I’m fresh from an unforgettable nearly two-week journey in Namibia, meticulously curated in collaboration with my partners at Wilderness. I'm thrilled to share that this journey has firmly secured Namibia among my all-time favorite destinations. Namibia's rugged natural beauty, extraordinary desert-adapted wildlife, and the genuine hospitality of its people left an indelible mark on me.
Namibia is nearly two times the size of Texas and while most of the country is desert, the landscape and climate is dramatically different from region to region. With my partners, I crafted an itinerary spanning three distinct lodges, blending safari adventures with immersive natural experiences.
Facts about Namibia
2nd least densely populated country in the entire world, after Mongolia
Home to the world's oldest desert, the Namib Desert
Despite its harsh conditions, Namibia boasts incredible biodiversity, with over 4,000 plant species, including the Welwitschia mirabilis, one of the oldest living plants on Earth
Conservation efforts have led to the recovery of the black rhino population from near extinction in the 1980s to over 3,000 today
43% of the land is protected through national parks, game reserves, and other conservation efforts
First Stop: Sossusvlei
After a night in the capital city of Windhoek, we were flown on a private 4-seater Cessna to Sossusvlei and checked into the Little Kulala Lodge.
In the southern part of the Namib Desert within the Namib-Naukluft National Park you will find the mesmerizing sand dunes of Sossusvlei. The dunes are red in color due to the high iron oxide (rust) content in the sand. Over time, erosion of the surrounding mountains, along with the wind's continuous action, have broken down the rocks and minerals, resulting in the distinctive reddish hue of the sand dunes.
On the other end of the Namib-Naukluft National Park is Deadvlei. Deadvlei formed when the nearby Tsauchab River flooded, creating temporary marshes which allowed camel thorn trees to grow. As the climate changed and the river's course shifted the area dried up, leaving behind the hauntingly desolate landscape of Deadvlei.
Next Up: Damaraland
Nestled in the northwest of Namibia, Damaraland boasts breathtaking landscapes of rugged mountains and expansive desert plains, offering an immersive wilderness experience.
One of its most captivating inhabitants is the desert-adapted elephant, a resilient species perfectly attuned to the arid terrain. With our expert guide and tracker, we were able to locate a herd of 14 elephants, including one calf.
This area is also home to the desert-adapted black rhino. This population is unique in that it is the largest number of rhinos surviving outside of a formally protected park, and the last population of truly wild rhino left in the world. With our expert guide, two rangers, and an anti-poaching officer, we spent the morning locating the below two.
For more elephant cuteness, check out my video!
Last Stop: Skeleton Coast
The coastline of Northern Namibia earned the name Skeleton Coast due to the treacherous conditions it presented to sailors and the countless shipwrecks that have littered its shores over the centuries.
The coastline's dense fog, strong currents, and hidden rocks have led to numerous maritime disasters, leaving behind the skeletal remains of ships and unfortunate sailors. Due to the climate, this coastal region is home to a surprisingly diverse array of wildlife, including desert-adapted lions, elephants, giraffes, and a variety of bird species.
The lions of the Skeleton Coast in Namibia epitomize resilience in one of the harshest environments on Earth. These majestic predators have adapted to the unforgiving terrain, navigating the shifting sands and winds with remarkable agility. With our guide, we located this male lion shortly after it killed a giraffe.
I look forward to the day I get to return to Namibia, but until then, I am here to help my clients experience all that this vast country has to offer.
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