Namibia
Namibia’s Splendor: Desert, Culture and Magnificent Wildlife
Program No. 22269RJ
Discover Namibia — a seemingly endless country that is home to the oldest desert in the world, the Namib. Meet native people and learn about the country’s wildlife conservation efforts.
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Protecting the Environment
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16 days
15 nights
37 meals
13B 2BR 9L 13D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
5
Leopard Tracking, Transfer to Etosha, Game Viewing
Etosha National Park
6
Game Drives, Conservation in Etosha
Etosha National Park
7
Grootberg Primary School, Nature Walk, Himba Culture
Kunene Region (Grootberg Mountains)
8
Himba Community, Namibia's Conservancy Success
Kunene Region (Grootberg Mountains)
11
Free Time, Exploring Townships
Swakopmund
12
Namib Naukluft National Park
Namib Naukluft Park
13
Sossusvlei Dunes, Sesriem Canyon
Namib Naukluft Park
15
Program Concludes
In Flight
16
In Transit From Program
In Flight
At a Glance
Namibia is a vast country, even by African standards, covering an area roughly the size of California, Oregon and Washington combined. It’s also an ageless land, home to the oldest desert in the world, cultures that have remained unchanged for centuries, and a rich heritage of stone-age rock art. Come explore Namibia’s vast beauty on safari and learn about the unique Himba, Herero and other traditional peoples, the fascinating desert-adaptations of the flora and fauna, the massive conservation effort undertaken by the country, and the fascinating geology of the Namib Desert.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Some long drives in enclosed, climate-controlled vehicles; roads traveled can be quite rough in places, with bumpy drives. Optional walks over uneven terrain offered. Elevations up to 5,400 feet.
Micro Group
These adventures feature our smallest group size, with 12 participants or fewer.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Visit the world-renowned AfriCat Foundation and experience close encounters with some of Africa’s big cats.
- Search for rhino, elephants, giraffe and zebras.
- Observe a remote Himba settlement.
General Notes
Please refer to the “Travel Information” section on the Road Scholar website, the start/end time listed in your first informational packet or contact the provider if you plan on booking your own flights for correct arrival and departure dates. Program limited to 14 participants. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Johann Cloete
Johann grew up in Keetmanshoop, a small town in the south of Namibia. The bush is where he spent most of his time after school and on weekends, and it ultimately drew him to his group leading career. Following stints as a trainee telecom technician and a bank teller, Johann spent a year in a variety of different training programs until he settled on leading groups in 2007. Johann is an acknowledged expert on the rare and endangered black rhinos that inhabit the north-west region.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Johann Cloete
View biography
Johann grew up in Keetmanshoop, a small town in the south of Namibia. The bush is where he spent most of his time after school and on weekends, and it ultimately drew him to his group leading career. Following stints as a trainee telecom technician and a bank teller, Johann spent a year in a variety of different training programs until he settled on leading groups in 2007. Johann is an acknowledged expert on the rare and endangered black rhinos that inhabit the north-west region.
Suggested Reading List
(10 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Namibia’s Splendor: Desert, Culture and Magnificent Wildlife
Program Number: 22269
Skeleton Coast
This revised edition of Shoenman's classic, first published in 1971, shows the magnificent landscapes, wildlife and nature of the Namib desert, Skeleton Coast and northwest Namibia in 160 color essays and accompanying essays on geology, climate, nature and history.
The Elephant's Secret Sense, The Hidden Life of the Wild Herds of Africa
O'Connell chronicles the extraordinary social lives of elephants in Etosha National Park with this powerful account of a 14-year study.
Namibia Map
A folded, indexed road map of Namibia, showing all major and many minor roads, cities and towns, at a scale of 1:1,200,000.
The Black Rhinos of Namibia, Searching for Survivors in the African Desert
Bass' lifelong search for rare and iconic animals takes him into the harsh terrain of the Namib desert on the trail of the rare black rhino. With insightful prose, Bass tells the story of the rhinos -- brought back from near-extinction thanks to cutting edge conservation.
Bradt Guide Namibia
From the desolate Skeleton Coast to the lush Kavango and Caprivi Strip to the picturesque capital of Windhoek, Bradt has it covered.
Africa, a Biography of the Continent
With the ease of a practiced journalist, Reader weaves a masterful and lively tale of the continent, from ancient cultures to modern times. Both authoritative and informal, this is a splendid introduction to all of Africa.
Don't Look Behind You!
Subtitled A Safari Guide's Encounters with Ravenous Lions, Stampeding Elephants, and Lovesick Rhinos, this harrowing and hilarious travel narrative makes you feel like you’re right there on safari.
Kingdon Pocket Guide to African Mammals
A conveniently compact edition of Kingdon's gloriously illustrated Field Guide to African Mammals. The guide includes abbreviated information on identification, distribution, ecology and conservation status and 480 outstanding color illustrations and maps.
The Healing Land, The Bushmen and the Kalahari Desert
A powerful account of the ancient traditions of the Kalahari Bushmen and the very contemporary struggle of a people who have been displaced from their land.
Culture Smart! Namibia
A concise and practical guide to local customs, etiquette and culture with a short overview of the land and people along with practical travel advice.