From the heart of the desert to the Atlantic coast: the great Atlantic Road journey

First day

Depart from Italy on an international flight to Namibia, leaving Europe behind and heading straight for the most authentic Africa. It is a day of anticipation and imagination: endless deserts, vast skies, remote roads, and wild nature begin to take shape from the window. A long flight marks the beginning of an adventure on the road in Africa through Namibia and South Africa, among wide open spaces, biodiversity, and iconic landscapes.

Second day

Kalahari, First African Trails
Arrival in Windhoek and my first encounter with most authentic Namibia. After meeting our tour guide and picking up our vehicle, we immediately set off southward, leaving the paved roads behind to enter the Kalahari Desert. The red dunes begin to shape the horizon, the light grows intense, and silence takes center stage. In the afternoon, we reach a tented camp nestled in nature, where the savanna meets the desert. Amid oryx, endless skies, and fresh air, we experience our first night in the desert, beneath one of the most spectacular starry skies on the planet.

Third day

Arrow trees and surreal landscapes
After breakfast, we explore the Kalahari Desert on an exciting nature drive, entering the heart of its fragile ecosystem among wildlife, dunes, and endless horizons. We then continue south, where the landscape changes again and becomes almost surreal. We reach the famous Quiver Tree Forest, one of most iconic places in Namibia, with hundreds of quiver trees that seem to have been carved by light. A short distance away, we visit Giant's Playground, a labyrinth of enormous boulders shaped by time. Overnight stay in a farm, immersed in the tranquility of African nature.

Fourth day

The Breath of the Fish River Canyon
The day is dedicated to one of Africa’s great natural wonders: the Fish River Canyon, second only to the Grand Canyon in the world. On the way, we’ll stop at an oasis for a good cup of coffee or a gin tasting. We’ll walk along the edge of the canyon to admire its monumental scale, amid dizzying cliffs, intense light, and profound silence. A primordial landscape, perfect for those who love photography, extreme nature, and wide-open spaces. In the afternoon, we’ll reach Ai-Ais, an oasis in the desert, where we’ll relax in the natural hot springs, letting the fatigue of the journey melt away. Overnight at a lodge, under the African sky.

Fifth day

Among the wild horses in the desert
After breakfast, we head back onto the paved road to reach Lüderitz. Along the way, we’ll stop at Garub, in the Namib Desert, to look for its most surprising inhabitants: the wild desert horses. Their story seems straight out of an adventure novel: descendants of European and South African horses, some of which are said to have remained in the area after a bombing raid during World War I, learning to survive in an extreme environment. Seeing them roaming free among the sand and boundless horizons is a special encounter, offering an unexpected perspective on life in the desert. We finally arrive in Lüderitz, where we’ll spend the night. Dinner in town.

Sixth day

The Ghost Town of Diamonds
Today we’ll visit a place where time seems to have stood still: Kolmanskop, the ghost town swallowed up by the sands of the Namib. Founded after the discovery of diamonds, it became a wealthy and lively town, complete with a hospital, a theater, and even a casino. But behind that wealth lay stories of suspicion and illicit dealings: it is said that, when diamonds began to run scarce, the inhabitants were suspected of having made the last precious stones disappear. Then came abandonment, and the desert slowly reclaimed the houses. Today, walking through the rooms filled with sand, it almost feels as though you can hear the echoes of a city that once thrived on luxury, dreams, and secrets. An evocative, almost surreal place that offers extraordinary views and images to take home.

Seventh day

Across the Orange River
Today we’ll cross the border between Namibia and South Africa in a special way: aboard a ferry that will take us to the other side of theOrange River, the great river that marks the border between the two countries. From here, we’ll head to the Richtersveld National Park, where we’ll spend the night in chalets nestled in this remote area. At first glance, the landscape may seem rugged and inhospitable, but a closer look reveals a surprising world. Hidden among the rocks, mountains, and arid expanses is an extraordinary variety of succulent plants, many of which grow only here. If the season is right, we’ll be able to admire some of them in bloom, transforming the desert into a small, unexpected garden. The Richtersveld is a place to explore at a leisurely pace, letting yourself be captivated by its colors, the unusual shapes of the vegetation, and the silence of the mountains. A night in the heart of this extraordinary natural setting, beneath a boundless sky, to feel truly far from the world and close to thetruest soul of Africa.

Eighth day

In Richtersveld National Park
The morning is spent on a walk through the heart of Richtersveld National Park, among endemic succulents and spectacular rock formations shaped by time. With every step, a surprising world unfolds, filled with unusual shapes, colors, and delicate natural balances. We then continue toward the ocean, crossing the Namaqualand, a region that in the spring can offer one of the most extraordinary spectacles inSouthern Africa. When weather conditions are favorable, the dunes come to life and are blanketed in wildflowers, offering the magic of the blooming desert. For the night, we settle in Port Nolloth, a small town overlooking the Atlantic Ocean with ties to the history of diamonds. We spend the night in traditional beachfront cottages, lulled by the sound of the waves.

Ninth day

A Stop in Lamberts Bay
We continue along the Atlantic coast. A succession of landscapes where the view stretches out toward the ocean and nature takes center stage. We reach Lamberts Bay, where we’ll spend the night. This quiet coastal town holds a surprise: an island connected to the mainland by a bridge, home to tens of thousands of Cape gannets, which form one of the continent’s largest breeding colonies here. Amid the calls of seabirds, cormorants, and sea lions resting on the rocks, we’ll enjoy a spectacular display of wildlife. And, with a little luck, we might even spot the adorable African penguins.

Tenth day

Between sacred mountains and wild nature
After breakfast, we leave the Atlantic Ocean behind and head inland, reaching the picturesque Cederberg Mountains. A surprising change of scenery: sandstone mountains, remote valleys, and unique flora that, after the rains, covers the slopes with incredible colors and shapes. Once we arrive at our mountain chalets, immersed in silence, we take the time for a short walk in nature, perfect for observing the rich mountain birdlife. A slow afternoon, surrounded by pure air, spectacular views, and the authentic rhythm ofmost hidden Africa.

Eleventh day

Sacred caves and natural art
The morning is dedicated to exploring the fascinating Stadsaal Caves, among rocky passages and ancient sites with rock paintings by the San people, a precious testimony to the ancestral cultures of southern Africa. After lunch, for those who still have energy, we walk along the paths of Truitjieskraal, among spectacular sandstone sculptures shaped by the wind and the incredible biodiversity of the fynbos, one of the richest ecosystems in the world. At sunset, an authentic South African braai, a South African term that refers to barbecuing as a social event in Africa, and therefore a big party together. We return to our chalets immersed in the silence of the Cederberg Mountains.

Twelfth day

African Flavors
The morning will take us through spectacular mountain passes, along scenic roads and through landscapes that change with every turn. In the afternoon, we’ll finally slow down and treat ourselves to a moment of pleasure at the Fairview Tasting, where we’ll sample excellent local wines, glass in hand, immersed in the relaxed atmosphere of South Africa’s wine country. In the evening, we’ll head to Paarl, a charming little town in the heart of the wine region, where we’ll spend the night at a B&B. Dinner at a restaurant.

Thirteenth day

Cape Town, between ocean and mountains
Today we reach Cape Town, one of most iconic and fascinating cities in Africa, suspended between the ocean and the mountains. The program remains flexible and depends on the weather: if conditions allow, we will climb the legendary Table Mountain, symbol of the city, by cable car with a panoramic walk at the top, or on foot for those who want a more active experience, returning from the top. In the afternoon, we travel along one of South Africa's most scenic coastal roads, between spectacular cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean, until we reach our base by the sea, where we will stay for the next few days.

Fourteenth day

Where the Lands End
The day is dedicated to exploring the Cape of Good Hope, one of South Africa’s most iconic sites. We’ll visit the interpretive center, the historic lighthouses, and the headlands overlooking the ocean, walking along scenic trails through cliffs, coastal heathlands, and spectacular views of the Atlantic. Here, wildlife takes center stage: ostriches and elands roam freely in a primeval landscape. In the late afternoon, we reach one of the last colonies of Cape penguinsto observe these incredible animals up close in their natural habitat—one of the most evocative moments of the day.

Fifteenth day

Africa's secret garden
We dedicate our last full day to one of the most amazing places on the trip: the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, considered one of the seven most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. A place capable of astonishing even those who are not passionate about botany, thanks to its size, extraordinary South African biodiversity, and famous walkway suspended among the treetops. We stroll among collections of cycads, monumental avenues, and corners of unspoiled nature, where it is not uncommon to encounter small wild animals. A slow and powerful finale, perfect for saying goodbye toSouthern Africa.

Sixteenth day

In the morning, transfer to Cape Town airport and return flight to Italy. It's time for farewells, last glances, and lasting memories: deserts in bloom, stormy oceans, ancestral cultures and boundless landscapes. A journey through Namibia and South Africa that comes to an end, but continues to live on in images, emotions, and the profound feeling of having traveled through one of the most intense and authentic corners of the planet.

Seventeenth day

arrival in Italy.