Immerse yourself in one of Africa’s most unexpectedly breath-taking safari destinations – the desert.
Offering spectacular views, photogenic sunsets and diverse ecosystems, Africa’s deserts are often underrated holiday destinations when compared to the more traditional safari spots. The continent is home to three major deserts, namely the Sahara, Namib, and Kalahari, with the Sahara being the largest desert in the world. Travellers can enjoy this particular experience whilst staying in world-class, luxury accommodation.
We take a look at Namibia’s Namib Desert and Kenya’s Nyiri Desert, which is situated in the Kalahari.
Namibia
Located in the southern part of the Namid Desert along the edge of the Sossusvlei salt and clay pan is the privately owned NamibRand Nature Reserve.
The NamibRand Nature Reserve is one of the least light-polluted areas in the world, making it a fantastic place to stargaze the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere. Back on the ground, its diverse landscapes include almost all facets of the Namib Desert, and can be explored by horseback – a wonderfully unique experience.
Did you know there are ‘fairy circles’ found in the NamibRand Nature Reserve? Found in the midst of arid grasslands, these are regular patterns of bare circles outlined by hardy shrubs. This is a very special sight not to be missed and won’t be shared with crowds of other tourists.
Luxury desert lodges and camps, such as Wolwedans and Little Kulala by Wilderness Safaris fit seamlessly into the surrounding environment, providing guests with an authentic sense of tranquility in this remote safari destination.
Kenya
At the meeting point of Tanzania and Kenya lies the Amboseli National Park and beyond it the Serengeti Plains. This popular Kenyan national park forms part of the Kalahari Desert and lies in the shadow of the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro.
During game drives and guided bush walks , you can expect to see white-bearded wildebeest, zebra and antelope as they make their annual migration. Predators, such as lion, cheetah and leopard, roam the plains of Amboseli along with the 600 bird species that own its skies.
A large part of Amboseli is Lake Turkana, a dried-up bed of an ancient Pleistocene lake, which is today a watery haven for hippos, elephants and birdlife when filled with water from the network of deep underground springs.
Accommodation in Amboseli generally has great views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Tortilis Camp, part of the Elewana Collection, places guests in the stomping ground of the one thousand African bush elephants which call this dry and sparsely vegetated landscape home.
Chat to us about booking your desert safari experience.