Namibia

There’s a faint chill in the still pre-dawn air as we climb into our 4x4 for the 60km drive into the oldest desert on the planet. Soft light falls across high dunes for the final leg, walking across the cool sand. Reaching the top of a low rise we look down on the baked, bone dry lake bed. Its surface seems to glow. Dotted across it are the evocative, darkly skeletal remains of camelthorn trees, dead for a millennium. Towering deep-orange dunes enclose the bowl and, as we watch, the first rays of dawn kiss the slopes to our right. Time to make some photographs…

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This hauntingly beautiful place is Deadvlei; just one of the many wonders we will see on an incredible journey into some of the most amazing landscapes on Earth. I first visited Namibia in 2008 and was immediately smitten by its austere beauty. Since then I have returned as often as I can and it still holds its allure.

Our journey begins with one night in Windhoek, the nation's capital. The following day we will fly north to Puros, where the Hoarusib River has carved a broad valley between impressive barren peaks. This is one of the homes of the Himba, native pastoralists famous for their custom of covering their bodies in ochre. Extensive groves of palm trees fringe the watercourse. The riverbed is dry for most of the year but we may be lucky enough to see some rainfall and perhaps even see the river flowing.

Heading south, we will explore more of Kaokoland. This is a huge region that is sparsely populated even by Namibian standards. The landscape continues to be the star attraction. But along the ephemeral river valleys we may also encounter desert-adapted wildlife such as oryx, elephant and giraffe.

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Our route takes us into Damaraland, an area typified by displays of colourful geology, magnificent tabletop mountains and bizarre looking vegetation. We will spend two whole days exploring this beautiful region.

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Moving further south, we will stay near Namibia's version of the Matterhorn; Spitzkoppe. The bald granite peak (image above) towers over a maze of rock outcrops with hidden caves, pools and Bushman art.

On our way to Swakopmund, our next base, we will pass the quirky settlement of Wlotzkasbaken to visit a shipwreck near Hentiesbaai. Swakopmund has long been a summer destination for Namibians to escape the heat of the interior, swapping it for cool Atlantic breezes. There are wonderful beaches and German inspired architecture.

 

The next five nights will be spent in the oldest desert on Earth, the Namib-Naukluft. Here the dunes march from the Atlantic coast to the foot of the Naukluft Mountains, rising to over 300m in places. We will spend two nights in a lodge with direct access to the Tsauchab River valley, allowing us to get ahead of the pack and arrive pre-dawn for photography at Deadvlei.

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Our final three nights will be at the incomparable Wolwedans in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, one of the largest private reserves in Southern Africa. Here we will find some of the finest landscapes in the Namib, with extensive views to distant mountains across rolling dunes and grassland. The experience will be elevated further by exceptional food and beautiful accommodation.

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This new itinerary includes some of Namibia's iconic destinations but we will also be visiting amazing areas well off the beaten track!