11-Nights Untouched Namibia: Dunes and Desert Safari - Tailormade Journeys — CALL

1 Arrive Windhoek, Namibia

Offering a stunning contrast to most African safari destinations, Namibia is a world unto itself, where towering sand dunes run right down to the ocean shore and arid desert landscapes painted ochre, tan and charcoal belie a vibrant ecosystem. Windhoek, its capital, with its mix of German and local ancestry, laid-back café culture and renowned arts scene, rocks to its own beat as well. Its pedestrian precinct is filled with bustling shops and market stalls, which makes for great people watching, with many cultures presented. Once here, ease into the luxurious vibe of your desert lodge and relax.

Deep in the Namib Naukluft Park lies Sossusvlei — a surreal wilderness where nature's extremes collide. Towering orange dunes rise like burning waves against a backdrop of rugged mountains and salt-crusted pans, creating a harsh yet hauntingly beautiful landscape that begs to be explored. An ecological marvel, this extreme habitat that is nonetheless home to wildlife including Hartmann’s zebra and the delicate swallow-tailed bee-eater. Fly to Sossusvlei, a vast expanse of Namib Desert sandwiched between the Atlantic’s cold Benguela Current and a rocky mountain escarpment that runs parallel more than 62 miles inland. Highlights in the area include moon-like pans grandly flanked by some of the world’s tallest dunes. Touch down and then journey overland to your luxurious camp nestled on a private concession of the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Once you settle in, the remainder of your day is free, to relax or perhaps participate in a nature walk or one of the other activities on offer, some at an additional cost.

Don your walking shoes and follow your expert guide into the pristine and untamed Namib Desert to view examples of rock art dating back 20,000 years created by the distant ancestors of today’s San people, the world’s oldest indigenous tribe. As you gain insight into their unique heritage, absorb the stark beauty of your surroundings and watch for wildlife, from desert-adapted elephants to tiny lizards.

Set out with your guide to meet with members of the San people, the bushmen of the Kalahari Desert, learn about their culture and discover how they survive in the region’s harsh landscapes, where they still carry on a hunter-gatherer way of life, as they have from time out of mind.

A laidback beach town with a rich history and warm hospitality, Swakopmund lies within the fabled Skeleton Coast. Blessed by a cooler climate than the country’s interior, it offers a mellow blend of culture and leisure with its fascinating museums and lively coastal cafés. Arrive from your substantial drive and settle into your oceanside hotel. If you have time, start exploring the desert outside town, perhaps via quad bike. Or walk the town's palm-lined streets and immerse yourself in its distinctive architecture, itself a testament to the town’s German colonial heritage, to discover firsthand why Swakopmund is considered Namibia’s playground.

Set out on an exciting boat cruise across the Atlantic. Expect some lively company while on board — curious pelicans, cheeky seagulls, and if you’re lucky, a visit from dolphins or even a playful seal or two. Arrive at the remote Pelican Point peninsula, where you disembark directly onto the beach for barbecue. Indulge in mouth-watering local fare including fresh oysters, Namibian crayfish and juicy beef fillet, all set in a perfect spot to unwind, soak up the coastal vibe and enjoy a laid-back lunch. Afterward, climb into a custom 4x4 and head deep into the Namib Desert with your guide. Ramble to Sandwich Harbour to view massive dunes that dramatically meet the ocean. Now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this surreal landscape is ancient, otherworldly and truly unforgettable.

Fly to the isolated, sparsely populated desert region called the Kaokoveld, on the Skeleton Coast, and then continue overland to your remote lodge in the heart of the arid desert wilderness, where you settle in and relax. Alone in Namibia’s wild northwest, Puros Conservancy encompasses a vast stretch of untouched terrain where wildlife big and small, native and migratory, thrives in its natural habitats. Spread across the banks of the transient Hoarusib river, Puros is accessible only by 4x4 or light aircraft, offering a more exclusive adventure for nature enthusiasts.

Venture forth on a scenic drive accompanied by our knowledgeable local guides and get one step closer to the mesmerizing fauna and the region's breathtaking landscapes. Keep watch for gemsbok, springbok and Hartmann’s mountain zebras. Rarely, sightings might include desert elephants, lions and the occasional black rhino. Scan for the sky as well for birdlife such as the Gray’s lark, Monteiro’s hornbill and the endemic Cinderella waxbill. These avian wonders are often found near the Kunene River, where you may also see Nile crocodiles basking on the sunbaked banks.

Continue exploring the Puros Conservancy, the home of the Himba — among the last semi-nomadic peoples in this hauntingly beautiful country. They are one of the most isolated but culturally rich ethnic groups in the world. Visit their community for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Meet the Himba in an authentic setting and learn about their pastoral lifestyle, as well as their age-old traditions of preparing incense and crafting jewelry from ostrich eggshell beads, grass, cloth, and copper.

Once-unproductive farmland has been utterly transformed at the edge of Etosha National Park: after years of regenerating the land, Ongava Reserve has become a success story for the region's endangered wildlife. Both black and white rhinos are the focus of its efforts, though lions and elephants roam its grassy horizons. Drive to your tented camp located near Etosha National Park — a huge saltpan measuring 75 miles across and 31 miles wide — one of Africa's premier wildlife sanctuaries and home to the endangered cheetah.

Venture through the Etosha National Park on a game drive through woodland, waterhole and savanna, watching for elephants, lions, rhinos, springboks, jackals and more. If you prefer, set out on a guided bush walk, experiencing this natural habitat at ground level with an armed expert by your side. This evening, a night drive in the bushveld reveals the glow of watching eyes or perhaps a ghostly silhouette of a wild creature that slinks away among the shadows. Make the most of excellent photo opportunities from a range of perspectives, with wildlife sometimes view from just yards away.