Stargazing Desert Safari in Namibia

Overview

Chase stars across desert skies on this once-in-a-lifetime celestial safari.

Home to the sole International Dark Sky Reserve in Africa, Namibia’s clear desert skies offer an otherworldly stargazing experience. This carefully crafted itinerary combines thrilling wildlife encounters and desert adventure with remote luxury lodges that are sure to maximize your celestial safari. You will visit five breathtaking destinations including Zannier Private Reserve, Onguma Game Reserve, Damaraland, Sosssusvlei and the ancient Namib Desert. Your days are bound to be thrilling, however, your nights under the Milky Way will make this trip one of the books. Revel in the beauty of an impossibly starry sky alongside a resident astronomer at a state of the art observatory, watch an old time classic at an open-air cinema, and fall asleep under the stars atop a custom built Land Cruiser in Namibia’s pristine wilderness.

Highlights

Destinations

Namibia

Duration

12 days

Price

From $19 405 per person

When to go

All Year Round

Day-to-Day Breakdown

Itinerary Overview

Experiences off the beaten track.
Crafted for the bold + discerning.

This carefully crafted itinerary combines thrilling wildlife encounters and desert adventure with remote luxury lodges that are sure to maximize your celestial safari.

Itinerary Breakdown

Day 1-2

Arrive

Hosea Kutako Airport, Windhoek

Check-in

Zannier Omaanda Lodge

Your Stargazing Desert Safari in Namibia starts on arrival at Hosea Kutako Airport where you will be transferred to the luxurious Zannier Omaanda Lodge. Located on the eastern outskirts of Windhoek, in the private Zannier Reserve, you can enjoy a perfectly tailored safari experience that suits your unique interests. Explore the reserve on conservation focused safari game drives, track rhino, elephant and big cats alongside your expert guide, or visit the meerkat clan at sunrise to witness their antics in the wild. After exhilarating days on the reserve, you can return to the lodge for a delicious culinary affair and savour dishes prepared using fresh local produce.

Accommodation

Zannier Omaanda Lodge

Located in the private Zannier Reserve, Omaanda Lodge comprises 10 luxurious thatched huts each fitted with an open fireplace and private sun terrace. Guests can also enjoy the lodge’s in-house spa, bar, heated infinity pool and restaurant.

Day 1-2

Arrive

Hosea Kutako Airport, Windhoek

Check-in

Zannier Omaanda Lodge

Itinerary Breakdown

Day 3-4

Experiences

Discover Etosha National Park and Onguma Game Reserve on guided morning and sunset game drives, or get active on a walking safari alongside an armed guide. A highlight of your time here will be a unique sleep out experience on Onguma’s Dream Cruiser where you can fall asleep under a blanket of stars in Namibia’s wilderness.

Day 3-4

Transfer to

Etosha National Park

Check-in

Onguma The Fort

Wake up and enjoy a refreshing breakfast in Zannier’s tranquil wilderness, before meeting your guide for your transfer to Windhoek airport. Today, you will journey by private aircraft to Namibia’s premier safari destination, Etosha National Park. On touch down, a lodge representative will meet you and transfer you to Onguma The Fort in Onguma Game Reserve. You can enjoy time at leisure at this exclusive lodge while soaking up views of an active floodlit waterhole and the Etosha Salt Pans. Bordering Etosha National Park, Onguma The Fort gives you direct access to this world-class safari destination. Your time here can be enjoyed on morning and sunset game drives in both the private reserve and in Etosha. If you’re feeling adventurous, we recommend joining an armed guide on an exhilarating walking safari. A highlight of your time here will be a sleepout experience on Onguma’s Dream Cruiser. Custom built onto a landcruiser, this unique experience invites guests to spend a romantic night in the wilderness under the awe-inspiring Namibian night sky.

Accommodation

Onguma The Fort

This unique Moroccan-inspired lodge is located on the border of Etosha National Park in Onguma Game Reserve. The lodge consists of 11 luxurious suites that overlook an active waterhole and the breathtaking Etosha pans. Each suite is fitted with a fireplace, outdoor shower and private deck.

Experiences

Day 3-4

Transfer to

Etosha National Park

Check-in

Onguma The Fort

Itinerary Breakdown

Day 5-6

Experiences

Discover desert-adapted elephant and rhino on daily game drives and nature walks alongside expert guides and venture further afield to the historic Twyfelfontein to witness ancient San Bushman rock engravings. In the evening, roll your starbed out onto your private deck and drift off under a blanket of stars.

Day 5-6

Transfer to

Damaraland

Check-in

Onduli Ridge

Your journey continues to Damaraland – a region known for its impressive rock formations, ancient river terraces and desert adapted wildlife. Your guide will meet you at Onguma The Fort and transfer you to the local airstrip for your private light aircraft flight to Damaraland. Make sure to take in the sights from above as you fly over Namibia’s breath-taking landscapes. On touch down, a guide will meet you and transfer you to Onduli Ridge. Hidden between granite boulders, this luxury camp offers a remote escape in the heart of Damaraland. Enjoy guided nature drives in search of desert-adapted elephants and rhino or pull on your walking shoes for a guided bush walk. A highlight of your time here will be a private 4×4 excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein where you can witness ancient rock engravings. In the evening, be sure to roll your starbed out onto your private deck and drift off under a blanket of stars.

Accommodation

Onduli Ridge

Hidden between granite boulders that make up the Damaraland landscape, Onduli Ridge is situated in a private concession and offers an exclusive desert escape. The lodge features only six suites that overlook an active waterhole and are each fitted with a star bed and private terrace. Guests can also enjoy the lodge’s swimming pool, spacious lounge, bar and dining area.

Experiences

Day 5-6

Transfer to

Damaraland

Check-in

Onduli Ridge

Itinerary Breakdown

Day 7-9

Experiences

Discover the oldest living desert in the world on a scenic helicopter flight and guided excursions to the Sossusvlei, specialist-led 4×4 drives and walks and world-class stargazing each night with the resident astronomer. Activities include a living dunes experience, desert people experience, desert rock experience, big dune walk and you can use the e-bikes and do self-guided hiking.

Day 7-9

Transfer to

Sossusvlei

Check-in

andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

Today, you will board a private light aircraft flight and make your way to Sossusvlei – home to some of the tallest sand dunes and dramatic desert landscapes in the world. Upon arrival at the Sossusvlei Desert Lodge private airstrip, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to the lodge. Set against the backdrop of Sossusvlei Private Desert Reserve, the luxurious Sossusvlei Desert Lodge offers guests a secluded retreat on the border of an International Dark Sky Reserve, so you are guaranteed a stargazing extravaganza. During your stay you can enjoy time at leisure and the lodge’s infinity pool and explore the world’s oldest desert on specialist led 4×4 drives, guided desert walks and quad bike tours. You will also have the opportunity to visit Namib Naukluft National Park, as well as take in this otherworldly landscape from above on a scenic helicopter flight (available from September to June). In the evening, make your way to the world-class Observatory, complete with a Celestron CPC 1100 GPS computerised telescope, and discover Namibia’s night sky alongside the lodge’s resident astronomer.

Accommodation

andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

Located in the Sossusvlei Private Desert Reserve, on the border of an International Dark Sky Reserve, Sossusvlei Desert Lodge features 10 luxurious stone and glass suites fitted with a living room, large retractable skylight, shaded veranda and a private plunge pool that overlooks the desert vista. The main guest area includes a bar, sitting room, walk-in cellar and interactive kitchen, as well as a sunrise fitness centre and spa.

Experiences

Day 7-9

Transfer to

Sossusvlei

Check-in

andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

Itinerary Breakdown

Day 10-11

Experiences

Your time at Sonop can be enjoyed on morning and sunset nature drives, unique horse riding excursions in the desert and expertly guided desert walks. Other activities include desert dining, yoga classes and e-bike rides. In the evening, you can make your way to the observation deck for a stargazing experience par excellence or snuggle up on a lounge chair at the camp’s open-air cinema. Night walks are also available on request.

Day 10-11

Transfer

Namib Desert

Check-in

Zannier Sonop

The final stop on your Stargazing Desert Safari in Namibia takes you to the southernmost part of the ancient Namib Desert. On touch down, a camp representative will meet you and transfer you to Zannier Sonop. Located in a private reserve, this opulent tented camp is set on top of granite boulders and overlooks 13,800 acres of untouched wilderness. Discover this region on morning and sunset nature drives, unique horse riding excursions in the desert and expertly guided desert walks. When the night sky is at its most dazzling, you can make your way to the observation deck for a stargazing experience par excellence or snuggle up on a lounge chair at the camp’s open-air cinema. Your time here includes an incredible 4 course outdoor dining experience on top of one of nearby dunes.

Accommodation

Sonop

Located in the ancient Namib Desert, the remote and opulent Sonop features 10 tented suites that overlook 13,800 acres of untouched wilderness. The luxurious lodge harks back to the glamor of 1920s safari camps and offers a world-class spa, gym, heated outdoor infinity pool and cigar lounge. Guests can make use of the numerous telescopes available at the main lodge for a stargazing experience beyond compare.

Experiences

Day 10-11

Transfer

Namib Desert

Check-in

Zannier Sonop

Itinerary Breakdown

Day 12

Transfer to

Windhoek

Depart

Hosea Kutako International Airport

Day 12 marks the final day of your Stargazing Desert Safari in Namibia. After a refreshing breakfast overlooking the pristine wilderness, you will board a scheduled light aircraft flight back to Windhoek airport for your onward journey home.

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per person

Tagged Wellness Travel

Stargazing Desert Safari in Namibia

Overview

Chase stars across desert skies on this once-in-a-lifetime celestial safari.

Highlights

Destinations

Namibia

Duration

12 days

Price

From $19 405 per person

When to go

All Year Round

Day-to-Day Breakdown

Itinerary Overview

Experiences off the beaten track. Crafted for the bold + discerning.

Itinerary Breakdown

Day 1-2

Itinerary Breakdown

Day 3-4

Itinerary Breakdown

Day 5-6

Itinerary Breakdown

Day 7-9

Itinerary Breakdown

Day 10-11

Itinerary Breakdown

Day 12

Day 12

YOUR NEXT JOURNEY

Make this itinerary yours

Start planning your adventure.

Our experts are here to help.

Experiences off the beaten track.
Crafted for the bold + discerning.