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A Romantic Namibia Honeymoon
Tour Introduction
This is an indulgent fly-in honeymoon for lucky newlyweds (of course) and other longer term romantics who simply feel they’re worth it. The excellent lodges provide exceptional accommodation, great wildlife, wide open spaces and beautiful vistas, especially the increasingly spectacular landscapes below as you fly to Wolwedans in the private NamibRand Nature Reserve. The immense dunes at Sossusvlei with their stunning colours are next, followed (from the air) by the sheer scale and intricacy of the shapes and patterns that occur in the secret expanse of the Namib Desert dune ‘sea’. Fly next along the scenic coast with its shipwreck ‘skeletons’, abandoned diamond mines and seal colonies, over ever-changing geological formations to Damaraland and your beautiful honeymoon suite. Search for desert adapted elephants and learn about the area’s ancient human story at Twyfelfontein before enjoying fabulous safaris in Ongava, Etosha and Okonjima. With its luxury lodges and agreeable mix of air and road transport enabling optimum time to be spent on enjoyment, there could not be a better start to married life.
Full Itinerary
Arrive Windhoek, met on arrival and transfer 29km to GocheGanas. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or for optional spa treatments, game drives, or to simply enjoy the pool and the wonderful view.
Staying at GocheGanas Lodge and Spa. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Transfer to the airport. Take a charter flight to the NamibRand Nature Reserve. In the afternoon there will be a nature drive with sundowners to finish the day. The NamibRand is one the largest private reserves in Southern Africa and protects the Namib Desert border habitats.
Staying at Wolwedans Dunes Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Day of excursions from Wolwedens in the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Excursions could include walking safaris and scenic drives to marvel at the stark beauty of the dramatic landscape and geology of the area and discover the desert adapted flora and fauna. Other optional activities that could be arranged include hot air ballooning, scenic flights over the dunes, horse riding and village visits.
Staying at Wolwedans Dunes Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Transfer through beautiful scenery to Kulala Reserve, near Sossusvlei. After arrival visit the huge Sesriem Canyon full of beautifully sculpted rock that dates back 30 million years. Alternatively enjoy a nature drive in the Kulala Reserve, a 37,000 hectare property with desert adapted species such as bat-eared fox, dune lark and barking gecko. Sometimes larger mammals visit the waterhole by the lodge.
Staying at Little Kulala. Includes All Meals.
Morning to visit the spectacular sand dunes in the Namib Desert, Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. The beautiful dune systems are a fascinating geological sight and provide wonderful photographic opportunities. The afternoon is at leisure or perhaps choose another nature drive.
Staying at Little Kulala. Includes All Meals.
Today you will take what could be the most beautifully scenic flight of your life. Soar over the Namib Desert sand sea and along the stark Skeleton Coast, passing over shipwrecks, abandoned diamond mines and large seal colonies to Swakopmund. Stop for refuelling, then continue onward, flying over ever-changing geological patterns to Damaraland. Met on arrival and transfer to the lodge. Afternoon to visit the Twyfelfontein rock engravings, designated a World Heritage site for their historic importance.
Staying at Mowani Mountain Camp - Honeymoon Suite. Includes All Meals.
A day to enjoy the scenery and wildlife of the Damaraland region. In the morning search for a herd of the uniquely desert adapted elephants in the Aba-Huab River. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided nature walk or spend the time to relax at the lodge with its sensational views.
Staying at Mowani Mountain Camp - Honeymoon Suite. Includes All Meals.
Guided drive to the Ongava Private Game Reserve, visiting the Petrified Forest en route. In the afternoon enjoy a safari in Ongava Private Game Reserve which covers an area of 30,000 hectares and is home to a diversity of antelope species such as gemsbok, kudu, springbok, eland and red hartebeest; mountain and common zebra are also present, as are giraffe, lion and populations of both black and white rhino.
Staying at Ongava Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Day on safari in Etosha National Park moving at a leisurely pace towards the east. The Etosha pan is a large saltpan formed by wind action and supports a great diversity of flora and fauna. The park is known for its large concentrations of game, particularly around waterholes, the attractive endemic race of black-faced impala and populations of black and white rhino. In the early morning and towards dusk, sightings of cats, hyenas, jackals and sometimes even honey badgers can be quite regular. There is an extensive list of bird species found in the area, including 10 endemics.
Staying at Mushara Outpost Lodge. Includes All Meals.
A day for more game drives in Etosha National Park with your private guide, with time to relax as you wish.
Staying at Mushara Outpost Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Drive to Okonjima Nature Reserve. The Okonjima reserve is about 20,000 hectares and has been created to provide a refuge for wildlife and in particular large carnivores that are suffering from persecution in the region. In the afternoon there will be activities with the Africat project such as visits to the leopard and cheetah rehabilitation projects, tracking leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs and hyenas, and following guided walking trails.
Staying at Okonjima Bush Camp. Includes All Meals.
Another day for activities with AfriCat in the Okonjima Nature Reserve. In the evening perhaps visit the hide where there are regular visits from elusive nocturnal animals such as Cape porcupine, eagle owl and honey badger.
Staying at Okonjima Bush Camp. Includes All Meals.
A relaxed morning or another AfriCat excursion if desired. Then return to Windhoek in the afternoon and connect with flight to the UK.
Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
Overview
Wolwedans Dunes Lodge sits on a small mound with sensational views across the NamibRand desert. It is a beautifully designed lodge with nine spacious private tented en suite chalets raised on stilts with comfortable solid wood beds and a private verandah with seating to enjoy the beautiful views. There is also a luggage rack, writing desk and comfortable indoor seating.
The chalets are reached by a walkway that leads to the central building and reception, housing two dining rooms serving delicious a la carte fare and chilled wines from an underground cellar. There is a comfortable lounge, well stocked bar, library and a communal patio with small swimming pool, sun loungers and hammocks, shaded by a thatched canopy. The camp has been built to minimise environmental impact and blends in well with the natural colours of the stunning landscape.
A diverse range of activities can be undertaken from the lodge including full or half day safaris and walks into the desert wilderness with picnic lunches. Tours are very educational with guides revealing the surprisingly diverse flora and fauna of this extreme environment, although big game other than oryx and zebra is largely absent. Optional balloon rides complete with champagne breakfasts and scenic flights can also be arranged and a massage service is available on request.
Wolwedans is a very romantic setting, perfect for honeymooners and couples. The BBC TV presenter Steve Backshall proposed to his wife, Helen Glover the Olympic rower, at Wolwedans.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, dining area, lounge, bar, swimming pool, luggage rack, complimentary toiletries, massage service
Local Wildlife
Desert adapted herbivores including gemsbok (oryx), springbok, birds such as ostrich and bustard.
Optional Activities
Dune safaris and nature walks, sundowner drives and optional hot air balloon rides and scenic flights.
Overview
Little Kulala is a more luxurious and exclusive sister property to Kulala Desert Lodge, both situated in the private 37,000-hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve. The accommodation is in 11 climate-controlled, thatched “kulalas” (the word means ‘to sleep’), which blend into the desert landscape. Each of the bungalow-style rooms comes with a private plunge pool, indoor and outdoor showers and has stylish, neutrally coloured décor inspired by the desert landscape that surrounds it.
The lodge provides a luxurious base from which to explore the Sossusvlei area and enables early access to sites such as Deadvlei, affording the best morning and evening light for photography. Both Kulalas enjoy the benefit of their own private entrance to Namib-Naukluft National Park, only a short distance away, which avoids the need to travel many miles to the main gate. Early arrival at Sossusvlei allows you to see the desert sunrise and have the magical place to yourself for a while before the rest get there.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Dining room, lounge, bar, plunge pool, climate conrol, library, craft boutique, wine cellar and indoor and outdoor showers.
Local Wildlife
The wildlife of this region includes ostrich, springbok, gemsbok ground squirrels and small numbers of bat-eared foxes, black-backed jackals, aardwolf and brown hyenas. Smaller desert adapted wildlife including scorpions, barking geckos, and fascinating insects and plants can be seen and the area is home to the endemic dune lark.
Optional Activities
Excursions to visit the Sesriem Canyon, impressive sand dunes at Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei and nature drives and walks in the Kulala Wilderness Reserve.
Overview
Mowani Mountain Camp is a traditional African safari style property with just 12 luxury tented rooms spread across a rocky outcrop providing stunning views across the plains of Damaraland. The camp is in the south of the great Damaraland region between the Ugab and the Huab rivers and is the luxury sister property of Camp Kipwe. It is perfectly suited to honeymooners and other couples who might be on second honeymoons.
There are two choices of tented rooms: the Superior View Rooms (as the name suggests) have outstanding panoramic views of the dramatic desert landscape and are positioned on the edge of the camp giving plenty of privacy. Standard Rooms lack the sensational views being more centrally positioned yet are skilfully built around the huge granite boulders. In addition, two suites are available: the Mini Suite with a/c living area and satellite TV, and the Mountain Suite with additional butler service, a/c living room, private dining, CD music centre and bar.
All the tents have private bathrooms and smart colonial décor with lavish furniture, tea and coffee making facilities, safety deposit box, and large comfortable twin beds with mosquito netting.
At the heart of the camp is a beautiful thatched dome building with an elegant dining room and lounge, and just below is a small but inviting swimming pool nestled between ancient rocks complete with sun loungers and extensive views.
The camp has a communal camp fire for evening drinks and discussions, and there is a beautiful rock a little further away designated as a sundowner spot for those looking for extra privacy.
Activities include game drives and nature walks and the local population of desert-adapted elephants can often be tracked down.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, dining room, lounge, swimming pool, cable TV, safety deposit box and laundry service.
Local Wildlife
The wildlife in the area occurs in low densities but springbok, besia oryx, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, black-backed jackal, birds and rhino are present.
Optional Activities
Longer excursions to see the rock art at Twyfelfontein, the geology at Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes are also available.
Overview
Ongava Tented Camp is an elegant, intimate lodge set amidst a wildlife-rich patch of mopane woodland in the Ongava Private Game Reserve adjoining Etosha National Park.
Accommodation is in 8 large and neutral coloured Meru-style tents with comfortable beds and private bathrooms including an outdoor shower. There is a private outdoor decking area for each tent with seating for relaxing and watching wildlife coming and going from the nearby waterhole.
The main building is an attractive stone, canvas and thatch construction with well-stocked bar, sitting and dining area. There is a communal decking area with sun loungers and small swimming pool overlooking the waterhole, where a selection of herbivores including kudu, zebra, giraffe, waterbuck, springbok and even white rhino come to quench their thirst. Lions also appear from time to time.
The camp can accommodate 16 people and there is a separate tent for families that sleeps an additional four. Activities at the camp include game drives and walks in Ongava Game Reserve and within the nearby Etosha National Park. Tracking of white rhino on foot with guides is one of the more exhilarating experiences. There is a motion sensitive camera set up at the waterhole to allow visitors to see what wildlife has visited during the night.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, outdoor showers, ceiling fans.
Local Wildlife
The Ongava Private Game Reserve is one of the few places in Africa where guests can reliably see both black and white rhinos. The Ongava Reserve and nearby Etosha National Park are home to 114 species of mammal including lion, leopard, African wildcat, spotted hyena, bat-eared fox, aardwolf, honey badger, elephant, springbok, kudu, Damara dik dik and the elegant black faced impala. All of 340 bird species occur in the area including 14 Namibian endemics, and there are reptiles such as Etosha agamas and the rare Anchieta's dwarf python.
Optional Activities
Game drives and walks, rhino tracking and evening sundowner drives, during which snacks and drinks are served.
Overview
Situated between 8km and 10 km from the eastern Von Lindequist entrance to the world famous Etosha National Park, the impressive and varied Mushara collection of privately owned properties includes Mushara Outpost, Mushara Lodge, Mushara Villa and Mushara Bushcamp.
The mid-range Mushara Lodge is perfect for an overnight stop once you have arrived from the south of Etosha. The main area has a library, lounge, bar and restaurant, and there are 10 spacious chalets, one family unit, and a triple and two single rooms. One particular feature is the large swimming pool surrounded by gardens often grazed by passing warthogs.
Resembling an old farmhouse, the attractive Mushara Outpost’s open main building houses the dining room, lounge and bar and has a wraparound verandah, and an outside fire site with seating for sundowners. The accommodation is built on stilts and constructed like a traditional safari-style tent – light and airy with comfortable beds mounted off the floor on wooden decking. All of the tents have private bathrooms and glass fitted hot water showers, air-conditioning, mini-bar, safe, tea and coffee facilities and telephone: electricity power points are also available.
Villa Mushara is the choice for those seeking privacy. The two exclusive 140 square metre villas have a/c, private plunge pools and outdoor covered salas with day beds affording views of the bush. Each villa has a lounge area, small library and music system, and meals can be taken in your villa for maximum privacy.
Mushara Bushcamp is the Collection’s budget offering, particularly suitable for families. It can accommodate 32 adults and 8 children in tented rooms, and the main building is thatched with a true bush camp feel to it.
Mushara makes a good base from which to explore the eastern side of Etosha National Park. or for an overnight stopover after a day spent traversing the park and before heading off to your next location.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Facilities
The Bush Camp has dining room, lounge, bar, verandah, air-conditioning, mosquito nets, mini-bar, safety deposit box, tea and coffee-making facilities, telephones and private bathrooms. The Villas have plunge pools and open air salas with daybeds. The Outpost has tented rooms built above the ground on stilts next to the bush, and a charming main building. The Lodge's swimming pool is a strong feature and will appeal to families.
Local Wildlife
Etosha National Park is one of the greatest wildlife refuges in southern Africa. There are large concentrations of springbok, kudu, impala, gemsbok, giraffe, and elephant and there is still a reasonable population of black rhino and a smaller numbers of white rhinos. Lions and spotted hyenas are seen on most game drives and even hunting is occasionally seen. A total of 114 mammal species inhabit the park and there have 110 reptile species recorded too. The park is also superb for birding and several endemic species can be tracked down.
Optional Activities
Game drives and nature walks in Etosha National Park.
Overview
The delightful accommodation at Okonjima Bush Camp consists of luxury thatched chalets, spaced widely apart for privacy in the tranquil bush surroundings, plus a main “lapa” area in the form of a camelthorn pod where meals and drinks are taken and activities commence. Each exclusive en-suite chalet is completely private and the green canvas ‘walls’ can be rolled up to give you a 180-degree view so you can watch life in the bush going on around you whilst you lie in bed and relax in total comfort.
The accommodation at the larger Plains Camp consists of 14 Standard en suite terraced rooms and 10 new View Rooms that are set further apart: all rooms overlook the savannah. Two of the View Rooms and four of the Standard Rooms can combine to make a family unit. Each unit has a verandah, a wheelchair-friendly ramp, two double beds, desk, chair, mini bar, coffee/tea facilities, ceiling fans, twin basins, twin showers, safe and internal telephone. The main building, the Barn, contains the restaurant, pool, shop and lounge.
Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Foundation, a wildlife sanctuary founded in 1991 that is dedicated to creating conservation awareness, preserving habitat, promoting environmental educational research and supporting animal welfare. Their main focus is Africa’s big cats, especially injured or captured leopards and cheetahs.
AfriCat runs the largest cheetah and leopard rescue and release programme in the world. In the last 17 years over 1000 of these predators have been rescued with over 85% being released back into the wild. Close encounters with leopard and cheetah are an unforgettable highlight here. Activities include leopard tracking by vehicle, a visit to the cheetah welfare project and a visit to the night hide where nocturnal animals such as porcupine, caracal, honey badger, eagle owl and even leopard may be seen.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Bush Camp: 8 luxury thatched chalets; 1 luxury honeymoon suite (two double beds next to each other). Plains Camp: 14 Standard en suite rooms and 10 new View Rooms. Other facilities include restaurant, bar, boutique shop, swimming pool,
Local Wildlife
Rehabilitated and wild carnivores - in particular cheetah and leopard - can be tracked in the reserve. Spotted hyena, African wild dog, lions and commoner plains herbivores such as impala, springbok, zebra and wildebeest. There is a hide overlooking a floodlit area where cape porcupines and honey badgers are frequently seen and caracal and leopard are also possible.
Optional Activities
Visits to the big cat rehabilitation and welfare centre, visit nearby REST (rare and endangered species trust), night excursion, tracking of wild big cats and other wildlife and bird walks.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Best Visited:
January to January
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
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Alan Godwin
Area Specialist
For a more intimate experience upgrade to Ongava Tented Camp. You could choose to have your actual wedding at Wolwedans.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
This was our second visit to Namibia in just over 12 months, with Reef and Rainforest and our seventh consecutive wildlife trip with them. I think that speaks for itself. This year we were particularly keen to try and observe some desert adapted Lions. The Lions found in ‘The Namib Desert’ are genetically identical to those found in the rest of Southern Africa but have adapted to live in one of the harshest environments on earth. They number around 150 and have a huge range, and are rarely seen. They came to prominence in the outstanding documentary film ‘Vanishing Kings’. The best chance of observing members of this subset of Lions is during a stay at Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, although sightings cannot be guaranteed and weeks can pass by without any success. Therefore a stay at this camp was at the heart of our itinerary and we were very lucky to spend time with a Lioness and her niece who had killed an Oryx in the conservancy. The camp itself is absolutely outstanding in every respect and the location is just spectacular.
Visitors should be aware that this is not ‘The Serengeti’ and that the wildlife is quite thin on the ground. However you would have to be very unlucky not to see Elephant, Giraffe and several other species. Whilst we were out in the desert we were lucky to bump in to Dr P. Stander who has dedicated the whole of his adult life to the conservation of The Desert Lion, what a thrill. The day trip out to the coast was pretty special as well.
The rest of the itinerary worked very well and we were very pleased to have three full days in Etosha N.P. where we recorded 25 mammal species, including 32 individual Lions, observed the aftermath of 4 zebra kills, 11 Rhinoceros (both Black & White), an African Wildcat and the rarely seen in Etosha, elusive Leopard.
So a big thank you to ALL at Reef and Rainforest, another highly successful trip, you certainly delivered again.