Journey to Namibia with Africa Expert Emily Wallington

My connection to Africa spans most of my life. I fell in love with this incredible continent on a trip to a South African game reserve as a teenager, returning to explore different countries and regions whenever I could. Eventually I returned to South Africa to spend almost two decades travelling, working and raising my family. Throughout this time I developed a nuanced understanding of how things work, where to go and what to do in each destination.

As well as my personal journey, the team at Jacada and I take part in research trips. On these journeys I’ve had once-in-a-lifetime experiences, like gorilla trekking in Rwanda, and uncovered finer details too, like finding the most idyllic spot for a sundowner after a day on safari. These first-hand lived experiences mean I keep my finger on the pulse of what’s new or changing, which is important when planning innovative itineraries that are completely bespoke.

Most importantly, I listen to each guest and invest time into building relationships with them. No two adventures are the same, which is why I aim to understand each person’s passions, interests and expectations. This also allows me to give the most relevant and insightful recommendations.

During my research trips I gain unique insights that inform every recommendation I make. I’ve visited and stayed in many luxury lodges and safari camps. I’ve learnt about the finer details of design and architecture that differentiate some of the continent’s most incredible places to stay. Chefs have invited me into their kitchens to sample mouth-watering dishes, I’ve spent time ‘backstage’ to understand camp logistics and sustainability processes and shared stories around countless campfires with safari guides. 

Importantly, I have a great relationship with our fantastic teams on the ground in Africa. They are fountains of knowledge and well-connected experts. They keep me informed of emerging hotels, new or reimagined experiences and general updates on local conditions. They are also the crucial contacts for getting sought after reservations at the best restaurants, knowing the best place for a coffee in Cape Town and much more. 

When I reflect on my experiences and expertise I often come back to the idea of connection. It’s about the bonds you forge with the people you meet and with those you travel alongside. When creating truly unforgettable trips, this is always at the forefront of my mind – to craft the kind of quality time that you’ll remember long after you return home.

My extensive knowledge of Africa allows me to determine which destinations will be the best fit for each guest. I’m often able to suggest places they may not have initially considered, but which better suit their travel wishlist.

One of the countries I often find myself recommending is Namibia. Located in southern Africa, just next to South Africa and Botswana, it’s a truly spellbinding country. Picture vast open landscapes, huge red sand dunes and the clearest night skies – it goes beyond your typical safari destination. It’s one of those places that you have to visit to grasp its astounding beauty.

I’ve been fortunate to have visited several times, exploring the length and breadth of the country, from its mesmerising deserts to wildlife rich national parks. Even after all this time, each visit leaves me in awe, and I know it’s going to have the same impact on everyone who travels there.

With two children of my own, I always enjoy planning family adventures and know first-hand what works best for different age groups. Namibia is a great destination for families with older children and teenagers, whether it’s their first trip to this fantastic country or they’re returning to explore more of it. With so many active and adventure experiences to choose from, including dune boarding and quadbiking in Swakopmund, or safaris to see the Big Five in Etosha National Park, it’s got a great balance of experiences.

Some of my favourite camps and lodges in Namibia are boutique in size, so I love to recommend families having an entire camp all to themselves. It’s so much fun and perfect for family groups who appreciate personalised, flexible and quality time together.

In a country as remote and wild as Namibia, there are often long distances and small-plane flights. For this reason I tend to suggest younger families wait a few years before visiting. For those with little ones over the age of six an exclusive-use camp in an easily accessible location is a fantastic choice. Examples could be Little Ongava on a private reserve close to Etosha National Park, or Wilderness Little Kulala in Sossusvlei, which has a dedicated luxury family tent with its own private pool.

If I had to choose just one, it would be Kunene River. It’s an incredibly special place. You feel like you’ve landed on the moon when you arrive, surrounded by lunar landscapes of enormous sand dunes, with a lush river cutting right through the middle, so the environment here is diverse.

I would always recommend staying at the remote Wilderness Serra Cafema lodge to become completely immersed in the region. I love all the activities here, quadbiking through the desert is a must, as is the opportunity to meet with the Himba, who are the custodians of the Marienfluss Conservancy where the camp is situated.

What truly makes this destination special is the opportunity to connect with the Himba people and learn about their heritage and traditions. This brings a much deeper level of understanding of the local culture. You’ll hear about the significance of their braided hair, which is coated in a red-hued clay for both beauty and sun protection, and learn about their semi-nomadic lifestyle and the challenges they face.

What I love about Namibia is that it’s not your typical safari destination. You can be driving through the most remote and seemingly endless vast desert and then out of nowhere will be a small elephant family. The desert-adapted elephants will amble past you, and it’s so special to see because you weren’t expecting it. It’s also fascinating to learn more about the desert-adapted wildlife from the teams of knowledgeable safari guides we work with. 

Beyond the elephants, one of the most remarkable wildlife experiences in Namibia is the opportunity to go rhino tracking. You can join the research team from Wilderness Desert Rino Camp in Damaraland. These magnificent animals are critically endangered, with only about 6,000 left in the wild and the camp works closely with the Save the Rhino Trust to protect them.

I’ll never forget my own experience. We drove out with the team, who, using their incredible expertise, knew the exact spot to sit and wait. Our patience paid off, and we were rewarded with the unforgettable sight of a mother and baby walking close by.

I absolutely love all the activities in Sossusvlei, which is one of my favourite parts of Namibia. Climbing one of its giant red sand dunes at sunrise is such an incredible experience. It’s hard to put it into words but it really does feel like you’re on another planet. The dunes seem to touch the sky and the deep glow from the orange sun dramatically illuminates the red sand.   

The stargazing in Namibia is some of the best in the world – you just can’t help but be transfixed by the mesmerising night sky. Wilderness Little Kulala, also in Sossusvlei, is one of my favourite places to stargaze. All of the suites have private outdoor roll-out beds so that you can spend a night under a blanket of stars. You’ll likely be able to see the Milky Way clearly which is brilliant and humbling to observe, reminding you just how big our universe is.

There is no typical trip to Namibia. Every trip I create is entirely bespoke, so it depends completely on the interests and passions of those going on the adventure. For those on their first trip to Namibia, I combine the country’s must-see destinations with things I know will personally capture each traveller’s imagination.

For me, the massive rust-hued sand dunes and vast, lunar landscapes that are synonymous with Namibia should not be missed, so Sossusvlei in the Namib desert regularly features. For wildlife enthusiasts, Damaraland and Hoanib are essential stops, great for tracking rhinos and spotting desert-adapted elephants. 

When history and culture are a priority, I’ll suggest some time at Wilderness Doro Nawas Camp to explore the ancient rock art at Twyfelfontein. And, the Kunene River to meet and learn from the Himba people.

What you’d like to do during your trip can also be influenced by knowing the best time to visit based on the climate. For example, for exceptional wildlife spotting I recommend traveling during the dry season, from July to November. During these months very little rain falls, which dries up the vegetation and forces animals to gather around limited water sources, creating incredible viewing opportunities.

For a rich and diverse African adventure, I always recommend combining different African countries. Visiting more than one destination allows you to experience the continent’s incredible contrasts firsthand. 

I particularly love combining South Africa with Namibia because each country offers a completely distinctive experience. The desolate deserts of Namibia contrast with the coastal cityscape of Cape Town, replete with stunning restaurants, varied culture and so much more. South Africa’s Winelands also strike the perfect balance after days in the desert – lush green undulating landscapes punctuated by characterful, cosy and luxurious hotels. 

The southern African countries of Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia also combine well with Namibia, as they add different experiences which enrich your journey, and are typically simple to travel between.

Both Zimbabwe and Zambia offer remote, wildlife-rich safari experiences that differ to those in Namibia, such as the huge herds of elephants found in Mana Pools National Game Park in Zimbabwe, or Zambia’s renowned walking safaris. And of course, the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, which straddle both Zambia and Zimbabwe, make for some truly unforgettable sightseeing. 

In Botswana, you can meander the waterways by traditional mokoro canoe, which is a striking contrast to traversing Namibia’s deserts in 4x4s and quadbikes. Both the Okavango Delta and Linyanti boast some incredible luxury camps on exclusive private reserves, some of which, such as the Mombo Concession, are known as Africa’s predator capital.