Diverse Namibia Wilderness Adventure Safari is an active, exciting adventure, exploring key areas of this vast country – its dunes, desert, plains, and iconic wildlife – complete with exclusive accommodation in exclusive reserves and concessions.
On this adventure, you will take in the soaring red dunes of Sossusvlei, the life-filled blue Atlantic Ocean, the desert and denizens of Damaraland, and the dense plains game and predators of Etosha National Park. Throughout the Exploration are interspersed activities such as scenic walks and visiting the spectacular ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein – altogether, a true Namibian adventure with a range of activities impossible to beat!
Plus: Wilderness’ private access gate to Sossusvlei allows for early access in the morning – thereby improving photographic opportunities.
Your guide: Explorations are led by highly skilled and qualified professional guides with an incredible passion for the natural regions they work in. Sharing the adventure and guiding you on this journey of discovery combined with their vast knowledge of the natural world, history, and culture are their professions and personal hobby. Many of our guides are also skilled photographers and can assist you in taking away amazing wildlife photographs. Your guide will host you for the duration of the safari, providing you with a consistent, detailed interpretation that is shaped to your specific interests.
BRIEF ITINERARY:
Days 1 & 2: Drive from Windhoek to Kulala Adventurer Camp, Sossusvlei
Days 3 & 4: Transfer by road to Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund
Days 5, 6 & 7: Drive via Cape Cross seal colony to Damaraland Adventurer Camp, Damaraland
Days 8 & 9: Road transfer to Andersson’s Camp, Ongava Game Reserve, Etosha region
Day 10: Road transfer to Windhoek
Days 1-2: Kulala Adventurer Camp, Sossusvlei
You will be met at Windhoek Airport by your Explorations guide and begin your journey by driving 340km (211 miles) through the Khomas Hochland mountains and down into the iconic Sossusvlei region, a driving time of approximately five hours.
The first two nights are spent at Kulala Adventurer Camp on the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, a 37 000-hectare (91430 acres) tract of land near the spectacular sights of Sossusvlei, bordering the expansive Namib Naukluft Park. The camp, comprising dome tents under the shade, is perfect for taking in the Reserve’s expansive vistas and stark beauty and enjoying views into the Namib Naukluft National Park. Dining under the star-filled Namibian skies and watching a blood-red sunset punctuated by the cacophony of barking geckos are a few highlights, as is spending un-rushed quality time at the towering dunes of Sossusvlei, known for their red coloring in the early morning sunlight, accessed through our private gate which is closer to the dunes than the main park entry gate. Desert-adapted wildlife such as ostrich, springbok, and gemsbok can be seen on the reserve, as well as smaller creatures like the bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, and Cape fox.
Other activities include day and night scenic drives and walks, and optional early morning ballooning, horse riding, or quad-biking (the last three at extra cost).
Days 3 - 4: Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund
We depart camp early, driving through the snaking roads of the Kuiseb Canyon and out onto the expansive gravel plains before arriving in Walvis Bay and then finally driving up the skeleton coast into the quaint town of Swakopmund, a drive of about 5 -6 hours (approximately 370 km / 230 miles).
On Day 4, we explore the ice-blue Atlantic coast, from the port town of Swakopmund to its incredible marine mammals. A “Dolphin and Seal” catamaran cruise from Walvis Bay (weather permitting) provides a wonderful opportunity to explore this beautiful bay and coastline. The cruise takes in the Oyster Platforms, where we learn about the oysters cultivated here – including tasting the delicacies – before moving on to Pelican Point to see the lighthouse and an area in which three species of dolphins may be encountered namely the rare endemic Heaviside’s dolphin, dusky and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Aside from spotting diverse pelagic (oceangoing) birdlife, pelicans and flamingo, and Cape fur seals, the massive sunfish, leatherback turtles, and southern right and humpback whales can be seen in season.
Accommodation is at the Hansa Hotel, an iconic place that forms part of Swakopmund's architectural culture and is said to be one of the oldest buildings in the town. It is ideally situated in the center of Swakopmund within easy walking distance of town and the beach. The luxury of the hotel, its excellent cuisine, and its friendly service are well-known locally and internationally. We will have an opportunity to appreciate this hotel as well as other restaurants and sights in Swakopmund over the two days.
Days 5 - 7: Drive to Damaraland Adventurer Camp, Damaraland
We continue our journey by road 320km / 200 miles (approximately an 8-hour drive) to Damaraland, west of the Brandberg Mountain (the second-largest monolith in the world after Ayre’s Rock, Australia), stopping for lunch at Ugab Save the Rhino Trust Camp. The Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) has been involved with rhino conservation in this area since the early eighties and has been singly responsible for helping these rare animals survive and thrive so that today this area boasts the largest concentration of black rhinos anywhere on the planet outside of a national park. Community game scouts employed by the Trust as monitors are the trackers and guides.
The first two nights are spent at Kulala Adventurer Camp on the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, a 37 000-hectare (91430 acres) tract of land near the spectacular sights of Sossusvlei, bordering the expansive Namib Naukluft Park. The camp, comprising dome tents under the shade, is perfect for taking in the Reserve’s expansive vistas and stark beauty and enjoying views into the Namib Naukluft National Park. Dining under the star-filled Namibian skies and watching a blood-red sunset punctuated by the cacophony of barking geckos are a few highlights, as is spending un-rushed quality time at the towering dunes of Sossusvlei, known for their red coloring in the early morning sunlight, accessed through our private gate which is closer to the dunes than the main park entry gate. Desert-adapted wildlife such as ostrich, springbok, and gemsbok can be seen on the reserve, as well as smaller creatures like the bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, and Cape fox.
Other activities include day and night scenic drives and walks, and optional early morning ballooning, horse riding, or quad-biking (the last three at extra cost).
Days 3 - 4: Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund
We depart camp early, driving through the snaking roads of the Kuiseb Canyon and out onto the expansive gravel plains before arriving in Walvis Bay and then finally driving up the skeleton coast into the quaint town of Swakopmund, a drive of about 5 -6 hours (approximately 370 km / 230 miles).
On Day 4, we explore the ice-blue Atlantic coast, from the port town of Swakopmund to its incredible marine mammals. A “Dolphin and Seal” catamaran cruise from Walvis Bay (weather permitting) provides a wonderful opportunity to explore this beautiful bay and coastline. The cruise takes in the Oyster Platforms, where we learn about the oysters cultivated here – including tasting the delicacies – before moving on to Pelican Point to see the lighthouse and an area in which three species of dolphins may be encountered namely the rare endemic Heaviside’s dolphin, dusky and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Aside from spotting diverse pelagic (oceangoing) birdlife, pelicans and flamingo, and Cape fur seals, the massive sunfish, leatherback turtles, and southern right and humpback whales can be seen in season.
Accommodation is at the Hansa Hotel, an iconic place that forms part of Swakopmund's architectural culture and is said to be one of the oldest buildings in the town. It is ideally situated in the center of Swakopmund within easy walking distance of town and the beach. The luxury of the hotel, its excellent cuisine, and its friendly service are well-known locally and internationally. We will have an opportunity to appreciate this hotel as well as other restaurants and sights in Swakopmund over the two days.
Days 5 - 7: Drive to Damaraland Adventurer Camp, Damaraland
We continue our journey by road 320km / 200 miles (approximately an 8-hour drive) to Damaraland, west of the Brandberg Mountain (the second-largest monolith in the world after Ayre’s Rock, Australia), stopping for lunch at Ugab Save the Rhino Trust Camp. The Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) has been involved with rhino conservation in this area since the early eighties and has been singly responsible for helping these rare animals survive and thrive so that today this area boasts the largest concentration of black rhinos anywhere on the planet outside of a national park. Community game scouts employed by the Trust as monitors are the trackers and guides.
Once in the area around Damaraland, we are in the heart of the rocky desert, an ancient glacial landscape. Damaraland boasts a varied and breathtaking assortment of desert-adapted species including one of the highest concentrations of desert elephant and black rhino, and a surprisingly high diversity of wildlife including Hartmann's mountain zebra, kudu, giraffe, gemsbok, and springbok, with occasional cheetah sightings. Our activities range from nature walks, viewing the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein (a World Heritage Site); to day and night nature drives, exploring the mountains, hills, ephemeral river beds, and springs.
Looking south from camp toward the imposing Brandberg Mountains, Damaraland offers its guests endless vistas and one of the best wilderness areas in Namibia. Early morning mists generated by the clash between the icy Atlantic Ocean and the warm desert air of the Skeleton Coast, drift inland along the river sand valley, providing sustenance to the flora and fauna of the region.
Days 8 - 9: Road transfer to Andersson’s Camp, Ongava Game Reserve
Looking south from camp toward the imposing Brandberg Mountains, Damaraland offers its guests endless vistas and one of the best wilderness areas in Namibia. Early morning mists generated by the clash between the icy Atlantic Ocean and the warm desert air of the Skeleton Coast, drift inland along the river sand valley, providing sustenance to the flora and fauna of the region.
Days 8 - 9: Road transfer to Andersson’s Camp, Ongava Game Reserve
We drive approximately 330km / 205 miles (approximately 5 hours’ drive time) to Ongava Game Reserve on the boundary of Etosha National Park, to experience big game viewing and this iconic salt pan.
Etosha remains the highest-density wildlife area within Namibia, and its’ fame is justly acknowledged. The salt pan (largest salt pan in the world) is speculated to be a remnant of an ancient glacial lake - today being maintained by scouring winds across its surface and sporadic ephemeral flooding. Springs along the edge of the pan attract and quench the thirst of a dense and varied conglomeration of wildlife, mixing savanna and desert species like impala and springbuck.
On day 9 we embark on a full-day game drive into Etosha, exploring the southern roads of Etosha Pan from Okakeujo through to Halali (where we stop for lunch and relax in the cool shade watching the game coming in to drink at the waterhole), meandering our way from waterhole to spring and enjoying the endless vistas and mirages of the pan itself.
On the southern boundary of Etosha National Park and forming a buffer to the Park lies Ongava Game Reserve, a prolific 30 000ha (74130 acres) private concession. It is a haven to large concentrations of wildlife: notably lion, cheetah, black rhino, white rhino, springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest, Burchell's zebra, Hartmann's mountain zebra, waterbuck, red hartebeest, giraffe, eland, and the largest population of the endemic black-faced impala outside of Etosha.
Andersson’s Camp makes for a comfortable modern-day, eco-friendly exploration of the Etosha landscape. Its resurrected farmstead fronts onto a waterhole and the 20 tented guest units, each with an ensuite bathroom, are raised on decks for an enhanced view.
To further enhance our Etosha experience while accommodated on the private Ongava Reserve, we can enjoy night game drives and walks, while evening game viewing is enhanced with a floodlit waterhole out the front of the main area.
Day 10: Drive to Windhoek
Driving south, we return to Windhoek at 1 pm (approximate distance – 420km / 260 miles) where the adventure ends.
Rates per person sharing:
Etosha remains the highest-density wildlife area within Namibia, and its’ fame is justly acknowledged. The salt pan (largest salt pan in the world) is speculated to be a remnant of an ancient glacial lake - today being maintained by scouring winds across its surface and sporadic ephemeral flooding. Springs along the edge of the pan attract and quench the thirst of a dense and varied conglomeration of wildlife, mixing savanna and desert species like impala and springbuck.
On day 9 we embark on a full-day game drive into Etosha, exploring the southern roads of Etosha Pan from Okakeujo through to Halali (where we stop for lunch and relax in the cool shade watching the game coming in to drink at the waterhole), meandering our way from waterhole to spring and enjoying the endless vistas and mirages of the pan itself.
On the southern boundary of Etosha National Park and forming a buffer to the Park lies Ongava Game Reserve, a prolific 30 000ha (74130 acres) private concession. It is a haven to large concentrations of wildlife: notably lion, cheetah, black rhino, white rhino, springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest, Burchell's zebra, Hartmann's mountain zebra, waterbuck, red hartebeest, giraffe, eland, and the largest population of the endemic black-faced impala outside of Etosha.
Andersson’s Camp makes for a comfortable modern-day, eco-friendly exploration of the Etosha landscape. Its resurrected farmstead fronts onto a waterhole and the 20 tented guest units, each with an ensuite bathroom, are raised on decks for an enhanced view.
To further enhance our Etosha experience while accommodated on the private Ongava Reserve, we can enjoy night game drives and walks, while evening game viewing is enhanced with a floodlit waterhole out the front of the main area.
Day 10: Drive to Windhoek
Driving south, we return to Windhoek at 1 pm (approximate distance – 420km / 260 miles) where the adventure ends.
Rates per person sharing:
1st January to 31st May 2024: R79,110
1st June to 30th June 2024: R87,631
1st July to 30th November 2024: R93,325
1st December to 31st December 2024: R86,607
1st June to 30th June 2024: R87,631
1st July to 30th November 2024: R93,325
1st December to 31st December 2024: R86,607
Single supplement:
1st January to 31st May 2024: R6758
1st June to 30th June 2024: R6758
1st July to 30th November 2024: R5420
1st December to 31st December 2024: R5420
1st June to 30th June 2024: R6758
1st July to 30th November 2024: R5420
1st December to 31st December 2024: R5420
Inclusions on the Safari:
Accommodation as specified.
A reasonable amount of soft drinks, mineral water, fruit juice, house wine, and beer, as well as local spirits such as gin or Amarula whilst at Kulala Adventurer Camp, Damaraland Adventurer Camp, and Andersson’s Camp.
All meals from lunch on Day 1, excluding dinner on the second night in Swakopmund and lunch on Day 10.
All activities are as per the detailed itinerary.
Road transfers as specified.
National Park Fees.
Accommodation as specified.
A reasonable amount of soft drinks, mineral water, fruit juice, house wine, and beer, as well as local spirits such as gin or Amarula whilst at Kulala Adventurer Camp, Damaraland Adventurer Camp, and Andersson’s Camp.
All meals from lunch on Day 1, excluding dinner on the second night in Swakopmund and lunch on Day 10.
All activities are as per the detailed itinerary.
Road transfers as specified.
National Park Fees.
Exclusions on the Safari:
Visas.
All relevant entry and departure government taxes and unexpected increases thereto •All personal purchases, including curios, meals, drinks not specified above, telephone calls, compulsory comprehensive travel insurance, gratuities, etc.
All drinks whilst in Swakopmund.
Laundry.
Any pre and/or post-tour arrangements.
Optional extra activities/services that are not included in the detailed itinerary.
All flights.
Any new Government taxes, levies, fuel, or industry increases that are beyond our control.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL SAFARI NOTES
Private safari options: Tailored Explorations are available on flexible dates, accommodation, and itineraries, for groups of up to eight guests. These are also ideal for families or for small groups of four guests.
Exclusive experience: Most areas in which we travel are private concessions, with Adventurer Camps being for the sole use of Wilderness Explorations guests. At the lodges and hotels en route, we have the chance to meet other Wilderness Safaris guests.
An Adventurer camp (Kulala Adventurer Camp and Damaraland Adventurer Camp): 3m x3m (9.84 ft x 9.84 ft) dome tents (maximum of two guests per tent) on a slightly raised wooden platform, covered in shade cloth, that is semi-permanent. Our dome tents are well-ventilated with a mini veranda.
Wooden beds with mattress and crisp linen, duvets, pillows, towels, and amenities (soap, shower gel, and conditioning shampoo) are provided. In addition, there is a coir mat (inside) and a 12v reading light. The tents are large enough to stand in and move easily. The camps aim to provide simple camping comfort that is serviced. Hurricane lanterns and a good campfire light up the evening camp. Delicious meals are prepared around our campfire by our safari staff, creating a great atmosphere. The dining area is under the stars to ensure the ‘camping wilderness’ feel. A full dining table, director chairs, and bush-style stainless steel place settings and drinks glasses are set up to accentuate simple serviced comfort in pure wild areas.
The bathrooms are en-suite with the entrance to the canvas-wrap open-air bathroom (zip door) through the rear of the tent. They have a flush toilet, basin, and shower – with hot and cold running water available.
Bilingual safari dates (German): This service aims to facilitate a greater level of experience for guests that do not speak English fluently. These safaris will be led by a guide, however, there may be a translator to assist the guide. Please note on all bilingual safari dates that the guide or translator’s home language is English / Afrikaans. This additional free service does not guarantee the level of fluency in the foreign language and depending on group dynamics a varying amount of the foreign language will be spoken.
International air connection onto the safari: If arrival is planned for the day of the safari’s departure, please ensure that this is with the earliest possible international flight arrival before 10 am. Arrival on a later flight may necessitate additional road or air transfers (as the main group’s departure for the first camp/lodge will already have taken place), subject to extra cost.
Please note that if the guests overnight in Windhoek on the night before the safari begins, they will be met by the guide in the Wilderness Explorations’ vehicle from the hotel they stayed at. If they arrive by flight on the day the safari commences, they will be met at the airport.
International air connections leaving the safari: Please ensure that your departure flight is booked for after 3.30 pm from Windhoek. For earlier international departure flights, an additional transfer will be required to arrive for this connection, subject to extra cost.
Each departure is guaranteed with a minimum of 2 confirmed guests and operates with a maximum of 8 guests per safari.
If a single guest is willing to share and we can match with another guest of the same gender, the single supplement will not be charged. However, if there is no suitable match, the single supplement surcharge will apply.
Book yourThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. now or email us to get a This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Private safari options: Tailored Explorations are available on flexible dates, accommodation, and itineraries, for groups of up to eight guests. These are also ideal for families or for small groups of four guests.
Exclusive experience: Most areas in which we travel are private concessions, with Adventurer Camps being for the sole use of Wilderness Explorations guests. At the lodges and hotels en route, we have the chance to meet other Wilderness Safaris guests.
An Adventurer camp (Kulala Adventurer Camp and Damaraland Adventurer Camp): 3m x3m (9.84 ft x 9.84 ft) dome tents (maximum of two guests per tent) on a slightly raised wooden platform, covered in shade cloth, that is semi-permanent. Our dome tents are well-ventilated with a mini veranda.
Wooden beds with mattress and crisp linen, duvets, pillows, towels, and amenities (soap, shower gel, and conditioning shampoo) are provided. In addition, there is a coir mat (inside) and a 12v reading light. The tents are large enough to stand in and move easily. The camps aim to provide simple camping comfort that is serviced. Hurricane lanterns and a good campfire light up the evening camp. Delicious meals are prepared around our campfire by our safari staff, creating a great atmosphere. The dining area is under the stars to ensure the ‘camping wilderness’ feel. A full dining table, director chairs, and bush-style stainless steel place settings and drinks glasses are set up to accentuate simple serviced comfort in pure wild areas.
The bathrooms are en-suite with the entrance to the canvas-wrap open-air bathroom (zip door) through the rear of the tent. They have a flush toilet, basin, and shower – with hot and cold running water available.
Bilingual safari dates (German): This service aims to facilitate a greater level of experience for guests that do not speak English fluently. These safaris will be led by a guide, however, there may be a translator to assist the guide. Please note on all bilingual safari dates that the guide or translator’s home language is English / Afrikaans. This additional free service does not guarantee the level of fluency in the foreign language and depending on group dynamics a varying amount of the foreign language will be spoken.
International air connection onto the safari: If arrival is planned for the day of the safari’s departure, please ensure that this is with the earliest possible international flight arrival before 10 am. Arrival on a later flight may necessitate additional road or air transfers (as the main group’s departure for the first camp/lodge will already have taken place), subject to extra cost.
Please note that if the guests overnight in Windhoek on the night before the safari begins, they will be met by the guide in the Wilderness Explorations’ vehicle from the hotel they stayed at. If they arrive by flight on the day the safari commences, they will be met at the airport.
International air connections leaving the safari: Please ensure that your departure flight is booked for after 3.30 pm from Windhoek. For earlier international departure flights, an additional transfer will be required to arrive for this connection, subject to extra cost.
Each departure is guaranteed with a minimum of 2 confirmed guests and operates with a maximum of 8 guests per safari.
If a single guest is willing to share and we can match with another guest of the same gender, the single supplement will not be charged. However, if there is no suitable match, the single supplement surcharge will apply.
Book yourThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. now or email us to get a This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..