Spirit of the Namib
9 nights /10 days
This safari is routed specifically to track and reveal the elusive wildlife of the desert; observe the life-rich and rugged Atlantic Coast; and experience the immense moving dune fields of the Namib Desert. You will be surprised to see how the seemingly barren desert comes to life with an amazing plethora of plants and animals that have ingeniously adapted to their harsh surroundings. There is an excellent opportunity to find the desert-adapted black rhino and elephant on this journey.
The safari is privately guided and hosted by an experienced professional who will share an in-depth knowledge and passion for Namibia with you. To ensure privacy and exclusivity, most areas you will be traveling through are private concessions in unspoiled, scenic wilderness areas. In order to maximize your travel time, this safari uses a variety of transportation. You will fly by private charter when it is best to have a bird's-eye view. You will travel by road for in-depth experiences of the contrasting landscapes of Namibia.
You will experience a variety of accommodations on this safari ranging from a renovated old farmhouse with en-suite bathrooms and a quaint lodge on the coast, to permanent camps and vintage-styled serviced camping with bucket showers that are for the exclusive use of Wilderness Safaris' guests. This safari will allow you to experience the wilder side of Africa where only the sporadic roar of lion or cackle of hyena punctuates the silence of the night.
Brief Itinerary
| Days 1 & 2 | Andersson's Camp, Etosha region |
| Days 3 & 4 | Palmwag Adventurer Camp, Damaraland |
| Days 5 & 6 | Hoanib Camp, Kaokoland |
| Day 7 | Damaraland Camp, Damaraland |
| Day 8 | The Stiltz Lodge, Swakopmund |
| Days 9 & 10 | Kulala, Sossusvlei |
| Day 11 | Drive to Windhoek |
Spirit of the Namib - Price
Contact Duffle & Compass for the current price of this itinerary.
Spirit of the Namib - Departure Dates
This safari is no longer operating with set departure dates. However we will be happy to arrange a custom-tailored version of this itinerary for small private groups. Contact Duffle & Compass for details.
Spirit of the Namib - Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 & 2
You begin your adventure with a charter flight to Etosha, Namibia's big game country. You will experience the diverse flora and fauna in a variety of activities, from game walks to game drives and visits to hides both on the property and in the famous Etosha National Park
Andersson's Camp is surrounded by plains teeming with wildlife and situated close to Etosha. The vast expanse of savannah and salt pan, the largest in Africa, was 'discovered' by Sir Francis Galton and Charles Andersson in 1851. The resurrected farmstead now forms the anchor fronting onto a thriving waterhole and the 20 tented guest units, each with en-suite bathroom, are raised on decks for an enhanced view. This model of eco-sensitive lodging provides an authentic, safe and down-to-earth experience. Game drives will take you to various springs and pans in search of lion, leopard, elephant and black rhino, as well as plains game.
Day 3
This morning you travel to Twyfelfontein, where you will be guided by local Damara guides to view the San petroglyphs - prehistoric rock etchings, strewn over the rock face. After lunch the journey continues in the direction of the Palmwag concession where desert-adapted elephant and elusive black rhino can be found. 
Your camp is situated in a secluded area near the Palmwag Lodge. There are five Meru-style tents, built on individual, wooden platforms and offering a great scenic view of the surroundings. The tents are tastefully furnished, with en-suite facilities, solar power and a wonderful atmosphere.
Over the course of the next four nights in the enormous wilderness areas of Damaraland and Palmwag your guides expose the sheer magnificence of nature's survival strategies in this arid environment, through walks, tracking and game drives concentrating on a variety of topics from birds to insects, medicinal uses of plants and viewing wildlife. In addition, you will travel through regions with an exciting array of exposed geological sequences, ranging in age from "young" 130 million-year-old igneous shale through to 850 million-year-old schist formations.
Days 4 & 5
Your journey continues by road towards the ephemeral river of the Hoanib Valley. Please note that this is a long nature transfer, giving guests a unique opportunity to see some of the most rugged and "hard to get to" areas within Namibia's remote Northwest. Here, in an area seemingly parched and desolate, is one of Namibia's richest desert wildlife areas.
The rugged mountains and canyons of the Hoanib River provide a last refuge for some of the continent's most unique wildlife; this is the home of the legendary desert elephant and the last free-roaming black rhino population on Earth. In fact 75% of Namibia's endemic species inhabit this last bastion of the wild. You will have the opportunity to explore this area on game drives and walks. Possibly, you can visit one of the nomadic Himba villages if they are in the region at the time.
Your tented camp is set close to the Hoanib River and powered by solar-powered inverter systems. The walk-in, hexagonal style tents are en-suite with flush toilet and bucket shower bathrooms in a separate portion of the tent.
Day 6
Departing early, you travel east to Sesfontein where you will end your road journey at the award-winning Damaraland Camp.
The camp is situated on the northern face of the Huab River valley, looking south toward the imposing Brandberg Mountain. The camp accommodates guests in 10 comfortable tented rooms (with en-suite facilities including flush toilets and showers) with endless vistas as views. The dining room and pub are combined under canvas, and an open fire is enjoyed on calm evenings. A special feature of the camp is its unique natural rock pool.
Early morning mists generated by the clash between the icy Atlantic Ocean and the warm desert air of the Skeleton Coast, drift inland along the river sand canyon, providing sustenance to the flora and fauna of the region. Although wildlife is not concentrated, the camp is situated where the rare desert-adapted elephant roams, alongside gemsbok (oryx), springbok, ostrich and other hardy desert animals. Rare succulent plants eke out an existence in this harsh countryside.
Day 7
Today you leave Damaraland Camp, traveling south via Uis en route to Swakopmund. Closer to the coast you will notice the lichen fields strewn over the gravel plains, one of the most fragile ecosystems on Earth.
After a picnic lunch, you'll make for The Stiltz Lodge in the quaint and charming town of Swakopmund, arriving in the late afternoon. Swakopmund, with its unique urban atmosphere that is a vibrant combination of Africa and Europe, is a wonderful town in which to end a safari after the experiences of the northern Namibian bush.
The Stiltz, as its name implies, is built on stilts, providing breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, the red iron-rich beach dunes and also the Swakopmund River mouth. Each of the minimalist yet elegantly furnished thatched bungalows is linked by wooden walkways to the main restaurant. As the lodge is sited close to the central part of town, this allows for easy access to enjoy the special hospitality, history and cuisine.
Days 8 & 9
Heading south to Walvis Bay Lagoon you'll find a protected bay, many flamingos, pelicans and other waterfowl. On the calm waters of the bay, you can experience sea kayaking, a spectacular activity that allows you to approach seals, dolphins and water birds at a respectable distance and in their habitat, allowing for some unique photographic opportunities.
Next stop is your private Sossusvlei concession. Here you can enjoy access to the Sossusvlei dunes, for walks in the immense moving sands of the Namib, game drives and stargazing. Photography in the early morning of the dunes is particularly stunning with rich reds and dark shadows completing the extraordinary vista that is the enormity of the Namib Desert. While here you will stay at one of the three Kulala camps – Kulala Wilderness Camp, Kulala Desert Lodge or Little Kulala – depending on availability.
Day 10
After breakfast you transfer by road, including lunch overlooking the view of the plains nearby, to Windhoek for your onward journey.
Spirit of the Namib - Additional Information
Arrivals - If you have an international arrival into Windhoek, you must arrive by 9:30 a.m. on Day 1 of the safari to avoid additional transfer fees. We suggest arriving the day prior and overnighting in Windhoek.
Departures - If you have an international departure from Windhoek, please insure that your flight leaves after 3 p.m. to avoid additional transfer fees.
*This safari departure is guaranteed with a minimum of two confirmed travelers. There is a limit of eight travelers on this safari.
*Children aged 12 or older are welcome. Travelers over the age of 75 must provide a certificate of good health.
- *Please note that there are bilingual safaris offered for some specific departures. Duffle & Compass can provide further information to those who are interested.
Contact Duffle & Compass to begin planning your Africa adventure.
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