Skeleton Coast and Kaokoveld Conservancy

Two of Namibia’s most remote regions
Desert-adapted animals such as the black rhino, elephant and lion
Ancient Himba culture
Iconic Skeleton Coast National Park

Day 1 Arrival Windhoek
Day 2 & 3  Huab Conservancy
Day 4 & 5  Huab Conservancy to Hobatere Conservancy
Day 6 Hobatere Conservancy to Orupembe Conservancy
Day 7 Marienfluss Conservancy, Kunene River
Day 8 Orupembe Conservancy to Puros Conservancy
Day 9 Puros Conservancy to Hoanib River system
Day 10 & 11  Skeleton Coast National Park Boundary
Day 12 Depart

• Day 1 Arrival Windhoek

  Upon Arrival at  Hosea Kutako airport you will be met and greeted by your safari guide. Transfer to your accommodation in Windhoek.
  The Olive Exclusive Boutique Hotel D

• Day 2 Huab Conservancy

  Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to the Doro Nawas Airstrip. A noon arrival at Doro Nawas means a quick visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings is possible, so that you can still arrive at your Under Canvas destination, in time to enjoy fireside sundowners at your camp that will be your home for the next two nights.
  Overnight: Huab Under Canvas Camp  BLD  

• Day 3 Huab Conservancy

  Today you explore the Damaraland, enjoying the freedom to explore the fascinating landscapes with your private naturalist guide both by vehicle and on foot. Damaraland is a surprising refuge for desert adapted wildlife that may include giraffe, oryx, springbok and even some predators such as lion. However, as with any wildlife sightings in Namibia, this depends on many factors including seasonality so specific sightings are never guaranteed. The wildlife roams large tracks of unfenced desert landscapes and finding game can be challenging, but this is all part of the adventure of exploring this wild untouched gem of Namibia.
  Overnight: Huab Under Canvas Camp  BLD 

• Day 4 Huab Conservancy to Hobatere Conservancy

  Today after breakfast you continue on the next adventure, venturing north to the Hobatere Lodge, a joint venture tourism concession that is owned by the Khoadi – Hoas Conservancy. You enjoy a delicious picnic along the journey and arrive in time for siesta, or just spend the afternoon enjoying the views overlooking the waterhole from the outside veranda.
  Overnight: Hobatere Lodge BLD

• Day 5 Hobatere Conservancy

  Today is focused on game viewing, but there is also the exciting opportunity on early morning and night drives to spot nocturnal animals, such as aardvark, cape fox, bat-eared fox, aardwolf and genet.
  Alternatively game drives with your naturalist guide into the western side of the Etosha National Park are also possible – as you have the full time services of your own private guide, in your own 4×4, the day’s activities into Etosha are scheduled around the specific game movements of the season.
  Overnight:  Hobatere Lodge BLD
  

• Day 6 Hobatere Conservancy to Orupembe Conservancy

  After an early breakfast this morning you will leave Hobatere and head north, towards Opuwo.  From here true wild landscapes await you as you snake along Hoarusib River west before heading north towards the Onjuwa Plains (meaning holy plains), an area set aside where local tribes have not allowed hunting for centuries, thus creating an interesting sanctuary often dotted with livestock and game grazing side-by-side in harmony. Lunch is had picnic style en route, arriving at the camp in the late afternoon in good time to enjoy the magnificent view with a ‘sundowner’ drink in hand. Tonight is spent around the campfire absorbing the tranquility of the area whilst your guide prepares and serves a tasty dinner
  Overnight: Etambura Camp BLD

• Day 7 Marienfluss Conservancy, Kunene Rive

  This morning you set off on an early start for a magical drive north to the Kunene River. The trip starts by traversing the rocky Hartmann’s Pass to Rooidrom (Red Drum), a major intersection in the middle of nowhere. Heading west and then north you will head up the famous Hartmann’s Valley, eventually making your way over the Hartmann’s Mountains and into the Marienfluss Valley. This area is filled with the mysterious fairy circles, something which is bound to keep the conversation going in the vehicle whilst heading for the Kunene River before arriving there in time for lunch. The Kunene River is a wild river having its origin in the Angolan Highlands, and it abounds with large crocodiles, while still being a lifeline for man and beast in this arid environment.You spend the day exploring the area and return to Etambura in the late afternoon, passing the Holy Mountain of the Himba as well as the towering Mt Ojiunaune and Mt Otjiomuhana peaks while meandering your way back to the settlement of Orupembe.
  Overnight: Etambura Camp BLD      

• Day 8 Orupembe Conservancy to Puros Conservancy

  After an early breakfast this morning you will head south. Depending on the season, your guide will either head along the Hoarusib and Khumib Rivers, hopefully spotting desert adapted wildlife, including elephant and giraffe or, should the season not allow, you will head through the western vast and silent plains. After a scenic picnic lunch stop under the welcoming shade of towering camel thorn and ana trees you will make your way down the river. This is also a well-known area for desert adapted wildlife, including elephants and lions. Along the way you search for the last nomadic tribe of Namibia, the Himba tribe. Your search for a local Himba settlement could perhaps take a while as the semi-nomadic Himba people sometimes move location with no notice. They are one of the last and most traditional peoples of Namibia and have little time for conventional practices. You will learn about the customs and traditions of this very proud nation, and will be given insight into their beliefs, way of life and everyday routine. After visiting the Himba settlement you will continue onto Puros, a small settlement of a population of less than 300 Himba and Herero herders. You will arrive at the luxurious Okahirongo Elephant Lodge in the late afternoon, with time to revel in the luxury of the lodge and enjoy an entertaining evening reminiscing about the experiences of the past days while enjoying the comforts of the lodge.
  Overnight: Okahirongo Elephant Lodge BLD

• Day 9 Puros Conservancy to Hoanib River system

  After an early breakfast you set off for the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp and head south, traversing via Sawurogab to the Hoanib River, a recovering wildlife refuge. You explore the Hoanib River, to arrive at camp around sunset, in time to freshen up before dinner and enjoying the evening around the campfire, learning about this remarkable area. This marks the end of your privately guided safari, as you bid farewell to your naturalist guide. For the next three days you will be hosted by local camp guides in camp safari vehicles on all shared activity experiences.
  Overnight:  Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp BLD

• Day 10 Skeleton Coast National Park Boundary

  Today is spent on activities as arranged by the camp, exploring this remarkable area with local guides. The activities include exciting game drives searching for desert adapted wildlife within the Hoanib River guided walks and hiking trails and afternoon drives.
  Overnight:  Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp BLD

• Day 11 Skeleton Coast National Park Boundary

  This morning after breakfast you can enjoy a memorable activity into the Skeleton Coast National Park, usually travelling by road to Möwe Bay’s, a journey that can take a full morning. From here you continue in a safari vehicle exploring the majestic coastline as offered by the camp. After a picnic lunch on the beach and some further exploration you will be flown back to Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp with enough time to relax and enjoy a ‘sundowner’.  (This activity is weather permitting, because early morning fog might prevent a safe take off by aircraft and the tour might be cancelled. However, the camp management team will try their best to organize the tour around the weather conditions and certain sights as well as mode of transport might change at their discretion. If the coastal tour is cancelled, the camp will ensure that guests still enjoy a full day of activities, which might be around the Hoanib camp, the river system or remote gravel plains. )
  Overnight Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp BLD

• Day 12 Depart

  Your safari comes to an end today.  From Hoanib there is a choice of flights that fly back to Windhoek or possibly extend onwards to the Etosha National Park.  B

• Departure Dates

  Flexible departures (any day)

• Included

  Accommodation as stated above.
  Transportation in a luxury air-conditioned safari vehicle.
  Meals as stipulated above.
  Services of a registered and experienced English-speaking naturalist guide.
  National Park and other entrance fees and excursions as described in above itinerary.
  Mineral water on board the safari vehicle.
  Local beverages as indicated –vintage wines and imported spirits not included.

• Not Included

  International flights to Namibia and airport taxes.
  Flights into Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp and out of Doro Nawas Airstrip.
  Any meals not included in the above itinerary.
  Any entrance fees and excursions not included in the above itinerary.
  Vintage wines or imported spirits.
  Gratuities.
  Items of personal nature.
  Visa, personal Insurance

   

January to Ocotber