A safari built around the patient art of wildlife observation.
The Wildlife Safari is dedicated to the slow, patient art of observing animals in their natural environment. This is not a checklist itinerary — it's a journey designed for travellers who understand that the best wildlife encounters cannot be scheduled, only earned through time and quiet attention.
Built around two of Namibia's premier wildlife reserves — Okonjima for predators and Etosha for its salt pan ecosystems — this safari maximises your chances of meaningful encounters with leopard, cheetah, lion, elephant, and the rare black rhino.
Met privately on arrival at Hosea Kutako and transferred to your Windhoek hotel for the evening. Briefing on the journey ahead with your SLM Safaris guide.
Drive north to the Okonjima Nature Reserve, home of the AfriCat Foundation. Afternoon arrival, with time to settle in before an evening leopard tracking activity.
A full day dedicated to predator viewing. Morning cheetah tracking on foot with experienced guides, followed by an afternoon drive in search of leopard. Okonjima's reserve and its tracking team make this one of the more reliable places in Namibia to look for these elusive cats — though, as always, nothing in the wild is guaranteed.
Continue north into Etosha National Park via the Von Lindequist Gate. Check in at your lodge near the eastern edge of the park, with an afternoon game drive en route.
A full day exploring the eastern and northern waterholes — Klein Namutoni, Chudop, Kalkheuwel — known for elephant herds, giraffe, and the chance of black rhino at the floodlit waterhole after dark.
Move to the southern side of the park, with stops at the major waterholes en route. Lion, gemsbok, springbok, and large elephant bulls dominate this section. Final game drive at sunset.
An early game drive before the long drive south to Windhoek — roughly five to six hours from southern Etosha. Drop-off at Hosea Kutako International Airport. We recommend an afternoon or evening departing flight for this day.
Pictured: the hills around Windhoek. Destination imagery, not a photograph of the arrival hotel.
Pictured: dry bushveld landscape. Regional imagery, not a photograph of the property.
Pictured: zebra in Etosha National Park. Regional imagery, not a photograph of the property.
Pictured: giraffe in open bush. Regional imagery, not a photograph of the property.
Accommodation is subject to availability. The properties above are the lodges we aim to use on this journey. They are confirmed only once your booking is made and the lodge has accepted it. Where a property is unavailable for your dates, we will propose an alternative of an equivalent standard and location, and confirm it with you before booking.
Wildlife is wild. Game drives are planned around the seasons, waterholes and movements that give the best realistic chance of rewarding sightings, but no operator can guarantee that any particular animal will be seen. Routes and drive times may be adjusted for road, weather or park conditions, always in consultation with you.
Namibia is a year-round destination, but each season offers something different. Here's what to expect when planning your safari — and what each window is best for.
Peak game-viewing season. Days are warm, nights cold. Animals concentrate around waterholes. Ideal for wildlife and photography.
The best wildlife months — Etosha's pans are at their busiest. Days are very hot. Book early as lodges fill up.
The wet months. Lush landscapes, dramatic skies, fewer crowds, lower rates. Birding is exceptional. Some roads can be tricky.
The desert can be visited any time. Cooler months are most comfortable, but the dunes are spectacular year-round.
Tell us a little about your travel plans and we’ll reply within one business day. An enquiry is a conversation, not a booking — nothing is reserved until you have approved a written itinerary.
Email info@slmsafaris.com
Phone +264 81 813 0400
WhatsApp +264 81 813 0400
Hours Mon — Fri · 08:00–17:00 CAT