Taste the Tracks

Your journey begins in the heart of Africa, where open skies stretch endlessly, African wildlife roams free, and landscapes shift from rugged mountains to vast deserts. Over the coming days, you’ll travel by 4×4 across Namibia’s most remarkable wilderness, moving from desert plains to coastal shores, and from the haunting Skeleton Coast to the wide-open Etosha plains. Expect towering sand dunes, dramatic canyons, crashing Atlantic waves, rusting shipwrecks along desolate beaches, and encounters with Africa’s most iconic wildlife all paired with Le Calabash’s signature culinary touches along the way.

From the rolling hills of GocheGanas and the endless dunes of Sossusvlei, to the colonial charm of Swakopmund and the wild terrain of Damaraland, every day brings new African landscapes and experiences. Track rhinos on foot, explore Sesriem Canyon, cruise Walvis Bay, and witness Etosha’s waterholes alive with elephants, giraffe, and big cats. Relax in luxury lodges, enjoy sundowners under African skies, and discover the rhythms of Namibia at every stop.

This journey is made even more special by the fact that Chefs Sidney and Alison have lived in Namibia and carry a deep, personal knowledge of the land, its people, and its wilderness. Sidney has travelled Namibia countless times, and his stories, insights, and passion for its wild spaces add a unique depth to your experience. With them as your hosts, you don’t just visit Namibia — you connect with it in a way that only those who know it intimately can share.

Every day is an African adventure, every stop a story. Your Namibian journey awaits a blend of African nature, wildlife, and experiences that will stay with you long after you leave.

Price per person sharing:

11,700.00 

Price includes:

  • Luxury lodge and tented accommodation as listed in the itinerary
  • Meals as per itinerary
  • Guided game drives in GocheGanas, Sossusvlei, Damaraland, Etosha, and Otjiwa
  • Sossusvlei & Dead Vlei excursions, including Dune 45 and Sesriem Canyon
  • Marine Desert Adventure: Walvis Bay Lagoon dolphin cruise and Sandwich Harbour 4×4 drive
  • Desert Rhino tracking experience at Desert Rhino Camp
  • Sundowner experiences at scenic locations throughout the journey
  • Guided walks and cultural insights with Le Calabash hosts
  • Important: A refundable $500 deposit is required per vehicle for insurance coverage against damage. A valid driver’s license is required to operate any 4×4 vehicles provided.

Price excludes:

  • Flights
  • All alcoholic drinks and beverages unless stated in the itinerary
  • Gratuities for guides, drivers, and lodge staff
  • Personal expenses such as souvenirs, curios, and additional activities outside the itinerary
  • Laundry
  • Visa fees at points of entry (if applicable)
  • Travel insurance, which is highly recommended

No alcoholic drinks are included unless stated otherwise

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After breakfast, your 4x4 adventure begins in earnest as you head south into the Namib Desert, home to some of the oldest landscapes on Earth. The drive itself is spectacular: mountains fade into rolling gravel plains, where the horizon seems endless, until finally, the ochre dunes of Sossusvlei rise in front of you.

The Namib is a place of silence and scale, dunes reaching over 375 meters, shifting with the light from deep red at sunrise to pale gold at dusk. Tonight, you’ll settle into the charming Namib Outpost, your base for two nights, where the desert is your backyard and the stars stretch endlessly above. As evening falls, enjoy dinner under the desert sky, with the silence broken only by the calls of nocturnal wildlife.

End of Day Summary

  • Distance: 300 km (approx. 3h50, paved & gravel roads)
  • Accommodation: Namib Outpost (2 nights)
  • Services: WiFi & laundry available
  • Activities included: Scenic desert drive en route

Rise early for one of Africa’s most iconic experiences: watching the sunrise over Sossusvlei. The dunes glow in a thousand shades of red as you climb Dune 45, or simply stand in awe of the vast emptiness. Today’s excursion takes you through the Namib Sand Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with regular stops along the way to admire the vast dune corridors. Sossusvlei’s towering dunes form part of the spectacular Namib Sand Sea. Their sinuous crests and warm colors, apricot, orange, red, and maroon, contrast vividly with the dazzling white clay pans at their bases. For those feeling adventurous, climb Big Daddy Dune, one of the highest in the world, for breathtaking views of the desert.

A visit to Dead Vlei reveals the haunting beauty of ancient, blackened camelthorn trees frozen in time against the white clay pan, one of the most photographed landscapes in the world. The Tsauchab River, flowing only in rainy seasons, has carved deep channels in the landscape, forming the dramatic Sesriem Canyon, your next stop for exploration.

Brunch and refreshments are served along the way, allowing you to recharge amidst the desert scenery. Upon returning to your lodge in the late afternoon, you have the opportunity to relax, perhaps with a refreshing dip in the pool, or simply soaking in the serene desert atmosphere. As evening falls, enjoy dinner under the desert sky, with the silence broken only by the calls of nocturnal wildlife.

End of Day Summary

  • Distance: Local excursions
  • Accommodation: Namib Outpost (2nd night)
  • Services: WiFi & laundry available
  • Activities included: Full-day Sossusvlei excursion (Dead Vlei, Dune 45, Sesriem Canyon)

We enjoy breakfast before departing on a scenic drive through the desert to Swakopmund, where we will spend the next two nights. Leaving the Namib behind, your route winds past the Tropic of Capricorn and through dramatic canyons before reaching the Atlantic Coast. En route, we stop at the quirky outpost of Solitaire, famed for its rustic charm and legendary apple pie, before continuing past shifting sand dunes and endless horizons.

Arriving in Swakopmund, the atmosphere transforms completely. Here, German colonial architecture meets the roar of the ocean, creating a town brimming with character, cafés, and coastal breezes. After settling into your room, take a leisurely stroll around this charming seaside town to soak in its history and charm.

Dinner tonight offers breathtaking views over the ocean, a perfect way to unwind and reflect on your first days in Namibia. Swakopmund serves both as a place to rest and as a gateway to thrilling adventures in the surrounding desert and along the coast.

End of Day Summary

  • Distance: 360 km (approx. 5h10, mainly gravel roads)
  • Accommodation: Strand Hotel Swakopmund (2 nights)
  • Services: ND-Select, WiFi & laundry available
  • Activities included: Scenic transfers with sightseeing stops

The day begins with a Marine Dolphin Cruise on the serene Walvis Bay Lagoon, where you can encounter playful dolphins, curious seals, elegant pelicans, and, seasonally, whales. The calm waters and stunning coastal scenery make this a truly unique experience, blending wildlife encounters with the tranquility of the sea.

After the cruise, enjoy a light lunch before embarking on the afternoon adventure: a guided 4x4 excursion into the dunes of Sandwich Harbour, where the Namib Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean. Towering sand dunes plunge dramatically into the crashing waves, creating one of Namibia’s most surreal landscapes. Keep an eye out for desert wildlife along the way, from small reptiles to ostriches and oryx. In the evening, return to Swakopmund for dinner in a classic colonial-era restaurant, renowned for its seafood and game specialties — the perfect way to end a day where desert and ocean collide.

End of Day Summary

  • Distance: Local excursions
  • Accommodation: Strand Hotel Swakopmund (2nd night)
  • Services: WiFi & laundry available
  • Activities included: Marine Desert Adventure (Walvis Bay Lagoon, Sandwich Harbour)

Today’s journey takes you deep into the raw, untamed landscapes of Damaraland. Driving along Namibia’s hauntingly barren Skeleton Coast — one of the most stunning drives in the world — the sense of being very close to the end of the world is overpowering. Few other vehicles pass this way, as shifting, swirling sands cover stretches of road and a strange, ethereal light blurs sky, sea, and horizon into a mirage-like haze. Scattered along the beaches and rocky approaches lie the rusting remains of shipwrecks, ghostly reminders of the treacherous seas. Passing these haunting sights along the Skeleton Coast, you’ll eventually reach the seclusion of Palmwag Nature Reserve, home to one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife conservation efforts.

Here lies Desert Rhino Camp, a tented retreat at the heart of rhino country. It is the only region in the world where endangered black rhinos still roam freely outside national parks. Your time here supports the work of the Save the Rhino Trust, and tracking these giants on foot or by vehicle will be a highlight of your adventure. You’ll check in at the camp and settle into this unique wilderness setting before enjoying dinner under the vast African skies.

End of Day Summary

  • Distance: 435 km (approx. 5h30, paved & gravel roads)
  • Accommodation: Desert Rhino Camp (2 nights)
  • Services: WiFi & laundry available
  • Activities included: Scenic transfers, afternoon at camp

Wake to the stillness of the desert, broken only by bird calls. Today is devoted to rhino tracking alongside expert guides and trackers from Save the Rhino Trust. Learn about conservation challenges while following fresh spoor across the rugged terrain in search of these magnificent animals.

The day offers a profound connection to Namibia’s wilderness, dramatic landscapes of rocky outcrops, dry riverbeds, and hidden waterholes. By evening, return to camp for storytelling and dinner under the stars, your senses alive with the spirit of Africa.

End of Day Summary

  • Distance: Local excursions
  • Accommodation: Desert Rhino Camp (2nd night)
  • Services: WiFi & laundry available
  • Activities included: Rhino tracking with conservation guides

After a leisurely breakfast we set out north toward the legendary plains of Etosha National Park. The landscape gradually transforms from rocky Damaraland to wide-open savanna; with every kilometre, the sense of space widens, and the possibilities for wildlife encounters increase.

In the late afternoon, you arrive at Etosha Safari Lodge, your enchanting gateway to Etosha National Park, one of Namibia’s most iconic attractions. The lodge offers sweeping views, spacious decks and dining areas, and airy rooms with private verandas — the perfect setting to immerse yourself in the magic of Etosha, the “Place of Legends.” Sip a drink as the ruby sun sinks into the Mopane woodland, dine under a canopy of stars on the veranda, or relax beside a blazing fire. As the night sky comes alive, you’ll retreat to soft beds and animal-filled dreams, with anticipation building for a full day of Etosha adventure tomorrow.

Etosha National Park

Alison and Sidney consider Etosha the world’s most unspoilt game sanctuary. Having lived here for over 26 years, where their daughter Hannah was born, they know its heartbeat intimately. Sidney reflects that this is a place where humanity must pause and consider its impact on wildlife. Etosha is a park that stays in your heart and soul long after departure.

The park was proclaimed Namibia’s first conservation area in 1907 and, after a series of expansions and reductions, today covers 22,270 km², still one of the largest game reserves in Africa. Its focal point, the Etosha Pan, is a flat saline desert, 130 km long and 50 km wide in the eastern sector. Formed over 12 million years ago, the pan only holds water briefly each year, attracting flamingos, pelicans, and a host of other birds during the summer.

Etosha is home to 114 mammal species, including rare and endangered animals such as black rhino, cheetah, and black-faced impala. Other large mammals include giraffe, blue wildebeest, mountain and plains zebra, hyena, lion, leopard, and numerous antelope species. Smaller mammals such as jackal, bateared fox, honey badger, warthog, and ground squirrel abound.

Around 340 bird species thrive here, including migratory European bee-eaters and waders, larger birds like ostrich and kori bustard, and up to millions of flamingos during a good rainy season. Ten of Etosha’s 35 raptor species are migratory, and nocturnal owls and nightjars also feature in this vibrant ecosystem.

For the greater part of the year, Etosha’s wildlife depends on around 30 springs and waterholes, providing excellent opportunities for game viewing and photography, particularly in the dry season.

End of Day Summary

  • Distance: 360 km (approx. 4h30, paved & gravel roads)
  • Accommodation: Etosha Safari Lodge (1 night)
  • Services: WiFi & laundry available
  • Activities included: Transfer into Etosha, evening/sundowner game drive

Rise early for a full day in Etosha, where shimmering salt pans and permanent waterholes draw wildlife across vast plains. Today’s drive moves eastward through the park, pausing at key waterpoints where zebra, elephant, giraffe, and predator species often gather. The open horizon and sparse trees make wildlife sightings dramatic and photographic. Stop for a relaxed lunch at Fort Namutoni and continue exploring the eastern reaches.

By late afternoon, we arrive at Mushara Lodge, just 8 km from the Von Lindequist Gate of Etosha National Park. Settle into your luxury accommodation on the edge of the park, take in the tranquil surroundings, and relax before enjoying a welcoming dinner at the lodge’s restaurant, the perfect end to a day of unforgettable wildlife encounters.

End of Day Summary

  • Distance: 200 km (approx. 5h, through park roads)
  • Accommodation: Mushara Lodge (2 nights)
  • Services: WiFi & laundry available

This morning you’ll head out for an early game drive when wildlife activity is at its peak, predators hunt, and many species come to drink. Return to the lodge to relax mid-day: enjoy the pool, swap sightings with fellow travellers, and recharge for an afternoon drive or a guided walk. Etosha is a place of constant discovery; each hour can bring something new. The day ends with dinner at the lodge, a chance to reflect on the day’s adventures.

End of Day Summary

  • Distance: Local park excursions
  • Accommodation: Mushara Lodge (2nd night)
  • Services: WiFi & laundry available
  • Activities included: Morning and afternoon game drives, guided walks (optional)

Leaving Etosha behind, we travel south-east toward the treed bushveld of Otjiwa Nature Reserve. Otjiwa’s expansive plains and dams are rich in game and birdlife; this afternoon’s rhythm is gentler, with wildlife-viewing from hides and relaxed drives through the thornveld. The reserve is known for large herds of plains game and excellent birding, including the resonant call of the African Fish Eagle over the dams.

Upon arrival, we check in to the Otjiwa Thorn Bush Tented Camp, where our luxury tents offer a true connection to the surrounding wilderness. As the sun dips below the horizon, we gather for sundowners, sipping drinks as the sky glows in golden and crimson hues, a breathtaking introduction to the magic of Namibia’s bushveld.

That evening, we enjoy dinner at the camp in a relaxed bushveld setting. With the sounds of nature all around us, it’s a time to unwind, share the day’s experiences, and look ahead to the adventures still to come.

End of Day Summary

  • Distance: 310 km (approx. 3h30, mainly paved roads)
  • Accommodation: Otjiwa Thorn Bush Tented Camp (1 night)
  • Services: WiFi available
  • Activities included: Game drives, wildlife viewing from hides

After a morning drive and breakfast in the bushveld, we return to Windhoek, Namibia’s cultural and commercial centre. The contrast is striking: from remote wilderness to the tidy avenues and cafés of the capital. Today is perfect for souvenir shopping, a relaxed lunch in town, or a short orientation of the city.

Tonight, Chef Sidney and Chef Alison will take you to one of their favourite local craft shops, followed by a memorable farewell dinner at one of the city’s finest spots, before retiring to the elegant Weinberg, reflecting on the landscapes, wildlife, and adventures that have made your Namibian journey unforgettable.

Windhoek – an African capital with a difference, often dubbed the “Cleanest City in Africa” – is the capital of the Republic of Namibia, one of Africa’s most vibrant and successful sovereign states. Nestled in a basin surrounded by scenic mountains in the central highlands, Windhoek is a thriving, working city: an active administrative, commercial, and industrial centre, serving as a melting pot and hub for most economic and technological developments in the country.

Whether enjoying the continental flair of Independence Avenue, browsing the numerous shops, exploring historic buildings, or searching markets for a special Namibian memento, you’ll delight in the harmonious blend of African and European cultures that make this city unique.

History – Around 1840, Windhoek became the headquarters of the Nama-Oorlam Group under Jonker Afrikaner. The name Windhoek dates to 1844, when Jonker Afrikaner, perhaps nostalgic for his birthplace in the Cape, named it Winterhoek. German colonial administration was established in 1890 under Major Curt von Francois, who founded a military post here. During this period, the town was known as Windhuk, later evolving to the modern Windhoek.

End of Day Summary

  • Distance: 220 km (approx. 2h30, mainly paved roads)
  • Accommodation: The Weinberg (1 night)
  • Services: WiFi & laundry available
  • Activities included: Transfer to Windhoek, leisure time in the city
  • Optional highlights: Windhoek city tour, local markets, craft shopping

Enjoy a relaxed morning at The Weinberg, perhaps a final stroll in the gardens, a coffee in the courtyard, or some time to pack. Take a moment to reflect on your unforgettable Namibian journey — from the towering dunes of Sossusvlei, to the crashing Atlantic waves, the rhino tracking in Damaraland, and the wide-open plains of Etosha.

After breakfast, we’ll transfer you to Hosea Kutako International Airport for your flight home, carrying with you the memories, flavors, and stories of Namibia that will stay with you long after your adventure ends.