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

First day

The journey begins in Italy with an international flight to Namibia, leaving Europe behind and heading straight for the most authentic part of Africa. It’s a day of anticipation and imagination: endless deserts, vast skies, remote roads, and untamed nature begin to take shape right from the airplane window. A long flight that marks the start of a road trip adventure in Africa, spanning Namibia and South Africa, amid wide-open spaces, biodiversity, and iconic landscapes.

Second day

Kalahari, First African Trails
Arrival in Windhoek and our first encounter with the most authentic Namibia. After meeting our 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. Surrounded by oryx, endless skies, and fresh air, we spend our first night in the desert under one of the most spectacular starry skies on the planet.

Third day

Quiver Trees and Surreal Landscapes
After breakfast, we explore the Kalahari Desert on an exciting nature drive, venturing into the heart of its fragile ecosystem amid wildlife, dunes, and endless horizons. We then continue south, where the landscape changes once again and becomes almost surreal. We reach the famous Quiver Tree Forest, one of Namibia’s most iconic sites, with hundreds of quiver trees that seem to be sculpted by light. A short distance away, we visit Giant’s Playground, a labyrinth of enormous boulders shaped by time. Overnight stay on a farm, immersed in the tranquility of African nature.

Fourth day

The Breath of the Fish RiverCanyon
Today is dedicated to one of Africa’s great natural wonders: the Fish River Canyon, second in the world only to the Grand Canyon. 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 walls, 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’ll head back onto the paved road to reach Lüderitz. Along the way, we’ll stop in Garub, in the Namib Desert, to seek out its most remarkable inhabitants: the wild desert horses. Their story seems straight out of an adventure novel: descendants of European and South African horses, some 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 experience, 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 Diamond Ghost Town
Today we’ll visit a place where time seems to have stood still: Kolmanskop, the ghost town swallowed up by the Namib Sand Dunes. 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 residents were suspected of having made the last precious stones disappear. Then came abandonment, and the desert slowly reclaimed the houses. Today, walking through the sand-filled rooms, it almost feels as though you can hear the echoes of a town 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 sideof the Orange River, the great river that marks the border between the two countries. From here, we’ll head to 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, under a boundless sky, to feel truly far from the world and closeto the most authentic soul of Africa.

Eighth day

In Richtersveld National Park
The morning is devoted to 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, made up of unusual shapes, colors, and delicate natural balances. We then continue toward the ocean, crossing Namaqualand, a region that in the spring can offer one of the most extraordinary spectaclesin southern Africa. When weather conditions are favorable, the dunes come to life and are blanketed with wildflowers, revealing the magic of the desert in bloom. For the night, we settle in Port Nolloth, a small town overlooking the Atlantic Ocean with ties to the history of diamonds. We’ll spend the night in traditional beachfront cottages, lulled by the sound of the waves.

Ninth day

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 arrive in 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 Untamed Nature
After breakfast, we leave the Atlantic Ocean behind and head inland, reaching the picturesque Cederberg Mountains. A striking 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 nature walk—perfect for observing the rich mountain birdlife. A leisurely afternoon, filled with fresh air, spectacular views, and the authentic rhythmof Africa’s most hidden corners.

Eleventh day

Sacred Caves and Nature’s Art
The morning is devoted to exploring the fascinating Stadsaal Caves, with their rocky passages and ancient sites featuring rock paintings by the San people—a precious testament to the ancestral cultures of Southern Africa. After lunch, for those who still have energy, we’ll hike along the trails of Truitjieskraal, among spectacular wind-sculpted sandstone formations and the incredible biodiversity of the fynbos, one of the world’s richest ecosystems. At sunset, an authentic South African braai awaits us—a South African term referring to barbecuing as a social event in Africa, meaning a big celebration together. We’ll return to our chalets nestled 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 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 arrive in Paarl, a charming 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 the Ocean and the Mountains
Today we arrive in Cape Town, one of Africa’s most iconic and fascinating cities, nestled between the ocean and the mountains. The itinerary remains flexible and depends on the weather: if conditions permit, we’ll ascend the legendary Table Mountain—the city’s symbol—by cable car, followed by a scenic walk at the summit, or on foot for those seeking a more active experience, before descending from the top. In the afternoon, we’ll drive along one of South Africa’s most scenic coastal roads, passing spectacular cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean, until we reach our seaside base, where we’ll be staying for the next few days.

Fourteenth day

Where the Land Ends
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, historic lighthouses, and 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 pristine landscape. In the late afternoon, we reach one of the last Cape penguin colonies to observe these incredible animals up close in their natural habitat—one of the most memorable moments of the day.

Fifteenth day

Africa’s Secret Garden
We’ll devote our last full day to one of the most amazing places on this trip: the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, considered one of the seven most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. It’s a place that can amaze even those who aren’t passionate about botany, thanks to its size, South Africa’s extraordinary biodiversity, and the famous walkway suspended among the treetops. We stroll through collections of cycads, along monumental avenues, and through corners of unspoiled nature, where it’s not uncommon to encounter small wild animals. A slow yet powerful finale, perfect for bidding farewell toSouthern Africa.

Sixteenth day

In the morning, transfer to the Cape Town airport and return flight to Italy. It’s time for goodbyes, final glances, and memories that will stay with us forever: blooming deserts, raging oceans, ancient cultures, and boundless landscapes. A journey through Namibia and South Africa comes to an end, but it lives on in the images, the emotions, and the profound sense of having traveled through one of the most intense and authentic corners of the planet.

Seventeenth day

arrival in Italy.