Spend 12 days traveling across the dramatic landscapes of Namibia and learn first hand about the people and wildlife that live here. Explore Sossusvlei and the surrounding sand dunes, sea kayak with seals and dolphins, visit a Himba village, stay in the exclusive Huab Under Canvas and navigate across the Etosha salt planes. This active Namibia adventure is a must for any wildlife enthusiast!
Highlights
Experience the world's tallest freestanding sand dunes, Sossusvlei
Stay in the exclusive //Huab mobile camp “Under Canvas” style
Visit a Himba village to learn about their traditions, beliefs & daily life
Explore the Etosha salt pans, created by a lake millions of years ago
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
You are met at the Windhoek International Airport and transferred to the Galton House. Your guide will join you for a relaxing dinner at the hotel in order to brief you on the two weeks to come. Your adenture awaits!
Arise at your leisure this morning following your long journey to Namibia. After breakfast, you will set off with your guide to Okonjima – the home of the AfriCat Foundation. This wildlife sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation and habitat preservation of Africa’s large cats, and is the world’s largest leopard and cheetah rescue and release program.
Make your way this afternoon to the Okonjima Bush Camp and settle in after an exciting, yet informative first day. You also have the option to visit the Okhandja Craft market en-route to Okonjima Bush Camp.
Enjoy an early morning game activity from Okonjima Bush Camp before a delightful brunch back at the lodge. After freshening up your guide will accompany you to the Ongava Reserve on the boundary of Southern Etosha National Park – keep an eye out for big game en route!
Today is dedicated to an in-depth exploration of southern Etosha National Park and Ongava Game Reserve. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including lion, leopard, giraffe, elephant, zebra and kudu. Etosha’s game-viewing centers around its numerous springs and watering holes, where several species can often be seen at one time.
Return to Ongava Lodge by nightfall and enjoy a meal under the stars.
Rise early for a full day of exploration as you make your way to Damaraland and the unique //Huab Under Canvas experience. Damaraland is typified by magnificent table topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation, and you may find yourself stopping every few miles for photos. Appreciate the feeling of solitude as you travel onwards before locating a local Himba settlement. Here you will learn about the customs and traditions of this very proud nation, who comprise one of last most traditional peoples of Namibia.
Your day concludes upon reaching the mobile site of //Huab Under Canvas. This completely exclusive location is yours to enjoy for the next three nights.
For the next two days you will explore this remarkable area with your private guide, returning each evening to your private camp under the stars. Although the landscape is harsh, the Damaraland offers a surprising refuge for desert-adapted wildlife including elephants, giraffe, springbok and rhino. Join your guide and experienced local tracker while they search for the elusive and endangered black rhinoceros – a truly unique experience possible in this part of Namibia. You can also opt to join your guide on scenic nature drives or walks to best explore this vast and astounding ecosystem.
In th evenings, return to //Huab Under Canvas, where the “Camp Magicians” prepare a delectable dinner under the expansive night sky.
Rise early this morning and head south for the coastal town of Swakopumnd. Along the way, keep your eye out for the Brandberg, Namibia’s tallest mountain standing at 2574m in height. Upon your arrival in Swakopmund you are free to rest or explore the city’s German colonial landmarks by foot. Join your guide for dinner at one of the city’s famous seafood restaurants before retiring to bed.
Today you will set out for a memorable day of kayaking in Walvis Bay, where you have the opportunity to see bottlenose dolphins, Cape fur seals, flamingos and a variety of other sea birds. If you are lucky, you may also see whales or leatherback turtles. Return to Swakopmund in the afternoon for another chance to explore this historic town before dinner.
Your drive today passes through the fascinating landscape of the Gaub and Kuiseb canyons and onwards to the sand dunes of Sossusvlei. If time permits, your guide can take you to the Elim Dune, a nearby geological attraction.
Settle in for an early evening in Sossusvlei – the final leg of your journey awaits you!
Note: As an alternative to the drive from Swakopmund to Sossusvlei you may take a sceinc light aircraft flight over the Dune Sea, where you can see abandoned mining camps, shipwrecks and salt pans for an additional fee.
This morning you will set out early for a magical day in the Namib Naukluft National Park, beginning with a memorable sunrise over the towering sand dunes. This area is home to some of the highest free-standing sand dunes and the world, and your guide will escort you while giving you insight into the formation of the Namid Desert and its myriad of fascinating plants and creatures. After a full morning of exploration settle in under the shade of a camel thorn tree for a picnic breakfast.
Return to your lodge in the early afternoon, stopping to see the Sesriem Canyon en route. Relax for the rest of the afternoon after an eventful and exhilarating day exploring the sand dunes.
Day 12: Return to Windhoek | Departure
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
After breakfast bid farewell to the Namib Desert and the Desert Homestead Outpost, and make your way back to Windhoek via the Great Escarpment and Khomas Hochland highlands. Depending on your flight time, your guide will either drop you off at the airport or say goodbye at a hotel of your own choice.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$7,2072-3 travelers
Notes
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Rates based on current exchange rate NAD/US dollars. Please contact us for exact quote in US dollars.
Initial deposit is 25% ($400 minimum), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 254 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 254 reviews on
2 days ago
The holiday of a lifetime. The company is Alaksa-owned and thhat makes a big difference to the experineces you get i.e. meet genuine First Nations tribes people. The amount of wildlife was beyond my expectation, and seeing everything on sucha small, intimate boat made it even more spoecial and unique.
Liz O
2 days ago
Adventure Life covered all the details in planning our trip to Ireland. Any questions we had were answered immediately. Any trip glitches, which always happen when traveling, were resolved immediately. There were no worries, just fun!
Kathleen Weller
2 days ago
It was an outstanding, up-close, educational vacation of nature, culture, history, animals and geology! It was everything they promised! Binoculars were plentiful on the boat, but I'm glad I brought my own. Food was excellent. Rooms had black-out shades. Pack/wear multiple layers of clothing (I carried a small backpack when off the ship). Crew were delightful and very accommodating! Remember to jump FEET FIRST first when taking the optional polar plunge! Spend as much time outdoors as you are able and ENJOY!!!
Janet Dutton
1 week ago
Excellent travel advice and service
This is my second experience working with Adventure Life. I’m sold. Jess Heuermann is an experienced traveler and provides a lot of useful information when planning a trip. These are the questions I like to ask at the outset - What’s it like to go here, there, what would you suggest, what do people report, can we add any additional side trips? Jess took the time to answer my questions and seek additional information to share with me. Petchie Colina is outstanding in helping with travel logistics and final preparations. Adventure Life has excellent guides and offers private guides and small group adventures. We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the guides and drivers to learn more about their countries, cultures and histories. A highlight was having the guides pick local restaurants where we could share meals together. Highly recommend.
Claire Cordon
1 week ago
Our six-day tour in Iceland went smoothly with one exception. We had asked for two rooms each night. Somehow we were booked with one room with three beds. It could not be fixed at the first hotel in Reykjavik because the hotel was fully booked. Once informed of the problem, however, Adventure Life rebooked for two rooms for the remainder of the trip. As an 85-year-old traveler, I appreciated that one could participate at different physical levels at many of the stops. Iceland is a great place to visit but on the expensive side.