The perfect safari holiday in the Central Highlands

Some of Namibia's highlights such as the Erongo Mountains, an Okonjima tour, and the Waterberg National Park, are here.

The region between Windhoek and Etosha, referred to as the Central Highlands, is dominated by commercial farms which include some well-known guest farms harbouring plenty of interesting wildlife. Jutting out every here and there are rocky hills or kopjes. Okonjima Guest Farm and Waterberg National Park are both great places to stay for a night or two on a tailor made Namibia Central Highlands holiday.

Renowned conservation NGO the Africat Foundation has put Okonjima firmly on the tourist map. With big cat conservation in mind, extensive research has been conducted here along with education of local farmers in order to minimise human-wildlife conflict. Cats that have been trapped on farms are rescued and relocated.

The imposing, 200m flat-topped sandstone plateau of the Waterberg National Park juts out from the surrounding countryside. The park protects black rhino, Cape buffalo, sable and roan antelope, among others. Birders love this place, with over 200 species making up the checklist. The surroundings are a magical mix of sheer cliffs, steep ravines, grasslands and dry woodlands, in which there are some lovely trails.

Around the impressive granitic Erongo Mountains, the privately owned Erongo Conservancy encompasses properties of some 30 farmers, spanning about 200,000 ha in which all fences have been removed. Conservation-wise this has proved itself as a highly successful initiative.