The Wonders of Namibia

After arriving at Walvis Bay International Airport, you will go through customs and pick up your rental car at the Europcar counter for your journey. Before hitting the road, you have the opportunity to make a short stop in Walvis Bay itself, where thousands of flamingos have made themselves at home in the Walvis Bay lagoon. The trip continues along the B2 towards the neighboring town of Swakopmund.

With the Atlantic Ocean on your left and the impressive high dunes on your right, the route takes approximately 30 minutes heading north. The rugged Atlantic Ocean offers a varied palette of colors, from turquoise blue one day to inky black on another. Don't be surprised if the sunset is accompanied by a low mist—this is known as Swakopmund’s blanket for the night.

You will stay overnight at the Strand Hotel, beautifully situated right on a lively promenade and within walking distance of the city's best restaurants. If you arrive early, you will have plenty of time to further explore this popular seaside resort.

Swakopmund, with palm-lined streets and a charming beach promenade, is considered Namibia’s most popular coastal destination. The city serves as a base for many diverse activities, from quad biking in the Namib Desert to sandboarding and desert excursions. Join in the local daily life and treat yourself at 4:00 PM to coffee and cake, just like the locals. It’s an excellent opportunity to take a break in the afternoon and enjoy flavorful cheesecake or a decadent Black Forest cherry cake, a leftover legacy of the German influence.

Of course, there are countless photo opportunities, lovely cafes to visit, and various walking trails along the beautiful beach.

After a delicious breakfast, the journey continues along the coast with several stops, heading towards Mowe Bay. Today's route is challenging, with over 400 kilometers to cover, but the destination is more than worth it!

Along the way, you will pass the remarkable Wlotzkazbaken with its 99 houses, which hold a fascinating history. The route then continues towards Jakkalzputz along the Skeleton Coast, where you catch a glimpse of the Zeila, one of the more recent shipwrecks that have been lost along this unpredictable coastline. This is a sign of what still lies ahead.

The trip proceeds via Henties Bay, a small coastal town known for its extraordinary fishing, to Skeleton Coast National Park. The inhospitable terrain, raw desolation, and lack of flora and fauna give the area its name, Skeleton Coast. The next stop is Torra Bay, followed by Terrace Bay, where "little to nothing" is taken literally. You will make a quick stop here for fuel before reaching the destination of Mowe Bay, where you leave the car and are picked up by the transfer that takes you to the extraordinary Shipwreck Lodge, located in the heart of the Skeleton Coast.

Indulge yourself at this unique location. In the afternoon, enjoy a beautiful drive exploring the dunes and surreal landscapes, visiting some shipwrecks in the immediate area, such as the Suiderkruis and Karimona, while learning more about the 'ghost waves' and real spirits. Perhaps you will even catch a glimpse of the desert elephant! After an excellent meal, retreat to your beautiful room and fall asleep to the sound of the Atlantic Ocean waves.

Stay: The Shipwreck Lodge – including full board and activities

The next day can be filled with some of the activities offered by the lodge. Think of sipping champagne at sunset, a walk on the beach, game drives through Skeleton Coast National Park, quad biking, or a 4WD trip to Clay Castles and the Hoanib River Delta.

After breakfast, you will be taken back to Mowe Bay, where you will pick up the car and drive south back to Torra Bay. From there, you will head inland as you venture deeper into Damaraland.

You will spend the next two nights at Camp Kipwe, surrounded by its stunning environment, a perfect base to explore the area known for its rock art. It is unusual for this UNESCO World Heritage site to contain both rock paintings and engravings that offer an impression of life hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago.

Camp Kipwe is an intimate and remote bush lodge located in the arid and breathtakingly beautiful Twyfelfontein region of Namibia.

The lodge offers guided nature walks within the Twyfelfontein Conservancy, as well as excursions to see the Bushmen engravings, the mysterious Organ Pipes, and the Burning Mountain.

For a truly special experience, an optional Elephant Nature Drive is a must-do to explore the terrain in search of these rare desert elephants that have adapted to the dry, sandy conditions of northern Namibia.

The lodge offers guided nature walks in the Twyfelfontein Conservancy, as well as excursions to see the Bushmen etchings, the mysterious Organ Pipes, and the Burnt Mountain.

For a truly unique experience, an optional Elephant Nature Drive is a must-do to explore the terrain in search of these rare desert elephants that have adapted to the dry and sandy conditions of northern Namibia.

You are departing this morning towards one of Namibia's most iconic highlights, the Etosha National Park. The route takes you past the town of Outjo. We recommend refueling here and stopping at the Outjo Bakery, which is nationally renowned for its selection of delicious meat pies or one of the vegetarian options. From Outjo, it is approximately 100 kilometers to the lodge, which will serve as your base for exploring Etosha National Park. You can immediately in the afternoon enter the park with your car and explore the waterhole teeming with wildlife.

Today, you will enjoy the entire day exploring everything that Etosha National Park has to offer. The lodge arranges a 7 to 8-hour game drive in an open jeep. This way, you will discover this unique park throughout the day.

Pure nature in all its facets—that is Etosha National Park. Etosha was established in 1907 as a 5,000 square kilometer salt pan that now forms the heart of the park. During rainy periods, the salt pan fills with water and becomes one of the most important breeding grounds for flamingos in southern Africa. This salt pan, which can be up to 120 kilometers long and 55 kilometers wide, originated approximately 2 to 10 million years ago when the Kunene River flowed into Lake Ekuma. The expansion of the lake eventually formed Etosha. Later, the Kunene River changed course and started flowing westward towards the Ruacana Falls, cutting off the inflow to Lake Ekuma. During this dry period, the soil of the former inland lake, combined with wind erosion, transformed into a dry layer of clay and silt, up to 240 meters thick in some places.

The vast animal kingdom of the park includes more than a hundred species of mammals, including elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, black rhinoceroses, blue wildebeests, giraffes, plains zebras, and the rare black-nosed impala, as well as Damara dik-diks (dwarf green antelopes) and 340 different bird species. The western part of Etosha National Park is also home to roan antelopes, sable antelopes, and mountain zebras.

Especially outside the rainy season, the waterholes in the park attract many animals. Therefore, a longer stay in this park is recommended. You will leave the park at sunset and return to the lodge.

Today, your journey takes you to the capital of Namibia, Windhoek. Here, you can choose to visit some of the highlights of what is considered the cleanest city in the Southern Hemisphere. There are numerous attractions around the city and monuments that reflect the country's colonial history. The centerpiece is the Christuskirche, overlooking the city, peacefully situated on an island surrounded by busy traffic. Additionally, there are three castles located on the hills surrounding the city, one of which is the famous Heinitzburg, offering a stunning view of the sunset. A vibrant city with many opportunities and a touch of adventure, Windhoek is a multicultural society. Visitors enjoy the best of two worlds here—European architecture and lifestyle on one side, and the lively rhythm of African culture and environment on the other.

The route then continues to Omaanda, which is less than an hour's drive from Windhoek.

Omaanda is a luxurious lodge located in the Zannier Reserve by Naankuse, an incredible private wildlife reserve of 9,000 hectares near the Namibian capital Windhoek. With views over the endless savannah, the camp offers 10 spacious round huts with handcrafted thatched roofs, whose warm design, evocative of the earth, is inspired by traditional Ovambo architecture. The authentic restaurant serves refined dishes, from a delicious breakfast with fresh ingredients to sharing platters, including generous cuts of spit-roasted game. Complemented by the stunning surroundings, the bar at the edge of the heated outdoor pool offers infinity views. The pool, in turn, provides a refreshing oasis after an unforgettable day filled with tailor-made excursions and safaris.

After a final safari at sunrise and a hearty breakfast, you will say farewell to Omaanda and continue your journey towards the breathtaking landscapes of Sossusvlei. The route takes you via Rehoboth and over the spectacular Spreetshoogte Pass, one of Namibia's most beautiful mountain passes. Along the way, you will be treated to stunning views over the vast plains of the Namib Desert. If desired, you can order a packed lunch at the lodge, which can be arranged the evening before (optional and at your own expense).

En route, you will pass the legendary town of Solitaire, a popular stop in the middle of the desert. The simple petrol station, small shop, and rustic restaurant exude a nostalgic atmosphere. Here, you can find drinks, ice cream, souvenirs, biltong, and other snacks. Be sure to visit Moose's Bakery, famous for its delicious apple pie baked fresh daily. Although the original owner has since passed away, his tasty legacy is continued with love.

Upon arrival at your lodge, you will have the afternoon free to relax and enjoy the silence and beauty of the desert. With an early arrival, you may have the opportunity to participate in one of the lodge's activities, such as a nature drive or a cozy sundowner excursion at sunset.

In the afternoon, a traditional Namibian afternoon tea is served, a beloved ritual in the daily life of many Namibians. Afterwards, you can join a nature drive through the reserve, where a drink at sunset is, of course, a must.

You will be staying at Little Kulala Lodge

Today you will discover one of Africa's most iconic landscapes. Early in the morning, around 06:30 AM (depending on the season and sunrise), you will depart for Sossusvlei. You may choose to bring a breakfast picnic and enjoy your breakfast amidst the dunes—a truly unforgettable experience.

The monumental, star-shaped dunes of Sossusvlei are among the highest in the world, reaching over 300 meters into the bright blue sky in some places. The colors of the sand constantly change under the influence of the morning light; from soft apricot and golden yellow to deep orange-red. Together with the white clay pans and the gnarled trees, this creates a dreamlike setting for photographers and nature lovers.

You will also visit the impressive Sesriem Canyon, which has been carved out over millions of years by the Tsauchab River. Although Sossusvlei is usually dry, the area surprisingly teems with life, and you may encounter various bird species and desert animals.

Around noon, you will return to the lodge for a relaxing late lunch. After enjoying the traditional afternoon tea once more, you can participate in an afternoon activity. For the adventurous traveler, there is the option to explore the reserve on a quad bike, while others may prefer a guided nature walk or another scenic drive through the vast desert landscape.

Today is the time to say goodbye to sunny Namibia. After breakfast, you will depart for Windhoek with the intention of arriving on time for your afternoon flight.