Remote Namibia honeymoon safari

We recommend an early start this morning, as the drive from Windhoek to the NamibRand Nature Reserve typically takes around six hours. The roads are mainly gravel but in good condition, and the views of the distant mountains are breathtaking. Arriving at your camp perched on the edge of a dune in the heart of the reserve, you’ll have spectacular panoramic views of the plains below.

Today, you may like to experience the activities available from your camp. These range from scenic drives, to e-biking and guided walks. Exploring with an experienced guide, they’ll be able to show you how life in this area has adapted to the desert environment. They’ll stop to look at everything from tok-tokkie beetles to ostriches, gemsbok, and sometimes even hyenas. Returning to camp, group dining is encouraged, but separate tables can be requested for some privacy on your honeymoon.

You have another full day in the area to make the most of the activities. If you want to make your stay extra special, consider booking a sunrise hot-air balloon ride for one of your mornings here, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This evening, we’d recommend a romantic night under the stars. Due to the low levels of light pollution in this area, the NamibRand Nature Reserve is one of the best places in the world for clear views of the night sky.

Today, your road trip continues with a drive of around six hours to Swakopmund, a picturesque, coastal town on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. After settling into your hotel, you may like to spend a leisurely afternoon exploring this small colonial town, which features beaches, an aquarium, a museum, shops, and galleries.

This morning we’ve included a gentle kayaking trip to Walvis Bay. Starting in the morning at the waterfront area, you’ll be met by your guide, taken to Pelican Point, and shown to your kayak. Taking to the water, you’ll have the chance to see the permanent Cape fur seal colony, birds, and even dolphins if you’re lucky. You may also like to add a desert tour during your time in Swakopmund to explore the nearby dunes.

Leaving Swakopmund behind, today you’ll drive along the coastal road and, after around six hours, arrive at Mowe Bay. Here, you’ll leave your car, and a driver will take you via a shared 4x4 vehicle through the dunes to your lodge. Designed to reflect the derelict ships that this area is known for, Shipwreck Lodge is the only property within the Skeleton Coast National Park with uninterrupted views of the rippled dunes and crashing waves beyond.

Today, you may like to explore the Skeleton Coast National Park. During your stay, you can book scenic nature drives or walks as well as excursions to the coast itself to see some of the nearby historic shipwrecks. Despite the sandy desert landscape, a game drive in this region may lead you to desert-adapted elephants, oryx, and potentially brown hyena around the Hoarusib River. After an adventure-filled day, we’d recommend winding up your day with a sundowner drink atop a dune before heading back to the lodge for dinner.

This morning you'll be transferred back to your car at Mowe Bay before beginning your drive southwards toward Torra Bay and onto Damaraland. Allowing for stops along the way, the journey will take around five hours. Arriving at Palmway, you’ll be surrounded by flat-topped mountains, yellow plains and wild river valleys. Here, you’ll leave your car behind and a driver will take you to the camp where you may like to settle in and relax after the journey.

The Palmwag concession area is home to a free-roaming population of black rhino. Today, you may like to track them by vehicle and on foot, a truly special experience accompanied by rangers and Save the Rhino Trust members. In addition to the rhino, there are large populations of Hartman’s zebra, giraffe, oryx, springbok, and kudu. In the afternoon, you can go for a walk or a drive, or simply relax at the camp if you prefer.

This morning we’d recommend another safari drive or walk from the camp before you are taken back to your car. Self-drive north to central Etosha, making your way to the private Ongava Reserve, which shares its border with the renowned Etosha National Park. The drive will take most of the day, depending on the stops you make along the way. Upon arrival, you may wish to observe the many animal visitors to the waterhole from the swimming pool or gather around the campfire in the evening.

Today you’ll have a full day to explore the park. Etosha is an ideal park for self-driving, as the roads are well-maintained and there are clear road signs to guide you around. If you prefer a guide and safari vehicle for some of your time in the park, you can book these on arrival at the camp.

You'll have another full day to explore the area. If you haven't already, we'd recommend spending some time exploring Ongava's private reserve. From here, you can enjoy walking safaris, sunset drives, and rhino tracking, all accompanied by experienced guides.

Today you’ll drive back to Windhoek, a journey which will take the majority of the day. Arriving back in the capital city, you’ll drive to your hotel for the night. Tonight, you might like to have a final dinner in one of the nearby restaurants, taking the time to reflect on your trip.

Today you’ll head to the airport to catch your onward flight. We’d recommend leaving plenty of time to drop off your rental car.