Dunes and Skies: Exploring Namibia’s Wild Heart

Namibia

April 1 to 18, 2027
Private Trip Available
Cost: $15,950
Leader: Scott Davis with expert local guides
Group Size: 10
Days: 18


    Safari Overview

    Embark on an unforgettable safari through Namibia’s raw and remarkable wilderness, where dramatic landscapes and rare wildlife create a truly immersive experience. Climb the world’s tallest sand dunes at Sossusvlei, track desert-adapted elephants and rhinos across the rugged terrain of Damaraland and feel the thrill of quad biking through a remote private reserve. Take to the skies for a scenic flight along the hauntingly beautiful Diamond Coast—passing shipwrecks, seal colonies, and abandoned diamond camps frozen in time. Explore the waters of Walvis Bay, teeming with marine life, before heading north to Etosha National Park. Here, enjoy exclusive wildlife encounters on a private reserve, including time in an underground photographic hide overlooking a busy waterhole and nighttime game viewing under starlight skies. Evenings offer dazzling stargazing in the Southern Hemisphere’s clear night skies. This expert-led, small-group safari balances high-adrenaline adventure with immersive wildlife observation, an unforgettable way to experience Namibia’s raw and remarkable wilderness.

    This Namibia safari tour offers unparalleled wildlife photography opportunities across Sossusvlei’s towering dunes, Etosha’s rich wildlife reserves, and the dramatic Skeleton Coast, all guided by expert naturalists.




    WHY CHOOSE THIS TRIP?

    • Discover Namibia by Land, Sea & Sky: Journey through spectacular landscapes by 4×4 vehicle, a scenic flight along the Diamond Coast, quad bike, kayak, and catamaran for an immersive experience.
    • Sunrise at the Iconic Sossusvlei Dunes: Enjoy exclusive early access for breathtaking sunrise views and crowd-free photography.
    • Track Rare Desert-Adapted Wildlife: Encounter desert-adapted black rhinos and elephants in the rugged terrain of Damaraland.
    • Big Game Viewing in Etosha & Beyond: See lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, giraffes, and more in Etosha National Park and private reserves.
    • Luxury Lodges & Authentic Cultural Experiences: Stay in handpicked luxury safari camps and visit the Himba Living Museum, learning about their traditions.



    TRIP MAP

    Trip Map – Namibia




    NOTABLE EXPERIENCES



    Itinerary Updated: August 2025

    Wildlife Safari Coordinator Stefanie Plein

    Private Trip Available



    Print Trip
    Date Description Lodge Meals
    Apr 1 – 2 Travel to Windhoek, Namibia.
    Apr 3 Arrive in Windhoek & Welcome Dinner. Galton House, Windhoek D
    Apr 4 – 5 Sossusvlei Dunes & Sesriem Canyon. Explore the towering dunes and shimmering salt pans in the golden light of sunrise. Dead Valley Lodge, Sossusvlei Park B, L, D
    Apr 6 – 7 NamibRand Nature Reserve Exploration. Take an optional scenic helicopter flight or hot air balloon ride over the dunes and enjoy quad biking in the desert and star gazing under crystal clear skies. Kwessi Dunes Lodge, NamibRand Nature Reserve B, L, D
    Apr 8 – 9 Fly to Swakopmund & Walvis Bay Marine Safari. Take a private scenic flight to Swakopmund and explore the coast by land and water. Kayak with seals and enjoy a relaxing catamaran cruise. The Delight, Swakopmund B, L, D
    Apr 10 – 12 Damaraland Wildlife Tracking. Search for desert-adapted rhinos and elephants. Great opportunities for dramatic landscape photography Camp Doros, Damaraland B, L, D
    Apr 13 – 15 Etosha National Park Safari. Enjoy private game drives and thrilling night safaris in Ongava Reserve and gain insight into local conservation efforts with a visit to the Ongava Research Center. Ongava Lodge, Etosha National Park B, L, D
    Apr 16 Return to Windhoek. Enjoy a farewell dinner. Galton House, Windhoek B, L, D
    Apr 17 Depart for Home. B
    Apr 18 Arrive Home.

    Get the Full Daily Itinerary


      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, BBCAnimal PlanetNY 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.

      Cost & Payments

      Costs (in US$)

      Type Cost Per Person
      Trip Cost, double occupancy $15,950
      Single Supplement $1,800

      Share the Experience – Earn Travel Credit

      Know someone who would love this trip? Refer a friend and you’ll both benefit—you get credit toward a future adventure, and they receive a discount on their first trip with us. See how our Referral Program works ›



      Costs are per person, double occupancy, not including airfare (except for one internal scenic flight), 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 23, 2026 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, transportation in a luxury air-conditioned safari vehicle, park entry fees, landing fees, and permits for all activities unless described as optional.
      • Private scenic charter flight from Kwessi Dunes to Swakopmund on April 8.
      • Marine cruise & kayaking including a beach braai on April 9 whilst in Swakopmund.
      • Accommodations (double occupancy) for the nights of April 3 through April 16.
      • Meals from dinner on April 3 through breakfast on April 17, except meals listed in Not Included section.
      • Local branded beverages whilst at Kwessi Dunes Lodge and Camp Doros.
      • Mineral water on board the safari vehicle.
      • Transfers on April 3 and April 17 between the Galton 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.
      • Passport and visa fees.
      • Divergent airport transfers (arranged by us) and extra hotel nights.
      • Optional ninety-minute helicopter excursion in Sossusvlei.
      • Optional sixty-minute hot air balloon ride over the Namib Desert.
      • All local beverages except for mineral water on board the safari vehicle and whilst at Kwessi Dunes Lodge and Camp Doros.
      • 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 premium/imported beverages, items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Traveler Form.

      Climate

      Namibia in April experiences a transition from the rainy season to the dry season, with rain becoming less frequent and mostly short, isolated showers. The skies are generally clear to partly cloudy, often showcasing dramatic sunsets. Daytime temperatures are pleasant, typically ranging from 75 to 90°F (24 to 32°C) depending on the region, while nights can be cool, especially in the desert areas where temperatures may drop to around 50 to 59°F (10 to 15°C). Humidity levels decrease throughout the month, making the climate comfortable for travel and outdoor activities.

      Fitness Level

      This is an active adventure designed for travelers with good energy and a moderate level of fitness. The itinerary includes a mix of activities such as game drives, a scenic flight, quad biking, and kayaking, most of which are accessible to anyone in generally good health. That said, some experiences, like climbing the towering dunes of Sossusvlei or trekking in Damaraland, may require a bit more stamina. The trip is thoughtfully paced to suit a range of fitness levels, so everyone can fully enjoy Namibia’s incredible landscapes and wildlife. If you have any health concerns that might affect your participation, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to talk it through with you.

      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 3.
      • Depart from Windhoek, Namibia (WDH) after 5:00am on April 17.

      Flights we book

      • Private scenic charter flight from Kwessi Dunes to Swakopmund on April 8
      • Optional 90-minute helicopter ride in Sossusvlei on April 6 or 7
      • Optional 60-minute sunrise hot air balloon ride with brunch on April 7 or 8

      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.