We will be collected from the Hosea Kutako International Airport on arrival and transferred to Chameleon Backpackers centrally located in Windhoek. Time permitting, we have the opportunity to join one of the optional activities that Chameleon Safaris has to offer, pop into their office and have a chat with one of the consultants. Enjoy your evening with a delicious “braai” and Quiz night at the Chameleon Backpackers’ bar. Overnight accommodation is in twin share rooms with en-suite bathroom. (Distance approx. 50km)

Our tour starts in Windhoek, where we meet for a pre-departure briefing. We can pick you up at 7h15. After the departure from Windhoek, we stop briefly at the Okahandja Wood carving markets. Woodcarvers from all over Namibia come here to sell their hand-crafted goods and this is the perfect opportunity to practice our haggling skills all while supporting the local community. Our next stop is our overnight destination, the world renowned Okonjima Nature Reserve. Okonjima, is an impressive 20,000ha nature reserve which is home to an incredible array of wildlife species. It is also home to the AfriCat Foundation, whose long term mission is the conservation of Namibia’s wildlife in their natural habitat, but in a protected conservation area. This includes predators and keystone species and the reserve is well known for leopard, cheetah, and hyena sightings. We aim to arrive at camp around midday, giving us ample time to set up camp and enjoy lunch before we join the afternoon activity where we have the chance to see some of the cheetah currently part of the AfriCat rehabilitation programme. The aim of this programme is to re-introduce these animals back into the wild where they can thrive. After our educational tour, we join an afternoon game drive on the reserve before enjoying our first spectacular sunset in the Namibian bush. Dinner tonight is prepared by our guide over an open fire. (Distance: approx. 200 km)

We depart from camp after breakfast and stop briefly at Otjiwarongo, a small town north of Okonjima to gather some fresh supplies, before continuing on to Etosha National Park, one of Southern Africa’s premier wildlife reserves. Upon entering the gate, we start our search for antelope, such as springbok and impala and with any luck some mega herbivores such as elephant, rhino or giraffe, on our short game drive to Okaukuejo. We set up camp and enjoy a delicious lunch before heading out on an afternoon game drive. Etosha is unlike any other, and our game drives take us from waterhole to waterhole in search of predators as well as plains game, birds and if we are lucky, even reptiles. We return to camp just before sunset, and whilst dinner is cooking, we have the chance to visit the excellent floodlit waterhole where rhino, elephant, giraffe, lion and hyena are frequent visitors. Dinner is prepared by our guide over an open fire. (Distance: approx. 200 km)

A pre-dawn start today with a quick coffee and rusk before embarking on our full day game drive at sunrise to have any chance of catching a glimpse of predators that are returning home after a night of hunting. We make our way across the park, visiting various waterholes and enjoy a late breakfast at one of the picnic spots within the park. We continue our journey east in search of the many species that call Etosha home and arrive at Halali where we can take a dip in the pool, visit the waterhole and enjoy lunch. After lunch, we visit the Etosha Pan where the park gets its name. Here we can get out of the vehicle and experience this 4500 sq km ‘saline desert’, a salt pan so large it can be seen from space. We continue our game drive to look for the Big 4 on our way back to Okaukuejo, arriving at camp by sunset. Enjoy our last night camping in Etosha, and a visit to the waterhole before and after dinner is highly recommended. (Distance: approx. 200 km)

Another early start where we can take in a spectacular sunrise whilst having breakfast and then a short game drive back to the park gate. The route today takes us west into the area known as the Kunene Region. Our first stop is a visit to the Otjikandero Himba Village. The Himba people are one of the last tribes in Namibia who still embrace their ancient culture and customs. We participate in a guided tour around the village where we have the chance to not only gain an in-depth insight into the Himba way of life, but to get to know the Himba people to share a little of our own culture with them. We continue west and stop briefly in the small town of Kamanjab before continuing on to the Hoada Community Campsite, situated between large granite boulders and Mopane trees, creating the illusion of a serene home in the wilderness. Here we set up camp before enjoying a leisurely afternoon and watching the sunset from the Hoada deck. Dinner is prepared by our guide over an open fire. (Distance: approx. 300 km)

Today our adventure takes us through the infamous Skeleton Coast National Park all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. The coastline itself is a very hostile but a fascinating area known for the Welwitschia mirabilis, the Northern Namibia sand sea, the derelict oil rig near Toscanini, the Huab lagoon and the diminishing remains of the Winston Shipwreck. On exiting the national park we stop for Instagram worthy photos of the iconic skull and cross bones gate. We arrive at Cape Cross late afternoon where we set up camp for the night and have the opportunity for a sunset walk on the beach. Dinner is prepared by our guide over an open fire. (Distance: approx. 350 km)

Today is a chance for a rare lie in and after a hearty cooked breakfast we take a short walk to the Cape Cross Reserve. The reserve is home to one of the world’s largest breeding colonies of Cape Fur seals and during breeding season (November-December) up to 200 000+ seals can be spotted basking on the beach, certainly a sight and smell to behold. After our visit to the seal colony we continue travelling along the coast stopping to view the Zeila Shipwreck, one of the latest victims of the Skeleton Coast from as recent as 2007. We arrive in Swakopmund early afternoon and have plenty of time to explore this quaint little town on foot, or join one of the optional activities on offer from skydiving, scenic flights, quad biking and more. Dinner tonight is at own expense in one of Swakopmund’s excellent restaurants and our guide will be happy to make recommendations or bookings depending on what we feel like. (Distance: approx. 130 km)

Today we leave Swakopmund at 11h30, so we have the time to join an optional activity. For the adrenaline junkies this could be flying down a sand dune head first at 60 km/h on a sand board, exploring the dune field on a quad biking tour or discover the “old city” of Swakopmund on a fat bike (e-bike option available). Whatever we choose, we depart Swakopmund no later than 11h30 and drive through the Namib Desert via the Kuiseb Pass, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, stopping briefly in Solitaire arriving at our camp late afternoon. We set up our tents, and enjoy the sunset over the Namib Desert while listening to the barking geckos. There is a pool and bar available, dinner is prepared by our guide. An early night is recommended. (Distance: approx. 350 km)

A pre-dawn departure from camp this morning means we can enjoy the dunes at first light. We drive down an ancient river bed, surrounded by towering dunes and our first stop is at the famous Dune 45 where we have the chance to climb to the top to enjoy the sunrise. On descent, we replenish our energy and enjoy breakfast before continuing on into the Sossusvlei area. We explore this unique area on foot, heading into Dead Vlei with its large expanse of bleached cracked clay and skeletal camel thorn trees, contrasting with a backdrop of huge dunes with their ever-changing colours. We have the opportunity to climb the dune at Sossusvlei before we return to Sesriem for lunch and a swim or siesta during the heat of the day. Mid-afternoon we visit the Sesriem Canyon before your guide drops you at Elim’s Dune for a short and educational sunset walk back to camp through the desert. Dinner tonight is prepared by our guide. (Distance: approx. 150 km)

We pack up camp and enjoy breakfast before heading south through some of the most spectacular desert landscapes in Southern Namibia. Our destination today is the small outpost of Klein Aus, nestled in the Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park. We arrive early afternoon and set up camp. For the active there is a short optional unguided hiking trail. Permits and a map are available at reception. We enjoy a beautiful sunset and dinner prepared by our guide over an open-fire. (Distance: approx. 380 km)

After an early breakfast we make our way from Klein Aus to the ghost town, of Kolmanskop, situated 15 km outside Luderitz. During a diamond boom in 1910 Kolmanskop quickly became one of the richest towns in Africa boasting the Southern Hemisphere’s first X-ray machine, a bowling alley and luxury housing. As the diamond boom came to an end and the town’s inhabitants abandoned the area Kolmanskop became a ghost town. After our tour we continue our adventure to the small town of Luderitz, situated on the rocky shores of the Atlantic Ocean and well known for its unique and colourful colonial-style buildings. We stop at Diaz Point, the famous site of the Original Diaz Cross and enjoy a picnic lunch. On return to Aus, we keep our eyes peeled for the wild horses of the Namib Desert that roam between Luderitz and Klein Aus. While the details of how these horses came to live in the desert are still a mystery, the mere fact that they have survived in the harshest of conditions is impressive, and any sighting of them is one to celebrate. We arrive back at camp late afternoon and can relax before enjoying another incredible sunset over the Aus Mountains. Dinner tonight is prepared by our guide. (Distance: approx. 260km)

We enjoy another early start this morning as we pack up camp and head east. Our first official stop is at the well-known Hell's Bend viewpoint of the Fish River Canyon. Here we have the opportunity to overlook the second-largest canyon in the world. The Fish River Canyon was formed millions of years ago by water erosion and the collapse of the valley due to movements in the earth’s crust. After lunch, we continue our adventure heading to our last destination; The Quiver Tree Forest. It is located just north-east of Keetmanshoop and here approximately 250 quiver trees can be found. The forest grew spontaneously and the oldest trees are estimated to be around 200-300 years old. The Quiver tree (Kokerboom in Afrikaans) is also Namibia’s national tree, and the forest was declared a national monument in 1995. The last night on our adventure is spent camping under the stars with meals prepared by our guide. This is an excellent location for photographing the stars should you be an avid photographer (permits are available for night photography of the quiver trees at additional cost). (Distance: approx. 480 km)

After a tasty cooked breakfast, we start the day with a chance to really explore the Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playground, a geological phenomenon of dolerite rocks that appear to have been stacked by giants. From here we begin our journey back to Windhoek passing Brukkaros Mountain, an extinct volcano which is 650 m above the surrounding area. We pass through the small towns of Mariental and Rehoboth before arriving at our accommodation in Windhoek late afternoon. Dinner tonight is at own expense in one of Windhoek’s excellent restaurants and our guide will be happy to make some suggestions. (Distance: approx. 500 km)

A leisurely breakfast and after breakfast we will be transferred to the volunteer centre at N/a’an ku sê Wildlife Sanctuary, which provides a safe haven for injured, orphaned or conflict animals. Whenever possible the goal is to re-introduce the animals into the wild. Only animals too ill, abused or habituated remain at the sanctuary. Depending on our arrival time we have the opportunity to meet some of the other volunteers and meet some of the animals that we will be working with before we join the N/a’an ku sê team for an induction presentation and a lovely welcome braai as our evening meal. (Distance approx. 35km)

We enjoy an early morning breakfast and a quick morning meeting with the team to start the day off. The next couple of days are the perfect opportunity to learn about and actively participate in the conservation, rehabilitation, care and research of the African wildlife. The wildlife team takes us out for group based morning activities, such as feeding orphaned and injured animals, cleaning enclosures or project work and animal enrichment. After a morning full of fun and work, we enjoy a light lunch at the Lapa. After lunch we start the afternoon activities with a presentation from the research team before we learn about the on-going projects N/a’an ku se is involved with to support wildlife conservation. Research activities may include; monitoring free roaming carnivores, analysing camera traps, analysing GPS data or game counts. Dinner each night is a delicious home cooked meal served at the Lapa.

Another early morning breakfast and a quick morning meeting before heading out on another group based morning activity, such as feeding orphaned and injured animals, cleaning enclosures or project work and animal enrichment. After a morning full of fun and work, we enjoy a light lunch at the Lapa. After lunch we start the afternoon activities with a presentation from the research team before we learn about the on-going projects N/a’an ku se is involved with to support wildlife conservation. Research activities may include; monitoring free roaming carnivores, analysing camera traps, analysing GPS data or game counts. Dinner each night is a delicious home cooked meal served at the Lapa.

Our morning starts with an early breakfast and while Sundays are rest days we still need to prepare and feed the orphaned and injured animals. This usually takes between 1 and 2 hours in the morning. The rest of the day can be spent enjoying the beautiful outdoors, around the pool reading a book or learn more about the conservation work done at the volunteer centre.

Back at it today with an early morning breakfast before heading out for our morning activity. After a morning full of fun and work, we enjoy a light lunch at the Lapa. After lunch we start the afternoon activities with a presentation from the research team before we learn about the on-going projects N/a’an ku se is involved with to support wildlife conservation. Research activities may include; monitoring free roaming carnivores, analysing camera traps, analysing GPS data or game counts. Dinner is a delicious home cooked meal served at the Lapa.

Our last full day at N/a'ankuse and while the routine is the same, no 2 activities ever are. Starting the day with breakfast, a morning meeting and then we head out where ever we are required. Lunch is served in the lapa and we wrap up the day with a final afternoon activity.

A leisurely breakfast and after breakfast we will be transferred to the International Airport approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight departure.