Depart from New York or Washington, DC for your flight to Windhoek, Namibia via Johannesburg, South Africa on South African Airways.

Upon arrival at Johannesburg International Airport you will go through immigration and clear customs, re-check your bags and then proceed for your onward flight to Windhoek, Namibia.

On arrival at Windhoek International Airport you will be met and transferred by road to the Hotel Heinitzburg. Accommodation will be reserved for you for one night in a deluxe room inclusive of breakfast.

The Heinitzburg Castle was originally commissioned by Count von Schwerin for his fiancé, Margarethe von Heinitz in 1914, but is now the enchanting Hotel Heinitzburg overlooking Windhoek.

Offering services one would not expect, Hotel Heinitzburg combines 19th century European charm with modern comforts. Completed in 1996 in the style of the old castle, the Hotel has 16 spacious, generously appointed en-suite rooms. What makes Heinitzburg special is the elegant design, from four poster beds and Italian ceramic tiles to custom fitting and specially created, hand-made wooden furnishings. The Raith family has long been associated with a tradition of excellent hospitality and cuisine. It is no surprise then that Heinitzburg is the venue for special, private occasions. Available on advanced reservation, gourmet menus are individually prepared for your party, according to your specific desires. It is our pleasure to provide secretarial services, bookings, faxes and appointments. Centrally located, Hotel Heinitzburg is a two-minute drive from the city center.

Accommodation: The Hotel Heinitzburg

This morning after breakfast and check-out procedures, you will be met and transferred by road to Eros Airport. On arrival at Eros Airport you will be met by a Sefofane representative and transferred to the start of your 4 day Skeleton Coast Safari. Accommodation will be reserved for you for three nights in a tent, inclusive of all meals, scheduled daily activities, and drinks (excluding premium imported brands).

The Skeleton Coast Park is one of our planet’s most inhospitable, but hauntingly beautiful places – it is wild, desolate and uninhabited. It has everything from roaring sand dunes and windswept plains, to towering canyons and saltpans, and even one of the most productive fishing grounds anywhere.

Fresh water springs permeate through barren sands to create rare oases in the desert that sustain pockets of wildlife. Springbok, gemsbok (oryx), the rare desert elephant, ostrich, Cape fur seals, jackal and brown hyena - and even cheetah on rare occasions - eke out an existence in this rugged terrain, along with the vegetation like the ancient welwitschia plant which has adapted to the harsh conditions.

The arid desert environment in the Skeleton Coast is within the northern reaches of the Namib Desert. The Benguela current brings cold waters all the way from Antarctica and helps to moderate temperatures. The cool air off the ocean meets the hotter desert air and nearly every morning, a cool mist envelops the coastline, bringing life-sustaining moisture to the desert. By about 9:00 or 10:00 in the morning the sun’s rays have burned this mist off.

There are many regions in the Skeleton Coast. On these safaris, you will visit the most isolated, beautiful, remote (and private) northern sector of the park, from just north of Mowe Bay to just south of the Kunene River. The Parks have set aside this area for low volume, exclusive safaris.

You stay all three nights at Skeleton Coast Camp. This is a six-roomed luxury tented camp in the heart of the reserve. Skeleton Coast Camp is built onto an island in a dry riverbed about 12 miles inland from the coastline.

Each of the 6 tents is large, roomy and has an en-suite bathroom. As a result of water shortages, it is unfortunately not possible to offer a laundry service. A wonderful old gnarled Leadwood tree offers shelter from the elements, and this is the dining room for outdoor meals.

This safari is unlike any other safari. Because of the uniqueness and vastness of this area, most activities are done in 4x4 vehicles that are closed to the elements. All vehicles have pop-top roofs and sliding windows to enjoy the fine weather. There is however plenty of opportunity to walk and stretch the legs too. Activities include either full day nature drives or walks with a picnic lunch, returning to camp in the evening, or half day nature drives or walks returning to camp for lunch and venturing out again in the afternoon.

Excursions may include visits to the clay castles of the Hoarusib River, Rocky Point, the roaring dunes, lichen fields, seal colonies, Himba villages, shipwreck sites and secret water seeps that attract wildlife like oryx, springbok, giraffe, ostrich, brown hyena, jackal and other smaller mammals. Walking also plays a part in the activities; due to the pristine nature of this area many parts are accessible only on foot, as vehicle tracks can damage the environment. Many specially adapted species of plants like Lithops and Welwitschia can be visited in this way.

Even though this is a quality safari, the terrain is harsh, rough and rugged. We will try to make this as comfortable as possible, but we have no way of hiding from the elements. Sometimes we can experience cold temperatures – and then 1,300 feet up the valley, we encounter hot desert winds.

 Accommodation: Skeleton Coast Camp (B, L, D)

This morning after your morning activity and brunch, you will be met by a Sefofane representative and transferred by scheduled light aircraft to Serra Cafema Camp.

On arrival at the Serra Cafema Airstrip, you will be met by a Lodge representative and transferred to Serra Cafema Camp. Accommodation will be reserved for you for two nights in a tent inclusive of all meals, scheduled daily activities, laundry and drinks (excluding premium imported brands).

Serra Cafema Camp is one of the most remote camps in all of Southern Africa and offers one of the most memorable experiences in Namibia. The small 16-bedded camp, whose only access is by aircraft, is located in the extreme northwest of Namibia and is further away from Namibia's capital city, Windhoek, than from Botswana's Okavango Delta.

Serra Cafema shares this region with the wonderful and colourful Himba people who are some of the last true nomadic people of Africa. The Kunene River is the only permanent source of water and creates an oasis along its banks surrounded by rugged mountains and sand dunes. The Camp is situated under big shady Albida trees overlooking the Kunene River and is comprised of 8 canvas and thatched chalets that are raised off the ground, each with its own en-suite bathroom. Other facilities include a small swimming pool, dining room and bar. One goes to sleep at night to the gurgling water sounds from the rapid just downstream from Camp.

Today you will be at leisure and participate in game viewing activities offered by the Camp.

In stark contrast, during the day, guests spend their time exploring one of the planet's driest deserts. Activities include enjoying the breathtaking landscape scenes with springbok, ostrich and oryx dotted here and there, traversing the sand dunes in 4x4 Land Rovers and boating on the Kunene River where you can watch for the Kunene crocodiles.

Walking in the remote mountain and river valleys are also a highlight. Serra Cafema is often visited by the native Ovahimba families who live in the nearby vicinity, providing guests with the opportunity to learn about their lifestyle and traditions. One of the highlights of Serra Cafema is the carefully guided quad-bike excursions that tread lightly on the dunes. Guests can get into some of the massive sand dunes to the west of the Camp.

Accommodation: Serra Cafema Camp (B, L, D)

This morning after your morning activity and brunch, you will be met by a Sefofane representative and transferred by scheduled light aircraft to Little Ongava. On arrival at the Ongava Airstrip you will be met by a Lodge representative and transferred by road to Little Ongava. Accommodation will be reserved for you for two nights in a tent inclusive of all meals, scheduled daily activities, laundry and drinks (excluding premium imported brands).

Little Ongava is situated within the Ongava Game Reserve, a private 74,000 acre game reserve that is located adjacent to the southern boundary of Etosha National Park. Little Ongava is perched along the crest of a hill with wonderful views onto the plains below and beyond, and is the ideal lodge from which to base your activities when visiting Etosha.

The camp comprises 3 spacious suites each with its own plunge pool, en-suite bathroom, a “sala”, an additional outdoor shower and a view of the waterhole in front of Camp. Little Ongava’s main area lends itself to relaxed, stylish dining under an African sky or under thatch.

Today you will be at leisure and participate in game viewing activities offered by the Camp.

Activities include game drives in open 4x4 vehicles into the Okaukuejo area of Etosha where lion, elephant, cheetah, gemsbok, springbok, and hartebeest can be seen at many of the waterholes in the park. In addition, day and night drives, hides at waterholes and walks with armed guides are enjoyed on the private reserve.

The Ongava Reserve has resident white and black rhino, giving guests staying at Little Ongava the opportunity to see both species. Guests at Little Ongava share a dedicated guide and Land Rover ensuring the optimum nature experience at one of Africa's great wildlife destinations.

Accommodation: Little Ongava (B, L, D)

After your morning activity and brunch, you will be transferred by road to the Ongava Airstrip and met by a Sefofane representative and transferred by scheduled light aircraft to Eros Airport.

On arrival you will be met and transferred by road to The Hotel Heinitzburg. Accommodation will be reserved for you for one night in a deluxe room inclusive of breakfast.

Accommodation: The Hotel Heinitzburg (B)

After breakfast you’ll be transferred back to Windhoek Airport for your flight back to Johannesburg. Upon arrival in Johannesburg you will connect for your ongoing flight back to the USA on South African Airways.  (B)

Arrive in New York or Washington, DC with a lifetime of memories!