Elite Namibia

This half-day morning adventure takes you into the Namib Naukluft National Park. Learn about the ecosystem, Aeolian geological processes, walk to Deadvlei, perhaps climb a sand dune, and for the fit and adventurous, conquer the towering ‘Big Daddy’.

Set out to the dunes on our reserve, where the story of the deserts ecology is written in the sand. Explore the dunes on foot or by quad bike with a specialist guide who’ll uncover the secrets of the dunes.

Step back in time and bring to life the history of the area and its people. Follow your expert guide into the untamed Namib Desert scattered with San rock art. Explore heritage sites and gain insight into the San people.

Explore the unique landscape on this fascinating geological excursion, in a vehicle and on foot. View the varied topography, exposed due to the upliftment events after the continent of Gondwana split into Africa and South America. Observe young geology ‘in action’ as the dunes shape this awe-inspiring landscape.

Be mesmerised by the magnificence of the desert on morning or late afternoon desert drives that continue after nightfall. Explore four different habitat types and ecosystems. Learn about fairy circles, how deserts are formed and function, and how animals have adapted to this desolate environment.

Enjoy this exclusive experience at &Beyond Sossusvlei Private Desert Reserve, the only private reserve featuring the iconic star dunes of Namibia. Take the time to appreciate your surrounds and tuck into a delicious picnic breakfast.

Sossusvlei neighbours Africa’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, which has also been awarded Gold Tier status, declaring it an environment with little to no impact from artificial light. Get a closer look at the night sky from our sophisticated observatory and state-of-the-art telescope.

Indulge in one of our many relaxing treatments for a truly authentic African spa experience that rejuvenates the mind, body and soul. Our treatments promise to leave you feeling in harmony with the tranquillity of the surrounds.

Available at an additional cost.

Gain a bird’s eye perspective over the spectacular scenery surrounding the lodge, in the company of other guests. The balloons are unable to fly over the Namib sand dunes; however, you will still be treated to awe-inspiring views.

Available at an additional cost.

Traverse the stark beauty and vast expanse on an e-bike. Easy to ride and super fun, these nifty bicycles are fitted with a battery-powered ‘assist’ that gives a boost via a throttle when pedalling. There are two different options, an 11km (6.8mi) or a 19km (11.8mi) route.

Explore the lodge surrounds on foot, take the time to sit in the stillness and be enchanted by the views. There are two defined hiking trails, a 2.2km (1.4mi) or a 3.4km (2.1mi) route waiting to be explored.

andBeyond’s WILDChild programme, designed especially for children visiting our safari lodges and camps in Africa, is filled with fun, interactive activities that offer opportunities to learn and discover new experiences and cultures. Deeply rooted in the love for the African bush, it not only creates a series of unforgettable moments for the whole family but forges strong bonds between our young guests, our planet and its people.

Take off from nearby the lodge and soar over the vast expanse of the desert for an approximately 60 min helicopter flight. Hover over jagged mountain tops that emerge from the iconic Namib dunes, white mineral pans, rocky outcrops and unique fauna and flora. Be captivated as you fly over a landscape that has remained unchanged for millions of years.

Available at an additional cost.

Avid photographers will enjoy this 90 min photographic flight showcasing the best of the Namib Desert. This flight extends to the ocean, where the red dune belt drops 152m (500ft) into the sea. Observe a seal colony at Black Rock and fly with doors off allowing you to capture red dunes, resident desert-adapted wildlife, rocky mountains and sandy plains. This experience includes a stopover in the dunes to enjoy a glass of champagne.

Available at an additional cost.

Experience the desert from above on a 2.5 hour helicopter flight. Fly over the Devil’s Fork dune formation and soar past the gnarled, twisted trees of Deadvlei. Continue until you hit the coast where the dunes fringe the sea, turn north from Meob Bay and follow the shoreline towards the Eduard Bohlen shipwreck. Enjoy a champagne stop and head home with views of Witberg Mountain.

Available at an additional cost.

Take off from near &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge and soar over the vast expanse of the desert for a 45 min helicopter flight. Hover over jagged mountain tops that emerge from the shifting Namib dunes flying over a landscape that has remained unchanged for millions of years.

Available at an additional cost.

With a dedicated guide and a private vehicle, guests have the luxury of tailoring their own desert experience, choosing their own drive times, and spending as much time as they want exploring the desert.

Available at an additional cost.

The Strand Hotel Activity & Adventure Travel Office, staffed by local professional Travel Consultants, will help Guests plan their sojourn in Swakopmund ensuring they experience and enjoy all on offer in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and along this exciting and very unique Southern Atlantic coastline and neighbouring Namib Desert. Their sole objective is making sure that every guest's stay is personalised and filled with interesting, exciting, educational and cultural activities and adventures.

It provides:
* Airline Re-confirmations
* Car & Bicycle Hire
* Transfer Arrangements
* Restaurant Reservations
* Shopping Advice & Information
* Personalised Consultation

Explore this ancient and arid landscape with your guide on the Nature Drive. Departing early in the morning, the guide will show you that this harsh, dry environment is alive with desert-adapted flora and fauna, and perhaps, if lucky, discover the desert-adapted elephant.

Usually departs at 06h30 and will go out for +/- 4 – 6 hours.
Drinks & snacks are included.

Departing mid-afternoon your guide will take you to explore this diverse landscape of ancient Damaraland, filled with geological wonders and other surprises.

Learn about the fascinating geological formations of Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes, and discover Namibia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Twyfelfontein - known for being one of the largest and oldest collections of San rock art engravings in the world!

Usually departs at 15h00 and will last for +/-2 hours. along with seeing Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes.

Explore the local area around Mowani Mountain Camp by taking one of the short walking trails around the lodge. There are information points with short paragraphs explaining the nature along these trails, including flora and geological formations.

Should guests want to explore further afield on a longer walk, they are welcome to ask the guides or management - this is dependent on availability.

Sit atop a large rock.

Make yourself comfortable.

Order your drink of choice, or choose from one of the best cocktails or mocktails in Namibia.

Enjoy tasty snacks.

Relax and watch one of the most spectacular and memorable sunsets ever!

The Dream Cruiser is a unique sleep-out experience, under the Namibian night skies.

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, 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.

The Namibian Bush takes on a new perspective when you sit quietly and observe wildlife without having an obvious presence.

Sunk into the ground, the Onkolo Hide is at water-level, affording guests one of the best ways to get exceptionally close to animals and enjoy nature unobserved. Equipped with adjustable leather stools, drinks and snacks, amateur and professional photographers alike can take advantage of the unequalled photographic opportunities at this range.

Enjoy your late afternoon drive before stopping at a beautiful spot to enjoy a drink, some snacks and watch the African sun set in a spectacular array of colours painting the sky in shades of orange, yellow and pink tones.

The Sundowner Drive takes place on Onguma Private Nature Reserve, which consists of 34 000 hectares of Namibian wilderness, and is home to numerous plains game, more than 300 bird species ​and four of the big five.

Departing after breakfast or lunch, guests will journey into the world famous Etosha National Park. Being either one of the first to enter the park that morning, or as the day begins to wind down, guests will explore the eastern part of the 22 750 square kilometre wildlife sanctuary with one of our knowledgeable rangers.

Having a good chance of meeting 4 of the ‘big 5’ at a waterhole or in the bush.

Etosha, meaning ‘place of dry waters’ refers to a flat calc depression (or pan) of about 5 000 km2. 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 bluegreen algae which lures thousands of flamingos. There are roughly 114 species of mammals in Etosha, however no Hippo, Crocodile or Buffalo, as it is too arid, but there is enough to explore on your game drive.

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.

An experience in the Namibian wilderness is made complete with the opportunity to pamper ones body and mind at the Onguma Spa, or on our yoga deck.

Spa treatments are at an additional cost.

A fully equipped gym provides you with the opportunity to increase your cardio whilst enjoying views of the surrounding bush.

Our experienced guides will take guests with our well-equipped open game drive vehicles around the pristine 9,000-hectare reserve, showcasing some of the most incredible wildlife in Africa. Early drives at sunrise are ideal to observe the Namibian plains waking up, while evening drives reveal the elusive beauty of the nocturnal savannah.

All our safaris are conducted in state-of-the-art Land Cruisers, each accommodating a maximum of six guests. During the game driving guests are likely to see a great variety of wildlife including rhinos, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, leopards, ostriches, black-backed jackals, warthogs, various antelopes (kudu, red hartebeest, steenbok, reedbuck, waterbuck, oryx, springbok) and many types of birds.

Drinks and snacks are provided.

Lead by the Head Guide of the reserve, guests can enjoy the luxury of a very personal experience and get close to Africa’s most incredible animals. The guide's exceptional skills and knowledge will make this tour a unique experience. Drinks and snacks to guest's individual taste will further enhance the experience on a culinary level.

Guests get to spend an afternoon with a ranger and tracker in search of rhinos. Rhino tracking offers a great opportunity to learn about the habits and characteristics of this threatened species, the issue of rhino poaching, and on-going conservation efforts.

From 2-6 people, mostly on game viewer, duration 2,5 hrs, drinks and snacks provided

Guests can go on an amazing elephant safari. An encounter with these iconic African animals will teach guests about how intelligent and compassionate they actually are. Besides being a magnificent opportunity to explore nature, guests will also learn much about the issues surrounding elephants’ conservation.

From 2-6 people, mostly on game viewer, duration 2,5 hours, drinks and snacks provided.

Whether they are hidden in the bush waiting for a prey or comfortably basking in the sun, leopards are extraordinary wild animals. Guests will have the opportunity to track these majestic felines on the Zannier Reserve by N/a’an ku sê, appreciate their wonder and gain true knowledge of their characteristics. With a bit of luck, you might spot some of our lions, leopards, cheetahs or

African wild dogs.

From 2-6 people above 16 years old, mostly on game viewer, duration 2,5 hours, drinks and snacks provided

This 5-hour excursion aims to show you the backstage of the Zannier Reserve by N/a’an ku sê. This Behind The Scenes excursion includes a tour of the Shiloh Wildlife Sanctuary, where you will discover the incredible work of passionate vets who are rescuing and taking care of endangered animals. A visit of the Research Center will get you the priviledge of walking with cheetahs and with baboons. Your discovery of the actions undertaken by N/a’an ku sê will continue with the visit of the Clever Cubs School. The tour also features a visit to the anti-poaching unit, where you will get to meet special forces trained to protect the reserve and its natural resources.

Non private tours up to 12 people and exclusive tours from 1 to 6 people, on vehicle & on foot, drinks and snacks are provided.