quicklinks > request itinerary : regions : itineraries
Namibia
Namibia is a huge and breathtaking land, famous for its magical scenery, wide-open spaces, and excellent game-viewing.
Each region of this stunning country offers something different, and a trip to Namibia will allow you to experience some of Africa’s greatest sights: from the rugged raw beauty of the Fish River Canyon in the south, to the towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei, the exquisite Namibrand Nature Reserve, the dramatic Skeleton Coast, and the lush wetlands of the Caprivi Strip in the north. Astonishing contrasts are everywhere for the visitor to savour.
The landscape and animals are Namibia’s defining natural assets. For a Namibian safari, wildlife lovers should head straight to the waterholes of Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s largest game parks, or to Damaraland and Kaokoland, home to the desert adapted Elephant and Rhino, both unique to Namibia. The northern Caprivi Strip is home to a number of smaller reserves offering excellent game viewing, and is easily accessible from Victoria Falls, and hence Botswana, Zambia or Zimbabwe.
Namibia’s most dramatic destination, however, is most certainly the Skeleton Coast. The Skeleton Coast is a region of haunting beauty, a landscape of roaring sand dunes and mile after mile of windswept beaches, interrupted only occasionally with shipwrecks and whale carcasses, seal colonies, and towering canyons. An amazing number of animals and plants manage to eke out an existence in this harsh environment, as fresh water springs permeate through the desert to create oases which sustain pockets of life. Springbok, gemsbok, desert elephant, ostrich, jackal and brown hyena and plants like welwitschia have adapted to the harsh conditions. Fly-in safaris are the best way to explore the Skeleton Coast. We operate through the Schoeman family, who have been running Skeleton Coast Fly-in Safaris for 30 years. Using light aircraft to hop around you will spend each night in a different area at tiny permanent camps with proper beds, hot bucket showers and flush loo. Alternatively, for a more permanent base there is the luxury Skeleton Coast Camp run by Wilderness-Safaris, who offer 4x4 safaris with excellent guides. The Skeleton Coast can easilly be combined with a visit to the fascinating Himba Tribe, pastoralists who lead a semi-nomadic life.
Adrenalin enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that Namibia is equally famous for its adventure activities. Sky diving, quad biking, horse riding, sand boarding, and much more is on offer in and around Swakopmund, Namibia’s adventure capital. Nearby Walvis Bay’s lagoon is a bird watcher’s paradise which is best explored by kayaking with an expert guide. Those with a passion for trekking will also find themselves well catered for in Namibia. The 80km hiking trail through the Fish River gorge is regarded as one of the most beautiful in southern Africa, and the northern Damaraland offers excellent walking safaris.
There are excellent fly-in Namibia safaris for those short of time. Self-drive is ideal for those who have longer to linger.
TRAVEL ADVICE
Namibia is a year round safari destination but the best game viewing in Etosha is generally June-October.
Skeleton Coast daytime temperatures are comfortable all year round but nights are cold.
April & May are the best times for photography due to the natural light.
Namibia combines well with Botswana and South Africa - Cape Town is just two hours flight away.
quicklinks > request itinerary : regions : itineraries
Regions in Namibia
The Caprivi in the north-east of Namibia is a narrow strip of land, 450km long and 100km wide.
Damaraland is one of the most scenic regions in Namibia with stunning landscapes ranging from expansive sand dunes to soaring mountain peeks, ancient valleys, boulder strewn floodplains and curious rock formations.
Like all of Namibia's landscapes, Etosha National Park is immense. It is the third largest national park in the world.
Fish River Canyon is famous for its stunning geographical features. The Canyon, one of the largest in the world, meanders and corkscrews for almost 160 kilometres.
The Skeleton Coast is a stretch of coast in northern Namibia, famous for the numerous skeletal shipwrecks embedded in the shores and the almost inhospitable, yet incredibly beautiful, desert that surrounds them.
Sossusvlei’s apricot dunes, the largest in the world, are one of the main highlights of any trip through the Namib Dessert.
Swakopmund is Namibia’s largest coastal town and traditional 'summer capital'.
Looming 150 metres above the plains below, the Waterberg is a spectacular sandstone plateau, 50km long and 16km wide. The area is extremely lush and fertile with a mosaic of trees and savannah supporting an abundance of wildlife including many rare and threatened species.
Windhoek, Namibia's busy capital, is a brilliant tourist spot with impressive architecture, lots of good restaurants, and easy access to nearby reserves.
quicklinks > request itinerary : regions : itineraries
Example itineraries in Namibia
Rhino and Elephant Tracking Safari
A short 3-day safari giving you the chance to sight a variety of game in Namibia's beautiful Kaokoland. You depart from Palmwag Lodge in the early morning. The next three days will be spent tracking down the famous desert elephant as well as the threatened black rhino in the 5000 km² private concession area of Palmwag Lodge. Your return journey takes you back through Fort Sesfontein.
Kaokoland and Kunene River Namibia Safari
Depart from Palmwag Lodge into the central Kaokoland, and over the notorious van Zyl’s Pass into the Marien River Valley. Meet the Ovahimba and get acquainted with their ancient customs and traditional way of life, and explore the Hartmann Valley during your two nights’ stay at the luxurious Serra Cafema Camp. The return trip traverses the eastern border of the Skeleton Coast via the Hoarusib and the Hoanib River to Palmwag Lodge.
Damaraland Wilderness Experience
This 9 day safari tour will take you to the cape fur seal colony at Cape Cross, the Messum Crater, the Ugab and Huab river areas, the Hoarusib River Valley and the game rich private concession area of Palmwag Lodge, hosting a huge variety of game, including the black rhino and desert elephant. The journey ends with an exciting outing to the private concession area of Etendeka before returning back to Swakopmund via the Skeleton Coast Park border.
This guided safari offers the client a perfect opportunity to experience Namibia's unspoilt North West. Encounter Namibia’s desert adapted elephants, nomadic Ovahimbas, the mighty Kunene river and its spectacular Epupa waterfalls, and the beauty of the Hartmann valley in total isolation from the bustle of the normal tourist routes. The tour ends with a final relaxing overnight at Palmwag Lodge (or similar) before returning back to Swakopmund via Twyfelfontein and its famous rock engravings.
Rivers and Mountains of Damaraland
Namibia's most interesting geology and rock formations can be found in the north west of the country. This specialised 6 day tour leads the client into some of the oldest and most impressive geological areas of Namibia, including the Messum crater, the Ugab and Huab river formations, Doros Crater, Twyfelfontein and the Etjo sandstone occurrence. From here, travel on past the majestic Brandberg and finally on to Namibia's own “Matterhorn”, the spectacular granite formations of the Spitzkoppe.
Ovahimba Safari in the Central Kaokoland
This excellent 5-day Namibia safari starts at the Palmwag Reserve and continues over the Sesfontein Pass into the centre of the Kaokoland. Experience the nomadic way of life of the Ovahimba and enjoy three overnight stays in the Hoarusib River, before moving onto the Hoanib River, home to the desert adapted elephant, where you’ll spend a night under starry skies. The return trip takes you to Fort Sesfontein.
This 4 day Namibia safari gives you the chance to follow the mighty Kunene River, visit the fort town of Sesfontein, the Epupa Falls, and a number of Ovahimba settlements in the Kaokoland. You depart from Palmwag Lodge and make your way to the Epupa Falls via Sesfontein, visiting a number of Ovahimba Settlements en route. Enjoy overnight camping on the banks of the magical waterfalls and day time walks to explore the surroundings. Return to Palmwag Lodge on day four via Fort Sesfontein.
Classic North East Namibia Camping Safari
This excellent 11 day Namibia safari gives you the chance to experience the rugged, densely wooded wilderness reserve of Khaudum Game Park, as well as the fertile wilderness, riverine forests, flood plains, swamps and open woodland in the Kavango and Caprivi regions bordering Botswana.
