The Best of Namibia is a flying safari through the finest and most iconic areas of Namibia: Sossusvlei`s legendary red dunes, the rugged topography of Damaraland and the wildlife-filled Etosha National Park. Accommodation is in small luxury camps set within Wilderness Safaris private concessions, while Wilderness Air transfers guests seamlessly between destinations.

This journey retains the essence of Wilderness Safaris` origins, where we sought out prime wilderness areas throughout southern Africa and channeled our passion into guiding safaris that were educational and fun filled. Continuing with this ethos, the Best of Namibia itinerary allows guests to experience the dramatic scenery the country has to offer, along with its desert-adapted wildlife and clear, star-filled night skies for breathtaking stargazing. Finally, this safari has another wondrous facet observing Namibia from the air.

Namibia is the epitome of open space: our concessions offer an incredible 30 230 hectares (74 700 acres) per guest! It is also home to diverse and unique biomes like the Namib, the oldest desert in the world, the shimmering salt pans of Etosha and equally fascinating local cultures.

Days 1 & 2: From Windhoek, fly to Little Kulala for 2 nights in the Kulala Wilderness Reserve, Sossusvlei
Days 3 & 4: Fly to Damaraland Camp for 2 nights in the Torra Conservancy, Damaraland
Days 5 & 6: Fly to Ongava Lodge, for 2 nights in the Ongava Game Reserve, Etosha
Day 7: Air transfer back to Windhoek

We highly recommend adding a 3 night stay in the pristine and isolated Hoanib Skeleton Coast, opening in July 2013. Here you can experience the endless isolated coastline, mountains and vast plains plus one of the greatest concentrations of desert-adapted wildlife in Namibia. Another great addition is Serra Cafema Camp, where you can meet the nomadic Himba people and explore the lush banks of the Kunene River which are in total contrast to the surrounding desert.

DAYS 1 & 2: LITTLE KULALA - KULALA WILDERNESS RESERVE, SOSSUSVLEI
Depart from Windhoek by air and spend two nights exploring the Sossusvlei region, staying in Kulala Wilderness Reserve, which provides convenient access to the splendour of the towering red dunes of the Namib. Activities at Little Kulala start with morning guided game drives to the spectacular dunes of Sossusvlei, through a private gate into the Park, allowing early arrival at the dunes thereby maximising photographic opportunities and scenic grandeur.

Kulala Wilderness Reserve, a 40 000-hectare (98 842-acre) tract of land, is home to all forms of desert wildlife near the spectacular sights of Sossusvlei, and borders the expansive Namib Naukluft Park. The Sossusvlei dunes rise dramatically more than 300 metres and are surrounded by awe-inspiring topography. Emphasis is laid on the smaller desert fauna, spectacular scenery and the incredible night sky. Larger desert-adapted wildlife such as ostrich, springbok and gemsbok flourish here with carnivores such as bat-eared fox, Cape fox, cheetah and black-backed jackal often seen.

DAYS 3 & 4: DAMARALAND CAMP - TORRA CONSER VANCY, DAMARALAND
Enjoy a scenic three-hour flight over the Namib Desert for a different view of the desert and the Skeleton Coast`s spectacular topography, before deviating inland to northern Damaraland for two nights. We leave the sandy dunes and make our way to an ancient rock-strewn landscape, of a previous glacial era. The 352 200-hectare (870 305-acre) Torra Conservancy is a vast rocky area of rugged beauty interspersed with linear oases where spectacular topography dominate and an almost unquantifiable stillness pervades the air.

This private concession supports a diverse complement of arid-adapted wildlife, including several herds of Namibia`s acclaimed "desert-adapted" elephants, and healthy numbers of Hartmann`s mountain zebra, southern giraffe, gemsbok and springbok in a landscape dotted with equally interesting flora. The conservancy is the result of a highly successful partnership between Wilderness Safaris and the local Torra community that has become an inspiration for communities and conservationists throughout Africa.

DAYS 5 & 6: ONGAVA LODGE - ONGAVA GAME RESERVE, ETOSHA
One hour flight by light aircraft to Ongava Game Reserve for a two-night stay at Ongava Lodge. This intimate camp is scenically nestled around a rocky outcrop and overlooks the vast plains beyond and a productive waterhole that is floodlit at night.

Ongava is a prolific 30 000-hectare (74 132-acre) private reserve bordering the acclaimed Etosha National Park. This reserve is a conservation success story and a haven for large concentrations of wildlife: notably lion, springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest, Burchell`s and Hartmann`s zebra, waterbuck, red hartebeest, eland and the largest population of the endemic black-faced impala outside Etosha. It is also known for the successful reintroduction of white and black rhino. Here one can also enjoy fantastic arid-area birding, with over 300 species recorded including 10 of Namibia`s 14 endemic species.

Staying at Ongava further provides easy access to the prime game viewing areas of western Etosha and its complimentary scenery, iconic salt pans and game-filled plains. Etosha`s dry-season game viewing rates as one of the top wildlife encounters on the planet, while in the wetter months, various game species all have their young.