Fly-in across Namibia, the Skeleton Coast and the Kunene

This morning we head off on a half-day adventure into the Namib Naukluft National Park. Take in and photograph the striking scenic beauty of the area as we drive in, best seen when the light is still throwing shadows off the ridges of the dunes. Our guide will chat about how the ecosystem and interesting Aeolian geological processes were formed as well as about life in this formidable environment. There will be a chance to walk to Deadvlei, where some 70 camel thorn tree trunks, 900 years dead, remain standing on a bleached clay pan. Perhaps climb a dune, and for the fit and adventurous, conquer the towering ‘Big Daddy’. We return to camp during the heat of the day, where we can relax and enjoy an afternoon siesta. Late afternoon, we have the option to enjoy another activity or relax at camp, taking in the incredible views from our private plunge pool. This part of the Namib Desert is also famed as one of the world's dark sky areas, offering incredible stargazing opportunities. Make the most of this by joining the resident astronomer at the state-of-the-art telescope. Other stargazing opportunities include opening the large skylights above the bed in our suites to enjoy the Milky Way from the comfort of our beds.

Today, you have 2 options for the early morning: Hot air balloon flight and then fly directly to Damaraland with a stopover in Walvis Bay for refuelling only. Take an early morning flight through to Walvis bay, where we join a private 4x4 adventure to Sandwich Harbour to explore the area where the dunes meet the ocean. Our 2nd flight of the day is another incredibly scenic one as we pass the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain, Messum Crater, an enormous collapsed volcano that measures approx. 20 km wide before landing in the Doro! Nawas Conservancy in the heart of Damaraland. After check-in, we can head out on an afternoon activity, either a nature walk or the trail treats activity, a good chance to stretch our legs after our flight and transfer to the lodge.

A full day to explore the Damaraland area today. We start the day with a morning activity and a nature drive in search of a desert-adapted elephant. Namibia is just one of two countries in the world (the other Mali) where desert-adapted elephants survive and Namibia's free-roaming herds of elephants in these harsh conditions, living alongside remote communities are a testament to the country's successful wildlife conservation strategies. Here, we explore the communal areas where these elephants roam the dry riverbeds in search of food, surviving on the very edge of existence. We return to camp and enjoy some downtime during the heat of the day, and head out late afternoon for a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Twyfelfontein, the world's largest collection of rock petroglyphs. Return to camp, enjoy another dinner, and the chance to roll the bed out and enjoy one of Namibia's best-started experiences.

The chance for a relative to lie in this morning before breakfast, and then we start today's journey with a scenic transfer from camp through to the airstrip. Today's flight is a short one but does include a fuel stop as we are heading into one of the more remote parts of the country. Located on the Skeleton Coast, we are flying to Mowe Bay, before transferring by 4x4 through to a Lodge. This afternoon we can head out on either an adventure or scenic activity, trying a hand at quad biking, sand boarding, or instead just a relaxing scenic sundowner drive to take in an incredible sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.

A full day to explore this incredible landscape, not only the harsh coastline littered with shipwrecks, and the occasional wildlife sightings, but also exploring inland. We spend our morning exploring the Hoarusib River, visiting the clay castles, and a striking geological formation, as well as keeping our eyes peeled for the elusive desert-adapted elephants, brown hyenas, and lions. We enjoy a simple, yet delicious picnic lunch along the way before returning to the lodge mid-afternoon where we can rest and relax. Should we wish, we can head out again during the late afternoon to take in another amazing sunset, or enjoy the views from the lodge.

After a sumptuous breakfast this morning, we start our journey, transferring south back to Mowe Bay where we board our flight through Namibia's far north. This flight takes us over some of Namibia's most remote landscapes of the Skeleton Coast National Park, a part of Africa that is rarely seen or explored. We land in the Hartman Valley, a remote part of northwest Namibia that needs to be seen to be believed. From here, we are transferred by 4×4 approximately 40 mins through to a lodge. After settling into our accommodation we can enjoy a late afternoon boating activity on the Kunene River offering the opportunity to venture through the lush riverside oases and observe crocodiles and waterbirds that may seem out of place in this surreal, lunar-like landscape.

1 x Double Standard Tent Morning & Afternoon activities as below (FI) A full day to explore the area today and a visit to a local Himba community is highly recommended. Namibia's Himba people live in this isolated area, and continue their traditional semi-nomadic way of life. When they are in the area, we have an opportunity to learn about their lifestyle and customs, an incredible chance to not only experience their culture but share a little of our own. We return to camp for lunch, and to relax during the hottest part of the day, either with a siesta, or sit on the deck of our room with a pair of binoculars and take in the incredible birdlife that settles in the lush green of the riverbanks. This afternoon we can enjoy another activity at leisure, from quad biking on the dunes, to another boat cruise in search of birds, crocodiles and more.

After breakfast this morning, we begin the next leg of our adventure on a scenic drive back out into Hartmann's Valley where we board our private charter flight. Today's journey takes us east, with a stopover in Ondangwa, one of northern Namibia's biggest cities, to refuel before heading back to the capital. We land at Windhoek International Airport before being transferred through to the nearby lodge. This afternoon we have the chance to join an afternoon game drive on the 9,000-ha reserve, where predators and mega-herbivores roam freely. Alternatively, spend the afternoon in the infinity-edge swimming pool with views of the African savannah.

Two full days to take in the reserve with plenty of time for rest and relaxation. Enjoy the opportunity to spend a morning (or afternoon) in the city, exploring the highlights and learning more about Windhoek's fascinating history.

Morning activity (time permitting). Transfer to Windhoek International Airport. Depending on our flight time, we may have time for a final activity, before transferring through to Windhoek International Airport for our return flight home.