Overview
Makgadikgadi, Namib and Kalahari
Join an expert evolutionary biologist on a private safari adventure to three desert wildernesses in southern Africa, learning the fascinating ways how species from reptiles and birds to rhinos and humans have adapted to these beautiful and contrasting ecosystems.
Accompanied by your private guide, Barry Lovegrove, Professor Emeritus at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and author of The Living Deserts of Southern Africa, explore Botswana’s lunar Makgadikgadi Pans, the Namib Desert and South Africa’s Kalahari.
You’ll be flown in a private chartered aircraft for the whole trip, the most efficient way to get between these remote spots, while staying in a trio of the world’s very best sustainable safari lodges – Wolwedans, the iconic Jack’s Camp and exclusive Tswalu.
Highlights
Trip highlights
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Explore three desert ecosystems with Professor Barry Lovegrove
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Stay at three of southern Africa's finest lodges
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All internal flights in a privately chartered Pilatus PC-12
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Fascinating wildlife and exciting mix of safari and cultural experiences
Inclusions
What's included
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Nine nights of luxury accommodation
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Privately guided tours, experiences and safari activities
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Charter flights
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Price per person based on a group six people
An unforgettable trip with a positive impact
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Community & Culture
Properties and experiences that uplift and empower local communities.
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Conservation
Supports wildlife projects, protected areas and ecosystem regeneration.
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Footprint
Lodges and camps chosen for their sustainability credentials and initiatives.
Days 1 — 4
Makgadikgadi Pan
Your adventure begins on your arrival into Johannesburg, where you’ll be met and escorted on to Fireblade Aviation’s private terminal and an awaiting PC-12, your personal aircraft for the next ten days. From here, fly to Maun in Botswana for immigration and then on to the great lunar expanses of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Here you’ll be staying at the beautiful Jack’s Camp, a timeless place surrounded by 400,000 hectares of pristine desert.
Guided by Barry, take game drives and quad bikes out in search desert specialists such brown hyena, oryx, Kalahari lion and, after dark, aardvark, porcupine, honey badger and bat eared fox.
You’ll also meet Zu/’hoasi Bushmen, the real Kalahari experts and one of the oldest cultures on earth whose roots can be traced back here tens of thousands of years, who will share bushcraft skills.
Days 4 — 7
Namib sands
Take an epic aircraft flight via Namibia’s capital to the vast NamibRand Reserve, skirting the shore of the Namib Desert’s great sand sea to your camp at the fabulous Wolwedans, one of Africa’s leading examples of sustainable luxury.
Discover the landscape on walks, while e-biking and on game drives, and take the time to sit back and enjoy the silence. Barry and your guides will bring the dunes to life, introducing you to fascinating desert-adapted flora and fauna from oryxes and cheetahs to the enigmatic fairy circles that mark the savannah. Sundowners and candle-lit dinners in the dunes are unforgettable, as are the incredible stars over this protected dark-sky reserve. Day trips to the towering sands and surreal pans of Sossusvlei can also be arranged.
Days 7 — 10
Green Kalahari
111,000 hectares of rugged mountains, red Kalahari sands and green grassland – the largest private reserve in South Africa – home to just two celebrated lodges, of which you will be staying in the exclusive-use Tarkuni. Add in much-lauded conservation work, community engagement projects plus a concept restaurant created by South African Michelin-star chef, and you can see why Tswalu is a very special place indeed.
Wildlife on this restored farmland is diverse and surprising, from enigmatic predators such as lions, cheetahs and wild dogs, endangered species like black rhinos and giraffes, to rarities such as aardvarks, pangolins, brown hyenas, meerkats and bat-eared foxes. With your Barry, a field guide and private vehicle, you can spend as long as you wish at sightings or indulging in your own personal interests, returning to Tarkuni to be well looked after by the host team including a chef and butler.
Start your adventure here
Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
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Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
What makes us different
Why Niarra
Niarra Travel is a forward-thinking travel company headquartered in London born out of a passion to do things differently.
In Swahili, a Bantu language spoken by millions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, the name Niara means "with utmost purpose" and our team are united by a passion for exploration and a belief that the right kind of travel can make the world a better place.
Our Travel Researchers are here to create incredible trips with a positive impact for you.
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Unforgettable experiences
Creating your trip is entirely collaborative and our Travel Researchers are here for every step.
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Positive impact
Curated sustainable experiences and accommodation that maximize the benefits to local people and place.
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Fairness and transparency
An open, competitive pricing structure that ensures more money goes to where it's needed in the destination.
