The Great Namibia Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Windhoek, Namibia
Our Namibia wildlife safari begins on arrival in Windhoek. Namibia's capital is a modern, walkable city whose eclectic urban skyline features both contemporary and colonial architecture, from German castles and cathedral spires to glass skyscrapers. There's time to relax this afternoon at our luxury boutique hotel in a tranquil, leafy neighborhood. During a welcome dinner, get acquainted with fellow travelers and our Expedition Leader,  and learn about the vast landscapes and wildlife we will encounter.

Days 2 & 3: Kulala Private Reserve—Sossusvlei Dunes
Fly by light aircraft to Little Kulala, a luxurious retreat within the private 90,000-acre Kulala Wilderness Reserve on the edge of Namibia’s great sand sea. The word namib in the Nama language means “vast,” an apt name for this ancient arid expanse—the world’s oldest desert. Wildlife drives at sunrise take us into Sossusvlei, a salt and clay pan surrounded by shape-shifting sand dunes. Framed by intense blue skies, the world’s tallest dunes glow deep carnelian at dawn, changing minute by minute as the sun climbs, to rose, burnt orange and ochre. Inside are diamonds, tucked into the sand mountains by currents, waves and wind. Remarkably, these dunes are home to a host of desert species, including oryx, ostrich, springbok, spotted and brown hyena, aardwolf and bat-eared fox. The rare dune lark’s entire habitat is confined to this area. We discover the desert’s subtle magic on short walks and safari drives. From Little Kulala’s profoundly secluded vantage point, we experience some of Africa’s most arresting vistas, including vermilion sunsets and unparalleled stargazing.

Days 4–6: Palmwag Concession—Rhino Tracking
Fly north to private million-acre Palmwag Concession. Our destination, Desert Rhino Camp, lies at the heart of this vast reserve in the Damaraland region, one of Africa's last great wildernesses. Few safari locales offer the level of isolation found here. The raw landscape is defined by ancient riverbeds, open plains, stacked granite rocks and deep gorges. Within these stark environs, freshwater springs support healthy numbers of wildlife, including Africa's largest population of free-roaming black rhinoceros. We'll track this endangered icon in the company of rhino experts from Save the Rhino Trust and researchers based at the camp. To search for rhinos on foot is a rare and exhilarating experience. Taking care to stay downwind, silent and hiding behind scrub bushes, we hold our breath in anticipation of spying this ancient desert dweller. On 4x4 drives, we also look for desert-adapted elephant, endemic Hartmann’s mountain zebra, giraffe, oryx, gemsbok, springbok and greater kudu. Namibia’s second-largest predator population thrives here, including lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena. Birds are abundant, too, with a number of southern African endemics. 

Days 7–9: Etosha National Park—Ongava Private Reserve
Day 10: Windhoek / Depart

Physical Rating: Easy to Moderate