Namib Naukluft Park, the largest conservation area in Africa, and the fourth largest in the world covers much of the central Namib Desert and the Naukluft Mountains. Sossusvlei, in the heart of the Namib Desert, is a huge clay pan enclosed by the highest sand dunes in the world. Wind continuously reshapes the patterns of the huge dunes, timelessly forcing the grains of sand on the flat windward slope upwards to the crest of the dune. It is where the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra resides.

The Ongava Game Reserve forms a buffer between Etosha National Park and the farms to the south. This buffer zone enables large game such as elephant and lion to move freely in and out of the Park without entering hostile environments. Ongava also holds one of the largest Namibian rhino custodianships for breeding rhino to more sustainable numbers and reintroducing them into areas where they had previously flourished. Most general game has been reintroduced onto the property, including springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest, Burchell’s zebra, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, waterbuck, red hartebeest, giraffe, eland and the rare black-faced impala.

The vast plains west of the Waterberg Plateau Park are occasionally broken by the remnants of ancient sandstone ‘outcrops’, which once covered large areas of northern Namibia. Nestled among these outcrops is the Omboroko Mountains. While the plateau's top is arid, plentiful surface water and strong permanent springs at the foot of the mountain make for lush, verdant and diverse flora and fauna such as wild fig trees, fire lillys and coral trees. The Waterberg plains are a protected nature conservancy. Endangered species like the black and white Rhino, Sable antelope and Blue wildebeest were introduced here. At Okonjima the sights and sounds of large cats and other animals at the waterhole can be viewed from the secrecy of a hide. The array of birdlife also astounds with over three hundred species identified at the lodge including Namibian endemics – Carp’s Black Tit, Hartlaub’s Francolin and the Damara Rock Runner. At the nocturnal hide porcupine, honey badgers and caracal are in full view.

Exclusive invitation to learn about the cheetah first-hand from the world's leading experts and observe cheetah conservation at work at Cheetah Conservation Fund.

Visit nearby Herero villages - strongly influenced by nineteenth century missionaries. The Herero are most famous for the women’s distinctive Victorian dress and unique head-dresses.

Track the first rehabilitated cheetah, see nightly wild leopard feeds and embark on guided nature walks through wilderness trails at Okonjima where we will observe the AfriCat Foundation's work researching and rehabilitating Namibia’s threatened wild cat population. On the bushman trail, guides demonstrate and explain the traditional lifestyle and philosophy of these unique and ancient people.

Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp is located in one of the most remarkable sites in the Namib Desert. The camp is situated on a 21,000 hectare private reserve, only 20 kilometres from the huge, towering Sossusvlei dunes that rise dramatically more than 1000 feet above the surrounding plains. Guest rooms have their own private plunge pool and full en-suite accomodations that offer wonderful views of the desert plains below. The main living area is thatched with an outdoor deck for dinner under the stars. Wonderful desert breakfasts are served under camel-thorn acacias surrounded by the dunes. 

Okonjima Bush Camp is situated in the wilderness and consists of luxury-thatched African chalets. For complete privacy the chalets are situated a minimum of 80 meters apart. The chalets are built of earthy ochre walls and khaki green canvas, each under a thatched roof. Since half of each chalet is made of canvas the entire front can be rolled up at night allowing the cool breezes and sounds of the Namibian bush to lull you to sleep.

Ongava Lodge is located just outside of Etosha National Park on the private 30,000 hectare Ongava Game Reserve. The chalets, lodge and public areas are all decorated to the highest standards using indigenous furniture, materials and colors. The rooms have glass-fronted doors which lead out onto a private covered verandah overlooking the bush. The main lounge, bar and dining area is also under thatch with wonderful views across the plains and floodlit waterhole below. Outdoor dining offers intimate views of game gathered at the waterhole.

Endangered Encounters donates 100% post-tax profits from this trip to the Cheetah Conservation Fund.