Namibia’s best-kept secrets

Your trip starts with an overnight stay in the Namibian capital of Windhoek, situated in the scenic Central Highlands region. The Olive Exclusive, for your first night, is without question the most luxurious guesthouse that Windhoek has to offer and is situated in the upmarket suburb of Klein Windhoek, with fabulous views over the surrounding mountains. Accommodation comprises three junior suites and four premier suites – all are expansive and each has been stylishly decorated to reflect a different region of Namibia. The Olive Exclusive also has a very highly regarded on-site restaurant and offers an exceptional level of service. Windhoek is an attractive city, surrounded by rolling hills, and has a relaxed and cosmopolitan feel.

Flying south-west out of Windhoek, you will pass over the spectacular Naukluft Mountains and the expansive rolling dunes of the Namib, before touching down on the Kulala Wilderness Reserve and transferring to Wilderness Little Kulala. Like its sister property Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge, Little Kulala is located on the 27,000-hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve. It has its own private airstrip and a private access road into the dune fields, enabling guests to avoid any waiting time at the main gate when taking guided excursions. Arguably the most luxurious lodge in the area, Little Kulala offers 11 beautifully designed chalets. Each is climate controlled for guest comfort, with indoor and outdoor showers, a private plunge pool, and separate star beds. This region is truly breathtaking, with towering orange sand dunes stretching as far as the eye can see, all set under a cloudless blue sky.

Leaving the Namib behind and heading north-east towards the coast, you will fly over the ancient wilderness of Damaraland and continue on up to the Skeleton Coast National Park. Here, you’ll stay at Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, the most unique property in Namibia, and certainly one of the most isolated. It is situated in the midst of the vast Kaokoveld region, an area as desolate as it is beautiful. The camp itself has only eight large and innovatively designed tents and is surrounded by the awe-inspiring scenery that typifies the region. Surprisingly for such a stark environment, life still persists here, and guests can take guided excursions in search of desert-adapted elephant, giraffe, and lion. It is also possible to visit the coast itself, which is dotted with shipwrecks and home to huge colonies of cape fur seals. A stay at Wilderness Hoanib is something that will not be forgotten!

After your time at Hoanib, you will continue heading north to Serra Cafema. This is one of the remotest camps we work with. Approximately 250 kilometres from the closest village, this camp is truly in the middle of nowhere – a no-man's-land where nomadic tribes live off one of the most arid landscapes on the planet. The setting of Wilderness Serra Cafema is utterly beautiful. Located on the edge of the Kunene river, it sits at the bottom of a river valley that cuts through the region. The northern bank is Angola, the southern bank is Namibia. Huge rocky mountain ranges surround the camp. Activities at Wilderness Serra Cafema are designed around exploring the region by any means possible. Game drives, as well as quad biking excursions, are complemented by riverboat safaris, as well as some fantastic walking trips. This is also one of the finest places in Namibia to interact with the local Himba tribes.