Amy Zuckerman
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 - 2
EXPLORING SOSSUSVLEI AT KULALA DESERT LODGE
Welcome to Namibia! Upon arrival to Windhoek International Airport, you'll be guided to your light aircraft flight to Kulala Desert Lodge.
As the perfect gateway to the iconic sights of Sossusvlei, Kulala Desert Lodge is a traveler favorite. Magnificent views of the famous dunes, surrounding mountains, and vast open plains will be the setting during your stay. The camp comprises 23 en-suite thatched and canvas ‘kulalas’ and a veranda for you to enjoy the outstanding scenery. On balmy nights, sleep under the clear night skies on your rooftop and awaken to the rising sun. By day, enjoy activities or spot desert-adapted wildlife from the lounge and dining area overlooking a waterhole. To escape the midday heat, a cooling plunge pool provides the ideal sanctuary.
Kulala Desert Lodge is in the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve. This land was previously used for farming, but today, the ecosystem is being restored as the result of thorough rehabilitation efforts. Sossusvlei is situated within the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world, characterized by huge dunes and flat valley floors.
During your time at camp, explore the vast and impressive landscape of Sossusvlei, located in the southern part of the Namib Desert, with game drives, walking safaris, quad biking, horse riding, and ballooning. Witness sparsely distributed desert-adapted wildlife such as ostrich, springbok, oryx, spotted and brown hyaena, and bat-eared fox. This area makes up the entire global distribution of the Dune Lark, a fascinating bird species!
Overnight Kulala Desert Lodge
Day 3 - 4
ADVENTURES IN DAMARALAND AT ONDULI RIDGE
This morning, take a light aircraft flight into the heart of Damaraland. This rugged region of Northwestern Namibia is known for its vibrant colors, magnificent table-topped mountains, rock formations, and bizarre-looking vegetation. Erosion and movement from wind and water have formed the rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains, and ancient river terraces that make up the present day landscape. You'll find a new meaning to the word 'wilderness' here.
Spend your time in the iconic Damaraland exploring the famed landscape. Damaraland is home to some of the most fascinating flora and fauna in Namibia, and is considered the best place to spot desert-adapted elephant, rhino, lion, and zebra. The arid region’s attractions include a petrified forest of fossilized 280 million-year-old trees, some of the best preserved etchings and rock art dating back 6,000 years at Twyfelfontein, and the highest mountain in the country, the Brandberg, which is covered in thousands of ancient rock paintings.
Your camp during your time in Damaraland is Onduli Ridge. Located on a private concession within the Doro !Nawas Conservancy, the camp offers striking views of the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain, as well as the granite inselbergs dotted throughout the landscape. With only six suites nestled among granite boulders, you're sure to feel deeply immersed in this extraordinary landscape. During your stay, search for the desert-adapted elephants with an expert guide, and also explore with activities such as stargazing, solar e-biking, rock art viewing, nature drives, and walks.
Overnight Onduli Ridge
Day 5 - 7
HOANIB SKELETON COAST
This morning, you'll have a flight to Hoanib Skeleton Coast.
Hoanib Skeleton Coast is located on the Hoanib River in the northern part of the private Palmwag Concession. Its location straddles the Palmwag area and Skeleton Coast National Park in one of the most remote areas of the Kaokoveld. Exclusivity is taken a step further as the camp comprises only seven twin-bedded tents and one family unit. The camp looks out over stunning yet rugged scenery and offers you all the luxuries and amenities needed for an unforgettable stay. Here, you can unravel the enigmatic history of the original Strandlopers (Beachcombers), visit their stone circles lying in hidden valleys, study the ancient Welwitschia plant, view the herds of desert-adapted wildlife, and take in the endless landscapes unfolding, untouched for hundreds of miles.
The area has a historic coastline, mountains, vast plains, and dry riverbeds inhabited by incredible desert-adapted plant and animal life. Despite the arid environs, great concentrations of desert-adapted elephant and lion can be found along with sightings of giraffe, antelope, black rhino, leopard, and cheetah.
Activities include cultural experiences, nature walks, game drives, dune drives, use of hides, exploratory day excursions with picnic lunches and coastal visits.
Set in one of the most fragile ecosystems in the world, the camp is eco-friendly and has minimal impact on the environment. Furthermore, an in-house training program ensures that the local communities are empowered and able to contribute to sustainable development of their areas.
Overnight Hoanib Skeleton Coast
Day 8
Depart for Windhoek
After a final breakfast in Namibia, transfer to the local airstrip for a short flight back to Windhoek Airport in time for your international departure.
