ON SAFARI IN NAMIBIA

Ancient deserts, giant dunes, desert-adapted wildlife and haunting landscapes

Magnificent, endless, unimaginable, adventurous…

Seemingly endless horizons, dramatic landscapes and thrilling wildlife sightings make Namibia one of the beguiling countries in Africa.

The word Namibia means ‘open plains’ in the ancient Hottentot language. From the haunting landscapes of the Skeleton Coast and the giant dunes of the Sossusvlei, to the animal wonderland of Etosha and the awe-inspiring Fish River Canyon, Namibia boasts prolific wildlife. Yet the abiding impression will be the vast landscapes of deserts and plains stretching seemingly into infinity.


Home desert-adapted wildlife that traverse the vast plains, pre-historic rock art, Welwitschia mirabilis – the ancient fossil plant, and fossilized dinosaur footprints preserved in the ancient, rocky mountain ranges, Namibia is defined by endless sunshine, scenic beauty and unusual and contrasting topography. When added to the space and silence, these factors all contribute to a feeling of antiquity, solitude and wilderness.

  • Namibia's Ecosystems

    Location, Landscape & Habitat

    Sandwiched between two deserts – the Namib Desert, said to be the oldest in the world, on its western coastline and the Kalahari Desert in the eastern interior, Namibia features the Etosha National Park in the north, and the majestic Fish River Canyon in the south. Namibia covers over 820 000 square km (the size of France & Britain combined) of contrasting scenery. Many of the features of this country are of particular scientific interest and attract scientists from all over the world.

    Namibia is the first country in the world to include protection of the environment and sustainable utilization of wildlife in its constitution. About 15,5% of the country has been set-aside as national parks. In these areas, rare and endangered species of animals, birds and plant life are preserved and protected. They serve as a living reminder to us all, and to the generations of the future, of how it once was in Africa.

    Namibia offers the photographer – amateur or professional – light and scenery like nowhere else in the world. Namibia has rich ethnic diversity, perhaps most visible in the dramatic dress styles of groups such as the Herero and the Himba. This is also one of the last refuges of the San (Bushmen) who still practice their hunter/gatherer way of life in remote areas.

    The magnificent and varied National Parks and game reserves, including the famed Etosha, are rich with wildlife and birdlife. While travelling in Etosha or the northern reaches of Damaraland one may see the magnificent desert elephants and lions which are specially adapted to this often harsh environment. 


    Etosha National Park

    Consisting of over 22 000 km² of saline desert, savannah and woodlands, the Etosha National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa and one of the major sanctuaries for wildlife. Its definitive feature is the Etosha Pan, a vast shallow depression of about 5 000 km². This great, white expanse the locals call ’great place of dry water‘, often shimmers with mirages and herds of game can be seen within this eerie setting.

    There are 144 mammal species in the park, including elephant, giraffe, blue wildebeest and black rhino, predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard, wildcat, hyena and jackal.

    The black rhino population of 300 is one of the few growing populations in the world and the local elephant are reputed to be the largest in Africa -the tallest standing at 4m at the shoulder. Their tusks however are relatively small due to genetic defects and mineral deficiencies in their diet.

    The majestic eland, the tiny, shy Damara dik-dik (45cm high) and the striking Oryx (gemsbok), with its dramatic black and white markings are common. Bird life is prolific and some 340 species have been identified, including Namibia’s national bird, the vividly coloured crimson-breasted shrike.  During the rainier seasons Etosha is also one of the most important breeding grounds for flamingos.

    Etosha is also known for its expert game management and attentive protection of the unspoiled environment.


    Swakopmund

    A true oasis and respite from the solemn desert and its monotonous heat. A seaside holiday resort full of old-world charm and modern amenities, from the quaint German colonial influences to funky café’s.

    The tranquil setting includes promenades, palm trees and beautifully tended public gardens, the Swakopmund museum (covering natural history, mineralogy, botany, historical and ethnological aspects), the National Marine & Research Center, an aquarium, a public library, and a grassed golf course in a desert setting.

    This ‘middle of the desert’ feel is one of its attractions – one can enjoy the wild expanse of the adjacent desert and sea and yet have the creature comforts of Swakopmund’s hotels, restaurants, bars and much-needed laundries!

    There is plenty to see and do and activities include quad-biking, sand boarding, rock & surf fishing and skydiving. There is also a tannery, manufacturing well-known kudu leather shoes, and a brewery producing fine beers in the German tradition.


    Namib-Naukluft National Park

    The Namib-Naukluft National Park is an incredibly unusual and diverse ‘super-conservation’ area. There is nothing quite like it. It’s probably the most unusual in the world– an ancient land with an ageless spirit.

    It covers almost 50 000 km² and is ranked as the 4th largest in the world (the largest nature conservation area in Namibia) with landscapes including an impressive mountain massif, desert plains, high sand dunes, deep gorges and an estuarine lagoon.

    The atmosphere can suddenly shift with the weather or time of day, as light, textures and shadows give desert landscapes entirely new characters. Survivors in this harsh landscape include the Oryx, springbok and zebra as well as the Welwitschia mirabilis, an odd-looking desert plant. One large, protected specimen is estimated at 1500 years old.


    Sossusvlei Dunes

    The visual spectacular in the Sossusvlei area is unsurpassed. Amongst the continuous towering dunes as far as the eye can see is arguably the highlight of the Namib Desert – the Sossusvlei, an enormous clay-pan, surrounded by dunes. After a heavy rainfall, rare in this area, the vlei fills with water and, as the clay layers are virtually impermeable to water, a turquoise lake remains for quite some time.

    The dunes and their rich tints vary from pale apricot to vivid reds and oranges, and contrast vividly with the dazzling white surfaces of the claypans, or lakes, below. During the rainy season one of the larger of these pans creates a haven for water birds, often including flamingos. Even during the dry season, Oryx, springbok and ostriches can be seen feeding off the sparse vegetation along the water courses.

    The dunes of the Namib Desert developed over a period of many millions of years and are shaped by strong-multi-directional winds. It is thought that the vast quantities of sand were carried into the Atlantic Ocean by the Orange River. The surf pushed the sand back onto land and coastal dunes formed. Dunes have subsequently shifted inland and northwards. Wind continuously re-stacks the sand of the huge shifting dunes of the Namib Desert. It tirelessly forces the grains of sand on the flat windward slope upwards to the crest of the dune. Here they fall down in the wind shade. The leeward slope, therefore, is always considerably steeper than the windward side.


    Sesriem Canyon

    Erosion over many centuries has incised a narrow gorge through which the Tsauchab River disappears dramatically down a steep gorge in the plain. This gorge, Sesriem Canyon, is approx. 1 km long with pools along the way and a 30-40 m pool at its end. These pools of water, in an otherwise arid region attract many birds and animals.

  • Country Facts | Climate | Safari FAQ's

    Republic of Namibia

    • Area: 824,292 km²

    • Capital: Windhoek

    • Currency: Namibian Dollar

    • Population: 2.2 million, about 90% Christian

    • Language: English is the official language. Afrikaans, German, Bantu and Khoisan.

    • Time: GMT +1 / DST +2


    Climate: 

    The climate is typical of a desert land, with hot days and cool nights. The main rainfall period is between mid-January and April.


    Best time to visit is between March and October, when when the temperatures are between 20°C and 30°C and the chance of rain is low. This is also the best time for wildlife viewing.


    Safari FAQ’s

    • General Safari FAQ's

    • Describe a Day on Safari

    • Who are the Big Five

    • About Sustainability

    • Debunking Safari Myths

    • What is a Luxury Safari

    • Choosing a Safari Style

    • Multi-generational Safaris

    • About Giving Back



A Taste of Namibia:

Video 19 secs

 TRΛVELBOECKER TΛILOR-MΛDE - All of our eco-safaris are uniquely designed to match your personal vision.

Namibia Under Canvas Safari
Namibia Safari, Desert elephant, Damaraland

This 10-day Namibia Under Canvas Road Safari affords you the chance to experience this magnificent and memorable country in a very personal way, while supporting the Save the Rhino Trust. On this slower paced safari you will have your own professional and experienced safari guide who will share local insights and enhance your journey through this unique country.


The Under Canvas eco-camps offer a true “back to nature” experience with emphasis on ‘experience’ – to touch, to smell, to feel and to get to know the wilderness, with one’s feet firmly in the dust that covers Africa. This exclusive safari will transport you, taking you away from the pressures of ‘normal’ life.

  • Safari Highlights

    • Travel with one of Namibia’s most reputable and well-known naturalist guides.

    • Visit the world renowned AfriCat Foundation and learn more about conservation initiatives involving Africa’s large cats.

    • Sleep under canvas in the treetops overlooking one of the busiest waterholes on the Onguma Private Game Reserve.

    • Memorable and exciting guided game drives within the renowned Etosha National Park, from the vantage point of a specially modified, air conditioned 4x4.

    • Explore the Damaraland region whilst staying at an exclusive-use Under Canvas camp.

    • Search for desert adapted elephant in ephemeral river systems.

    • Track for the endangered black rhino in conjunction with Save the Rhino Trust.

    • Explore Namibia’s central coastal region with canyons, dunes and lagoons.

    • Stay in a private conservancy in the Namib Desert, enjoy nature drives and guided walks whilst at an the exclusive-use Under Canvas camp near Sossusvlei.

    • Climb some of the world’s highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei and enjoy spectacular star gazing of the Milky Way in the Namib Desert.


    Since most of the camps are seasonal and therefore tented, you’ll fall asleep hearing the noisy silence of the desert and wake up to a chorus of animals that announces the start of a new day. It is the kind of intimacy that can only be achieved by travelling to the most wild, remote and private places, in exclusive areas away from the beaten path.


    Contact Namibia specialist, Christine Boecker to arrange your private Namibia Safari

    (US)

  • Itinerary Overview

    Days 1 - 3 Etosha

    Arrive in Windhoek, where you will meet your guide and set off by road to Onguma Private Game Reserve. En-route enjoy a game drive at the Okonjima’s AfriCat Centre, a wildlife sanctuary focused on research and the rehabilitation of Africa's big cats.


    Continue further north, arriving at your unique and intimate camp in the late afternoon. Located on the Onguma Game Reserve near Etosha National Park, the camp consists of 4 thatched rooms with canvas sides, private bathroom with outside shower, crisp linens, duvets, and cozy throws keep you warm at night. They are set on wooden stilts amongst the treetops, with a deck overlooking one of the most beautiful watering holes in the conservancies, where you can truly experience the bush in all its splendour.


    Savour 2 full days of exciting game viewing in the Etosha National Park on the north-western edge of the Namibian Kalahari Desert. Etosha means the ‘Place of Mirages’ or the ‘Great White Place’ and covers 22 270 km², including 5 000 km² of saline desert or ‘pans’. The largest of these, the Etosha Pan, was formed three million years ago when the Kunene River changed course and began to flow to the Atlantic Ocean. If the lake existed today, it would be the third largest in the world. 


    Game-viewing centers around the numerous springs and waterholes where several different species can often be seen at one time. The Park boasts some 114 mammal and over 340 bird species. Wildlife includes elephant, lion, rhino, cheetah, leopard, hyena, giraffe, blue wildebeest, eland, kudu, gemsbok (oryx), zebra, honey badger and warthog, as well as the endemic black faced impala.


    Days 4 to 6 Damaraland

    Continue your safari into the heart of Namibia, Damaraland, typified by displays of colour, magnificent table topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation. The vastness and scenic splendour gives meaning to the word 'wilderness'. 


    Your Under Canvas camp is located in a core desert adapted black rhino area in the Huab Conservancy, nestled in a grove of Mopane trees on the banks of a tributary of the Huab River. Protected from all the prevailing winds and sun, the semi-mobile camp is virtually invisible from anywhere around has the lowest environmental footprint of any camp in Namibia. 


    Large Meru tents are raised on platforms and feature twin beds, solar lighting,  storage for clothing and ensuite bathrooms with flush toilets and bucket showers. Deckchairs on the patio allow you to relax and take in the feeling of space and solitude that makes Namibia so special. Camp chefs prepare delicious, wholesome meals and local delicacies, using fresh local produce wherever possible.


    Activities include tracking desert adapted rhino with local trackers, exploring the Huab River in search of desert adapted elephants with your private naturalist guide, nature walks and scenic drives to explore this vast and astounding ecosystem. 


    Damaraland is a surprising refuge for desert adapted wildlife that may include elephant, giraffe, oryx, springbok and even some predators such as lion. Desert adapted elephant walk further for water and fodder than any other elephant in Africa. Not a separate species or even a subspecies, they are an ecotype unique to Namibia, behaviorally adapted to hyper-arid conditions. 


    Your visit supports the Save the Rhino Trust - an NGO that has been instrumental in the preservation of the rare, desert adapted black rhino. Once widespread in the subcontinent, black rhinoceros are now an endangered species. 


    Day 7 Swakopmund 

    Today’s drive today takes you south past Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg (2,573 m), and west to meet the coast at Henties Bay, then on to the coastal town of Swakopmund for overnight on the outskirts of town, overlooking the Swakop River valley and desolate desert dune landscapes. 


    Swakopmund boasts a charming array of German colonial architecture and had its beginnings as a landing station in 1892 when the Imperial Navy erected beacons on the site. Today Swakopmund is Namibia’s premier resort town. Although the sea is normally cold for swimming there are pleasant beaches and the cooler climate is refreshing after time spent in the desert. 


    Days 8 & 9 Sossusvlei 

    Depart on a fascinating drive through ever-changing desert landscapes, via the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons, the desert settlement of Solitaire and on to the private 24 000ha Namib Conservancy, where you will spend the last two nights of your safari at an exclusive-use Under Canvas lodge. Your camp consists of eight comfortable en-suite tents with bucket showers and is nestled between the Nubib and Zaris Mountains. It is near to the Great Namib Sand Sea which has recently been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


    The Conservancy is home to large concentrations of wildlife, including oryx, springbok, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, Burchell’s zebra, kudu, hartebeest, giraffe, steenbok, klipspringer, bat-eared fox, and aardwolf, as well as predators such as leopard, cheetah, brown and spotted hyena. It’s a great area for photographers, offering fantastic landscapes, iconic quiver trees, and the opportunity for night time photography. From here you can also take a hot air balloon flight, an experience not to be missed.


    Activities include a visit to the famous Sossusvlei to watch the sunrise over these magnificent dunes. Your guide will share about the formation of the Namib Desert and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environs.


    Later in the afternoon head out again with your private guide for a scenic nature drive or walk to explore this vast and astounding ecosystem and to enjoy a magnificent final safari sundowner and some incredible star gazing. 


    Day 10 Windhoek 

    Return to Windhoek, driving northeast up the Great Escarpment and through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands.


    Contact Namibia specialist, Christine Boecker to arrange your private Namibia Safari

    (US)

DISCOVER MORE >>
Shipwrecks & Ghost Town
Namibia Safari, Skeleton Coast

Using private 6-seater aircraft as our ‘safari vehicle’, this spectacular 6-day journey covers Namibia’s entire 1,600 km Skeleton Coast, from the mystical Sperrgebiet - the forbidden diamond area in the far south to the Kunene River, forming the country’s northern border.


Explore the rolling sand dunes at Sossusvlei and the ghost town of Kolmanskop, discover ever-changing geological formations in Damaraland and the land of the Himba people in Kaokoland.


This safari affords a true off-the-beaten-track experience with photo ops galore!

  • Safari Highlights

    • Experience ‘see-level’ flights over shipwrecks and seal colonies

    • Marvel at ancient Bushman rock engravings and the living fossil tree, Welwitschia Mirabilis

    • Fly over mist-enshrouded beaches strewn with bleached whale bones and over expanses of uninhabited desert plains

    • Visit the refuges of desert-dwelling wildlife, such as the endangered black rhino and the desert-adapted elephant

    • Stay in private tented eco-camps, nestled into the natural environment, chosen for its unique beauty. The fully equipped and comfortable tents feature en-suite bucket showers and flush toilets. 

    • All meals, including fresh fruit and vegetables, soft drinks and a wide assortment of alcoholic beverages are included.


    Contact Namibia specialist, Christine Boecker to join this Fly-In Safari.

    (SKS)

  • Itinerary Overview

    Day 1 Sossusvlei

    An early morning flight from Windhoek takes us to Sossusvlei in the Namib Naukluft Park, reputed to have the highest dunes in the world. The view of the shadow-lined dunes from the air is spectacular.

    From here we drive into the avenue of dunes, some reaching heights of 300m. Energetic guests may choose to climb to the top of the dunes, posing a challenge for even the fittest hikers.

    Back in our plane, we fly into the NamibRand Nature Reserve, our base for the next two nights. An afternoon drive through the Nature Reserve rewards with sights of the majestic Oryx – a desert-adapted antelope.


    Day 2 Lüderitz

    Flying south today, we explore the coastal town of Lüderitz with the ghost town relics of the early German pioneers at Kolmanskop and the forbidden diamond area.

    Returning to our camp in the NamibRand, our flight passes over Spencer Bay with its picturesque Otavi shipwreck, seals basking on the rocky slopes, penguins and other bird life. This is possibly the most desolate and compelling part of the Skeleton Coast.


    Day 3 Skeleton Coast

    Our flight to Swakopmund includes an aerial view of the famous Eduard Bohlen shipwreck at Conception Bay. After refuelling, we continue with a low-level flight north along the Skeleton Coast past the seal colony at Cape Cross for a picnic lunch near the beach.

    Then fly east over the Namib desert to the Ugab rock formations – a nearly lifeless ‘moon landscape’ of black ridges that stand out in stark contrast to the white desert floor – before landing at our camp in the Huab River Valley. Ancient rock engravings are found within walking distance of the camp.


    Day 4 Huab River Valley

    This morning we take the Land Rover to explore colorful red lava and yellow sandstone of the Huab River and to learn about the wide diversity of flora and fauna, including Welwitschia Mirabilis, a tree dwarfed by the rigours of the encroaching desert climate.

    After lunch we fly over the shipwrecks dotting the Skeleton Coast Park, the most prominent being the Montrose and Henrietta.

    At the coast we access the roaring dunes by Land Rover, always a stimulating experience!  On the beach we find a profusion of multicolored pebbles consisting of agate, lava, granite and quartz. Interesting to see are old, bleached whale bones scattered along the sand above the high tide mark.

    Return to the aircraft and continue north to our camp in the Hoarusib Valley in the Kunene Region.


    Day 5 Kunene River

    Embark on a scenic drive along the Hoarusib Valley and visit a settlement of the nomadic Himba people. En-route we might come across desert-dwelling elephant who frequent this valley.

    Continue further north along the Skeleton Coast by aircraft to the Kunene River, forming the border to Angola. The Kaiu Maru shipwreck and pieces from old sailing vessels lie scattered along the coast.

    After lunch we drive through the mountains and dunes of the Hartmann Valley – which extends to the Kunene River – reaching our camp in the late afternoon.


    Day 6 Windhoek

    Enjoy an early morning boat trip on the Kunene River through scenic desert landscape, observing bird life and possibly some crocodiles. Birds vary from aquatic species on the perennial waters, to endemic desert varieties and those that inhabit dense riverine vegetation.

    Bid farewell to this ancient desert and fly back to Windhoek, arriving in the late afternoon.


    Contact Namibia specialist, Christine Boecker to join this Fly-In Safari.

    (SKS)

GET ONBOARD >>
Great Namibian Journey
Namibia Safari, Sossusvlei Dunes

This quintessential 12-day fly-in safari takes in Namibia’s attractions: stunning landscapes, endless skies, barren deserts, rugged mountains and spectacular wildlife.


Explore the dunes of Sossusvlei and the awesome space of the Namib Desert. Then make your way north to discover the amazing marine life around Swakopmund and the volcanic rock-strewn landscape of Damaraland before tracking Black Rhino on foot in the Palmwag Concession, and savouring the game-filled savannahs and salt pans of Etosha National Park.



  • Safari Highlights

    • Exceptionally diverse variety of activities, including day and night nature drives, sea- and land-based wildlife viewing, flying, driving, and boating

    • Unique activities include meeting local Damara people, Desert Elephant and Rhino tracking, and motorboat lagoon trip at Walvis Bay

    • Endless landscapes and places of interest are seen along the way, with a scenic flights between the five eco systems.


    Contact Namibia specialist, Christine Boecker to arrange your Great Namibian Safari

    (WS)

  • Itinerary Overview

    Days 1 & 2 Desert Lodge in Sossusvlei


    Days 3 & 4 Boutique hotel in Swakopmund


    Days 5 & 6 Eco-friendly luxury camp in Damaraland


    Days 7 & 8 Meru-style tented camp in the Palmwag Concession


    Days 9 & 10 Luxury Tented Camp in the Etosha region


    Day 12 Return to Windhoek


    Contact Namibia specialist, Christine Boecker to arrange your Great Namibian Safari

    (WS)

GO EXPLORING >>

BeWILDered about Africa? We specialize!


Visit About African Safaris to learn what you can experience on your safari. We debunk common safari myths, elaborate on safari styles, describe the Big Five and address frequently asked questions. More >>


TESTIMONIALS


MORE REVIEWS >>

Memories from Christine's Namibia Safari:
Namibia Safari, Namib Desert, Tropic of Capricorn
Namibia Safari, ATV ride in the Namib Desert
Namibia Safari, Hot air balloon ride over the Namib Desert
Namibia Safari, champagne breakfast after hot air balloon ride over the Namib Desert

TRΛVELBOECKER ΛDVENTURES Insider’s Reports:

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