Pelican Fly & Drive Safari: Day-by-day
More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Pelican Fly & Drive 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

Pick-up car: Windhoek International Airport
Your hire vehicle awaits your arrival at Windhoek International Airport.

Galton House
Every desert, whether of sand or concrete, needs an oasis and Galton House fits the bill. After a day travelling 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.

Every desert, whether of sand or concrete, needs an oasis and Galton House fits the bill. After a day travelling 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, it 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 are an interior designer’s daydream of wood, glass and marble enlivened by canvas prints of striking wildlife photography and indigenous tribes.
"Galton House was very helpful at getting us into self-drive mode"
Mr & Mrs LfromSurreyArrived 25 Sep 2019, 1 night
The open plan lounge is an invitation to relax with a book, and no need to head back downtown for dinner with friendly staff on hand to cook up dishes like beef satay in creamy peanut sauce, and zucchini with leek and mushroom in basil pesto that can be served al fresco by the pool. 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

Hoodia Desert Lodge
Named after a flowering cactus, Hoodia Desert Lodge, opened in 2008 and is owned and managed by Thomas and Henreza Becker. The lodge is set at the foot of the Namib-Naukluft Mountains overlooking the ephemeral Tsauchab River, and backed by plains that seem to go on forever. From here, it's an easy 22km drive to Sesriem, the gateway into Sossusvlei.

Named after a flowering cactus, Hoodia Desert Lodge, opened in 2008 and is owned and managed by Thomas and Henreza Becker. The lodge is set at the foot of the Namib-Naukluft Mountains overlooking the ephemeral Tsauchab River, and backed by plains that seem to go on forever. From here, it's an easy 22km drive to Sesriem, the gateway into Sossusvlei.
"Highly recommend this lodge."
Mr & Mrs CfromGolden COArrived 26 Jan 2020, 2 nights
Hoodia Desert Lodge's friendly staff offer attentive service and delicious food in a beautiful setting. The atmosphere of the lodge is tranquil, and it feels quite luxurious without being stuffy. So although it's not the closest lodge to the dunes, travellers looking for these particular attributes should find it an excellent and stylish base from which to explore the Sossusvlei area. See our full report on Hoodia Desert Lodge
Activities

4WD Safari

Guided walking safari

Helicopter

Hot air ballooning

Quad-biking

Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion
Escape the crowds and experience the iconic and beautiful Namib Sand Sea with an experienced guide from Hoodia Desert Lodge. The approach is personal and the guiding knowledgeable, making your introduction to the highlights of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, including Sesriem Canyon and the famous pans of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, both interesting and unhurried. Read all about Hoodia excursion

Pelican Point Lodge
Pelican Point Lodge stands near the end of a long, flat peninsula of sand (known as Pelican Point) which stretches into the South Atlantic Ocean and protects the port of Walvis Bay. It's in an amazing location; see our satellite image. It's very exposed to the elements, but in a rich area for marine life and very close to a Cape fur seal colony.

Pelican Point Lodge stands near the end of a long, flat peninsula of sand (known as Pelican Point) which stretches into the South Atlantic Ocean and protects the port of Walvis Bay. It's in an amazing location; see our satellite image. It's very exposed to the elements, but in a rich area for marine life and very close to a Cape fur seal colony.
"..ocean suite is gorgeous.."
Mrs F.fromParisArrived 20 May 2019, 2 nights
Pelican Point Lodge is exceedingly isolated with panoramic views of ocean all around. So don’t even think about using this as a quick stop-over, or eating out in the evening; but do expect fog on some mornings, and sometimes a bracing breeze. Some will find this location exhilarating; others may find it intimidating – we love it, but are mindful that it won’t suit everyone. See our full report on Pelican Point Lodge
Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Boat trip

Dune-boarding

Fishing

Kayaking
Swakopmund to Damaraland by 4WD & air
Leaving Pelican Point Lodge, you'll return to your vehicle in Walvis Bay either by boat or across the dunes by 4WD. From here, head to Swakopmund Airport where you’ll board a light aircraft to Desert Rhino Camp. The flight takes around 1¼ hours, usually stopping at Doro !Nawas en route.

Drop-off car: Swakopmund Airport
The self-drive section of you Namibian adventure ends at Swakopmund Airport.

Desert Rhino Camp
Remote, exclusive and specialised, Desert Rhino Camp is located in the vast Palmwag Concession, a semi-desert reserve of about 5,000km2 between Etosha National Park and the Skeleton Coast that is one of the best places to see desert-dwelling black rhino and elephants. The camp has been operating for more than 20 years and its activities – run by a reliably superb and committed team – centre on tracking black rhino.

Remote, exclusive and specialised, Desert Rhino Camp is located in the vast Palmwag Concession, a semi-desert reserve of about 5,000km2 between Etosha National Park and the Skeleton Coast that is one of the best places to see desert-dwelling black rhino and elephants. The camp has been operating for more than 20 years and its activities – run by a reliably superb and committed team – centre on tracking black rhino.
"Our guide and rhino trackers were the best!"
Mr & Mrs SHfromSeattleArrived 14 Dec 2019, 2 nights
Desert Rhino Camp is one of our favourite camps in Namibia. It's very remote, and feels it; it's got tremendous character, as have the managers here when we've visited; and it offers the chance to track black rhinos – which is something that's possible in very few places indeed. The camp does work as a two-night stop, but to make the most of it, you need three nights here. This may appear to be a big chunk of time, and it's not an inexpensive camp – but we think that the Rhino Camp is well worth it. See our full report on Desert Rhino Camp
Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Guided walking safari
Damaraland to Etosha by 4WD & air
Depending on your flight time, you'll head to the airstrip after breakfast and perhaps a morning activity. Following a short hop to Doro !Nawas, the plane turns north-east, skirting ancient mountains to reach Ongava airstrip. It’s then a short game drive to camp. Allow 2–2½ hours for the journey.

Ongava Tented Camp
The small Ongava Tented Camp is nestled in mopane woodland at the foot of a low hill on the private 300km2 Ongava Reserve, overlooking a waterhole. The reserve borders Etosha National Park on the south side, near the Andersson Gate, and benefits from similar wildlife, with the notable inclusion of both black and white rhino.

The small Ongava Tented Camp is nestled in mopane woodland at the foot of a low hill on the private 300km2 Ongava Reserve, overlooking a waterhole. The reserve borders Etosha National Park on the south side, near the Andersson Gate, and benefits from similar wildlife, with the notable inclusion of both black and white rhino.
"attention to detail and providing a safe but full-on experience was phenomenal."
Ms K & Mr J fromUSAArrived 22 Jan 2020, 2 nights
With its homely atmosphere, busy waterhole and luxury bushcamp feel, Ongava Tented Camp can be a delight. It’s as close as you’ll find around Etosha to the safari camps in Botswana, and elsewhere in Africa, and is at its best when you take advantage of the organised activities – especially the guided walks. Although the camp can be used as a base for self-drive excursions into Etosha, it's probably not the best choice for this as it’s relatively costly, and a half-hour drive from the main access road to the park. See our full report on Ongava Tented Camp
Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Guided walking safari

Night drive
Ongava to Windhoek by 4WD & air
You usually have time for an activity and brunch before heading to Ongava's airstrip for your 1½-hour flight back to Windhoek. Flying south over the rolling hills of the Central Highlands, you'll arrive at the international airport in time to connect with your onward arrangements.
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.