I believe we have a good travel plan, how does it sound to you...never been to Namibia and plan to do much photography-it looks so amazing!

Olive Grove Guesthouse BB Transfer to the guesthouse from the airport

2 nights-Sossusvlei Mt Lodge FI Fly to Sossusvlei , Nature drive on the property

2 nights-Mowani Mt Camp FB Flight to Damaraland, Nature drive

2 nights-Palmwag Rhino Camp FI Flight to Palmwag Lodge, Nature and Game drive to the lodge

3 nights-Ongava Lodge DBB Flight to Etosha, private game drives

3 nights-Serra Cafema FI Flight to Serra Cafema, Nature drive

1 night-Gocheganas Wellness Resort FB Flight to Windhoek, Transfer to the lodge

Using Cardboard box-
thanks-thomas

Another question-I know it going to be hot-how hot? and in what areas will it be the worst-any advice...THOMAS

Did a trip last June in Namibia and stayed at a number of properties that you are interested in. You will definitely be experiencing a good variety of various landscapes allowing for some wonderful photographic opportunities.

We stayed at Ongava and enjoyed the lodge and it's lovely location overlooking their private reserve and little waterhole and so conveniently located to Etosha.

Also spent time at both Mowani and the Sossusvlei Mtn. Lodge. Spectacular vistas at Mowani of incredible rock formations and again a wonderful locale and beautiful accommodation at Soss. Mtn. Lodge for experiencing the incredible dunes in the area.

Serra Cafema is terrific as well because of it's remoteness and location on the Kunene River, a combination of lovely green vegetation along the river and then the beautiful dunes and other landscapes in the surrounding area. Different coloration from that in Sossusvlei. Plus you will have the opportunity to visit the Himba people.

I think you will be very pleased with the overall diversity you will see and be able to photograph at all these locations.

One thing that springs to mind - except that I want to go too - is that you have concentrated nearly all of your trip in the north-west of the country (even at Etosha you're sticking to the central part and won't get much further than Halali on your drives - even out all day). That is not really a criticism, but you'll miss some fantastic photo opportunities elsewhere and might be getting nostalgic for the colour green by the time you get back ;-) (Sorry, can't remember what month you're going but I think it's in a few months, right?). So you may be setting yourself up for another trip...

Another thing is you appear to have picked a very hot and dusty itinerary - although it may be cooler at nights than it was this month for us. These are exactly the places where the heat and dust surprised me slightly, despite reading about the place for ages beforehand.... exception - Sossusvlei was hot as hell between 11 and 4 but otherwise very pleasant and surprisingly dust free (maybe we were lucky with the wind?). For us Etosha was the worst - dust really got everywhere and the sun just burned and burned from 8.30 a.m onwards. It was the only time apart from on the dirt roads that I felt glad we had an airconditioned car (tried using it open vehicle style the first day but there was a thick coat of fine white dust over everything after an hour. April is hotter than the winter months, but it has been a dry year and so it is likely to be even dustier by the time you go.

I mention dust not because I don't like being mucky (I do) but because you mention photography - particualrly strong countermeasures are recommended!!

Also, in case you are not aware, there has been a lack of rain this year (although not a drought by Namibian standards)and you can expect fantastic game-viewing at the waterholes. IF you were looking for another Damaraland experience which offered great game-viewing without crowds I can heartily recommend Hobatere (not the same 'elegance' as Wilderness but very, very hard to beat in every other department by any standards) but what would you drop,eh?

Final food for thought... because of the heat and dust and the fantastic colour of the light in the very early morning, we found most "group" departures to be later than we would have preferred. It's not always a 'hardcore safari' crowd in Namibia and we got a few 'if looks could kill' stares when suggesting we might leave at 6 for the drive... one day we had to wait until after 8.00!!! I guess Wilderness have faced and can deal with this kind of issue... but I thought I'd pass it on (looks like you've got that sussed at Ongova, anyway).

I'm so enthusiastic about the place I could go on and on and on... but better I write a trip report, I think.

A few comments:

Olive Grove-excellent choice

Sossusvlei ML excellent choice units are air-conditioned and made of heavy stone which makes them very comfortable, a big plus compared to other accomodations in the area when its hot. The lodge also has a pool. You say a nature drive on the property but with two nights I am fairly sure you will be going to Sossusvlei itself which is off the property. You should confirm that you will visit the vlei as it is the main attraction of the area. There is a telescope and astronomer at the lodge if that interest you. Also try to do the ATV ride.

Serra Cafema-Really remote camp. Himbas and crocs are main attractions 2 or 3 days are good here. If you need to cut a day, drop this to 2 days.

Thanks for all the comments! Has any one stayed at Doro Nawas- how does it compare to Mowani- are there any other lodges in Damaraland area that are cool and COOL [air conditioned] ? Has anyone stayed at Gocheganas wellness resort, which we end our trip with ? Thanks again-Thomas

Thomas,

I stayed a couple of nights at Doro Nawas last year. It is different than the other Wilderness camp in that most of the visitors are self-drive. This means camp game drives are only done for those few guests who fly-in. This is not bad, just means fewer game drive vehicles. The guide I had was very good. Lodge is nice, food was good. There is a telescope and star gazing is done from the lodge roof at night.