Wildlife, Landscapes, and Adventure
Namibia
April 11 to 28, 2026
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Safari Overview
Set off on an unforgettable Namibian adventure where exploration meets serenity. Conquer the world’s highest sand dunes, feel the thrill of quad biking across a private reserve, and soar over Namibia’s landscapes in a helicopter, capturing its unique beauty from above. As night falls, marvel at the Southern Hemisphere’s starry skies. Continue your journey with a scenic flight along the Diamond Coast, revealing shipwrecks, seal colonies, and abandoned diamond camps, then explore Walvis Bay by water. Track elusive desert-adapted rhinos and elephants in Damaraland’s rugged terrain and discover diverse wildlife on a private game reserve in Etosha, including from an underground hide overlooking a waterhole. Conclude your days in the park watching nocturnal creatures under floodlights. This journey beautifully blends action with observation, ensuring an experience that’s both thrilling and tranquil.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore Namibia by foot, jeep, quad bike, helicopter, kayak, and catamaran.
- Enjoy exclusive early access to photograph Sossusvlei Dunes at daybreak.
- Track for desert-adapted rhino and elephants in the rocky terrain of Damaraland.
- Game drive on the private Ongava Reserve and visit the impressive Ongava Research Center.
- Encounter lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and more in Etosha National Park.
NOTABLE EXPERIENCES
Itinerary Updated: August 2024
Print Trip
Date | Description | Lodge | Meals |
---|---|---|---|
Apr 11 – 12 | Travel to Windhoek, Namibia. | ||
Apr 13 | Arrive in Windhoek. | Galton House, Windhoek | D |
Apr 14 – 15 | Explore the stunning landscapes of Sossusvlei, Sesriem Canyon, and Deadvlei. | Dead Valley Lodge, Sossusvlei Park | B, L, D |
Apr 16 – 17 | Enjoy the vast and pristine NamibRand Nature Reserve by jeep and helicopter. | Kwessi Dunes, NamibRand Nature Reserve | B, L, D |
Apr 18 – 19 | Take a private scenic flight to Swakopmund and explore the coast by land and water. | The Delight, Swakomund | B, L, D |
Apr 20 – 22 | Fly to Damaraland, with its dramatic landscapes and desert-adapted wildlife. | Camp Doros, Damaraland | B, L, D |
Apr 23 - 25 | Travel to Etosha National Park for game drives and the Ongava Research Centre. | Ongava, Etosha National Park | B, L, D |
Apr 26 | Return to Windhoek. | Galton House, Windhoek | B, L, D |
Apr 27 | Depart for Home | B | |
Apr 28 | Arrive home. |
Our Trip Leaders
Scott Davis
Scott, co-owner and co-CEO of Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris, is an expert wildlife, nature, and travel photographer. Trained as a wildlife and marine biologist, he's explored all seven continents for research and photography. National Geographic, BBC, Animal Planet, NY Times, and other prestigious publications have featured his inspiring work. Scott's passion for teaching and talent for capturing the essence of his subjects make him a highly sought-after tour leader.
Detailed Itinerary
A glimpse into our journey
Arrive in Windhoek.
Apr 13
Our local agent will transfer you from the airport to the Galton House. If you would like to arrive earlier, we can arrange divergent airport transfers and extra nights.
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
Namibia
Embrace the expansive beauty of Namibia and the resilience of its inhabitants.
-22.563756249999997, 17.075787248642907
- Cost & Payments
- Included
- Not Included
- Climate
- Fitness Level
- Flights
Conservation
- Conditions
Cost & Payments
Costs (in US$)
Type | Cost Per Person |
---|---|
Trip Cost, double occupancy | $14,900 |
Single Supplement | $1,227 |
Costs are per person, double occupancy, not including airfare (except for internal and scenic flights), singles extra. See Included and Not Included sections for more details.
If you are a single traveler, we will try to find a roommate for you, but if we cannot pair you with a roommate, we may charge you a single supplement. Single rooms cost extra and are subject to availability.
Payment Schedule
Payment | Due Date | Amount Per Person |
---|---|---|
Deposit | Due now to reserve your space | $500 |
Final | October 10, 2025 | Remaining Balance |
Payments are due based on the schedule above. All reservations require a deposit to confirm reservation of your space.
Cancellations
Until the Final Payment due date, deposits are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $150 per person, which can be applied toward another trip if reserved within six months of the cancelled trip’s departure date. Cancellations are non-transferrable. No refunds are given after the Final Payment due date.
Included
- Carbon offsets for the duration of this trip.
- All leaders, transport, park entry fees, landing fees, and permits for all activities unless described as optional.
- Two internal flights.
- Ninety-minute helicopter excursion.
- Accommodations (double occupancy) for the nights of April 13 through April 26.
- Meals from dinner on April 13 through breakfast on April 27, except meals listed in Not Included section.
- Transfers on April 13 and April 27 between the Dalton House and the Windhoek airport.
- Trip Planning Materials – information about entry requirements, flights, packing, gratuities, etc.
Not Included
- Carbon offsets for your flights to/from this trip.
- All airfare (except flights listed as included), airport and departure taxes, and excess baggage fees. Round-trip airfare is approximately $1,500 to $2,000 between the US and Windhoek.
- Passport and visa fees.
- Divergent airport transfers (arranged by us) and extra hotel nights.
- Gratuities – tipping is always discretionary. However, we suggest budgeting about $20 to $30 per participant per day for 14 days with our leaders. (about $280 to $420 total per participant).
- Optional trip cancellation insurance.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, alcoholic and other beverages, items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Traveler Form.
Climate
April is the start of Namibia’s dry season with daily temperatures from (56°F, 13°C) up to about 77°F (25°C) during the day with the possibility of some rain. In the last five years, the dynamics of climate change have impacted the area with an increase in temperatures, so dress in layers.
Fitness Level
This is an active adventure trip that requires good energy levels. Opportunities such as climbing the sand dunes and kayaking in Walvis Bay can be optional. Please contact us if you have any health concerns that may make this trip challenging.
Flights
Detailed logistical information is included in the Trip Planning Materials we will send you.
Flights you book
- Arrive in Windhoek, Namibia (WDH) by 4:00pm on April 13.
- Depart from Windhoek, Namibia (WDH) after 12:00am on April 27.
Flights we book
- Two internal flights and the helicopter ride are included in the trip cost.
FAQ
Accommodations
Motion Sickness
Transportation
Conservation
Our company ethos has always regarded conservation as inseparable from responsible tourism. We struggle with the dilemma that traveling worldwide expends climate-changing carbon. However, we wholeheartedly believe that traveling with us will cultivate your passion for conserving our beautiful world while stimulating each destination’s local economy. We encourage you to explore the various ways in which Cheesemans’ operates within this context:
- Cheesemans’ Trips are Carbon Neutral.
- Offsetting your Travel to/from our Trip: We ask you to pledge to offset the carbon emissions for your travel to and from our trips. You can purchase offsets with most airlines (Delta includes them automatically), use our handy carbon calculator and donate to Sustainable Travel International, or contribute to your favorite offsetting organization.
Conditions
Read our current Terms and Conditions.