NAM02 - 9 Day Canyons & Deserts of Namibia Tour

On this Namibia tour you will visit the red sands of the Kalahari Desert, the majestic Fish River Canyon and the world's highest sand dunes in the Namib Desert at Sossusvlei. You will also spend some time in Swakopmund before the tour ends back in Windhoek.

           
Sossusvlei, Namibia.

The Route
Windhoek - Kalahari Desert - Fish River Canyon - Aus - Luderitz - Namib Desert - Sesriem - Sossusvlei - Swakopmund - Windhoek

Departures
Tours depart on a Saturday. Scheduled departure dates can be found below.

Guests
Minimum 2 - Maximum 16 

Day 1 of the tour
Leaving Windhoek, we travel into the largest sand mass on earth, the Kalahari. The bushman refer to it as the “Soul of the World”, an emotive description for this area! With its endless grass plains interspersed with Acacia’s and shrubs, it is the only form of survival for a vast amount of wildlife and migrating bushman communities. Enjoy the opportunity to experience the fauna and flora that have survived this desert environment for thousands of years with an optional drive in the Kalahari Desert.

Approximate Distance:     280 km travel
Activities:                          Optional dune drive in the Kalahari Desert

Overnight:     Kalahari Anib Lodge - Kalahari Desert (Bed & Breakfast)

Day 2 of the tour
We travel south through expansive rocky plains, visiting the unique Quiver Tree Forest. Nestled amongst huge dolerite boulders, some stacked in such a mysterious way that it seems giants played here. We continue to our lodge, situated in a close vicinity to the Fish River Canyon.

Approximate Distance:     440 km travel
Activities:                          Quiver Tree Forest and Sundowenr Walk

Overnight:     Canon Roadhouse/ Village - Fish River Canyon (Bed & Breakfast)

Days 3-4 of the tour
Our morning starts on the edge of the Fish River Canyon, where we gaze down 550 meters into this magnificent canyon itself, the second largest of its kind on earth! Thereafter we travel down to the Succulent Karoo, on of the 20 most important biomes on earth. On the second day we travel to Luderitz and visit a ghost town that was left to the hands of the relentless and unforgiving desert. Other attractions visited consist of the Wild Horses of the Namib Desert, Diaz Point and the coastal town of Luderitz itself.

Approximate Distance:     345 km travel on day 3 and 280 km travel on day 4
Activities:                          Visit Fish River Canyon, Kolmanskop Ghost Town, Diaz Point, Wild Horses of the Namib Desert

Overnight:     Klein Aus Vist Desert Horse Inn - Aus (Bed & Breakfast)

Day 5 of the tour
After breakfast we travel north through the pre-Namib to our lodge in the desert. This is the gateway to Sesriem Canyon and Sossusvlei, where some of the highest sand dunes on earth stand towering over the white desert plains. This afternoon can be spent at the pool, or taking part in optional activities offered at our lodge.

Approximate Distance:     295 km travel
Activities:                          Optional experience with African Big Cats

Overnight:     Hammerstein Lodge - Southern Namib Desert (Bed & Breakfast)

Day 6 of the tour
This morning demands an early start. The first rays of sunrise paint the mountains of sand into a variety of apricot, red and orange, contrasted against a crisp blue skyline, enrapting our senses, and providing an opportunity to capture this awesome landscape on film and dambering some of the breathtaking dunes to adore the sea of sand from above. Thereafter we visit the Sesriem Canyon, a life sustaining natural phenomenon in the heart of the Namib Desert.

Approximate Distance:     280 km travel
Activities:                          Dead Vlei, Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon

Overnight:     Namib Desert Lodge - Southern Namib Desert (Bed & Breakfast)

Day 7 of the tour
After breakfast we travel via the desolate, rolling hills of the Kuiseb Moon Valley towards the Atlantic Ocean. In Walvis Bay we visit the shallow lagoon, one of the most important wetland areas on the African continent and a RAMSAR world heritage site. Over 80% of the African flamingo's feed in this lagoon and present a breathtaking picture when they appear in groups counting a few hundred thousand. Having arrived in the coastal town of Swakopmund, we have the rest of the day at leisure.

Approximate Distance:     290 km travel
Activities:                          Walvis Bay Lagoon - RAMSAR World Heritage Site

Overnight:     Schweitzerhaus Hotel - Swakopmund (Bed & Breakfast)



Day 8 of the tour
We have the entire day at our disposal in Swakopmund. Enjoy optional activities such as a marine cruise, a desert tour, scenic flight or quad biking experience to name just a few. Alternatively, stroll through the historic streets of the coastal town while shopping, and enjoy excellent confectionaries in relaxing street cafes.

Approximate Distance:     80 km travel
Activities:                          At leisure to do optional extra activities

Overnight:     Schweitzerhaus Hotel - Swakopmund (Bed & Breakfast)

Day 9 of the tour
After breakfast we travel back to Windhoek to our hotel or to the international airport for your return flight. 

Approximate Distance:     380 km travel

*** Outbound Flights from Windhoek to be arranged after 19h00. 

Please Note
This tour is operated as a Scheduled Tour. Departure dates can be found below. We can also run this tour for the Private traveller with only their group and departing on any dates to suit their needs. (6 Pax or more required).

Scheduled Departure Dates 2011/2012