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Mountains & pans
The grandeur of the red dunes of Sossusvlei, the ancient landscape of Damaraland that still tells of a harmony between man and nature stretching back thousands of years, and the desolate beauty of the Etosha National Park will leave you in awe of Namibia’s natural heritage.
-
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 Damaraland & Skeleton Coast at Hoanib Skeleton Coast 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 Damaraland to the itinerary.
The safari starts in Sossusvlei with its curvaceous red dunes, mesmerising vlei with it’s cracked, white clay floor and skeletal camelthorn trees, and the vast pan of Sossusvlei itself.
It then makes its way to the rocky outcrops of Damaraland, where the wildlife is surprisingly abundant due to ephemeral river systems, and one of the largest and most important rock art concentrations in Africa can be found.
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 Damaraland & Skeleton Coast at Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp
Rugged, wild and remote, Damaraland is known for its dramatic geology. Bounded by the Skeleton Coast, the Kunene and Kaokoveld and the Etosha National Park, the landscape is breathtakingly colourful and diverse. The vast open-air gallery of 6 000-year-old petroglyphs etched into the sandstone rock at Twyfelfontein is Namibia’s only World Heritage Site, and one of the largest and most important rock art concentrations in Africa. The region is also a treasure trove of rock paintings. Despite the harshness of the environment, the wildlife is plentiful thanks to ephemeral river systems. In addition to magnificent oryx and other plains game, desert adapted rhino and elephant migrate throughout the region. Tracking these wonderful animals, by vehicle or on foot, is a truly exhilarating experience.
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.
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is located in the northern part of the private Palmwag Concession in one of the most remote areas of the Kaokoveld. It is only accessible by light aircraft. It sits in a broad valley at the confluence of two tributaries of the dry Hoanib River. Gravel plains, rugged mountains and large, yellow sand dunes draw a scenic circle around the camp. Flanked to the east and west by craggy hills, the camp looks out over a desolate, starkly beautiful landscape, yet offers guests all the luxuries and amenities for an unforgettable stay. It is the perfect location for a series of unforgettable experiences, such as game drives to one of the greatest concentrations of desert-adapted elephant and lion, or scenic flights over the famous Skeleton Coast.
The camp comprises seven twin-bedded tents and one family unit, each with a stylish en-suite bedroom with shaded outdoor deck. Set in one of the most fragile ecosystems in the world, great care was taken to ensure a minimal impact on the environment.
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is a joint-venture between Wilderness Safaris and the local community of Puros.
Damaraland
Damaraland is a mosaic of dramatic landscapes. The beautiful burnt orange granite domes of the iconic Spitzoppe and Erongo mountains define the landscape of the southeast. The red rocks of Twyfelfontein, the spectacular basalt slabs of the Organ Pipes and the multi-coloured rocks of Burnt Mountain dominate the central area. Further north, black basalt, flat-topped mountain ranges are surrounded by wind blown grasslands, studded with acacia trees.
The vast open-air gallery of 6 000-year-old petroglyphs etched into the sandstone rock at Twyfelfontein is Namibia’s only World Heritage Site, and one of the largest and most important rock art concentrations in Africa. The full spectrum of the country’s wildlife, including giraffe, rhinoceros, seals and ostriches is represented among the 5 000 engravings, along with human figures and the famous ‘Lion Man’, a long tailed lion with human toes.
The region is also a treasure trove of rock paintings, the most famous of which is the White Lady of Brandberg, a somewhat faded depiction, surrounded by animals, just north of Uis. The hour-long hike to the White Lady is straightforward, and trips to view the less accessible, extra-ordinarily well-preserved paintings of the Brandberg massif can be arranged for fit enthusiasts.
There’s also plenty for those of a cultural bent. The Damara Living Museum offers visitors an insight into the lives of the Damara people, traditionally hunter-gatherers who, along with the Bushmen, are among the oldest inhabitants of Namibia; while the charming town of Omaruru, the gateway to the Erongo Conservancy, is home to a vibrant community of artists.
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 Hoanib
- 3 Nights accommodation at Hoanib Skeleton Coast in Damaraland
- Scheduled charter flight, Hoanib to Doro Nawas
- 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 Damaraland & Skeleton Coast at Doro Nawas Camp
- 3 nights in Etosha at Andersson's 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 Damaraland to the itinerary.
The safari starts in Sossusvlei with its curvaceous red dunes, mesmerising vlei with it’s cracked, white clay floor and skeletal camelthorn trees, and the vast pan of Sossusvlei itself.
It then makes its way to the rocky outcrops of Damaraland, where the wildlife is surprisingly abundant due to ephemeral river systems, and one of the largest and most important rock art concentrations in Africa can be found.
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 Damaraland & Skeleton Coast at Doro Nawas Camp
Rugged, wild and remote, Damaraland is known for its dramatic geology. Bounded by the Skeleton Coast, the Kunene and Kaokoveld and the Etosha National Park, the landscape is breathtakingly colourful and diverse. The vast open-air gallery of 6 000-year-old petroglyphs etched into the sandstone rock at Twyfelfontein is Namibia’s only World Heritage Site, and one of the largest and most important rock art concentrations in Africa. The region is also a treasure trove of rock paintings. Despite the harshness of the environment, the wildlife is plentiful thanks to ephemeral river systems. In addition to magnificent oryx and other plains game, desert adapted rhino and elephant migrate throughout the region. Tracking these wonderful animals, by vehicle or on foot, is a truly exhilarating experience.
3 nights in Etosha at Andersson's 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.
Situated on a rugged, rocky hill at the edge of the dry Aba Huab River, Doro Nawas Camp offers stupendous views over ancient plains from its grand main area and 16 luxurious chalets.
Built on a stone base with wooden poles supporting canvas walls and a thatched roof, the chalets are spacious and cool, and feature roll out beds, permanent electricity, and an additional outdoor showers. Private verandas face out onto the valley below, offering wonderful views across the plains to the Etendeka Mountains to the north and the red sandstone cliffs of Twyfelfontein to the south. A family suite with inter-leading doors is available, and children of all ages are welcome.
Doro Nawas Camp is a great base for visiting the largest collection of petroglyphs (prehistoric chiselled rock art) in Africa. While there are no large concentrations of wildlife, this seemingly stark environment is home to a range of wildlife, including desert-adapted elephant, gemsbok, steenbok, springbok, kudu and ostrich and rare sightings of black rhino, Hartmann’s mountain zebra and cheetah.
Doro Nawas Camp is a joint venture between Wilderness Safaris and the 1 500-strong Doro !Nawas community.
Damaraland
Damaraland is a mosaic of dramatic landscapes. The beautiful burnt orange granite domes of the iconic Spitzoppe and Erongo mountains define the landscape of the southeast. The red rocks of Twyfelfontein, the spectacular basalt slabs of the Organ Pipes and the multi-coloured rocks of Burnt Mountain dominate the central area. Further north, black basalt, flat-topped mountain ranges are surrounded by wind blown grasslands, studded with acacia trees.
The vast open-air gallery of 6 000-year-old petroglyphs etched into the sandstone rock at Twyfelfontein is Namibia’s only World Heritage Site, and one of the largest and most important rock art concentrations in Africa. The full spectrum of the country’s wildlife, including giraffe, rhinoceros, seals and ostriches is represented among the 5 000 engravings, along with human figures and the famous ‘Lion Man’, a long tailed lion with human toes.
The region is also a treasure trove of rock paintings, the most famous of which is the White Lady of Brandberg, a somewhat faded depiction, surrounded by animals, just north of Uis. The hour-long hike to the White Lady is straightforward, and trips to view the less accessible, extra-ordinarily well-preserved paintings of the Brandberg massif can be arranged for fit enthusiasts.
There’s also plenty for those of a cultural bent. The Damara Living Museum offers visitors an insight into the lives of the Damara people, traditionally hunter-gatherers who, along with the Bushmen, are among the oldest inhabitants of Namibia; while the charming town of Omaruru, the gateway to the Erongo Conservancy, is home to a vibrant community of artists.
Andersson’s Camp is situated in the private Ongava Game Reserve that has an open border with the Etosha National Park, Namibia's premier wildlife destination. The camp offers exclusive game drives in the Ongava Game Reserve and daily excursions into Etosha. The camp is eco-friendly in every way, and has an old world charm, reminiscent of a bygone era.
Andersson’s Camp has 25 tented suites that fan out from the main farm house along a series of walkways. All around there are terraces, shady trees and a swimming pool for lazy afternoons in camp, observing the constant parade of wildlife looking for sustenance at the camp’s waterhole. During the dry months from June to November, the waterhole exerts a magnetic pull on the big herds of game, and forms the centrepiece for visitors looking to spot the nearly 150 species that are found in the park. These include several rare and endangered species such as black rhino, cheetah, black-faced impala, tsessebe, brown hyena, black maned lions and gemsbok.
Morning and night drives explore sections of the Ongava Game Reserve and the Etosha National Park. Although there are no fences between the Ongava and Etosha, guests have to enter Etosha from one of the main entrances, which is a 30-minute drive away. Guided walks are offered to guests wishing to stretch their legs and see the reserve from a different perspective.
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
- 3 Nights accommodation at Doro Nawas in Damaraland
- Scheduled charter flight, Doro Nawas to Etosha
- 3 Nights accommodation at Andersson's Camp in Etosha
- Scheduled charter flight, Etosha to Windhoek
Itinerary
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