Desert Arid Eden of Namibia

8 days—Brandberg Mountain, Twyfelfontein, Desert Adapted Elephant, Desert Adapted Black Rhino, Walking Safari, Desert Adapted Lion

$5300-5800 USD

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Safari summary

This tour focuses mainly on remote Damaraland and Kaokoland. This arid Eden area of Namibia is one of Africa’s true remaining wildernesses. Wildlife exists in open ecosystem, where they co-exist with humans and share scarce resources that includes water. Not being in a designated National Park or protected area, wildlife sightings are far and apart. Encountering wildlife is an effort and skill that involves traditional tracking and asking the locals the whereabouts. We will explore some ephemeral rivers in the country viz. Ugab, Huab, Aba-Haub and Hoanib Rivers in search of desert adapted wildlife and unique magnificent landscapes. Wildlife that may be encountered include Desert adapted Elephants, Black Rhino, Lions, Giraffe, Oryx, Black-backed Jackal, Springbok among others. The thrill comes into the search and finding wildlife in this remote area. Besides wildlife, we will explore the ancient hidden gems of Damaraland.

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	Walking safari—with armed guard
	Activity level	Moderate activity
	Best months	All months
	Countries	Namibia
	Parks	Namib-Naukluft
	Accesibility	This tour is modifiable for those with limited mobility.

Fine details

Safari highlights

Beaches
Boat, canoe, dhow, kayak, mokoro safari
Photography safari—with professional guide

What’s included?

Accommodation
Meals
Park fees
Private vehicle and driver

What’s not included?

Alcoholic beverages
All drinks
Hot air balloons
Internal flights
International flights
Laundry
Premium alcoholic beverages
Spa treatments
Tips and gratuities
Visas

Itinerary

Brandberg Mountain

After breakfast, you will meet your guide and head to Brandberg. This afternoon we will do a sundowner drive around the Brandberg area and explore the Ugab River. Various mammals and birds are found along the riverbed where they get food and water. Brandberg mountain is the highest mountain in Namibia, measuring 2,573 m (8,442 ft.) at its peak. The local Damara tribes named the mountain “Dâures”, meaning 'burning mountain'. Of the 357 species recorded in this area, 11 are endemic to Brandberg.

Brandberg White Lady Lodge

Damaraland Twyfelfontein Area

We will visit the White Lady Rock painting after breakfast. This is a half an hour hike through the Brandberg Mountain. There are about 1000 rock shelters around the Brandberg, and this was home to the San people. While some archeologists in the past concluded that the lady had elements of ancient Mediterranean origin, more recent scholars argue that the painting is from indigenous people with no European links. Others think it is a Shaman.

Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp

Damaraland Twyfelfontein Area

After breakfast, we will explore the Huab and Aba-Huab dry riverbeds in search of desert adapted wildlife. There are chances of encountering Desert Adapted Elephants, Ostrich, springboks, Oryx, Red Hartebeest among other mammals. Namibian near endemic birds include Benguela Long billed Lark, Damara Red billed Hornbill, Monteiro’s Hornbill among others. Let us have a full day of exploring this area.

Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp

Palmwag Concession

After breakfast, we will visit the Petrified Forest before continuing our expedition to Palmwag Concession. The Petrified Forest is a geological formation that happened 280 million years ago. Huge trees were carried by a river and buried here. Sand was deposited around them, creating ideal conditions for the cells of the wood to be replaced by silica and thus became petrified. This is a half an hour walk done by knowledgeable local guides. We will continue exploring the ephemeral rivers.

Palmwag Lodge

Palmwag Concession

An early morning starts with a packed breakfast; we will head out in search of Desert Adapted Black Rhino. We will be taken by local guides and Rhino Rangers. The Namib Desert is home to the last truly wild stronghold of black rhino. This activity involves 4 x 4 driving in a rugged terrain, and walking safari to get to the rhinos if lucky. These mammals are not in a fenced area but in an open ecosystem. There is still a possibility of a late afternoon sundowner drive in our own vehicle.

Palmwag Lodge

The Hoanib River

After breakfast, we will drive towards the desert into one of the most important conservation ephemeral rivers in Namibia, the Hoanib River. Being 270 km in length, the Hoanib River goes all the way to the sea and borders northern Damaraland and Kaokoland. There are thriving populations of desert Adapted Elephants, Oryx, Steenbok, Springbok, Black-backed Jackals, Small spotted Genets, Southern Giraffe subs. Angolensis among others. We will explore this river before checking in at our lodge.

Fort Sesfontein Lodge

The Hoanib River

We will do a full day game drive in search of desert-adapted wildlife. As far as conservation is concerned, we will learn more about Desert Adapted Lion Conservation. With less than 120 of their kind left, Desert Adapted Lions are a rare group of carnivores that have adapted to survive in one of the harshest, most unforgiving landscapes on earth. With numbers dwindling as human encroachment threaten their future, sightings are few and far between.

Fort Sesfontein Lodge