Head to the Kalahari desert, a vast, red, sandy wilderness - a place whose singular beauty is enhanced by the complete silence of its uninhabited wilderness. The San hunter-gatherers, the world’s oldest surviving culture have thrived in this thirstland for thousands of years. Also, due to the minimal human encroachment, excellent grazing and plenty of space, the wildlife thrives as well, and there is a large variety of animals and birds. Optional game drives, nature trails and hikes are available. Your overnight here is at the Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge, on full board basis.

Today, you will visit the Quiver Tree Forest (3 large aloe trees growing between the rocks), the Giant’s Playground (balancing basalt rocks rising from the plains) and the Mesosaurus Fossils, en route to the 500 million year old Fish River Canyon. Look out for the Nama Padloper tortoise, endemic to Namibia, that likes to hide in the rocks and crevices of the canyon. Watch the sunset from one of the many viewing points and then head to the Fish River Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Drive through Aus where you can see the wild desert horses (thought to be the only feral herd in Africa), and onto Luderitz located on the shores of the Atlantic and surrounded by the Namib Desert. Here, diamonds were discovered in 1909 and led to the town’s prosperity and the building of the nearby mining settlement Kolmanskop. Abandoned when richer diamond deposits were discovered elsewhere, Kolmanskop was left to the elements and is now being reclaimed by the desert. Explore this ghost town with your guide, as well as the historic town of Luderitz. Overnight at Alte Villa.

Full day in Luderitz, with optional excursions offered – kayak to Halifax island to see the African Jackass Penguin from the water’s edge (you may see dolphins and oystercatchers along the way); paddle through the 1st & 2nd lagoons to see the Luderitz oyster industry up close; catamaran tours; kite surfing; historical tours. Overnight at Alte Villa

Your destination today is Sossusvlei, located in the world’s oldest desert where star dunes with upto 5 crests rise 300m into the air and rank amongst the biggest in the world. The sand here is millions of years old and the dune valleys are marked by vast clay pans where the Tsauchab River gave up its fight to reach the sea, more than 60,000 years ago. Check into the Namib Outpost, set in the Desert Homestead Nature Reserve, adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage Namib Sand Sea, for 2 nights. Optional activities offered today include desert trekking, sundown drives, or a hot air balloon.

An early start to the day, heading to the Sesriem gate to explore this beautiful region – Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Dune 45, Big Daddy & Elim Dune. Descend into the Sesriem Canyon, a 1km 30 meter deep canyon natural gorge, carved by the Tsauchab River, and walk across the shaded, sandy and sometimes wet gorge floor, to see the stunning rock formations. Carry a picnic lunch with you so you can spend the better part of the day here in Sossusvlei and return to the lodge in the late afternoon hours. Dinner and overnight at Namib Outpost.

Cross the Tropic of Capricorn, and through the Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons, and over the Namib Gravel Plains, past the Moon landscape to Swakopmund located on the coast. Located between the Namib Desert and Sossusvlei, Swakopmund makes an ideal halfway stop. Check into your hotel, Strand Hotel Swakopmund for a stay of 2 nights, from where you can explore this quaint town which has a strong German influence.

The full day is spent here, in Swakopmund. On offer are desert tours, sea kayaking, scenic flights, complimented by a host of adventure activities including dune quad biking, paragliding, sea kayaking, sandboarding and skydiving. Or you could take a dolphin cruise, or a Sandwich Harbour excursion where giant sand dunes run straight into the ocean (all are optional)

Head north along the Skeleton Coast, visiting the Cape Cross Seal colony, before heading to the Twyfelfontein area. Damaraland is divided into several enormous private game reserves, known as concessions, that provide some of the best wildlife experiences in the country. Damaraland has many geological attractions – giant inselbergs formed millions of years ago rise sheer and jagged from the plains of the inner Namib Desert. Brandberg, the highest peak in the country also has ancient rock paintings and the White Lady of Brandberg. Arrive at your lodging for the next 2 nights, Mowani Mountain Camp in time to freshen up for dinner, followed by overnight at the Camp.

Full day here, visiting Namibia’s open air Museum, the Twyfelfontein’s rock engravings, the Organ Pipes rock formation and Burnt Mountain, an expanse of volcanic clinker that appears to have been literally exposed to fire. The Damara Living Museum offers a hint of culture with a glimpse into the lives of the people of Damaraland. Optional activities available include sundowner drives, and a drive to the ephemeral Haub River, where you may see the desert adapted rhinos and elephants.

Visit the Petrified Forest, an accumulation of enormous fossilized tree trunks about 280 million years old. Washed down river to Namibia, in ancient times, these tree trunks have been perfectly preserved, where the wood has been replaced by quartz. Continue to Etosha South – the southern region of this wild paradise and made up of world class private game reserves, where a large variety of game is present. You can enjoy an afternoon game drive in the area, returning to Ongava Lodge for dinner and overnight.

The next 2 days are spent in the eastern region of the park – Etosha East, characterized by flat, endless plains, tree-savanna type of vegetation and great waterholes where you can spot every animal that Etosha is famous for. Enjoy guided safaris, sunset drives in the Onguma Reserve, guided interpretive bush walks and massage therapy at the Onguma Sanctuary. The water level Onkolo hide offers many opportunities for great photography or for guests to simply sit and enjoy nature, unobserved. Half board and 2 overnights at Onguma The Fort.

Head to Okonjima Nature Reserve, surrounded by the Omboroko Mountains and home to the AfriCat Foundation, which assists with long term conservations and rehabilitation of carnivores like cheetah, leopard, brown hyena and lion. Leopards are radio tracked so the possibility of seeing them is high, and there is also a hide for spotting nocturnal animals. Dinner and overnight at Okonjima Luxury Bush Camp.

Early morning visit to the AfriCat Foundation or for a drive in the animal enclosure, returning to Camp for breakfast. Depart for Windhoek, where you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight