All around Africa: Desert dreams and safari wonders

Bristling with excitement, you board the plane to Windhoek, lean back, snuggle up in your seat and dream of all the adventures that await you in the African wilderness as you jet through the night sky. When you open your eyes a few hours later, your dreams have become reality. Welcome to Namibia, the land of surreal beauty!

As soon as you land, you pick up your hire car right at the airport. Ready for the first leg of your unforgettable road trip, you take the wheel and step on the accelerator. You leave Windhoek in the swirling dust, and the colourful expanses that unfurl before you send a tingle down your spine. Before you know it, you're surrounded by the warm air of the Kalahari, and every now and again, a meerkat crosses your path. Where are you staying tonight? In a glamping tent in the middle of the wild Kalahari Desert! The camp lies between the red dunes like a lush green oasis, making it impossible not to feel at home. You jump into the pool and enjoy the breathtaking view of the savannah, then round off the day in style by climbing the highest dune you can find and watching as the orange sunset slowly gives way to a sea of twinkling stars. It hardly gets better than this! 

The ruddy brown dunes of the Kalahari have captivated you, and now you've got to check out the sunrise, too. The sun's rays bathe the landscape in fiery light, and by now at the latest, Namibia has stolen your heart. You soak in the tranquillity, vastness and magic of the Kalahari once again then hop back behind the wheel. As you ascend the mountainous Tsaris Pass, occasionally spotting oryx and wildebeest on the horizon, the Namib Desert and Namib-Naukluft National Park draw ever closer.

Shortly thereafter, you're speechless. You've arrived! In the middle of nowhere between Sesriem Canyon and Sossusvlei lies your glamping tent surrounded by fiery red dunes. You spend a cosy evening around the campfire or at the bar and listen to the rushing wind before letting the sounds of nature lull you to sleep – sweet dreams guaranteed!

You can already sense the dawn. Everything's still quiet, but in the distance, adventure's calling. Off you go to the gateway to the famous star dunes of Sossusvlei! You head out on the paved road to Namib-Naukluft National Park (entrance fee payable on site) and cruise further and further into the desert. At the car park, you have a choice: change to the shuttle (optional, payable on site) or use your four-wheel drive to battle through the sand yourself. Your destination? A desert hike to the glowing orange Big Daddy Dune! In glorious morning light with clear, cool air filling your lungs, you find yourself in front of one of the most unusual sights in the world: Deadvlei. The sight of it is almost unbelievable. In vivid contrast, the white clay pan stands out against the landscape, and centuries-old camel thorn trees tower into the sky. You're not sure if it's a dream or reality; the natural wonder is just so surreal!