Splendours of Namibia (luxury fly-in safari)

Itinerary

Explore the dunes of Sossusvlei and the awesome space of the Namib Desert. Discover the game filled savannas of Etosha and encounter the stark beauty of Serra Cafema in the extreme north. Such experiences are enhanced by the exquisite range of camps and lodges used on this safari.

The desert retreat of Little Kulala offers excursions to the awe-inspiring Namib Desert and Sossusvlei, and each villa has a rooftop ‘skybed’ for romantic stargazing. Little Ongava is an intimate lodge near Etosha. Game drives, visiting hides overlooking waterholes, walks and rhino tracking can all be enjoyed exclusively on this reserve, as well as day trips to Etosha National Park.

Finally, the remote Serra Cafema Camp presents a wide variety of activities including boating (seasonal), walking, birding and quad bike excursions. In this isolated region, the Himba people continue their nomadic traditional way of life, and when in the area, offer guests the opportunity to learn about their lifestyle and traditions.

• Day 1: Windhoek

  Scheduled road transfer from Windhoek International Airport to Vertigo Boutique Hotel. Overnight at Vertigo Boutique Hotel.
  
  Situated in an upmarket residential area of Windhoek, Vertigo Boutique Hotel offers modern design and furnishing. Each of the eight fully furnished en-suite rooms are individually designed and equipped with flat screen LCD TV with full DSTV bouquet, surround sound music system, high speed wireless internet access, safe, well stocked mini-bar, and air conditioning. Bathrooms are beautifully designed with modern fixtures while the 4 luxury rooms and Honeymoon suite offers an extra relaxation perk featuring a spa bath and steam shower. Facilities include swimming pool, library with individually selected books, wine cellar that boasts a selection of South African wines, Theatre room for maxi screen viewing, and for art lovers the hotel features a collection of personally selected art.

• Day 2-3: Kulala Wilderness Reserve, Sossusvlei

  Scheduled road transfer from Vertigo Boutique Hotel to Eros Airport. On arrival at Eros Airport and after clearing customs & immigration, you will be met by a Wilderness Safaris representative who will assist you with the arrangements of your scheduled light aircraft transfer to Little Kulala Lodge (B,L,D).
  
  Little Kulala, a luxurious desert retreat, is situated in the private 37 000-hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve - the gateway to Namibia's Sand Sea with its towering red dunes and clear starry skies.
  
  The 11 climate-controlled, thatched “kulalas” (the word in the “oshiwambo” language means ‘to sleep’) merge impeccably into the timeless desert landscape, with exquisite fittings and fixtures, innovative bleached decks each with a private plunge pool. Each unit has a rooftop 'skybed' for romantic stargazing, with both indoor and outdoor showers.
  
  An elegant entertainment area includes a library, wine cellar, craft boutique, lounge and dining areas; dining under the clear Namibian skies is a highlight. The interiors were designed to ensure guests an all-natural and unique experience in this most beautiful environment. The extensive use of neutral colours, gorgeous textures and natural light reproduce the soothing pastel tones of the desert. Pure linens, cottons and mohair dyed with natural vegetable dyes all make for a very organic camp which takes its inspiration from its surroundings, notably from the magnificent Dead Vlei in the middle of Sossusvlei. The overall mood and feel is cool, serene, organic and sheltering.
  
  Desert-adapted wildlife such as ostrich, springbok and gemsbok eke out an existence and are sparsely distributed here. Smaller creatures such as bat-eared fox and aardwolf can be seen at night in the cool desert air, and one bird, the aptly named dune lark, has its entire global distribution limited to the area, so dependent is it on the area's characteristic sands.
  
  Early morning guided game drives to the spectacular towering dunes of Sossusvlei are through a private gate into the reserve. Sossusvlei is situated within the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world, which itself is part of the Namib Naukluft National Park that stretches 400km south of Walvis Bay and is sandwiched between the west coast and the escarpment that runs parallel more than 100km inland. Its huge red dunes and flat valley floors make up the archetypical view of the Namib that is world famous.
  
  Guided drives and walks are also offered on the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve with incredible views, desert-adapted wildlife and plants. A balloon safari at extra cost offers a unique experience soaring silently above the desert before landing for a champagne breakfast.

• Day 4-5: Ongava Game Reserve, Etosha National Park

  At a time to be advised by the camp management, you will be transferred from Little Kulala to the appropriate airstrip for your scheduled light aircraft transfer to Little Ongava. (B,L,D)
   
  Little Ongava is situated within the Ongava Game Reserve, a private 30 000-hectare reserve that is located adjacent to the southern boundary of Etosha National Park. Little Ongava is built along the crest of a hill with wonderful views onto the plains below and is an ideal base from which to explore the country's premier wildlife destination. Accommodation comprises three spacious luxury units made of canvas, thatch and stone.
  
  Each unit has its own plunge pool, a “sala”, en-suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor shower and a view of the waterhole in front of the lodge. Little Ongava’s main area lends itself to relaxed, stylish dining under an African sky or under thatch. Activities include game drives in open 4WD vehicles 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 guided walks can be enjoyed on the private reserve. A hide at the camp waterhole provides superb photographic opportunities. The Ongava Reserve has resident white and black rhino, giving guests the opportunity to see both species.

• Day 6-8: Serra Cafema, Kunene

  At a time to be advised by the camp management, you will be transferred from Little Ongava to the appropriate airstrip for your scheduled light aircraft transfer to Serra Cafema. (B,L,D)
  
  Serra Cafema Camp is one of the most remote camps in all of Southern Africa. Inspired by the pioneering spirit of the area and the remote explorer aesthetic, Serra Cafema is an unexpected oasis of luxury and sumptuous spaciousness perched on the Kunene River which forms Namibia’s northernmost border.
  
  Situated under large shady albida trees overlooking the dunes and the Kunene River the camp comprises 8 raised canvas and thatch units each with en-suite bathroom, retractable glass doors and abundant outdoor lounging, dining and shower decks.
  
  The Ozonganda, or public homestead area, comprises indoor and outdoor dining areas, sunken lounge, river bar, library, curio shop and swimming pool. Serra Cafema shares this region with the wonderful and colourful Himba people who are some of the last true nomadic people in Africa. The Kunene River is the only permanent source of water and creates an oasis along its banks surrounded by rugged mountains and sand dunes. Activities include enjoying the breathtaking landscape scenes with springbok, ostrich and gemsbok (oryx) dotted here and there, traversing the sand dunes in 4WD Land Rovers and boating on the Kunene River.
  
  Walking in the remote mountain and river valleys is also a highlight. Serra Cafema is often visited by the native Ovahimba families who live in the nearby vicinity, which gives guests the opportunity to learn about their lifestyle and traditions. One of the highlights of Serra Cafema is the carefully guided quad bike excursions that tread lightly on the dunes, while allowing guests to experience a true desert.

• Day 9: Windhoek

  At a time to be advised by the camp management, you will be transferred from Serra Cafema to the appropriate airstrip for your scheduled light aircraft transfer to Eros Airport. Scheduled road transfer from Eros Airport to Vertigo Boutique Hotel. (B)

• Day 10: Windhoek

  Scheduled road transfer from Vertigo Boutique Hotel to Windhoek International Airport. (B)

* All prices shown are for low season, per person, twin share. Click here to see full Terms & Conditions.