10-day Luxury Namibia: Sand Dunes and 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

Nature drives showcase the magnitude of the landscape and offer the best possibilities of seeing desert-adapted wildlife including the iconic black rhino, elephant, giraffe, antelope, Hartmann's mountain zebra – and possibly even the area’s predators such as lion and leopard.

Discover the details of the desert and learn more about the lesser-known flora and fauna that survive in this incredibly harsh environment. Adaptation is a necessity for desert wildlife and walking through this arid environment offers unique insights on this phenomenon. Marvel at the miracles that withstand this seemingly inhospitable landscape.

* Weather permitting and subject to the availability of a qualified walking guide.

Offering an exclusive desert sanctuary, the camp provides guests with unique opportunities to track rhinos. This immersive experience enables nature-lovers to actively support the conservation of Namibia's black rhinos while experiencing the region's diverse biodiversity.

Typically set out in the morning by vehicle, following behind the Save the Rhino (SRT) monitors as they track one of their charges – the remarkable desert-adapted black rhino. Due to the vast terrain, long distances can be covered, with other wildlife to be seen along the way. Once a rhino has been located, tracking by foot can take place depending on the position and/or location of the rhino. It is impossible to feel anything other than amazingly fortunate when in the company of such incredible Perissodactyla.

* Note: Rhino tracking remains the key focus and purpose at Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp, a standard activity included on a FI rate basis and available to all guests.

Travel amongst rolling, rocky hills with scattered euphorbia, ancient welwitschia plants, scrubby vegetation, and isolated clumps of trees through the 450 000-hectare (1 111 974-acre) Palmwag Concession and search out the fascinating desert-adapted wildlife of the region. During this full day spent exploring vast tracts of this famed conservation area, a scenic spot will be set up to enjoy a delicious lunch.

Birding enthusiasts are sure to enjoy the diverse avifauna found in the Palmwag Concession. Key species to look out for include Rüppell's korhaan, Benguela long-billed lark and possibly even Herero chat with some focused searching. Verreauxs' eagle are often sighted above the rocky hillsides.

Guided afternoon/evening game drives take place on the 30 000-hectare private Ongava Game Reserve. The reserve is famed for its population of rhino as well as lion and other game such as antelope, including endemic black-faced impala, and zebra.

Credit: Dr Olwen Evans | Ongava

Credit: Dr Olwen Evans | Ongava

Credit: Dr Olwen Evans | Ongava

Credit: Dr Olwen Evans | Ongava

Credit: Hazel & Tom Chapman | Ongava

Full- or half-day guided morning game drives in the Etosha National Park, Namibia’s prime savannah wilderness area (with packed lunch on full day). See the massive saltpan as well as the perennial springs that provide the water required by the Park’s high-density big game population.

Credit: Dr Olwen Evans | Ongava

Credit: Dr Olwen Evans | Ongava

Credit: Mike Myers

Offered seasonally and subject to an available walking guide, nature walks through the area take in the abundant array of life, from unusual plants to arid-adapted animals, with a chance of approaching white rhino.

Credit: Dr Olwen Evans | Ongava

Credit: Dr Olwen Evans | Ongava

Credit: Venture Media | Ongava

Credit: Tom & Hazel Chapman | Ongava

Credit: Tom & Hazel Chapman | Ongava

Guests can interface with science and research across the Ongava Game Reserve and part of this experience is an immersion into the world of natural history and science at the new Ongava Visitor Centre. With dozens of in-depth displays that feature information on the geology, animals, plants and ecological functioning of this fascinating region, guests are encouraged to meander through the self-guided exhibition area.