History And The Himba of Namibia
Members of an extended family dwell in a single homestead, clothing is made from calfskin, and men and women alike decorate their skin with a mixture of butterfat and ochre. The patterns are aesthetically pleasing - the ochre symbolises the blood of life - and it is said to keep mosquitos at bay.
Staying at Mowani Mountain Camp, just two hours’ drive away, you are ideally positioned to explore the site with a local guide, seeing the most impressive carvings and paintings and learning about their cultural significance to the Himba people.
When you stay at Serra Cafema in the Namib Desert, you will have a chance to visit an isolated Himba community where they continue their traditional, semi-nomadic way of life. They will teach you about their fascinating lifestyle and customs.
Looking across the river the scenic mountains of Angola, a remote sense of peace envelopes you at Serra Cafema.
Hansa Hotel is the oldest and finest hotel in Namibia, a monument in its own right in Swakopmund. The building dates from 1905, so is an important part of the town’s architectural heritage, and is a very charming place to stay.
This luxury tented camp is situated close to the Hoanib River and straddles both the Palmvag Concession and the Skeleton Coast National Park. The Hoanib Valley is a truly unique environment, strikingly beautiful and remote. Staying at the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp you will see the valley at its finest, and get close to the wonderful wildlife residing here.
Unique design set in the heart of Namibia’s sun-bleached coastal dunes, Shipwreck Lodge is one of Africa’s most innovative new camps.
Natural Selection’s Hoanib Valley Camp is a joint venture between local communities and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. It’s an elegant, intimate camp in the desert with strong ecological and sustainability credentials, reflecting the priorities of its local partners.
&Beyond’s Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is nothing short of magnificent, a secluded palace in a rugged oasis in the heart of the desert, lying beneath an endless sky.
Watch oryx and other desert-adapted wildlife cross the highest sand dunes on earth when you stay at Little Kulala in Namibia’s stunning Sossusvlei.
Treat yourself to an authentic desert camp experience when you sleep under canvas in the well-appointed luxury chalets at Wolwedans Dunes Lodge.
Give yourself plenty of flexibility in Namibia’s historic Swakopmund when you choose Cornerstone Guesthouse or its seaside sister property, the self-catering Atlantik Sicht.
The Strand Hotel is a modern, well-run property right on the beachfront, so you can walk out straight onto the sands and along the coast.
Few guests ever venture to this remote part of Namibia, but if they knew the secret which is Okahirongo River Camp, they’d be flocking here in great numbers.
Canyon Lodge is located in a semi-arid remote region near the Fish River Canyon in the southern reaches of Namibia.
Set in a grove of ancient Kokerbome, Fish River Lodge has been carefully designed to echo the terraced and rugged terrain as well as the colours and textures of the landscape.
Lianshulu Lodge is located in the western section of the Caprivi Strip overlooking the Kwando River.
Nunda River Lodge sits at the entrance to Namibia’s beautiful Caprivi Strip just a short distance from the entrance to the Mahango Game Park nestled at the mouth of the Okavango Pan Handle.
Here’s our list of ten wonderful experiences to consider including in your Namibia safari:
Namibia has a diverse cultural heritage and is home to one of the most distinct African tribes — the Himba — a group of semi-nomads who live in the Kunene region.
Etendeka Mountain Camp offers a unique, pristine wilderness experience which will appeal to photographer, naturalist, astronomer and geologist alike, as well as lovers of peace, quiet and open space.
The Huab Conservancy, about 90km north-west of Khorixas in Damaraland, is a core desert-adapted black rhino area and a pioneering community and conservation development. Ultimate Safaris has entered into an agreement with the conservancy which has secured exclusive use area for the purposes of their Journeys Under Canvas camp.
Embark on a journey through the wild terrains of Botswana and Namibia, experiencing the epitome of a luxury safari. Encounter majestic wildlife in the Okavango Delta, traverse the surreal landscapes of Namibia's deserts, and unwind in opulent lodges amidst nature's grandeur.
Etosha is a unique safari location in the heart of Namibia. The 1,900 square-mile Etosha salt pan is vast and extremely flat, creating an otherworldly landscape and one-of-a-kind location for spotting wildlife.
Damaraland is a glorious mix of Namibia’s diverse and dramatic landscapes. Take in the vast deserts, flat-topped mountains, wide canyons and classic savannahs, each proffering its own array of highly adapted wildlife.
Kunene, in northwestern Namibia, is among the most remote areas of the country. The Kunene River flows south through undulating dunescapes and rocky ridges, creating an unbelievable landscape flanked by golden-green grasslands.
Skeleton Coast’s ominous name comes from the shipwrecks and whale bones that litter the shore. An estimated 500 ships rest here, having long ago met their end against the harsh breaks of the Atlantic Ocean.
The giant red dunes of Sossusvlei are a quintessential sight on a Namibia safari. Landscapes here are surreal, with multicoloured sand formations and dramatic canyons, along with a surprising array of plant and animal life.
Swakopmund looks more like a village in Germany than a Namibian seaside town, but it’s a lovely stopover for boating and seal watching during your overland safari.
Sculpted by its namesake river, Namibia’s Fish River Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the world. Enjoy breathtaking views during guided day or multi-day hikes along the canyon’s edge.
The Caprivi Strip is the part that juts out from the north of Namibia over the top of Botswana. It’s a fertile, lush area unlike the rest of this spectacularly desert-covered country.
Stay at Little Ongava, the natural home of luxury safaris in Namibia, to explore a beautiful private reserve and the thriving Etosha National Park, abundant with intermixed flocks and herds of uncountable numbers.
Safarihoek is a spacious and elegant lodge with the main building on an elevated deck to catch the breeze and positioned under vaulted thatch, allowing for infinite 180º views over the plains below.
In the local Herero language, Onguma means, "the place you don't want to leave." Having stayed here, we can say without question that you’re sure to agree.
Set in one of the most private areas of Damaraland, Onduli Ridge is the perfect property if you relish tranquility.
Nestling among rugged boulders on a ridge that provides panoramic views over the surrounding area, Mowani creates the impression of an African village. The asperous landscape is a magnificent backdrop to the camp’s thatched cottages, and the desert-adapted wildlife remains completely undisturbed as its environmental footprint is so light.
Sorris Sorris blends a Scandinavia-influenced minimalism with luxurious comforts, spread beneath a dramatic red granite backdrop.
Looking across the river the scenic mountains of Angola, a remote sense of peace envelopes you at Serra Cafema.
Okahirongo Elephant Lodge is surrounded by beautiful mountain landscapes and rugged tranquillity.
Spectacular desert landscapes and dark skies meet a storied coastline.
Named after the area’s resident giraffe, Onduli Enclave is your own private Damaraland retreat. This refined and elegant lodge is set in an otherworldly landscape of dusty red plains, huge boulders, mountains and several jagged rocky outcrops. With a private guide and a helpful team back at the lodge to look after you, you can explore entirely at your own pace.
We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been creating luxury tailor-made safaris to the timeless savannahs of Africa. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you, every time.We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been creating luxury tailor-made safaris to the timeless savannahs of Africa. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you, every time.
Embark on a journey through the wild terrains of Botswana and Namibia, experiencing the epitome of a luxury safari. Encounter majestic wildlife in the Okavango Delta, traverse the surreal landscapes of Namibia's deserts, and unwind in opulent lodges amidst nature's grandeur.
Here’s our list of ten wonderful experiences to consider including in your Namibia safari:
Namibia has a diverse cultural heritage and is home to one of the most distinct African tribes — the Himba — a group of semi-nomads who live in the Kunene region.