Sossusvlei, Skeleton Coast & Etosha

Day 1 - Sossusvlei, Cape Cross & Huab River Valley
We meet at Eros Airport, Windhoek at  7 am to catch an early morning flight to Sossusvlei in the Namib Naukluft Park. Sossusvlei is reputed to have the highest dunes in the world, and the view of the shadow-lined dunes from the air is worth seeing. We land at Sesriem from where we undertake an excursion by vehicle into the dunes. The dunes reach heights of 300 m or more. For those inclined and fit enough to climb them, this might be an exciting challenge. We return to the aircraft and fly along the coast via Conception Bay towards Swakopmund. The flight offers an aerial view of the famous Eduard Bohlen shipwreck at Conception Bay. After landing and refuelling at Swakopmund, we continue with a low-level flight north along the Skeleton Coast past the seal colony at Cape Cross for a light picnic lunch near the beach. Thereafter we fly east, over the desert, to the Ugab formations - an almost lifeless ‘moon landscape' of numerous black ridges that stand out in stark contrast to the white desert floor - before landing at Kuidas camp in the Huab River Valley, where we stay for the night. Ancient rock engravings are found amongst the rocks within walking distance of the camp.
Day 2 - Huab River Valley, Skeleton Coast & Purros
After breakfast we depart by Land Rover to explore the colourful red lava and yellow sandstone of the Huab River environs and to be introduced to the ecological aspects of this area with its wide diversity of flora and fauna. This includes the Welwitschia Mirabilis, a tree that has been dwarfed by the rigours of the encroaching desert climate. We have lunch at Kuidas camp before flying along the coast to Terrace Bay in the Skeleton Coast Park. The most prominent shipwrecks along this part of the coast are the Montrose and Henrietta. At the coast we pass the roaring dunes by Land Rover. This always proves to be a stimulating experience. We also visit the beach with its profusion of multi-coloured pebbles consisting of agate, lava, granite and quartz.  Old bleached whale bones scattered along the beach above the high tide mark are interesting to see. We return to the aircraft and continue north to the Purros camp in the Hoarusib Valley in the Kunene Region to stay for the night.
Day 3 - Himba village, Skeleton Coast, Hartmann's Valley & Kunene
After breakfast we embark on a scenic drive along the Hoarusib Valley to visit a settlement of the nomadic Himba people. We might be lucky enough to come across the desert-dwelling elephants frequenting this valley. From here we continue north along the Skeleton Coast by aircraft to the Kunene River acting as a border to Angola. The Kaiu Maru shipwreck and pieces from old sailing vessels lie scattered along this part of the coast. From the airfield we take a scenic drive by Land Rover to our favourite lunch site. After lunch we continue through the mountains and dunes of the Hartmann Valley - which extends to the Kunene River - reaching the Kunene River camp late in the afternoon.
Day 4 - Kunene River & Etosha
An early morning boat trip on the Kunene River as it flows through scenic desert landscape gives a chance to observe bird life and possibly some crocodiles. Birds vary from aquatic species on the perennial waters, to endemic desert varieties and those which inhabit dense riverside vegetation. After lunch at the camp, we fly directly from the Kunene River to the eastern side of the Etosha National Park, where we spend the night at a lodge outside the park.
Day 5 - Etosha & return to Windhoek
After breakfast we drive/fly into the park for a game drive by vehicle. Springs provide numerous drinking places for the animals, which congregate in spectacular numbers especially during the dry season (June to December). Animals such as lion and steenbok may be found in specific home ranges, while others such as springbok, eland, zebra, wildebeest and elephant wander all over, browsing or in search of better grazing. Our flight back to Windhoek commences in the afternoon to ensure that we land before dark.