Himba Safari
Sossusvlei, Skeleton Coast, Kunene River & Etosha
Stylish desert luxury meets nomadic culture
This itinerary offers sophisticated bush luxury in three iconic wilderness locations of Namibia. Your first destination is the towering, shifting apricot dunes of the Sossusvlei, some of which are more than 300 metres high, a true highlight for anyone visiting Namibia and a photographer’s dream. Best visited at dawn for picture-perfect images, you will have the chance to climb up the dunes and visit areas such as the Deadvlei and Sesriem Canyon. Nature drives in the private reserve adjacent to the dunes will reveal the desert species that inhabit the area. The adventurous can get the best vantage point by taking a dawn hot air balloon excursion over the dunes, ending with a Champagne breakfast at the landing spot.
The remote northwest of Namibia, known as Koakoland (or the Kunene Region), is home to dramatic scenery, the oasis-like Kunene River and the semi-nomadic Himba people. It is a huge, scenic wilderness offering some of the world’s most ancient rock formations and landscapes. As you descend into the Hartmann Valley one could be forgiven for thinking you are on Mars, except for the lush green vegetation on either side of the river! Explore the dunes on quadbike, visit the Himba people who manage to survive in this seemingly inhospitable area and take a boat cruise up the Kunene with Angola just metres from you, marvelling at rugged landscapes.
Etosha translates as the “Great White Place of Dry Water” and at the heart of the park is Etosha Pan, a gigantic shallow depression that was once an inland lake. The perennial springs in the area attract great concentrations of birds and game. Enjoy this region over three nights from the exclusivity of a neighbouring private reserve known for its black and white rhino and lion population. Game drives within the private reserve and Etosha National Park offers wildlife in abundance, where predator and prey alike drink side by side.
You will love
- High quality lodges
- The photography
- Black rhino sightings
- Dunes of the Sossuslvei
- The remote Kunene, home to the Himba
- Activity variety
Let us design your perfect itinerary.
9 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS
DAY 1 | SOSSUSVLEI | 2 NIGHTS
Meet your pilot at Windhoek International Airport for your light aircraft flight to the Sossusvlei region of Namib Desert. You will be met and transferred to Little Kulala, a premier lodge located close to the famed sand dunes. This afternoon enjoy an afternoon nature drive to see what thrives in the desert environment, and your first Namibian sunset with sundowner drinks. After a superb dinner you can opt to sleep in your chalet or under the stars on the roof.
DAY 2 | SOSSUSVLEI
This morning you will rise early for a magical excursion into the Namib Naukluft National Park, entering the Park gates at sunrise to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft, and shadows accentuate their towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world. Your local guide will give you an insight on the formation of the Namib Desert and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environs. Once you have explored the areas around Sossusvlei and Deadvlei to your hearts content you can enjoy a relaxing picnic breakfast in the shade of a camel thorn tree. Return to the lodge in the early afternoon for a late lunch, stopping off to view Sesriem Canyon along the way.
The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure (from experience, this is usually welcomed after an exhilarating morning in the dunes) or can be spent on another guided scheduled activity within the Kulala Wilderness Reserve as offered by the lodge.
DAY 3 | KUNENE RIVER | 3 NIGHTS
After breakfast, head to the airstrip for a light aircraft flight heading over dramatic landscapes to the northernmost point of Namibia, the Kunene River region close to the Angolan border. Your flight will likely take you via the German-inspired town of Swakopmund on the coast and hopefully you will spot seal colonies and shipwrecks en route. Then continue over the deeply remote Skeleton Coast, landing in the Hartmann Valley. You will be driven to Serra Cafema Camp, the approach to which offers breathtaking views of the moonscape with the oasis of trees and reeds on either side of the Kunene River. After refreshing, enjoy an afternoon activity and take in the majesty of this unique location. Dinner under the stars completes a long but exciting day.
DAYS 4 – 5 | KUNENE RIVER
You will have plenty to do over the next two days. Serra Cafema is one of the most remote camps in southern Africa and the only people you might see are members of the semi-nomadic Himba tribe who continue to live a traditional way of life. Spend some time with the Himba, who benefit from the tourism that Serra Cafema brings. The river is the only permanent water source in the region and is teeming with crocodiles and water birds. There will be time to get onto these waters and explore by motorboat. Spend a morning having fun on a guided quad bike excursion or take an informative nature drive or walk to learn about what other wildlife citizens there are.
DAY 6 | ETOSHA REGION | 3 NIGHTS
Leaving the Kunene behind, you will fly south-east to Africa’s largest salt pan, Etosha, a gigantic shallow depression that was once an inland lake. You will stay in a private reserve adjacent to the National Park, at the exclusive and intimate Little Ongava. The property sits on the crest of a hill offering amazing views over the Etosha region and has only three very luxurious guest suites. After a sumptuous lunch, the rest of the day will be spent on a nature drive within the private reserve. After sundowners return to the lodge for an exquisite three course dining experience.
DAYS 7 – 8 | ETOSHA REGION
The activity options offered include morning and afternoon game drives, nature walks and bird watching. Game drives will be offered within the Ongava Reserve and Etosha National Park. The springs that emerge around the pans are rich in mineral salts and attract great concentrations of birds and game. Salt, dust, thorns, and heat may make Etosha seem a strange place to human visitors but it is home to elephant, giraffe, the rare black rhinoceros, two species of zebra, springbok, gemsbok, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest, eland and ostrich. Prides of lion and hyena can regularly be seen but leopard and cheetah are more difficult to spot.
DAY 9 | END OF SAFARI
Time for a final early morning game drive and a hearty breakfast before heading to the airstrip for your flight back to Windhoek where you will connect with onward destinations.
Note
This itinerary is a suggestion only and can be amended in terms of length, destination and properties to be included. Serra Cafema could be replaced with a camp in the Skeleton Coast & Kaokoland region or Damaraland.
An absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.
Judith & Roger Williams
Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!
The McGowan Tribe
It certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing. We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.
Jo-anne & Dean Mifsud
The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.
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Classic Safari Company were brilliant - 10/10
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Classic Safari is the place to go to for "top end" adventure travel.
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If you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.
Miriam & Joseph Harrison
Their experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.
Andrew & Pip Stevens
Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!
Ros Wheeler
Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.
Simon & Jackie Adams
The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.
Emma Jeffcoat
You can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!
Buckingham Family
Everything was perfect! Advice and information on destinations and activities hit everything I had hoped to experience. I contacted the Classic Safari Company upon recommendation and have now, in turn, recommended to others.
Tim Bradley
Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!
Jane & Robert Happell
Thank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.
Paul Cozzi
An amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!
Sheryl & Robert Taylor
We loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!
Laurence & Remi Cunningham
Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.
Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones
The trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.
Rowntree family
We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.
Kim & Brad Balance
Julia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.
Milford family
We wanted the opportunity to see as many wildlife parks as possible and the Classic Safari Company provided an action-packed itinerary that included six, with 11 tiger sightings and nine leopard. This was overlaid with an introduction to Jaisalmer, Jaipur and the 'real' India. Pench and Panna were the hidden gems of a really great trip, very well organised, seamless and enjoyable. As a solo traveller I felt incredibly safe at all times. I want to go back!
Mark Taylor
Exellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.
Elizabeth Mackintosh
Thank you for putting together the ancestral adventure of a lifetime. I cannot speak highly enough of the trip.
Jenny Kidd
