RE:WILD – NAMIBIA

Fly into South Africa’s Upington Airport and begin your transfer to your desert oasis in Namibia, where adventure awaits. You will cross the South African/Namibian border with the rest of your crew! The transfer will take approximately 5 hours, but you'll have some time to stretch your legs at the border crossing. Keep your eyes peeled as you have the chance to spot some of the region’s elusive wildlife during this transfer. Once you arrive at Base Camp you will have some time to settle in before joining the rest of your crew for a welcome dinner in the evening.  

Awake to the desert sun as you begin to get your bearings and explore your new home away from home! You will participate in a safety briefing and introduction to Namibia, the rewilding reserve, and your schedule for the next two weeks. In the afternoon you'll dive into life on the reserve as you participate in your first conservation and ecological restoration activities. 

Today you will have your first full day of re-wilding activities on the reserve. Activities will be divided under the umbrellas of conservation and ecological restoration. Conservation activities today include bird mist-netting, where you will capture (and release) specific bird species with wildlife biologists to further research activities taking place. You will also set and check camera traps used to monitor wildlife. In the evening you will have a community meal with all those staying at the camp and have several options of evening activities to get to know your expedition crewmates better! Please note, the timeline of activities may vary a bit during the duration of your stay.

Start the day with the ongoing ecological restoration project of developing a water point – an important initiative for the reserve and the wildlife migrating through. In the afternoon you will go on your first game drive in search of some of the elusive, but many species that call the region home. You'll also have the chance to check out the vulture restaurant!

Rise and shine with the morning sun and grab a quick breakfast before departing for a morning game count via safari jeep! There are no tourists in this neck of the woods so fasten your seatbelt and channel your inner explorer – you won't see a single (human) soul (aside from your expedition mates) for hours! In the evening you'll discover the region's nocturnal creatures during a night safari. 

Join a Naturalist today for a species patrol – where you will track the desert inhabitants and contribute to global species diversity studies. In the afternoon you'll continue with the ecological restoration project of water-point development before a sesh of late afternoon mountain biking – or should we say sand biking!? In the evening you'll have a traditional South African braai, followed by a game night of exciting activities at basecamp.

Join a Naturalist today for a species patrol – where you will track the desert inhabitants and contribute to global species diversity studies. In the afternoon you'll continue with the ecological restoration project of water-point development before a sesh of late afternoon mountain biking – or should we say sand biking!? In the evening you'll have a traditional South African braai, followed by a game night of exciting activities at basecamp.

Ready for a change of scenery? Today you will transfer to Sandfontein after breakfast. Sandfontein is a nature reserve spanning more than 80,000 hectares, with direct access to the Orange River and is home to more than 4,000 animals including the leopard, cheetah, kudu, eland, zebra, giraffe, red hartebeest, springbok, ostrich, jackal, aardvark, caracal, and baboon. Spend the hot day along the bank of the Orange River, fishing, swimming, and enjoying the views.  

Namibia holds almost a third of Africa's black rhino population, and today's the day you'll get to see them in their natural habitat, so get ready! It is estimated that there are fewer than 5,600 black rhinos left in the wild, and with poaching sweeping across the continent, the critically endangered black rhinos' last stand may be in Namibia. Spend the full day on safari as you track black rhino and other species that live on the Sandfontein reserve.

Participate in an ecological restoration project (and release any built-up anger) during a miner house demolition. There are many abandoned houses from a past mining boom that are on the list of rewilding projects to restore the reserve to a natural state. In the afternoon, you'll have another safari to track the region's black rhino before returning to your basecamp.

Pack your bags for a hike towards the Orange River. On the way, you will make your way through the breathtaking Gaia Canyon with staggering cliffs and a waterfall of 42m. Explore the oasis in the desert before setting up camp on the banks of the river. You'll have some free time amongst a mix of activities like swimming, fishing and exploring the islands and pools nearby. Camp under the Milkey Way and share stories around the camp fire with your fellow travel mates right next to the Kumkum Rapids that will be music to your ears as you drift asleep.  

After waking to the desert sun, you'll pack up camp and hike back towards base camp, winding through the Granitor Canyon. Here you can see the giant 150m high granite face and the biggest waterfall, referred to as 'The Wall' (49m). Upon returning to base camp you'll have some time for camp activities like football, baseball or volleyball before a traditional Namibian bead and breadmaking class. 

Today will be your last day of re-wilding and ecological restoration activities. You will collect the camera traps that you set up to survey local inhabitants, analysing movement patterns of Brown Hyena, Aardwolf, Caracal, Bat-eared & Cape Fox, Honey Badger, African Wildcat & Striped Polecat. In the evening you'll have your final debriefing from the staff at basecamp and a community-style goodbye dinner, followed by a wild cinema under the stars with a projector. 

Bid farewell to your desert basecamp as you begin your transfer back to the airport. Choose to board a flight to return home or continue traveling onward to your next destination – all with the fond memories of your expedition experience, the knowledge you've gained and the new friendships you've made.

Sometimes things change - but let's be honest, it's all part of the adventure! The described itinerary is subject to minor changes and alterations which could be the result of weather conditions or other external factors. While the schedule may vary a bit, all activities outlined will happen during the duration of your journey.