Namibia's vast wilderness, from the red dunes of Sossusvlei to Sera Cafema
Days: 13 | From: $28,990/per person
- Includes carefully curated accommodations at best in class hotels and lodges
- Journey to four exceptional landscapes by charter plane
The perfect escape, Namibia is as remote as it gets. Climb giant red sand dunes and marvel at petrified trees in Sossusvlei, then explore the wild windswept Skeleton Coast from a luxurious outpost. Engage with the nomadic Himba tribe as you fly north to the magnificent landscape of Sera Cafema, and spot a variety of desert-adapted wildlife along the way.
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We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.
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At a glance
- Windhoek
1 night: Discover Namibia's quaint capital city - NamibRand Nature Reserve
3 nights: Marvel at the red dunes of Sossusvlei, spot desert wildlife, and enjoy excellent stargazing - Swakopmund
2 nights: Visit the sea lion colony, spend the day on a catamaran, and see why this is considered Southern Africa's adventure capital - Skeleton Coast
2 nights: See where the dunes meet the sea on the wild, windswept Skeleton Coast - Hoanib Valley
2 nights: Explore this breathtaking valley from your luxury tented camp - Sera Cafema
2 nights: Interact with the nomadic Himba people and experience the tranquility of remoteness
All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.
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Sample itinerary
Welcome to Namibia
Arrive to Windhoek. Situated in central Namibia, this quiet yet cosmopolitan city is a mix of historical architecture and modern buildings and offers a range of shopping and dining options. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to your boutique hotel for the evening.
Accommodations: The Weinberg Hotel
A world class luxury hotel in the heart of the upmarket suburb of Klein Windhoek, the Weinberg sets a new benchmark for luxury accommodation in the Namibian capital. The 41-room elegant hotel ensures that guests enjoy tailored, attentive and detail focused service at all times. Its iconic styling seamlessly blends old-world splendor with modern lines and state of the art amenities, ensuring an unparalleled guest experience. On-site amenities include manicured gardens, a well-stocked bar, a gym, breakfast room,
*Includes: BreakfastTake to the Skies: Fly to NamibRand Nature Reserve
Jet off to your luxury lodge in the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Spanning an area of 172,200 hectares and encompassing four distinct ecosystems, the Namib Rand Reserve is among the largest privately owned game parks in Southern Africa.
Founded to conserve the unique environment and wildlife species of the southwestern Namib Desert, the park’s mix of dunes, mountains, rocky outcrops, sandy flats and gravel plains provides habitats for a diversity of mammals, including hyenas, jackals, foxes, antelopes and various wild cats. The area is also home to a plethora of bird species, reptiles, insects, frogs and flora.
Accommodations: Kwessi Dunes, 3 nights
The Kwessi Dunes Lodge is located deep in Namibia’s striking NamibRand Nature Reserve, a vast desert wilderness of over 200,000 hectares.
The lodge is made up of 10 air-conditioned chalets with canvas walls and thatched roofs. Each bedroom has a separate ‘star gazer’ platform, the perfect spot to watch the stars above. There is a main dining area and lounge as well as a swimming pool, and the entire lodge has stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape.
*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerA day in NamibRand
Discover the mammoth red dunes and petrified trees of Deadvlei and Sossusvlei, clay and salt pans that offer striking, unspoiled desert beauty.
There are countless options for activities in this area: quad biking, horseback riding, a hot air balloon or helicopter ride, scenic drives, guided bush walks, and more.
Another day at Kwessi Dunes
Indulge in the offerings of your luxury lodge. Book a spa treatment, lounge in the pool, or sip sundowners while watching the sunset over this ancient landscape.
Named Africa’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, this is one of the least light-polluted areas in the world, and every suite comes with its own private stargazer bed platform so you can marvel at the night sky in comfort.
Fly to Swakopmund
Head to the coast, touching down in Southern Africa’s adventure capital. Walk the promenade of this seaside town, and check out the boutiques and restaurants. This area offers plenty of active excursions, such as paragliding, horseback riding, quad biking, sandboarding, and fishing.
Accommodations: The Strand Hotel, 2 nights
The Strand Hotel is located directly on the Mole seaside promenade, surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean, with direct access to Swakopmund's main beach. On the fourth side, the hotel backs up to the town’s beautiful central park, through which it is a five minute walk to the historic center of this charming German-colonial seaside town, with all its shops, cafés, restaurants and bars.
*Includes: BreakfastA full day in Swakopmund
Explore the magnificent coastline. Schedule a scenic flight over shipwrecks, drive the beach in a 4X4, and witness the meeting of dunes and sea as you search for the smaller creatures of the desert on a private tour. Visit the Cape Cross sea lion colony, or head out on a catamaran for the day in pursuit of other marine life.
Fly to the Skeleton Coast
Fly north to the rugged Skeleton Coast, a remote slice of African wilderness like no other. Thousands of miles of sandy desert dotted with shipwrecks meet with the cold waters of the Atlantic, and an amazing array of wildlife and flora live in the harsh but beautiful environment.
This otherworldly area is home to seabird colonies, Cape fur seals, zebra, gemsbok, desert-adapted elephants, lions, and much more. Surfing enthusiasts are drawn to the powerful waves, and photographers flock from around the globe to snap the eerie shipwreck graveyard. This coast is desolate, unique, and strikingly beautiful.
Accommodations: Shipwreck Lodge, 2 nights
This unique lodge was designed to reflect the striking shipwrecks that dot the Skeleton Coast. Located on a vast tract of land between the Hoarusib and Hoanib Rivers in the Skeleton Coast Park, just north of Möwe Bay, this lodge sits within a landscape like no other.
The lodge is situated on the southern bank of the Huarusib River Mouth. Each room is beautifully decorated and offers a writing desk, seating area, and wood burning stove for chilly desert nights.
*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerThe Skeleton Coast
Marvel at the sites of the Skeleton Coast; there is much more to this area than just its exclusive location. During your stay at Shipwreck Lodge, you can game drive in search of desert-dwelling wildlife, discover enchanting desert flora like succulents and lichens, sit atop the dunes as the sun sinks below the horizon, or spend the day beach-combing for whale bones and debris from centuries-old shipwrecks.
You can also take to a quadbike, picnic on the beach, or simply relax in the simple opulence of your lodge.
Fly to Kaokoveld and Hoanib Valley
Appreciate the aerial views of the coast as you set off on your charter flight to the remote Hoanib Valley. Home to one of the last great nomadic tribes, the iconic Himba, as well as the Herero people, this area offers plenty of opportunity for cultural interaction. The Giraffe Conservation Foundation is here, and experts will add a wealth of specialist knowledge to your morning and afternoon drives, searching for the desert adapted elephant, giraffe, lion, black rhino and mountain zebra.
After you settle in to your luxury tented camp, you can head out with your specialist guide to explore this spectacular area and gain an understanding of its unique geology, wildlife and culture.
Accommodations: Hoanib Valley Camp, 2 nights
Hoanib Valley Camp is located in the Sesfontein Community Conservancy, on the banks of the Obias River in one of Namibia’s most remote and wild environments. This remote, luxury tented camp offers an intimate experience. Days are spent tracking endangered desert-adapted rhinos, elephants and giraffes, before spending the evening sipping a cocktail on your private veranda as the sun sinks below the horizon. With just six guest tents, this is an exclusive camp that blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. The spacious tents are complete with en-suite bathrooms, a private veranda, tea and coffee making facilities, WiFi internet access, and a complimentary laundry service.
*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerA day in the Hoanib Valley
Fly North to Kunene
Fly to the furthest northern reaches of Namibia, the Kunene Region, which borders Angola. The Kunene River, one of just five perennial rivers in Namibia, is an invaluable source of water for the local Himba people, and it has been the mainstay of their existence for hundreds of years.
The river’s most striking feature is the magnificent Epupa Falls, which cascade over a distance of over half a mile, with an impressive vertical drop of nearly 200 feet. Whitewater rafting and kayaking are both popular pursuits in this area.
Accommodations: Serra Cafema, 2 nights
Set among shady trees on the banks of the Kunene River, Serra Cafema is one of the most remote camps in Southern Africa. Its Portuguese name originates from the mountains that dominate the northern skyline. Activities here are varied, including boating (seasonal), walking among breathtaking landscapes, and carefully guided quad-bike excursions that tread lightly on the dunes. In this isolated region, the Himba people continue their nomadic, traditional way of life and when in the area, offer guests the opportunity to learn about their lifestyle and traditions.
*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerA day at Serra Cafema
Explore this fascinating and remote region with your knowledgeable guides. Learn about local culture with a trip to a traditional Himba village, hike nearby trails, and experience the river on a sundowner cruise with a drink in hand. You can also participate in canoeing, kayaking, game viewing, and excellent bird watching. Your time here will be tailored to suit your passions and interests.
Farewell Namibia
After a leisurely breakfast at your lodge, fly back to Windhoek to connect with your international flight home or to your next destination.
More Photos From This Trip
Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary
Choose from a selection of carefully curated lodges and hotels to ensure this trip fits your exact travel style.
Schedule a scenic hot air balloon flight over the mystical dunes of Sossusvlei and land for a champagne breakfast.
Fly over the Skeleton Coast on a scenic flight, searching for the shipwrecks that dot the shore.
Include some downtime for rest and relaxation! Some free time to unwind or have a massage will allow you to feel refreshed and ready for the remainder of your trip. Many of our properties include excellent spas or wellness centers. We can help arrange these services or include properties that offer health & wellness amenities.
Add some time in neighboring South Africa or Botswana for an additional safari.
Add a beach extension and spend some relaxing downtime on the pristine white sands of the Indian Ocean. Mauritius, Seychelles and Mozambique are just a short flight away.
Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.
Why Travel with Vaya?
We're TRUE specialists
We’ve not only traveled there, we’ve lived there. Our smart and engaging specialists are all current or former expatriates with years of experience in the region.
Uplifting service
From the first phone call to after you get back, we're here for you every step of the way. We listen, create, customize and advocate for you, and design experiences that go beyond the expected.
Thoughtful travel
Our discerning sensibility and good taste go beyond just choices in hotels and top guides; we have a walk the walk commitment to the environment and are genuine leaders in conservation efforts.