Namibia by Air NEW

Namibia by Air

8 days from $10,365 Soar across Namibia’s evocative landscapes by light aircraft, exploring three spectacular wilderness areas: the orange dunes and clay pans of Sossusvlei, the basalt plains of Damaraland, and wildlife-rich Etosha National Park.

WHERE TO STAY

Kulala Desert Lodge – Thatched-roof

clay bungalows set against a backdrop of Sossusvlei’s dunes, with flat roofs for sleeping under the stars. Desert Rhino Camp – An intimate tented camp in a wide river valley in the Palmwag Conservancy where guests can track rhinos with Save the Rhino Trust monitors. Ongava Desert Camp – A classic safari camp with just eight elegant, Meru-style tents in a private game reserve bordering Etosha National Park.

HIGHLIGHTS

� Take in spectacular aerial views while flying by light aircraft over

Namibia’s coastal deserts. � Climb the towering dunes of Sossusvlei and explore the eerie, tree-studded clay pan of Dead Vlei. � Track critically endangered black rhinos and other unusual wildlife with

Save the Rhino Trust monitors in Damaraland’s Palmwag Conservancy. � Spend two full days on safari in Etosha National Park, seeking out desert-adapted lions, elephants, giraffes, oryx, and more.

The itinerary below is a sample of what’s possible. Your Smithsonian Tailor-Made Journey will be handcrafted just for you. Days 1 & 2 – Windhoek, Namibia/Sossusvlei and Sesriem

Arrive in Windhoek, where you will be met and escorted to a light aircraft for your flight to Sossusvlei. Land in an otherworldly desert landscape of clay pans and sand dunes, and enjoy a scenic drive to your lodge. Sossusvlei is part of the Namib Desert, and your lodge here is set within a wilderness reserve at the foot of immense sand dunes, known for their vibrant shades of orange and red. Explore the reserve in 4x4 vehicles, watching for desert-adapted species such as oryx, springbok, ostriches, and hyenas, as well as unusual reptiles and insects. Learn about the area’s geology on a hike through Sesriem Canyon, or encounter the eerie skeletons of camelthorn trees in Dead Vlei. Sip a sundowner with stunning views of the dunes at sunset.

Days 3 & 4 – Damaraland

Your light aircraft whisks you north to Damaraland today, where you’ll settle into an elegant tented camp in the Palmwag Concession. This vast basalt landscape was created by ancient volcanic eruptions and harbors unusually lush plant life, nourished by the Atlantic mists. Set out to track free-roaming, desert-adapted black rhinos with monitors from Save the Rhino Trust, searching for this critically endangered species by vehicle and by foot. Seek out Hartman’s mountain zebras, giraffes, and lions, as well as rare plant and bird species on game drives or a guided nature walk.

Days 5–8 – Ongava Game Reserve and Etosha National Park

Your next flight by light aircraft brings you to the Ongava Game Reserve, a private reserve adjacent to Etosha National Park. Head out with the camp’s expert guides on an afternoon game drive in the reserve or in Etosha itself. Then enjoy two full days to discover Ongava and Etosha by open-vehicle safari. The park harbors a wide range of flora and fauna, including a hundred distinct mammal species. Watch for blackfaced impala, lions, and black and white rhinos; and learn about local research and habitat restoration efforts. Relax back at your camp, keeping an eye on the nearby waterhole where animals often pass for a drink. Return to Windhoek by light aircraft on your final morning and connect to your onward flights.