18 hotel nights, meals per itinerary (excluding 3 dinners and 7 lunches), and activities per above itinerary.
The additional charge for a single room throughout the trip is $800. Which comes to roughly $44 per night. Indulge - You are worth it!
Let's keep it simple!
Due by October 15th, or within 5 days of verbal commitment in order to hold your spot. The deposit is nonrefundable. Before putting down a deposit, I want to have a video chat with you to make sure I answer all of your questions and ensure this is a great fit for both of us!
50% of the remaining total price per person (whether single or double occupancy) is due on October 30, 2025. Partial refund available, please see Cancellation Policy for additional information.
Final amount is due on December 10, 2025. Partial refund available, please see Cancellation Policy for additional information.
* Pricing might be subject to change based on unexpected currency fluctuations or price increases greater than 5% by the vendors. Rooms based on availability. Payments will be made through a third-party travel agency (Journeys of the Spirit) that Today is My Someday Travel works with, in order to ensure all legal, financial, and liability factors are handled properly.
Sometimes things don't go as planned - hopefully you'll never need this section, but it's still good to understand what happens if you need to cancel the trip.
Deposit: Your deposit of $1,000 is nonrefundable.
First Payment: (Due Oct 30, 2025) This is partially refundable until December 10, 2025. If you cancel your trip before December 10, 2025, 50% of the amount paid (less deposit) will be refundable. The other 50% is nonrefundable. If you cancel after December 01, 2025, the total amount paid is not refundable. This is one reason why I require trip insurance as soon as you decide to book the trip - I want you to be able to get your money back if at all possible!
Final Payment: (Due December 10, 2025) If you cancel between December 10 and January 4, 2026, 50% of your final payment will be refunded, all other monies paid to date are non-refundable. Should you cancel after January 4, 2026, there is no refund of any monies. Please make sure to get the best trip cancellation insurance possible to help you financially should you need to cancel.
We reserve the right to cancel the trip if it is not meeting the trip minimum of 4 people (if we do so your deposit and all monies will be refunded in full). Any decision to cancel will be done before December 1, 2025. Trip insurance is strongly encouraged as soon as you put down your deposit.
GENERAL: All activities are based on current conditions and availability. Should one activity be unexpectedly cancelled, another similar activity will be booked at no additional expense.

Embark on a life-changing odyssey through Namibia, where the essence of wild Africa unfolds in its purest form. As the world's second least-populated country, Namibia gifts you with a sense of sublime solitude and connection to the earth. Here, you'll witness the planet's tallest dunes - a photographer's paradise where light dances on reds and whites, casting mesmerizing shadows that shift with each passing moment. You’ll journey to the hauntingly beautiful Skeleton Coast, where mist-shrouded shores have claimed numerous ships and you’ll feel the raw power of nature's untamed spirit.
But what truly sets this journey apart is the rare chance to leave a positive mark while traveling. You will be volunteering at one of Namibia's top wildlife sanctuaries, home to majestic lions, gentle giants of elephants, fleet-footed cheetahs, ancient rhinos, and engaging baboons - where you'll not only witness their beauty but actively contribute to their conservation, creating memories and impact that will resonate for a lifetime.
This isn't just a trip; it's your "Today is My Someday" moment. Embrace this refreshing and enriching adventure, where your long-awaited travel dreams become reality amidst Africa's timeless beauty.
If you have hesitated to take a trip to Africa, either because you don't want to do it alone or the logistics seem a bit overwhelming, this could be the perfect opportunity to fulfill your dream while being of service. Check out the 2026 Namibia itinerary and all the activities and amazing places you will go with Today is My Someday Travel!

Windhoek shows off many facets of Namibia: a bustling metropolis, unique architecture, and kind and thoughtful people. Here you'll have some time to recover from jetlag, with a relaxed city tour one day and a unique trip to a local women's center where craftmanship meets community the following day, where you will gain insight into a township and partake in a batik workshop.

You will have the rare opportunity to actively participate in the conservation and care of animals who have been orphaned, injured or human-habituated. The goal is to release animals back into the wild, and as this isn't always possible, volunteers work to with purpose to ensure a positive quality of life for them. You will experience the realities and challenges of wildlife conservation, as well as the complexities of responsible captive animal care.

GocheGanas combines safari adventures with wellness treatments and luxurious downtime. This is your opportunity to pamper yourself in a beautiful Namibian environment. Two safari drives will make your heart beat a bit faster as you spot some of their 25 different game species, such as rhinoceros, kudu and zebra. And whether you book the spa or simply enjoy your beautiful chalet to write, meditate, or sketch in, this is your time to slow down and enjoy all that is around you.

Founded by Germany in 1892, Swakopmund is an interesting blend of German architecture and foods, while the coastal landscapes are pure Namibia. Fog can be a constant companion here, but when the sun shines through, there is magic to behold. You can take walks along the beach, go to the lagoon to spot flamingoes, bargain with local artisans - or simply wander the town delighting all your senses. A catamaran tour of Walvis Bay will offer a wonderful counterpoint to the tour through nearby canyons and gorges.

The Namib-Naukluft National Park is the oldest desert in the world, and almost 10x the size of the Grand Canyon. Here the world's tallest sand dunes offer a spectacular backdrop for white sand pans and eerie, dead camelthorn trees. Our individual chalet accommodations are close to the Park gate, making the journey to the stunning, ever-changing, rust-colored dunes relatively quick as we walk up, around and through the iconic Big Daddy, Deadvlei, and Sossusvlei Dunes.

Traveling to Namibia is a journey itself, and I understand how tiring a long flight can be! Arrive on Friday and you can rest and relax at the Windhoek Luxury Suites. There is a welcome dinner Friday night at a fantastic restaurant in the complex that offers excellent Namibian cuisine, and we will have a chance to get to know one another. On Saturday we have a 3-hr city tour, and lunch is on your own. You are free to do some additional exploring throughout the rest of Saturday, and dinner is on your own. On Sunday mid-morning we will head to the township of Katutura to visit Penduka, a women's entrepreneurial village where we will take a tour of their hospitality and arts centers, enjoy a lunch by the lake, and take a class making a batik item we can take home. Later that afternoon we will head to Na'ankuse to start our volunteer service.
MEALS:All breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner included. 1 dinner, 1 lunch not included. Beverages excluded. INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: City tour and batik class at Penduka.

Having gotten settled in our tents (think more glamping than scouting!) on Sunday, we start volunteering bright and early Monday morning, being slotted into our teams for the week. Each of us will likely be assigned to different groups, so you will be working with people from around the world of all ages. (Average age is around 26) There are 2 volunteer activities each day, and could include working with the K-9 anti-poaching unit, elephant tracking, perimeter fence repair, baboon walk, checking and replacing camera traps, cheetah walk, feeding carnivors to meerkats, or building a waterhole. Special group activities Saturday, with a cheetah experience followed by rhino-tracking in the afternoon. Lunch Saturday will be at the Bush Camp restaurant.
MEALS: All meals (buffet) at the main group camp are included. Saturday lunch included. All water, coffee, tea included. Sodas and alcohol extra. Meals (individually prearranged on site) at Bush Camp restaurant not included. INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: 2 volunteer activities per day included. Cheetah and rhino tracking experiences on Saturday included.

You have spent a week working with others and caring for animals - now it is time to relax. Just over an hour's drive away, we will arrive at this oasis of calm and rejuvenation before lunch. You will have almost 2 full days to unwind and enjoy 2 safari game drives with 25 different wildlife species on 6000 hectares. The early morning drive includes coffee and 'rusks' while the afternoon drive includes a sundowner to round off the adventure. A qualified guide assists with sharing information on fauna, flora and interesting bird species. With the abundance of game on the farm, every game drive has its highlights. A private braai - a true African barbeque - offers both a visual and tasty gourmet highlight. To round off your stay, you can book a private spa treatment at the wellness center.
MEALS: All breakfasts, 1 braai and 1 regular dinner included. 2 lunches not included. Beverages excluded. INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: Morning and late afternoon game drives, braai Activities NOT included: Guided hike, spa treatments.

Private transport will collect us mid-morning for a 5-hour drive through a vast landscape to the coast. We arrive in Swakopmund and stay at historic Hansa Hotel in the heart of town. Dinner will be with the group, but before and after feel free to explore the town and beach. On Wednesday we will take a 1/2 day tour to nearby canyons and find the ancient Welwitchia Mirablilis, an endemic plant that can be 1500 years old. Weather dependent, on Thursday a catamaran tour of Walvis Bay will be a wonderful way to reconnect with the ocean and its playful seals and dolphins. Outside of the two tours, your time is your own - explore the mineral museum, buy art and crafts from artisans, wander along the beach, photograph flamingoes...its your time to create your own travel magic.
MEALS: All breakfasts, 1 light lunch on travel day, and 1 dinner included. 2 dinners, 2 lunches not included. Beverages excluded. INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: Moon Landscape tour and Walvis Bay tour.

Friday we leave the coast and head to the desert. An approximate 4-hour drive with a stop for a light lunch in the unusual "town" of Solitaire, we arrive at the beautiful Sossusvlei Lodge in time for a dip in the pool and personal time before a dinner buffet like no other. Saturday will be an early start in order to watch the sun make her magic on the impossibly tall, curvaceous, red-hue dunes of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The excursion takes us to the famous Big Daddy dune, Deadvlei and Dune 45, with a picnic lunch included. Saturday and Sunday evenings are either a Sundowner excursion to the nearby dunes, or a glorious small plane flight to the coast and back (cost not included). Sunday is a day of complete rest and relaxation.
MEALS: All breakfasts, 1 picnic lunch, and all dinners included. 2 lunches not included. Beverages excluded. INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: Dune tour and Sundowner tour. Activities NOT included: small plane flight.

Our longest travel day has us departing mid-morning and heading back to Windhoek. We'll arrive in the early evening at the Windhoek Luxury Suites, where we will have our farewell dinner together. Tuesday is on your own and you can go visit the art market or museums before flying home.
MEALS: Dinner and breakfast included. Lunch on last day is not included. Beverages excluded. NO INCLUDED ACTIVITIES.
Misty the caracal at Na'ankuse
Please reach me at betsy@timsdt.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Thanks for asking! I did a guest blog for Modern Elder Academy while I was in Namibia and titled it Today is My Someday. It follows my unusual and very long road to get to Namibia. That journey made me realize I had put off so many wonderful things until 'someday...', ignoring the reality that all I really had was today, and I needed to make it count. Here is a link where you can read the blog! Blog: Today is My Someday
While my dream has always been to offer others the opportunity to explore far flung and internal landscapes through combining travel and volunteering, this first trip is a biggie for me. While I've led volunteer groups before (4 to Ghana, one to Colombia, and a small staff trip to Tajikistan), my ideal trip is one with a group of like-minded people who I know. So I've decided to discount this first trip, giving friends the opportunity to explore Namibia with me, and to ensure I've got everything as perfected as possible (haha!) before opening the trip up to the world at large.
I spent 5 weeks in Namibia in the Fall of 2023, and fell in love with every part of it. So much so that all I could think of was how I could share this amazing country, its people, animals and landscapes with others. And so Today is My Someday Travel was born.
For this and future tours, I want to have travelled to the location myself to experience what I want to offer to others. In as many instances as possible, this includes lodging and restaurants and tours.
I am not a fan of the stereotypical tour - rushing onto a bus, driving forever, stopping for a few minutes to takes some snaps, then off again. Nope, that's not this trip. You can see on the itinerary all the personal time this tour offers, with only 3 days out of 18 with 5+ hours of travel - that's a pretty great ratio!
Our trip is about coming together as a group of friends but respecting each other's desire to do some of your own exploration, to have time to breathe by yourself. If you want to eat by yourself for a few meals, that's fine. I am not there as a task-master, schlepping you from one activity to the next until you drop with exhaustion. I am there to coordinate, facilitate, encourage, ensure safety and health, timeliness when needed, offer positivity, humor and to help foster comradery.. Hence the phrase I came up with, "gently-led tour".
It's an interesting phrase, hmmm? Conscious travel is a relatively new travel phrase that means as a traveler, you experience and connect with the people, culture and environment around you in a mindful way. To be responsible for your effect on those who live in the place you are passing through, and hopefully leaving it a bit better in a way that is meaningful to them, not just a photo op for you.
Namibia is ranked as 62nd safest country in the world (the USA is 132th), according to the Global Peace Index. That said, it is always a great idea to be cautious in cities like Windhoek, where petty crime (purse-snatching, pickpocketing) has been on the rise. Be smart when you are out and about. And while I felt safe enough while I was in Namibia, I took certain precautions like using a known taxi driver, not wearing flashy clothes or jewelry, using the hotel safe, and only pulling out small quantities of cash from an ATM that had a guard, or inside the bank. For more info: Namibia's safety profile. For those that prefer an international perspective, here is the UK site on safety in Namibia.
Most of Namibia is conscientious about accommodating different dietary needs - but not every place is perfect. Na'ankuse offers a vegetarian option at every meal, but that is all. If your health is dependent upon gluten-free or other specific diets, this might not be the right trip for you. Talk with me for more information.
Speaking only to American citizens - no, there is no visa requirement. For information about vaccination recommendations, please refer to the CDC, or even the UK's recommendations. Know that we are not going into malarial areas, and that animals at Na'ankuse have all had their rabies vaccine shots, so risk is small (I got mine anyway last year). Staying healthy is so important when you travel, especially in a country whose medical system might not be as robust as our own, so I encourage you to speak with your physician about your vaccination and medical needs.
That might be the hardest question here! Since we will be south of the equator, the seasons are flipped - so Namibia will be coming out of its summer which is typically it's wetter season. By the end of March, the possibility of afternoon rain showers will be decreasing. The rains will have brought plants to life, and its also the season for animals to give birth. Of course, weather forecasting is difficult the best of times, but historically temperatures in late March to early April are in the mid 80's at their highest during the day, and down to the mid 50's at night. The desert can get cold at night, so bring an extra layer or two, especially if you want to sit out and stargaze!
I've been lucky to only need trip insurance a couple of times in all my travels - knock on wood! However, when I have needed it, or have had travel companions that needed trip insurance, it was a lifesaver! From a stolen passport, to trip delays, to a broken wrist, trip insurance gives peace of mind that if something goes wrong, there is help available. Travel insurance should cover last minute trip cancellation, trip delays, and all things medical - including epidemic outbreaks. There are numerous sites and plans available, including comparison sites, while Allianz travel insurance is a favorite of many. For on-the-go travel insurance, you can look at World Nomads. Please carefully review what is and isn't covered and under what circumstances. I'm happy to chat with you more about travel insurance!
I'd say you should be moderately fit. I found that there were some minor things at Na'ankuse I couldn't do (swing a hammer or carry concrete- thanks, tennis elbow!), and my team helped out in those instances. But you do need to be able to walk around 4 miles (mostly flat terrain), not mind if it gets hot or rains, and be willing and able to put together 'alluring' food stuffs for the animals, or clean their cages. I'm happy to discuss this further, it is a very important topic!
For the other locations, climbing up a sand dune or walking on uneven terrain is exciting, but not required.
That could be problematic. I am unable to ride a horse, so couldn't partake in that, but I helped out around the paddock while others were riding. If you decide you don't like the idea of cleaning a meerkat or mongoose cage, and ask to be excused from the activity, you will be unable to participate in the next activity - which could be a baboon walk, K-9 training or caracal experience! In general, the rule is you are there to be of service, and while it might not always be the most glamorous activity, you are there to help the sanctuary and animals survive and thrive.
Normally, the minimum requirement for staying at Na'ankuse is 2 weeks. There are several reasons for this, the key one being it gives you the opportunity to experience everything. With only 7 days, well, you see the problem. Luckily, the tour includes a walk with the cheetahs and rhino tracking on our last day there, so you are guaranteed two awesome activities! Otherwise, please know you will have amazing experiences every day that are always about the animals, it just might not actively be with the animals themselves.
YES! Absolutely, you can book a private room/tent. Please see the single supplement pricing.
Namibia is my pilot trip, and if it goes as beautifully as I hope, I'd love to do it every year. I am also looking forward to adding volunteer-based travel to countries such as Ghana and Morocco.
Nope! I am delighted to say I have an expert travel agent (Frauke at Rennies Travel) in Windhoek, Namibia who I have personally met and worked with for my own travel in 2023. So there is someone on the ground in Namibia who supports us. Also, I work with a US travel agency Journeys of the Spirit who is helping ensure all the lovely legal things are taken care of and will be collecting the payments you will be making.
I would love to discuss your flights and some potential add-on opportunities, like a safari to Etosha National Park or a cruise along the Chobe River in Botswana. But I would rather put you in touch with either the local agent in Namibia or the US agency I'm working with to actually book those travel items. Let's talk about your options!

Traveling to Namibia is a journey itself, and I understand how tiring a long flight can be! Arrive on Friday and you can rest and relax at the Windhoek Luxury Suites. There is a welcome dinner Friday night at a fantastic restaurant in the complex that offers excellent Namibian cuisine, and we will have a chance to get to know one another. On Saturday we have a 3-hr city tour, and lunch is on your own. You are free to do some additional exploring throughout the rest of Saturday, and dinner is on your own. On Sunday mid-morning we will head to the township of Katutura to visit Penduka, a women's entrepreneurial village where we will take a tour of their hospitality and arts centers, enjoy a lunch by the lake, and take a class making a batik item we can take home. Later that afternoon we will head to Na'ankuse to start our volunteer service.
MEALS:All breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner included. 1 dinner, 1 lunch not included. Beverages excluded. INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: City tour and batik class at Penduka.

Having gotten settled in our tents (think more glamping than scouting!) on Sunday, we start volunteering bright and early Monday morning, being slotted into our teams for the week. Each of us will likely be assigned to different groups, so you will be working with people from around the world of all ages. (Average age is around 26) There are 2 volunteer activities each day, and could include working with the K-9 anti-poaching unit, elephant tracking, perimeter fence repair, baboon walk, checking and replacing camera traps, cheetah walk, feeding carnivors to meerkats, or building a waterhole. Special group activities Saturday, with a cheetah experience followed by rhino-tracking in the afternoon. Lunch Saturday will be at the Bush Camp restaurant.
MEALS: All meals (buffet) at the main group camp are included. Saturday lunch included. All water, coffee, tea included. Sodas and alcohol extra. Meals (individually prearranged on site) at Bush Camp restaurant not included. INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: 2 volunteer activities per day included. Cheetah and rhino tracking experiences on Saturday included.

You have spent a week working with others and caring for animals - now it is time to relax. Just over an hour's drive away, we will arrive at this oasis of calm and rejuvenation before lunch. You will have almost 2 full days to unwind and enjoy 2 safari game drives with 25 different wildlife species on 6000 hectares. The early morning drive includes coffee and 'rusks' while the afternoon drive includes a sundowner to round off the adventure. A qualified guide assists with sharing information on fauna, flora and interesting bird species. With the abundance of game on the farm, every game drive has its highlights. A private braai - a true African barbeque - offers both a visual and tasty gourmet highlight. To round off your stay, you can book a private spa treatment at the wellness center.
MEALS: All breakfasts, 1 braai and 1 regular dinner included. 2 lunches not included. Beverages excluded. INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: Morning and late afternoon game drives, braai Activities NOT included: Guided hike, spa treatments.

Private transport will collect us mid-morning for a 5-hour drive through a vast landscape to the coast. We arrive in Swakopmund and stay at historic Hansa Hotel in the heart of town. Dinner will be with the group, but before and after feel free to explore the town and beach. On Wednesday we will take a 1/2 day tour to nearby canyons and find the ancient Welwitchia Mirablilis, an endemic plant that can be 1500 years old. Weather dependent, on Thursday a catamaran tour of Walvis Bay will be a wonderful way to reconnect with the ocean and its playful seals and dolphins. Outside of the two tours, your time is your own - explore the mineral museum, buy art and crafts from artisans, wander along the beach, photograph flamingoes...its your time to create your own travel magic.
MEALS: All breakfasts, 1 light lunch on travel day, and 1 dinner included. 2 dinners, 2 lunches not included. Beverages excluded. INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: Moon Landscape tour and Walvis Bay tour.

Friday we leave the coast and head to the desert. An approximate 4-hour drive with a stop for a light lunch in the unusual "town" of Solitaire, we arrive at the beautiful Sossusvlei Lodge in time for a dip in the pool and personal time before a dinner buffet like no other. Saturday will be an early start in order to watch the sun make her magic on the impossibly tall, curvaceous, red-hue dunes of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The excursion takes us to the famous Big Daddy dune, Deadvlei and Dune 45, with a picnic lunch included. Saturday and Sunday evenings are either a Sundowner excursion to the nearby dunes, or a glorious small plane flight to the coast and back (cost not included). Sunday is a day of complete rest and relaxation.
MEALS: All breakfasts, 1 picnic lunch, and all dinners included. 2 lunches not included. Beverages excluded. INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: Dune tour and Sundowner tour. Activities NOT included: small plane flight.

Our longest travel day has us departing mid-morning and heading back to Windhoek. We'll arrive in the early evening at the Windhoek Luxury Suites, where we will have our farewell dinner together. Tuesday is on your own and you can go visit the art market or museums before flying home.
MEALS: Dinner and breakfast included. Lunch on last day is not included. Beverages excluded. NO INCLUDED ACTIVITIES.
Misty the caracal at Na'ankuse