Namibia

Day two – Friday, 13 June

Cape Cross Lodge to Khumib River Mouth

After breakfast on the beach, we’ll continue our push north, along the coastal salt C34/D3202 road. At Terrace Bay, refuel with coffee, and diesel. No gas station. Our fuel truck will be waiting. North of Mowe Bay, our guide will take us off-road for an exhilarating beach drive, tide, conditions and sunbathing seals permitting. After stopping at the Ventura bomber crash site, we’ll take a right before Shipwreck Lodge for our first taste of big dune driving.

Then, along the Hoarusib riverbed for lunch in a lush, other-worldly setting. After, push your off-road driving skills to the limits, as we climb up and out of the riverbed, and head for our mobile camp for the night, at the nearby Khumib River Mouth.

Highlights

• 1942 Ventura Bomber wreckage
• Rare wildlife

Day three – Saturday, 14 June

Khumib River Mouth to Agate Mountain

We’ll cross the Khumib River, seeing what animals we can spot along the way, and head for the serene Sarusas Spring, an important water source for local animals, including desert-adapted elephants. We’ll continue north, tackling a variety of different terrains, from smooth sand, to corrugations, to rocky paths. As we pick our way through this rugged landscape, we’ll be on the lookout for wildlife all the while. We’ll head for mysterious stone circles in the Cape Fria area – relics of settlements of early nomadic tribes. Before heading for our desert camp for the night, beneath Agate Mountain.

Highlights

• Rare wildlife
• Ancient ruins
• Agate Mountain camp

Day four – Sunday, 15 June

Agate Mountain to Kunene River Mouth

We’ll head down from the plateau and take in stunning views of the coast. Following the same route as the jackals. With the same destination: the beach, and Cape Fur Seals, as far as the eye can see. Another chance for drivers to put their beach driving to the test while passengers scan for whales beyond the surf. On, past the Dunedin Star wreck, waving to the only other people we’ll see this far north – adventurous fisherman.

And on to a lunch spot like no other: Foz do Cunene. Where the Cunene River meets the Atlantic Ocean, you might see turtles coming up for air, crocodiles basking, and whales leaping. Then east into the big dunes for vistas and slipfaces you can’t imagine. Before a short push for our third and final mobile camp, perched above the Cunene River, offering views across Angola.

Highlights

• Beach driving
• Dunedin Star
• Crocodiles and turtles
• Riverside camp

Day five – Monday, 16 June

Kunene River Mouth to Serra Cafema

This is our day in the dunes. Some of the world’s oldest, and biggest. Taking a route through the Namib Desert possibly only one or two handfuls of people take every year. You need the right vehicles, the right guides, and the right permissions. All of which we’ll have.

Today, we’ll ‘only’ travel 80km. Taking things slowly (whilst keeping momentum, of course), as we navigate steep climbs, slipface drops, hard turns and soft sand. You’ll emerge into the Hartmann Valley a bona fide sand driving legend. Having earned your two night stay, and rest day, at one of Southern Africa’s most remote, and luxurious, lodges: Serra Cafema.

Highlights

• Spectacular dune landscape
• Oryx and other desert wildlife
• Hartmann’s Valley
• Serra Cafema camp
• Two nights to unwind

Day six – Tuesday, 17 June

Serra Cafema

The mobile camps you’ll have stayed in for the past three nights will have had everything you need: clean, comfortable beds, hot showers, and your own toilet. Not to mention delicious buffets and bottomless bars. But nothing beats a night in a luxury lodge, especially after a day of challenging off-roading.

At Serra Cafema, you’ll enjoy a (small) lie in, before a short trip to the local Himba village, in either a safari vehicle or on a quad bike. An unmissable opportunity to see how this semi-nomadic indigenous community lives in the remote desert.

Day seven – Wednesday, 18 June

Serra Cafema to Hoanib Valley Camp

Today, we’ll head back down south, through the arid Hartmann Valley. With, in places, only a few colour-coded empty fuel drums to guide our way. Once through deeper sand, we may reinflate tyres. Before racing through the desert (corrugations permitting), taking in mountains on either side, and keeping an eye out for Zebra, Giraffe, Ostrich and Oryx.

We’ll stop for lunch past Purros, in the shade of a Hoarusib riverbed tree. Then a final push across the Giribes Plains to spot elephants and giraffe grazing along the Hoanib riverbed. Before arriving at our luxury lodge for the night: Hoanib Valley Camp

Highlights

• Remote settlement of Purros
• Expansive Giribes Plains
• Luxury stay at Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp

Day eight – Thursday, 19 June

Hoanib Valley camp to Damaraland

We’ll set off from Hoanib Valley Camp and head east, back along the Hoanib River. On the way, we’ll pass the President’s Waterhole, which is vital for the survival of desert elephants. The journey then continues south, into the Modderrift Valley, eventually revealing the incredible Etendekka laval rock formations.

Sand tracks guide us across these geological wonders, and across the Palmwag Nature Reserve, home to one of the last remaining populations of desert black rhino. After crossing this extraordinary landscape, we’ll find ourselves back on a dirt road, the C43. Overnight luxury awaits, amidst stunning desert surroundings, at Damaraland Camp.

Highlights

• Desert elephants at the President’s Waterhole
• Stunning laval rock formations
• Desert black rhinos
• Luxury stay at Damaraland Camp

Day nine – Friday, 20 June

Damaraland to Swakopmund

Today, we’ll head back to civilisation. But not before enjoying another full day packed with Namibia’s breathtaking and varied landscapes, incredible off-road challenges, and diverse wildlife. We’ll start by navigating the Huab and Ugab River systems, with one last chance to encounter desert elephants.

Before speeding past Brandberg Mountain, Namibia’s highest peak, and the vast Messum Crater as we rejoin the coast road, and make our way back down south, to enjoy one final meal together and a night at Swakopmund’s stunning Stiltz Coastal Resort

Highlights

• Driving through river systems
• Last chance to see unique wildlife
• Explore the Messum Crater
• Rustic, luxury stay at Stiltz Coastal Resort