Excursions in
Namibia

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Excursion

Caprivi Fishing

The Caprivi is generally acknowledged as Namibia's finest destination for fishing, with lodges like Impalila Island offering top class fishing activities for all levels of experience and expertise. Fly-fishing and lure-fishing are both on offer, with specialised fishing boats and equipment provided for both disciplines, although more advanced fly-fishermen might want to bring their own gear. The prize catch to pull out from these waters is the fabled tigerfish, which can be taken from the Okavango, Chobe or Zambezi Rivers and their tributaries. At Impalila, tigerfish can be caught all year round, with the best period generally from June to November, after the annual floods have started to recede. Other specimens you can pull out of the water include olive bream, tilapia and catfish. A catch and release policy is almost always enforced, but there is still a distinct thrill to reeling in a large, impressive specimen such as a tigerfish, and when the excitement dies down you can enjoy the ambience of being out on a boat with a cold sundowner in hand.

Excursion

Game Drives

With so many water based Caprivi activities, game drives don't always dominate the activity list in the same way that they do in traditional safari hotspots. However, the Mamili and Mudumu National Parks really are excellent, bordering the fabled Botswana game haven of the Linyanti Wetlands and attracting most of the same species. In the Caprivi Strip, elephant, hippo and a diverse range of antelope will inevitably be spotted, while the birdlife is simply exceptional. There are also some decent predator populations, with lion, leopard, hyena and even sometimes wild dog among the potential sightings in certain areas. It's usually an early start for breakfast before setting off on a drive as the sun slowly rises: a cool but utterly enchanting time to be on the road, as the bush slowly wakes up and wildlife emerges to face the day. There are frequent stops to view animals, learn about the flora and fauna from your guide, take photographs and enjoy refreshments. Unfortunately, off-road driving and night drives are not permitted within the national parks, but the Caprivi is still relatively undiscovered so you shouldn't see too many other vehicles or people. Ndhovu, and Nkasa Lupala are among the camps offering game drives in the richest wildlife areas.

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Birdwatching

As with Botswana's Okavango Delta and Panhandle areas, the Caprivi Strip offers outstanding year round birdwatching. Staying at lodges such as Impalila, Nkasa Lupala and Ndhovu exposes guests to a great range of colourful birdlife, both great and small. Water birds are abundant of course, with kingfishers, storks, herons, fish eagles and bee eaters tending to catch the eye most readily. There are also rarities such as wattled crane and slaty egret. Birding excursions can be enjoyed from most of the lodges either by boat or on foot, with Impalila Island Lodge offering possibly the best dedicated birding programmes and guides. For real enthusiasts, evening boat trips are a must, with rare and less sociable species emerging to be easily picked out with a spotlight by your guide. Then there are guided walks on the islands amidst the lush waterways, which are both an effective way of finding the more timid, forest dwelling birds, and an intriguing overview of the topography of the area. A wealth of migrant birds arrive between November and April, a period that is widely regarded as the premier ornithological months of a first class birding area.

Excursion

Village Visits & Island Walks

As Namibia's most densely populated region, there is plenty of cultural interest and daily life to be observed by simply driving the length of the Caprivi Strip. This obviously applies to certain areas more than others (e.g around Rundu and Popa Falls), as some of the lodges around Mamili and Mudumu for instance feel genuinely remote in a similar way to Botswana's Delta and Linyanti areas. In the western Caprivi, Ndhovu Lodge operates a fascinating visit to Kamutjonga Village to meet the local Kavango people, while at Nkwazi there are community tours and slightly kitsch tribal dance shows to enjoy. Cultural activities at the eco-friendly Impalila Island Lodge combine visits to diminutive villages with guided botanical walks to learn about the unique flora and fauna of the island. Here, ancient baobab trees preside grandly over views of four different countries at the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers. For self-drivers, just stopping to buy fruit, chat to children and watch local artisans and fisherman go about their business all constitutes a memorable Caprivi highlight.

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Boat Cruises

A boat cruise on the rivers, tributaries and channels of the Caprivi Strip is a highly enjoyable activity, with a more tranquil feel then game drives. Late afternoon cruises can be particularly relaxing, as you watch the sun set beautifully over the waters with a drink in hand before slowly making your way back to camp for dinner. Wildlife encounters will generally involve hippo, and you will almost certainly see crocodiles basking in the sun. From certain lodges such as Nkasa Lupala, you’re also likely to find water based antelope running through the shallower waters, and elephant and buffalo arriving to drink. The varied birdlife sightings from the water are extremely impressive, and it is not unheard of to see predators on the riverbank from a boat, although these are generally scared off by the engine noise. The exact body of water you will explore depends entirely on the location: in the western Caprivi at lodges such as Ndhovu and Nkwazi you can get onto the mighty Okavango; Mazambala is right next to the Kwando River; Nkasa Lupala allows guests to explore the channels of the Linyanti-Kwando Delta; while in the far east at areas such as Impalila Island, serene sundowner cruises on the Zambezi and game viewing boat trips on the Chobe Riverfront are possible.

Excursion

Spa Treatments

There are a growing number of spas in Windhoek where you can enjoy a massage treatment, with a selection of accommodations also offering an in-house service. By far the best at the moment is the Wellness Village at Gocheganas, unquestionably the most serene and luxurious place to stay close to the capital. There are eleven treatment rooms, a cave sauna, indoor heated pool, hydrotherapy pool and a range of treatments to choose from, meaning facilities match those you might find at a spa escape in the UK, with far better views! A little pampering here amid time to explore the reserve is the perfect beginning or end to a Namibian safari.

Excursion

Nature Drives - Windhoek

For those indulging themselves at the beginning or end of a Namibia itinerary with a stay at Gocheganas, the private nature reserve harbours some real treasures. Guided nature drives reveal spectacular scenery and potentially some fantastic wildlife for a location so close to the capital. There are diverse antelope species, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, and white rhino, all of which you have a decent chance of spotting. With night drives possible on private land, you may even see leopard and some truly rare nocturnal sightings such as pangolin and porcupine, while secluded sundowners are a relaxing means to enjoy the tranquillity of the reserve.

Excursion

City Tour

Windhoek is an easy city to navigate under your own steam, especially for those on self-drive itineraries. If you are spending a day there, we would recommend that you take the time to come in from the suburbs to explore the centre. Highlights include the shopping and coffee shops of Independence Avenue, the Alte Feste Museum and the striking Lutheran Christ Church, which is the best example of numerous German colonial buildings that make the centre an attractive walking area. For those with a particular interest in learning more about this distinct history and the influences that have made Windhoek the city it is today, we can arrange a half day guided city tour.

Excursion

Dune Drives

Guided desert drives in Namibia always tend to involve dune bashing, roughly translated as navigating a veritable desert roller coaster by 4WD vehicle, often as quickly as possible while still remaining safe. This obviously requires a skilled driver and an appropriate vehicle, both of which are provided on Skeleton Coast Safaris itineraries. At various, utterly remote spots along the Skeleton Coast, you will board a vehicle while your driver / guided weaves a thrilling path through the desert. One potential site is close to Terrace Bay, within the Skeleton Coast National Park, but the attractive flexibility of these trips means that there are various sites which could be utilised, depending on exactly where your landings take place. At some point, the driver will turn the engine off and slowly glide down the dunes, when you will hopefully hear the haunting sounds of the roaring sands as you slide down into a valley. While this can get the pulse racing, there is no genuine danger involved and the experience creates a genuine sense of adventure.

Excursion

Nature Walks - Skeleton Coast

It's difficult to generalise about the exact nature of walks over such a large and diverse area as the Skeleton Coast, but it's safe to assume they will include fascinating insights into life in the desert and some decent levels of exertion amongst the rugged terrain. Serra Cafema Camp in the far northern Kunene region is surrounded by the Hartmann Mountains, with some highly enjoyable and challenging unguided hikes in the gullies, peaks and valleys within a stone's throw of camp. Getting further afield, you might pause on a quad biking or nature drive excursion for a short walk and a period of quiet contemplation amid the genuinely spectacular landscapes for which the area is renowned. On a mobile, light aircraft Skeleton Coast Safari, there are stops for walks on various beaches along the coast, perhaps pausing to mingle with a cape fur seal colony or to explore an eerie shipwreck. The further you enter the dense dunes away from the coastline, the more these excursions resemble the dedicated desert walks in Sossusvlei, the Namibrand Nature Reserve and Swakopmund, opening up keen insights into the smaller details of life in the desert. Perhaps most attractively of all, there is no better way to appreciate the stark, peaceful atmosphere of this incredibly remote area than by getting out on foot, far away from engine noise.

Excursion

River Cruises

Skeleton Coast boat cruises actually tend to take place in the inland northern Kunene region, outside the national park but within an area that is often still classified as the Skeleton Coast. This is largely due to the similar landscapes and experiences on offer, plus its inclusion on Skeleton Coast Safaris itineraries. The luxurious Serra Cafema camp is beautifully situated on the banks of the Kunene River, where boat cruises can be enjoyed to appreciate the scenery and wildlife of the area, provided water levels are high enough,. These are usually combined with a relaxing sundowner as the boat turns its engines off and drifts peacefully on the waters. Alternatively, a morning cruise can be taken at a nearby spot on the same river, with the focus on colourful aquatic birdlife, basking crocodiles and dense riverine vegetation. Skeleton Coast Safaris programmes also hit this river in the morning, usually on the last day of an itinerary before heading back to Windhoek. With a wide array of more frenzied activities such as quad biking, hikes and light aircraft flights generally dominating itineraries to this area, river cruises are a welcome change of pace!

Excursion

Nature Drives - Skeleton Coast

A strikingly different experience to the dune bashing drives that explore the sandiest stretches of the Skeleton Coast in exhilarating fashion, nature drives are more relaxing affairs that focus on the unique flora and fauna. There is a surprising diversity of wildlife that can cling to life in the harsh, arid conditions of this desert eco-system, with minimal food and water available during the dry season. Drives on a Skeleton Coast Safaris itinerary include searches for desert elephant and giraffe in the Huab and Hoarusib River Valleys. Further north in the Hartmann Valley, there are mountain zebra, ostrich and oryx to be found, and these will also be on the agenda during a drive from the permanent Serra Cafema camp. You may even get lucky and happen upon a true rarity such as a brown hyena or desert lions. Along the way, there will be numerous stops to explore the smaller details which you might otherwise miss, from birds and reptiles to distinctive desert vegetation. There is certainly not the volume of animals you will find in Etosha, but the rugged, unspoiled scenery is absolutely breathtaking, meaning these drives are about far more than the wildlife.

Excursion

Shipwrecks

Continually lashed by the angry waters of the Atlantic, Namibia's Skeleton Coast is so wild that only the brave or foolhardy have risked sailing its waters during stormy seas. There are numerous shipwrecks along the coast, some of them extremely well preserved, bearing eerie testimony to the force of nature and the genuine isolation of the beaches upon which they are washed. For this reason, most of the wrecks or usually only visible from the skies and accessible on a light aircraft Skeleton Coast Safari, which gets participants to remote areas that few are able to reach. Airborne highlights of a Skeleton Coast Safari include views of the Eduard Bohlen wreck, at Conception Bay, not far from Swakopmund, and the Winston, the Montrose and Henrietta, all between Cape Cross and Terrace Bay. During time in the Kunene Region of extreme northern Namibia, you can visit the Kaiu Maru wreck and a scattered array of broken up fishing vessels in the near vicinity. Haunting and evocative, these wrecks tell a vivid story of the difficulties in exploring this windswept coast and the folly of ignoring nature's warnings.

Excursion

Skeleton Coast Safaris

Getting to the most remote corners of the Skeleton Coast and the Kunene Region will inevitably involve light aircraft travel, unless you are lucky enough to find an expert navigator with whom you can travel in convoy. Scenic flights needn’t necessarily be tailored excursions then, as your transfers to and from Serra Cafema camp for example will give an incredibly picturesque, sweeping overview of this unique terrain. For something utterly special though, the numerous flights undertaken on a Skeleton Coast Safari, landing in areas that others simply can’t reach, are Africa’s best series of scenic flights. These scheduled itineraries with the Schoemann family are genuinely unforgettable, staying in rustic camps in the most remote destinations imaginable, with numerous flights and activities per day. In amongst the picturesque aviation, there are also nature drives, Himba visits, shipwrecks and guided walks. From the more conventional desert dunes around Sossusvlei and Swakopmund to the dry river beds of Damaraland and the rugged mountains of Kunene, there is a searing range of breathtaking habitats that are uniquely appreciated from the skies. For those without the time or budget for a light aircraft safari or a stay at Serra Cafema, scenic flights from Swakopmund provide an airborne taster of the striking collision between desert and ocean.

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Quad Biking - Skeleton Coast

Having been lucky enough to sample many of Southern Africa's most thrilling excursions and memorable wildlife spectacles, quad biking in the remote Kunene region from Serra Cafema camp is still one of our absolute favourite experiences. The terrain is rugged, beautiful and absolutely perfect for quad biking, with steep hills, wide verdant valleys and scattered sand dunes. Potentially exhausting on foot and necessarily navigated by your guide in nature drives, there is a great thrill to being in total control at the wheel, with a guide to ensure that you don't get disastrously lost in one of the most remote, uninhabitable corners of the continent. While there are some tricky stretches and it can become tiring after a couple of hours, there is no prior level of expertise required to explore these fabulous landscapes by quad bike. Durations and routes can vary depending on the enthusiasm and skills of the group, and it may even be possible to drive to the airstrip while your luggage is transferred in a separate vehicle, should there be other guests at camp willing to participate. No matter the itinerary, there will be some truly inspirational scenery combined with stops to learn about the history, geology and wildlife of this little explored wilderness. And reassuringly, with Wilderness Safaris running the camp and the quad biking operation, environmental impact is minimised.

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Meet the Himba - Skeleton Coast

An extremely photogenic minority people in Namibia, the Himba largely occupy remote, arid areas of Kaokoland (which for our purposes comprises areas of Damaraland and the Skeleton Coast). A semi-nomadic people whose way of life has remained largely unaffected by the outside world, the Himba have become increasingly recognisable through high profile TV documentaries and some quality eco-tourism operations. While this risks changing their traditional lifestyle inexorably, Himba village visits have largely remained sensitive to their customs and requirements. Communities benefit from these cultural exchanges, but money has not yet become a central concern for the people and altered their priorities. Himba women are instantly identifiable through the ochre that hardens their hair, creating vivid colours and striking shapes. Both men and women wear minimal clothes, adorned with tribal jewellery and trinkets that it's often possible to purchase on a community visit. Living in small domed huts made from mud and grass, the women breed cattle and goats while caring for the children, whereas men are more involved in socio-political activities. All of these traditions are explored to a certain extent in village visits, and you should also get the chance to converse a little if your guide speaks some of the Herero-based dialect. Surrounded by pristine scenery in genuinely remote tracts of African wilderness, Himba cultural visits from Serra Cafema Camp or on a Skeleton Coast Safari provide a fascinating break from more traditional, nature based activities by vehicle or aircraft.

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Experiences around Lak Lake

Set amidst the lush shadow of iconic Konia trees, Lak Tented Camp is ideally located on hilly land, overlooking the serene and picturesque Lak Lake, the largest natural lake in Vietnam and protected by the range of Cu Yang Sin, mountain of genies. LAK Tented Camp provides a wealth of activities including sunrise kayaking, morning yoga, jogging tracks, egg collecting for children, tubing on the lake, Mnong coffee experience, books to read, fishing, gardening, cooking classes, rice wine tasting and more... Free bicycles are also provided so you can explore on two wheels, or by food and maps are also available to help navigate the local area. In addition, we can arrange further guided tours including an immersive biking tour to Yangtao Village, a 3 hour cultural village trek, a wild waterfall and swimming experience and even elephant trekking.

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Bushman Encounters

The San Bushmen are an indigenous Southern African people whose territory has traditionally spanned numerous countries, mainly concentrated in the Kalahari areas of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Their self-sufficient lifestyles were unchanged for centuries, surviving amidst the harshest desert conditions until a gradual incorporation of farming in the mid-20th century, meaning their communities have been of endless fascination to anthropologists. Genuine bushman experiences that are not kitschy tend to be a little more difficult to find in Namibia than in Botswana, but Fiume Lodge offers one of the best. You will head out with a translator who speaks the Bushman language fluently to learn more about their culture, history and modern daily lives. Breakfast and lunch packs are included in both half and full day excursions, and the whole activity is largely relaxed and informal. Nevertheless, you can expect to enjoy a bush walk, visit a village and learn about such cultural aspects as jewellery, how to build a fire, weapons, medicines and varying gender roles within the community.

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Meet the Herero

The Herero are an ethnic group that live in Southern Africa, predominantly in Namibia, with various settlements close to the Waterberg area. They are actually split into a number of sub-groups, including the renowned Himba who live further west, with the main unifying factors including a cattle farming lifestyle and varying dialects of the largely similar Herero language. Many of their traditions and ways of life are relatively unchanged, particularly in more remote communities, and the guided cultural tour from Waterberg Wilderness Lodge offers the chance to gain a unique insight into life in a traditional Herero village. After first dropping by at a small, humble settlement to chat with the Herero and take some photographs, you will be taken to the larger village of Okakarara to visit the school, market and community centre. Generally taking place in the morning, this excursion is rounded off with a traditional song and dance performance by the Herero women, before street snacks can be purchased at the market to keep you going for the journey back to the lodge.

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Nature Drives - Central Highlands

Our favourite Central Highlands accommodations are relaxed places on private reserves with a surprising array of wildlife. Scenic nature drives can therefore run at a languid pace and sometimes go on after dark to look for nocturnal birds and animals. The private reserve at Okonjima for example is gradually expanding and perfectly tailored to search for semi-tame and rehabilitated big cats and predators. In the Erongo Mountains, there is stunning kopje strewn scenery, a decent range of wildlife and some ancient rock paintings at Paula's Cave. The Waterberg Wilderness Reserve has superb scenery, a clay pan that can fill up in the rains and attract numerous water birds, and a pleasing variety of animals that includes giraffe, eland, buffalo, leopard, zebra and even white rhino! The rhino theme is continued on the 170 sq km private farm at Frans Indongo Lodge, where black and white rhino, plus other rarities such as black wildebeest and a variety of other antelope can be searched out on scenic sundowner drives.

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Walk in the Erongo Mountains

The Erongo Mountains showcase primeval landscapes strewn with tumbling granite boulders on the edge of an ancient volcano. These rugged outcrops hide a range of wildlife, from cobras and dassies to varied birdlife and even the odd leopard (which you are unfortunately very unlikely to see). Our favourite lodge here is within the protected Erongo Mountain Nature Conservancy, where a series of scenic guided and unguided hikes provide outstanding vistas and the chance to get familiar with the varied flora and fauna. Guided hikes will usually be included in your stay, including more demanding early morning treks up the highest nearby pikes and relaxing late afternoon sundowner strolls with spectacular mountain views. There are also a number of ancient rock paintings and engravings in the area, including Paula's Cave, which can either be included in a walk or a nature drive. Alternatively, with well-marked trails, little chance of getting lost and relatively low numbers of potentially dangerous animals, this is an outstanding area for self-guided hiking at your own pace.

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AfriCat Day Visits

The AfriCat Foundation threw open its gates to day trippers for the first time in August 2012. Visitors passing through the area can now meet the big cats and predators rehabilitated by AfriCat, gaining a wider sense of the conservation work being carried out on the private Okonjima Reserve. There will be two set departures per day, one in the late morning and one in the early afternoon, with children four and older allowed to participate. The trip includes a drive to the AfriCat Carnivore Care centre, where a guide will answer any questions you have about the foundation or the animals themselves. You will get up close and personal with some of the resident animals (mainly cheetahs) and have ample opportunity to get that potentially award winning predator photograph! A light packed lunch will also be served, as visitors enjoy the communal experience of eating together and discussing all aspects of the day's experience.

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Hike the Waterberg Plateau

The Waterberg Plateau is a scenic masterpiece, standing out in a country where picture perfect landscapes abound. Relaxing stays in this area can be interrupted with morning hikes to the top of the plateau, taking roughly three hours and achieving altitude changes of close to 200 metres. There is a surprising diversity of wildlife roaming the plateau, and although you are unlikely to come across leopard, white rhino, zebra, buffalo and antelope on your trek, your guide will be able to point out signs of their presence, such as scat, tracks and disturbed vegetation. Along the way there will be sweeping views of the Waterberg Wilderness Conservation and further across the surrounding sandveld of the area. Other attractions that your guide will highlight include intriguing sandstone formations, vast fig trees and a refreshing natural spring. Within the Waterberg Wilderness Reserve there is also a selection of unguided hiking trails, should you wish to discover the birds, animals and plants at your own leisure without shelling out for a guide.

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Meet Big Cats

The Central Highlands are home to two of Namibia’s best conservation projects, the most renowned of which is the Africat Foundation at Okonjima. Guests at Okonjima are a part of the Okonjima Experience where they will enjoy a variety of activities centred around the property’s conservation projects. In particular tracking leopard on game drives which gives fantastic opportunities to get close to these magnificent creatures whilst being involved with the guide’s collecting and collating of data. The reserve is also home to good populations of spotted and brown hyena. As a non-profit organisation, it is reassuring to know that the majority of the proceeds from these activities and your stay at Okonjima will go towards maintaining and improving the worthy conservation projects. (Please note: the cheetah rehabilitation project that the reserve used to run has now ended and the reserve is no longer a release site, therefore cheetah tracking will no longer be offered as an activity.) For those not lucky enough to stay at Okonjima, a similar big cat programme goes on at the Cheetah Conservation Fund, which can be easily visited on an excursion from Frans Indongo Lodge. Here, you can again learn about efforts to protect cheetahs in Namibia and more about the animals in general, before watching them get up to full, electric speed during sprint training

Excursion

Commonwealth War Graves & POW Camp

Incongruously located just a few kilometres east of Aus, a small cemetery and the remains of a First World War POW camp speak of Namibia's unique, little known history. It's intriguing to note that Great War hostilities travelled this far, with South African Commonwealth troops crossing the border into German controlled South West Africa in 1915 to overwhelm a token Schutztruppen force sent by the Kaiser. All of the captured officers were made to build their own POW camp amidst the harsh desert conditions, but reports indicate that they were not too unjustly treated and gradually adjusted to their lot. Ironically, it was influenza rather than combat which killed a number of people in 1918, both German and South African. Their graves can be seen in a reasonably well preserved cemetery at the end of a challenging road off the B4, buried together and with dates suggesting that many died within the same October fortnight. A short way south-east from here are the slightly underwhelming remains of the POW camp, although their story and the smattering of identifiable brick constructions can still evoke a sense of what it must have been like to be imprisoned in this inhospitable land far from home, a place to all intents and purposes utterly irrelevant to the politics of the time.

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Wild Horses of the Namib

A startling sight for anybody driving through the desert without prior knowledge of their existence, the wild horses of the Namib have adapted to the harshest possible conditions to freely roam the barren plains of the Garub, on the eastern fringes of the desert. Close to Aus and Luderitz, the wild horses are usually easy to see when driving in the area, as they often congregate next to the main road or even cross it en masse! Descended from domesticated animals used on farming settlements, the exact reasons they broke away from human influence to become wild remain shrouded in contention. This air of mystery, their unique behavioural patterns and an admiration for how they have continued to survive in the desert, even in the worst years of drought and famine, helps to account for the fascination the horses hold for locals and tourists alike. There is now a photographic hide near a trough at Garub where the horses come to drink, so if your timing is in you should return home with some excellent pictures.

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Gondwana Sperrgebiet Nature Drives

Five farms were amalgamated to form the private 50,000 hectare Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park, part of the family run Klein Aus Vista project that also incorporates the best accommodation in the area. Just north is the Namib-Naukluft National Park, and there are areas within the reserve where soft, high dunes can be found. Overall though, the landscape is usually more reminiscent of the Nama Karoo to the east, dominated by rugged granite boulders, dry riverbeds and panoramic gravel plains. After the winter rains which descend on the desert between July and September, a dazzling array of wild flowers can carpet the desert floor to bring an explosion of welcome colour. No matter the time of year, a nature drive within the park will bring superb photo opportunities and serene sundowners, with all the usual desert wildlife to seek out and the odd quivertree set starkly against an arid backdrop of broad plains.

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Luderitz City Tour

Although far less accessible than Swakopmund on a conventional self-drive itinerary, Luderitz boasts Namibia's finest examples of German colonial architecture. Sleepy, safe and welcoming, it is perfectly easy to explore Luderitz on foot at your own leisure, although we can book guided walking tours in advance and you should be able to arrange them through your hotel. The old colonial houses of the centre are delightfully painted in pastel shades, giving a pleasing splash of colour to a place that is otherwise battered by the elements. Other than the buildings themselves, highlights include a small historical museum, a couple of Luterhan churches, sweeping views over town from Diamantberg and a visit to Goerke Haus, the grandest and best preserved colonial building in town. Previously owned by diamond magnate Hans Goerke, this now contains a small information centre.

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Desert Ghost Town

Kolmanskop is an abandoned ghost town gradually being swallowed by the unforgiving Namib. The centre of the German diamond mining industry after their discovery in the early 20th century, a thriving village was established as chancers and professionals moved in, driven by avarice and ambition. The erstwhile wealth and decadence is still apparent in the grand colonial buildings, with a hospital, ballroom, school, theatre, casino and even an ice factory all constructed. Some have been restored for tourism, such as the concert hall, but most are exactly as they were left in 1954, when the supply of diamonds finally ran out. It is fascinating to witness how time and the elements are gradually wearing the buildings down, and enjoyable to plough knee deep in sand through some of the more consumed buildings. Overall, the effect is frequently eerie, particularly the black and white photography adorning some of the walls, offering a potted history of German colonialism in Namibia. There are stunning photo opportunities, with the early morning desert shades contrasting vividly with pastel coloured buildings. Please bear in mind that you need a pre-booked permit to enter Kolmanskop, but we can either secure this for you in advance, or you should be able to procure it through your accommodation. It is possible to explore under your own steam with a permit, but there are two guided tours per day on Monday to Saturday and one on a Sunday. The site closes after 1pm, so get your sightseeing done early!

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Desert Walks

For those without the time or inclination to enjoy a Trans Kalahari walk, there are less demanding, unguided treks available at our preferred Southern Kalahari accommodations. Red Dunes Lodge has four, clearly marked and extremely scenic walking trails, ranging from five to 20km and taking anything from 45 minutes to four hours. Alternatively, you can request a special walking guide for a full day tramp within 10,000 acres of pristine African wilderness. Hiking tours are also possible in the 100sq km Gondwana Kalahari Park, pre-bookable for guests staying at Kalahari Farmhouse. There are unguided bush walks on the private ranch at Bagatelle, where sociable meerkats freely roam. These trails are well marked on sign posts and trees, and there is again the option of heading out with a guide should you prefer. Wherever you're staying, there is a great feeling of tranquillity and timeless nature when exploring the unspoiled Kalahari Desert on foot.

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Nature Drives

With our preferred Southern Kalahari accommodations all offering access to private reserves or ranches, nature drives within these exclusive areas can provide a fascinating, serene introduction to desert wildlife and vegetation. A further bonus to conducting them on private land is that driving after dark is permitted, allowing for scenic sundowners and perhaps the odd glimpse of nocturnal wildlife on the way back to your lodge. Drives can set out either in the morning or late afternoon, generally incorporating a search for animals such as oryx, jackal and ostrich with stops to discuss the vegetation and smaller details such as birds, plants and insects within the Kalahari eco-system. Taking place in 4WD vehicles with skilled driver-guides, you will be able to climb some of the highest dunes and access the most rugged routes, facilitating the best possible views and wildlife spotting opportunities.

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Trans Kalahari Walk

A new experience offered exclusively from Red Dunes Lodge, the Trans Kalahari walk is the perfect way to gain a detailed understanding of this region of the great southern desert. The hike lasts for two days, heading out with a private guide deep into the dunes to discover the unique flora and fauna. On day one, there will be a long stop to enjoy lunch on a secluded hilltop and watch the desert adapted wildlife while escaping from the harshest heat of the day. After pressing on for a further couple of hours into the dunes, the night will be spent in a comfortable temporary tented camp, erected on a high dune with sweeping vistas. Dinner is prepared on a campfire before a spot of stargazing over a nightcap and an unfeasibly peaceful night’s sleep. The following day involves a visit to a plantation where scientific conservation projects are undertaken, before forging into the Nama Karoo, a very different habitat of shrubland and savannah, where there is still plenty of desert wildlife to discover. After a rewarding, tiring experience, it’s back to Red Dunes Lodge for a dip in the pool and a relaxing evening at the bar!

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Fat Bike Tours

A unique ‘must do’ Swakopmund experience. You will get to experience the breath-taking scenery of the oldest desert in the world in a fully ecological way without noise or air pollution.  Riding up along the top of Namibia’s famous dunes from which you will enjoy amazing views of the desert, the ocean and Swakopmund. This scenic desert tour is around 12 - 14km long and includes cycling in town, through the dry river bed and up and down stunning dunes.

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Dolphin Watching Cruises

There are a number of operations in Swakopmund that head out onto the water to explore the Atlantic, mainly be catamaran. The major attraction is the chance to see bottlenose and heaviside dolphins that frequent these waters in significant numbers. Playful and curious, the dolphins will often surf in the boat's slipstream, regularly surfacing to provide great photo opportunities for passengers on board. The route tends to pass Pelican Point, meaning that cape fur seals aplenty will also be spotted, along with various seabirds and occasionally even humpback whales! Over the course of cruises that generally last three hours, refreshments will be provided and dolphin sightings are virtually guaranteed, so this is a great way to spend a morning discovering the ocean first hand, if conditions are favourable!

Excursion

Desert Interpretation Tours

Swakopmund and Walvis Bay are solitary coastal outposts in an area that is largely dominated by the Namib Desert. Tours on 4WD vehicles forge deep into the dunes, stopping along the way to discover the smaller, often overlooked details of life in the desert. Your guide will search for unique, desert adapted wildlife such as sidewinders, geckos, chameleons and skinks, explaining how they come by water, camouflage themselves from predators and withstand the raging extremes of desert heat. There will be some exciting dune bashing and the sound of roaring sands, as well as stops for refreshments and lunch. At the end of this tour you should have a more detailed understanding of one of the planet's harshest environments and the surprising assortment of life that it is still able to support.

Excursion

Scenic Flights

For those not lucky enough to be moving on to a full-scale Skeleton Coast Safari, scenic flights can provide a breathtaking overview of the desert, coast and mountains that are all within short distance of Swakopmund. Durations and exact routes can vary, so you might head south towards Sossusvlei or north through western Damaraland and up towards the Skeleton Coast National Park. Whatever the route, you'll be privy to some utterly spectacular views, with the pilot able to vary altitude and give you a range of perspectives to admire. On a flight of roughly one hour's duration, you might catch sight of lonely animals in the midst of the desert or a shipwreck up the Atlantic Coast. This area can be weather beaten, with mists and rain moving in to restrict visibility and sometimes even forcing cancellation of flights, but in clear conditions this is an absolutely stunning experience for keen flyers.

Excursion

Quad Biking Namibia

It's no surprise that the dramatic undulations and soft golden sand of the Namib is perfectly suited to quad biking expeditions. Forging a determined route over the highest dunes and into the deepest valleys, quad bikes allow riders to reach areas that are inaccessible even to 4WD vehicles. Excursions last for roughly an hour, travelling within a 25 mile radius of Swakopmund so you can really feel you've travelled into the remote heart of the desert, glad there's a guide along to ensure you don't get lost. There is some debate as to the environmental impact quad bikes have on life in the dunes, but the best operators are responsible in their methods and offer a thrilling exploration of otherwise unobtainable desert climes.

Excursion

Sandwich Harbour Tours

Roughly 50km south of Walvis Bay and within the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sandwich Harbour is a starkly beautiful spot that makes for an unmissable excursion from Swakopmund. This is classic Skeleton Coast scenery, in many ways more definitive than you will find in the more northerly national park itself, with vast orange sand dunes colliding vividly with the crashing waves of the Atlantic. Day trips pass barren salt pans and vegetated dunes to arrive at Sandwich Harbour, where a doomed German colonial settlement of whalers and traders was eventually beaten by the elements. There is now one isolated building remaining, eerily clinging onto a spot between a towering dune and a freshwater lagoon that attracts a range of birdlife including snake eagles and pelicans. Over the day there will be regular stops for you to get out and enjoy a walk in the remote desert and coastal landscapes, where you might see jackal, springbok, ostrich and, if you are very lucky, brown hyena. Driving back towards Swakopmund there will be some dune bashing, as your driver weaves a thrilling path through the desert. At some point they will turn the engine off and slowly glide down the dunes so that you can hear the haunting sounds of the roaring sands as you slide down into a valley. Arriving back at your hotel in the evening, you'll know you've experienced something unique!

Excursion

Kayaking with Seals

We would recommend this activity for anyone spending time in Swakopmund, young or older, whatever your interests! South of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, Pelican Point is a remote spot on a stark stretch of Atlantic coast, with a nearby lighthouse testament to the perils this wild coastline can throw up. All of this is given life and colour by the hundreds of noisy cape fur seals which play in the waters and relax on the shore. You can get out onto the water on two-man kayaks, led by a guide to get in amongst this living cacophony. Although initially perturbed, the seals are extremely curious as to the identity of the interlopers, and they quickly become playful, swimming alongside your kayak and sometimes leaping over or even into it as you paddle! This is a magical, smile inducing experience, with roughly an hour on the water which can be as active or relaxing as you choose. You will also see plenty of fish as you paddle, such as the large, strangely ugly kingfish, and if you are extremely lucky, dolphins may pay a visit.

Excursion

Twyfelfontein Rock Art

The smattering of boulders in Twyfelftontein, relatively innocuous at first sight (given the endless drama of Damaraland's landscapes), hide a treasure trove of historical interest. There are hundreds of ancient rock paintings and engravings depicting the near prehistoric lives and struggles of the San people, including hunting scenes, animal representations and rudimentary maps and symbols. The site was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2007 and there is now a visitors' centre which blends in pleasingly with the earthy colours of the environment. Paths have been carved out for independent exploration, with viewing platforms to afford better views of some of the more inaccessible works. Self-drivers can visit and explore under their own steam, a guide can be booked at the visitors centre or we can arrange a guided tour from your lodge. Whichever method appeals most, we would definitely recommend you visit the site if you are staying in the area or passing through.

Excursion

Desert Elephant Tracking

Damaraland 's desert adapted elephant have become prominent over recent years in nature documentaries focusing on their endless struggle to find water during the driest months in this arid environment. There is a visceral thrill to locating families of desert elephant on a game drive, their very elusiveness lending elephant encounters an extra excitement compared to areas where they are abundant and sightings guaranteed. Elephant tracking drives tend to set out early, either as morning or full day activities. The elephants cover large swathes of territory, following their trunk to where they perceive water is most likely, so viewings are possible in all areas of Damaraland and it is difficult to identify a specific place where you are most likely to see them. Having said that, southern Damaraland close to Mowani, Kipwe and Doro Nawas camps sees regular elephant activity, and Grootberg Lodge offer an excellent, lengthened excursion. Even if you don't find the privacy loving pachyderms, your drive will take in various other animals and some outstanding scenery.

Excursion

Rhino Tracking

The 450,000 hectare Palmwag Concession is a remote and very special place, home to Africa's largest remaining population of endangered black rhino. Guests at Desert Rhino Camp have the privileged opportunity to track these fabulous animals with a skilled guide, often accompanied by a researcher for the Save The Rhino Trust, a pioneering conservation body in Palmwag for close to 20 years. The excursion begins with a leisurely nature drive, while trackers work in the background to locate rhinos. They will then radio your driver who takes you to within a short distance of the animal without causing disturbance through engine noise. Then comes the really exciting bit, as you leave the vehicle and walk as close to the rhino as possible, without startling it or causing any danger to human life and limb! This is a thrilling activity and a real treat, genuinely one of the most unique and exciting things you can do in Southern Africa. For those that don't have the budget to stay at Desert Rhino, or for whom availability is an issue, there is also a worthwhile rhino tracking activity offered at Grootberg Lodge.

Excursion

Damaraland Nature Walks

Damaraland's rugged mountains and wide valleys are prime walking territory, with exceptional scenic trails at all of the best camps. Possibly our favourite walking area is the Etendeka Mountains, where Etendeka Mountain Camp focuses strongly on exploration on foot with some of Namibia's best walking guides. There are varied routes amidst the imposing basalt mountains, Mopani woodland and dry river beds, with soaring vistas from the highest peaks and fascinating flora and fauna to discover with your guide. Namibia's specially adapted plants and vegetation are genuinely unique, evolved to survive the harshest drought conditions for much of the year, but at times subjected to torrential rains and flooding. The Etendeka Mountains have their own distinct micro-climate and ecosystem that the guides know intimately and will bring to vivid life on your walks. Other superb walks are offered from Grootberg Lodge and Damaraland Camp, while in Palmwag you may even get friendly on foot with black rhino.

Excursion

Village Visits

There are not a great many people in Damaraland given the vast area covered, but some of the villages close to camps have become involved in joint projects, whereby the community benefits from responsible tourism activities and guests are privy to a taster of local life. Perhaps the best example is at Damaraland Camp, jointly run by Wilderness Safaris and the local community within the Torra Conservancy, which represents an eclectic mixture of some of Namibia's indigenous peoples. Members of the community account for a large proportion of the camp staff and the village is often visited as part of a longer nature drive. Stops are made at the school and a local farm homestead, which helps to feed the camp each day! A similar project is in operation at Doro Nawas, where the local Damara/Nama people are intimately involved with operations. Here, educational activities are on offer that detail the unique language, culture and history of the community.

Excursion

Nature Drives - Damaraland

Guided drives in Damaraland can vary significantly depending on the area you are staying. In Palmwag the driving is usually focused on getting you close enough to black rhino to track them on foot, while in the Twyfelfontein, Huab and Brandberg areas the attention is more likely to be on searching for desert elephant. Wherever you're based, it will often be more of a nature drive than a full-on game drive: although the volumes of wildlife are good and there are some true rarities to seek out, there will not be the vast numbers of game you would see in Etosha or the renowned safari destinations of Botswana and South Africa. Fabulous, dramatic scenery and a feeling of true isolation are guaranteed though. The endless horizons and imposing mountains of Damaraland combine to make the very few people who live or visit here feel rather small!

Excursion

Meet the Himba

Although Namibia's Himba people are nomadic, for much of the year a community spends time in the Palmfontein area of Damaraland, close enough to Grootberg Lodge to make cultural visits viable. This is a unique opportunity to meet the Himba in a relatively accessible area and from a comfortable base, as many Himba excursions further north-west involve flying into very remote destinations or participating in rustic camping itineraries. The nature of the visit is not set in stone, but you are most likely to interact with the women and children of the settlement, learning how they achieve their distinct, decorative appearance and perhaps taking the opportunity to purchase some unique trinkets. You'll also see their simple homes, at least from the outside, constructed largely from natural materials such as dung, grass and leaves. Whatever the nature of the experience, the chance to sample such a different way of life is usually instructive and enriching.

Excursion

Explore the Wild West

Until very recently Western Etosha was largely unexplored, known only to researchers, park officials and a small number of group itineraries that were permitted to pass through. All this has now changed, as Namibian Wildlife Resorts have opened up a camp in the far west of the park, with exclusive use of the western Galton Gate and a range of game viewing trails on which you will assuredly see no other vehicles! The game here is far less accustomed to humans and there is a tangibly wild feel, with some rare wildlife species to search out including black rhino and black faced impala. The terrain here is very different to that of the well-trodden routes further east, with rugged dolomite formations that give the camp its name and mopane woodland that you might expect to see in Botswana and Zambia. One thing that does chime with the experience further east is a predominance of both natural and artificial water holes, providing a centrepiece for game viewing activities. In a park that is firmly on the tourist map, this is the place to get a true sense of remoteness and explore unspoiled wildlife habitats.

Excursion

Etosha Self-Drive Safari

Etosha is arguably second only to South Africa's Kruger National Park as the most renowned self-drive safari destination. There is a well-marked network of good gravel roads and numerous waterholes to stop at for outstanding game viewing, without having to demonstrate the tracking skills of a trained guide. Restcamps within the park are perfectly set up for self-drivers, with maps, convenience stores, refuelling stations and a friendly, communal feel where guests and staff exchange game viewing tips and stories each day. You are not permitted to drive in the park after dark and there are various rules to adhere to, which the restcamps or lodges outside the park can fully brief you on. Other than that, if the thought of driving close to big game such as elephant or rhino is a thrilling rather than a terrifying prospect, there is a rewarding feel to discovering Etosha's rich variety of wildlife under your own steam.

Excursion

Explore the Ongava Reserve

The private Ongava Reserve, just outside the southern Etosha gate, is an outstanding safari destination in its own right. Virtually of the animals that you might find within the park are present inside the reserve, including exceptional numbers of rhino. As a private concession, night drives are permitted and Ongava is unquestionably the best place to enjoy walking safaris around Etosha. Tracking white rhino on foot is often the main focus, combined with an initial game drive to locate the rhinos. Shorter daytime walks provide participants with an insight into the smaller details of the bush rather than guaranteeing big game sightings, but guided walks can provide an enjoyable break from Etosha and Ongava drives. With some of the best accommodation in Namibia also on offer, it is no wonder that many visitors due to splash out on Ongava when visiting the Etosha region.

Excursion

Etosha Waterholes

It isn't unfair to suggest that many regard Etosha game viewing as all about the waterholes, particularly during the dry season. As water sources become scarcer, animals of all shapes and sizes congregate around the more permanent waterholes for much needed refreshment. You can genuinely see families of elephant, lone rhino, jittery antelope, bandy legged giraffe and hungry prides of lion arrive at the same water hole within a couple of hours, and unsurprisingly there are regular kills made within the close vicinity. Self-driving through Etosha, it is easy to hop between various well located waterholes, enjoy a spot of lunch and watch the game come to you. For those enjoying guided game drives in the park, the waterholes will also be a fall-back option for your guide if it's a quiet night in the open. Perhaps most enjoyable of all is to sit with an after dinner drink by a floodlit waterhole at your camp to watch the impressive nocturnal traffic. Okaukuejo waterhole is the most renowned and probably the best, although Halali and Namutoni also have their own very good versions. On the private reserves, Ongava Tented Camp sees serious traffic and the waterhole is very close to the central lodge.

Excursion

Etosha Rhino Tracking

Namibia is one of Africa's strongest remaining havens for its most high profile endangered species, with black and white rhino both present inside the Etosha National Park and within some of the surrounding private reserves. A number of black rhino have recently been introduced to the Onguma Reserve as part of a conservation project jointly run by Onguma and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. For guests at the reserve, this means some very exciting rhino based guided activities, including a research drive where a ranger demonstrates various data capture methods and camera traps, while getting you as close to the rhino as possible for photo opportunities. There is also the potential opportunity to track the rhino on foot, although this activity is more guaranteed and extensive within the Ongava Reserve. Here, the less irritable and far more approachable white rhino are the focus, and there are significant numbers in Ongava. With the outstanding rhino experience on offer in the Palmwag area of Damaraland and these two projects on reserves in varying areas outside Etosha, there is the possibility of tailoring an itinerary that is a real rhino lover's dream trip!

Excursion

Etosha Game Drives

Although Etosha is renowned for first class safari self-driving, guided game drives are still likely to provide guests with the best chance of seeing the most abundant and varied wildlife. Guided day and night game drives tend to be included in your stay on the private Ongava Reserve, which boasts significant volumes of big game from lion, cheetah and leopard to rhino, elephant and giraffe. All of these animals are far more likely to let you get close, watch them for extended periods and capture some great photographs if you are within the confines of a vehicle. A guided drive also offers the experience, knowledge and personality of your guide, which can enrich any safari experience, while guides are always like to find a greater number of animals than enthusiastic self-drivers. Within the national park itself, night drives are only possible with a guide from one of the camps inside the park, so even if you are predominantly self-driving Etosha you should always book a night drive to search for nocturnal animals and sample the after dark ambience of the bush.

Excursion

Scenic Drives

Guided scenic drives within a relatively close vicinity of your lodge will enable you to learn more about the fascinating landscapes and geology of these unique mountains. Travelling in a 4WD vehicle, your driver / guide will access some truly precipitous spots for sweeping views and panoramic photo opportunities. Late afternoon drives can forge out to remote, beautiful sundowner spots, before you are driven back with the sky waxing towards darkness and the scenery taking on a more eerie quality. Guests at Zebra River Lodge might enjoy longer drives out to a natural spring, where you can relax under a canopy of trees next to crystal clear waters, perhaps even taking a refreshing dip if the water levels are favourable. Although there are surprisingly good numbers and diversity of wildlife up in the mountains, some of which you will see on a drive, it is more about the evocative scenery than a traditional game drive.

Excursion

Mountain Walks

The extended Naukluft Mountains eco-system is an outstanding walking area for casual ramblers and committed trekkers alike. Whether you stay in the offshoot Tsaris Mountains or close to the exceptionally scenic Gamsberg Pass, there is a selection of marked trails close to your accommodation for unguided explorations of the rugged peaks. Guided treks can also be booked in advance, including overnight expeditions for those who are fit and intrepid enough, but most people tend to spend a couple of nights in the area for unhurried discovery under their own steam. The geology of the area is fascinating, with thousands of years of climatic influence creating some truly exceptional landscapes, and the guides at your lodge will be able to explain this in further detail. There is also a decent amount of wildlife, including dassies, mountain zebra and kudu, most of which you will see in the distance as they remain skittish around humans on foot. Most of all, there are endless dramatic vistas and photo opportunities in surrounds that are markedly different from the nearby dunes of the Namib.

Excursion

Nature Walks

In addition to picturesque nature drives, the varied terrains and relative lack of potentially dangerous animals in the Namibrand make it a first class walking destination. You can either set out on a hike under your own steam or with a guide, but there is no requirement for an armed scout, unlike with African safaris where big game and predators are a more significant presence. Walks will tend to take place in areas close to camp, and we found exploring the vast plains and climbing the kopjes around Boulders Camp to be particularly rewarding. Alternatively, your nature drive may be punctuated with a stop to climb a high dune and enjoy panoramic views down to a valley below. With the regular supply of superb food on offer at Wolwedans and Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, we would definitely recommend getting out on foot to walk some of it off!

Excursion

Stargazing

There are few places on the planet where light interference and pollution levels are as minimal as in the Namib Desert, meaning the night sky is a brilliant, unobstructed patchwork of stars and satellites. And you don't have to take our word for this - the Namibrand has been declared Africa's First Dark Sky Reserve (Gold Tier). This is awarded to areas with night-time environments that have little to no impact from light pollution and artificial light. The Namibrand's nearest neighbouring communities are small and lie some 60 miles distant, so the reserve's sky is one of the darkest yet measured! Sossusvlei Desert Lodge has its own specially designed observatory with a powerful telescope for getting a closer look at the night's treasures. Resident astronomers are on hand each night to give a presentation on the constellations that you can pick out in the southern hemisphere, making for a perfectly relaxing end to the day, especially if you have indulged yourself and plundered the lodge's impressive wine cellar.

Excursion

Nature Drives - Namibrand

Scenic drives around the Namibrand from a base at one of the Wolwedans camps take in the diverse, beautiful landscapes of the reserve in a relatively short time. Taking roughly four hours, with stops for either tea and snacks or sundowners (depending on the time of day), the distance covered can be up to 50km, meaning you are able to drink in the a varied range of vistas from towering dunes to wide green valleys (at least in the rainy season)! Perhaps even more enticing is a full day drive with a picnic lunch, covering over 100km and reaching the most remote corners of the reserve. That said, everywhere in the Namibrand is remote, and you will encounter very few other vehicles on your excursion. You will though see oryx, springbok, ostrich and a variety of birds, stopping regularly to discuss less conspicuous phenomena such as fairy circles, desert insects and vegetation with your guide.

Excursion

Tok Tokkie Trails

Tok Tokkie guided walking trails explore in thorough detail the rugged kopjes, high dunes and wide valleys of the breathtaking Namibrand Nature Reserve. In addition to the trademark outstanding vistas and iconic desert wildlife, exploring on foot means you'll see and feel the small wonders of the desert that you'd miss on a drive. Carrying only a small bag, the walks are undemanding and your guide frequently stops to provide refreshments and discuss natural wonders, from unexplained fairy circles to the bizarre survival techniques of some of the desert's smallest inhabitants. All of this is highly enjoyable, but perhaps most memorable of all are the evenings. After rejuvenating in a hot bucket shower, you'll enjoy sundowners and a three course meal, before nightcaps by a campfire. The night is then spent on a stretcher bed under the expansive curtain of stars, an experience that is at once comfortable and extremely liberating! And what a night sky it is - the Namibrand has been declared Africa's First Dark Sky Reserve (Gold Tier). This is awarded to areas with night-time environments that have little to no impact from light pollution and artificial light. The Namibrand's nearest neighbouring communities are small and lie some 60 miles distant, so the reserve's sky is one of the darkest yet measured!

Excursion

Canyon Day Hikes

Short guided hikes into the Fish River Canyon are the most popular excursions in the area, as few have the time or budget to participate in extended itineraries with a few nights camping in the canyon. For the very fit, these can be long, demanding expeditions of up to 30km distance and taking the full day. Or you could book a far more leisurely half day hike to get a taster of the unique environment in the depths of the canyon, without exerting yourself unduly. Hiking with a knowledgeable guide means you can learn more about just how resilient the desert flora and fauna are to cling on to survival in such extreme conditions. Whichever option you choose, remember to pack good trainers or walking boots, as these are not provided at any of the accommodations we recommend.

Excursion

Fish River Canyon Nature Drives

Guided drives in this scenic area, both into the canyon itself and in the surrounding desert expanse, are a fine way to discover the resilient wildlife that survives in such challenging conditions, and to drink in some truly exceptional scenery. There is a surprising variety of geological features, similar to the Naukluft Mountains area, with rough limestone, shiny quartzites, fine shales and dramatic fault lines going back hundreds of millions of years! On longer expeditions lunch might be taken by a permanent rock pool, which could allow for a refreshing dip. Kudu, oryx, klipspringer and mountain zebra are often encountered, with an experienced guide on hand to know the best places to look and to explain how each species tackles such a harsh environment. One of the best drives is on the private Gondwana Canyon Park, with its breathtaking landscapes and contented wildlife. Sundowner drives are also enticing, as you head out late in the afternoon to find the most picturesque spot for a serene drink as the sun pales over this stunning, timeless landscape, with panoramic views of the canyon and the meandering Fish River.

Excursion

Canyon Mule & Camping Treks

Hiking the vast Fish River Canyon with a helpful mule or porter to carry all luggage is certainly preferable to carting your own provisions and creature comforts. This is especially true on extended itineraries, where a number of days are spent hiking and camping within the canyon, so that various changes of clothing and some hygiene products have to be accounted for. A tour guide is on hand to explain just how resilient the main flora and fauna is to cling on to survival in such extreme conditions. With rustic comfort levels and plenty of walking, we would recommend a night in one of the more comfortable lodges both before and after your trek. Along these lines, a new five night hiking package operated by the swanky Fish River Lodge in the dry, cooler months from April to September is a real highlight. The first and last nights are spent at the lodge, with three nights camping in the canyon and four days hiking. The trip is fully inclusive, with modern food at the lodge and delicious, homely bush dinners around a campfire during the trek. Porters or mules will accompany you to carry the bags, meaning you’ll just be in charge of your daily water and walking will not be hampered. For keen ramblers with the time for a detailed exploration of Namibia, this trip is an exciting way to discover the Fish River Canyon. Whichever option you choose, remember to pack good trainers or walking boots, as these are not provided at any of the accommodations we recommend.

Excursion

Horse Riding

Desert Homestead have their own stable of horses, offering a wide range of routes to explore the Namib on horseback. This is a lovely way to discover the desert, from a high vantage point with your steed taking on all the exertion, covering plenty of ground over a relatively short time. For the real enthusiast there are overnight camping expeditions that can last anything from one to three nights, staying in dome tents with hot bucket showers and hearty meals round a campfire. Most people will have a little less time on their hands, so a morning ride culminating in a bush breakfast amid the dunes, or an afternoon canter leading to a sundowner drink and a ride home under the stars is ideal. This activity is available for riders of all levels of experience and ability.

Excursion

Sesriem Canyon

Most lodges with inclusive activities offer a guided visit to Sesriem Canyon, although in truth it is very easy to visit yourself if you are on a self-drive itinerary. This long, narrow fissure, up to 25 metres deep in places, can be rather underwhelming at times, although it is of historical interest because this is where early settlers used to draw most of their water when struggling to survive in the arid desert. Small pools form at the bottom of the canyon when rains are heavy, which can provide for a cooling dip if you've been out exploring in the heat of the day, but for much of the year the bed of the canyon is dry. Unless there is a flash flood, it is always possible to walk down a path onto the canyon floor, and the spectacle is more impressive from within. Walks along the bed give an idea of the thousands of years of wind, rain and erosion that has come to bear in the formation of the canyon.

Excursion

Quad Biking - Sossusvlei

The Namib's expansive sands and rolling dunes in the Sossusvlei-Sesriem area provide a perfect environment for quad biking. There has been some concern about the environmental impact of biking on the very delicate flora and fauna of the desert, but these activities are sensitively operated on set trails within private reserve areas, rather than in the national park itself. For example you might enjoy an expedition in the Kulala Reserve or on the wide open gravel plains near Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, just outside the Namibrand Reserve. This is the sort of terrain that quad bikes were made for, and they are capable of reaching spots that are inaccessible even for 4WD vehicles. The sand, noise and heat of a desert biking excursion is exciting and, at times, relatively demanding, so a dip in your lodge's pool afterwards will provide welcome relief and relaxation.

Excursion

Dune Climbing

Climbing the curvy orange dunes of the Namib is a Sossusvlei must, providing access to the best possible panoramic views for those not splashing out on a hot air balloon or light aircraft flight. Dune 45 is a famous one, a huge peak roughly 100m high outside the Namib-Naukluft National Park, where you are likely to have company unless you get there extremely early. There are then various dunes to choose from close to the main car parking area of Sossusvlei, where the most renowned pans and vleis are found. Our favourite climb is to the top of the towering dune next to Dead Vlei, where the considerable effort is rewarded with sensational views over the dried up lake bed and its dead trees below. Even more fulfilling is the run down the dune at top speed onto the vlei, a far quicker and less exerting process than climbing to the top! Our major piece of advice if you are keen to tackle a dune is to avoid the hottest times and get there in the early morning or late afternoon.

Excursion

Hot Air Ballooning

Offering the most outrageously scenic desert vistas, a one hour hot air balloon flight over the Namib is an experience matched by few others in Africa. There is an unrivalled sense of freedom and serenity as peaceful progress is made over the sweeping sand sea, with its towering orange dunes and wide, rippling valleys. From above, you can take in the glory of the desert on a broad canvas: lone oryx standing gracefully under isolated trees; springbok pronging joyfully over the vegetated dunes; dry river beds, oases and stark white vleis, all gradually changing colour as the sun rises and shadows recede. Passengers are picked up before sunset to be in the air in time to watch the sunrise dramatically alter the desert, and after roughly an hour of wonder you will land to a champagne breakfast laid out on top of a dune. Sublime!

Excursion

Explore the Kulala Reserve

The private 37,000 hectare Kulala Reserve offers exclusive experiences for guests at Wilderness Safaris camps. The reserve is like a microcosm of the wider Sossusvlei region and the Namib in general, with stunning landscapes and an intriguing range of desert adapted wildlife. Nature drives in the reserve get you closest to the animals, with majestic oryx, skittish springbok and frankly bizarre ostrich all present in significant numbers, while you may also see black backed jackal and rare, hardy desert birds such as snake eagles, bustards and secretary birds. On our last visit to Kulala, we even spotted a rare brown hyena, but this certainly can't be promised! Guided nature walks often follow the course of the dry Tsauchab River and allow participants to drink in the scenery while noting the smaller desert details: the meagre plant life and diminutive insects and reptiles that have somehow thrived here for thousands of years. These explorations are usually included in your stay on the reserve and perfectly compliment the headline grabbing large dunes and vleis that all of the camps can visit.

Excursion

Walking on Vleis

Walking on the famous pans of Sossusvlei can be an otherworldly, intensely photogenic experience. After climbing vast dunes, it can also be a welcome relief from the desert heat, cooler under the shadow of the high dunes that stand sentinel over the valleys. Sossusvlei itself, Nara Vlei and Hidden Vlei are among the pans that you can walk on, usually after climbing a dune and running onto the dried, patterned mud floors of the vleis. Our favourite is Dead Vlei, an expansive pan with the dark skeletons of long dead trees standing out vividly against the gleaming white surface of the pan as it catches the sun. Photo opportunities here are stunning: just pick your favourite tree and try to make sure no other visitors looking for that award winning shot walk across your view! Deprived of water for most of the year, explaining the presence of the dead trees, these pans can fill up with water during periods of heavy rain, with the shining green-blue waters giving the vleis an even more surreal, alien appearance and the trees seeming to rise out of the waters from the dead. There really are few places on earth where you can enjoy such a stunning, seemingly unlikely natural spectacle, whether there is water in the pans or they are bone dry.

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