Namibia

Namib-Naukluft National Park

Apr 14 – 15

You will drive southwest through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands before heading down the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert below, stopping for a picnic lunch at a scenic location along the way. Because you are staying inside the park, you will have the exclusive opportunity to set up for incredible sunrise photographs of the dunes on two mornings before other visitors are permitted, then enjoy breakfast under the shade of the giant Camelthorn Trees. The remainder of your time here will be spent enjoying Sossusvlei, Serum Canyon, and Deadvlei, iconic desert landscapes renowned for their stunning natural beauty and unique geological features.

Sossusvlei is a vast salt and clay pan surrounded by towering red sand dunes, some of the highest in the world, reaching up to 325 meters. The name Sossusvlei translates to "dead-end marsh," as it is where the Tsauchab River meets the dunes and usually dries up, creating a dramatic and desolate landscape. The dunes' striking colors, ranging from deep red to bright orange, are due to iron oxide, and their shifting shapes are constantly sculpted by the wind. The area is a photographer's dream, especially during sunrise and sunset when the dunes cast long shadows, enhancing their depth and contrast.

Sesriem Canyon, located a few kilometers from Sossusvlei, is a natural gorge carved by the Tsauchab River over millions of years. The canyon is about a kilometer long and up to 30 meters deep, with narrow passageways and layered rock formations that tell the geological history of the region. The name Sesriem means "six belts," referring to the six lengths of leather thongs early settlers needed to lower buckets into the canyon to fetch water. The canyon remains a vital water source for wildlife and a fascinating site for visitors to explore its cool, sheltered depths.

Deadvlei, meaning "dead marsh," is a white clay pan located near Sossusvlei, distinguished by its surreal landscape of fossilized camel thorn trees, believed to be around 900 years old. These ancient trees, now blackened by the sun, stand in stark contrast against the white pan floor and the surrounding red dunes. Deadvlei’s otherworldly beauty and stark isolation make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and photographers alike.

Together, Sossusvlei, Sesriem Canyon, and Deadvlei offer a glimpse into the raw, untouched beauty of Namibia's desert landscapes, each site revealing a different facet of the ancient Namib Desert.

NamibRand Nature Reserve

Apr 16 – 17

You will head to NamibRand Nature Reserve, a 200,000-hectare expanse of pristine desert that captures the true essence of Namibia’s desolate beauty. You will spend the next two nights at Kwessi Dunes set in one of the most breathtaking landscapes on the planet. NamibRand is one of Southern Africa’s largest private reserves, established in the 1980s by Albi Bruckner, who transformed a series of livestock farms into a conservation success story. With strict limits on the number of lodges and rooms, this reserve offers a truly private experience where the vast, untouched wilderness feels like it belongs solely to you.

As you explore, you’ll encounter the iconic red dunes, rugged mountains, and the mysterious fairy circles that dot the desert floor—natural wonders whose origins remain a topic of debate. The wildlife here is as fascinating as the landscape, with species like the gemsbok and bat-eared fox showcasing unique adaptations to survive in the harsh desert environment.

Here you can embrace your inner adventurer quad biking over the shifting sands, navigating the expansive dunes, and soaking in the stunning scenery that stretches as far as the eye can see. To top off this incredible experience, take to the skies with a 90-minute helicopter ride over the Namib Desert. From above, the vast red dunes, the surreal beauty of Deadvlei, and the winding Sesriem Canyon reveal themselves in all their glory. This aerial perspective offers a breathtaking finale to your NamibRand adventure, leaving you with enduring memories of one of the most spectacular places on Earth.

Swakomund

Apr 18 – 19

After a leisurely start to the day, take a private scenic flight northwest to Swakopmund flying over shipwrecks, deserted mining camps, seal colonies and Sandwich Harbour. Swakopmund is a charming coastal town nestled between the rolling dunes of the Namib Desert and the vast Atlantic Ocean. Known for its unique blend of German colonial architecture and African culture, Swakopmund offers a refreshing contrast to the arid desert landscape that surrounds it. The town's cool, foggy climate will provide a welcome respite from the desert heat.

You will have the chance to experience the best of Walvis Bay's marine life exploring  by kayak and catamaran. Start your adventure early with a scenic drive along the coast to Walvis Bay, where your kayaking journey begins. Paddle through the serene outer lagoon, navigating the calm waters around Pelican Point, home to the iconic lighthouse and stunning windswept dunes. As you glide through the water, you'll get up close with playful Cape fur seals, Heaviside’s and bottlenose dolphins, and a variety of seabirds like pelicans and flamingos. If you're fortunate, you might even spot whales, leatherback turtles, or the elusive sunfish. Along the way, your guide will share insights into the marine environment. Later, take a catamaran excursion for a different vantage point of the same rich marine environment, with ample opportunities to observe the diverse wildlife. As you sail, indulge in local sparkling wine and fresh oysters while taking in the breathtaking views of the lagoon and harbor.

Damaraland

Apr 20 – 22

Catch a flight to Damaraland, a region characterized by vibrant colors, towering table-topped mountains, striking rock formations, and unique vegetation. This dramatic landscape, shaped by wind, water, and geological forces, offers rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains, and ancient river terraces. The area's vastness and scenic splendor will leave you in awe.

Damaraland is home to some of Namibia's most fascinating flora and fauna, including desert-adapted elephants, rhinos, lions, and zebras. You’ll explore the region’s remarkable attractions such as a petrified forest of 280-million-year-old fossilized trees, ancient rock art at Twyfelfontein dating back 6,000 years, and the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain, adorned with thousands of stone age paintings. These rock paintings, believed to depict hunting expeditions, offer a glimpse into the lives of the area’s early inhabitants, including the Damara, Herero, and Himba peoples. You’ll have the privilege of interacting with the Himba, semi-nomadic herders known for their distinctive ochre-colored hair and skin.

Your adventure includes thrilling game drives and walks, highlighted by a morning spent tracking black rhinos with local trackers from Save The Rhino Trust (SRT). Namibia’s desert-adapted black rhino population has grown significantly since the 1980s and 90s, thanks to conservation efforts. These rhinos roam freely, feeding on plants like the fibrous Welwitschia and the milk bush. Additionally, you’ll track desert-adapted elephants, which have evolved to survive in this harsh environment. These elephants, with their longer legs, smaller bodies, and shorter tusks, are less vulnerable to poaching and better adapted to the arid landscape, requiring less water and causing minimal environmental impact.

Etosha National Park

Apr 23 - 25

You will have an early departure from the lodge as you make your way east towards Ongava in Etosha National Park. The Ongava Game Reserve is effectively a private game reserve, spanning 30,000 hectares along the southwest border of Etosha National Park. The reserve is home to a wide variety of game including lion, leopard, giraffe, rhino, Hartmann’s Mountain zebra, gemsbok (oryx), kudu, steenbok, and much more. The scenery is gorgeous with large open plains blending into mopane tree woodlands and dolomite outcrops.

In the dry season, animals, queuing to quench their thirst, congregate in the hundreds around the many water sources. When the rains arrive, the area is transformed, bringing a plethora of birdlife that comes to take advantage of ideal feeding conditions. Thousands of flamingos and other water birds descend to the flooded saltpans to take advantage of this time of plenty. You will experience the ideal time with the shift from rainy to dry season.

In Etosha, your time is filled with scenic game drives and walks on the Ongava Reserve, offering opportunities to see resident white and black rhinos. You’ll also enjoy close-up wildlife encounters from an underground photographic hide and watch animals come to drink at the camp waterhole under floodlights. A visit to the Ongava Research Centre (ORC) also adds a unique dimension, where you can interact with ongoing scientific research and explore the self-guided exhibition at the ORC Visitor Centre. Additionally, you will visit a Himba village, enriching your experience with cultural insights.

Return to Windhoek

Apr 26

After an early breakfast you set off on your journey back to Windhoek. The road takes you south through Namibia’s central highlands and commercial farmlands. You will have a farewell dinner at the guesthouse or in town with your guides.

Depart for home

Apr 27

Arrive home

Apr 28