Safari Rating
The Ultimate Romantic Tour offers couples the rare opportunity of experiencing luxury and pampering in some of the remotest corners of Africa! The combination of vast remote desert locations and real luxury will first surprise you and then leave you in awe. The tour covers Etosha, Kaokoland, Damaraland and the Namib, with Victoria Falls thrown in for good measure. For intrepid couples looking for the ultimate luxury and privacy it doesn’t get much better than this!
Itinerary in Brief
2 Nights Onguma The Fort
2 Nights Okahirongo Elephant Lodge
2 Nights Camp Onduli
2 Nights Wolwedans Dune Lodge
3 Nights Tongabezi Lodge
Arrive into Windhoek and stay a night at the Olive Exclusive, or connect straight away and fly north to Etosha, Namibia’s wildlife heartland. Spend two glorious nights at the one and only Onguma The Fort for some real R&R to get over the worst jetlag. The setting is unique and you really don’t need to go anywhere, you can just stay in your suite and take it all in from your own veranda. For those that do wish to enter the Park do so on a private game drive with one of the knowledgeable guides from the Lodge. The Wellness Centre at The Fort is world class and offers a wide selection of massages and therapies.
On the last morning after a scrumptious breakfast transfer to the airstrip and fly west into Kaokoland, one of the remotest corners of Africa, destination the fabulous Okahirongo Elephant Lodge! The elegance of the lodge will surprise you and so will the sophistication, privacy and luxury of the accommodation, service and cuisine. Tracking for desert adapted elephant and rhino is a MUST do amongst the rugged scenery and along the dry riverbeds that cross the mountainous terrain.
Then fly south to Damaraland and stay two nights at the new Camp Onduli for a sensory overload. The Camp is unique and a Namibian icon. With the sliding doors of the suites that can be completely opened, it appears as if the accommodation is only covered – so you can enjoy the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets from your luxurious bed. This is further enhanced by the ability to roll the bed out onto the veranda so you can fall asleep overlooking a stunning starry sky! The stay at Onduli can be as slow and relaxed as you wish, or you can explore the gems of the area including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein and another trek for elephant and rhino that calls the area home.
You might not want to leave, but the next treat is already awaiting you! Fly further south along the Skeleton Coast of Namibia and over the dunes of the Namib and Sossusvlei to the adjoining NamibRand Private Reserve. The stay at Wolwedans will be a highlight of the tour, as the Wolwedans group of camps holds a very special place in the African safari circuit. The location amongst the red dunes of the Namib, the eco-friendly yet luxury accommodation and the organic veggie and fruit garden in the desert, is very special indeed. Stay at Dune Lodge, or Boulders Camp, or even the spacious and private Mountain View Suite for the ultimate treat!
After 6 glorious nights it is time leave the desert of Namibia and head north east to the waters of the Zambezi River and the majestic Victoria Falls. Fly from NamibRand to Windhoek, connect to Livingstone in Zambia and do a short road transfer to the romance that is Tongabezi. The lodge oozes romance and relaxation, and the honeymoon suite or a stay on Sindabezi Island, is perfect for the last nights of the romance tour. A private dinner for two on the floating platform on the Zambezi and under the stars is a MUST do as the grand finale of this Ultimate Romantic tour!
On the last morning transfer to Livingstone Airport for your flight home and know that you will have made memories that will stay with you forever!
Detailed itinerary
Nights 1 and 2: Onguma The Fort, Etosha
Upon arriving at Onguma The Fort, you will be received by not only the friendly staff, but also massive raw walls, stunning stone cladded features and a huge tower with views toward Etosha and Fisher’s Pan.
The Fort will surprise you at every corner; a classical African feel combined with a touch of Moroccan and Indian flavours, characterised by a selection of the most beautiful antique windows and doors.
Accommodation at The Fort consists of 11 Bush Suites and 1 Honeymoon Suite, all situated adjacent to the Main Fort extending on both sides to the south and the north. Every Bush Suite is completely private and about 50 meters apart from one another and is equipped with a bar fridge, and an air-conditioner for those warmer days. The spacious bathroom has both an inside shower as well as an outside shower area. From every area of the room, wooden decks lead you towards the outside seating area and sun loungers for just relaxing and enjoying the extraordinary view.
The Fort offers game drives, bush walks and a world class wellness centre with variety of massages and therapies.
Nights 3 and 4: Okahirongo Elephant Lodge, Kaokoland
Perched on a hill above the banks of the ephemeral Hoarusib River, the Okahirongo Elephant Lodge is possibly one of the most remote lodges in Namibia.
If you make it here, you will be rewarded with a genuine safari experience. The lodge will dazzle your senses with its mix of stylish tranquillity, eccentric architecture, ultimate comfort and excellent service. An oasis of luxury in the middle of the desert.
The stunning architecture and the unique desert setting make Okahirongo Elephant Lodge the perfect “James Bond location”: an extraordinary mix of elegance and essential shapes topped with friendly and professional service to make your stay unforgettable. Infinity pool, dining rooms, library, chill out lounges, sun deck, beautiful wildlife wandering around, stunning views, top quality service, fine food & cocktails: you won’t miss a thing!
In the evening, lit candles will lure you to the elegant dining table where indulge in sumptuous Italian-Namibian fusion food. There is nothing better than an outdoor shower in the desert’s afternoon, but for relaxing in the evening you can choose between the indoor shower and the bathtub to completely relax.
While staying at the lodge track desert adapted elephant and black rhino, on foot or by vehicle one of the last places on earth where this is possible. An authentic Himba experience can also be arranged.
Nights 5 and 6: Camp Onduli, Damaraland
Situated in the heart of Damaraland in the private concessions of Doro! Nawas Reserve, Onduli Camp blends discreetly with the rugged and desert-like landscape.
Overlooking Namibia’s largest mountain, the Brandberg and nestled at the foot of two impressive granite boulders, this property is one of the icons of lodges in Namibia. The surrounding area is characterised by imposing rock formations, rugged hills, partly wooded river valleys, vast savannahs and only 20 minutes away you will find the UNESCO World Heritage Site Twyfelfontein.
Each suite has comfortable and large double beds facing the private terrace. As the sliding doors of the suite can be completely opened, it appears as if the accommodation is only covered – so you can enjoy the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets from your luxurious bed. This is further enhanced by the ability to roll the bed out onto the veranda so you can fall asleep overlooking a stunning starry sky. As Damaraland is hardly populated, there are virtually no light sources and you will find one of the most beautiful starry skies in the world!
Private, spacious bathrooms with rain showers are a standard feature of every room, some even have open-air bathrooms.
The leisure facilities are likewise unique. Besides the library, there are many activities that promise adventure and fun. Besides game drives and nature walks, you have the possibility to go on a bike tour with solar powered electric bikes or to discover the cave paintings of the bushmen.
Nights 7 and 8: Wolwedans, NamibRand
Wolwedans is located on top of a dune plateau offering panoramic views into the NamibRand Nature Reserve.
The elegant design of the lodge consists of a mixture of wooden structures and canvas blinds enabling an open space to the desert beyond. This unique accommodation ideally combines the ambience of a tented camp and with the comfort of a permanent building. When leaving the canvas blinds open you will sleep right under the stars – a truly memorable experience.
The main building offers dining spaces, a swimming pool, sundowner decks and a fireplace – all in suspended above the sands of the desert.
Wolwedans consists of four lodges in all, as well as staff village, and the whole operation is truly committed to sustainability. Water is from an underground spring, 85% of power is from solar, fruit and vegetables are grown in green houses, herbs under mesh and the structures are built with sand filled plastic water bottles rendered with natural resources. No wonder the lodges have won numerous prizes as sustainable ecolodges!
Also, you are able to spend your days joining a variety of activities: soar the desert skies in a hot air balloon, learn about small and large desert dwellers on a scenic drive, or explore the desert on foot on a walking safari.
Nights 9, 10 and 11: Tongabezi, Victoria Falls
Tongabezi Lodge feels much more like an intimate holiday resort than it does a traditional safari lodge.
Everything about the place is telling you to grab a seat by the pool and relax while the sunsets over the Zambezi river. The perfect place to wind down and enjoy paradise. This is paired well with its fairly close proximity to the falls itself, from which the lodge is 15km upstream. It is close enough for convenience, yet far enough for some peace and quiet from the noise pollution at the Falls from the helicopters and scenic flights.
With a wide array of accommodation types, Tongabezi has something for all travellers, with the award-winning honeymoon house which has all the bells and whistles. Sindabezi Island is next level for those of you that require a real Robinson Crusoe experience, just fantastic!
There’s a large assortment of activities on offer in the Victoria Falls area which can keep you busy for weeks, but when staying at Tongabezi, one MUST enjoy the candlelit dinner on the Zambezi river!
When to go
jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec | |
Damaraland | ||||||||||||
Etosha National Park & Surrounds | ||||||||||||
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Livingstone | ||||||||||||
Namib-Naukluft | ||||||||||||
Northern Namibia Safaris | ||||||||||||
Southern Namibia |
The Accommodation
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