A Desert Adventure
Namibia is the King of wild and rugged safaris, bursting with contrasting landscapes and mind-boggling scenery. But there’s one area of the country that’s worth every superlative in the dictionary and that’s the north, in particular the Kaokoland and the Skeleton Coast – and that’s exactly where this desert adventure will be taking you.
You’ll begin in the Hoanib Valley region of Kaokoland, with game drives through dust-blown landscapes in search of desert giraffe and elephant and interactions with the fascinating Himba people. Then, you’ll drive from the inland valleys of the Hoanib, past the cracked pans and sandy rivers, to the ochre dunes of the Skeleton Coast. The sheer beauty of the area is striking and it’s all yours to explore for the next three nights…
3 Nights Kaokoland | 3 Nights Skeleton Coast
Nights 1 - 3 Kaokoland, Namibia
You’ll arrive at the stylish Hoanib Valley Camp and get settled into the safari way of life with a G&T at the campfire and a hearty dinner under the stars. Hoanib Valley Camp is tucked deep into the mountainous landscapes of the Kaokoland in a sheltered cocoon overlooking the Hoanib riverbed. A joint venture between the local communities and Dr. Julian Fennessy, Africa’s foremost giraffe expert, the camp is a stylish and peaceful retreat, perfect for returning to at the end of the day to wash off the dust and relax.
Spend the next two days in your vehicle, searching for desert-adapted elephant and giraffe, enjoying morning coffee in the shadow of the mountains, and visiting the traditional villages of the nomadic Himba peoples.
In Namibia, the breath-taking scenery is just as much of an attraction as the wildlife. The stark, dry landscapes of the north are an inhospitable place for animals to survive – but dig a little deeper and you’ll find an astonishing and varied assortment of wildlife hidden in these desert plains.
In the Hoanib Valley, you’ll spot desert elephant digging deep holes in the river bed and stately giraffe trimming the leaves from the trees.
Nights 4 - 6 Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Just when you thought you couldn’t get any more remote, you’ll drive west to the Skeleton Coast, a strange yet utterly beautiful slice of Namibian wilderness.
The ‘shipwrecked’ cabins of the aptly-named Shipwreck Lodge are scattered amongst the wind-rippled dunes of the Skeleton Coast with magnificent views over the surrounding sands. Each cabin is cozy and comfortable and the main area is equally so, with plenty of plush armchairs and squashy cushions to relax in. You might be in one of the harshest landscapes on earth, but there is no comfort to be sacrificed.
Some might say this is when the adventure really begins! Visit the seals at Mowe Colony, walk across the lunar landscapes and discover the secrets of the desert, and clamber over the whale-bones and shipwrecks on the coast.
At the Skeleton Coast, spot rare brown hyena, lion (if you’re very lucky), jackals, desert elephant and the ever-present seals of the Mowe Bay colony.
What's Included
Accommodation, guest laundry, all meals & local beverages
Full day scenic drive from Hoanib Valley Camp to Shipwreck Lodge
Road transfer from Orutjandja Airstrip to Hoanib Valley Camp
Road transfer to Mowe Bay from Shipwreck Lodge
Daily activities, expert guiding, park entrance fees & VAT
Exclusions: Premium brand drinks, gratuities and fully comprehensive travel insurance.
