The Ultimate Namibian Safari

Horse riding offers a magically unique way to experience the surrounding nature of the reserve. At Gmunder, the comfort of the animals remains of paramount importance. Our saddles have been designed to ensure that guests and the horses experience a comfortable ride. These handstitched Western saddles have been meticulously designed and are softer and broader than conventional saddles. This is a proper bucket-list activity for all visitors.G

E-biking is an easy alternative to a hike and allows guests to enjoy the landscape at a leisurely pace. Our e-bikes are designed in Namibia and made for the African terrain. The bikes are battery-powered and propelled forward by a motor.

Inclines, long distances and warm weather do not present themselves as obstacles during this activity. The cleverly named SunCycle is powered by the sun and comes equipped with a solar-charged battery, thus making it an eco-friendly activity that is not harmful to the environment.

Game drives are offered at sunrise or sunset, making the most of the magical hues of the African sun. Warm cups of coffee characterise morning drives while the evenings present sundowner beverages with a view.

Experience the stars of the African sky. With a breathtaking view of the Milky way, a clear night at Gmundner offers an experience that cannot be replicated on any other continent.

During the summer months, guests can look forward to views of the prominent Sagittarius and Scorpius constellations. Towards the end of the season, the Leo constellation with its bright heart star Regulus is also visible.

During the winter months, Orion dominates. This constellation is named after the prominent hunter in Greek mythology. Its brightest stars are the blue-white Rigel and the red Betelgeuse. Astronomy aside, stargazing is an activity to be enjoyed by all.

First used in the Middle Ages for hunting and as a strategic weapon of war, the art of the longbow shooting was perfected by both English and Welsh archers. Test your aiming skills and enjoy a taste of old-world Europe while in Africa.

Also known as Clay Target Shooting, this activity involves the shooting of targets under the supervision of our professional staff. Definitely something to consider during your stay!

Our court is ideal for an hour or two of sociable exercise. Enjoy a friendly (or competitive!) match with family, or other guests visiting the lodge.

The tennis court is named after Ion Țiriac, also known as the “Brașov Bulldozer”, who is a Romanian businessman and former professional tennis and ice hockey player.

Although Gmundner does not have its own golf course, arrangements can be made for transport to and from any course in the area.

Guests are further encouraged to utilise the well-equipped Gmundner Gym and sauna. As an added extra, Yoga is offered on specific days of the week (you can obtain the schedule at the reception desk).

At Gmundner Lodge, family and heritage are highly valued. Please inquire at reception for information on tailormade activities for children.

Fully immerse yourself in relaxation by booking a treatment at the Gmunder spa. Therapist Mariane Akwenye, Namibia’s first black female pilot, is a true pioneer in african wellness.

Mariane specialises in ancient holistic therapies (incorporating modern practices into each treatment to ensure a unique experience for each guest).

For more details about our signature spa treatments, please see our Spa Menu.

Welcome to the heart of sustainable living in Namibia: the Gmundner Farm! Our eco-conscious haven is a celebration of organic living, boasting our own bakery, greenhouses, butchery, and cattle breeding. Join us on this journey towards a greener, more sustainable future as we nurture the land and cultivate a harmonious way of life.

Like the SunCycle E-Bike (only faster), E-motocross promises an adrenaline-filled journey across the reserve. The bikes are remarkably quiet, leaving the wildlife in the area undisturbed.

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.

With over 6 km of sandbank waiting to be explored, there is plenty to see at close quarters. Stroll

2.5 km to the end of the peninsula and discover intriguing small desert dwellers, the huge flocks of playful seals, chanting seagulls and curious jackals sniffing around. A shorter walk leads to the old rusty jetty for a different slant on the seals and birds, and perhaps a picnic lunch. And at the end of the day, watch the dying sun drop ever more rapidly below the horizon in a blaze of glory. Take the opportunity of a lifetime and broaden your understanding and appreciation of the natural world

around us.

Walk to the old Jetty to observe seals and the birdlife and to photograph their activities, or to witness the changes in the scenery of the Bay and the distant dunes as the day progresses.

The dangerous beauty of Skeleton Coast
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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.

Game drives are taken in our Etosha Heights Private Reserve. We track the elusive black and white rhino while staying on the lookout for the big cats of the Reserve. There is plentiful plains game and excellent birding. Night drives on the Reserve afford the chance to spot many of the nocturnal inhabitants of the area.

After an early dinner and depending on the weather we also offer night drives on the reserve. Different from day game drives by that you stand a chance to see some of the nocturnal species that roam our reserve. We look for all of them, from bugs to birds and maybe something bigger.

Guided walks are offered to the more adventurous. A short drive out, and then the fun starts as you experience a whole new way of finding and viewing animals. Be sure to follow every instruction your guide gives you and you will have a great time. Children aged 12 years and over may take part in a walking safari.

Enjoy a lovely meal away from the lodge in the bush or hide. Weather permitting.