Luxury Desert Adventure Vacations

Namib Desert, Namibia

Not many places on earth feel as remote and wild as Namibia. Home to the world’s oldest desert, with incredibly low population density and awe-inspiring landscapes, it’s the perfect spot to connect with nature in its most rugged form. 

See Namibia’s unforgettable desert views from above on a hot air balloon safari. The Namib is also home to the otherworldly terrain of Sossusvlei, where you’ll find the spectacular Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge. Climb the towering red dunes on Sossusvlei tours for majestic views over the landscape below, or cruise up and down the sand by quadbike or e-bike.

The Kalahari desert spans several countries over 350,000 square metres across Southern Africa. It has been home to the indigenous San people for over 20,000 years. A day spent learning about their nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle and intricate knowledge of this harsh environment lends a deeper perspective to your Kalahari tour.

We recommend a stay at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. As the only accommodation on the reserve, it’s an incredibly private and exclusive stay where you can enjoy malaria-free safaris and track highly elusive pangolins – a highlight for any wildlife lover.

Morocco contains just a sliver of the immense Sahara Desert, but it’s more than enough space for adventures in this surreal landscape. Our favourite Sahara desert tours combine thrills with traditional culture, best enjoyed with a stay at a Berber-style camp like Merzouga.

Sit around the campfire exchanging stories and sharing traditional meals as twilight falls over the seemingly infinite empty space around you, then head out with an astronomer to stargaze under skies blanketed in stars. By day, zoom across sun-warmed golden dunes on a desert ATV tour or slide down on a sandboard.

The Outback, Australia

The Australian Outback is a vast expanse of wilderness brimming with spiritual significance and magical views. The impressive Uluru monolith embodies the essence of this land, while cultural immersions, unforgettable hikes and dining under the stars make it one of the best destinations in Australia for intrepid explorers.

Soak up the atmosphere of Uluru and the Outback by staying at Longitude 131º, a luxury resort where you can enjoy guided expeditions, private tours and dune-top dinners. Learn about indigenous Anangu culture during a private dot painting workshop, or on a guided walk among the fascinating Kata Tjuta domes.

Located within New Zealand’s Tongariro National Park, the Rangipo Desert is a stark, windswept plateau of volcanic sands and tussock grasses. Shape your desert adventure with a drive along the stunning Desert Road, and tackle off-road hikes across tundra, which is constantly being reshaped by the elements.

Trek across volcanic landscapes with a private guide on the challenging Tongariro Alpine Crossing, regarded as one of the best day hikes in the world. Admire active volcanoes, including Mount Ngāuruhoe, which featured as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings franchise, bubbling mud pools and emerald lakes.

With a name that often translates to ‘Sea of Death’, China’s Taklamakan Desert, the world’s second largest shifting sand desert, presents an imposing landscape. Ancient Silk Route merchants successfully traversed its brutally cold and arid climate by staying in oasis cities such as Kashgar, which you can still visit today. Shop for jade and traditionally woven silk in markets and bazaars, which provide welcome respite from the empty oceans of dunes.

Drive across the world’s longest desert highway, or stick to traditional transport methods with a camel caravan. Learn about the region’s historic significance from your local guide, and plant a tree as part of the ‘Great Green Wall’, a project designed to slow the expansion of the desert.

Wadi Rum, Jordan

Jordan is one of the Middle East’s best destinations for thrill-seeking explorers. Soak in the dramatic desert vistas of Wadi Rum, whose otherworldly landscapes doubled as filming locations for the desert planet Arrakis in the Dune franchise, and as Mars in The Martian. 

Explore the rugged red landscapes by hiking or rock climbing, or on a private Wadi Rum Jeep tour led by a Bedouin guide, who’ll introduce you to local culture and traditions along the way. Share coffee or learn to make bread with a local family, staying at Discovery Bedu for an immersive Bedouin experience.

The Sahara covers the majority of Egypt, so it’s no surprise that this country is ideal for desert adventures. The best way to appreciate the Sahara’s incredible scale is to clamber aboard a desert-adapted 4WD and race across the dunes, feeling the thrill of climbing up and down these vast, empty landscapes.

It’s not all empty, however – lush oases bloom from the dunes, with olive and palm groves and waterfall pools seemingly sprouting from the sand. The Siwa Oasis is one such spot. Cool off in its natural springs or relaxing salt pools, or delve into its history with a guided visit to the 13th century Shali Fortress, or the Temple of the Oracle of Amun, visited by Alexander the Great.

Known as ‘the land of the dragons’ in local folklore, a visit to Mongolia’s vast Gobi Desert transports you to another world. A desert adventure vacation here is unlike any other. The region’s ancient history comes to life as you learn about millennia-old rock carvings and the high concentration of fossilised dinosaur remains found at the famous ‘flaming cliffs’, which gain their deep colour from the iron-rich sandstone.

Explore by camel or on horseback, or electric scooter if you prefer. Climb the Khongor sand dunes, and experience the whistling or singing acoustics that occur when you slide back down. Meet the nomadic families who live in this harsh climate and stay in traditional felt gers – we recommend Three Camel Lodge for an authentic experience.

Atacama Desert, Chile

Chile boasts one of the world’s driest regions: the Atacama Desert. With some areas having never experienced any recorded rainfall, it’s an ethereal land of lagoons, volcanoes, salt flats and sand dunes. It’s also brimming with opportunities for adventure and luxurious accommodation.

Stay at Tierra Atacama for privileged views of the Licancabur volcano and access to exclusive activities. Explore the lunar landscapes by 4WD vehicle, on horseback or by mountain bike, or combine with a tour of Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni salt flats for an even more mesmerising trip. At night, make sure to look skyward for some of the world’s best stargazing.

Argentina is a country of mind-blowing natural beauty. While many head south to the icy wonders of Patagonia, in its northwestern corner near the borders of Chile and Bolivia, you’ll find the stark and striking Puna region.

On a private expedition through the Puna desert, you’ll head from Buenos Aires to base yourself in the gateway city of Salta. Spend several days discovering the Puna’s white pumice fields, vast salt flats – including the Cono de Arita, towering volcanoes and flocks of flamingos on a rugged 4×4 expedition.

Although technically not a desert, it would be remiss not to include Lençóis Maranhenses National Park on a list of the best destinations for a desert adventure vacation. Situated in the far north of Brazil, these rippling white dunes are studded with jewel-toned lakes of varying sizes.

Kitesurf across the warm, shallow waters, or plunge into the larger lagoons of Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita for a swim. On land, navigate the ever-shifting dunes by dune buggy or quadbike, zooming up and down the pearlescent slopes.

Tabernas Desert, Spain

The only true desert in Europe, Tabernas, in the Spanish province of Almería, is reminiscent of America’s Wild West. It’s been a filming location for several Hollywood blockbusters, including Indiana Jones, and some of the preserved film sets still stand in the national park today.

Embody these Hollywood heroes by exploring on scenic hikes with a private guide, or ride across the rugged landscapes on horseback. We recommend timing your ride with sunset, when the desert glows under the warm light. Complement active days with a local olive oil tasting, or stargazing with an astronomer.

A defining geographical feature of western Crete, the largest of the Greek islands, Lefka Ori (or White Mountains), is an expansive mountain range encompassing over 50 gorges, towering peaks and a lunar landscape desert. Sitting at over 2,000 metres altitude, the desert is the only one of its kind in the Northern Hemisphere.

The area is an outdoor lover’s dream. Enjoy guided hikes across the mountainous landscape, including the highest peak – Pachnes, at 2,453 metres. It’s also home to the striking Samaria Gorge. One of the best hikes in Europe, it carves a 16 kilometre route through the rock.

Antarctica

The sparkling ice and snow of Antarctica may not be the most stereotypical desert landscape, but its low precipitation qualifies it as the largest desert on earth. The magnificent White Continent embodies the spirit of adventure, with many an explorer having ventured to tackle its meteorological extremes.

For a truly exceptional desert adventure, take a classic Antarctica cruise from the tip of South America. Enjoy excursions led by naturalist guides, searching for penguins, whales and seals on Zodiac boats, trekking across glaciers or kayaking between icebergs.