Just Back: Tom’s Research Trip to Namibia
Published 14th Sep. 2026
Written by Tom Watt
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One of our Africa specialists, Tom, recently spent two weeks road-tripping through Namibia, from Windhoek to GocheGanas Nature Reserve and beyond. From spotting wildlife across vast desert horizons to marvelling at Sossusvlei’s sky-high dunes and sleeping beneath Etendeka’s starry skies, he certainly racked up plenty of miles and pinch-me moments. Safari dust shaken off, Tom returned home with a camera roll full of memories and a travel journal packed with notes, ready to share his top tips for when it’s your turn to take on Namibia…
- Where did you visit?
- What did you get up to?
- What made your trip special?
- Did you learn about any unsung gems?
- What’s your favourite thing you ate?
- What new things did you learn?
- What was something you’d never done before?
- What’s one thing that can’t be missed?
- Did anything surprise you about the destination?
- What’s a top tip you’d give to clients?
Where did you visit?
I spent 12 nights on the ground in Namibia, or 14 nights in total once you factor in the overnight flights there and back. Thankfully, a few films and some strategic dozing made the journey fly by (pun very much intended).
After touching down in Windhoek, I made tracks south for NamibRand Nature Reserve and Sossusvlei, before turning north through Walvis Bay, Damaraland and Etendeka. Next up was Etosha National Park, before rounding off the trip at GocheGanas Reserve – where both delivered quite the wildlife roll call.
What did you get up to?
I clocked up plenty of road time, travelling through Namibia’s remote reaches, and with so much to see and do, there was always something worth pulling over for.
Among the standout sights were the giant dunes of Sossusvlei and lunar-like landscapes of Deadvlei, along with the incredible dunes south of Walvis Bay. Here, I bumped and bounced across the sand on a 4x4 adventure to Sandwich Harbour, where the dunes tumble right down to the Atlantic. Further north, I spent a night sleeping out in the Etendeka wilderness, before putting my binoculars to good use on game drives in Etosha National Park.
What made your trip special?
Staying at the Wolwedans Desert Lodge in the NamibRand Nature Reserve was a real highlight, taking off-grid living to rather glamorous heights. Its canvas-roofed bungalows put you right in the thick of the wilderness, but with plenty of creature comforts thrown in, there’s certainly no roughing it here. A comfy bed, jaw-dropping desert views and not a tent peg in sight? Consider me a camping convert…
Another bucket-list moment was sleeping out beneath the stars along the Etendeka hiking trails. With constellations lighting up the sky, I spent far longer stargazing than sleeping (well worth it).
Of course, I can’t talk about my trip through Namibia without mentioning the incredible wildlife. My time at Andersson’s at Ongava in Etosha National Park delivered some special sightings, including elephants and rhinos just a few feet away.
Did you learn about any unsung gems?
Absolutely! The hiking trails around Etendeka are all unsung gems. Rugged and remote, I could channel my inner desert explorer as I trekked through the wilderness, before settling in for a blissfully quiet sleepout in the open.
What’s your favourite thing you ate?
Oryx steak on repeat. These desert-dwelling antelope roam across Namibia, where they’re also known as gemsbok. I tucked into my fair share of delicious steak at traditional bush braais; an African barbecue tradition involving campfire-cooked meat and, in my experience, plenty of beer…
What new things did you learn?
Just how wonderfully empty Namibia really is. It’s one of the least densely populated countries on Earth and more than three times the size of the UK, yet fewer than three million people call it home, many of whom live in the capital, Windhoek. Those stats are impressive on paper, but once you’re out exploring, the sheer scale and solitude of the place really hit you.
What was something you’d never done before?
I’m bringing up the Etendeka sleepout again, but for good reason! Waking up in the middle of nature, with distant animal hoots and birdsong, was a definite first for me.
What’s one thing that can’t be missed?
For me, it has to be the giant dunes of Sossusvlei. No matter how many photos you’ve seen beforehand, nothing quite prepares you for the sheer size of them, where the fiery red sands genuinely make it feel like you’ve landed on another planet. Keen hikers can even tackle the dunes on foot – just prepare for a serious calf workout…
Sandwich Harbour is another must-see, where the desert meets the Atlantic. My guide also cleared up the curious name; it’s thought to have come from an English whaling ship called the Sandwich, which visited the bay in the late 1700s.
Did anything surprise you about the destination?
The lack of mobile signal across large parts of Namibia surprised me, but in the best possible way. It’s a digital detox dream. Being so disconnected adds to that proper middle-of-nowhere feeling, and after a few days, I barely missed those signal bars!
What’s a top tip you’d give to clients?
Pack plenty of lip balm! In Namibia’s hot and dry climate, it quickly became an essential part of my safari kit, so keep a tube close by. Also, prepare for a few bumps. Gravel roads are the norm across much of Namibia, so buckle up and embrace the occasional bounce – it’s all part of the adventure!
All blog images by Tom Watt
Header image by Jackie Cole
Why visit Namibia with Original Travel ?
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