Essence of Namibia

(12 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Skeleton Coast, Kaokoveld, Etosha National Park

This extensive private Namibia tour features scenic touring, wildlife safaris, cultural experiences and much more in the country's most spectacular landscapes, including Sossusvlei, the Skeleton Coast, Kaokoveld and Etosha National Park.

Begin with an overnight in Windhoek, the modern capital of Namibia. Next, fly to Sossusvlei, a desert region of dramatic red sand dunes in the middle of Namib-Naukluft Park, one of the largest national parks in Africa. Stay at a top desert lodge, and tour highlights such as Deadvlei, a dried lake bed with an eerie grove of dead trees surrounded by enormous sand dunes. If desired, hike up Big Daddy, the highest dune in the world, for breathtaking views over the ridges and valleys of the sprawling sand landscape. Other activities include looking for wildlife such as brown hyenas, springboks and gemsboks (oryx); walking nature trails to see interesting birds, reptiles and insects; quad biking; seeing ancient rock art; night walks and stargazing.

Continue to the Skeleton Coast, a remote wilderness where towering sand dunes meet the pounding surf of the Atlantic Ocean. Stay at a contemporary lodge among the sand dunes of Skeleton Coast Park, and enjoy activities in the area such as visiting the Mowe Bay seal colony, seeing shipwrecks and an abandoned diamond mine, going quad biking, and taking a 4WD tour to the Hoarusib River to see the Clay Castles geological formations and look for hyenas, lions and elephants. Other options include surf fishing, lunch on the beach and sundowner cocktails in the sand dunes.

Next, fly to Kaokoveld, an isolated region in far northern Namibia. Stay at a lodge on the edge of the Kunene River, a life-sustaining resource in the rugged, arid landscape of rocky hills, sand dunes and gravel plains. Among the many activities at the lodge are nature walks to look for gemsboks, ostriches and other wildlife; river cruises to see Nile crocodiles and unusual birds that live in the greenery along the riverbanks; quad biking through dramatic landscapes; and meeting members of the Himba, a semi-nomadic community living in the region.

Continue to Etosha National Park, a vast salt pan surrounded by plains and woodlands, for some of Africa's best wildlife viewing. Stay at an upscale safari lodge in the foothills with panoramic views over the beautiful landscapes. During safaris in the national park and the lodge's private game reserve, visit water holes that attract elephants, lions, rhinos, zebras, wildebeest, springboks, gemsboks and other wildlife. Also look for some of the hundreds of types of birds that live in Etosha.

This tour can easily be combined with our tours in South Africa and Botswana.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world