Our local guide, Elvis Nghimutina greets you today at Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport – named in honour of one of the original opponents to South African rule after WWI – and transfers you to our nearby bush accommodation in the N/a’an ku sê Wildlife Sanctuary, where this afternoon’s “Carnivore Tour” game drive affords close-up viewing of the sanctuary’s resident lions, leopards, wild dogs and others. During dinner, Elvis will offer a few words of wisdom to help you feel comfortable with being in Namibia, while giving a brief overview of the exciting itinerary that lay ahead.

Staying close to Windhoek tonight allows you to acclimatize and settle into a relaxed, healthy rhythm for the remainder of your safari. This can take a day or two due to the uncomfortable combination of the city’s relatively high altitude (1,660m or 5,440ft) and the long-haul flight most travelers endure to get here.

Accommodation: N/a’an Ku sê Lodge
Mid-range 4-star lodge located in N/a’an ku sê Wildlife Sanctuary

Meals:
Lunch & dinner

An early departure has you traveling north into Damaraland and the Doro Nawas Conservancy, one of Africa’s most successful examples of community-based wildlife conservation and tourism. This afternoon you enjoy a leisurely nature drive and some drinks while watching the sun set over the Damaraland escarpment.

Despite the aridity and foreboding topography, Namibia’s Damaraland is now becoming one of the most accessible, authentic wildlife destinations in Africa, and over the next two days we are very hopeful of you spotting the region’s famed desert-adapted elephants, as well as springbok, Red hartebeest, Greater kudu, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, giraffe, oryx, and with a bit of luck, cheetah and lion. There’s also 170 bird species, including endemics like Ruppell’s korhaan and Benguela Long-billed lark. Unlike most protected areas in Southern Africa, the wildlife here roams free, unrestricted by fences or gates and moving among the local people and their goats and cattle.

Accommodation: Doro Nawas Camp
Rustic 4-star camp located in Damaraland

Meals:
Breakfast, packed lunch & dinner

The day commences with an early morning game drive led by an experienced camp ranger, where in addition to the desert-adapted elephant you’ll be on the lookout for kudu, springbok and the endemic Hartmann’s mountain zebra, as well as the region’s 35 lizard species, 24 snake species and over 170 bird species. This afternoon offers a visit to the ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein and an opportunity to learn from the indigenous Damara people at the Damara Living Museum. There’s also time to simply relax and absorb the peaceful tranquillity and perhaps a self-guided hike around the camp’s surrounding hillsides.

Accommodation: Doro Nawas Camp
Rustic 4-star camp located in Damaraland

Meals:
Breakfast, lunch & dinner

From Damaraland you venture eastwards into Namibia’s savanna region and to Etosha National Park, where your camp’s floodlit waterhole promises some quality wildlife viewing throughout the evening and through to the early morning. You stay two nights in Namibia’s premier national park, allowing plenty of time to visit a number of the park’s famous waterholes, which regularly affords great viewing of the park’s large herds of elephant, oryx, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra and springbok. Accompanied by our local guide, Elvis’ broad knowledge of Namibia’s wildlife, you’ll also be on the lookout for the park’s iconic ‘black’ species, such as its black-maned lions, black rhino, black-backed jackal and endemic black-faced impala. On one of your evenings, we also provide an evening game drive with an experienced park ranger, where the spotlights will be on the lookout for the park’s varied nocturnal life – both predator and prey.

Accommodation: Okaukuejo Camp
Mid-range 3-star camp located in Etosha National Park

Meals:
Breakfast

You now venture inland to the central Erongo Highlands and Erindi Private Game Reserve. Over 70,000ha (170,000 acres) in size, this former cattle farm has been rehabilitated into a pristine wilderness reserve, boasting a range of diverse landscapes habituated by an almost unparalleled array of free-roaming wildlife. You arrive here in time for lunch followed by an afternoon game drive.

Accommodation: Old Traders Lodge
Luxury 4-star lodge located in Erindi Private Game Reserve

Meals:
Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Today offers morning and afternoon game drives with Erindi’s guides, who are well-known for their knowledge and enthusiasm. When combined with possible close-up sightings of the bigger predators (such as lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog) and herbivores (such as elephant, giraffe and hippo), a great day beckons.

There is also the option to partake in a private “Cheetah Walk” (Additional cost and subject to availability). During early 2000, the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) and Erindi Private Game Reserve teamed up to help the cheetah of Namibia. CCF rehabilitates problem cheetah from various areas in Namibia. At the end of their rehabilitation process, Erindi is able to give animals like these a safe home within the reserve. More than 10 cheetahs have been released on Erindi and due to years of exposure to people walking near them, these re-wilded cats are incredibly accepting of us on foot during the “Cheetah Walk”.

Accommodation: Old Traders Lodge
Luxury 4-star lodge located in Erindi Private Game Reserve

Meals:
Breakfast, lunch & dinner

This morning you travel via the nation’s capital, Windhoek and can visit a local craft center for some final souvenir shopping (time permitting). Elvis then returns you to Windhoek Airport for an afternoon flight departure – daily direct flights are available to Cape Town, Johannesburg and Frankfurt among others.

During this safari you will witness Namibia’s natural and wild beauty, be exposed to her diverse cultures and history, and experience genuine African hospitality. Thank you for visiting Namibia on this Compass Odyssey safari. ǃHaese mugus (“See you soon”).