Combination Wilderness lodges, hotel (Swakopmund town) and fully serviced Discoverer camping, all in private concession areas.

Namibia is a land of stunning landscapes, endless skies, barren deserts, rugged mountains and spectacular wildlife – and the Great Namibian Journey encompasses it all. This cross-section explores the dunes of Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert, the stark beauty and diversity of the Skeleton Coast, amazing marine life just off Swakopmund, the volcanic rock-strewn landscape of Damaraland and the game-filled savannah of Etosha.

The activities provide a wide range of differing impressions, from a dolphin cruise with private beach lunch, to hiking in Damaraland, walking in the Namib’s great dunes and interacting with traditional Himba people.

Explorations are led by highly skilled and qualified professional guides with an incredible passion for the natural regions they work in. Sharing the adventure and guiding you on this journey of discovery combined with their vast knowledge of the natural world, history and culture are their professions and personal hobby. Years of experience in the field and a depth of understanding of animal behavior and the environment will leave you with a sense of complete wonder.

This Exploration traverses the width of central Namibia by road. Most links between areas is by vehicle transfer, which can be lengthy and bumpy (due to Namibia’s roads mainly being gravel). Numerous stops at local highlights, with refreshments, snacks and lunches (where appropriate) will be made to ensure optimal comfort. Flights to the Skeleton Coast National Park and through Ongava (close to Etosha) are by aircraft, affording sensational views of the arid North West and Etosha region by air.

Guide: The entire safari is guided and hosted by a professional trained guide with in-depth knowledge and experienced knowledge that creates an unsurpassed seamless safari experience.

Exclusive experience: Most areas in which we travel are private concessions, with Discoverer campsites being for the sole use of Discoverer Safari guests. At the lodges and hotels en route we have the chance to meet other Wilderness Safaris guests.

Routes: To maximize guests' travel time, a variety of travel modes that bring out the best of each area is used: flying in private charters and overland transfers provide both a bird's-eye view and an in-depth experience of the contrasting landscapes of Namibia.

Bilingual safari dates: This service aims to facilitate a greater level of experience for guests that do not speak English fluently. These safaris will be led by a guide; however there may be a translator to assist the guide. Please note on all bilingual safari dates that the guide or translator's home language is English / Afrikaans. This additional free service does not guarantee the level of fluency and depending on group dynamics a varying amount of the foreign language will be spoken.

Private safari options: Tailored Explorations are available on flexible dates, accommodation and itineraries, for groups of up to eight guests. These are also ideal for families or for small groups from four guests.

Safari Style:  Discoverer

SAFARI COST (2012):
07-Jan to 31-May: ZAR 58,735 per person sharing - (Low Season)
01-Jun to 31-Oct: ZAR 63,956 per person sharing - (High Season)
01-Nov to 31-Dec: ZAR 58,735 per person sharing - (Low Season)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT (2012): ZAR 5,350

If a guest is willing to share and we can match with another guest of the same gender, the single supplement will not be charged. However, if there is no suitable match, the single supplement surcharge will apply.

From Windhoek, travel by vehicle approximately 205 miles to Kulala Desert Lodge in the 91430 acres private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, enjoying awe-inspiring views of the mountains and the desert floor. En route, we enjoy a lunch close to the Khomas Hochland escarpment, reaching onto sweeping vistas below.

One of the most enduring impressions of the Sossusvlei area is the early morning light on the sea of vivid orange dunes, some as high as 984 feet. Nearby world-famous Sossusvlei is an enormous clay pan, flanked by the famous red sand dunes that stand out starkly against the blue sky. These dunes – the most well-known being Big Daddy or Dune 45 – have developed over millions of years, the wind continuously refashioning the contours of this red sand sea. The 'vlei' itself only fills after rare heavy rainfall when, in a complete turn-around, it transforms into a spectacular turquoise lake. Afternoon activities include nature walks, drives to scenic viewpoints and marveling at the unique Namib fauna and flora in the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve.

Here we enjoy access to the Sossusvlei dunes through a private access gate, for walks in the immense moving sands of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, game drives (by day and night) on our concession and stargazing. Photography of the dunes in the early morning and late afternoon is particularly stunning with rich reds and dark shadows completing the extraordinary vista that is the enormity of the Namib Desert.

Kulala Desert Lodge is situated within the arid Namib Desert on the private 91430 acres Kulala Wilderness Reserve, and is closest to the iconic red dunes of the Sossusvlei. The lodge comprises 19 thatched and canvas "kulalas" ("to sleep" in Oshiwambo) with en-suite bathrooms and verandas. Each unit is built on a wooden platform to catch the cooling breezes and has a deck on the flat rooftop where bedrolls are placed for guests to sleep under the myriad stars that Namibia's clear skies portray.

Travel 224 miles by road north-west via the Kuiseb Canyon with its dark, craggy canyons and via a moon-like landscape of flat gravel plains (with stops along the way that include the Walvis Bay lagoon for some bird watching viewing inter-alia pelicans and flamingos). We arrive at the grand Hansa Hotel in Swakopmund in the early afternoon in time for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the towns quaint mix of European and African culture, as well as a little shopping in the vibrant markets.

On our second day we explore the ice-blue Atlantic coast, from the port towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund to its incredible marine mammals. A private boat cruise at Walvis Bay and down the coast to Sandwich Harbour (weather permitting) provides a unique chance to see the diverse pelagic (ocean-going) birdlife, Cape fur seals and rare Heaviside’s dolphins up close. This activity is rounded off with a private seafood lunch, before returning to the hotel in the late afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure before meeting for dinner.

Travel approximately 174 miles, partly up the legendary Skeleton Coast (named for the numerous shipwrecks the treacherous shores have claimed over the years). From here we drive the back roads through the game productive Ugab riverbed, travelling north past the Brandberg Mountain – the second largest monolith on earth – to Damaraland. This all-day excursion with lunch en route ends with our arrival at Damaraland Camp

Damaraland is a land of stark desert beauty. Early morning mists, generated by the clash between the icy Atlantic Ocean and the warm desert air of the Skeleton Coast, drift inland along the canyons, providing sustenance to the flora and fauna of the region. Rare succulent plants abound in this harsh countryside. Our activities include explorations on foot or 4x4 vehicles, viewing springbok, gemsbok and ostrich, and tracking the unique desert-adapted elephant.

Damaraland Camp accommodates guests in 10 comfortable tented rooms, with en-suite facilities including flush toilets and showers with hot and cold running water. (Laundry facilities are limited due to the low rainfall in the area). The stone living area combines the dining room and pub and an open fire is enjoyed on calm evenings. There is a swimming pool next to the bar.

We depart Damaraland Camp and drive into the Huab riverbed to search for desert-adapted elephants, before heading north to the mountainous and rocky paradise of the massive Palmwag Concession.

Desert Rhino Camp is situated in the enormous private Palmwag Reserve in north-west Namibia, between Etosha and the Skeleton Coast – few places on the planet can offer this level of privacy and wilderness experience.

This reserve has a number of freshwater springs that support healthy populations of animals including desert-adapted back rhino and elephant as well as large populations of the rare Hartmann's mountain zebra, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok and kudu. The predator population is the largest outside of the Etosha National Park including lion, cheetah, leopard, and brown and spotted hyaena. Bird life is prolific and diverse featuring most of Namibia's endemics. Welwitschia plants (ancient and highly unusual succulents) dot the plain in front of the camp. The speciality of the area is its growing population of the rare desert-adapted black rhino (the largest concentration in the world outside a national park), which are monitored and protected by the Save the Rhino Trust.

Desert Rhino Camp has eight comfortable canvas walled tents slightly elevated on wooden decking, each with an en-suite bathroom comprising dual hand basins, toilet and a spacious walk-in shower. The tented dining and lounge area offers uninterrupted views of the desert and mountains. Welwitschia (ancient desert adapted plants) plants dot the plain in front of the camp. On the second day, the highlight is rhino tracking on foot or by vehicle; other activities include day and night nature drives.

We depart Palmwag eastward on an extended combination wildlife viewing (first part of the drive) and transfer drive of approximately 218 miles to Etosha National Park, where we experience the pinnacle of game viewing – but accommodated in the privacy of an exclusive bush camp situated on an extensive private game reserve, Ongava, just on the outside of Etosha National Park.

Activities include day and night drives (in Etosha National Park and on the private Ongava concession), walks and hides (on the Ongava concession). Etosha National Park is a renowned park, boasting the most wildlife prolific game experience on a salt pan in the world. A healthy mix of wildlife, ranging from savanna based species like impala and then desert species like springbuck abound. Elephant roam the pan fringes and large herds of zebra are often highlighted against a mirage background of the white expansive salt pans. Within Etosha we visit numerous perennial springs and pans, encountering a myriad of differing species. Ongava houses healthy populations of the species within the park (except elephant) with rhino and predators often sighted.

Whilst at Ongava we will do a day trip to Halali, located halfway between Okaukuejo and Namutoni. Situated at the base of a dolomite hill, amongst shady Mopane trees Halali provides an ambiance of tranquility and space. It is surrounded by some of the most popular waterholes in the park.

Ongava Tented Camp comprises 8 large comfortable walk-in tents, each with en-suite facilities, including flush toilet and a hot shower. All meals are enjoyed in the thatched dining area that overlooks an active waterhole. There is a small pool in which to cool off as well. 

Enjoy a breathtaking scenic flight over dramatic desert landscapes to the exclusive Skeleton Coast Research Camp situated in a private concession in the Skeleton Coast Park.

This is one of the most inhospitable but hauntingly beautiful places on the planet: desolate and uninhabited. It has everything, from roaring sand dunes, windswept plains, towering canyons and saltpans to seal colonies, bleached whale bones and shipwrecks. Full-day explorations in 4x4 Land Rovers will take all these in, picnicking on the way. Included are cultural visits to the remote villages of the Himba people.

Skeleton Coast Research Camp comprises 5 Meru-style tents nestled between granite rocks. Surrounded by pure wilderness, this camp is truly remote and the perfect setting for a serviced style of camping. The camp is outfitted with necessary comforts and equipment, essential elements to the old and relaxed manner of early explorers.

Say farewell to the adventure as we return by air charter to Windhoek, arriving at approximately 4pm late afternoon.  Connect with your flight out in the afternoon or evening.