Hoopoe Fly-in Safari: Day-by-day
More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Hoopoe Fly-in Safari. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.
Starts: Windhoek International Airport
Windhoek Airport to the city by road
Your driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall of the international airport to take you to your guesthouse. The journey, of 40 minutes or so, goes through rolling hills on the outskirts of the capital before arriving at Galton House, in one of Windhoek’s leafy suburbs.
Galton House
Every desert, whether of sand or concrete, needs an oasis and Galton House fits the bill. After a day travelling across Namibia’s great plains or weaving through Windhoek traffic, Galton House is a cool sanctuary of minimalist, state-of-the-art décor.
Every desert, whether of sand or concrete, needs an oasis and Galton House fits the bill. After a day travelling across Namibia’s great plains or weaving through Windhoek traffic, Galton House is a cool sanctuary of minimalist, state-of-the-art décor.
The old capital still bears traces of its German colonial past, and its newest kid on the block is like a time portal into the modern era. Think Scandi-cool in Africa, this is a smart boutique hotel in all but name.
Situated in a quiet, affluent suburb a few minutes from the city centre, its complex of nine rooms with a small pool is an interior designer's daydream of wood, glass and marble enlivened by canvas prints of striking wildlife photography and indigenous tribes.
The open-plan lounge is an invitation to relax with a book, and with friendly staff on hand to cook up amazing dishes served in the open-plan dining area, there's no need to head into town for dinner.
"Great food"
Mr & Mrs H fromLondonArrived 21 Jul 2024, 1 night
Since we're now back in the 21st century, high-speed WiFi, satellite TV and air conditioning are standard. After a long flight or day's sightseeing, there are few modern oases more welcome. See our full report on Galton House
Windhoek to Sossusvlei by road & air
From your guesthouse, you'll be driven back to the international airport for your scenic light aircraft flight to the Sossusvlei area. The route passes over the ancient Naukluft Mountains before arriving in the Namib Desert, a short drive from Kulala Desert Lodge. Allow 3–4 hours for this transfer.
Kulala Desert Lodge
With mountains to the east, and the great Namib Sand Sea to the west, Kulala excels at natural grandeur. The exclusivity of a private reserve makes the setting feel even more special, and with its own private entrance into the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Kulala Desert Lodge takes a lot of beating.
With mountains to the east, and the great Namib Sand Sea to the west, Kulala excels at natural grandeur. The exclusivity of a private reserve makes the setting feel even more special, and with its own private entrance into the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Kulala Desert Lodge takes a lot of beating.
Blending almost seamlessly into the scenery, the thatched roofs at the heart of the lodge rise to a peak, mimicking the surroundings. Natural wood, stone floors and rough white walls help to minimise the desert heat, while touches of greens, browns and burnt orange reflect the natural world.
During the day, discover the majesty of the dunes by 4WD. Nearer to home, explore the reserve on foot, take to the air in a hot-air balloon, or round off the day with a sundowner drive.
And then to bed. Meaning “to sleep” in the Oshiwambo language, “kulala” here refers to the chalets – and with good reason. There may be 23 of them, but in this vast environment each feels like a tented oasis, with a private veranda, comfortable beds, and a ceiling fan to enhance the cooling breeze through mesh windows.
"...setting was perfect for access to the dunes using the lodge tour."
Mr & Mrs BfromAvonArrived 6 Sep 2024, 3 nights
Best of all, though, is to fall asleep on your own roof terrace, the myriad stars of the Namibian night sky above, the desert all around. Just how cool is that? See our full report on Kulala Desert Lodge
Activities
4WD Safari
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Hot air ballooning
Mountain biking
Sleeping under the stars
Sossusvlei to Damaraland by road & air
It's a short drive to the airstrip for your flight of around 2¼ hours. The light aircraft usually takes a scenic path over Sossusvlei to the Atlantic, refuels at Swakopmund, then turns inland over ancient gravel fields and flat-topped mountains to Doro !Nawas airstrip, a few minutes’ drive from camp.
Doro Nawas
A partnership with the local community, the fortress-like Doro Nawas is strategically placed for visiting the highlights of Damaraland. Brooding atop a rugged hill like some dark, Moorish castle, Doro Nawas boasts 360-degree views across the surrounding plains.
A partnership with the local community, the fortress-like Doro Nawas is strategically placed for visiting the highlights of Damaraland. Brooding atop a rugged hill like some dark, Moorish castle, Doro Nawas boasts 360-degree views across the surrounding plains.
Like all proper castles, it comes complete with great big wooden doors, a crackling fireplace, and a rooftop look-out post where 21st-century inhabitants can gaze at the stars – or scan the plains for ostrich or even desert-adapted elephants.
Encircling the slopes below, steeply thatched chalets are cool and dark inside, contrasting with the harsh sun above. A cooling fan and extra blankets are on hand to counter the extremes of temperature, and fluffy towels bring warmth to the spacious bathrooms.
Outside, a shaded veranda features a shower-with-a-view, with privacy guaranteed by simple wooden palisades. But when the veranda really comes into its own is after dark, when the beds can be rolled out for you to cosy up under the stars.
Born of a joint venture between Wilderness Safaris and the Doro !Nawas community, the lodge is an outstanding example of such partnerships.
"Excellent - stunning setting - Staff remembered names after one introduction."
M&JfromOxfordshireArrived 24 Jul 2024, 2 nights
A stay here is particularly memorable as most of the staff are drawn from the area, giving guests the opportunity of an insight into their culture that is far more personal than any structured village visit. See our full report on Doro Nawas
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Sleeping under the stars
Damaraland to Etosha by 4WD & air
Time permitting, you'll usually drive to the airstrip after breakfast and an early morning activity. From there your flight heads north-east, skirting ancient mountains before arriving at Ongava airstrip. There you'll meet your guide for the short game drive to camp. Allow 1–2 hours for this transfer.
Ongava Lodge
Stunning views over the plains of its own private reserve set the scene at the smart Ongava Lodge. And if the view is superb, so is the wildlife – perhaps to be expected in such close proximity to Etosha National Park.
Stunning views over the plains of its own private reserve set the scene at the smart Ongava Lodge. And if the view is superb, so is the wildlife – perhaps to be expected in such close proximity to Etosha National Park.
With plains game aplenty on the reserve, predators are rarely far behind, but pride of place goes to both black and white rhino. Spotting these primeval giants from a game-drive 4WD is exciting in itself, but to approach white rhino on foot is an opportunity not to be missed.
Back at the lodge, every area maximises the views – and the wildlife. In the spacious, air-conditioned chalets, floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a veranda that overlooks the plains. At the hub of the camp, an attractive dining terrace looks down onto a floodlit waterhole. And a strategically placed hide allows you to get even closer to the animals.
"a great waterhole where we saw lots of black rhino"
Ros &Peter fromMelbourneArrived 5 Jun 2024, 2 nights
In this exclusive setting, comfort is the watchword. Wander down to the pool for a cooling afternoon dip, or freshen up before dinner in your open-air shower. Then order a drink at the bar, and take in the Namibian night sky from the terrace. Or, come the cooler evenings, cosy down around a wood fire with a book from the library. And if you’re lucky enough to spot rhino at the waterhole, that’s a further bonus. See our full report on Ongava Lodge
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Ongava to Windhoek by 4WD & air
You’ll usually have time for an activity and brunch before heading to Ongava’s airstrip for your flight south over the rolling hills of the Central Highlands to Windhoek’s domestic airport. Here you’ll be met in the arrivals hall for your transfer into the city. This journey takes 1–2 hours.
Galton House
Every desert, whether of sand or concrete, needs an oasis and Galton House fits the bill. After a day travelling across Namibia’s great plains or weaving through Windhoek traffic, Galton House is a cool sanctuary of minimalist, state-of-the-art décor.
Every desert, whether of sand or concrete, needs an oasis and Galton House fits the bill. After a day travelling across Namibia’s great plains or weaving through Windhoek traffic, Galton House is a cool sanctuary of minimalist, state-of-the-art décor.
The old capital still bears traces of its German colonial past, and its newest kid on the block is like a time portal into the modern era. Think Scandi-cool in Africa, this is a smart boutique hotel in all but name.
Situated in a quiet, affluent suburb a few minutes from the city centre, its complex of nine rooms with a small pool is an interior designer's daydream of wood, glass and marble enlivened by canvas prints of striking wildlife photography and indigenous tribes.
The open-plan lounge is an invitation to relax with a book, and with friendly staff on hand to cook up amazing dishes served in the open-plan dining area, there's no need to head into town for dinner.
"Lovely guesthouse, providing a perfect first port of call "
Mr & Mrs MfromHampshireArrived 23 Jul 2024, 1 night
Since we're now back in the 21st century, high-speed WiFi, satellite TV and air conditioning are standard. After a long flight or day's sightseeing, there are few modern oases more welcome. See our full report on Galton House
Windhoek to the airport by road
After a leisurely morning, a driver will collect you from Galton House for the 45-minute drive from Windhoek’s leafy suburbs to the international airport, ensuring that you arrive in plenty of time for your onward travel connections.
Ends: Windhoek International Airport
Experiences you can add to this trip.
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst staying at lodges on this trip. These are usually best arranged in advance so talk to us.