Namibia Beyond the Ordinary

Welcome to Namibia! Your journey begins in Windhoek, the country's vibrant capital, where African culture blends with a fascinating German colonial heritage. Upon arrival, enjoy an included airport transfer to your hotel before meeting your local leader and fellow travellers at a welcome meeting this evening. If you arrive early, take time to explore the city’s tree-lined streets, admire its distinctive architecture, browse local craft markets, or relax at one of the many cafés. Later, join your group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant and get excited for the incredible landscapes, wildlife, and experiences that await over the coming days.

An airport arrival transfer is included. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel.

This morning, journey through Namibia’s striking desert landscapes to Sesriem, the gateway to the iconic dunes of Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, and Sesriem Canyon. Upon arrival, settle into your Feature Stay accommodation, perfectly positioned on the edge of the Namib-Naukluft National Park and surrounded by breathtaking desert scenery.

Enjoy lunch overlooking the vast wilderness before spending the afternoon at leisure, perhaps relaxing by the pool or taking in the panoramic views from your private terrace. Later, set out on an exclusive guided 4x4 nature drive through the desert, where you'll discover the remarkable plants and wildlife that have adapted to this harsh environment. As the sun begins to set, pause for a refreshing drink while admiring the changing colours of the landscape before returning to the lodge for dinner and an evening overlooking the illuminated waterhole.

Today’s total driving time is approximately 6 hours, including stops.

Rise early for a visit to the spectacular Sossusvlei region, where some of the world's highest sand dunes create one of Namibia’s most iconic landscapes. Climb famous Dune 45 and enjoy breathtaking views across the endless sea of red dunes as the morning light transforms the desert into a palette of vibrant colours.

After breakfast, continue to the remarkable Deadvlei, a surreal white clay pan scattered with ancient blackened camel thorn trees and surrounded by towering dunes. This extraordinary setting is one of the most photographed locations in Africa and offers unforgettable opportunities for exploration and photography. Later, visit Sesriem Canyon, a natural gorge carved by centuries of water erosion, and enjoy a peaceful walk through its shaded passageways before returning to your lodge for a relaxing evening in the heart of the Namib Desert.

Today, travel to the charming coastal town of Swakopmund, where the vast Namib Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, stop in the quirky settlement of Solitaire, famous for its rustic atmosphere and renowned homemade apple pie. Continue through the dramatic landscapes of the Namib, passing the lunar-like scenery of Moon Valley and crossing the Tropic of Capricorn.

Near Walvis Bay, keep an eye out for flamingos and other migratory birds that gather in the lagoon throughout the year. Arriving in Swakopmund, enjoy some free time for lunch before joining your leader on an orientation walk through this unique seaside town. With its German colonial architecture, oceanfront setting, and relaxed atmosphere, Swakopmund offers a fascinating blend of European heritage and African culture.

Today’s total driving time is approximately 5 hours, excluding stops. Many of the roads we travel on today will be untarred and often corrugated. They are some of the worst on this itinerary so be prepared for some extra bumps.

Enjoy a full day at leisure in the coastal town of Swakopmund, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Namib Desert. Spend your time strolling along the beach, browsing local markets, visiting museums, or simply soaking up the town’s relaxed atmosphere and unique German-Namibian charm.

For those seeking more adventure, an optional excursion to Cape Cross offers the chance to witness one of the world's largest colonies of Cape fur seals. Here, thousands of seals gather along the rugged coastline, creating an unforgettable wildlife spectacle. You can also visit the historic cross erected in honour of Portuguese explorer Diego Cão, who became one of the first Europeans to reach Namibia’s shores in the 15th century.

Your leader will take you to a local activity centre where a range of activities will be on offer. We have not risk assessed all activities and only those listed in Optional Activities are recommended. It is against our policy for leaders to facilitate the booking of any activities that have not been risk assessed or do not adhere to our company’s Responsible Travel policy and ethos. This includes organising transport to and from these activities in our vehicles.

Today, leave the Atlantic coastline behind and journey into the rugged wilderness of Damaraland, one of Namibia’s most dramatic and scenic regions. Along the way, admire an ever-changing landscape of mountains, desert plains, sand dunes, rugged coastlines, and remnants of historic shipwrecks that tell stories of the Skeleton Coast.

Arriving in Damaraland, discover a land of striking contrasts, known for its ancient rock art, petrified forests, unique geological formations, and rich cultural heritage. Depending on the season and a bit of luck, you may even spot the region’s famous desert-adapted elephants roaming freely across the arid terrain. This evening, settle into your comfortable accommodation, relax by the swimming pool, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings as the sun sets over the Namibian wilderness.

Today’s total driving time is approximately 5 hours, including stops. Many of the roads we travel on today will be untarred and often corrugated. They are some of the worst on this itinerary so be prepared from some extra bumps.

This morning, delve into Namibia’s rich natural and cultural heritage with visits to two of Damaraland’s most remarkable attractions. Explore the UNESCO-listed Twyfelfontein rock engravings, home to one of the largest collections of ancient rock art in southern Africa, and gain insight into the lives and beliefs of the region’s earliest inhabitants. Then visit the Petrified Forest, where massive fossilised tree trunks dating back millions of years offer a fascinating glimpse into the distant past.

Later, enjoy an immersive cultural experience at the Damara Living Museum, where you'll learn about one of Namibia’s oldest indigenous cultures through traditional customs, skills, and storytelling. After a morning of discovery, return to your lodge and spend the remainder of the day relaxing in the peaceful surroundings, perhaps unwinding by the pool while taking in the beauty of the Namibian landscape.

We will be accompanied by local guides at both the Petrified forest and the Twyfelfontein sites. The guided walks take between 30-60 mins and although not difficult there are some steep rocks and hills at the Twyfelfontein site. It can get hot at this time of day so be sure to have a hat, sunscreen and a bottle of water with you.

On instances where we use an alternative lodge to Mopane Lodge, the included activities scheduled for today may occur a day earlier to minimise driving time.

Today, travel from Damaraland to the world-renowned Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s finest wildlife destinations. Upon arrival at your lodge, enjoy some time to relax and take advantage of the facilities, whether that means cooling off in the pool, unwinding with a book, or enjoying a refreshing drink while overlooking the surrounding wilderness.

Later in the afternoon, join an expert guide for a nature walk through the Mopane woodlands surrounding the lodge. Learn about the region’s unique ecosystems, indigenous plants, birdlife, and smaller wildlife species while gaining a deeper appreciation for the natural environment. As the sun begins to set, soak up the atmosphere of this remarkable wildlife region, known for its abundant animal populations and exceptional safari opportunities.

• Today’s total driving time is approximately 2.5 hours.

Rise early for an exciting full-day 4WD safari through Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s premier wildlife reserves. Explore the park’s vast salt pans, open grasslands, and waterholes while searching for an impressive variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, giraffes, black rhinos, zebras, antelope species, and numerous birds. With over 300 bird species recorded in the park, Etosha is also a paradise for birdwatchers.

After a rewarding day of wildlife viewing, return to your lodge and relax in comfort. Unwind by the pool, enjoy panoramic views from the viewing deck, or simply soak up the peaceful atmosphere from the veranda while reflecting on the unforgettable safari experiences of the day.

After breakfast, begin the journey back to Windhoek, bringing your unforgettable Namibian adventure to a close. Take in the final views of the country's vast landscapes as you travel through the heart of Namibia one last time. Your trip concludes upon arrival in Windhoek at approximately 1 pm. If you are departing today, we recommend booking onward flights for late afternoon or evening. For those wishing to spend more time exploring the capital or surrounding areas, additional accommodation can be arranged in advance, subject to availability.

Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours including stops and you will arrive in Windhoek at approximately 1pm.

You can fly out today if you wish, but bear in mind that the airport is an hour's drive from town, so you may consider staying an extra night.