Spectacular Namibia - Namib Desert Dunes, Etosha and more

Upon arrival and after clearing customs & immigration, meet our representative who will assist you with transferring to your hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel depart from Windhoek and set out for your Namib Desert Lodge. Pass through the gateway to Sesriem Canyon and Sossusvlei, where some of the highest sand dunes on Earth stand towering over the white desert plains. The afternoon can be spent relaxing at the pool, or taking part in optional activities offered at the lodge.

Early morning departure to arrive at Namib Naukluft National Park with the sunrise, the first rays of sunlight paint the mountains of sand into a variety of apricot, red and orange tones, contrasted against a crisp blue skyline. You’ll be captivated by the surreal beauty of Deadvlei, a white clay pan surrounded by some of the tallest sand dunes on Earth. Nearby lies Sossusvlei, where the dry Tsauchab River dramatically ends among the dunes. Take the opportunity to climb one of these majestic dunes for breathtaking views of the desert landscape below. Afterwards, visit the Sesriem Canyon, a remarkable natural formation that has sustained life in the heart of the Namib Desert for centuries. Afterward transfer back to the desert lodge for overnight.

After breakfast, continue your journey toward the small settlement of Solitaire on the edge of Namib-Naukluft National Park, where you’ll feel as though you’ve reached the middle of nowhere. Enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of the famous apple pie celebrated in many travel books before travelling through the desolate, rolling hills of the Kuiseb Valley toward the Atlantic Ocean. Upon reaching the coastal town of Walvis Bay, visit its shallow lagoon, which is one of Africa’s most important wetlands, home to over 80% of the continent’s flamingos, creating a breathtaking spectacle when seen in flocks. Continue along the scenic route between the dune belt and the Atlantic Ocean to Swakopmund, where you’ll spend the rest of the day at leisure. With its palm-lined streets and seaside promenades, Swakopmund is one of Namibia’s most popular holiday destinations.

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a day at leisure in Swakopmund. *Optional Activities available for an additional cost. Often called the “Playground of Namibia” for its blend of adventure and relaxation. Stroll through this charming coastal town, visiting its historic buildings, museums, and boutique shops, or unwind with coffee and freshly baked pastries at a local café. For the more adventurous, explore the Namib Desert on a guided day tour to discover the unique plants and animals that thrive in this harsh environment, or see it from the air on a scenic flight. Thrill-seekers can take to the dunes for quad biking, sandboarding, or even skydiving over the desert. As evening falls, soak up the town’s laid-back, bohemian atmosphere at a lively beach bar along the promenade.

After breakfast, leave the foggy coast behind and depart towards Damaraland. The journey takes us through the mining village of Uis and past the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain, just shy of 2 600m. We then continue further into Damaraland, one of the least populated and most geologically diverse areas in Africa. This harsh, rocky environment is home to the elusive desert elephant, the black rhino and free-roaming antelope species. Arrival at the lodge will be in the afternoon, with the remainder of the day at leisure to soak up the atmosphere.

Enjoy an early morning scenic nature drive through the wilderness area of the Otjimboyo Concession as we make our way towards the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain. This is the best time to capture the perfect light of sunrise and catch the last mist engulfing the mountain. We then continue down into the dry Ugab riverbed, which we follow back towards the camp. Stopping under one of the majestic camelthorn trees, we enjoy a light picnic lunch. On our drive along the meandering river, we might encounter the elusive desert elephant that roams the dry riverbeds of the Damaraland, feeding on the nutritious pods of the trees lining the riverbanks. Arriving back at the camp, you will have enough time left to enjoy the scenery or follow one of the walking trails.

During the cooler hours of the morning, you begin an adventure-filled day in the company of a local Damara guide, who leads you to Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Bushman communities engraved and painted over 2,500 images some 6,000 years ago. After visiting the nearby Living Museum of the Damara, continue to the Petrified Forest-a fascinating geological site showcasing the transformation of ancient wood into stone, set among some of the oldest landmasses on Earth. Here, you’ll also see the extraordinary Welwitschia mirabilis, the world’s oldest living desert plant. Your journey then continues to Etosha National Park, Namibia’s premier wildlife haven. Check-in to your lodge on the park’s border and unwind by the pool after a day full of exploration.

Today is devoted purely to the abundant wildlife found in the Etosha National Park, which surrounds a parched salt desert known as the Etosha Pan. The park is home to 4 of the Big Five - elephant, lion, leopard and rhino. Popular game species such as giraffe, blue wildebeest, plains and mountain zebra, hyena, lion, leopard, antelopes such as kudu, oryx, eland, as well as some of the endangered species such as Black rhino, cheetah and the black-faced impala are all found here. An extensive network of roads links over 30 water holes allowing visitors the opportunity of an extensive game viewing safari over the stretch of the park as each different area will provide different encounters.

Today begins with a game drive through Etosha National Park, offering another chance to spot wildlife you may have missed the day before and new surprises at the park’s many waterholes. The vast Etosha Pan dominates the landscape - a salt pan stretching roughly 130 km long and up to 50 km wide in places. During the dry season, the pan lies cracked and shimmering under the intense African sun, drawing animals to the few remaining water sources and making for exceptional game viewing. In the rainy season, the park transforms into a lush green oasis, alive with young foals, cubs, and chicks playing among fresh grasses and shrubs. In the afternoon, continue to your lodge, where you can relax and enjoy the evening at leisure.