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Our 2025 African Safari is our 26th African trip and believe it our not they keep getting better year after year. Additionally this is our 15th Namibia trip; mainly because we feel comfortable and safe driving ourselves. But this trip/safari WILL BE the most special of them all because 2025 is our GOLDEN Anniversary year!!!!

Day #1=>Depart SFO, on British Airways for a over-night (red-eye) to London's Heathrow Airport. Over the years we have used many different airlines (United, KLM, Qatar, South African, BA, etc) for our trip to and from Africa. Our favorite is BA which has a lot to do with how their staff treat their passengers. The other airlines we have used are not bad they just are not as consistantly good as BA. The BA staff are always very nice and truely want you to enjoy your flight and do everything they can to make that goal a reality. Additionally they don't have noisy parties in the back of the plane when you are trying to sleep. Unfortunately complication from COVID made it impossible for us to use BA for a number of years after COVID. When we were able to return to BA we were excited to learn that their quality of service was unchanged.

Day #2=>We touch down the morning of day#2 where we have a multi-hour layover before boarding another red-eye/non-stop to Johannesburg, South Africa. For us Heathrow has been a very comfortable airport when long layovers are required. We have learned from experience some airplanes have better seat/storage space than others. So when we have the choice of multi-flights (normal for Heathow to Johannesburg) then we alter our flight time accordingly, which may mean an even longer layover. But when getting on your 2nd red-eye in two days comfort is priority #1.

Day #3=>Arrival at Johannesburg is mid-morning. Our prior norm when flying BA was to wait for the next Air-Link flight to Windhoek. But then COVID happened which required that you use United for a few years. United had its pros and cons. United's route required a stop on the east coast which we are not a fan of after being impacted by east coast weather in prior years. But the good part is after leaving the east coast it is one flight (red-eye) to Johannesburg. The one eye-red is definately better than the two on BA but United should really take lessons from BA on how to treat their passengers. The timing of the United flight into Johannesburg meant we could check into airport lodging for some quality sleep before taking our Windhoek flight. So now that we are back to BA we have decided to continue using airport lodging in Johannesburg. Which means today after clearing passport control we will walk through the airport to City Lodge. The food at City Lodge is very good despite the fact that any food would be good after two days of airplane food.

Our African Safaris are normally split into three segments: 1) days before the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, 2) days in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, and 3) days after the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The map below (right side) shows our route after picking up our Safari Car truck. The locations of the lodges we will visit on the 1st segment of this trip are labeled with letters that will be referred by the following day by day itinerary. The letter "D" on this map represents all our lodges for the 2nd segment of this trip which are in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is actually in South Africa and Botwanna, the straight black border line with a star pointer is the Namibian border. The non-straight black line that runs through the "D" pointer is the South Africa and Botswana border. During our days in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park we will alternate between being in South Africa and Botswana. However, all of our lodges inside the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park are in and operated by South Africa, thus we will technically only be in the west side of the Kgalagadi park.

Day #4 and #5=>Our 3rd and final flight is to Windoek, Namibia. Upon arrival in Windhoek we will be picked up by a representative of Safari Car Rental for the short drive to their location. After the rental check-out we will immediately head back toward the airport on the B6. Long before the airport is the C23, a shortcut gravel route to the Jansen Kalahari Guest Farm, point "A" on out route map. Their chalets are big with a/c and a large frig. This is a great place to catch our breathe after our flights from SF.

Day #6=>After a couple days to re-coup, we need to get ready for our Kalahari days. Since COVID we have found the city of Upington (in northern South Africa) to be an excellent location to acquire the provisions we will need. Although it is possible to drive to Upington in a day we prefer to break it up over two days. So today we are going about half the distance to a lodge outside of Keetmanshoop, as shown on the map. We used this lodge in 2024 and love it so it is again on our itinerary. Kitchen-51 Lodge, point "B" on our route map. This year we have requested a chalet overlooking their citrus orchard.

Day #7, #8 and #9=>Our Upington lodge is a favorite we have used on many trips, River Place Manor Lodge; point "C" on our route map. Notice we are now in northern South Africa. This lodge is on the Orange River, home to Orange River Winery (renamed the Hedgehog Winery). For dinner at this lodge we have the choice of going down to their restaurant or having them server dinner on our private deck. A third option is to prepare our own using their BBQ on the lawn just outside our room. Another option is to drive a mile or so to the Kalahari Mall and get take-out. We plan to spend three nights at this lodge to have time to get all the supplies we will need for our 26 days in the Kalahari.

Day #10 thru #35=>The next 26 days will be in the Kalahari referenced as point "D" on our route map. Accommodations in the Kalahari are mostly government run(South Africa National Parks) which typically means not fancy. The location is everything and thus these are some of the hardest reservations to get in our entire trip. The Kalahari is the best place in the world to see cheetah and leopard hunting and the big black main lions. Camps in the Kalahari are UNFENCED, thus accommodations are either raised or have some fencing around each unit. During our days in the Kalahari we will utilize a number of lodges which are detailed below.

Day #10 thru #15=>Our first Kalahari lodge is our favorite, Kieliekrankie Wilderness Camp. Kieliekrankie is a self catering wilderness camp on top of red sand dunes, with endless views of the red Kalahari sands. The camp has 4 dune cabins. Each unit has 2 single beds, a bathroom, a kitchen equipped with gas fridge and freezer, solar power for lights, gas for hot water and bbq facilities on a deck.

Day #16, #17 and #18=> Our 2nd Kalahari Lodge is the first in the Nossob river basin Grootkolk Wilderness Restcamp. Grootkolk Camp consists of only four chalets or Desert Cabins, made from canvas and sand bags. This camp is neither fenced nor raised and lions love it. Claw marks in the sand bags of these cabins reminds you to ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings.

Day #19, #20 and #21=>Our next lodge also in the Nosob river basin is the Nossob Rest Camp. We love to come here because the River Chalets are so nice and they have a/c, a great kitchen and deck for animal watching.

Day #22 thru #27=>Our next Kalahari lodge is another one of our favorites Urikaruus Wilderness Camp. We were able to book the honeymoon chalet this year. Just like Kieliekrankie, it is located in the central Auob river basin area and only has 5 chalets. Besides its location, Urikaruus has one of the best waterholes in the Kalahari which is exclusive only for Urikaruus guests. The camp is centrally located in one of the best animal activity areas.

Day #28 thru #33=>Then another 6 night visit back at our favorite Kieliekrankie Wilderness Camp.

Day #34 and #35=>Our next Kalahari lodge is the largest Kalahari camp located at the southern gate, Twee Rivieren Rest Camp. This camp is the administrative headquarters of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park and has a store, restaurant, pool and fuel station. Twee Rivieren camp is locate at the intersection of the Nossob River Bed and the Auob River Bed. This is a perfect location allowing for a lot of game driving options.

Day #36=>After our Kalahari days we will exit the park through the Mata-Mata gate, back into Namibia. Our first lodge outside the park is very close so we are not rushed if we have good sightings on our last day; the Torgos Lodge, point "E" on our route map to the right.

Day #37 and #38=>Our next lodge the Alte Kalkoefen Lodge (point "F"), which we first visited in 2024. The rooms have nice views and the meals were excellent. Their grounds have a beautiful above ground pool and a number of native plant nursery enclosures. As you can see on the map the distance between "E" and "F" is one of our longer drives. But well worth it for this very unique lodge.

Day #39, #40, #41 and #42=>Our next lodge we tried for the first time in 2024. The villas at Kronenhof Lodge (point "G") are fabulous. The villa compound is a mile or so from the main lodge, fully fenced with a great view, a garage for our truck and a total of four chalets like the one pictured to the right. In addition there is a common room with a huge full kitchen, a round dining table for 10 and 8 leather recliners. Outside the common area is a cover area with a splash pool, a braai and a full size pizza oven. We learned during our 2024 stay that you can have staff prepare dinner and deliver to the villas. We booked 4 days in 2025 with delivered dinners before we left the property in 2024, can't wait!!!

Day #44 and #45=>The next three lodges we have never tried before. The first at point "H" is the Barkham Dune Retreat located just north of Solitaire. This lodge family units and luxury chalets surrounding its main lodge and one Honeymoon chalet called KuanguKuangu(image far right). KuanguKuangu is snugged away behind the mountain about 1km to the northwest of the main building. It is the ideal accommodation option for honeymooners, anniversary celebrations or simply to be enjoyed in solitude. As the sun sets, gather around the firepit outside and marvel at the starry night sky, listening to the bark of the Gecko at dusk and the nearby wildlife. Watch as zebras and oryx pass by on the mountain, adding to the magic of your stay.

Day #46 and #47=>Our next lodge is a very short drive, point "I" on the map. But their villas sounded too good to pass up. And thus our next lodge is a villa at Namib Grens Lodge is our next stop, point "J" on route map above. We have driven by this lodge many times and always wanted to stay here. This lodge has 19 chalets and includes breakfast and dinners. Like most lodges in the area this lodge also has stunning views of the Namib desert.

Day #48=>Our next lodge is in the port city of Walvis Bay where we are staying at a new lodge for us the Protea Hotel Walvis Bay Pelican Bay; point "J" on our route map. On all our previous trips we always stayed in Swakopmund. But we repeating a day tour in this area we did many years ago and really liked the Sandwich Harbour Tour. The tour starts in Walvis Bay which is why staying here until after this tour.

Day #49 and #50=>After returning from our Walvis Bay tour it is a short drive north to the seaside city of Swakopmund where we are staying at one of our favorite lodges, Desert Breeze Lodge; point "K" on our route map. This lodge is a very short drive from city center and seaside dinning. The Desert Breeze bungalows overlook the oldest desert in the world. It is surrounded by colourful and very unique architecture contrasting but yet fitting in with the desert landscape.

Day #51 and #52=>As you can see from the route map above we are now heading east toward Windhoek. But first one last lodge outside Windhoek another one of our favorites, Ai Aiba - The Rock Painting Lodge in the Erongo Mountains; point "L" on our route map. This lodge is set afoot massive granite rock boulders, overlooking the magically beautiful Erongo mountain range. The panoramic view from the restaurant and bar is amazing. The crystal clear pool invites you to refresh and relax. Here you can enjoy the tranquility and purity of Africa. Which definately qualifies for an R&R lodge.

Day #53=>Our last lodge is just outside Windhoek the Trans Kalahari Inn, point "M" on route map. This lodge is conveniently located on the east side of Windhoek on the B6, just 2km from Safari Car retun lot.

Day #54=>After breakfast and checking out we have a short drive back to "Safari Car Rental" where they will shuttle us to the airport to catch our flight to Johannesburg, South Africa where we will have a few hours before boarding our over-night flight to London.

Day #55=>We arrive at Heathrow in the early morning and have a few hours layover before boarding our last flight back to SFO. We arrive in SF later this same day ending what we hope is another GREAT Namibian safari.