40Sossusvlei & Namib-Naukluft Park The Namib Desert is the oldest desert in the world and the wildlife here is often unique having adapted itself to this harsh environment. Amongst the larger animals here are springbok, gemsbok and ostrich. Aardvark is occasionally sighted at night, along with Cape fox, polecats and aardwolf. With no light pollution and virtually guaranteed clear nights year-round, the Namib is also one of the fi nest star-gazing areas in southern Africa. Sossusvlei is the most remarkable site in the Namib-Naukluft Park. Here huge towering dunes, the highest in the world, rise dramatically over 300 metres above the surrounding plains. Sossusvlei Desert Camp MIDA budget option located two minutes from the entrance gate to the Namib-Naukluft NP; the camp features 20 en-suite tented units. It features a pool, bar, two bomas for relaxing and a nearby restaurant. Enjoy the wonders of the desert, without breaking the bank. Wolwedans HIGHWolwedans offer a selection of excellent properties located in the heart of the private NamibRand Nature Reserve. Each offers a complete desert experience - scenic drives, game drives, walks, balloon fl ights, sleep outs and scenic fl ights. Kulala Desert Lodge HIGHAnother luxury lodge, Kulala has 12 chalets with stunning views of the famous red Sossusvlei dunes. A highlight here is the opportunity to sleep under the stars on a special platform on Kulala's roof. The lodge also has its own waterhole. For a nature and wildlife enthusiast it's a great place to stay.Hoodia Desert Camp MID OUR CHOICEOutside Sesriem, Hoodia has 12 comfortable tented bungalows with open-air bathrooms and shaded porches. An added bonus is their stargazing platforms for the many crystal clear desert nights that characterize this area. The views are beautiful and there is an excellent bar and restaurant.Desert Homestead MIDDesert Homestead consists of simple, stylish accommodation in thatched chalets. It is a warm and homely place with all the facilities that you would wish for including a swimming pool - a good value option.Damaraland The remote mountainous area of Damaraland is one of stark arid plains, deep chasms and dramatic red, rocky peaks dominated by the massive Brandberg Mountains. Early morning mists drift inland providing sustenance to various life forms and the natural laws of food and water dictate the movement of the endangered desert elephant, black rhino, gemsbok, greater kudu and springbok. Lion and cheetah move in and out of the area and keen birders have the chance to see the endemic Monteiro's hornbill, Ruppell's parrot, white-tailed shrike, rockrunner and herero chat. Palmwag Lodge MIDLocated on the Uniab River in northwest Damaraland, the thatched bungalows of Palmwag Lodge are set in a spectacular environment, perfect for exploring on morning and afternoon game drives. Hiking trails are a major draw here, letting you discover your natural surroundings easily - a great spot to discover Damaraland.Damaraland Camp HIGHThis luxury camp has nine large walk-in tents. There is a fabulous rock swimming pool, and activities revolve around nature drives and walks into the Huab River system to look for desert elephant. Nearby is the rock art site of Twyfelfontein.Twyfelfontein Country Lodge MIDTwyfelfontein, just on the edge of Damaraland, is renowned for some of the best examples of bushman paintings and rock engravings in southern Africa - it is a World Heritage Site. The lodge is situated in the heart of the Twyfelfontein Uibasen Conservancy and has 56 rooms and all of the usual facilities including a lovely pool.The Skeleton Coast This is one of the most isolated, beautiful and remote places on earth. The northern sector of the Skeleton Coast has everything from soaring dunes and plains to towering canyons, mountains, saltpans, seal colonies and shipwrecks. Hartmann's mountain zebra, gemsbok, desert-adapted elephant, Cape fur seals, brown hyena, giraffe and occasionally cheetah may be found in this wild and rugged landscape. There is so much to see and experience here, that traditional morning and afternoon activities are usually abandoned in favour of full day's of exploration. Talk to an expert 0845 130 6982

41Skeleton Coast Camp HIGHSkeleton Coast Camp accommodates only twelve people in its six large and roomy Meru-style tents. It is situated in a private reserve on an island in a dry riverbed - a beautiful, wild and desolate spot. Game drives are conducted in Landrovers with pop-top roofs, whilst nature walks and trips to see the local Himba people are also possible. Serra Cafema HIGHThis is perhaps the most remote camp in southern Africa, only reachable by light aircraft. Accommodation here consists of six comfortable Meru-style tents raised off the ground overlooking Kunene River. There is a dining room, bar and pool, and activities include walks, four-wheel drive safaris, boat trips on the river and visits to the nearby Himba village.Etosha & the Ongava Reserve Etosha National Park is considered by many to be one of the fi nest game sanctuaries in southern Africa. This enormous park is famous for its vast dazzling white salt pan. The nearby permanent waterholes attract a multitude of wildlife, particularly in the dry winter months, including black-faced impala, red hartebeest, Damara dik-dik, eland and greater kudu, together with large numbers of elephant, lion and black rhino. The birdlife of Etosha is also excellent, with over 300 species recorded. Ongava Private Game Reserve, bordering Etosha, has the big attraction of being able to offer rhino tracking on foot, an experience not permitted inside the park itself. Ongava Lodge HIGHThis is a Wilderness Safaris luxury lodge situated on a large private reserve close to Sossusvlei. It consists of nine bungalows, each with a private plunge pool. A great location. Little Ongava is the lodge's smaller 'sister' camp. It is perfect for groups of friends to book for an exclusive private camp experience.Onguma Bush Camp MID Onguma is a simple and comfortable base from which to explore Etosha. It has six rustic chalets and a large central swimming pool to cool off in after a hard day's game-viewing. Etosha Safari Lodge MIDThis 55-roomed lodge is situated on a rise with magnifi cent views over the tree-covered hills towards the park. The lodge is near the Anderson Gate.The Mushara Outpost HIGH OUR CHOICEThis is an exquisite property (accommodating only 16 guests) built in the style of an old colonial homestead. The tented rooms are all raised on wooden decks and all have superb views of the countryside around. The food here is superb, the guiding excellent, and the service second to none.Or visit us on the web www.wildlifeworldwide.comAFRICA | NAMIBIASUGGESTED ITINERARYDay 1 Depart UK for Windhoek Day 2 Conservation project, 13 nights. Undertaking essential maintenance on the reserve, large carnivore tracking and monitoring, meeting the cheetahs, behind the scenes feeding run, possible rescue and release of cheetahs and leopards, visiting endangered wild dogs at close quarters, and sleeping under the stars occasionally! (BLD) Day 15 Return to the UK (B) Day 16 Arrive UK.Whilst we are offering a two-week conservation programme, this can be extended (in two week blocks) to a maximum of eight weeks.Departure dates Fortnightly, on a FridayCost per person From £2075 (Jan - mid Mar), £1995 (mid Mar - mid Sep), £2115 (Mid Sep - Nov) What's included Flights, transfers, meals as indicated, thirteen nights' accommodation at the projectBIG CAT VOLUNTEERINGThis is a truly amazing volunteer opportunity to get close to large carnivores. Based at a big cat rehabilitation centre north of Windhoek your day will be split in two. Early in the day you will be working as part of a team to help restore an old cattle station back to a game reserve. In the afternoon you have the opportunity to help gather vital data by tracking and monitoring (using a telemetry system) leopards and cheetahs. You will also get behind the scenes of the daily feeding run of over 100 big cats in the welfare programme. Staying in simple, but comfortable, accommodation and working as part of a closely knit team of volunteers, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.TAILOR-MADE