These days it really is very easy to have a luxury safari in Namibia! Namibia has a staggering array of beautiful lodges, but where it is in a league of its own, is the surrounding area that these lodges are located in. It is hard to find words that can justifiably describe the awe inspiring, breathtaking beauty of the desert scenery which spans the Namib Desert in the south to the Caprivi Strip in the north, bordering Angola.

In the Namib Desert, lies one of our favourite lodges, which is small and intimate and even higher on the list, is their newest sister lodge which is for exclusive use only – so your own private villa. The views are stupendous and an incredibly well travelled client who travels with us each year has said it to be the most beautiful lodge they have ever stayed at in Africa.

Then you have the Skeleton Coast – where there is a three to five night private flying safari – complete with your private guide and you stay at three lodges for one night each – from the southern most part to the northern most part of the coastline. Whilst the accommodation on this flying safari cannot be described as luxurious – without doubt, the experience is one of the best in Africa – and luxury is defined in many ways!

On the Caprivi is another of our favourite luxury lodges – which looks out across a river and is impossibly romantic – with soaring sand dunes behind you to the blue green waters of the Kunene river in front of you – complete with magnificent birdlife. Here one learns about the local Himba culture and one explores the sand dunes by quad bike. Namibia might not be the country of infinite wildlife – but it is arrestingly beautiful and somehow – the wildlife that one does see – is so much more special – perhaps its because we know the harsh existence that faces them on a daily basis with minimum water and foliage and therefore, we are even more privileged to be seeing them!

If anyone saw David Attenborough’s documentary last night on Eye to Eye and the Kalahari Desert, they would simply have been blown away on so many levels. The cinematography, the scenery, the capturing of the two giraffe bulls necking in probably the most violent attack I have ever witnessed, even though I spend huge amounts of time in the bush in Africa! Then the rhinos converging at the waterholes and socialising – behaviour not witnessed during the day. Some of this footage was taken in Etosha National Park which is an extraordinary salt pan – the archetypal picture being blue cloudless skies and white roads – safaris in Etosha National Park are incredibly rewarding! There are so many lovely places to stay that are located in private concessions bordering Etosha, that one need not go into the park and be caught up with the traffic! Teamed with the Skeleton Coast and damaraland, this country offers the most awe inspiring scenery and extraordinary wildlife in species such as the desert dwelling rhino and elephant.

Think of the words Safari Namibia and you think of travelling in 4 x 4 vehicles across the empty, barren sand dunes, or flying on a private safari along the Skeleton Coast. Whatever thoughts you conjure up, think of the most awe inspiring scenery, the most beautiful vistas across endless landscapes – and experiences that are so totally different to anything else you can experience in the rest of Africa. Dont think of big game experiences – although one can search and if lucky, see the desert dwelling rhino and elephant – but go for that desert scenery, with some of the highest sand dunes in the world, or to have some of the finest guiding and learn about the side winding snake, the incredible desert flowers that open once a year and survive in drought conditions and all about the smaller creatures that so often escape our thoughts, yet are just as interesting!

 

Namibia Safaris tend to be really interesting! Unlike much of its southern African counterparts,  they dont have the abundant wildlife seen in other regions and therefore, when one sees wildlife, it is always a joyful and lovely occasion. This is why when you take a safari in Namibia, you tend to do very different things – such as going out with black rhino researchers, in search of the desert rhino. Or perhaps, staying at places where you have the greatest chance of spotting the desert dwelling elephant! I recently returned from a month in Namibia and saw lion in Damaraland – it was fantastic – and unexpected! Then of course you have the fantastic flying safaris up the Skeleton Coast.

Another favourite region – especially for seeing fantastic huge herds of elephant is on the Caprivi Strip – one of the most dramatically beautiful areas you can possibly imagine! Stay in a private concession on the edge of Etosha so you dont have to join the crowds!

Concentrate on the smaller things in the Namib Desert – especially good for insects, snakes and lizards.

Whatever you do, this is a wonderful country and will leave you inspired! If you are interesting in visiting Namibia, call our team of specialists from Namibia to tailor make your very special safari!

Safari Namibia is a safari unlike any other African counterpart.

Yes, you do see animals but this is not why you would visit this extraordinary country. It would mainly be a love of vast, open spaces – of desert scenery – some of the most beautiful I have ever encountered! – , an interest in geology and in general, a holiday with a difference!

The best place to see wildlife is naturally Etosha National Park where there are various private places to stay, but the real beauty is in the Damaraland/ Kaokoland region where the desert dwelling elephant and rhino can be seen and even tracked on foot with researchers!

We have even seen cheetah in this region – and of course along the Skeleton Coast, one sees lots of flamingoes and seals. Go out by boat and see whales at certain times of year, too!

Then you can also spend time at a cheetah rescue and research centre where there is a gorgeous lodge – and learn about how they release these creatures back into the wild.

A friend of ours has a gorgeous tented camp and he is a geologist – learn about the tectonic shifting of the plates, how the caves are carbon dated etc and indulge in some amazing walking.

Fly up the Skeleton Coast on a private flying safari from 4 to 6 days. Perhaps go wild camping with a private guide and vehicle or stay in luxurious lodges or a combination of the two.

With a dedicated team who come from Africa, including Namibia, we have been assembling gorgeous tailor made safaris for the last 22 years  and our expertise is unrivalled! Why not call us to arrange your next safari?

 

 

 

It is very possible these days to obtain a luxury safari in Namibia. There are some beautiful lodges in the Namib Desert – simply stunning! Some have windows in the ceiling so you can watch the famous Namibian Desert night sky – and possibly even have a professor of astronomy talking to you! Otherwise, have a room which is open sided, allowing 180 degree views right across the desert and watch as the sun changes hue. Then go hot air ballooning across the dunes which is simply magical!

Fly up to Etosha where there are some gorgeous villas and you can be in the best game viewing regions in Namibia.

Then move north to the border of Angola and the Caprivi Strip where another of my favourite lodges exists – and one has the desert behind and the river in front of you! There is also quad biking here and one learns about the Ova Himba people.

There is also a lovely lodge located in the mountains between large, orange boulders and here one explores the Damaraland region.

But in between, there are lots of lovely, small lodges and camps – some where you can sleep on the deck beneath the stars, others are owner managed.