10-Day Highlights of Namibia – Luxury Fly-In & Road Safari

The 37 000-hectare (91 429-acre) private Kulala Wilderness Reserve offers visitors exclusive wildlife-viewing opportunities, which include the likes of gemsbok (oryx), bat-eared fox, brown hyena and birdlife. A highlight is a coffee or sundowner stop in the exceptionally scenic reserve.

Credit: Wilderness

Credit: Wilderness

Credit: Wilderness

World-famous Sossusvlei is both the name for the area in general; as well as an enormous clay pan, flanked by immense sand dunes. Climb the 300-metre red dunes and gaze upon the famed Namib Sand Sea World Heritage Site. Nearby, at the foot of some of these dunes, the skeletons of 900-year old camelthorn trees dominate the landscape where once water flowed. This is known as Dead Vlei. An exclusive-use gate provides direct access at sunrise to the renowned dunes of Sossusvlei and the evocative panoramas of Dead Vlei.

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

This fascinating geographical formation is well worth a visit. The result of millions of years of water carving its way into the earth, today Sesriem Canyon is three kilometres long. Views from the top are breathtaking, while walks through the canyon reveal distinct geographical layers which were laid down over aeons.

Credit: Wilderness

Credit: Wilderness

Credit: Wilderness

Walking trails focus on becoming immersed in this remote area, as well as its scenic beauty and the fascinating, and surprisingly, diverse array of insects, reptiles and rodents which make this dry and harsh region their home. The Tsauchab River Trail takes guests on a stroll along the dry riverbed close by the camp.

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Set out in the late afternoon for a nature drive, and complete your excursion in a remote and dramatic spot on the reserve, sipping a gin and tonic while watching the sun set over the distant mountains or sweeping dunes.

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Credit: Wilderness

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Ideal for introducing your family to the natural wonders of Namibia, take in the sweeping scenery on fat-wheeled e-bikes. A fun way to explore the spectacular open plains with your guide.

Credit: Wilderness

Credit: Wilderness

Credit: Wilderness

Private rooftop area for sleep-outs accessed by a wooden staircase behind each tented guest room. Sleep-out under the twinkling skies in the Namib Desert, and be lulled to sweet slumber by the magical night sounds of Africa.

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

The hot air balloon safari on the Kulala Wilderness Reserve offers a truly exceptional experience – soaring silently above the magnificent sand sea of the Sossusvlei dunes, with a champagne breakfast served at your landing site.

- Optional activity at extra cost, and weather permitting.
- Unavailable for the periods 15 January to 15 February (inclusive), and 25 December and 01 January.

Credit: Wilderness

Wilderness Kuala Desert Lodge Credit: Wilderness

Credit: Wilderness

Credit: Wilderness

Credit: Wilderness

The dangerous beauty of Skeleton Coast?.

Either on your way to the lodge from Möwe Bay or returning from the lodge, you will see what is left of the victims of this treacherous coastline: Decaying ships, the remains of a Ventura Bomber and the abandoned Westies Diamond Mine bear witness to the unforgiving nature of this arid landscape. You will also visit the seal colony.

The music of the Namib.

?Embark on a sundowner drive to the Roaring Dunes where the desert’s voice can be heard.?

Or watch the sun disappear into the Atlantic Ocean.

All along the river… Spend your morning exploring the Hoarusib River. Visit the Clay Castles, a striking geological formation. You might even spot the elusive desert-adapted elephants, brown hyenas and lions.

Seaside lunch?...

Weather permitting, enjoy a scrumptious lunch on the vast empty beach.?Feel the crisp sea-breeze tousle your hair and ponder the meaning of life? as the ocean washes onto the pristine sand in its unending ebb and flow.

Join one of our guides on a scenic drive over the Roaring Dunes . This excursion will only be conducted in an area specifically allocated for the purpose by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to minimise the effects on the environment.?The tour takes approximately 1.5 hours and is for one guest per quad. As a safety precaution the minimum age is 16 years.

For the more adventurous at heart, join us for dune boarding.

This is done by lying down on a polished board while you slide down the dune headfirst. Speeds of up to 80km/h can be reached.

Explore the rugged area on a morning or afternoon game drive learning about its remarkable flora and fauna including the giraffe research that is conducted in this area.

With your guide you can track the elusive desert-adapted black rhino on foot. Available to children aged 12 and over.

Spend time with the local Himbas, understanding their unique cultures. In the case of the Himbas, they represent one of the last true nomadic tribes of Africa

Enjoy a walk with one of our experet guides as you discover the surrounding area on foot.

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.

Credit: Onguma Nature Reserve

Credit: Onguma Nature Reserve

Credit: Onguma Nature Reserve

Credit: Onguma Nature Reserve

Credit: Onguma Nature Reserve

Credit: Onguma Nature Reserve

Onguma Nature Reserve consists of 35 480 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.

Credit: Onguma Nature Reserve

Credit: Onguma Nature Reserve

Credit: Onguma Nature Reserve

Credit: Onguma Nature Reserve

Credit: Onguma Nature Reserve

Credit: Onguma Nature Reserve

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 from 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.

We offer:
- Therapeutic Full Body Massage - 60 min – N$ 850 / 90 min
- Lymphatic Drainage Massage - 60 min
- Back Neck & Shoulder Massage - 45 min – N$ 600 / 60 min
- Head & Face Massage - 45 min
- Thai Foot Massage - 45 min
- Unique Combination of Therapeutic Massage & Thai Yoga Massage - 90 min