Namibia: Skeleton Coast Expedition

Wa lalapo and welcome to Namibia! After a private transfer to the hotel, we’ll begin with a Group Meeting at 6:00PM followed by a Welcome Dinner at a quirky and entertaining spot that features Namibian food with a German twist.

Our first day is all about familiarizing ourselves with Namibia’s surreal scenery. After breakfast, we’ll take in the sights during a 4.5-hour drive to the Dead Valley Lodge outside Sesriem. Once we’re settled in our luxury chalets with panoramic views of the Namib Desert, we’ll enjoy an included Namibian-style lunch and have time to relax at the pool. This afternoon, get revved up for an exciting desert 4×4 drive that’ll introduce us to the area’s unique flora and fauna. After a sundowner (African lingo for a sunset beverage stop), we’ll return to the lodge for dinner and a leisurely evening.

Today begins early but it’s well worth it! Just after sunrise, we’ll visit Sossusvlei, a mesmerizing Namib desert oasis known for its towering red sand dunes. During our ascent to the top of Dune 45, one of the most photographed dunes in the world, we’ll take in unsurpassed views of the Dalí-like desertscape. After returning to the lodge for breakfast, we’ll drive to Deadvlei, a clay pan known for its skeleton trees set against a vibrant orange backdrop of dunes. This pan is surrounded by some of the highest dunes in the world with the tallest one colloquially known as “Big Daddy.” After an included lunch, we’ll go for a light hike through Sesriem Gorge, a tranquil natural canyon, before returning to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Start the day off early with an optional hot air balloon ride, or slumber until your heart’s desire. After breakfast, we’ll begin a 5-hour drive to Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast. On the way, we’ll be privy to Solitaire (no, not the card game) which is notable for the cacti, abandoned vehicles, and apple pie. After a bakery visit and pie tasting, we’ll get a glimpse of Moon Valley on the way to Walvis Bay, where we’ll stop to marvel at the migratory birds that inhabit this coastal area. While we are out of season for most species, we might be lucky enough to see flamingos! Upon arrival in Swakopmund, we’ll have an optional lunch, then reconvene for a guided orientation walk through this unique German-Namibian town. Later this afternoon we’ll check in to our beachfront hotel with some free time before gathering for an included dinner at our hotel.

Today is yours to enjoy this gorgeous coastal town! Indulge in some beach time, explore the town’s charming open air markets, or delve into Namibian culture at a museum – all are within walking distance from the hotel. History buffs may be keen for an optional excursion to Cape Cross, named for the large cross left by Diego Cao, the first European to arrive on Namibian soil in 1485. Cape Cross is also a popular fur seal breeding site, boasting an excess of 100,000 seals at any given point, making for quite the spectacle (and quite the smell if the wind happens to change direction). Other optional excursions include a sea & dolphin cruise and a fishing trip. Tonight is free, although we’ll gather for an optional dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Rise and shine! After breakfast, we’ll transfer to a local airstrip for a spectacular 2-hour scenic flight over the haunting and picturesque Skeleton Coast, renowned for its innumerable rusting shipwrecks. This is sure to be a major highlight of the trip, and we’ll bear witness to Cape Cross, the Zeila shipwreck, the Rössing and Husab Mines, the iconic Spitzkoppe granite inselberg, and the striking geological formations of Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain range. To make a great excursion fabulous, our flight will save us a long drive, having us land a short drive away from our next lodge where we’ll enjoy an included lunch, then check in. The afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the lodge or venture out on a self-guided nature walk. At sunset, we’ll gather for sundowners, then we’ll dine together (included) at the lodge.

Today’s pre-dawn wakeup call is well worth it as we’ll be chauffeured on an early-morning nature drive through the harsh, arid environment that’s home to desert-adapted elephants and other unique flora and fauna, with a picnic breakfast no less. We’ll return to the lodge for an included lunch and some free time to take a dip in the pool – which has been carefully carved out of local boulders. This afternoon, we’ll visit the fascinating geological formations of Burnt Mountain, the Organ Pipes, and Twyfelfontein Heritage Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest concentrations of ancient rock engravings in southern Africa. Here, we’ll gain insight into the ritual practices of the Stone Age hunter-gatherer communities that once inhabited the area. Back at the lodge, another sumptuous dinner awaits (included).

After breakfast, we’ll see the countryside once more on a 4-hour drive to Etosha, renowned for its spectacular landscape, wildlife diversity, and conservation efforts. Upon arrival at the crown jewel of lodges, Epacha Game Lodge & Spa, we’ll check into our luxury chalets, enjoy an included lunch, and have the afternoon to discover everything this alluring property has to offer. Optional activities include clay pigeon shooting or a rejuvenating session in the Lodge’s Mystique Spa. This afternoon, we’ll visit a local Himba village to discover their rich heritage and get a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of one of Namibia’s most distinctive nomadic tribes. The Himba continue to lead remarkably similar lives to their ancestors, forging an existence in the harsh environment of Kunene (formerly called Kaokoland). After our visit concludes, we’ll return to our lodge for a group dinner (included) and some relaxing free time.

For the grand finalé of our trip, we’re going wild with a 2-day safari through Etosha National Park, home to elephants, giraffes, elands, kudus, oryx, springbok, and over 340 avian species. The park’s centerpiece is the Etosha Pan, a massive salt flat that gleams like a shimmering white sea and transforms into a mirage during dry seasons. Both days begin with a pre-sunrise departure from the lodge and include a boxed breakfast, a full morning game drive, and an included picnic lunch. We’ll return to the lodge in the early afternoon with the rest of the day free to catch up on some z’s, indulge in a spa service, or read by the pool before reconvening for dinner (included).

Today a group transfer will be provided to Windhoek Airport or to the Out Adventures finishing point hotel in Windhoek. With that in mind, we ask that you schedule your departing flight to leave no earlier than 8 PM.