightful fusion of African and European culture, architecture and cuisine. Explore its many shops, restaurants and bars and be sure to sample the eponymous beer, brewed right here in town. Pleasant and cosmopolitan, the city boasts a chic European café scene, a surprising smattering of German castles and a distinctly African buzz, all set against a backdrop of striking mountain ranges to the north and south. Check out the National Museum of Namibia for a taste of the country’s diverse history.

Drive to the Namib Desert at Sossusvlei, one of the country’s most impressive sights. Here, among towering apricot sand dunes you’ll find the petrified forest at Deadvlei, subject of many a scenic photograph. Explore on foot, look for bat-eared foxes and jackals, hire a quad bike and join an astronomer to gaze at the twinkling night sky. Or perhaps splash out on a sunrise hot-air balloon ride before touching down to a delicious champagne breakfast.

Continue to the seaside town of Swakopmund, a charming yet slightly strange place in the middle of the desert. There’s a strong German influence here, and you’ll find German architecture, pubs and food on the menus, as well as hear the language spoken here and there. Choose to kayak with seals in nearby Walvis Bay, explore the Skeleton Coast by car or by light aircraft, or taste the local oysters. Don’t miss the Cape Cross Seal Colony to the north of town or sandboarding in the desert.

The rugged mountains and russet sands of Damaraland are your next stop. Here, it’s all about the scenery and the peace and quiet. Track desert elephants, which are taller than their Etosha counterparts and specially adapted to the dry desert conditions, on a game drive and admire the Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontein; marvel at the purple hues of Burnt Mountain and the strange columns of the organ pipes (all included).

Set off on safari in Etosha National Park. You’ll start in the central Etosha region, where hanging out at the Okaukuejo waterhole is a sure-fire way to get some excellent game sightings. Apart from the classic game drives, you can choose to get closer to the wildlife with a guided walking safari, track rhino on foot or try a night safari. After one night, you’ll drive through the park to eastern Etosha. Look out for rhino, giraffe, lions and elephants along the way!

Track big cats including cheetah and leopard on the Okonjima Reserve, home to the AFRICAT Foundation, which promotes the conservation and protection of Namibia’s large cats. You might even spot the occasional hyena or wild dog. Tracking can be done on foot or by vehicle, and there’s also the opportunity for some short birdwatching walks and night drives to see the areas nocturnal creatures such as porcupine and caracal.