Visit Sossusvlei, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding geological and ecological value. Discover the natural wonders and grandeur of the oldest desert in the world, the Namib Desert, with some of the highest dunes in the world. Then, look for iconic African animals on early-morning and evening game drives in Etosha National Park while spending time in between adventures at the contemporary Mokuti Etosha lodge.
Special Note: Any guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour. Portions of this program are not recommended for guests with any walking difficulties. Roads in the Namib desert offer what is called the “African massage” – they are often rough gravel so they are bumpy and can be quite dusty.
Chartered Cessna 210 aircraft will be used. There is a limit of four guests per aircraft and passenger weights will be required at the time of booking for weight distribution on the aircraft. Please see further below for luggage restrictions. (plane type subject to change)
DAY 1 – November 29, 2026
Disembark in Walvis Bay and transfer to the Swakopmund Airport. Here you will be met by your pilot and board a chartered light aircraft flight to the Sossusvlei Airstrip. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the beautifully situated Desert Hills Lodge, which is perched on a natural rocky outcrop and offers spectacular views of the desert and the dramatic sunset over the Namib.
Stay in one of 18 individual stone ensconced thatch chalets, each outfitted with all the modern conveniences you would need. Each has its own deck with uninterrupted views across the desert. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to settle in and then enjoy dinner at the lodge.
DAY 2 – November 30, 2026
After an early morning wake-up call and some coffee or tea, depart for a drive in an open 4x4 vehicle to Sossusvlei. This is one of Namibia's most spectacular landmarks with its red dunes, the white salt pan and Deadvlei. Here you will have the opportunity to see one of the highest sand dunes before continuing to the Sesriem Canyon, the formation of which began approximately thirty million years ago. During your walk into the canyon, your experienced guides will share the history behind this magnificent natural canyon carved by the Tsauchab River.
NOTE: Hiking shoes, a hat, sunblock and water are recommended for the walk into the canyon. Pathways are dirt and gravel and can be dusty.
Upon returning to the lodge, check out (don’t forget your lunch packs) and return to the airstrip for a chartered light aircraft flight to the famous Etosha National Park. The name of the park is derived from the Etosha pan (lake) which is roughly five thousand square kilometres. It’s so big, its visible from space. Now the pan is mainly dry unless the rains are heavy but no matter what time of the year, it’s a gathering spot for all kinds of wildlife.
This park is one of the largest savannah conservation areas in Africa and is world-renowned for its spectacular wildlife including elephant, black and white rhinoceros, lion, leopard, cheetah, springbok, zebra, wildebeest and giraffe to name a few.
The contemporary Mokuti Etosha Lodge is a private oasis, where you will enjoy the comfort of a spacious room with a private patio. Banded mongooses, antelopes and numerous birds can often be observed from the patio.
Follow check-in you will have time to relax and settle in before dinner.
DAY 3 – December 1, 2026
Enjoy an early breakfast at the lodge, followed by a morning guided game drive in an open 4x4 vehicle in the world-famous Etosha National Park.
Situated in the north-west of Namibia, Etosha National Park offers a first-class game viewing experience. The park's diverse vegetation ranges from dense bush to open plains that attract a variety of wildlife.
In the afternoon, after returning to the lodge for a delicious lunch, return to Etosha National Park to visit some of the waterholes that offer a picturesque opportunity.
DAY 4 – December 2, 2026
After breakfast and check out, procced to the airstrip for a flight to Windhoek and then onwards to Cape Town where you will be met and transferred to the port to re-embark the ship.
Land Program Step by Step:
Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
DAY 1 – timing subject to change based on flight times
10:00am Departure from Walvis Bay Harbor
10:15am Brief visit the lagoon at Walvis Bay
10:30am Drive to Swakopmund Airport
TBA Chartered light aircraft flight to Sossusvlei Airstrip
TBA Arrival at Sossusvlei Airstrip, meet local representative and drive to Desert Hills Lodge
2:30pm Check-in at the lodge
Afternoon at leisure to settle in
7:30pm Dinner at the lodge
Overnight at Desert Hills Lodge
DAY 2 – timing subject to change based on flight times
5:45am Coffee and tea will be served
6:00am Depart for Sossusvlei 4x4 tour
7:45am Arrival in the dunes and explore some of the highest sand dunes
8:45am Breakfast is served in the Deadvlei
10:00am Return to the lodge and check out, lunch pack provided by the lodge
11:30am Arrival at airstrip
12:00pm Chartered light aircraft flight to Etosha National Park
3:00pm Arrival at Mokuti Airstrip
3:15pm Transfer to Mokuti Etosha Lodge
4:00pm Arrival and check-in
7:30pm Dinner at the lodge
Overnight at Mokuti Etosha Lodge
DAY 3
6:30am Breakfast at Mokuti Etosha Lodge
7:00am Guided game drive in Etosha National Park
10:00am Return to Mokuti Etosha Lodge
12:45am Lunch at Mokuti Etosha Lodge
4:00pm Drive to the waterholes for animal sightings
8:00pm Dinner at Mokuti Etosha Lodge
Overnight at Mokuti Etosha Lodge
DAY 4 – flights and timing subject to change based on flight schedules closer to operation
8:00am Breakfast at the lodge
8:45am Check out
9:00am Transfer to Mokuti Airstrip
9:45am Flight to Windhoek International Airport (flight details TBA and subject to change)
12:45am Flight to Cape Town (flight details TBA and subject to change)
2:45pm Arrival in Cape Town, meet and greet and transfer to the ship
4:45pm Approximate arrival at the port, re-board the ship
Ship scheduled to sail 6pm
Please Note
•The contents and order of activities in this program are subject to change by the lodge management without prior notice, due to the prevailing weather conditions and movement of dangerous wildlife on the game reserve.
•Game-drive vehicles traverse uneven terrain that can be bumpy. Therefore, this tour is not recommended for guests with back or neck problems.
•Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
•This program is not fully guided. Local representatives will assist you with your transfers however, the program at the lodge is run solely and at the discretion by the lodge staff.
•Flights are not accompanied
•Parts of Namibia are considered to be malarial, so we recommend the use of anti-malarial prophylactics subject to advice from your doctor.
Expected Weather:
During the day the temperature can vary from 30-35 C (86 -95 F). Early mornings and evenings it can be a bit chilly (20-25 C / 68 – 77 F).
What to Bring:
Hat, closed toe / hiking shoes, long-sleeved lightweight shirts, a warm sweater or jacket for evenings and early-morning safaris, swimsuit, sunscreen, a light jacket in case of rain, personal medications and camera equipment including chargers.
Local Currency:
Namibia dollar and South African Rand is accepted.
Electricity:
220 V is the voltage, 3- or 2-round pin adaptor is required. An adaptor will be required. We recommend brining your own universal travel adaptor for electric devices.
Luggage:
There will be a maximum of 4 guests per aircraft and luggage cannot exceed 10kg/ 22lbs per person provided that all guests all have an average weight of 70kg / 154 lbs each.
Bags must be soft sided with no wheels, frames or rigid structures and the above total is inclusive of all hand luggage and camera equipment.
Maximum bag dimensions are 25cm (10 inches) wide x 30cm (12 inches) high and 62cm (24 inches) long.
Portable oxygen concentrators are not permitted. We require CPAP details at least 120 days before departure and they must be packed and not used in flight. The charter airline may deny based on model and size therefore please provide as much detail as possible when calling in the details.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
This program takes place between Namibia and South Africa. Guests may require a Visa for ship’s entry to Namibia. Please consult with our VISA team or your local Namibian Embassy for further details for ship’s entry to Namibia.
During the program you will enter South Africa by air. Guests will require a passport that is valid for at least six months after travel and at least one blank page for entry stamps.
VERY IMPORTANT
The name on your cruise booking, passport, and ANY visas, if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase for this program otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents. Guests are responsible to make sure that there are enough pages in their passports for any visas that are required.
Failure to have the required and correct documents ahead of time could result in denial of travel and guests will have to pay for any expenses incurred in order to not proceed with the program or guests may need to purchase new flight tickets at their own cost.
The above information is subject to change and serves as a guide only. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our guests that it is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the guest to ensure they meet the entry requirements for each destination.
If traveling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/ or connecting through may have different document requirements and as such we encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be traveling to throughout the journey to familiarize yourself with their requirements for your nationality.
Accommodations:
Desert Hills Lodge
6 km east of C19 turnoff, Sesriem, Namibia
Phone: +264 63 293 322
Mokuti Etosha Lodge
Tsumeb, Etosha, Namibia
Phone: +264 67 229 084
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests:
•1 night at the Desert Hills Lodge, Superior Room (subject to change)
•2 nights at Mokuti Etosha Lodge, Standard room (subject to change)
•All meals at the lodges – soft drinks, water, beer, cider and local spirits
•Packed lunch day 2
•All required transfers including meet and greet in Cape Town
•Guided excursion to Sossusvlei in safari vehicles
•Game drives in Etosha National Park
•Charter light aircraft flights from Walvis Bay to Sossusvlei, Sossusvlei to Mokuti. Mokuti to Windhoek (subject to change)
•Scheduled economy class international flight from Windhoek to Cape Town
Program Excludes for guests:
•Visa fees if required
•Optional excursions provided by the lodges
•Any drinks or meals not mentioned above
•Gratuities for drivers and guides
•Hotel incidentals including laundry, mini bar and room service
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.
Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.
Price: $5,599 per guest based on double occupancy.
Land program promotions are per person for guests 1 and 2 for one pre- or post-cruise program only, subject to terms.
