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This 6-day itinerary provides a safari which, besides an expedition deep into the Skeleton Coast wilderness, includes a drive into Sossusvlei, the NamibRand Nature Reserve and a unique opportunity to experience the mystique and splendour of the 'Sperrgebiet,' the forbidden Diamond Area, situated on the far south-west coast of Namibia.

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We meet at Eros Airport, Windhoek, at 7h00 for an early morning flight to Sossusvlei in the Namib Naukluft Park. Sossusvlei is reputed to have the highest dunes in the world. The view of the shadow-lined dunes from the air is well worth seeing. We land at Sesriem from where an excursion by vehicle into the dunes is undertaken. The dunes reach heights of 300m and more, for those inclined and fit enough to climb them After our picnic lunch among the dunes, we transfer by aircraft to the Wolwedans Dune Camp in the NamibRand Nature Reserve where we stay for two nights. An afternoon drive through the nature reserve concludes our day.

…Evening: Wolwedans Dune Camp

Today we fly to Luderitz and back to Woldwedans to participate in the day-long Luderitz excursion which is offered by the Kolmanskop Tour Company. This excursion introduces visitors to the town of Luderitz, old ghost town relics and mining plants of the early German pioneers, the forbidden coast and a fur seal colony at Atlas Bay. The flight from Luderitz during the late afternoon passes over Spencer Bay, with its picturesque "Otavi" shipwreck, seals basking on the rocky slopes, penguins and other birdlife. This is possibly the most desolate and impelling part of the Skeleton Coast.

The safari combination continues from Wolwedans to the Skeleton Coast by small plane air via Conception Bay. The Kuiseb canyon and adjoining red dunes are a spectacular view from the air. The flight also includes 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. After lunch we cross the desert by aircraft to the Ugab formations, a nearly lifeless 'moon landscape' of numerous black ridges, in stark contrast to the white desert floor. From here we cross to our camp Kuidas in the Huab Valley where we stay for the night. Amongst the rocks within walking distance of the camp are ancient rock engravings.

 …Evening: Skeleton Coast's Kuidas Camp

 After breakfast we depart by Landrover to explore the colourful red lavas and yellow sandstones of the Huab River formations and to be introduced to the ecological aspects of this environment, with its wide diversity of flora and fauna. This includes the Welwitschia mirabilis, a tree that has been dwarfed by the rigours of the desert climate. We have lunch at our Huab camp before we depart by aircraft along the coast for Terrace Bay in the Skeleton Coast Park. The most prominent shipwrecks along this part of the coast are the Montrose and Henrietta, still relatively intact. At Terrace Bay we access the roaring dunes by Landrover, which has always proved to be a stimulating experience. We also visit the beach with its profusion of multi-coloured pebbles consisting of agates, lavas, granites and others. Interesting to see are old whale bones scattered along the beach above the high tide mark. We return to the airfield and continue north to our camp Purros in the Hoarusib Valley where we stay for the night.

 …Evening: Skeleton Coast's Purros Camp

 After breakfast we take 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 elephant which frequent this valley. A planned encounter is unfortunately not possible. From here we continue north along the Skeleton Coast by aircraft to the perennial Kunene River on the Angolan border. 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 Landrover to our favourite lunch site. After lunch we continue through the mountains and dunes of the Hartmann Valley, which extends to the Kunene River, arriving at our camp next to the river in the late afternoon, where we spend the last night.

 We take an early morning boat trip on the Kunene River as it flows through scenic desert landscape, observing bird life and some crocodiles. Birds vary from aquatic species on the perennial waters, to endemic desert varieties and those which inhabit dense riverine vegetation. After the boat trip we depart by Landrover through the mountains of the Hartmann Valley to a shaded lunch spot. After lunch we fly back to Eros Airport, Windhoek, arriving in the late afternoon.

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