Day 1 - Sesfontein Community Conservancy
On arrival at Windhoek Airport you will be met by an Ultimate Safaris representative who will transfer you to the local Eros Airport in Windhoek, where you will board your scheduled flight to the Skeleton Coast. (D)
On arrival at the local airstrip, you will be met by a lodge representative and transferred to Hoanib Valley Camp. Deep in the north-western corner of Namibia, Kaokoland is one of the most remote, wild and marvellously unique areas of the country. It’s a land characterized by rolling dunes, Rocky Mountains and desert plains all crisscrossed by ancient, dry riverbeds, the roads of the area. Temporary Himba settlements dot the landscape, and scattered herds of desert-adapted elephant and giraffe are a common sight.
If time allows, the afternoon can be spent on a scheduled lodge activity as offered by Hoanib Valley Camp.
Accommodation: 1 night Hoanib Valley Camp.
In a country jam-packed with vast, spectacularly beautiful landscapes, Kaokoland may just be the most incredible of them all. Deep in north-western Namibia, the area is a melee of towering mountains, sand dunes, and huge expanses of desert, scattered with unique wildlife and nomadic Himba settlements. It’s also one of Namibia’s most remote and wild environments, and one that not many will get the chance to discover in a lifetime.
Hoanib Valley’s six guest tents blend almost perfectly into the rugged environment. The colours, textures and patterns are inspired by the experience of the Hoanib; the rich ochre of the dunes, the geometric patterns of the Himba people and, of course, the giraffe that inspired the project.
Day 2 - Skeleton Coast Concession
This morning you will enjoy a full day scenic nature drive / transfer as you make your way from Hoanib Valley Camp to Shipwreck Lodge, enjoying a picnic lunch enroute. (BLD)
After settling into your accommodation at Shipwreck Lodge, you have the option to embark on a scheduled lodge activity as offered by the lodge. Activities on offer are game drives within the northern Skeleton Coast National Park, Sundowner drives to the dune’s fields, 4X4 excursions to the Clay Castles and the Hoanib River Delta and along the coast. Track desert adapted elephants along the Hoarusib River or visits to the Suiderkus and Karimona shipwrecks.
Accommodation: 2 nights Shipwreck Lodge.
Located in the famous Skeleton Coast Concession between the Hoarusib and Hoanib rivers in the Skeleton Coast National Park, Shipwreck Lodge is only 45 km from Möwe Bay. The shipwreck-shaped chalets are nestled between the dunes with a view of the Atlantic Ocean where the cold Benguela current provides guests with a refreshing breeze.
Guest can look forward to appreciating the harshness of the desert and the beauty of these solitary landscapes filled with geological history. Learn about the fauna and flora adapted to survive in these harsh conditions – all from the comfort of the restaurant deck.
The 10 ‘shipwreck style’ cabins are spread out along the sand dunes. Wake up to spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and fall asleep to the crackling of the wood-burning stove. The design was inspired by the famous shipwrecks that can be found along the Skeleton Coast. Emphasizing a light footprint in the area by operating eco-friendly and using solar-power. All 10, en-suite cabins are complemented with the necessary guest amenities like a writing desk, bedside lamp, safe and a wood-burning stove. The 8 twin/double cabins and 2 family cabins all have their own deck to view to enjoy the peaceful landscape.
Day 3 - Skeleton Coast Concession
Today is filled with exciting guided activities as arranged by the camp and after discussions with your lodge-based guide – these include scenic nature drives within the northern Skeleton Coast National Park, drive along the Hoarusib River and sundowner drive to the dune fields. All of these expose the astonishing desert-adapted wildlife, plants and birdlife of the area. One of the main highlights here, is an excursion to the Möwe Bay seal colony where you will also have the opportunity to visit the remnants of the Suiderkus and Karimona shipwrecks. (BLD)
Day 4 - Sesfontein Community Conservancy
Day 5 - End of Natural Selection Skeleton Coast Extension
This morning you will be transferred back to the local airstrip for your scheduled light aircraft flight back to Windhoek Airport, ensuring that you have sufficient time for the check-in of your on-going international flight back home. (B)