Namibia had been on my wish list for years. I sell a lot of Africa, but Namibia had always been more of a “one day…” destination for both me and my clients. In March, I finally experienced it for myself on a small-group hosted trip, and it completely exceeded our expectations. Every single one of us came home absolutely blown away.

We flew from London Heathrow via Johannesburg to Windhoek and spent 11 nights exploring some of Namibia’s most iconic regions: starting in the capital, then on to the towering dunes of Sossusvlei, the cool Atlantic coast at Swakopmund, the rugged beauty of Damaraland, the wildlife-rich Etosha National Park and finally a stay at Omaruru Game Lodge before returning to Windhoek.

The joy of Namibia is how different each place feels. One day you are surrounded by endless desert and burnt-orange dunes, the next you are walking along the coast, then suddenly you are watching lions and elephants at a waterhole. The drives between areas are long, mostly on gravel roads, but they are part of the adventure: virtually no traffic, huge skies and ever-changing views.

Two lodges really stood out for me. Twyfelfontein Lodge in Damaraland has the most spectacular setting among red rocks and hills. Our sundowners on top of a nearby hill, watching the sun melt into the landscape before the stars appeared, was one of those “I’ll remember this forever” travel moments. Omaruru Game Lodge was another favourite, thanks to its waterhole where you can sit with a drink and quietly watch wildlife come and go.

Etosha delivered incredible wildlife sightings, including a lion coming to drink and a herd of elephants joyfully covering themselves in mud. A tiny baby elephant, not quite sure how to work its trunk yet, kept us all entertained. On the coast at Swakopmund, some of the group took a scenic flight, two of us went skydiving, and we all enjoyed a boat trip where we were lucky enough to see a whale bubble feeding.

Namibia offers excellent value for money once you are there. Lodges are generally comfortable 4 star rather than ultra-luxury, food is hearty and tasty, and drinks are pleasantly affordable. I would recommend it to clients who want something a bit different, more off the beaten track and less polished than some other African destinations. If you love big skies, quiet roads, incredible scenery and authentic wildlife experiences without the crowds, Namibia might just be your perfect next adventure.

If you would like to chat about whether Namibia is right for you, or start planning your own journey, please get in touch and I would be delighted to help.

• Best for: Adventurous couples, friends and families with older teens who love big skies, road trips, wildlife and “off the beaten track” experiences
• Travel style: Comfortable 4 star lodges, hearty food and relaxed, friendly service; it is about scenery, journey and adventure rather than ultra-luxury
• Crowd levels: Wonderfully quiet, even in the parks; often only one or two other vehicles at wildlife sightings
• Key highlights: Sossusvlei dunes, Swakopmund’s coast and activities, Damaraland’s dramatic landscapes, Etosha’s wildlife and waterholes, stargazing and unforgettable sunsets
• Getting around: Long but scenic drives on mostly gravel roads with very little traffic; part of the experience rather than just a transfer
• Value for money: Excellent overall, with reasonably priced food and drink once you are there
• When I visited: March, with hot, dry, sunny weather throughout
• Good to pack: Binoculars, a wide-brimmed hat, high-factor sunscreen, mozzie spray, light layers and a camera with plenty of memory