Namibia: Family Explorer

Fly overnight from London (regional connections available) to Windhoek with Virgin Atlantic. (N)

Arrive and transfer to Olive Grove Guesthouse. Your hire car will be delivered this afternoon. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (N)

Drive to the Namib desert. Overnight at Desert Homestead Outpost (two Luxury rooms) in an incredible desert location. (B, D)

Drive through the Sesriem Gate to the giant sand dunes of Sossusvlei, with a stop at the 30-metre-deep Sesriem canyon. This afternoon, meet your horse riding guide and ride out across the wide open plains to a desert camp for a sunset drink and dinner prepared on a crackling bushfire. (B, D)

After a delicious campfire breakfast, ride back to the lodge. Drive to Swakopmund and stay 2 nights at Cornerstone Guesthouse, a luxury, self-catering, three-bedroom apartment. Afternoon at leisure to explore the German town of Swakopmund. (B)

Morning guided kayaking tour to the remote Pelican Point peninsula. En route, pass the Walvis Bay wetlands with plenty of flamingoes and pelicans, as well as one of the largest salt mines in the world. While kayaking, look out for Cape Fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, black-backed jackals and even brown hyenas. Afternoon at leisure. (N)

Travel inland to the heart of Damaraland with its rugged landscape. En route, perhaps take the hour-long scenic walk up to the White Lady rock painting tucked under a small overhang deep within Brandberg mountain, the highest mountain in Namibia. Continue to Camp Kipwe for a 2-night stay (two separate bungalows) set among red, granite boulders. (B, D)

Day at leisure. We recommend exploring some of Damaraland’s ancient geographical features such as the Twyfelfontein rock art, the Petrified Forest, Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes. (B)

Drive north towards Etosha National Park and stay 2 nights just outside the park at Etosha Village (two separate chalets). In the afternoon, we recommend a drive into Etosha National Park for some wildlife viewing. (B)

Full-day wildlife drive in Etosha National Park, home to elephants, which are reputed to be the largest in Africa, as well as rare black rhinos. (B, D)

Drive South to Okonjima, home to a variety of animals rescued by the AfriCat Foundation. Stay 1 night at The Plains Camp (two Standard rooms) and choose from a wide range of activities. (B, D)

Morning wildlife activity. Drive to Windhoek to drop off your car hire and fly home via Johannesburg. Arrive the next day. (B) (N)