Credit: Francois Maresquier

Land in Windhoek, collect your hire vehicle and transfer to your accommodation at Rivendell Guest House, located in a quiet suburb close to the city centre. Stay in a twin room with en-suite bathroom facilities. Explore the shops and restaurants of the city. Breakfast included.

Drive north to Waterberg Plateau Park this morning, a journey of around 3.5 hours. This lush, sandstone plateau rises out of the surrounding plains, the freshwater springs filter through the sandstone giving rise to lush vegetation which sustains a healthy wildlife population. The rest camp has chalets where you will stay, a beautiful spring fed swimming pool, restaurant and small shop. Self-guided hiking trails wind up to the top of the plateau, and optional game drives are available on the plateau. These hikes are very easy going and perfect for children wishing to explore the area. Breakfast included.

You will stay in Etosha for this night, undertaking self guided game drives and staying at Okaukuejo in the southern area of the Park. This rest camp offers the same facilities as Namutoni. Each rest camp offers a swimming pool and small snack shop which is perfect for little breaks for the kids. Breakfast included.

You will drive south today, out of the Park and towards Damaraland. You may like to take a look at the Petrified Forest before reaching the lodge, a bizarre collection of largely intact gymnosperm trees that were preserved and transformed into stone by anaerobic conditions. Drive back to the beautiful Vingerklip Lodge. The drive should take approximately 4 hours, maybe take an excursion to the Twyfelfontein rock etchings and paintings this afternoon. This area is covered in numerous fascinating examples of San rock art and is well worth a visit where a local guide will explain the area to visitors. Keen eyes may be rewarded with a Desert Elephant sighting, so keep you eyes open! Breakfast & dinner included.

You have a 4.5 hour drive today via the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain, to the coast. You may like to make a diversion to Cape Cross to visit the largest fur seal colony in Southern Africa en-route. Swakopmund is a picturesque resort with many good seafood restaurants and shops as well as an interesting museum and aquarium. You will stay for two nights at Sea Breeze, a very comfortable and friendly guest house overlooking the beach and located just outside the town centre. Breakfast included. A highly recommended morning dolphin cruise is included on day 7. There are plenty of child friendly activities that can be arranged in Swakopmund, such as a camel ride or a trip into the desert to look for creepy crawlies and other bugs. For the more adventurous, a quad biking trip can be arranged, just ask for specific details.

You have a drive of approximately 5 hours today to reach Klein Aus Vista, a beautiful private farm located on the edge of the Namib Desert with spectacular views from the boulder strewn hillsides across wide open plains. You will stay the new chalets next to the converted farmhouse where the restaurant and bar are located. There are easy self-guided walks that can be taken on the farm - a perfect setting to play Cowboys & Indians, or you can just relax in the beautiful surroundings. You may also like to take a drive to the coastal town of Lüderitz on Day 11. Here you can visit the ghost town of Kolmanskop or take an optional boat trip from the harbour to Halifax Island where you may see some of the many bird and marine mammal species of this area. Breakfast & dinner included.

Continue on your drive south today towards the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world and a spectacular sight surrounded by featureless gravel plains. According to early Bushman legend, Africa's second largest canyon was carved out of the sandstone rock by a mighty serpent, Kouteign Kooru, as he slithered off into the desert to escape chasing hunters. The drive will take approximately 4 hours. Visit the viewpoints at Hobas and perhaps take a walk along the Canyon edge to watch the spectacular sunset. Stay at Canon Roadhouse, and enjoy their excellent restaurant and bar. Breakfast & dinner included.

Drive northwards this morning to Anib Lodge, located approximately 5 hours drive from Canon Roadhouse.

In the midst of the red dunes of the Kalahari in eastern Namibia the Kalahari Anib Lodge rises like a plush green oasis, the restaurant and chalets are arranged around a shaded courtyard with a large swimming pool. The Kalahari in this area is notable for green acacias and yellow grass on the red sand which extend over hundreds of kilometres of the Gondwana Kalahari Park , an area of 100 km². Animals like springbok, gemsbok and ostrich as well as jackal, hare and porcupine inhabit the dunes and dune valleys of the Kalahari Desert so keep your eyes open should you take part in a game drive. The area is also home to the Kori bustard, the largest flying bird of all, and of huge colonies of weaver birds' nests taking up whole trees. Breakfast & dinner included.

Return to Windhoek today, a drive of approximately 3.5 hours, in time to connect with your onward flight. Please note that departure should be after 14h00.