Wander To Namibia

May 19

Highlights: Arrival in Namibia, welcome dinner

Included: Dinner

Upon arrival at the Windhoek airport you’ll be met by our private driver and transferred to our conveniently located hotel. Namibia’s capital may be the largest city in the country, but it still moves at a relaxed pace and has a small-town feel, making it an ideal place for a first stroll. Once we’re settled in we’ll come together for a short orientation and enjoy our first dinner as a group, sampling dishes that reflect the country’s unique blend of African and European influences.

May 20

Highlights: Drive to Sesriem, beautiful nature

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we’ll begin our journey across Namibia’s vast and changing landscapes as we make our way southwest to the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The drive to Sesriem takes about 5.5 hours, taking us through wide-open plains, dry riverbeds, and desert roads that stretch far into the horizon. As we get farther from the capital the scenery becomes more dramatic, with big skies, distant mountains, and the occasional sighting of oryx, warthogs or springbok grazing near the roadside. This will be our first real look at just how remote and raw this country can feel. We’ll arrive in the afternoon and check into our 4-star lodge, located right inside the park gates, a perfect position to explore the dunes first thing tomorrow. In the evening we’ll sit down together for dinner, enjoying regional dishes and a view that stretches out into one of the oldest deserts on Earth. If the sky is clear, which it usually is, you’ll see just how many stars come out when there’s nothing but wilderness around you.

May 21

Highlights: Sunrise over the dunes, surreal landscapes, Sesriem Canyon

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We’ll be up early today for one of Namibia’s most unforgettable sights, sunrise over the red sand dunes of Sossusvlei. As the sun comes up the light shifts across the landscape, turning the dunes different shades of orange and gold. For those who feel up to it, there’ll be the option to climb Dune 45, one of the tallest dunes in the area. The views from the top are more than worth the effort, with waves of sand stretching out in every direction. After coming down we’ll make our way to Deadvlei, a dried-out clay pan where ancient, blackened trees stand frozen in place. The contrast between the white ground, dark trees, and red dunes gives the place an otherworldly feel. We’ll then head back to the lodge in time for lunch and in order to rest during the hottest part of the day. In the afternoon there will be the option to visit Sesriem Canyon, a narrow gorge formed by flash floods, or take to the sky with an optional hot air balloon ride. We’ll close the day with dinner together back at the lodge.

May 22

Highlights: Drive to Swakopmund, desert outposts, wide-open beaches

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a relaxed breakfast we’ll continue our journey north, heading toward the coast through some of Namibia’s shifting landscapes. The drive takes about 5.5 hours, but it’s far from dull. Along the way we’ll stop in Solitaire, a tiny desert outpost with rusted old cars, a bit of offbeat charm, and a bakery known across the country for its unexpectedly great apple pie. From there we’ll cross the Gaub and Kuiseb passes, where the road winds through rocky valleys and expansive plains before slowly giving way to cooler air and hints of ocean breeze. By the time we reach Swakopmund in the late afternoon, we’ll find ourselves in a town unlike anywhere else in Namibia, set between sand dunes and the Atlantic, with a mix of German colonial buildings, wide-open beaches, and a calm, coastal feel. After settling into our hotel near the center we’ll head out for a walk along the seafront promenade, watching the waves roll in as the sun starts to dip. In the evening we’ll enjoy dinner at a spot known for its seafood and ocean views, a perfect welcome to life by the sea.

May 23

Highlights: Sandwich Harbour 4x4 Adventure

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After a relaxing morning, we’ll set out on a half-day 4x4 adventure along one of Namibia’s most striking stretches of coastline, where the deep red sands of the Namib Desert meet the crashing waves of the Atlantic. We’ll travel with experienced local guides in specially equipped vehicles built to navigate the soft dunes, giving us access to remote corners of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. As we drive along this ever-changing landscape, we’ll stop often to take in the scenery and watch for wildlife, blue whales breaching, flamingos feeding in the shallows, jackals moving along the dunes, Cape fur seals lounging on the beach, and maybe even a brown hyena. It’s a place where everything feels open, quiet, and full of small surprises. It's also a place that is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful locations on Earth.

May 24

Highlights: Free day at leisure, Cape Cross Seal Reserve

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After a good night’s rest we’ll ease into the day with some time to explore the center of Swakopmund at a relaxed pace. You might want to stop by the Swakopmund Museum to learn more about the area’s natural history and cultures, browse handmade crafts and paintings at the nearby galleries, or just grab a coffee from one of the town’s cafés and take a walk along the beach promenade. In the afternoon we’ll have an optional excursion north to the Cape Cross Seal Reserve. The drive takes about 1.5 hours and follows a stretch of coastline marked by shipwrecks and barren, moon-like terrain. At the reserve we’ll come face to face with thousands of Cape fur seals spread across the beach, a loud, active colony unlike anything you’ve seen before. We’ll return to Swakopmund in time for a free evening, where you might choose to visit a microbrewery, enjoy some seafood, or just take in the coastal atmosphere before we move on to the next part of the journey.

May 25

Highlights: Drive to Etosha with multiple stops

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We’ll set off early this morning for Etosha, a 5.5-hour journey that takes us from the cool coastal air of Swakopmund into the heart of Namibia’s interior. As we drive, the scenery will gradually shift from sand dunes to open plains and dry savannah. Along the way we’ll stop at Spitzkoppe, a cluster of granite peaks that rise sharply from the surrounding desert. Often called the “Matterhorn of Namibia,” these ancient rocks are more than just beautiful, they’re also home to centuries-old San rock art that offers a glimpse into the region’s deep history. We’ll also pass through the relaxed towns of Karibib and Omaruru, where roadside stands offer handmade crafts, stones, and local snacks. By afternoon we’ll arrive at our lodge just outside the gate to Etosha National Park, one of Southern Africa’s top safari destinations. Known for its wide salt pan and diverse habitats, Etosha is home to elephants, giraffes, lions, and countless other species. After checking in and settling into your room, we'll have time to relax at the lodge as the wild bush around us shifts into its evening rhythm.

May 26

Highlights: Full-day safari

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we’ll spend a full day exploring Etosha National Park, one of Namibia’s most remarkable wildlife reserves. The name “Etosha” means “great white place,” a reference to the vast salt pan that dominates the heart of the park, a flat, silvery expanse so large it can be seen from space. We’ll travel between some of the park’s most active viewing points, including Okaukuejo, Halali, and Rietfontein, where elephants, giraffes, springbok, zebras, and wildebeest gather alongside more elusive animals like rhinos and big cats. With the park’s open terrain and sparse vegetation, wildlife sightings often happen at a distance that allows for clear, uninterrupted views. Your guide will help spot animals, share insights about their behavior, and explain how this unique ecosystem supports such an abundance of life. We’ll break up the day with rest stops and a picnic-style lunch before continuing our route through the reserve. By the end of the day we’ll return to the lodge for some free time and dinner.

May 27

Highlights: Full-day safari

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast we’ll head back into Etosha for another full day of game viewing, with a focus on tracking down any members of the Big Five we may have missed. Etosha is also home to lions, cheetahs, leopards, kudu, hyena and so much more, making it one of the most diverse reserves in the country. With our guide’s help we’ll scan the landscape for movement near the waterholes, where animals often gather during the heat of the day. We may find elephants bathing, lions resting in the shade, or a rhino quietly emerging from the bush. Throughout the day we’ll stop at several viewpoints to stretch our legs, take in the silence of the pan, and enjoy lunch at one of the park’s rest camps before continuing the search.

May 28

Highlights: Drive back to Windhoek, farewell dinner

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we’ll begin the drive south back to Windhoek, a four-hour journey that gives us time to take in the changing landscapes one last time. As we leave the wilds of Etosha behind, we’ll pass through open grasslands and scattered farming communities before re-entering the capital. Once we check back into our hotel there’ll be time to rest or take a short walk through the city’s center for any last-minute souvenirs. In the evening we’ll come together one final time for a farewell dinner, sharing stories from the trip over yet another delicious Namibian meal.

May 29

Highlights: Departure day

Included: Breakfast

You will be picked up at the hotel by our private driver and transferred to the airport in time for your departing flight.