Cheetah Conservation Fund | 12 Days / 11 Nights | 31 August – 11 September 2027
Journey through Namibia’s most spectacular landscapes, from the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei to the ancient rock engravings of Damaraland and the wildlife-rich plains of Etosha, culminating in three nights at the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s International Research and Education Centre in the Waterberg region. Every step of this trip supports CCF’s mission to save the cheetah from extinctio
Itinerary at a Glance
| Date | Day | Destination | Accommodation | Nights | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Aug | 1 | Solitaire / Sossusvlei | Namib Desert Lodge – Gondwana Collection | 2 | D,B&B |
| 2 Sep | 3 | Swakopmund | Strand Hotel Swakopmund | 2 | B,B&L |
| 4 Sep | 5 | Palmwag | Palmwag Lodge – Gondwana Collection | 1 | D,B&B |
| 5 Sep | 6 | Twyfelfontein | Twyfelfontein Country Lodge | 1 | D,B&B |
| 6 Sep | 7 | Etosha South | Etosha Safari Camp – Gondwana Collection | 2 | D,B&B |
| 8 Sep | 9–11 | Waterberg Region (CCF) | Cheetah View Eco Lodge | 3 | FI |
D,B&B = Dinner, Bed & Breakfast |
B,B&L = Bed, Breakfast & Lunch |
FI = Fully Inclusive (all meals, fees & activities)
Day 1: Arrival & Solitaire
Tuesday, 31 August 2027
You will be met at Hosea Kutako International Airport and begin the drive south into the Namib for your two-night stay at Namib Desert Lodge, set at the foot of the fossilised dunes of the ancient Namib Desert.
Day 2: Sossusvlei & Sesriem
Wednesday, 1 September 2027
An early start after breakfast for the drive to Sossusvlei, where you will visit the iconic Dune 45 and the haunting Dead Vlei. After a relaxing lunch, the afternoon brings a visit to Sesriem Canyon, carved 30 meters deep into ancient rock.
Day 3: Swakopmund
Thursday, 2 September 2027
Today you travel to the coastal town of Swakopmund for a two-night stay at the Strand Hotel, set on a historic promontory surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on three sides. The evening is at leisure to explore local restaurants or enjoy the hotel’s dining options (own account).
Day 4: Walvis Bay Catamaran Excursion
Friday, 3 September 2027
After breakfast, head to Walvis Bay for a full-day catamaran excursion. Cruise the lagoon with opportunities to spot dolphins, seals, pelicans, and flamingos in their natural habitat, with fresh oysters and sparkling wine served on board.
Day 5: Palmwag
Saturday, 4 September 2027
Continue north to Palmwag Lodge in Damaraland, a refuge for desert-adapted elephants, black rhino, and lion within a vast 582,000-hectare concession. The drive north follows the Skeleton Coast before turning inland into the stark, open country of the northwest.
Day 6: Twyfelfontein
Sunday, 5 September 2027
After breakfast, continue to Twyfelfontein Country Lodge, built into a rocky hillside at the heart of Damaraland. Visit the Twyfelfontein rock engravings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with more than 2,000 carvings made by San hunter-gatherers thousands of years ago, and the nearby Burnt Mountain, a scorched volcanic ridge that shifts colour through the day.
Day 7: Etosha South
Monday, 6 September 2027
An early departure after breakfast, travelling east toward Etosha National Park. Your base for the next two nights is Etosha Safari Camp, just south of the Andersson Gate. If time permits, enjoy an afternoon game drive in search of the park’s legendary wildlife.
Day 8: A Full Day in Etosha National Park
Tuesday, 7 September 2027
A full day inside Etosha, one of Africa’s great wildlife destinations. Spend the day moving between waterholes along the edge of the vast Etosha Pan, watching for elephant, giraffe, black rhino, lion, and the endemic black-faced impala. Late May brings comfortable daytime temperatures and lingering green in the grasslands after the rains.
Welcome to CCF
Day 9: Arrival at Cheetah Conservation Fund
Wednesday, 8 September 2027
After breakfast, travel south to Otjiwarongo and the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s International Research and Education Centre for your final three nights at Cheetah View Eco Lodge. Set among acacia trees with sweeping views of the Waterberg Plateau, the lodge is your home base for an immersive conservation experience. On arrival, the CCF team will welcome you and introduce the activities planned for your stay. All meals, fees, and activities are fully included.
Day 10: Conservation in Action
Thursday, 9 September 2027
A full day immersed in CCF’s conservation programs. Morning and afternoon activities may include the thrilling Cheetah Run, where you watch resident cheetahs exercise at full speed; a guided tour of the research centre and genetics laboratory; a visit to CCF’s Livestock Guarding Dog program, which trains Anatolian shepherds and Kangals to protect livestock and reduce human-wildlife conflict; and time at the Cheetah Museum and Education Centre. Activities will be arranged with your CCF hosts.
Day 11: Deeper into the Reserve
Friday, 10 September 2027
Your final full day at CCF. Enjoy a game drive through the reserve’s open savanna, where giraffe, oryx, eland, and other plains game roam freely. Visit the Model Farm to learn about CCF’s predator-friendly farming techniques and the Bushblok initiative, which restores cheetah habitat by harvesting encroaching thornbush and converting it into a clean-burning fuel log. End the day with a farewell dinner overlooking the Waterberg Plateau.
Day 12: Departure
Saturday, 11 September 2027
After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to Hosea Kutako International Airport for your return flight home. Safe travels, and thank you for supporting cheetah conservation.
Pricing*
Per person, shared room (max 12 guests): TBD
Single room supplement: TBD
Trip cost includes:
- All accommodations, tours, transfers, and meals as listed
- Private vehicles throughout (LandCruiser and/or Overlander)
- Water while en route
- Entrance fees: Sossusvlei, Sesriem Canyon, Twyfelfontein, Burnt Mountain, Etosha
- Accommodation taxes, tourism levies, and VAT
*Paid to CCF Namibia
Not included:
- International and regional airfare
- Travel insurance (quoted separately): cancellation, medical, baggage, and emergency evacuation
- Visa fees (payable in USD cash only)
- Personal expenses: laundry, gratuities, baggage handling, excess baggage/weight fees, communications charges
- Drinks at meals and beverages not specified in the itinerary
- Additional meals or activities not listed
- Accommodations and services booked independently
- New government taxes or levies beyond our control
Ready to Join Us?
Contact: [email protected] or [email protected] for more info