Only in Namibia can watching a single elephant be far more powerful than witnessing an entire herd, and can staring out at a sea of sand feel like a religious experience.

There's beauty in the minuscule and mighty alike in Namibia — a photographer's paradise, even for amateurs.

It's not all high adventure: Namibian-made gin and tonics are a must during jaw-dropping sunsets, which precede creative dinners.

This itinerary features equal parts luxury accommodations and an immersion in nature. Includes eco-friendly, high-end lodges like Habitas Namibia, Epako
Safari Lodge, and Ongava Lodge.

Gentle Activities: Pet the giraffes, yoga, and nature walks tailored to minimize physical strain.

Short Transfers: All destinations are within a 3-hour drive to avoid long travel times.

Day 0: Departure from New York 

Depart from JFK to Hosea Kutako Airport, Windhoek (via Johannesburg). 

Day 1: Arrival in Windhoek & Habitas Namibia 

Land in Windhoek. 

Private transfer (45 minutes) to Habitas Namibia, a luxury eco-lodge surrounded by nature. 

Less than an hour from Windhoek, the physically and spiritually unique Habitas Namibia, which opened in 2021 and marries the concepts of safari and wellness.

Set the scene 15 tented suites set on a scrubby hill overlook the acacia-studded plains and rolling hills beyond in this 123,553-acre reserve.

The backstory Formerly used for hunting, the reserve is now reimagined for photography safaris.

The rooms Large, tented rooms are scattered across a rocky hilltop with views of the vast plains. Interiors are simple—there’s just a huge double bed, a daybed, and plump floor cushions. The thick canvas means the space is a little dark—take your book outside onto the deck with a coffee instead and keep an eye out for dassies (rock hyraxes) scampering around the rocks.

Food and drink Tizee-Mercy Tjenda and Martin Katjikuru create a fresh, light menu that side-steps the usual safari bloat. Start the day with rusks (biscotti-style biscuits) and a coffee before a game drive. Afterwards, it’s a feast of fresh fruit, cold meats and cheeses, as well as a hot, wholesome breakfast of toast topped with creamy peanut butter, banana, and crispy bacon. There are usually two choices for lunch, perhaps zingy feta salad or lentil and butternut spring rolls. The three-course supper could include beetroot tartare with goat's cheese, and lamb chops with aubergine puree, followed by pear-and-almond tart. For sundowner cocktails, try a local Namibian spirit such as sweet ZA.ir honeybush or citrusy Stillhouse gin.

The spa Roeline Hansen heads up the wellness program, offering Thai and Swedish massages as well as traditional treatments including a body mask of red ochre (known for its use by the Himba people) and a Khoi herbal compress with plants favored for their restorative properties. Wellness experiences take place beyond the canvas-tent spa too, from sunrise yoga on the deck to sound journey meditation in the bush.

The area  The reserve has white rhinos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest ,and hippos, all of which you’ll stand a good chance of seeing; leopards and cheetahs are harder to find. There are plans to introduce elephants in the next 12 to 18 months.

The service  The guides elevate the safari experience by representing different places and people of Namibia, from the coastal cities of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay to the Himba in the far north-west and the Khwe Bushmen of the north-east. A typical game drive will involve not just wildlife facts, but traditional cultural knowledge that makes the experience feel more holistic.

Eco effort Solar-powered; no single-use plastics in the bathrooms or for water.

Day 2: Habitas Namibia

Morning & Sunset safari drive. 

Day 3: Habitas Namibia to Epako Safari Lodge

Drive to Epako Safari Lodge near Omaruru (approx. 2.5 hours). 

Near Omaruru, in the tranquil Erongo region of central Namibia, an 11 000-hectare private reserve has at its heart a secret retreat – a beautiful, recently renovated game lodge. Called Epako, meaning "the corner in a mountain range", the lodge (picture crisp clean lines and luxury comforts) nestles against a hillside overlooking the Omaruru River. Beside it, a waterhole attracts a goodly amount of game. The reserve itself is home to galleries of San paintings, vast geologically interesting rock formations, and some impressive wildlife and bird species. Immerse yourself in the warmth and wilderness – we recommend the experience.

The property

The entire lodge focuses on the waterhole, so you can watch the activity from its lovely interiors (the comfortable lounge, dining room, bar area and media room), as well as the terrace and wraparound verandas, furnished with quirky canvas seating. The decor throughout is clean and stylish, with natural colours, gorgeous artwork and cool stone floors. Dine on Namibian/French cuisine indoors or on the terrace – the waterhole is lit at night so you can watch the cavalcade of animals.

The rooms

The rooms, which accommodate a total of just 20 guests, are decorated in contemporary yet classic African-style, with modern neutral shades of whites, browns and light grey. Each room has its own terrace furnished with directors' chairs and loungers perfectly positioned to view the game, and the gardens or the bushveld. All are air-conditioned, with en-suite bathrooms, minibars, satellite TV and safes. The river- and waterhole-side suites are larger in size and have additional lounge areas.

Day 4: Epako Safari Lodge 

Morning & Sunset safari drive. 

The reserve is home to two of the Big Five, namely white rhino and leopard, but you can also expect some great sightings of spotted hyena, cheetah, zebra and bat-eared fox, along with 170 recorded bird species. 4x4 safaris are available day or night, and it's worth taking a guided bush walk. See the views from a mountain top, explore the rock art sites and witness scheduled cheetah feedings at the local sanctuary.

Day 5: Epako to Ongava lodge

Drive (approx. 3 hours). 

Check into the Ongava Lodge

Spanning a rocky ridge in a range of dolomite hills known as the Ondundozonanandana — the word, recalling a local legend, means “the mountain where the boy took the calves” — Ongava Lodge features 14 spacious en-suite chalets crafted from rock and thatch, in keeping with their natural surroundings.

The central dining area is fronted by two viewing decks, overlooking a waterhole frequented by rhino and other game. At Ongava Lodge, the vantage is your advantage, opening your eyes anew to the beauty of the African bus

Day 6: Ongava

Early in the morning or just before dusk, a game drive in a safari vehicle, with an experienced guide at the helm, will be a highlight of your stay in the bush. As a private game reserve, Ongava offers a vast area to explore, and ample opportunity to encounter a wide diversity of wildlife up close.

No two game drives are ever the same, so you can expect the unexpected as your guide steers the way from savannah to woodland to the fringes of a waterhole.

Perhaps you’ll see an elephant matriarch leading her young through the bush. Perhaps a pride of lion, resting in the shade before the hunt begins. Perhaps a family of rhino, a herd of springbok, a lone jackal slinking across the scrubland. Only one thing, on a game drive in Ongava, is for sure. You’ll never forget the experience.

Day 7: Ongava to Windhoek & Departure

Drive back to Windhoek (approx. 3 hours). 

Private transfer to Hosea Kutako International Airport for the flight back.