Namibian Highlights and Astrophotography

Adventures in Comfort – Enjoy Remote Landscapes During the Day and a Warm Bed Each Night.

April 14, Day 1: Arrival in Windhoek

*Note that our optional Meerkat and Giraffe Lodge extension begins prior to the trip, and is detailed at the bottom of this itinerary.

Fly into Windhoek and meet your adventure guides and other members of the tour. Take the day to relax by the pool high above the noise of the city, or try to spot one of the 19 species of game on the private reserve where we will be staying. Option to add horseback riding for those who arrive early.

Lodge: River Crossing or similar

April 15, Day 2: Etosha National Park (east)

Today we’ll make our way to Etosha National Park, one of the best places in Africa for wildlife viewing. The park is home to wild lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebra, springbok, honey badgers, and hundreds of species of mammals, birds and reptiles, many of which are endangered.

Thanks to the dry nature of Namibia, wildlife viewing in Etosha is made easy by heading to the watering holes and scanning the salt pan, which is the largest on Earth, for animals.

Enjoy a foot massage at the lodge and hang by the watering hole at night at the luxurious Emanya lodge, located on the edge of the national park with gorgeous sunset views, multiple pools, lovely rooms…

And a lookout tower for wildlife. Enjoy sundowners on the deck before a delicious multi-course dinner.

Lodge: Emanya or similar

April 16, Day 3: Etosha National Park (west)

Today we’ll journey into western Etosha National Park, one of the most famous safari destinations in Africa, to see some incredible animals. During our full day game drive, we will witness how the desert landscape provides unique opportunities to see many rare animal interactions around water sources.

We are lucky to stay in the national park at Okakuejo Lodge, which is one of the best locations in the world to see the endangered black rhino. The highlight will be watching the watering hole at night, where the animals will come to us!  

Lodge: Okakuejo or similar

April 17, Day 4: Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund

Today we’ll say goodbye to Etosha (with one last morning game drive), and move onwards to Spitzkoppe, a group of bald granite peaks that are over 120 million years old. Marvel at the warm orange rock formations and ancient cave drawings. 

Then we’ll journey to Namibia’s adventure capital – Swakopmund, where we will be staying right on the beach.

Watch as the sun sets over the coast, in layers of color that often seem surreal, in this little German-influenced Namibian beachside town. 

We’ll spend two nights at the gorgeous Beach Lodge, located directly on the beach and perfectly situated for sunset. Rooms open up right to the sand for those on the first floor, and have balconies with water views on the second.

Lodge: Beach Lodge or similar

April 18, Day 5: Swakopmund

Today you get to choose your own adventure!  There are several optional activities: Go kayaking, four-wheeling, or strap on boards and glide down the towering dunes we’ve been admiring so far on the trip. Even if you don’t have snowboarding experience, sandboarding can be tons of fun, thanks to the soft sand. Or take a jeep tour through the dunes to Sandwich Harbor, one of the only places on earth where dunes meet the sea. A gorgeous adventure finished with champagne. 

For those who want a little more adrenaline, skydive and take in the stunning surroundings from way up above while you float back down to the desert below – a truly unforgettable experience.  And for those that want a little more relaxation, today is a great day to read on the beach. 

Lodge: Beach Lodge or similar

April 19, Day 6: Sossusvlei

Today we’ll hit the road, stopping to say hi to the flamingoes of Walvis Bay on our way. We’ll be driving through the breathtaking Namib Desert down to two of the most famous sights in the country, Dune 45 and Deadvlei.

Enjoy the evening poolside at the beautiful Dead Valley Lodge, watching Oryx stroll by with a drink in hand. The lodge is inside the gate, so we can go up the dunes at sunrise/sunset. Almost everyone else will have to line up outside the gate and wait until sunrise to get in!

You will spend the evening in one of the best and darkest places in the world for stars. Enjoy stargazing from this beautiful location right in the National Park.

Lodge: Dead Valley Lodge or similar

April 20, Day 7: Sossusvlei

Today we’ll rise early to visit the dead acacia trees framed with orange dunes that make the park famous. Sit atop the sand dune as the sun casts shadows on the orange desert around us. Watch for kudu and oryx running across the dunes, and take in the 360-degree view of bright orange dune after bright orange dune.

By staying inside the park at one of only two inner gate options, we’ll have a unique opportunity to be amongst the first visitors to Deadvlei, giving us a 30-minute head start before the outer gate is opened to everyone else. This is early access means seeing the sun illuminate the dunes and enjoying much smaller AM crowds.

Walk amongst the most intriguing and fascinating dead forest in the world, tip toeing across the salt pan and walking across the tops of the dunes. This is truly an experience you can only have in Namibia!

In the evening, enjoy sundowners at the lodge and practice your astrophotography if desired. This area has some of the best stargazing on earth. 

Lodge: Dead Valley Lodge or similar

April 21, Day 8: Windhoek

We’ll make our way through the desert landscape visiting Sesirem canyon on the way to Windhoek for the night.

Lodge: River Crossing or similar

April 22, Day 9: Maun / Head Home

For those doing both weeks, an international flight is included to transport us to Maun from Windhoek to start the next part of our journey.  This allows us to cut over ten hours of driving from our itinerary! We will do a bird walk in the afternoon.

For those who are heading home, catch your onward flights out of Windhoek.

Priced at $3900 for one week, or $7800 for both

16 Spots Available.

(Keep reading and adding additional legs to your cart if you’d like to join for Botswana/Zimbabwe/Zambia and/or the pre-trip extension.)