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Olive Grove Guest House/ Kuidas Camp/ Purros Camp/ Kunene River Camp/ Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

This safari combines desert and coastlines as you explore the Skeleton Coast Park and Sossusvlei areas. Highlights include a flight over the Kuiseb canyon and the adjoining red dunes which are a spectacular view from the air, ancient rock engravings near Kuidas camp, the Skeleton Coast Park with its many shipwrecks, an early morning boat cruise along the Kunene River and guided nature walks and hiking trails in the NamibRand Nature Reserve.

Day 1: Windhoek

Upon your arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport you will be met and transferred by road to Olive Grove Guest House.

Windhoek, the country's capital, is a bustling metropolis that is unexpectedly neat and orderly. This is the main port of call for most tourists and all travellers pass through the city at least once. Windhoek lies in a pretty valley with buildings very much in the German architectural style. The German presence can be strongly felt in the food, restaurants and of course the beer. The Namibian beer is said to be the best in Africa, and is brewed in Windhoek.

Overnight accommodation is at Olive Grove Guest House in a standard room with en-suite bathroom. Your stay includes breakfast.

Day 2: Skeleton Coast

After breakfast you will be driven to Eros for your departure to the Skeleton Coast via Conception Bay. The Kuiseb canyon and adjoining red dunes are a spectacular view from the air. The flight includes an aerial view of the famous Eduard Bohlen shipwreck at Conception Bay.  After landing and refuelling at Swakopmund, continue with a low-level flight north along the Skeleton Coast past the seal colony at Cape Cross for a light picnic lunch near the beach.

After lunch, cross the desert by aircraft to the Ugab formations, a nearly lifeless 'moon landscape' of numerous black ridges in stark contrast to the white desert floor. From here proceed to Kuidas camp in the Huab River Valley where you will stay for the night. Ancient rock engravings are found amongst the rocks within walking distance of the camp.

Day 3: Kunene Region

Depart by Land Rover to explore the colourful red lava and yellow sandstone of the Huab River environs and be introduced to the ecological aspects of this area with its wide diversity of flora and fauna. This includes the Welwitschia Mirabilis, a tree that has been dwarfed by the rigors of the encroaching desert climate. After lunch at Kuidas camp, fly along the coast to Terrace Bay in the Skeleton Coast Park. The most prominent shipwrecks along this part of the coast are the Montrose and Henrietta.

Access the roaring dunes at the coast by Land Rover and visit the beach with its profusion of multi-coloured pebbles consisting of agate, lava, granite and quartz.  Later on in the day, return to the aircraft and continue north to Purros camp in the Hoarusib Valley in the Kunene Region, for your next overnight stay.

Day 4: Kunene Region 2

After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive along the Hoarusib Valley to visit a settlement of the nomadic Himba people and then continue north along the Skeleton Coast by aircraft to the Kunene River, acting as a border to Angola. The Kaiu Maru shipwreck and pieces from old sailing vessels lie scattered along this part of the coast. From the airfield, take a scenic drive by Land Rover to a lunch site, where after you will continue through the mountains and dunes of the Hartmann Valley. Accommodation tonight is at Kunene River camp.

Day 5: Windhoek

Today, you can look forward to an early morning boat cruise along the Kunene River that snakes its way through the desert landscape. Enjoy exceptional bird (and perhaps some crocodile) sightings.  You will arrive back in time for lunch at the Camp before your light aircraft transfer to Eros Airport in Windhoek, arriving in the late afternoon.

Upon your arrival at the airport you will be collected and transferred by road to the Olive Grove Guest House. Enjoy another evening at the Olive Grove Guesthouse in a standard room with en-suite bathroom. Your stay includes breakfast.

Day 6-8: NamibRand Nature Reserve

After breakfast, road transfer to Eros Airport for your connecting light aircraft transfer to Sossusvlei Desert Lodge.  Spend three nights at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, in a desert villa with an en-suite bathroom and a private veranda. Your stay is on a full board basis, including scheduled activities within the NamibRand Nature Reserve.

The surrounding area lends itself to numerous adventures, which include scenic drives by four-wheel drive vehicle in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, where you may encounter a variety of desert-adapted animals, such as gemsbok, zebra, springbok, bat-eared fox, aardwolf, caracal and jackal.  A wonderful way of experiencing the dunes is by All Terrain Vehicle with an experienced guide who takes you along set paths in order not to damage the fragile ecology.   Guided nature walks and hiking trails provide an insight into the scenic and ecological aspects of the environment with its wide diversity of desert-adapted flora and fauna.  A resident astronomer and high-powered telescope provide breathtaking views of the clear desert night skies.

Day 9: Depart

After breakfast, board your light aircraft for your flight back to Hosea Kutako (Windhoek) International Airport.