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Deserts & pans
The red dunes of Sossusvlei contrast utterly with the rocky, basalt highlands of Kaokoland. Contrasting again is the flatlands of Etosha, a dustbowl in the dry season and a lake in the wet season. In each of these hostile landscapes, Namibia’s natural heritage flourishes. You have to see it to believe it.
-
3 nights
-
3 nights
-
3 nights
9 Nights, 10 Days
- Single supplements and child discounts may apply
- Price varies with seasonality and room options
- Indicative price is for low season
Itinerary
- 3 nights in Sossusvlei-Namibrand at Little Kulala
- 3 nights in Kaokoland & the Kunene at Serra Cafema Camp
- 3 nights in Etosha at Little Ongava
SNAPSHOT
Sossusvlei to Etosha is the bare bones, must-do Namibian safari. But if you have a bit more time, and feel like immersing yourself a bit deeper into Namibia’s desert landscape, Damaraland and the Kaokoland-Kunene are two great additions to the itinerary. This safari adds a stopover in Kaokoland to the itinerary.
The safari starts off in Sossusvlei with its tall red dunes, wind-honed ridges and curvaceous lines. It then makes its way to the Kaokoland, home to the Himba people and a surprising variety of wildlife, including regular sightings of Hartmann’s mountain zebra, spotted hyena, oryx and even, occasionally, desert-adapted lion.
The safari concludes with a few days in the Etosha National Park.
Overview
3 nights in Sossusvlei-Namibrand at Little Kulala
For most visitors it is the iconic red dunes of Sossusvlei and the NamibRand Nature Reserve that define Namibia. And no matter how many photos and documentaries you have seen, nothing prepares you for the splendour of a sunrise or a sunset in this unique environment. Namibia’s second most popular destination after Etosha, this dramatic southern section of the country is a must do for all first-timers to the region. These wide desert landscapes beg to be explored from the slow comfort of a balloon ride, but getting close and intimate with its many creatures, large and small, is equally rewarding. So is a few days spend in total solitude in a landscape as old as the ages.
3 nights in Kaokoland & the Kunene at Serra Cafema Camp
This arid, mountainous region in the north west of Namibia, is sandwiched between the Skeleton Coast and the Etosha National Park, and bounded in the north by the Kunene River. It is the most rugged, remote part of the country – most of it only accessible by 4x4 or fly-in safaris. Watercourses such as the Hoanib and Hoarusib rivers have gouged deep, rock-walled valleys through the rugged mountains. These form the migration routes for the desert-adapted elephant and rhino for which the area is famous. In this harsh climate you don’t get large concentrations of game. But, even in the dry season, several natural springs support a surprising diversity of plants and animals, with regular sightings of Hartmann’s mountain zebra, spotted hyena, oryx and even, occasionally, desert-adapted lion.
3 nights in Etosha at Little Ongava
It seems miraculous that life should manage to cling to survival in this arid landscape. But, don’t be misled. In the dry north, the 22 000 square kilometre Etosha National Park rises out of the cracked white clay after the first rains to provide a feast of plenty after the harsh winter. Key to its survival is the scattering of water holes that it leaves in its wake. Just enough to survive the next winter when land turns to ashen dry clay and the vegetation withers into the dustbowl. Etosha will astound you with the tenacity with which nature refuses to let go. Seeing desert-adapted rhino and elephant, and lion if you are very lucky, grace this landscape with comfort and resolve, makes for a very special big game experience.
Detail
Little Kulala is a superbly luxurious desert retreat, beautifully positioned to maximise views of the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei. Taking inspiration from the magnificent Dead Vlei, interiors make use of neutral colours, organic textures and natural light to reflect the soothing pastel tones of the desert.
Fanned out on either side of the main area, Little Kulala’s 11 climate-controlled, thatched ‘kulalas’ are raised on wooden decking. Each suite has a private plunge pool, and offers incredible dune views from the flat rooftop. For romantic stargazing, a bedroll can be made up on the roof of your suite for an unforgettable night under the dark desert skies. A family suite is available, and children over 8 years are welcome.
Scenic guided nature drives through the 37 000 hectare reserve offer the possibility of seeing oryx, springbok, ostrich, jackal and hyena, but please bear in min that sightings are not guaranteed. The main focus is the scenic landscape and the panoramic vista of the Namib Desert.
The balloon safari (closed 15 January to 15 February) offers a truly unique experience to soar silently above the magnificent sand dunes and desert, with a champagne breakfast served at your landing site.
Sossusvlei-Namibrand
The red dunes of Sossusvlei form a dramatic backdrop to the vlei (dry pan), with it’s cracked, white clay floor and skeletal, dead camelthorn trees. The pan was created when the shifting dunes of the Namib smothered the Tsauchab River. A bird’s eye view of the wind-honed ridges and curvaceous lines of the sea of dunes is an unforgettable experience so it’s worth taking a sunrise balloon ride, a scenic flight or a hike up one of the high dunes. And leave time to explore the Sesriem Canyon, carved through the layers of conglomerate rock by the Tsauchab River, near the entrance gate.
The Namibrand Nature Reserve, to the south of Sossusvlei, offers a very different, more exclusive experience. One of the largest private nature reserves in southern Africa, it showcases a fascinating variety of game species in a brilliant setting. Majestic oryx, kudu, giraffe and endearing bat-eared fox set against the red and golden dunes are a photographer’s dream. Intriguing ‘fairy circles’ create polka dots on the landscape and the dunes harbour a rich array of endemic lizards, scorpions, beetles and spiders that are revealed on guided tours. Overnighting in the carefully designed lodges and camps in the reserve is an incredible treat. Thanks to efforts to conserve its exceptional night skies, the reserve was recognised in 2012 as Africa’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, so is the perfect place to view the twinkling stars.
Serra Cafema is located on the banks of the Kunene River in the remote Hartmann’s Valley in the extreme northwest of Namibia. Nestled amongst shady Albida trees, it is an intimate, peaceful riverside camp, and offers a perfect mix of rustic and luxury elements.
Serra Cafema’s spacious riverside Meru tents are set on elevated decks, and their wood, canvas and thatched design draws inspiration from the local Himba people. Expansive viewing decks overlook the Kunene river and the Serra Cafema mountains. The honeymoon tent is a particular favourite, and family accommodation is also available.
The Hartmann’s Valley lies at the border between Namibia and Angola, and forms part of the vast Marienfluss Conservancy. The Kunene River is the only permanent source of water in this region, creating a lush oasis along its banks – a winding band of green surrounded by the lunar-like landscape of the Namib Desert. In rainy years, the valley becomes a grassy expanse, but it is generally sandy flatland, broken only by a few tough grasses, toxic euphorbias, mysterious 'fairy circles' and sheer granite inselbergs.
Undoubtedly one of the most remote camps in southern Africa, rushing rapids in the desert make this a surreal experience, with the sounds of the river just below the camp lulling you into dreamland after a day of desert exploration.
Kaokoland & the Kunene
The Kaokoland is the most rugged, remote part of Namibia, and most of it is only accessible by 4x4 or fly-in safaris. It is best explored on guided excursions to help unlock the secrets and mysteries of survival under this sun baked landscape.
More adventurous types can track rhino and elephant on foot, or go rafting on the Kunene River. The magnificent Epupa Falls, one of Namibia’s most popular tourist attractions, is a highlight of a visit to the north, and the nearby rock pools and lush vegetation provides some relief from the otherwise harsh environment of the region.
The Kunene is the ancestral home of the pastoral Himba people who live in scattered settlements throughout the far north west. Distinguished by their natural beauty, intricate hairstyles, distinctive jewellery and body adornments, they have clung onto their traditions, and can be easily recognised by the red colouring of their skin, produced by the application of a mixture of red ochre and fat that protects against the harsh desert sun.
Featuring only three private units, Little Ongava is idyllically perched on a rocky outcrop. It overlooks a waterhole that is often teeming with wildlife, with panoramic vistas across the African savannah beyond.
Each of the three sumptuous units has its own unique style, yet all offer the same wonderful sense of luxurious seclusion. Built from local materials in traditional fashion, they blend tastefully into their surroundings. Each unit features its own plunge pool, indoor and outdoor showers and a bath that takes in those breathtaking views.
Little Ongava offers an exclusive, intimate safari on the private Ongava Game Reserve, with big game viewing extending across to the neighbouring Etosha National Park. Ongava is one of the largest private game reserves in Namibia, and features almost all of the characteristic wildlife of the area, including plains game such as springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest, Burchell's zebra, Hartmann's mountain zebra, waterbuck, red hartebeest, giraffe, eland and the endemic black-faced impala. Elephant and cheetah can be found in the Etosha Park; while lion, leopard, and black and white rhino move freely between the Park and the Reserve. Ongava holds one of the largest rhino custodianships in the country and is one of the few private game reserves in southern Africa where guests can see both black and white rhino.
Etosha
Etosha is not just another Big 5 reserve. The ebb end flow of the park is propelled by the vast mud cracked expanse of the Etosha Pan, and nowhere else in Africa will you see wildlife in such remarkable surroundings.
Etosha it is probably best known for its vast herds of plains game such as zebra, blue wildebeest, gemsbok and springbok, but offers pretty decent sightings of the big cats and the ubiquitous pachyderms. It is also home to several rare and endangered species, including endemic black-faced impala, tsessebe and cheetah, as well as the largest population of black rhino in Africa. The latter are often sighted at the series of waterholes along the southern edge of the pan.
Etosha’s birdlife is incredible and some 340 species, about a third of which are migrants, can be found in the mopane woodlands, grasslands, savannah and saline desert. During the rainy season greater and lesser flamingos, and even pelicans are often sighted at Fischer’s Pan in the eastern section of the reserve.
LOGISTICS
This safari commences and ends in Windhoek, Namibia
- Scheduled charter flight, Windhoek to Sossusvlei
- 3 Nights accommodation at Little Kulala in Sossusvlei
- Scheduled charter flight, Sossusvlei to Doro Nawas via Swakopmund
- Scheduled charter flight, Doro Nawas to Serra Cafema via Hoanib
- 3 Nights accommodation at Serra Cafema Camp in Kaokoland & the Kunene
- Scheduled charter flight, Serra Cafema to Doro Nawas via Hoanib
- Scheduled charter flight, Doro Nawas to Etosha
- 3 Nights accommodation at Little Ongava in Etosha
- Scheduled charter flight, Etosha to Windhoek
-
3 nights
-
3 nights
-
3 nights
9 Nights, 10 Days
- Single supplements and child discounts may apply
- Price varies with seasonality and room options
- Indicative price is for low season
Itinerary
- 3 nights in Sossusvlei-Namibrand at Kulala Desert Lodge
- 3 nights in Kaokoland & the Kunene at Serra Cafema Camp
- 3 nights in Etosha at Ongava Tented Camp
SNAPSHOT
Sossusvlei to Etosha is the bare bones, must-do Namibian safari. But if you have a bit more time, and feel like immersing yourself a bit deeper into Namibia’s desert landscape, Damaraland and the Kaokoland-Kunene are two great additions to the itinerary. This safari adds a stopover in Kaokoland to the itinerary.
The safari starts off in Sossusvlei with its tall red dunes, wind-honed ridges and curvaceous lines. It then makes its way to the Kaokoland, home to the Himba people and a surprising variety of wildlife, including regular sightings of Hartmann’s mountain zebra, spotted hyena, oryx and even, occasionally, desert-adapted lion.
The safari concludes with a few days in the Etosha National Park.
Overview
3 nights in Sossusvlei-Namibrand at Kulala Desert Lodge
For most visitors it is the iconic red dunes of Sossusvlei and the NamibRand Nature Reserve that define Namibia. And no matter how many photos and documentaries you have seen, nothing prepares you for the splendour of a sunrise or a sunset in this unique environment. Namibia’s second most popular destination after Etosha, this dramatic southern section of the country is a must do for all first-timers to the region. These wide desert landscapes beg to be explored from the slow comfort of a balloon ride, but getting close and intimate with its many creatures, large and small, is equally rewarding. So is a few days spend in total solitude in a landscape as old as the ages.
3 nights in Kaokoland & the Kunene at Serra Cafema Camp
This arid, mountainous region in the north west of Namibia, is sandwiched between the Skeleton Coast and the Etosha National Park, and bounded in the north by the Kunene River. It is the most rugged, remote part of the country – most of it only accessible by 4x4 or fly-in safaris. Watercourses such as the Hoanib and Hoarusib rivers have gouged deep, rock-walled valleys through the rugged mountains. These form the migration routes for the desert-adapted elephant and rhino for which the area is famous. In this harsh climate you don’t get large concentrations of game. But, even in the dry season, several natural springs support a surprising diversity of plants and animals, with regular sightings of Hartmann’s mountain zebra, spotted hyena, oryx and even, occasionally, desert-adapted lion.
3 nights in Etosha at Ongava Tented Camp
It seems miraculous that life should manage to cling to survival in this arid landscape. But, don’t be misled. In the dry north, the 22 000 square kilometre Etosha National Park rises out of the cracked white clay after the first rains to provide a feast of plenty after the harsh winter. Key to its survival is the scattering of water holes that it leaves in its wake. Just enough to survive the next winter when land turns to ashen dry clay and the vegetation withers into the dustbowl. Etosha will astound you with the tenacity with which nature refuses to let go. Seeing desert-adapted rhino and elephant, and lion if you are very lucky, grace this landscape with comfort and resolve, makes for a very special big game experience.
Detail
Kulala Desert Lodge is situated on a huge, private area adjacent to the magnificent red dunes of Sossusvlei. It offers superb mountainous scenery, immense open plains, and some of the best night skies in the world.
The 23 thatched and canvas have been decorated to a north African theme. Each unit is raised on a wooden platform to catch the refreshing breeze on hot summer days, and has a deck on the flat rooftop for sleep-outs under the stars. The main area of Kulala Desert Lodge includes a shady lounge, bar, plunge pool and indoor dining area, with a well-designed wrap-around veranda overlooking the riverbed.
Early morning is the best time to explore and photograph the dunes and pans of Sossusvlei. Guests at Kulala Desert Lodge have access to this magnificent area through a private gate on the Tsauchab River. This is complimented by nature drives and walks on the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, as well as quad biking and horseback safaris for the more adventurous. Hot air balloon flights are also a great way to enjoy the wonders of the desert.
Sossusvlei-Namibrand
The red dunes of Sossusvlei form a dramatic backdrop to the vlei (dry pan), with it’s cracked, white clay floor and skeletal, dead camelthorn trees. The pan was created when the shifting dunes of the Namib smothered the Tsauchab River. A bird’s eye view of the wind-honed ridges and curvaceous lines of the sea of dunes is an unforgettable experience so it’s worth taking a sunrise balloon ride, a scenic flight or a hike up one of the high dunes. And leave time to explore the Sesriem Canyon, carved through the layers of conglomerate rock by the Tsauchab River, near the entrance gate.
The Namibrand Nature Reserve, to the south of Sossusvlei, offers a very different, more exclusive experience. One of the largest private nature reserves in southern Africa, it showcases a fascinating variety of game species in a brilliant setting. Majestic oryx, kudu, giraffe and endearing bat-eared fox set against the red and golden dunes are a photographer’s dream. Intriguing ‘fairy circles’ create polka dots on the landscape and the dunes harbour a rich array of endemic lizards, scorpions, beetles and spiders that are revealed on guided tours. Overnighting in the carefully designed lodges and camps in the reserve is an incredible treat. Thanks to efforts to conserve its exceptional night skies, the reserve was recognised in 2012 as Africa’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, so is the perfect place to view the twinkling stars.
Serra Cafema is located on the banks of the Kunene River in the remote Hartmann’s Valley in the extreme northwest of Namibia. Nestled amongst shady Albida trees, it is an intimate, peaceful riverside camp, and offers a perfect mix of rustic and luxury elements.
Serra Cafema’s spacious riverside Meru tents are set on elevated decks, and their wood, canvas and thatched design draws inspiration from the local Himba people. Expansive viewing decks overlook the Kunene river and the Serra Cafema mountains. The honeymoon tent is a particular favourite, and family accommodation is also available.
The Hartmann’s Valley lies at the border between Namibia and Angola, and forms part of the vast Marienfluss Conservancy. The Kunene River is the only permanent source of water in this region, creating a lush oasis along its banks – a winding band of green surrounded by the lunar-like landscape of the Namib Desert. In rainy years, the valley becomes a grassy expanse, but it is generally sandy flatland, broken only by a few tough grasses, toxic euphorbias, mysterious 'fairy circles' and sheer granite inselbergs.
Undoubtedly one of the most remote camps in southern Africa, rushing rapids in the desert make this a surreal experience, with the sounds of the river just below the camp lulling you into dreamland after a day of desert exploration.
Kaokoland & the Kunene
The Kaokoland is the most rugged, remote part of Namibia, and most of it is only accessible by 4x4 or fly-in safaris. It is best explored on guided excursions to help unlock the secrets and mysteries of survival under this sun baked landscape.
More adventurous types can track rhino and elephant on foot, or go rafting on the Kunene River. The magnificent Epupa Falls, one of Namibia’s most popular tourist attractions, is a highlight of a visit to the north, and the nearby rock pools and lush vegetation provides some relief from the otherwise harsh environment of the region.
The Kunene is the ancestral home of the pastoral Himba people who live in scattered settlements throughout the far north west. Distinguished by their natural beauty, intricate hairstyles, distinctive jewellery and body adornments, they have clung onto their traditions, and can be easily recognised by the red colouring of their skin, produced by the application of a mixture of red ochre and fat that protects against the harsh desert sun.
Discreetly hidden in a valley at the foot of a hill, Ongava Tented Camp is one of Etosha’s best kept secrets. Constructed from local stone, canvas and thatch, this intimate vintage wilderness camp overlooks a waterhole that is extremely popular with wildlife.
Surrounded by bush, each of the nine spacious Meru-style tents is raised on wooden decking and includes en-suite facilities, open air showers and private covered verandas with views over the waterhole. The two tents comprising the family unit comfortably sleep four people.
Ongava Tented Camp offers an exclusive, intimate safari on the private Ongava Game Reserve, with big game viewing extending across to the neighbouring Etosha National Park. Ongava is one of the largest private game reserves in Namibia, and features almost all of the characteristic wildlife of the area, including plains game such as springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest, Burchell's zebra, Hartmann's mountain zebra, waterbuck, red hartebeest, giraffe, eland and the endemic black-faced impala. Elephant and cheetah can be found in the Etosha Park; while lion, leopard, and black and white rhino move freely between the Park and the Reserve. Ongava holds one of the largest rhino custodianships in the country and is one of the few private game reserves in southern Africa where guests can see both black and white rhino.
Etosha
Etosha is not just another Big 5 reserve. The ebb end flow of the park is propelled by the vast mud cracked expanse of the Etosha Pan, and nowhere else in Africa will you see wildlife in such remarkable surroundings.
Etosha it is probably best known for its vast herds of plains game such as zebra, blue wildebeest, gemsbok and springbok, but offers pretty decent sightings of the big cats and the ubiquitous pachyderms. It is also home to several rare and endangered species, including endemic black-faced impala, tsessebe and cheetah, as well as the largest population of black rhino in Africa. The latter are often sighted at the series of waterholes along the southern edge of the pan.
Etosha’s birdlife is incredible and some 340 species, about a third of which are migrants, can be found in the mopane woodlands, grasslands, savannah and saline desert. During the rainy season greater and lesser flamingos, and even pelicans are often sighted at Fischer’s Pan in the eastern section of the reserve.
LOGISTICS
This safari commences and ends in Windhoek, Namibia
- Scheduled charter flight, Windhoek to Sossusvlei
- 3 Nights accommodation at Kulala Desert Lodge in Sossusvlei
- Scheduled charter flight, Sossusvlei to Doro Nawas via Swakopmund
- Scheduled charter flight, Doro Nawas to Serra Cafema via Hoanib
- 3 Nights accommodation at Serra Cafema Camp in Kaokoland & the Kunene
- Scheduled charter flight, Serra Cafema to Doro Nawas via Hoanib
- Scheduled charter flight, Doro Nawas to Etosha
- 3 Nights accommodation at Ongava Tented Camp in Etosha
- Scheduled charter flight, Etosha to Windhoek
Itinerary
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