SMALL GROUP JOURNEYOFFERS

The Southern Wonders & Wilderness

2026▾
10
Days
9
Nights
Private
Charter / Transfer

The second-largest canyon on Earth, an abandoned diamond ghost town, desert horseback exploration, and the ancient Nama people

See Pricing & Inclusions ↓
10 Days
Small Group
from $11,200 pp
Home  ›  Namibia  ›  The Southern Wonders & Wilderness

OverviewA journey into profound isolation, designed for travellers seeking the raw, untamed beauty of Namibia's deep south. From the red sands of the Kalahari to the dramatic depths of the Fish River Canyon, from the abandoned diamond ghost towns of the Sperrgebiet to the boulder-strewn hills of NamibRand — this itinerary connects four utterly different southern Namibian landscapes via private aviation. Kolmanskop ghost town at sunrise in complete privacy. A private 4x4 descent to the floor of the Fish River Canyon. A feast of fresh rock lobster in the isolated town of Lüderitz. Horseback and e-bike exploration at Zannier Sonop. And a deeply moving encounter with the Nama people — oral poetry, ancient music, and desert herbal medicine.

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Kalahari meerkat tracking at sunset in the terracotta dunes around Zebra Kalahari Lodge

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Fish River Canyon rim sundowners — the ancient rock faces turning purple and orange in the fading light

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Private 4x4 descent to the canyon floor — swimming in natural rock pools amidst million-year-old geology

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Kolmanskop Ghost Town at sunrise: exclusive private access before public hours, entirely alone in the sand-filled halls

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Fresh rock lobster dinner in the isolated German-colonial town of Lüderitz overlooking the icy South Atlantic

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Zannier Sonop: antique-filled tented suites perched on boulders at the edge of the NamibRand dune sea

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Guided horse-riding or electric fat-bike exploration across NamibRand's open plains

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Exclusive Nama cultural encounter: oral poetry, string music, herbal medicine, and ancient desert folklore

The Southern Wonders & Wilderness

Why Choose Finders & Keepers Safaris for Southern Namibia

Zannier Sonop — boulder-top tented suites, open-air cinema and stargazing on the edge of the NamibRand dune sea

Kolmanskop Ghost Town exclusive sunrise access — permit-only, private, before any other visitors arrive

Fish River Canyon private 4x4 floor descent — an experience available only to a privileged few

Nama cultural encounter featuring traditional string and choral music — hauntingly beautiful and deeply moving

Rock lobster dinner in Lüderitz — fresh from the icy South Atlantic, paired with premium South African wines

Private aviation connecting four completely different southern Namibian landscapes in ten days

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Namibia

Kalahari · Fish River Canyon · Lüderitz · Sperrgebiet · NamibRand

Day by Day

Your Itinerary

Windhoek, Namibia

Day 1 | Arrival in Windhoek & Gourmet Estate Dinner

VIP tarmac assistance on arrival. Private transfer to the Hilton Hotel. A private city tour for early arrivals. The day culminates in an exclusive gourmet estate dinner where you meet your private pilot for a briefing over a multi-course fine-dining experience paired with premium wines.

Arrival in Windhoek & Gourmet Estate Dinner
Kalahari — Zebra Kalahari Lodge

Day 2 | The Red Sands of the Kalahari

Private charter south over expansive grasslands into the pale yellow and deep red dunes of the Kalahari Desert. Landing on a private airstrip, you are transferred to Zebra Kalahari Lodge — an exclusive oasis amidst the rolling dunes. Private sunset safari tracking charismatic meerkats and elegant oryx against the terracotta landscape, culminating in a gourmet dinner under the vast star-filled Kalahari sky.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Red Sands of the Kalahari
Fish River Canyon — Fish River Lodge

Day 3 | To the Edge of the Abyss — Fish River Canyon

Charter south to the Fish River Canyon — the second-largest canyon on Earth and Africa's grandest geological wonder. Landing on a private airstrip near the rim, you check into Fish River Lodge, an architectural masterpiece perched mere metres from the canyon edge. Premium sundowners on the canyon rim as the sun transforms the ancient rock faces into deep shades of purple and orange — a profound experience of isolation and natural grandeur.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
To the Edge of the Abyss — Fish River Canyon

Day 4 | Deep Canyon Floor Exploration by Private 4x4

Exclusive rough-terrain 4x4 descent down into the heart of the Fish River Canyon floor — an experience reserved for a privileged few. Navigate the steep winding tracks through millions of years of geological history, surrounded by sheer ancient rock faces. Swimming in natural rock pools. A gourmet catered lunch set up in the shade of the canyon walls before ascending back to the lodge.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Deep Canyon Floor Exploration by Private 4x4
Diamond Coast — Eagle's Nest Lodge

Day 5 | To the Forbidden Diamond Coast — Lüderitz

Charter west over the restricted Sperrgebiet diamond area — a vast, hauntingly beautiful landscape once off-limits to all but diamond miners. Land in the isolated coastal town of Lüderitz. The afternoon: exploring the distinctive Art Nouveau German-colonial architecture. The evening: a feast of fresh rock lobster and locally sourced seafood, accompanied by premium South African wines as the sun sets over the icy South Atlantic. Transfer inland to Eagle's Nest Lodge, set among the boulders near Aus, for the night.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
To the Forbidden Diamond Coast — Lüderitz

Day 6 | The Sand-Filled Halls of Kolmanskop Ghost Town

Early departure from Eagle's Nest Lodge for private permit-only access to Kolmanskop Ghost Town — before public hours, completely alone. This abandoned German colonial diamond mining town sees grand mansions and a hospital slowly swallowed by shifting desert sand dunes. Wander through sand-filled halls and rooms in absolute privacy, capturing haunting images of the desert reclaiming human ambition. Your guide shares the fascinating and tragic history from boom to abandonment.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Sand-Filled Halls of Kolmanskop Ghost Town
NamibRand — Zannier Sonop

Day 7 | The Majestic NamibRand Desert

Charter inland to the edge of the NamibRand Nature Reserve — a landscape where towering red dunes meet boulder-strewn hills. Check into Zannier Sonop, a luxury tented camp built among the boulders, with antique-furnished suites and endless horizons. Private nature drive across pristine wilderness exploring ancient riverbeds and dramatic rock formations. A sundowner on the rocks as the sun paints the hills gold and crimson.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Majestic NamibRand Desert

Day 8 | Desert Wilderness — Horseback & Fat-Bike Exploration

A full morning exploring NamibRand's open plains on horseback or by electric fat bike, with an expert guide. Optional hot air balloon safari at dawn. The afternoon at leisure at camp, followed by a private dinner served under the brilliant canopy of desert stars and an evening of stargazing.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Desert Wilderness — Horseback & Fat-Bike Exploration

Day 9 | Exclusive Nama Heritage Encounter

A deeply respectful cultural experience with the resilient Nama People — one of Namibia's most ancient and culturally rich ethnic groups. Welcomed into a traditional community for an authentic, dignified encounter far from the commercial tourist circuit. Oral poetry, traditional herbal medicine, and the deep spiritual connection the Nama maintain with the desert landscape. The highlight: a private performance of their vibrant historic string and choral music — a hauntingly beautiful expression passed down through generations. Farewell dinner prepared by the executive chef, paired with vintage wines.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Exclusive Nama Heritage Encounter
Return — Windhoek

Day 10 | Southern Aerial Farewell & Return to Windhoek

A relaxed luxury breakfast overlooking the boulder-strewn hills and red dunes. Board your private charter for a beautiful morning flight north over the edge of the Namib Desert. Arrival in Windhoek. Transfer to the Hilton Hotel for a complementary spa session before your international departure.

Breakfast
Southern Aerial Farewell & Return to Windhoek

Want to adjust the pace, swap a lodge, or extend this journey?

We are here for that. Every Finders & Keepers Safaris itinerary is a starting point, not a fixed departure — the pace, the lodges, the length, the dates and the party travelling can all be reshaped around you. Tell us what you would change and a specialist will rebuild the journey and price it honestly, before you commit to anything.

Tailor This Journey →
Safari experience
Your Accommodation

Four Properties Across Namibia's Deep South

Zebra Kalahari Lodge
NIGHT 2
Kalahari Desert

Zebra Kalahari Lodge

★★★★★ — Kalahari dune lodge with an infinity pool and waterhole, guided game drives and dune sundowners
View Details
Fish River Lodge
NIGHTS 3–4
Fish River Canyon

Fish River Lodge

★★★★★ — Perched metres from the canyon rim with panoramic views into Africa's grandest geological wonder
View Details
Eagle's Nest Lodge
NIGHTS 5–6
Aus, near Lüderitz

Eagle's Nest Lodge

★★★★ — Stone chalets built around granite boulders near Aus, with wide Namib views and a day trip from Kolmanskop Ghost Town
View Details
Zannier Sonop
NIGHTS 7–9
NamibRand

Zannier Sonop

★★★★★ — Antique-furnished tented suites built on boulders at the edge of the NamibRand Nature Reserve
View Details
Why This Journey

What sets this journey apart

Southern Namibia’s quieter wonders: meerkats, a canyon descent, a ghost town to yourself and a rock lobster dinner on the Diamond Coast.

01

Fish River Canyon, rim to floor

Sundowners on the rim as the rock turns purple and orange, then a private 4x4 descent to swim in natural rock pools on the canyon floor.

02

Kolmanskop before the public

Exclusive sunrise access to the ghost town, alone in its sand-filled halls, followed by a fresh rock lobster dinner in Lüderitz overlooking the South Atlantic.

03

Meerkats and a camp on boulders

Meerkat tracking at sunset in the Kalahari’s terracotta dunes, and antique-filled tented suites at Zannier Sonop, perched on boulders at the edge of the NamibRand dune sea.

Best ValueJan – MayWarmer, quieter, occasional desert rain
Peak SeasonMay – SepPeak dry winter — clearest desert skies
Shoulder SeasonSep – DecCooling down, wildlife still concentrated
Best forReturn Namibia visitorsPhotographersCurious travellers
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Inclusions & Pricing

Deposit Offer

Hold 2027 for half the usual deposit

Confirm any 2027 departure with a 15% deposit instead of the usual 30%, booked before 31 December 2026.

  • Your balance is not due until 60 days before departure.
  • The reduced deposit holds your camps, permits and internal flights at today’s rates, so a mid-year price movement does not reach you.
  • Applies to new 2027 bookings only and cannot be combined with a group discount on the same booking.
Solo Travellers

30% off the single supplement

Travelling on your own? We cut the single traveller supplement by 30% across selected 2027 departures.

  • The supplement covers the sole-occupancy cost a camp charges when a room sleeps one rather than two.
  • Available on selected camps and dates — your specialist will tell you which of your nights qualify before you commit.
  • Nothing changes about the journey itself: same guide, same vehicle, same rooms.
Group Offer

Bring three, the fourth travels free

Book four guests on a 2027 group departure and the fourth guest’s safari cost is on us.

  • The waiver covers the land portion — camps, meals, guiding and game drives.
  • International flights, visas, gorilla and chimpanzee permits and personal spending are excluded, as those are paid to third parties per head.
  • All four guests must travel on the same departure date and book together.
What's Included
  • VIP meet and greet at Windhoek Airport
  • All private charter flights within Namibia
  • Luxury accommodation at all properties
  • All meals as specified — breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • All private guided game drives and safaris
  • All activities listed in the itinerary
  • All park and conservancy fees
  • Complementary spa session at Hilton Windhoek on final day
  • Private guide and expert tracker throughout
  • All transfers between airports and lodges
  • Private Kolmanskop Ghost Town sunrise access permit
  • Fish River Canyon private 4x4 floor descent
  • Horseback or e-bike desert exploration at Zannier Sonop
  • Exclusive Nama cultural encounter with traditional music performance
  • ✓Travel insurance facilitated on your behalf (adjusted in your quote if you are already covered)
What's Not Included
  • International flights to and from Namibia
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Personal shopping and souvenirs
  • Premium imported alcohol beyond what is provided
  • Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Visa fees (processed on arrival for most nationalities)

Package Pricing

Per Person Sharing$13,200
Single Traveller SupplementOn Request
ⓘ Price is per person based on two guests sharing. All charter flights, lodge accommodation, meals, park fees, activities, Kolmanskop permit, and complementary spa session are included. International flights to Windhoek are not included.

2027 Season Pricing

The same unforgettable journey, priced by season.

Jan – May Best ValueWarmer, quieter, occasional desert rain
$11,200
May – Sep Peak SeasonPeak dry winter — clearest desert skies
$15,600
Sep – Dec Shoulder SeasonCooling down, wildlife still concentrated
$13,600

Flexible Payment Plan

1

Reserve today with a low early deposit to lock in your 2027 dates and pricing.

2

Spread the rest across convenient instalments, at a pace that suits you.

3

Final balance due one month before departure — nothing more to pay once you fly.

Speak To Us

Journey Details

Minimum Age

Varies by camp, activity and national park

  • Camps and lodges — Most safari camps accept children from six years, with shared game-drive vehicles usually from eight to twelve. Many properties will take younger children on a privately booked vehicle.
  • Walking safaris — Guided walking safaris carry a firm minimum of fifteen or sixteen years across most reserves. This is set by the licensing authority, not the camp, and is never waived.
  • Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking — Uganda and Rwanda both enforce a strict minimum of fifteen years. It is a national park regulation and there are no exceptions.
  • Hot-air balloon safaris — Operators generally require children to be at least seven, and tall enough to brace unaided in the basket on landing.
  • Family and exclusive-use camps — A number of our camps run dedicated family units, child-minding and tailored activity programmes, and will relax their usual age limit for a sole-use booking.
  • Talk to us first — Age limits vary from property to property and from activity to activity. Speak to our experts before you book, and we will pre-arrange the details with each lodge around the ages of the children travelling with you.

Safari Duffel

Duffel, safari hat, vest and hooded jumper

  • Your duffel — A soft-sided Finders & Keepers Safaris duffel, sized for the 15 kg limit on the light aircraft that move you between camps. Rigid suitcases cannot be carried on those flights at all.
  • What is inside it — A branded Finders & Keepers Safaris safari hat, a safari vest, and a hooded jumper for cold dawn starts and balloon mornings.
  • Yours to keep — The bag and everything in it is a gift, not a loan. Nothing is returned at the end of your journey.
  • Packing around it — Soft luggage, neutral colours, and layers. Laundry is included at nearly every camp, which is why 15 kg goes further than it sounds.

Note

Vast distances mean long overland transfers

Namibia's dramatic landscapes are spread across huge distances — some days include extended drive times or light-aircraft transfers between camps. Nights can be very cold in the desert regardless of daytime heat.

  • Early starts — Safaris begin very early in the morning. Your guide will confirm what time you will be collected from your camp or lodge.
  • Tailoring this journey — If you would like this package with more or fewer days, arranged for a group, a family or a solo traveller, or with add-ons, reach out and we will tailor it for you.
  • Route changes — Your guide or driver may alter the route in certain circumstances, but every destination set out in the itinerary will be covered.

Documents

Visa-free for most nationalities

  • Passport — Valid for at least six months beyond your departure date, with several entirely blank pages. Namibian immigration is notably strict about blank pages.
  • Visa on arrival since April 2025 — From 1 April 2025 US passport holders, and citizens of a number of other previously exempt countries, must take a visa on arrival valid for up to 30 days. Many European, Commonwealth and African nationals still enter visa-free.
  • Take the eVisa instead — A pre-arranged eVisa is available and well worth having — the visa-on-arrival queue at Hosea Kutako can be long after a night flight.
  • Travelling with children — An unabridged birth certificate showing both parents is required for every traveller under 18. Where a child travels with one parent only, or with neither, a sworn parental consent affidavit is also needed.
  • We file it for you — Whether you are flying in from overseas or travelling from elsewhere on the continent, we complete and submit your visa application on your behalf. You hand us your documents once. We do the filing, chase the approval, and carry the confirmations in your travel pack so nothing rests on you remembering a reference number at a counter.
  • Most of Africa is open to you — The great majority of our African destinations are now either visa-free or issue a visa on arrival, so an embassy queue is rarely in your future at all. Where a visa on arrival does apply, we prepare and lodge the paperwork ahead of you — you reach the desk with a finished file rather than a blank form and a biro.
  • Before you travel — Entry rules change frequently and without much notice. Your specialist confirms the current requirements for every passport in your party at the time of booking, and checks them again before you fly.

Guaranteed Departures

Private, tailor-made departures on your dates, or join a small group

  • Once confirmed, you travel — When your departure date is confirmed, it is guaranteed. We do not cancel, merge or reschedule a confirmed departure for commercial reasons, however the final numbers fall.
  • What confirms a departure — A departure becomes confirmed once the agreed number of travellers has been reached and paid for in line with the agreed payment schedule. Places held without payment do not count towards it.
  • If the minimum is not reached — Where a group departure has not reached its agreed numbers, we tell you early rather than late, and you choose: move to the next available date, continue at a revised small-group rate, or take a full refund of everything you have paid.
  • Solo journeys — Solo and tailor-made itineraries carry no group minimum at all. Your dates are confirmed the moment your deposit is received.
  • Visas — We prepare and submit your visa application on your behalf. Please note that the granting of a visa rests solely with the immigration authority of the country concerned, and is never guaranteed by us.
  • Medication — We arrange malaria prophylaxis, together with anti-nausea and anti-anxiety tablets, for your journey. Any prescription medicine should be confirmed with your own doctor before you travel — they remain the final authority on what is suitable for you.
  • Africa is not always hot — Despite the stereotype, Africa moves through distinct seasons and mornings at altitude can be genuinely cold. A hooded jumper is provided for cold conditions, and for every guest joining a hot-air balloon safari.
  • Dietary requirements — If you have strict dietary needs, please tell us at the time of booking. This includes vegans, guests in recovery, non-drinkers, and anyone following a prescription from their doctor.
  • Travel insurance — We facilitate travel insurance for our clients. If you are already covered, please say so during booking so we can take it into account in your final quote.
  • Tailoring your quote — Some of our inclusions — hot-air balloon safaris, for example — may not be what you want. Point these out and we will adjust your final offer accordingly.
  • The Maasai massage & spa recovery — Guests travelling the safari circuit by road rather than by air should expect long and tiring days. The rough terrain of the jungle gives the vehicle a constant jolting ride, known affectionately as the Maasai massage. A spa session is provided at the end of your safari to recover.
  • What to pack — Neutral colours are the rule on safari: khaki, olive, stone and brown. Avoid black and dark blue, which draw tsetse flies, and leave camouflage at home entirely — it is reserved for the military and illegal for civilians in several African countries. Bring layers for cold dawn game drives, long sleeves and trousers for dusk when the mosquitoes are out, closed walking shoes, a sun hat and sunglasses. Lodge dinners are smart-casual; nothing formal is needed.
  • Your safari duffel & kit — The duffel bag is used when flying into the parks, where luggage is limited to 15 kg per person. A branded Finders & Keepers Safaris safari hat and safari vest are also provided.

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