Namibia Tracks and Trails - Photography Tour - December 2025

Experience the thrill of a hot air balloon flight with an early morning adventure.

Begin your day with a pre-dawn wake-up, followed by a 1 to 1.5-hour drive to the balloon launch site. Once there, you'll have the opportunity to soar above the stunning landscape, taking in breathtaking views that are truly unforgettable. End this extraordinary experience with a champagne breakfast at the landing spot.

This unique activity requires advance booking, with reservations needed at least one day before your planned flight. Prepare for an extraordinary journey that offers a fresh perspective on the landscape and a truly transformative start to your day, one that will stay with you long after the journey ends.

Duration: Full morning

Namib Air Ballooning Credit: Wolwedans

Namib Air Ballooning Credit: Wolwedans

Namib Air Ballooning Credit: Wolwedans

Namib Air Ballooning Credit: Wolwedans

Namib Air Ballooning Credit: Wolwedans

Indulge in a range of luxurious wellness and massage treatments designed to rejuvenate both body and mind, all within the comfort of your room.
Whether you’re looking for a soothing massage, invigorating body treatments, or holistic therapies, our expertly tailored services are crafted to provide the ultimate relaxation and renewal. For a complete list of available treatments and pricing, please consult the spa menu. All services are available for booking onsite upon arrival.

ADDITIONAL CHARGES APPLY

Spa & wellness treatments Credit: Wolwedans

Spa & wellness treatments Credit: Wolwedans

Spa & wellness treatments Credit: Wolwedans

Spa & wellness treatments Credit: Wolwedans

From breakfast in the dunes, lunch in the gardens or the 'hard rock' café, to dinner under the stars - a range of unforgettable meal options are available.

Garden Lunch
Duration: Variable
Enjoy a healthy lunch in the Wolwedans vegetable garden. Normally done after a Heart & Home tour, garden lunches can also be booked as a stand-alone activity, in case you don’t join a Heart & Home, or following a scenic morning drive or horse ride. Either way, you should not miss a lunch in the garden.

Lunch at the Hard Rock Café
Duration: Variable
Head out further into the dunes for a full day drive with picnic lunch between boulders at our take on a 'hard rock café'.
ADDITIONAL CHARGES APPLY

Dune Breakfast
Kickstart the day with a one-of-a-kind breakfast tucked between Namibian dunes. Whether a short walk from camp or paired with a sunrise drive, this experience offers an unforgettable start to your day in one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on Earth.
ADDITIONAL CHARGES APPLY

Dinner Under the Stars
End your day with a memorable dinner beneath the stars. Savor exquisite cuisine during this
Private dinner set in a secret location at the heart of the desert.
ADDITIONAL CHARGES APPLY

Lunch in the gardens Credit: Wolwedans

Dune coffee Credit: Wolwedans

Dune coffee Credit: Wolwedans

Lunch in the gardens Credit: Wolwedans

Lunch in the gardens Credit: Wolwedans

Lunch in the gardens Credit: Wolwedans

Lunch in the gardens Credit: Wolwedans

Hard Rock Café Credit: Wolwedans

Hard Rock Café Credit: Wolwedans

Hard Rock Café Credit: Wolwedans

Hard Rock Café Credit: Wolwedans

Dinner grilled on an open fire Credit: Wolwedans

Dinner grilled on an open fire Credit: Wolwedans

Credit: Wolwedans

Romantic dinner for two in-room Credit: Wolwedans

Experience the magic of Namibia’s wilderness like never before with Wolwedans’ exclusive Desert Sleepout. Savor the sunset, marvel at the sunrise, and gaze upon skies brimming with stars. This unique adventure in the heart of the Namib Desert invites you to leave the ordinary behind and immerse yourself in the vastness above and beyond.

This is a private activity with a dedicated guide who will be nearby throughout the night, to ensure your comfort and safety, while respecting your privacy. This is a seasonally available from September – May for stays of 3 nights or more, and not available from Boulders Camp.

Dinner hamper in the dunes
The Namib Desert sets the stage for an extraordinary dining location. Enjoy your sleep out with a simple dinner hamper under the vast African sky and wake up to a sunrise coffee with the dunes as your backdrop.

Morning coffee in the dunes
Head out into the dunes after dinner in camp for a once-in-a-lifetime sleeping experience. End your sleep-out with a morning coffee in the remote dunes.

Desert Sleepout requires a minimum 3-night stay, is available from September – May (June-Aug have very low night temperatures) and needs to be pre-booked at reservations level.

Desert Sleepout Credit: Wolwedans

Desert Sleepout Credit: Wolwedans

Desert Sleepout Credit: Wolwedans

Desert Sleepout Credit: Wolwedans

Desert Sleepout Credit: Wolwedans

Desert Sleepout Credit: Wolwedans

For fitness enthusiasts, an exhilarating E-Bike adventure awaits, led by our friendly and knowledgeable guides. This experience takes you deep into the dunes and across the expansive plains of the desert, providing a unique perspective that’s typically only accessible by 4x4 vehicles.

Whatever your level, our E-Bike guides ensure you get the most out of this high-energy excursion, blending fitness with exploration for an unforgettable desert adventure.

Morning or Evening Ride (Included)
Duration 1.5-2 hours
Pedal through the shifting sands and have the opportunity to connect with the desert's beauty. Morning rides can be combined with a Village Tour with a lunch or end back in camp where you dip into your private chiller. Evening rides end with sundowners in the dunes.

Full Day Ride (Extra cost)
Duration 4-6 hours
Experienced riders are invited to take part on a full day of riding across the dunes. Along the journey, pause for a picnic in a secluded spot. The excitement of conquering the challenging landscape on two wheels, is matched only by the breathtaking views you'll encounter along the way. This is better suited to our cooler winter months (June – August)

Biking through the dunes Credit: Wolwedans

Biking through the dunes Credit: Wolwedans

Fat biking in the desert Credit: Wolwedans

Fat biking in the desert Credit: Wolwedans

Biking through the dunes Credit: Wolwedans

Biking safari Credit: Wolwedans

Fat biking in the desert Credit: Wolwedans

Biking through the dunes Credit: Wolwedans

Biking through the dunes Credit: Wolwedans

For riders of all kinds, a range of riding experiences is available. Depending on the rider's experience level, the rides can include a mix of galloping, trotting, or walking through the dunes and expansive plains. Whether seasoned or new to horseback riding, these guided rides are designed to suit individual abilities while offering an unforgettable journey through the terrain.

Morning Ride
Duration 2 hours
Set off on a morning horseback ride through the desert, departing from the village and ideal for young adventurers. This gentle ride offers a unique way to explore the landscape and is the perfect precursor to a relaxing lunch in the village garden.

Sunset Ride
Duration 2-3 hours
Take a leisurely 2.5-hour horseback ride through the desert at sunset, exploring the vast landscape as the colors of the sky shift with the fading light. Along the way, stop for sundowners, enjoying a refreshing drink while soaking in the untamed beauty of the desert.

Full Day Ride
Duration 6 hours
Experienced riders seeking a deeper connection with nature may opt for a full-day horseback ride through the desert landscape. From the horseback vantage point, you'll experience the enduring beauty of the desert. Along the journey, pause for a picnic in a secluded spot.

Riding through open plains Credit: Wolwedans

Saddle up Credit: Wolwedans

Horse riding Credit: Wolwedans

Horse handler Credit: Wolwedans

Sundowners in the dunes Credit: Wolwedans

Watch the light fade over the desert Credit: Wolwedans

Riding through open plains Credit: Wolwedans

All levels and abilities welcome Credit: Wolwedans

We invite you to contribute to the Wolwedans Foundation through leaving your mark in the desert. The full amount collected goes to the Wolwedans Foundation and each adoption supports a different project being run by the Foundation.

Adopt & Plant a Tree:
Contribute to the restoration of the local ecosystem and help combat desertification by planting a tree in this vital conservation effort. Proceeds go into the Wolwedans Horticulture Project. The tree planting takes about 15 minutes. Your tree has your name on a plaque and we hope you visit us again to see how it has grown.

Adopt a Fairy Circle:
Help preserve one of Namibia's most intriguing natural phenomena by adopting a fairy circle. This project supports the conservation arm of the NamibRand Nature Reserve.

Adopt a SiloTile:
A new initiative with the addition of the silo bar at Dune Camp. Each tile on the silo contributes to our trash to treasure project. All proceeds go towards the waste & recycling plant in Maltahohe, which is part of Rural Revive. Waste is something each of us contribute to on a daily basis, yet few of us think about the impact. In a pristine environment like the NamibRand, creative waste management is a top priority.

Plant a tree Credit: Wolwedans

Plant a tree Credit: Wolwedans

Fairy circles Credit: Wolwedans

The Wolwedans Village is our base camp of operations. Meet the team and learn about the community-driven initiatives, including the sustainability projects that make Wolwedans a renowned leader in sustainable tourism. This tour offers a thought-provoking look into the way of life at Wolwedans, and an insight into the Wolwedans Foundation's AridEden mission.

The AridEden Project, encapsulating the Wolwedans Vision 2030 and beyond, is a strategy that integrates our 5Cs sustainability commitment (Commerce, Conservation, Community, Culture, Consciousness). This approach balances people, planet, and profit, with a focus on empowering our team, fostering well-being, and driving consciousness about sustainable solutions.

Village Introduction:
A 1-hour Wolwedans Backstage tour ending in the garden.

Village Immersion:
A 2-3 hour more in-depth experience concludes with lunch in the gardens.

Family Treasure Hunt:
A 1-hour fun and interactive way to explore the behind-the-scenes of a desert camp. Kids might search for a carrot in the garden, or crush a can in the recycling zone - learning while playing.

Learn about conservation at Wolwedans Credit: Wolwedans

From Garden to table Credit: Wolwedans

Garden lunch Credit: Wolwedans

Meet the chickens Credit: Wolwedans

Explore the gardens Credit: Wolwedans

Garden to table Credit: Wolwedans

Explore the gardens Credit: Wolwedans

Ice cold drinks in the gardens Credit: Wolwedans

Learn about conservation at Wolwedans Credit: Wolwedans

Garden lunch Credit: Wolwedans

Garden lunch Credit: Wolwedans

Learn about conservation at Wolwedans Credit: Wolwedans

Meet the team Credit: Wolwedans

Learn more about backstage Wolwedans Credit: Wolwedans

Meet the team Credit: Wolwedans

Meet the team Credit: Wolwedans

Learn about conservation at Wolwedans Credit: Wolwedans

Garden lunch Credit: Wolwedans

From Garden to table Credit: Wolwedans

From Garden to table Credit: Wolwedans

Meet the team Credit: Wolwedans

From Garden to table Credit: Wolwedans

From Garden to table Credit: Wolwedans

From Garden to table Credit: Wolwedans

From Garden to table Credit: Wolwedans

Garden lunch Credit: Wolwedans

Visit the stables Credit: Wolwedans

Visit the stables Credit: Wolwedans

Visit the stables Credit: Wolwedans

Meet the team Credit: Wolwedans

Learn about conservation at Wolwedans Credit: Wolwedans

Join an immersive Bushman walk, guided by an experienced Bushman, as you traverse the Namib sand dunes.

This excursion offers a unique opportunity to explore the desert landscape on foot and delve into its intricate details. As you journey through the dunes, you'll interpret the "morning newspaper" left by small critters overnight, gaining insights into their nocturnal activities. You'll also track the fascinating toktokkie beetle, a remarkable creature vital to the ecosystem, and might even be lucky enough to spot the Dancing White Lady spider as it darts across the sand.

This walk provides a fresh perspective on the natural world, shifting from passive observation to active participation. It highlights the tiny, yet significant, life forms often overlooked from the comfort of a vehicle.

It’s possible to combine your bushman walk with the Heart and Home village tour and lunch in the gardens.

"The Bushmen read the desert like a book, every track a story, every breeze a whisper of life."

Duration: 2-3 hours

Meet the smaller desert dwellers Credit: Wolwedans

Bushman walk Credit: Wolwedans

Discover desert details Credit: Wolwedans

Bushman walk Credit: Wolwedans

Discover desert details Credit: Wolwedans

Bushman walk Credit: Wolwedans

Discover desert details Credit: Wolwedans

Bushman walk Credit: Wolwedans

Bushman walk Credit: Wolwedans

Bushman walk Credit: Wolwedans

Meet the smaller desert dwellers Credit: Wolwedans

Disconnect to Reconnect, this signature Wolwedans experience includes 30–45 minutes in peaceful silence. For those seeking a moment of personal reflection in the quiet, we offer the opportunity to leave your phone behind and sit in solitude in a remote spot within the dunes, fully embracing the stillness and beauty of the desert.

Recognized by Quiet Parks International, Wolwedans has an exceptionally quiet environment, where only sounds of nature abound. Quiet Parks International is an organization that works to protect natural quiet spaces, helping to preserve the few places in the world where the peace of nature is still intact, free from man-made noise.

As a recognized quiet place, this rare access to silence, allows you to tune into the subtle sounds of nature, experiencing a profound sense of quiet in mind, body, and soul.
For those wishing to connect with the ancient landscape on a deeper level, this experience can be arranged during a sunrise or sundowner drive.

"Silence is not the absence of something but the presence of everything." – Gordon Hempton, acoustic ecologist.

Duration: 30-45 minutes

Be transformed by the desert's timeless qualities Credit: Wolwedans

Absorb the peace of the desert Credit: Wolwedans

Solitude in an ancient place Credit: Wolwedans

Leave everything behind Credit: Wolwedans

The soft sounds of the natural world Credit: Wolwedans

Feel yourself again Credit: Wolwedans

Be restored by the vast sands Credit: Wolwedans

Opt for a sunrise or sunset drive with coffee or sundowners in the dunes, or immerse yourself in the vast desert landscape with full-day or half-day options.

Sunrise Drive
Duration: 1.5 hours
Before breakfast start your day with a sunrise drive across the dunes. Savor a hot cup of coffee or tea with home-baked rusks and biscuits as you take in the raw beauty of the landscape. After the sunrise, return to camp or combine with Dune Breakfast.

Morning or Afternoon Drive
Duration: 2-3 hours
Morning Drive: Head out after breakfast and return to camp for lunch. Combines well with an in-room massage.
Afternoon Drive: Head out after afternoon tea to watch the shadows growing over the landscape, ending with sundowners.

Sundowner Drive
Duration: 1.5 hours
A shorter a drive to a prime sundowner spot. Spot oryx and other wildlife preparing for nightfall, set against the stunning Namibian sky, before enjoying a perfectly prepared G&T as you watch the sun dip below the dramatic desert expanse.

Full-Day Drive
Duration: 6 hours
This signature Wolwedans experience promises to be an immersive exploration of the region's most remote and awe-inspiring corners. Enjoy a picnic lunch at our own ‘Hard Rock Café’, an unforgettable setting in the shade of towering boulders.

Traverse diverse landscapes Credit: Wolwedans

Activity vehicle Credit: Wolwedans

Birding Credit: Wolwedans

Explore the dunes at dusk Credit: Wolwedans

Explore on foot Credit: Wolwedans

Learn about desert dwellers big and small Credit: Wolwedans

Happy passenger Credit: Wolwedans

Enjoy the sunset in the middle of the desert Credit: Wolwedans

Activity vehicle Credit: Wolwedans

Learn about desert dwellers big and small Credit: Wolwedans

Panoramic views Credit: Wolwedans

Early morning drives with coffee in the dunes Credit: Wolwedans

The Dream Cruiser is Onguma's newest and most unique under the stars sleep-out experience.

Arriving in time to enjoy sundowners and take a tour of your overnight accommodation, this sleep out in the wilderness of the reserve is on our custom built Land Cruiser, featuring a full bathroom on the lower deck and a bedroom with lounge area on the upper deck.

A night on the Dream Cruiser calls for al fresco picnic-style dining is delivered by our chef for you to enjoy as the evening turns to night and the stars dance in all their glory.
A ranger is on call via a two-way radio, so make the most of this time and relax in the safety and complete comfort of this unique space.

After a good night's rest, you can enjoy morning tea/coffee with homemade rusks before being collected for breakfast at the lodge.

Onguma's fabulous new water-level hide affords guests a great opportunity to calmly sit and enjoy nature unobserved. Amateur and professional photographers alike love the angles and light from this equipped hide.

There is a small ablution facility nearby, benches from which to view the surroundings and lots of windows and vantage points for creative camera angles.

Onguma Nature Reserve consists of 34 000 hectares of Namibian wilderness & is home to numerous plains game, more than 300 bird species ?and even 4 of the Big 5. ?The Reserve boasts over thirty different animal species. Plains game roam freely on the Reserve and predators although not always easy to spot, are nevertheless common residents of the area. Lions and Cheetahs are frequently seen and often heard. There is a healthy black rhino and leopard population and hyenas are also often seen and heard.

Etosha is a 22 750km² wildlife sanctuary in Namibia – one of Africa’s most stable and accessible countries. Etosha, meaning ‘place of dry water’, and refers to a flat calcrete depression (or pan) of about 5 000km². The ‘Pan’ (overlooked by the Onguma Reserve) provides a great, parched, silver-white backdrop of shimmering mirages to an area of semi-arid savannah grassland and thorn scrub. The pan itself contains water only after very good rains and sometimes for only a few days each year, but is enough to stimulate the growth of a blue-green algae which lures thousands of flamingos.

Africa takes on a new perspective when you experience it on foot as the first explorers did. A bush walk is a unique physical, mental and spiritual adventure through nature. Experience the sights, smells and sounds of the Namibian bush by conducting an early morning leisurely walk accompanied by one of our experienced armed rangers.

?Johan, our resident therapist, is a professional massage therapist with over 15 years experience, having lived and worked at renowned Wellness Centres in Asia and Africa. His passion for and dedication to massage therapy originated in the East, where he was trained and educated by the best teachers in their respective fields. Having the opportunity to spend considerable time with monks in Thailand, has also led him to incorporate focused awareness into his massage therapies. He has also upskilled three ladies from Onguma and they too are available and receiving great reviews!

Namibia can offer a truly memorable and interactive experience in the wilderness for families travelling with children by offering children's accommodation, specially designed game drives for children, activities and meals.

Onguma Nature Reserve welcomes children to explore and experience the uniqueness of the untamed African bush with its many wild animals both the big and small!

At Onguma Bush Camp there has always been an emphasis on family and the Lodge encourages families. The staff go out of their way to make sure the young ones have the time of their lives and the parents get their own satisfying safari experience. The bushveld of Onguma is a wild wonderland, a child's dream come true, and the Lodge delights in being able to share her secrets with the next generation.

Morning or Afternoon Boat Cruises take you drifting down the unspoilt Kwando River. You may opt for morning or afternoon boat cruises.

You may wish to enjoy your breakfast on the boat while meandering down the Kwando.

The early morning suns rays reflect off the waters edge, the soothing sound of the water as it is gently broken by the bow of the boat cutting through the waters surface. Our guides steer the boats past varied landscapes of papyrus islands and reed floodplains and get within respectful distances of hippos, crocodiles, other mammals and the varied bird species this area is known for. An informative, yet soulful experience on waterways similar to that of the Okavango Delta.

Morning or afternoon Game Drives within the Bwabwata National Park.

As dawn breaks or the afternoon shadows lengthen our game drives depart to discover the unknown behind every bend within the Bwabwata National Park, uniquely located within the largest Conservation area in the World.
Our guides find the perfect stop to disembark and setup the morning coffee or sundowner refreshment in true legendary African style.

Duration: 3 hours

"As the midday sun retreats and the afternoon shadows lengthen we depart on a journey, an adventure to discover the unknown behind every bend. Observing every branch for a rare endemic bird, to be rewarded instead by an elusive leopard. The silence broken by the deep low rumble vibrating through the bush, which could only belong to a large herd of elephants. Out of nowhere they appear with a focused determination towards the life-giving water up ahead. Knuckles white, as I grip the seat of the game viewer, relishing the moment as a highlight of my journey through Africa."

Walking Safaris are an incredible way to experience the bush in a more personal and energetic way.

Our local guides take great delight in sharing their ancestral repertoire of medicinal uses of the flora along the way and their tales of the wild and their upbringing in this area. It is an experience, which connects and grounds any participant to our Earth.

As we are in a truly natural environment with lion, buffalo, elephants, leopard and other wildlife roaming these plains freely, we discourage guests under the age of 12.

An exclusive evening drive to view the nocturnal wildlife after your sundowner stop back to the Lodge.

A Boat cruise from the Lodge to Sijwa Island, where the Sijwa host will meet our guests and guide them through the project which was established by African Monarch Lodges as part of its endeavor to be sustainable and give back to the community and conservation by protecting the natural resources and developing the local community through a biodiverse economy. It is here where guests will be entertained and be enriched with local culture as they partake in a visit to the cultural village. A walk through the permaculture plants, recycling workshops where waste such as plastic, glass and cans are turned into beautiful artefacts for sale. Guests can buy and plant trees from our indigenous tree nursery to offset their carbon emissions at the project.

The Sijwa Project has a broad vision of empowering the local community by creating jobs, preserving traditional knowledge, teaching skills and conserving the surrounding environment through a variety of proposed activities. With the highest rate of unemployment in Namibia found in the Zambezi Region, the owners of African Monarch Lodges, carefully structured a project that will address some of these problems through a holistic approach. This bold project is multi-faceted and in the end self-sufficient. The Sijwa Project is the re-purposing and re-inventing of all recyclable waste from the African Monarch Lodges and from the local community, into exquisite saleable craft and art. It’s an organic permaculture nursery to supply food for local people and lodge guests (mitigating the air and road miles lodge food usually travels). It’s also a cultural village, artisanal skills training center, a beehive project, a free-range egg scheme and a junior ranger-training venue. Plus, it’s an indigenous tree nursery for visitors to buy and plant a tree to offset their carbon footprint, looked after by a local ‘tree guardian’.

We set a magical bush brunch on a private island under majestic trees which creates an authentic African Experience. Our Chef prepares eggs and bacon on the fire and an elaborate continental buffet is served.

Our management and staff take great pleasure in setting up these special experiences in the bush for our guests who are on honeymoon or celebrating a Birthday or Anniversary as well as for private parties or families travelling together.

For those specials occasions or celebrations we create the perfect experience at sunset at a prime location inside the park.

The famous Horseshoe Lagoon, with its vast herds of elephants is the most sought after spot for a sundowner and fresh homemade healthy snacks after an afternoon’s game drive. The evening’s warm starter is served whilst sitting barefoot in the sand soaking up the breathtaking sunsets together with hippos and large herds of elephants silhouetted over the water. An exclusive night drive, while viewing the nocturnal wildlife, takes you back home where a delicious meal awaits your guest.

Nothing tops a secluded personalized picnic under the canopy of majestic trees in the wild. A bottle of sparkling wine and a freshly prepared organic spread from our kitchen will set the scene for a truly spectacular vintage picnic safari.

Whether you are curious to explore ways to live a more mindful life, whether you would like to compliment your travels with time to rest and rejuvenate or you are a well-practised Yogi seeking to further your own practice - take part in one of our yoga retreats in the heart of the world's largest conservation area, exclusively hosted at Nambwa Tented Lodge. Please contact us to receive a complete itinerary of yoga retreats on offer.