Namibia Trip Report - June 2026

Our family had the opportunity to travel together to Namibia this summer, and it gave us an incredible chance to connect with each other, the natural world, and the Namibian people. You might be able to create somewhat similar moments in many places, but Namibia is unique. Its wild open spaces, the unmatched hospitality of its people, and its proximity to natural beauty create a setting perfect for connecting with both the natural world and one another. A trip to Namibia isn't your grandma's tour of Europe.

Our sons are young adults now, and this trip was the first we had taken together in a couple of years, making it a special occasion. There is nothing like shedding your work life and the familiarity of the everyday, and striding out into wild places to reconnect as a family. Staring up at starry skies, sharing meals, and exploring together leave plenty of opportunities for long conversations, deep connection, and shared adventures. I wouldn't trade it for anything. So, let me tell you a little about it.

The towering dunes at Sossusvlei

After a brief night in Windhoek, our port of entry, we flew south to Kwessi Dunes in the deep NamibRand. It was here that we had some of our most thrilling adventures: a dawn hot-air balloon ride and champagne breakfast, an ATV tour over the dunes at sunset, and a hike up Big Daddy, a 1,000-foot sand dune. The dune dead-ends at Deadvlei, one of the most photographed places in the natural world. It takes roughly an hour to "climb" Big Daddy and about three minutes to leap down it. Hold on to your hats (and shoes)! And for the first time ever, I beheld the Southern constellations in their full glory. As a city girl, even though I've traveled to some very out-of-the-way destinations, I don't think I've ever seen a night sky like this.

Next stop: Wolwedans, the heart and home of the NamibRand. Wolwedans isn't just a luxury safari resort in the middle of the desert. It is a self-sustaining village, complete with an elementary school, hospitality training rooms and kitchens, a fully functioning water filtration system, an organic garden that feeds all guests and staff, living quarters built from the ground up, and an active recycling center. You would think that with all this, the accommodations, activities, and food would be fairly basic and Mad Max–ish, but they're not. The result is luxurious and high-end, yet warm and inviting, infused with the distinct personality of the staff who work there.

The next part of our journey took us to Damaraland, where we were welcomed by Jason, our personal guide and Ultimate Safari host for the next couple of weeks. For the next few nights we stayed at Onduli Ridge, explored the rock engravings of the Twyfelfontein World Heritage Site, rode e-bikes, and enjoyed some incredible sundowners in a hammock. We got to know the lay of the land and heard stories about modern-day Namibia through the eyes of our guide, whose family has a long history in the region. At Onduli Ridge, the sky bed takes center stage: the staff pull the bed out at night so you can sleep under the stars.

On Safari at Onduli Ridge in Damaraland

Next, we stayed at Hoanib Valley Camp, also in Damaraland, where the nearby riverbed hosts several small elephant herds. The camp is also within easy driving distance of on-foot rhino tracking, and a short drive from the Himba people, who welcomed us warmly into their homes. These are two unique experiences you can only have in Damaraland. Best of all, the bush hikes, safari drives, and picnics led to family time, when learning, exploring wildlife, and reconnecting with one another became full-time priorities.

The next part of our trip took us east, through Etosha, to the Ongava and Onguma Game Reserve and the Okonjima Nature Reserve. This is where we really dug into our safari drives, bush hikes, stargazing, and storytelling. Andersson's Camp, Onguma Tented Camp, and Kamp Kala offered incredible waterhole viewing, along with luxury accommodations and cuisine. As the only water sources for miles, these waterholes attracted juvenile giraffes and flocks of exotic birds by day; families of mongoose, foxes, and XXX at dusk; and rhinos and elephants at night. Our drive through Etosha gave us a true appreciation for the vast open horizons on display in Namibia. At Onguma Trails Camp, we got up close and personal with a juvenile giraffe on a bush hike, and at Okonjima we had the opportunity to meet a rescued cheetah. At every location, I remember the plentiful walking trails, the thick natural habitat full of life all around us, and, again, those dark, starry skies. I also recall the hum of storytelling, the new friendships struck between guides, staff, and travelers, and the inviting snap and crackle of a bush fire warming the night.

Through it all, I have lasting memories of connecting with my adult children in a way that was meaningful, deep, and joyful. Even though I've traveled to Africa for decades, visiting Namibia this way was a unique experience I won't soon forget. I hope others will be inspired by what we did and saw, and will experience this amazing country for themselves.