Desert Adapted Wildlife Tour

10 days—Brandberg, Ugab River, Twyfelfontein, Aba-Huab and Huab Rivers, Palmwag Concession, Hoanib River, Desert Adapted Elephant, Rhino and Lion.

$6700-7900 USD

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Safari summary

This arid Eden area of Namibia, Damaraland, is one of Africa’s true remaining wildernesses. Wildlife exists in open ecosystem, where they co-exist with humans and share scarce resources that includes water. Not being in a designated National Park or protected area, wildlife sightings are far and apart. Encountering wildlife is an effort and skill that involves traditional tracking and asking the locals the whereabouts. Besides wildlife, we will explore the ancient hidden gems of Damaraland. Various mammals and birds are found along the Ugab River where they get food and water. Brandberg mountain is the highest mountain in Namibia, measuring 2,573 m (8,442 ft.) at its peak. “Brandberg” is Afrikaans, Dutch and German for Burning Mountain, which comes from its glowing color which is sometimes seen in the setting or rising sun. The area has quite fascinating plants as well, of the 357 species recorded in this area, 11 are endemic to Brandberg. Desert Adapted wildlife occurs mainly along ephemeral rivers of Ugab, Aba-Huab, Huab and Hoanib Rivers.

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	Game drives
	Activity level	Strenuous activity
	Best months	All months
	Countries	Namibia
	Parks

Fine details

Safari highlights

Walking safari—with armed guard
Hiking | trekking
Wildlife sanctuaries

What’s included?

Accommodation
Airport transfers
Meals
Park fees
Private vehicle and driver

What’s not included?

Alcoholic beverages
All drinks
Hot air balloons
Internal flights
International flights
Laundry
Premium alcoholic beverages
Spa treatments
Tips and gratuities
Visas

Itinerary

Brandberg and White Lady Painting

After breakfast you will meet your guide and head to Brandberg. We will have a lunch stop along the way or upon arrival at Brandberg White-lady Lodge. This afternoon we will do a sundowner drive around the Brandberg area and explore the Ugab River. Originating from a relatively higher rainfall area, the Ugab River flows 540 km through the desert up to the Atlantic Ocean.

Brandberg White Lady Lodge

Twyfelfontein and Rock Engravings

We will visit the White Lady Rock Painting found on the Brandberg Mountain before going to Twyfelfontein. There are about 1000 rock shelters around the Brandberg, and this was home to the San people. Over 45 000 rock paintings have been found and of particular interest is the White Lady Rock painting. Local guides will take us on a hike to the painting. We will then proceed to Twyfelfontein area where we will visit the San (Bushmen) Rock engravings estimated to be over 2000 years old.

Twyfelfontein Country Lodge, Adventure Camp

Aba Huab and Huab Rivers

After breakfast, we will explore the Huab and Aba-Huab dry riverbeds in search of desert adapted wildlife. There are chances of encountering Desert Adapted Elephants, Ostrich, springboks, Oryx, Red Hartebeest among other mammals. Namibian near endemic birds include Benguela Long billed Lark, Damara Red billed Hornbill, Monteiro’s Hornbill among others. Let us have a full day of exploring this area. Our aim will be to find the Desert Adapted Elephants.

Twyfelfontein Country Lodge, Adventure Camp

Palmwag Concession

After breakfast, we will visit the Petrified Forest before continuing our expedition to Palmwag Concession. The Petrified Forest is a geological formation that happened 280 million years ago. Huge trees were carried by a river and buried here. It is thought these trees are Dadoxylon arberi, the same tree responsible for coal fields in Europe. This is a half an hour walk done by knowledgeable local guides. We will continue exploring the ephemeral rivers.

Palmwag Lodge, Grootberg Lodge

Palmwag Concession

After breakfast, we will embark on a full day game drive in search of scare desert adapted Black Rhinos. Damaraland still remains a stronghold of these rather critically endangered species free roaming, although the sightings are far and apart. Our game drive will start very early in the morning, with help of dedicated rangers that look after the rhinos, we will embark on a guided walking safari to approach the sighting with an armed guide.

Palmwag Lodge, Grootberg Lodge

Hoanib Ephemeral River

After breakfast, we will drive towards the desert into one of the most important conservation ephemeral rivers in Namibia, the Hoanib River. Being 270 km in length, the Hoanib River goes all the way to the sea and borders northern Damaraland and Kaokoland. There are thriving populations of desert Adapted Elephants, Oryx, Steenbok, Springbok, Black-backed Jackals, Small spotted Genets, Southern Giraffe subs angolensis among others. We will explore this river before checking in at our lodge.

Sesfontein Lodge, Sesfontein Guesthouse

Hoanib River

After breakfast, we will embark on a guided full day game drive with our local guides, to further explore the Hoanib River. Although several desert-adapted wildlife thrives here, our focus will be on the desert-adapted lions. Fewer than 100 individuals are left and roam all over the area until to the Namibian Atlantic Coast. Finding one is pure luck, but with help of local people, it increases our chances.

Sesfontein Lodge, Sesfontein Guesthouse

Private Game Reserve

After breakfast, we will make our way to a private game reserve. As a stopover, lets experience what Namibia has to offer on private game reserves. We will embark on an afternoon sundowner drive around the private game reserve. Wildlife encountered includes the southern giraffe, oryx, leopard, Damara dik-dik among others.

Sophienhof Lodge

Windhoek

Today, after breakfast, we will make our way to the Capital city of Namibia, Windhoek. Stroll around the city, explore it at your own pace and comfort. Enjoy the environment. We will then enjoy our dinner at a restaurant. A city tour is still possible depending on your flight times and schedule.

Weinberg, Hilton Hotels