extraordinary namibia
FRIday 11 november-sunday 20 November 2022

Day 2 – Saturday 12 November 2022: 

Wild things you make our hearts sing

As the rising sun paints the sky in streaks of pink and citrus colours, we board the jeeps for an encounter with cheetahs in their habitat. Afterwards, we visit the AfriCat Visitor Centre and learn more about the conservation and animal welfare of large carnivores and endangered big cats in Namibia, as well as the many rescue and release programs the foundation runs and supports. In the last 17 years, AfriCat has rescued more than 1000 predators and more than 85% have been released back into the wild. After a special morning, we enjoy brunch at the lodge. We will freshen up ourselves, put our travel bags in the jeeps and travel on to Etosha National Park. A fact: Okonjima means ‘place of the baboons’ in Herero. You can bet that the leopards and cheetahs made an unforgettable impression, much more so than the naughty baboons. In the afternoon we arrive at Etosha Safari Lodge, situated on the south side of the national park. The lodge opens the doors to the mystery and magic of Etosha, ‘Place of Legends’. We stay in cosy chalets, they are lovingly integrated into nature. We will have a nice lunch and then it’s YOU time! Relax & take in the beautiful surroundings by the pool or on your terrace with savannah views. We meet again for a sundowner overlooking the waterhole where rhinos are regularly spotted. A sundowner? This is a word you must remember before you leave on a Soul Safari Retreat. Enjoying a refreshing gin & tonic, wine or beer with tasty snacks and admiring a breathtaking sunset together with the Soul Safari Ladies. We will warm ourselves around the campfire and make plans for the next day, more safari adventures await us in Etosha National Park. We feast on a 4-course dinner and get ready for the night. Nighty night!

Day 4 – monday 14 November 2022:

Ultimate freedom &  absolute silence

After breakfast we travel off the beaten track to Damaraland! We continue our route and cross rough terrain to reach Grootberg Lodge in the early afternoon, our home for the next two nights.  Along the way we enjoy wildlife sightings and take in the vastness of the landscape. You’ll feel like you’re on the moon… We also get an insight into the life of the Himba people, a proud semi-nomadic tribe who manage to adapt as little as possible to Western civilization and are one of the last nomadic tribes in Africa. Immerse yourself in their way of life, which is so far removed from ours.Women with ochre skin and hair stiff with goat fat show you their village. The Himba women protect themselves from the sun with a mixture of goat fat, ochre and herbs. This gives their skin the typical red-brown colour. Settle into your tent, refresh yourself in the rock pool, sip a cold drink and feel the ultimate freedom and absolute silence. In the late afternoon we enjoy the mighty play of colours during a sundowner, when the sun slowly disappears behind the horizon and colours Damaraland in beautiful golden, red and pink hues.The warm ‘safari magician team’ of Grootberg Lodge ensures a perfect stay. We are treated to delicious food and drinks in the most fantastic setting. Damaraland is characterised by displays of colour and by magnificent table topped mountains, impressive giant rock formations and bizarre looking vegetation. The landscape has been shaped by erosion and wind, water and geological forces that have formed rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains and river terraces. The beauty and serenity of Damaraland will reward and amaze you, giving one an authentic understanding of the word ‘wilderness’. Become silent and enjoy the vast phenomenal landscapes. Your ‘wildest’ expectations will be exceeded. 

Day 6 – wednesday 16 november 2022:

From endless empty landscapes to

the Wild Atlantic Ocean

Today we will drive all the way through Damaraland to reach the cool coast of the Atlantic Ocean. We will stop in Twyfelfontein to discover the ancient rock art and engravings of the San (Bushmen). Along the way, we’ll find self-service stalls selling the precious stones and minerals found in the region around Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain. Himba & Herero families also sell their souvenirs in roadside stalls. The ideal way to learn more about these special cultures. The Himba are semi-nomadic people who still live in traditional ways. To protect themselves against the sun, the Himba women apply a mixture of goat fat, ochre and herbs. This gives their skin its typical red-brown colour. The Herero people also have a nomadic background. The only difference between the two cultures is that the Herero have adapted to the wishes of the German colonists more than 100 years ago. The Herero ladies were asked to dress in a Victorian style of clothing. The ‘special’ hats on their heads refer to the horns of the cattle. The style of the dresses is still passed on from generation to generation. Our guides will choose a nice scenic spot en-route for a scrumptious picnic lunch. Enjoy a cheese & cold meat platter, some breads, a salad, a meat dish, small quiches or wraps. Near the town of Henties Bay, we continue south to see the rusting remains of the Zeila shipwreck. Now home to roosting cormorants and other seabirds. The combination of dense fog, unpredictable currents and choppy ocean caused many shipwrecks. An ominous reminder of why this stretch of beach is known as the Skeleton Coast, ships sticking up from the sea or sand dunes like figurative skeletons. We arrive in the early afternoon in the coastal town of Swakopmund, nestled between the desert and the ocean. Swakopmund breathes out a typically German atmosphere through its colonial architecture with half-timbered houses. Swakopmund is a nice place to stay after days in the remote but dazzling nature of Damaraland. We will stay in The Delight, a lovely boutique hotel. You will be surprised by the thoughtful touches in the beautifully decorated rooms. Then we set off to Swakopmund’s best restaurant, The Tug. Fine dining in a boat with ocean views, yummy (sea)food & drinks situated at the jetty of Swakop. Have a tasty evening!

 Day 8 – friday 18 November 2022:

oldtimers & apple pie in the namibian sea of sand

After a delicious breakfast, we say goodbye to The Delight and  travel further with our minibus. The drive from Swakopmund to Sossusvlei is a unique route winding through the Namib Desert. We make photo stops at two highlights. The first is at the Tropic of Cancer sign. Then we continue our road trip to photo stop number two, Namibia’s coolest petrol station with photogenic oldtimers and apple pie in Solitaire. Upon arrival, we have lunch at Desert Homestead Lodge, our base for the next two nights. The lodge is situated against a beautiful backdrop of rugged mountains and vast grassy plains. Endless dune vistas await us. A landscape that has remained unchanged for a million years. Enjoy rolling dancing dunes majestic dunes in beautiful terracotta colours that reach up to a clear blue sky. Namibia is a desert wonderland! Settle into your rustic cosy cottage, open the large windows and enjoy an endless view of an impossibly beautiful desert landscape. Refresh yourself in the swimming pool, take a refreshing shower, enjoy your terrace with amazing views or if you prefer to stretch your legs for a short walk, the time is yours! In the late afternoon we set off on a sundowner dune drive. We discover the petrified dunes, the red dunes on top of the plateau and the many wonders of the Namib Desert. Our driver  knows how to find a perfect spot for a breathtaking sunset. Raise your glass to the end of a wonderful day and enjoy a lovely dinner. Stare at the night sky with thousands of shimmering stars. Nighty night!

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Soul Safari Retreat ‘Extraordinary Namibia’

trip details

inclusive of

EXCLUSIEF

Important note: Travelling to and in Africa requires a flexible attitude & an open mind. The travel program, the choice of accommodation and the activities have been composed as detailed as possible, but can be changed before the start or on location, depending on the situation and availabilities.

payment details

€ 3330 per person

30% deposit to secure your spot

Remaining balance is due 6 weeks before departure

I  W A N T  T O  J O I N, W H A T ’ S  N E X T ?

E-mail me at sophie@safarisophie.com to set up a discovery video call. 

Why do I prefer this? I like to get an idea of who will be joining me on the Soul Safari

Retreat. 

We will have a nice chat to check if I meet your travel wishes, we discuss if the Soul Safari Retreat is the right experience for you. I will answer all possible questions & go through the trip details. I love to chat! I will gladly assist you in reserving a plane ticket and travel insurance.

If you are truly satisfied & happy to join the Soul Safari Retreat, I will send you a form to confirm your participation. I will gladly assist you in reserving a plane ticket and travel insurance.

Upon receipt of your participant’s form, I will mail you the travel agreement and deposit invoice with the payment instructions. The travel agreement may then be signed digitally. I am happy to add you to our ‘Extraordinary Namibia’ whatsapp group to exchange information and to keep in touch.

Spots are limited (maximum 10 spots available) and will be filled on a first-come first-serve basis.

I will organize 1.5 month before departure an e-meet up. A digital pre departure meeting to get to know the Soul Safari Ladies & to go profoundly through the trip itinerary & trip details, the travel and health requirement. A Q&A will ensure you can leave fully informed and without any worries on the Soul Safari Retreat. Safari Sophie always at your service!

You in? E-mail now to apply & secure your spot: