Namibia: Red Dunes, Rhinos & Desert Riches

Composed of vast desert landscapes and incredible biodiversity, Namibia seems otherwordly. On this 11-day wildlife and wilderness safari (led from start to finish by one dedicated private guide), we discover the endless reasons to fall in love with this surprising country.

After a rejuvenating night in Windhoek, Namibia's capital city, we fly to Sossusvlei, a clay plan famous for its magnificent sand dunes. With rustic Kulala Adventurer Camp as our base, we spend a couple days exploring the iconic red dunes, hiking the rugged Naukluft Mountains, sipping shiraz at the world's “driest vineyard” and savoring spectacular sunsets with sundowners in hand. Next, by plane over the shipwrecking Skeleton Coast and on to Etosha, the country’s premier national park, where we’re treated to three nights at a classic tented camp. We track rhino (both on foot and by four-wheel-drive vehicle) and watch wildlife such as kudu and lion congregate around waterholes. In the air once more, we jet to our most luxurious camp, the ultra-remote Serra Cafema, situated in the Namib Desert on the confoundingly lush banks of the Kunene River. From our oasis, we climb dunes by ATV, cruise croc-inhabited waters and interact with the lovely Himba people, one of Africa's last semi-nomadic tribes.