A Luxurious Fly-In & Self-Drive Journey Through Namibia
Tour Introduction
This expertly crafted itinerary combines the freedom of self-drive with the convenience and spectacle of scenic flights, offering a seamless and luxurious way to explore Namibia’s most iconic landscapes and wildlife. Beginning in Windhoek, the journey takes you south to the vast dunes of Sossusvlei, where early morning light transforms the desert into a canvas of colour. A flight over the Namib’s dune sea and the haunting Skeleton Coast reveals Namibia’s scale and geological drama from above — shipwrecks, seal colonies, and abandoned diamond mines scattered along the shoreline.
Continue by road through the ancient valleys and ochre mountains of Damaraland, home to desert-adapted elephants and the remarkable rock engravings of Twyfelfontein. From there, enjoy exceptional wildlife viewing in the private Ongava Reserve, where rhino, lion, and endemic black-faced impala roam freely. Explore Etosha National Park’s eastern reaches with guided game drives and waterhole visits, before concluding at Okonjima, base of the AfriCat Foundation and a haven for cheetah and leopard conservation.
Throughout the journey, you’ll stay in a handpicked selection of Namibia’s finest lodges, each offering comfort, character, and immersive experiences. With its well-paced blend of air and road travel, this itinerary is ideal for those seeking a stylish, in-depth adventure across Namibia’s wild and varied terrain — from desert dunes to savannah plains, and everything in between.
Full Itinerary
Arrive at Windhoek International Airport, where you’ll be met on arrival and transferred 30 km to your lodge. Just 30 minutes from Windhoek Airport, Zannier Reserve offers 900 km² of wildlife-rich savanna. Enjoy guided safaris to spot leopard, giraffe, warthog, antelope, ostrich, and jackal, and visit the Shiloh Sanctuary, a refuge for rescued rhinos and elephants. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax, indulge in optional spa treatments, join a game drive, or simply unwind by the pool and take in the stunning views.
Staying at Zannier Omaanda. Includes Dinner.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Keerweerder Airfield, then continue by road to Kwessi Dunes. This afternoon, enjoy a nature drive with sundowners to end the day. Located in the vast NamibRand Nature Reserve—one of Southern Africa’s largest private reserves—Kwessi Dunes offers access to protected desert border habitats. Though not home to the Big Five, the reserve is rich in wildlife: look out for gemsbok, bat-eared foxes, black-backed jackals, African wild cats, and the iconic oryx roaming the plains.
Staying at Kwessi Dunes. Includes All Meals.
Spend a full day at Kwessi Dunes enjoying the activities of your choice — from quad biking across the desert plains to guided bush walks and game drives through the reserve. As night falls, look up and marvel at the stars in this designated Dark Sky Reserve, where the celestial display is truly unforgettable.
Staying at Kwessi Dunes. Includes All Meals.
Soar over the Namib Desert as you take a flight to Twyfelfontein in Namibia's Damaraland region. Met on arrival and transfer to the lodge. You may choose to visit the Twyfelfontein rock engravings in the afternoon, designated a World Heritage Site for their historic importance.
Staying at Mowani Mountain Camp. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
A day to enjoy the scenery and wildlife of the Damaraland region. In the morning search for a herd of desert-adapted elephants along the Aba-Huab River valley. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided nature walk or spend the time to relax at the lodge with its sensational views.
Staying at Mowani Mountain Camp. Includes All Meals.
Fly from Twyfelfontein to Ongava, located near the edge of the Etosha Pan. After settling into your lodge, embark on an afternoon or evening game drive through the 30,000-hectare Ongava Private Game Reserve, celebrated for its healthy populations of rhino, lion, zebra, antelope, and the rare black-faced impala.
Staying at Ongava Tented Camp. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
This morning, if conditions allow and a walking guide is available, set out on a nature walk through the reserve to discover arid-adapted wildlife, unique flora, and possibly even approach white rhino on foot. In the afternoon, spend an hour or two exploring the Ongava Visitor Centre, where engaging displays offer insight into the region’s geology, ecology, and wildlife research.
Staying at Ongava Tented Camp. Includes All Meals.
Day on safari in Etosha National Park moving at a leisurely pace towards the east. The Etosha pan is a large saltpan formed by wind action and supports a great diversity of flora and fauna. The park is known for its large concentrations of game, particularly around waterholes, the attractive endemic race of black-faced impala and populations of black and white rhino. In the early morning and towards dusk, sightings of cats, hyenas, jackals and sometimes even honey badgers can be quite regular. There is an extensive list of bird species found in the area, including 10 endemics.
Staying at Onguma the Fort. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Spend the day exploring Onguma Nature Reserve, a 35,000-hectare wilderness home to over 30 animal species and more than 300 bird species. Lions, cheetahs, black rhino, and leopard are regularly seen, alongside abundant plains game and the occasional hyena. For a deeper connection to the landscape, perhaps join your guide for an early morning bush walk — a leisurely yet immersive experience that reveals Africa’s sights, sounds, and scents as the first explorers once encountered them, all under the watchful care of an experienced armed ranger.
Staying at Onguma the Fort. Includes All Meals.
Transfer by road to Okonjima Nature Reserve. The Okonjima reserve is about 20,000 hectares and has been created to provide a refuge for wildlife and in particular large carnivores that are suffering from persecution in the region. In the afternoon there will be activities with the AfriCat project such as visits to the leopard and cheetah rehabilitation projects, tracking leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena, and following guided walking trails.
Staying at Okonjima Plains Camp. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
A relaxed morning or another AfriCat excursion if desired. Then return to Windhoek in the afternoon and connect with flight to the UK.
Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
Zannier Omaanda
Overview
Set within the vast Zannier Reserve just 30 minutes from Windhoek International Airport, Zannier Omaanda offers a serene and luxurious introduction to Namibia’s wild beauty. The reserve spans 9,000 hectares of golden savanna, home to an impressive array of wildlife including leopard, giraffe, warthog, antelope, ostrich, and jackal. Guests can explore the landscape on expertly guided safaris and visit the nearby Shiloh Wildlife Sanctuary, which provides vital care for rescued rhinos and elephants.
The lodge itself blends traditional Owambo architecture with refined comfort, featuring spacious thatched huts, a tranquil infinity pool, and sweeping views across the plains. Between game drives, guests can unwind with spa treatments, enjoy gourmet cuisine, or simply soak up the peaceful surroundings. Zannier Omaanda is an ideal first stop for those seeking an immersive yet indulgent start to their Namibian adventure.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant and bar, complimentary Wi-Fi, heated infinity pool and a spa.
Rooms have air-conditioning, a balcony or deck, bath and shower, fireplace, safety deposit box, complimentary mini-bar, TV, coffee and tea facilities.
Kwessi Dunes
Overview
Kwessi Dunes, set within the vast NamibRand Nature Reserve in Namibia, offers a luxurious escape in one of the most breathtaking desert landscapes in the world. The lodge features 12 air-conditioned chalets, each with a separate open-air stargazing room, allowing guests to marvel at the pristine night skies of Africa’s first International Dark Sky Reserve.
Kwessi Dunes is surrounded by iconic red dunes, craggy mountains, and endless desert plains. Guests can enjoy activities such as quad biking, hot air ballooning, guided nature walks, and scenic drives, or simply unwind by the pool with panoramic views of the desert.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Swimming pool, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, complimentary laundry service, spa treatments, solar powered property.
All chalets feature a four-poster bed, roofless stargazing room, en suite bathroom with both an indoor and outdoor shower, shaded outdoor veranda, and high thatched roof.
The chalets include 10 Twin/Double units and two Family Chalets.
Local Wildlife
Gemsbok (oryx), springbok, kudu, Hartmann's mountain zebra, Burchell's zebra, giraffe, klipspringer, steenbok, hartebeest.
Optional Activities
Quad biking, hot-air balloon rides, nature walks, desert game drives.
Mowani Mountain Camp
Overview
Mowani Mountain Camp is a traditional African safari style property with just 12 luxury tented rooms spread across a rocky outcrop providing stunning views across the plains of Damaraland. The camp is in the south of the great Damaraland region between the Ugab and the Huab rivers and is the luxury sister property of Camp Kipwe. It is perfectly suited to honeymooners and other couples who might be on second honeymoons.
There are two choices of tented rooms: the Superior View Rooms (as the name suggests) have outstanding panoramic views of the dramatic desert landscape and are positioned on the edge of the camp giving plenty of privacy. Standard Rooms lack the sensational views being more centrally positioned yet are skilfully built around the huge granite boulders. In addition, two suites are available: the Mini Suite with a/c living area and satellite TV, and the Mountain Suite with additional butler service, a/c living room, private dining, CD music centre and bar.
All the tents have private bathrooms and smart colonial décor with lavish furniture, tea and coffee making facilities, safety deposit box, and large comfortable twin beds with mosquito netting.
At the heart of the camp is a beautiful thatched dome building with an elegant dining room and lounge, and just below is a small but inviting swimming pool nestled between ancient rocks complete with sun loungers and extensive views.
The camp has a communal camp fire for evening drinks and discussions, and there is a beautiful rock a little further away designated as a sundowner spot for those looking for extra privacy.
Activities include game drives and nature walks and the local population of desert-adapted elephants can often be tracked down.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, dining room, lounge, swimming pool, cable TV, safety deposit box and laundry service.
Local Wildlife
The wildlife in the area occurs in low densities but springbok, besia oryx, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, black-backed jackal, birds and rhino are present.
Optional Activities
Longer excursions to see the rock art at Twyfelfontein, the geology at Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes are also available.
Ongava Tented Camp
Overview
Ongava Tented Camp is an elegant, intimate lodge set amidst a wildlife-rich patch of mopane woodland in the Ongava Private Game Reserve adjoining Etosha National Park.
Accommodation is in 8 large and neutral coloured Meru-style tents with comfortable beds and private bathrooms including an outdoor shower. There is a private outdoor decking area for each tent with seating for relaxing and watching wildlife coming and going from the nearby waterhole.
The main building is an attractive stone, canvas and thatch construction with well-stocked bar, sitting and dining area. There is a communal decking area with sun loungers and small swimming pool overlooking the waterhole, where a selection of herbivores including kudu, zebra, giraffe, waterbuck, springbok and even white rhino come to quench their thirst. Lions also appear from time to time.
The camp can accommodate 16 people and there is a separate tent for families that sleeps an additional four. Activities at the camp include game drives and walks in Ongava Game Reserve and within the nearby Etosha National Park. Tracking of white rhino on foot with guides is one of the more exhilarating experiences. There is a motion sensitive camera set up at the waterhole to allow visitors to see what wildlife has visited during the night.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, outdoor showers, ceiling fans, swimming pool.
Local Wildlife
The Ongava Private Game Reserve is one of the few places in Africa where guests can reliably see both black and white rhinos. The Ongava Reserve and nearby Etosha National Park are home to 114 species of mammal including lion, leopard, African wildcat, spotted hyena, bat-eared fox, aardwolf, honey badger, elephant, springbok, kudu, Damara dik dik and the elegant black faced impala. All of 340 bird species occur in the area including 14 Namibian endemics, and there are reptiles such as Etosha agamas and the rare Anchieta's dwarf python.
Optional Activities
Game drives and walks, rhino tracking and evening sundowner drives, during which snacks and drinks are served.
Onguma The Fort
Overview
The Onguma Fort is a stunning and unforgettable place to stay in the Onguma Game Reserve and on the edge of the Etosha National Park. Overlooking a large watering hole, guests are spoilt with the vast open space surrounding the fort and the wildlife that visits close by.
Each of the twelve beautiful spacious bush Suites come with their own fire places for the winter months and air coolers for the summer months, along with an indoor and outdoor shower. The rooms are private and separate from the main building, but still close enough to the main entertainment area. The staff are also known to call you at your room if they spot any wildlife worth seeing from the Fort. Guests can use buggies to move between their rooms and the communal areas.
The staff are exceptionally friendly and attentive. The Fort are known for their very high standard of service from the moment you arrive. Their incredible food is served on the decking at the restaurant with all stays being on a full-board basis, with a breakfast buffet spread over a large communal table, a light three-course lunch, and a wonderful four-course dinner menu.
The game drives are a must and the guides make the entire experience fantastic with their range of knowledge. There are safaris within the reserve as well as through Etosha, both of which are very enjoyable. The nature walk in the morning is very educational and worth joining.
Unfortunately, children under the age of 7 years old are not allowed to stay at Onguma Fort because it is unfenced.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Eleven bush suites, one honeymoon suite, one sultan suite, a bar and restaurant, spa, free WIFI in the main areas and in all of the rooms, a pool, mini bar, hairdryers and mosquito nets are provided.
Local Wildlife
The Fort bush suites and main building overlook the waterhole which is certainly a highlight for guests staying here because it regularly attracts a variety of wildlife. There are also close to 114 species of mammal in Etosha which you would have a chance of spotting on the game drives offered. They include the black faced impala in the park, and the threatened black and white rhino, lions, cheetahs,elephants, along with numerous antelope, giraffe, hyena & warthog. There are however no buffalo, hippo, crocodile or monkeys, but there is enough to keep you enthralled on a game drive.
Optional Activities
Etosha game drives, Onguma sunset drives, interpretive bush walks, visit the Onkolo hide, and unwind with some massage therapy at the spa.
Okonjima Bush & Plains Camps
Overview
The delightful accommodation at Okonjima Bush Camp consists of luxury thatched chalets, spaced widely apart for privacy in the tranquil bush surroundings, plus a main “lapa” area in the form of a camelthorn pod where meals and drinks are taken and activities commence. Each exclusive en-suite chalet is completely private and the green canvas ‘walls’ can be rolled up to give you a 180-degree view so you can watch life in the bush going on around you whilst you lie in bed and relax in total comfort.
The accommodation at the larger Plains Camp consists of 14 Standard en suite terraced rooms and 10 new View Rooms that are set further apart: all rooms overlook the savannah. Two of the View Rooms and four of the Standard Rooms can combine to make a family unit. Each unit has a verandah, a wheelchair-friendly ramp, two double beds, desk, chair, mini bar, coffee/tea facilities, ceiling fans, twin basins, twin showers, safe and internal telephone. The main building, the Barn, contains the restaurant, pool, shop and lounge.
Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Foundation, a wildlife sanctuary founded in 1991 that is dedicated to creating conservation awareness, preserving habitat, promoting environmental educational research and supporting animal welfare. Their main focus is Africa’s big cats, especially injured or captured leopards and cheetahs.
AfriCat runs the largest cheetah and leopard rescue and release programme in the world. In the last 17 years over 1000 of these predators have been rescued with over 85% being released back into the wild. Close encounters with leopard and cheetah are an unforgettable highlight here. Activities include leopard tracking by vehicle, a visit to the cheetah welfare project and a visit to the night hide where nocturnal animals such as porcupine, caracal, honey badger, eagle owl and even leopard may be seen.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Bush Camp: 8 luxury thatched chalets; 1 luxury honeymoon suite (two double beds next to each other). Plains Camp: 14 Standard en suite rooms and 10 new View Rooms. Other facilities include restaurant, bar, boutique shop, swimming pool,
Local Wildlife
Rehabilitated and wild carnivores - in particular cheetah and leopard - can be tracked in the reserve. Spotted hyena, African wild dog, lions and commoner plains herbivores such as impala, springbok, zebra and wildebeest. There is a hide overlooking a floodlit area where cape porcupines and honey badgers are frequently seen and caracal and leopard are also possible.
Optional Activities
Visits to the big cat rehabilitation and welfare centre, visit nearby REST (rare and endangered species trust), night excursion, tracking of wild big cats and other wildlife and bird walks.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Best Visited:
May to October
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Alan Godwin
Area Specialist
Namibia’s wildlife is most active at dawn and dusk—and that includes crossing roads. Driving after sunset significantly increases the risk of animal collisions, especially with springbok, warthogs, and kudu. Plan your daily routes to arrive at lodges before dark, and enjoy the golden hour from the safety of your veranda with a sundowner in hand.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
This was our second visit to Namibia in just over 12 months, with Reef and Rainforest and our seventh consecutive wildlife trip with them. I think that speaks for itself. This year we were particularly keen to try and observe some desert adapted Lions. The Lions found in ‘The Namib Desert’ are genetically identical to those found in the rest of Southern Africa but have adapted to live in one of the harshest environments on earth. They number around 150 and have a huge range, and are rarely seen. They came to prominence in the outstanding documentary film ‘Vanishing Kings’. The best chance of observing members of this subset of Lions is during a stay at Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, although sightings cannot be guaranteed and weeks can pass by without any success. Therefore a stay at this camp was at the heart of our itinerary and we were very lucky to spend time with a Lioness and her niece who had killed an Oryx in the conservancy. The camp itself is absolutely outstanding in every respect and the location is just spectacular.
Visitors should be aware that this is not ‘The Serengeti’ and that the wildlife is quite thin on the ground. However you would have to be very unlucky not to see Elephant, Giraffe and several other species. Whilst we were out in the desert we were lucky to bump in to Dr P. Stander who has dedicated the whole of his adult life to the conservation of The Desert Lion, what a thrill. The day trip out to the coast was pretty special as well.
The rest of the itinerary worked very well and we were very pleased to have three full days in Etosha N.P. where we recorded 25 mammal species, including 32 individual Lions, observed the aftermath of 4 zebra kills, 11 Rhinoceros (both Black & White), an African Wildcat and the rarely seen in Etosha, elusive Leopard.
So a big thank you to ALL at Reef and Rainforest, another highly successful trip, you certainly delivered again.
